Castle of Black Iron

Translator: WQL  Editor: Aleem

On April 3rd, the 906th year of Black Iron Calendar, when demons invaded Taixia Country, a high-level national banquet was held in the emperor"s imperial palace of Xuanyuan Hill once again after two years in silence, arousing a great shock in the powers of Xuanyuan Hill…

Yan Feiqing remained elegant, distant and arrogant as she didn"t have a liking for such an eye-catching occasion. Zhang Tie"s parents were not used to it as they didn"t feel like being the focus of the public. Therefore, after a negotiation, Zhang Tie determined to attend the banquet with Bai Suxian, Linda, Fiona, Beverly, Aimei and Aixue, Zhang Yang and Elder Muyuan. All the other family members just stayed in Qianji Manor.

Although Zhang Tie intended to visit the luxurious scene and the top figures in the imperial palace with his parents and have them enjoy the honor of being the parents of a divine dominator, Zhang Tie"s parents were not interested in fame and wealth. Therefore, Zhang Tie didn"t force them to do so.

As for Yan Feiqing, Zhang Tie couldn"t force her to attend the banquet either. Perhaps, he could do whatever he wanted in the bedroom with the other women in front of Yan Feiqing, he might make Yan Feiqing embarra.s.sed to share a man with a lot of women under the gaze of so many people.

Over these days, Zhang Tie showed them around Xuanyuan Hill every day, pleasing his parents and kids very much, not to mention his wives and concubines. After being “lubricated” by Zhang Tie for a few days, his wives and concubines looked much brighter.

Zhang Tie and Zhang Yang didn"t need to make any preparations for this banquet except for changing a set of clothes; however, his wives and concubines had already prepared for it.

The most frequent topic among these women were types of dresses, shoes, jewelry, make-up, hairstyles, perfume, etc..

At a bit later than 5 pm, April 3rd, Zhang Tie and his family representatives left the Qianji Manor. Zhang Yang and Elder Muyuan sat in the same vehicle; Zhang Tie and his wives and concubines sat in another vehicle. After leaving Qianji Manor, the two vehicles drove all the way towards the emperor"s imperial palace.

Women were still tweeting in the vehicle at this moment. They were discussing their jewelry, hairstyles and costumes. Sitting in the vehicle and watching his enchanting wives and concubines in rich dresses, Zhang Tie felt a bit pitiful although being satisfied.

If Lan Yunxi and Pandora were here and the holy war didn"t break out, he would not feel pitiful anymore as his life would have been perfect; even if he were to become a commoner from now on. This scene was what he had been pursuing for since he was young.

“I"ve not imagined that I could enter the imperial palace of Taixia Country along with you and attend such a high-level national banquet…” Linda said as she put her head against Zhang Tie"s shoulder and whispered, “When I managed my garments store in Blapei, I could never imagine about such a life. Daily life now is like a dream. It"s like what a lord"s wives enjoy…”

Linda wore a western, blue, brilliant bobtail in wavy hair. With top-notch jewelry over her neck and wrists, Linda looked beautiful and fascinating; especially her elegant, calm and s.e.xy feminity which attracted Zhang Tie the most. After giving birth to two babies, her fragrance and sweet feminity grew richer and made her more attractive to Zhang Tie.

“You worth it. I think you could match all the good things in the world. Although there"re so many lord"s wives in this world, there"s only one Linda. You should know that you"re more dignified than those lord"s wives in others" eyes!” Zhang Tie raised Linda"s petty face using one hand as he sniffed the fragrance that was emitted from her dense maroon hair and kissed her lip.

Linda closed her eyes as she responded to Zhang Tie fervently.

“Elder sister Linda, stop it. I couldn"t help but join you…”

Hearing their “kiss”, all the other women who were discussing became quiet at once. Realizing that all the other women were watching her and hearing Fiona"s voice, Linda felt bashful as she separated from Zhang Tie.

Zhang Tie burst into laughter as he patted the seat on his side and drew Fiona over here. After kissing Fiona"s face too, he said, “I found that you might be very excited about such a banquet.”

“Of course, don"t you know that all the women are banquet-manic?” Fiona said with a sweet smile.

Scratching his head, Zhang Tie asked, “Why?”

“Beverly, tell him why.”

“Because women could show their beautiful look, figure, wealth and happiness to others in the most elegant gesture in such banquets, and this is the meaning of their existence…” Beverly said with a smile, “You could treat this banquet as special showtime and catwalk for women. Each woman dreams of being eye-catching on such an occasion…”

“It"s a woman"s largest achievement to gain other women"s admiration and jealousy on such an occasion. Of course, if we find women more beautiful and elegant than us on such occasions, we would learn from them and try to surpa.s.s them next time. Am I clear?” Fiona kissed Zhang Tie"s face.

“Haha, now that you like it, when we return to Fiery-Dragon Bounty Territory, you could hold such a banquet monthly and invite whoever you want!”

“Really?”

“Really!”

All the women cheered up.

…

Qianji Manor was located in the most prime location of the emperor"s imperial city. It was only less than 20 minutes" ride.

The imperial palace of Taixia Country was almost the largest one for humans. Starting from the Jade Belt River in the periphery of the imperial palace, the radius of the entire imperial palace was 6 miles. It occupied almost 200 square miles, which was even larger than that of many cities in subcontinents and continents. The national banquet was held in Anyan Palace in the east of the imperial palace.

Vehicles from Qianji Manor had to be checked twice when they pa.s.sed by Jade Belt River. After presenting the invitation card for the national banquet, they went across a bridge on Jade Belt River and entered the imperial palace from a palace gate.

When the bus crossed Jade Belt River, Zhang Tie felt that marvelous arch door in his mind sea which linked Castle of Black Iron slightly trembled. At the same time, the arch door became almost transparent in his mind sea and was covered by mist.

Zhang Tie watched the palace wall which was as thick and tall as gate tower and the imperial guards in gold armors as he sensed the qi which forced the portal accessing to Castle of Black Iron to hide as he sighed about the magnificence of the imperial households of Taixia Country.

When Zhang Tie came to Xuanyuan Hill last time, he loitered above the imperial palace stealthily. At that time, he could sense a powerful, terrifying qi in the imperial palace. Additionally, in those trouble-reappearance situations where he left when he came to Xuanyuan Hill for the first time, the territory in Jade Belt River was completely dark. h.e.l.ler said that there was a rarity which was not inferior to Castle of Black Iron in the imperial palace, which caused empty inside trouble-reappearance situations. When Zhang Tie entered the imperial palace, he couldn"t sense the hidden qi anymore.

Of course, that hidden qi didn"t disappear, but Zhang Tie"s spiritual energy level couldn"t resonate with that hidden qi anymore. However, Castle of Black Iron could still sense the existence of that hidden qi while covering itself.

After getting that point, Zhang Tie could only force a bitter smile. One of his purposes to attend this national banquet was to sense the hidden rarity in the imperial palace in a close distance. As was imagined, that rarity couldn"t be sensed by everyone.

“Do you feel anything special in the imperial palace?” Zhang Tie asked Bai Suxian.

“Strict defense and magnificence. Why…” Bai Suxian asked Zhang Tie as she blinked her beautiful eyes.

“Nothing, I also feel good here…” Zhang Tie replied with a smile.

It seemed that Bai Suxian didn"t sense the hidden qi either. Therefore, Zhang Tie put it aside for the time being. In the final a.n.a.lysis, Zhang Tie was just curious about that rarity in the imperial palace. He didn"t cast covet on it. Therefore, he didn"t carry any metal burden.

…

Zhang Tie"s vehicle parked after pa.s.sing the first palace gate less than 1.2 miles. The moment it parked, waiters had already opened the doors. Zhang Tie got off the vehicle first. After that, he stood aside from the door and stretched out a hand, helping his wives and concubines to get off the vehicle.

A western building was hundreds of meters away in front of Zhang Tie. Being high and magnificent, the stony building occupied a wide area. It was Anyan Palace.

Its middle gate and the 4 smaller side doors had been opened. 5 red carpets extended to the outside from inside the palace.

At this moment, many limos parked in those red carpets as big figures were getting off their vehicles and entering Anyan Palace through red carpets, raising their heads.

Imperial guards in gold armors were standing on both sides of the red carpets, raising their heads. Imperial photographers were converging on both sides of the red carpets and recording the images of figures who attended the national banquet, causing rising smoke due to burning magnesium powder. These photos would be precious historical records in 100 years.

The attendants were top powers in Xuanyuan Hill, diplomats and imperial households from other continents and subcontinents who lived in Xuanyuan Hill. It was no exaggeration to say that this banquet collected top dignitaries of different skin colors in different costumes. Given their costumes, it was like a universal expo on Hua costumes.

“I really gained great honor from you today, but I feel very intense staying with you. I will go inside with Elder Muyuan ahead of you…” Zhang Yang in ceremonial robe came over here to notice Zhang Tie when the latter got off the vehicle. After that, Zhang Yang and Elder Muyuan walked upstairs along the middle red carpet under the guidance of a waiter.

When Zhang Tie and his wives and concubines got off the vehicle, they rightly touched the middle red carpet. Although the red carpet in the middle was broadest, it was least occupied. At the sight of it, Zhang Tie had known that this red carpet could only be available to the most honorable figures. The moment he and the 6 women got off their vehicle and stood on the middle red carpet, they had become the focus of the occasion as onlookers especially those on the other 4 red carpets fixated onto Zhang Tie.

Besides Zhang Tie"s young look, his 6 women were also brilliant. Bai Suxian, Aimei and Aixue wore traditional Hua imperial longuettes which looked pretty n.o.ble. Linda, Fiona and Beverly wore s.e.xy and brilliant western ceremonial robes. In 6 colors and styles, they were like a myriad of stars surrounding the moon, making them pretty eye-catching.

“Let"s go. Stop looking around. Only the most honorable guests could be able to walk on this red carpet besides the prime minister, grand justice and military secretary, heavenly knights and human lords. Previously, I walked on this middle red carpet with my father. Today, I get to walk on it with my husband. Let"s go…” Bai Suxian said as Zhang Tie felt his left arm being curbed by Bai Suxian. Zhang Tie smiled as he stretched out his right arm so that Linda could curb it. After those women exchanged a glance with each other and smiled, they walked towards the middle gate of Anyan Palace in brilliance under the gaze of so many people.

“What a national banquet!” Zhang Tie sighed with emotions as he looked at the broad Anyan Palace on the red carpet.

“Anyan Palace could hold 10,000 people. Given its size, there"re at least 3,000 attendants today!” Bai Suxian threw a glance at the other 4 red carpets as she added, “Additionally, at least half of them are female. We have to curb you well today; otherwise, we might have more sisters after this banquet…”

After hearing Bai Suxian"s words, all the other 5 women giggled as they looked at Zhang Tie.

“Haha, am I that kind of person?” Zhang Tie asked as he kneaded his face.

“You"re not that kind of a person, but many people want you to be that kind of a person today. Look how those women on the other 4 red carpets gazing at you. I"m afraid that they"ve already known who you"re. After a short while, they might approach you in some way!” Bai Suxian said before pouting her mouth towards the other red carpets.

Zhang Tie looked over there along Bai Suxian"s eye light. With some fountains, sculptures and gold-armored imperial guards in between, Zhang found some women were observing him with an interested look. A blonde in western imperial robe on the second red carpet from left directly ogled at him.

“Who"re those on that red carpet?”

“They should be imperial households from other countries…”

…

“Qianji Immortal from Huaiyuan Palace…is…coming…”An official in red robe called at the sight of Zhang Tie and his wives and concubines; his sonorous sound filled the palace…

When the official finished his call, Zhang Tie and 6 women entered Anyan Palace. In a split second, the entire palace became quiet as everybody else fixated onto them.

If eye lights could focus on one point and increase temperature like sunlight, Zhang Tie"s ceremonial robe might have been burned.

With a calm look, Zhang Tie and his women took seats under the gaze of so many people with the guidance of a waiter in Anyan Palace. Not until they sat down did Zhang Tie find that his seat was close to the highest seat on the left.

Zhang Yang and Elder Muyuan shared the same table with him. On this occasion, even though being a knight, Elder Muyuan still looked intense and serious. Not until he saw Zhang Tie did Elder Muyuan let a sigh of relief.

…

“Prime Minister Meng…is…coming…”

No sooner did Zhang Tie take a seat than another name was called from the middle gate.

Zhang Tie looked at the middle gate as he saw Meng s.h.i.+dao entering the palace from the middle gate calmly in immortal official robe.

With a smile, Meng s.h.i.+dao looked easygoing and decent. After entering the palace, Meng s.h.i.+dao threw a glance at Zhang Tie. When he looked straight into Zhang Tie"s eyes, he slightly nodded towards Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie also nodded towards Meng s.h.i.+dao with a smile.

That was how things went on official occasions. Even though being hostile against each other and couldn"t wait to beat the opponent to death, you shouldn"t show your animosity on this occasion.

“Engineering Minister Yu…is…coming…”

Another influential figure entered closely after Meng s.h.i.+dao. Like how Meng s.h.i.+dao did, that person also threw a glance at Zhang Tie.

Meng s.h.i.+dao and Yu Lianqing"s table was dozens of meters away on the opposite side of Zhang Tie. According to seniority, Yu Lianqing sat in the first place as Meng s.h.i.+dao sat in second place next to him.

All the influential figures had almost arrived and time was nearly up. The crown prince would arrive in a few minutes.

On this occasion, Zhang Tie didn"t think that anyone would dare to find him trouble. However, at this moment, a person opposite to Zhang Tie suddenly stood up as he gazed at Zhang Tie with sparkling eyes. The moment he opened his mouth, he had been the focus of everybody else in the palace.

“I"ve long heard that Qianji Immortal is dissolute. That"s real. It"s really admirable for immortal to fight demons above the bank of Weishui River and save hundreds of millions of people!” That official stood up as he cupped his hands towards Zhang Tie. Closely after that, his voice became spirited, “However, one person couldn"t determine the fate of humans in this holy war. With fiery oil, average fighters could fight demons and save numerous commoners. It"s said that immortal grasps the recipe of fiery oil, although Fang Keyan is humble, I expect immortal to share the recipe of fiery oil with the public for the sake of the people on behalf of trillions of commoners; instead of enjoying the profit of fiery oil alone and ignoring the overall situation facing Taixia Country in the holy war…”

After saying that, that person deeply bowed to Zhang Tie.