Chapter 132 - 3.28

The 'King' instantly held both of his hands up in a defensive position. In truth, he hadn't planned to engage in a hostile encounter at all. His goal was to be in friendly terms with Xian Ruo's infamous delegate who recently soared into fame after her contributions were relayed on from one person to another.

The Empire might not have heard the full story about this girl's achievements yet, but he, as a direct ruler of the land this girl was trying to contact, knew it well. This person's talent was also noted by his meticulous subordinate, Zheng Jianyu.

At first, Zheng Jianyu's relation to the Xian Ruo County was related to Xie Yongrui, who wished to have a trade route built to his land in order to better both sides. But now, every time Zheng Jianyu went to report to him about the ongoing situation, his mouth would be full of the name Xu Jiaqi when he discussed about Xian Ruo.

Naturally, after hearing the same name come out of this exemplary subordinate for so long, the King began to form an interest as well. That interest was relayed on today, when he met this girl who turned out to be the one he was looking for as he entered the lands.

"...What a great coincidence. It must be fate." He mumbled. It just so happened that as he entered Xian Ruo, Xu Jiaqi was conveniently in the outskirts of the land taking care of bugs.

"What did you say?" Xu Jiaqi raised a brow as his volume was too low, and what he said didn't transmit through to her ears.

"..Ah, well, I suppose you would be wary. But.. Well, I just wanted to say that if you were thinking that I would want to cause harm over this land, then you are sorely mistaken. I am only here to scout.. Well, not really. I also took an interest into the sparkling lady that took the world on fire in such a short period of time. I wanted to see how great the actual thing is."

"Your interest is not welcome, unfortunately. Please go back this very instant. Or else, you would have to settle a meeting with the lord first, not just coming in and approaching me like this. Do you understand?"

Xu Jiaqi had to strengthen her stance before anything went wrong. However, instead of cooperating, the other's gaze instantly turned sour. The mood worsened with each passing second, and a tense and gloomy atmosphere enveloped them.

"...I thought that I would be kind, but.. little lady, do you understand what Xian Ruo's position is? Oh, well, you of all people should know best who I am described as. You might be skeptical because of how I act, but this isn't how I normally go around people, you know? For Xian Ruo.. offending someone like me right off the bat will definitely kill off any chance of survival from this point on."  He glared rather scarily, but it wasn't in a threatening manner. Hints of playfulness was still there, lurking around.

It made Xu Jiaqi want to drop her guard down, but she resisted it and woke herself up.

"What are you implying? You stated that you are here to scout. You have already seen me. Do you want me to order around a fancy carriage for you to tour our lands? If that is what you wish, then don't speak in such a roundabout manner and come with me to Xian Ruo's center so we can arrange this." Xu Jiaqi massaged her temples, feeling a headache come into her pitiful hectic life.

The arrival of this strange person will definitely impact her. The matter to be considered here is about the impact's orientation. Whether it would be a negative or positive change.

Of course, she had to do her best to lead it to the positive section.

"Alright~" The man in question happily smiled, as if he wasn't in the wrong in the slightest from coming out of his own accord like this. He wanted to get closer to Xu Jiaqi, but before he was able to take any step further, he was stopped by Xu Jiaqi.

"But before that.. I think I have to check your identity first. Do you have anything that could prove your status as the King of Xi? That would make my job easier. Even if I am the consultant or advisor, I can't just bring someone foreign without no explanation. It would risk not only mine, but everyone's safety."

"Yep! My golden seal.. Let's see.. Ding dong! Will this suffice?" Xie Yongrui dangled a tassel that had a hexagonal emblem with carvings of the word Xi on it.

Xu Jiaqi took the object away and observed it, confirming its originality with her skills. After some checking, she admitted that it did seem to be authentic. It was too intricate and detailed, she could feel the quality surging from it.

"...Okay. I will lead you to the place I live. Don't cause any fuss while you are in Xian Ruo. The fact that you are a King doesn't exempt you from the rules that revolves around this land. Understand? If you don't, then I will be leaving you here." Xu Jiaqi shook her head.

"Mhm, that will not be a problem. I am just here to have an innocent vacation, alright? You don't need to be so pressed! Also.. my title as a King, don't you have to drop that when we are in public? Call me Yuan. He Yiyuan is my name."

He Yiyuan, the dragon from Xi. There was no one in the whole wide world who has never heard of his name even once. The famous King who brought the land into the peak of prosperity with his clever and wild antics.

This type of person.. Will she be safe hanging around him?

"..Yuan it is, then. I shall call you that when we are out, but do remember that it doesn't mean anything."

This time, both He Yiyuan and Xu Jiaqi laughed at the same time.