Chapter 0135: Lack of Sense of Proportion

Nasi seemed not to hear the mocking remarks from the noble youths around him. He continued to mutter to himself, his eyes vacant, his mind filled with a constant roar: “He is Senior Yellow Dragon!”
Like all the young people in the Hengyuan Continent, Nasi, the second young master of the Pudanni family of the Great Grassland Empire, worshipped Yellow Dragon to an almost blind degree. He often took Yellow Dragon as his goal, silently vowing, “One day, I too will become a peerless warrior like Senior Yellow Dragon!” He often dreamed of meeting Senior Yellow Dragon, even if it meant just exchanging a few words with him and asking for some guidance—just that would satisfy him.
So when he heard about Old Master Zhao Yang’s 90th birthday, he pleaded repeatedly until his father agreed to send him, though his father had initially intended to send his elder brother. Along the way, he remained in a state of excitement every day. The closer he got to the Blizzard Empire, the more restless he became, daydreaming about meeting Senior Yellow Dragon and figuring out how to find an opportunity to speak with him. Yet, despite imagining countless scenarios of meeting him, he had never imagined it would turn out like this.
Vanity, regret, self-blame, and shame surged through Nasi’s mind. Thinking back, he had dared to show disdain and mockery toward Senior Yellow Dragon! Good heavens, he, Nasi, had dared to mock Senior Yellow Dragon! Whenever that memory surfaced, he couldn’t help but slap his own head, wishing to make it “smarter.”
“Second Young Master!” The guards of the Pudanni family were also filled with regret, but seeing the second young master slapping his head frantically, they exclaimed in shock.
Nasi stopped and after a while said with a gloomy expression, “I’m fine.”
He was indeed fine. But he no longer had the face to meet the Senior Yellow Dragon he admired so much. Watching Yellow Dragon enter the Zhao family hall surrounded by crowds, Nasi opened his mouth but was unable to speak. Even if he were standing in front of Senior Yellow Dragon now, what could he say? Looking at the crowd that had already filled the Zhao family hall, he said dejectedly to the guards, “Let’s go in too.” Then, he followed the crowd into the hall, his steps unsteady.
After entering the hall, Yellow Dragon and Emperor Lin Er sat on the main seats. It could be said that Yellow Dragon’s status was now even higher than that of the emperors of the five great empires.

Huang Long and Emperor Lin Er sat on the main seats. Most people didn’t think much of it, but as soon as Huang Long took his seat, a shrill voice rang out: “What an air of superiority! Today is Father’s birthday, and even our Emperor has arrived long ago. Everyone had to wait for you for half a day.” “A mere junior—don’t think just because you’ve gained some fame, you’re special enough to ignore hierarchy and disrespect elders.” Silence fell over the hall as everyone turned toward the source of the voice. The one who spoke scornfully of Huang Long was Zhao Miao, seated right below Lin Er—the empress of the Blizzard Empire. It seemed Zhao Miao didn’t notice the strange looks from others and continued, “I really don’t know how my sister raised her child—so lacking in manners!” The incident of Huang Long using the Coral Blood Jade as lighting had already reached Zhao Miao’s ears. Over the years, she had already harbored resentment toward her sister Zhao Rong, and thus, she also felt no goodwill toward Huang Long, this “abomination.” Otherwise, that scene wouldn’t have occurred during Zhao Yang’s 80th birthday. Huang Long’s use of the Coral Blood Jade as lighting had undoubtedly slapped her in the face, making her find him even more detestable. His recent fame across the Hengyuan Continent made her even more uncomfortable and resentful. Today, as she accompanied Emperor Lin Er to wish their father a happy birthday, as a high-ranking empress, she still had to wait for a junior for half a day, and in the end, even accompany everyone to greet this detestable person! Her resentment had long built up into fury, and now it finally erupted. “A junior coming to wish grandfather a happy birthday—being late is one thing, but daring to sit on the main seat? I really don’t know where they get their audacity from.” Zhao Miao’s voice echoed clearly throughout every corner of Zhao Family Hall. The heads of various major families, nobles, dukes, chamber of commerce leaders, and mercenary group leaders all remained silent. They opened their mouths but then stared at Zhao Miao, the empress of the Blizzard Empire, with dumbfounded expressions. Huang Long sitting on the main seat was something everyone agreed on—even Old Master Zhao Yang had no objections; it was he who insisted that Huang Long take that seat. If Huang Long sat in the lower seats, even Emperor Lin Er might not dare sit on the main seat and would have to sit there as well. As for being late, Huang Long was indeed a bit late, but that was relative. In fact, it was everyone else who arrived early. When Huang Long arrived, it was exactly noon—any banquet starts at noon. A mere junior? Was Huang Long really just a mere junior?

Haven’t even Emperor Lin Er addressed Senior Huang Long with respect? No regard for hierarchy, no respect for elders?! Many heads of major families frowned. How dare Zhao Miao act so recklessly just because of Emperor Lin Er’s favor? It was said that Emperor Lin Er always indulged her, perhaps too much?! That’s why she’s so “audacious” now? In the hall, some young members of major families who worshipped Huang Long like Naxi all glared at Zhao Miao in anger. If it weren’t for Zhao Miao’s status and the fact that they were at Old Master Zhao Yang’s birthday celebration, these young people would have rushed up to “argue” with this crazy woman long ago. Emperor Lin Er clearly didn’t expect such a thing to happen either. Looking at his most favored concubine, his expression darkened. Though he knew Zhao Miao had harbored resentment toward her sister Zhao Rong’s family since those past events, he didn’t expect her to be so disregardful of propriety. “Miao, apologize to Senior Huang Long!” Emperor Lin Er commanded, his authority evident even without anger. Hearing that he wanted her to apologize to this detestable nephew, Zhao Miao’s face flushed with anger. “What? Apologize to him? For me, an elder, to apologize to a junior? Why? Did I say something wrong? He’s simply…” But before she could finish, a sharp “slap” interrupted her. Lowering his hand, Emperor Lin Er’s face turned ashen. “You… you actually hit me? All these years, you never dared hit me! You hit me just because of a junior!” Stunned, Zhao Miao stared at Emperor Lin Er in disbelief, holding her face covered in five clear fingerprints, screaming in pain as tears welled in her eyes. “Apologize to Senior Huang Long!” Emperor Lin Er’s eyes sharpened—he was truly angry now. In front of Huang Long, he didn’t dare act arrogantly. Moreover, he had come to discuss matters between the Blizzard Empire and Huang Long’s Alliance with Huang Long. Now, with such an obstacle, how could he not be angry? Only now did he realize he had indulged this woman too much in the past, causing her to be so lacking in sense! This was humiliating him! But just as Emperor Lin Er finished speaking, Zhao Miao covered her face and shouted, “I’ll never apologize to him, even in death!” Then she stood up and left the hall, casting a resentful glance at Huang Long as she went. Seeing this, Lin Er stood up in anger, about to order the imperial guards to stop her. At that moment, Huang Long’s calm voice came through: “It’s fine.” “She’s right. She’s my aunt.” If it weren’t for this relationship, Zhao Miao would have long been trampled underfoot by the Tianqing Python Ox, even though she was the imperial concubine.

Emperor Lin Er was taken aback, but seeing Huang Long speak, he could only put it off for now. After all, this was Old Master Zhao Yang’s birthday celebration, and it really couldn’t get too chaotic. Huang Long glanced around the hall and then said to Old Master Zhao Yang, Lin Er, and the others, “After the auction, I went to the Endless Sea. I returned from there a month ago, which is why I’m late. I’m truly sorry for making Grandpa, the Emperor, and everyone else wait so long.” The Endless Sea! Everyone was stunned. Many clan heads and nobles in the hall stood up, forcing smiles and saying they didn’t dare complain. It usually took one to two years to travel from the Endless Sea to the Blizzard Empire, and even some powerful beings from sacred realms needed two to three months. The fact that Huang Long had returned in just a month showed how quickly he must have traveled, and everyone was secretly amazed by his strength. No one doubted the truth of his words. Originally, Huang Long didn’t need to “explain” anything to them, but now that he had, everyone understood it was because of Old Master Zhao Yang. At that moment, a space ring appeared out of thin air in Huang Long’s hand. “Knowing about Grandpa’s birthday, I didn’t prepare anything special, so I crafted a magical space ring.” Didn’t prepare anything?! The people in the hall were speechless but stared eagerly at the magical space ring, including Emperor Lin Er. After being momentarily stunned, Zhao Yang excitedly took the magical space ring, his face glowing red, not knowing what to say. “I know Grandpa likes heavy swords, so I also casually forged a magical sword,” Huang Long said as another heavy sword appeared in his hand. Once again, countless pairs of eyes in the hall shone brightly. Old Master Zhao Yang took the magical sword with a beaming smile, his eyes already narrowed in delight. After the gifts, the banquet continued in a lively atmosphere. However, everyone seemed a bit restrained in Huang Long’s presence. As for the incident involving Zhao Miao earlier, it seemed everyone had already forgotten about it. Lin Er also didn’t bring it up again, remaining calm as he chatted happily with Huang Long, Old Master Zhao Yang, and the others. In a corner of the hall, Naxi sat there, just like the children of the major clans, occasionally glancing at Huang Long with fervent and reverent eyes. The banquet lasted for several hours, and it wasn’t until evening that people reluctantly dispersed. Before returning to the palace, Lin Er also earnestly invited Huang Long to the Blizzard Empire’s palace for a visit. After thinking for a while, Huang Long didn’t refuse.