In King of Glory, the "Plunder" keyword has been completely exploited by Ah Li.

Page 129

If Wu Zetian were to personally examine him, she would naturally be able to easily see what Jiang Che's future achievements would be and whether he could hope to become a legendary ninth-grade alchemist.

"My dear disciple?"

"When did you take him as your apprentice?"

Wu Zetian frowned slightly, asked in a cool voice, her tone carrying an unyielding domineering air.

Wu Zetian wasn't too surprised that Haiyue would accept Jiang Che as her disciple. After all, Jiang Che's talent was undeniable, and anyone who saw him would be tempted to take him as a disciple, even a lunar deity like Haiyue.

"Today..."

"It wasn't a formal apprenticeship ceremony; there was no formal apprenticeship ritual. I'm his teacher, so I don't care about those formalities..."

Haiyue replied, in a nonchalant tone.

She wasn't lying; she genuinely didn't care much about these worldly formalities. As long as Jiang Che respected his teacher and didn't do anything to betray his master, she would be content.

Holding a formal apprenticeship ceremony is an extremely complicated matter, involving many procedures, such as the apprentice bowing and kowtowing to the master and elders, offering tea as a sign of respect, and so on.

To protect Jiang Che's pride and considering that he might not be able to accept such a kneeling ceremony, Haiyue did not bring up the matter of formally becoming his disciple, and she didn't really care about it.

After all, there's a saying that goes, "A man's knees are worth gold; he only kneels to heaven, earth, and his parents."

Although she had successfully become Jiang Che's apprentice, she was also considered his teacher.

However, considering Jiang Che's perspective, Haiyue ultimately did not bring up the matter of formally becoming his apprentice. She simply went through the motions, and apart from Xiaodie, there were no other outsiders to witness it.

.........

"It's getting late, so I won't disturb your cultivation any longer..."

"I'm going back to the academy now..."

After chatting with Wu Zetian for a while, Haiyue took her leave. With light steps, her figure quickly disappeared at the end of the long corridor of the White Jade Pavilion.

"Life is truly full of surprises..."

Watching Haiyue's departing figure, Wu Zetian's expression changed, she murmured to herself, sighed, and then gave the order.

"Pass down the order: summon Jiang Che, a disciple of the academy, to the palace tomorrow!"

"Send Wan'er to him personally to convey my imperial decree!"

The sound penetrated the attic and clearly reached the ears of the three maids on duty on the first floor.

Wu Zetian had long noticed that the three maids were not taking their duties seriously and were slacking off and dozing off. However, a person like her was broad-minded and tolerant, so she naturally wouldn't make a big deal out of it.

"Yes, ma'am..."

.....................

At dawn, as the sun rises and the first rays of sunlight pierce the earth, the intense heat of the sun shines down upon the land.

As the morning sun rose, Shangguan Wan'er, dressed in a green robe with her long black hair flowing over her shoulders and a tassel belt around her waist, entered the first-floor hall of Baiyu Pavilion with elegant and steady steps. She glanced around and walked straight to several young palace maids who had been on duty the night before. She patted the little maid who was still dozing off and chuckled softly.

"Chunlan, wake up..."

"His Majesty has come downstairs..."

"what!"

Chunlan, who was dozing off, was jolted awake by these words. She looked around but did not see the Empress. Only Shangguan Wan'er was smiling at her.

Chunlan then realized that she had been tricked. She patted the slightly raised mound on her chest with lingering fear and said with a resentful voice.

"Sister Wan'er, do you know that people can really scare each other to death!"

"If Her Majesty the Empress finds out that I was dozing off while on duty at the White Jade Pavilion, I'll be in big trouble!"

Shangguan Wan'er was also one of the Empress's ninety-nine personal maids, the one with the highest status, seniority, cultivation, and reputation, and the Empress's only personal maid.

Chunlan had a good relationship with these maids, which is why she dared to complain to Shangguan Wan'er and was not intimidated by her being a favorite of the Empress.

........................................

116: Revealing her true feelings, Diao Chan's heart returns.

"Don't worry..."

"Her Majesty is devoted to cultivation and does not concern herself with worldly affairs. How could she have noticed that you few are slacking off and dozing off here?"

Shangguan Wan'er offered a soft word of comfort, inwardly finding it somewhat amusing.

Afraid of being caught slacking off or dozing off by His Majesty?

What a silly girl!

His Majesty has long seen through your little tricks, but he's just too lazy to say anything.

After all, the high and mighty Empress wouldn't bother making things difficult for a few maids over such a trivial matter.

Hehe, really?

"In that case, Chunlan can relax and take a nap while on duty, hehe..."

Chunlan's eyes lit up, and she laughed out loud, seemingly already envisioning a wonderful future.

These women were all unfortunate girls who entered the palace at a young age. Because of their good looks and figures, they were selected through layers of selection to become the Empress's close maids. Although they also cultivated, most of them had mediocre talent and did not achieve much.

After all, geniuses have always been a minority in this world.

Chunlan was sixteen years old, a lively and active age. Since she rarely saw the Empress, she respected her but did not feel much fear towards her.

After chuckling to herself for a while, Chunlan slapped her forehead, only then remembering the Empress's instructions from last night, and muttered to herself.

"I almost forgot about the important matter..."

"Sister Wan'er, His Majesty instructed you last night to go to Qingyun Manor today to convey a royal decree summoning Jiang Che, a disciple of the academy, to the palace..."

At this point, Chunlan became a little confused, not quite understanding why the Empress would summon an academy disciple for no reason.

"Summon Jiang Che?"

"Has Your Majesty explained the purpose of this matter?"

A strange light flashed in Shangguan Haitang's eyes. She seemed to be deep in thought before asking a question.

"No……"

"His Majesty only told you to convey an imperial edict summoning Jiang Che to the palace, without explaining the reason..."

Chunlan frowned, scratched her head, and spoke in a charmingly innocent tone, her willow-leaf eyebrows arched, though she seemed a little uncertain.

She should, probably, likely remember correctly?

His Majesty only ordered Jiang Che to be summoned last night, without explaining the reason.

"I understand……"

"You all stay here and continue your duties, I'll be right back..."

Shangguan Wan'er nodded slightly, asked no further questions, gave Chunlan a brief instruction, and then turned and left.

Jiang Che was a true disciple of the academy and had an excellent relationship with Hai Yue. Both were also highly regarded by the Empress. Shangguan Wan'er was not too surprised that the Empress would suddenly summon him at this time.

………………15………

Inside a side room of Qingyun Manor.

"Young master...you are too strong..."

"I love you so much..."

Diao Chan's pretty face was flushed pink, her eyes were hazy, and she buried her head in Jiang Che's chest, panting softly, her voice slightly hoarse.

Her dark hair was slightly disheveled, and her fair, jade-like skin had a faint pink tinge, making her look delicate and alluring.

With the first rain and dew, Diao Chan's brows already held a touch of feminine charm, making her exceptionally alluring and captivating.

Every smile and frown is captivating, exuding charm and natural allure. Even the most ordinary gesture can ignite a man's desire, making him want to hold her in his arms and cherish her.

Diao Chan looked gentle, like a tamed and docile kitten, nestled happily in Jiang Che's arms.

This time, Diao Chan wasn't putting on an act; she was genuinely captivated by Jiang Che, completely and utterly.

Jiang Che's personal charm, powerful cultivation, and extraordinary talent all attracted her, making her willingly succumb to his charm.

Having been taught and guided by Jiang Che for an entire night, Diao Chan once again gained a clear understanding of Jiang Che's extensive knowledge and extraordinary talent.

Previously, she didn't quite understand why Jiang Che's back garden could always be peaceful, and why A-Li and the other girls could get along so well and rarely fight over each other. Now, after experiencing it firsthand, Diao Chan finally understood.

Even she couldn't withstand Jiang Che's powerful cultivation; she was no match for him. Presumably, Ali and the other girls were in no better shape and were no match for Jiang Che either.

In this situation, the women can only form an alliance to establish a defensive line of attack and defense, so their relationship is naturally not too bad, and there is no situation of jealousy or rivalry.

I'm fed so much every day, what kind of vinegar is good to eat?

Women all have a certain attraction to strength, and Diao Chan is no exception. Now that she has witnessed Jiang Che's terrifying power, she has been completely conquered.

It's really hard not to be attracted to a man who exudes endless charm from the inside out.

Thinking of her mission, Diao Chan sighed softly, her expression complex. She slightly raised her eyes, reached out her slender hand, and gently stroked Jiang Che's cheek.

There was no future between me and Jiang Che, so I'll just consider this one night of passion as compensation for deceiving him...

"Oh?"

How much do you love him?

Jiang Che raised an eyebrow and asked with interest.

He naturally noticed Diaochan's constantly changing expression, and after a moment's thought, he understood what she was worried about. It was nothing more than Cao Cao's order to seize the Hu Jia zither.

Now that he had already taken advantage of Diao Chan, Jiang Che naturally wouldn't play along with the act any longer; he would just lay his cards on the table.

Otherwise, this silly girl would continue to live in constant anxiety, completely fooled by her own tricks without even realizing it...

"extremely love!"

"To have met you, young master, is the greatest blessing in my life..."

"If there is an afterlife, Chan'er will surely stay with you, my lord, forever..."

A hint of infatuation flashed in Diao Chan's eyes as she spoke softly and gently.

After struggling with her conscience for a long time, Diao Chan finally decided to confront Jiang Che. She was still somewhat reluctant to deceive the man who brought her endless joy.