"King Huai wants to see me?" Gu Chen's expression changed upon hearing this, and he was immediately taken aback.
This King Huai was no ordinary figure. Currently in Da Xia, aside from those aged royal relatives who had retired, there was only one prince like King Huai.
King Huai was the current Emperor of Summer's own younger brother by the same mother, undoubtedly the most powerful individual in the entirety of Da Xia, and perhaps even the whole world.
Because when the current Emperor of Summer underwent seclusion twenty-three years ago, he had appointed a Crown Prince and entrusted the administration of the state to him. However, at that time, the Crown Prince was too young, merely a few years old. Therefore, the Emperor appointed King Huai as the Regent to supervise the nation, assisting the Crown Prince in handling state affairs.
And now, after the Crown Prince had come of age, King Huai had already transferred power and stepped back. But even so, the Crown Prince would still occasionally summon King Huai to the palace to discuss state affairs together.
Even with major issues where the Crown Prince was indecisive, he would first consult King Huai before finalizing the way forward.
It could be said that the relationship between the Crown Prince and King Huai was exceptionally close. They were not father and son, yet their bond was stronger than that of a father and son. The Emperor's image had already become blurry in the Crown Prince's memory after twenty-three years of seclusion, far less intimate than his decades-long daily interactions with King Huai.
During King Huai's governance of Da Xia, the nation had been well-ordered, and its national strength had greatly increased. People used to say that King Huai possessed better capability in governance than the current sage Emperor. Regrettably, when the old Emperor selected his successor to the throne, the realm was in turmoil, urgently needing a powerful martial Emperor to suppress the world.
Moreover, as the Emperor was the eldest son, he was chosen to inherit the throne.
In the eyes of some, it would have been better for King Huai to succeed to the throne. The current Emperor would be more suitable as a great general, the pillar of the state, to awe the world.
As Chen Yu mentioned, King Huai's summoning of Gu Chen was likely to inquire about the Six Union God Sect, and it was very possible he intended to mentor Gu Chen as well.
"King Huai is no ordinary person. When you meet with him, you must be careful and tactful, taking great care not to say anything amiss." Chen Yu seriously advised.
"Do not worry, my lord. I understand," Gu Chen said solemnly, clasping his fists.
After all, King Huai was recognized as the most prominent individual in the contemporary Da Xia. Even if his temperament was amiable and unconcerned with strict formalities, someone like Gu Chen still needed to be mindful of the necessary etiquette.
Chen Yu nodded. He knew Gu Chen to be a man of measure, and through their interactions, Gu Chen had proved to be reliable. Chen Yu also hoped King Huai would take a liking to Gu Chen and cultivate him substantially.
Regardless, Gu Chen was his man, and his temperament and talents were in line with Chen Yu's own. Chen Yu did not want Gu Chen's potential to be cut short. If Gu Chen matured, Da Xia might gain another figure capable of being a great commander.
The Jing Tian Department oversaw the world, always vigilant against external threats. Now, with the rise of the demonic cults and the heightened danger of missions, Chen Yu did not wish for a talent like Gu Chen to perish prematurely.
If King Huai provided guidance, Gu Chen's future path would certainly be much smoother.
Finally, the moment Gu Chen had been eagerly awaiting arrived.
"Before you set off on your mission, I had said that if you could defeat Yu Qiushi and complete this task, aside from the due rewards, privately, I would give you an additional reward," Chen Yu said.