Seeing Empress Hazel Han’s cultivation level, Oliver Sheng understood why she emerged victorious in the struggle for the throne.
She was practically being groomed to become the next pillar of stability for Great Wei.
With Empress Hazel Han around, once she breaks through to the Martial Saint Realm, she could ensure the dynasty’s prosperity for another five hundred years.
The previous Emperor Ming had indeed played his cards well.
A Martial Saint as an emperor—Hazel Han’s destiny was truly extraordinary.
Empress Hazel Han scrutinized Oliver Sheng. Despite his outward appearance of being at the initial stage of the Grandmaster Realm, the vast aura emanating from him far surpassed hers.
She sensed a lethal danger from Oliver Sheng, indicating that she was no match for him and that he was far stronger than her.
According to the Black Robe Guards’ spies, Oliver Sheng had held his own against a Martial Saint, and it seemed to be true.
“Beloved Secretary Sheng, you are indeed extraordinary and unparalleled in valor. No wonder you managed to crush the entire Barbarian tribes,” Empress Hazel Han couldn’t help but praise.
“Your Majesty flatters me!” Oliver Sheng replied humbly.
“This is no flattery. Beloved Secretary Sheng, there’s no need for modesty. Not only did General Sheng reclaim River West County, but he also conquered the Moran grasslands, advancing all the way to Shelechuan, nearly annihilating the entire Barbarian tribes.”
“Such achievements are unparalleled in history.” Hazel Han never expected Oliver Sheng to bring her such a pleasant surprise.
Upon her ascension to the throne, Oliver Sheng reclaimed River West County, subduing the Barbarians for a hundred years and expanding the territory by incorporating the Moran grasslands into Great Wei.
These accomplishments would be revered by future generations and recorded in history books.
Reclaiming River West County would also reduce the public’s opposition to her rule.
“What is the purpose of today’s summons, Your Majesty?” Oliver Sheng inquired.
These compliments meant little to Oliver Sheng; he preferred tangible rewards.
Jade Han observed Oliver Sheng’s expression with some surprise. Anyone else would be overjoyed to receive such praise from the Empress.
But Oliver Sheng remained indifferent.
It made sense; at his level, he no longer cared for such vanity.
No Martial Saint cared for these empty honors.
They only cared about enhancing their own strength.
“Today’s summons is to ask whether General Sheng plans to become a noble of Great Wei or establish your own domain,” Hazel Han asked bluntly.
At the Martial Saint Realm, one could go anywhere in the world. Becoming a noble of Great Wei would mean constraints.
Hazel Han was also testing Oliver Sheng’s attitude towards Great Wei.
“What do you mean, Your Majesty? I yearn to gallop across the battlefield and conquer the world,” Oliver Sheng replied.
He had never thought of establishing his own domain; he needed Kill Points, which required constant killing.
And the best way to accumulate Kill Points was to lead an army and conquer the world.
Hazel Han understood and felt a sense of relief; this meant Oliver Sheng had no intention of establishing his own domain or leaving.
“Very well. I wonder if General Sheng’s cultivation has reached the Martial Saint Realm,” Hazel Han asked with a smile.
If Oliver Sheng broke through to the Martial Saint Realm, she could consider conferring the title of King of Martial Arts upon him.
Then, Oliver Sheng would become the second pillar of Great Wei.
“Not yet. I’m at the peak of the Great Grandmaster Realm, with one foot in the Martial Saint Realm. My combat power is just a bit stronger,” Oliver Sheng replied modestly.
He had not yet entered the Martial Saint Realm, but he could do so anytime he wished.
Hazel Han nodded, feeling a bit regretful. If Oliver Sheng were a Martial Saint, she could confer the title of King of Martial Arts upon him, stationing him in the north to command sixty to seventy thousand troops, preventing the Huns from harassing the northern frontier.
“General Sheng, I intend to confer the title of Marquis upon you, commanding two hundred thousand troops to attack the Huns and drive them out of the three states of Yan,” Hazel Han said to Oliver Sheng.
“That sounds good. Give me two hundred thousand troops, and I’ll attack the Huns right away,” Oliver Sheng said with interest.
He had little interest in titles, but leading two hundred thousand troops to attack the Huns and gain countless Kill Points was appealing.
“Does General Sheng have any other requests? Feel free to tell me, and I will grant them if I can,” Hazel Han said.
She wanted Oliver Sheng to serve her, so when he became a Martial Saint, having another Martial Saint supporting her would silence her opposition.
“I heard the royal family has an armory. May I visit it?” Oliver Sheng asked.
The royal armory contained many martial arts books, and Oliver Sheng wanted to see them to enhance his martial arts knowledge.
“That’s a small matter. I’ll give you a gold token for free access to the armory,” Hazel Han said, handing Oliver Sheng the gold token from her waist.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Oliver Sheng said, accepting the token without hesitation.
“Jade, take General Sheng to the armory,” Hazel Han instructed Jade Han.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“General Sheng, please follow me,” Jade Han said to Oliver Sheng.
Oliver Sheng hadn’t expected the Empress to go to such lengths to win him over, even granting him access to the royal armory.
“Your Majesty, I take my leave,” Oliver Sheng said, following Jade Han out of Zhenghe Hall.
After Oliver Sheng left, Hazel Han watched his departing figure, feeling incredulous.
Oliver Sheng was younger than her, yet his cultivation was stronger.
She had trained diligently since childhood, spending over twenty years to reach the peak of the Great Grandmaster Realm.
“Could he be the reincarnation of an ancient power? But there have been no such cases in the past few thousand years,” Hazel Han murmured.
Under Jade Han’s guidance, Oliver Sheng passed through several palaces to reach the royal armory.
“General Sheng, I won’t accompany you inside. Show the gold token to Old Shan on the first floor, and he’ll let you in,” Jade Han said to Oliver Sheng.
“Thank you, Miss Jade,” Oliver Sheng said with a smile.
“General Sheng, if you need to leave the palace, just have a maid come find me,” Jade Han said before leaving.
After Jade Han left, Oliver Sheng entered the royal armory.
The royal armory of Great Wei was a tower-like structure with nine floors. It wasn’t very tall or imposing, just an ordinary building in the palace.
Upon entering, Oliver Sheng saw an old man in a gray robe meditating at the entrance of the first floor.
“Who goes there? Do you have the emperor’s decree?” the old man asked, opening his eyes and looking at Oliver Sheng.
Oliver Sheng assessed the old man, noting his late-stage Great Grandmaster Realm cultivation, just a step away from perfection. He was likely assigned to guard the armory.
Without saying much, Oliver Sheng showed the gold token given by Empress Hazel Han.
Seeing the dragon-patterned gold token, the old man continued, “You may go anywhere except the ninth floor.” With that, he closed his eyes and resumed meditating.
Oliver Sheng’s gold token was recognized as the emperor’s personal token.
With the emperor’s token, the old man, Han Shan, wouldn’t stop Oliver Sheng.
Nodding, Oliver Sheng went upstairs. The first floor had no books; the martial arts books started from the second floor.
After Oliver Sheng went upstairs, Han Shan opened his eyes again: Who is this person? A scion of an aristocratic family?
So young, yet already at the initial stage of the Grandmaster Realm.
Little did he know, what he saw was just a facade. Only those above the peak of the Great Grandmaster Realm could see through Oliver Sheng’s true cultivation.
On the second floor, Oliver Sheng saw rows of martial arts books.
Without being picky, he randomly picked one up and started reading.
“Iron Claw Technique!”
It was an ordinary claw technique. Oliver Sheng read it once and put it down.
It wasn’t a profound martial art; with his current cultivation and strong Divine Soul, he could memorize it after one read.
Then he picked up another martial arts book.
“Flame Palm!”
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