Chapter 973: Audience with the Emperor (Part 1)

The term "precious treasure" carries a special definition; it is not something that can be applied casually, or it would simply be a joke.

Generally speaking, a precious treasure refers to the highest-grade treasures, including heavenly materials and treasures.

Wang Chen did not actually intend to kill Old Mu; after all, this was the capital, the most prestigious place under the emperor’s rule. Even if he was in the right, he should not easily take a life.

Previously, he had only incapacitated two fourth-level martial generals who dared to attack him.

To his surprise, his palm strike actually made quite an impact!

“Then I will give you one last chance,” Wang Chen withdrew his hand and said calmly, “If you try any tricks again…”

Crack!

Before he could finish speaking, the table in front of him suddenly shattered into pieces, scattering everywhere.

The Medicine King Manor was built with great grandeur, and its furnishings were far from ordinary. The large table in the front hall was made from centuries-old black sandalwood, luxurious in design and solid in quality, impervious to ordinary blades or axes.

Yet, it inexplicably disintegrated just like that.

What was astonishing was that the sandalwood box, the silver notes, and the tea set on the table remained completely unaffected, not falling to the ground!

They hovered in the air as if supported by an invisible hand, perfectly still.

Everyone present, except for Wang Chen, stared in disbelief!

Especially Shangguan Pengfei and Old Mu, who were utterly speechless with shock.

Both being knowledgeable, they understood that such a phenomenon was not due to supernatural forces, but rather the energy released by a martial artist.

But to achieve such an effect without leaving a trace—what level of cultivation would that require?

A fifth-level martial sect master!

Wang Chen, who appeared to be no older than twenty, was actually a fifth-level powerhouse!

Old Mu was not too surprised, as his two fourth-level masters had been easily defeated by Wang Chen, making the explanation of him being a fifth-level martial sect master quite reasonable.

Shangguan Pengfei, however, felt deeply uneasy.

After a moment, the two of them regained their composure, and Old Mu hurriedly said, “I dare not! I do not dare!”

He knew very well that this was Wang Chen’s final warning!

The crafty old man quickly went to the inner courtyard and soon returned to the front hall, holding a white jade box.

In truth, he had the chance to escape; after all, Wang Chen was not watching closely. The inner courtyard of the Medicine King Manor had escape tunnels, and there was more than one.

But Old Mu truly dared not take that gamble again; he could not afford to lose!

Wang Chen beckoned and reclaimed the silver notes he had paid earlier.

According to the principle of “punish tenfold," that “one” he spent must also be returned, and Wang Chen could be said to be acting with complete integrity.

Next, it was time to see what the other side would offer as a precious treasure in compensation.

The white jade box that Old Mu held was over five feet long and two feet wide. The jade was smooth and delicate, with no visible flaws or impurities on the surface, revealing it to be high-quality mutton-fat white jade.

Without even mentioning the items inside, the box itself was already of immense value.

In fact, using such a large piece of jade to make a storage box is truly a waste of nature’s gift!

With both hands, Old Mu presented the jade box to Wang Chen, his expression incredibly hard to describe.

Regret, pain, frustration, sorrow…

His old face wrinkled like a dried orange peel, almost shedding tears. This sorrowful appearance made Wang Chen extremely curious about the items inside the box.

He reached out and lifted the lid.

It is worth mentioning that the lid of this jade box is sealed with beeswax around the edges, covered with a special seal.

A ginseng, as thick as a child’s arm and completely golden in color, stood out before Wang Chen’s eyes!

Oh wow!

With Wang Chen’s vast experience, he couldn’t help but want to whistle at this moment.

What a lucky find!

The length of this ginseng exceeded one foot, and it clearly resembled a human figure, with a distinct head, body, and limbs. Its numerous roots were incredibly intact, showing no signs of damage or breakage.

Due to the high density and great length of the roots, it had to be tied up with red cords to fit inside the five-foot jade box; otherwise, it simply couldn’t expand fully.

In terms of size, shape, and color, everything indicated that this ginseng had grown in the deep mountains for over a thousand years.

One could certainly say it deserves the title of precious treasure!

What made Wang Chen’s heart race even more was the instant wave of spiritual energy that hit him the moment he opened the jade lid!

This long-lost spiritual energy caused Wang Chen to momentarily lose his focus, and his pores opened wide.

He instinctively took a deep breath and then quickly closed the jade box.

Wang Chen’s swift action left Shangguan Pengfei unable to get a clear look at the contents.

“We are even now.”

Wang Chen took the jade box containing the thousand-year-old ginseng and said lightly, “Old Mu, consider yourself lucky this time. I hope you learn from this and obey the law in the future to avoid harming others and yourself.”

Killing someone also means punishing their heart!

Old Mu nodded with a sorrowful face, stammering, “I will keep it in mind.”

This precious treasure had been his prized possession for over a decade. He had spent a great deal to obtain it, intending to use it when he grew old and frail.

Now, it would benefit Wang Chen, and he felt as if his heart were being dug out!

But no matter how valuable the treasure was, it could not compare to his own life.

“Lord Shangguan…”

Wang Chen turned to Shangguan Pengfei and said, “We will meet again.”

“Wait!” Shangguan Pengfei swallowed hard and quickly interjected, “Lord Wang, we agreed that I would treat you today. Let’s go to Tianxiang Tower for a drink. You wouldn’t deny me that, would you?”

Though Wang Chen’s displayed strength shocked him greatly, it did not completely extinguish the greedy thoughts in this Blood Guard’s heart.

He was extremely curious about the precious treasure inside the jade box and secretly longed for the million silver notes that Wang Chen had just reclaimed, which sparked a glimmer of foolish ambition in him, trying to continue the conversation.

“Sorry.”

Wang Chen replied lightly, “I have the emperor’s summons and must enter the palace tomorrow for an audience, and I still need to prepare my attire. Therefore, I can only graciously accept your kind offer.”

The emperor’s summons, entering the palace for an audience!

Shangguan Pengfei was once again dumbfounded.

By the time he regained his senses, Wang Chen had already swaggered away.

Shangguan Pengfei felt both jealousy and anger, and he could only vent his feelings onto Old Mu. “Old man, what have you done to attract such a situation? Are you trying to ruin me?”

Old Mu was almost in tears. “Lord Shangguan, I didn’t mean to!”

Shangguan Pengfei lowered his voice and asked, “So what was the precious treasure you gave him?”

Old Mu dared not deceive him and spoke the truth.

After hearing this, Shangguan Pengfei’s eyes widened. “You old ghost, you actually had something like this hidden away. You better give me an explanation today, or don’t expect this broken manor to open again!”

Old Mu’s heart was filled with sorrow, and it practically flowed like a river!