The Soldier King Becomes a Useless Little Girl-Chapter 918 - 916: Hostage Turmoil

Inside the Imperial Study Room, Emperor Longteng stood with his hands behind his back.

"Your Majesty, there has been some movement. I just sensed the presence of the Cloud Rain Ruler."

Grandmaster Jin said with excitement.

Ever since the last time at Black Water Lake, when he lost the Cloud Rain Ruler, the Emperor was furious and ordered him to find its whereabouts.

Grandmaster Jin exhausted his efforts, nearly turning Qin Mountain upside down, not even sparing Black Water Lake, dredging again and again, yet found no clues.

He had earlier suspected that those few thieves had taken it out of Longteng.

Unexpectedly, there would be news about the Cloud Rain Ruler once more.

"Oh, where is it now?"

Emperor Longteng stood with his back turned, and Grandmaster Jin couldn’t see his expression.

"It... When I tried to trace the aura, it had already disappeared. However, I am certain it is still within Purple Cloud City. As long as it remains in the city, I will surely find it!"

After receiving a hint from Di Shen, Xin Lin knew that using the Dragon Vein might draw attention, so she was very cautious about the duration when using it.

Once the Dragon Vein was put into the Tuling hairpin, there were no methods for the outside world to detect it.

Therefore, although Grandmaster Jin was perceptive, he still couldn’t determine her exact location.

Grandmaster Jin didn’t know that the true body of the Cloud Rain Ruler was the Dragon Vein.

He believed that as long as the Cloud Rain Ruler remained in Longteng Country, especially within Purple Cloud City, he had the confidence to retrieve it.

Whoever obtained such a treasure as the Cloud Rain Ruler would surely not leave it unused.

As long as it is used once more, there would be a chance to find it.

Perhaps, he could even trace back to the source of the True Dragon’s secret.

In this way, the Emperor would not be angry anymore.

Grandmaster Jin was secretly keeping an eye on every move of Emperor Longteng.

Serving a ruler is like accompanying a tiger; as a servant of the city office, Grandmaster Jin’s rise to his current position relied entirely on his ability to read others’ expressions.

After the birthday banquet, Emperor Longteng’s mood seemed not too good.

Although the birthday banquet was successful, could it be due to the death of the Chu Family father and daughter?

Grandmaster Jin quickly dismissed this notion; after what Chu Tianyi did, Emperor Longteng sparing his life was already an act of grace beyond mercy.

His death actually made things simpler.

Thinking this way, it should be about the year-end tax tribute to the Main Country.

"Your Majesty, are you worried about the Main Country’s tax tribute?"

Grandmaster Jin pondered for a moment and carefully asked.

Every time the tax tribute was due, the Emperor would be very angry.

Clearly, they are independent nations, yet, when facing the Emperor of the Main Country, they have to bow and pay half of their taxes for no reason. For Emperor Longteng, obsessed with face, what is lost is far more than just face.

"Taxes come every year; this year, it’s Fuzhou’s turn to collect taxes. Besides taxes, Fuzhou also requested that we send an Imperial Heir over to learn Fuzhou’s etiquette."

On the Emperor Longteng’s desk lay a letter, a dispatch from the Fuzhou envoy.

"This cannot be allowed; isn’t this clearly sending the Prince over as a hostage?"

Upon hearing this, Grandmaster Jin immediately understood why Emperor Longteng was upset.

The Three Main Countries demand their vassal countries to pay taxes annually.

To make things convenient, each year, one Main Country enjoys the tribute, rotating every three years, a practice that has lasted for three centuries, leading to mutual peace among the Three Main Countries.

Though reluctant, as a vassal country, Longteng, being weaker in national power, can only pay taxes promptly.

This year, it is Fuzhou’s turn to receive the tax tribute. Even before the year-end, Fuzhou’s letters urging for tax tribute have arrived. What’s more, they have made such a demand.