v6c11: Interlude: The Lair of the Phoenix

I could easily see the desk and/or chair having developed a minor spirit, especially after having been used by three different Emperors; even moreso given that their reigns aren’t SHORT.

V01D

Xiaoshi's palace was at the center of Pale Moon Capitol when the formation (and the palace) Exploded! Most of the city became the crater that is now Pale Moon Lake. Not everything ties back the Azure Mountains.

Truedragon5374

Interesting, but the Azure Hills were kept seperate until long after the empire was formed. I was thing that was Shennong's.

Duncan Morin

Calling it now, that desk and chair were Xiaoshi's.

Precentor Van Zandt, Matthew King

It seems as though he spent most of those years since Bu in despair and just cultivating out of habit more than a passion. Now that he's returned to form and in a better place mentally and spiritually I'm sure he will rise faster and stronger than before.

Duncan Morin

I ws trying through the ios app, from thr patreon site web it worked

MP Maillette

Thanks for the chapter!

Gopard

there is no "Mathematically" when you're talking about the WRITTEN words of numbers in a complete sentence though... this is purely a Grammar thing if you for some reason write out calculations in text you would be correct, but for a number the countrie's grammar norms apply.

Gopard

Grandkids? I would say for 4 generations at least... Supposedly he spend "centuries in the Imperial Realm" so to go all the way back to Ascension from the Sky Realm should even if we take Jin's new cultivation support cheat network into account many many decades at least! I wouldn't be surprised if he ascends with the entire Process lmao!!!

Gopard

Shen Yu was lamenting about Jin not going to the Heavens with him. Now that he is in the Sky realm, does that mean he will be around for Jin's grandkids?

Melanie Me

Grammatically many people do this. Mathematically it is incorrect. Look at how cheque's are written as an example.

Old Dog

I'd pay to see JIn REFUSING HIS MAJESTY'S KINDNESS. TO HIS FACE. It would be all kinds of hilarious. Only slightly below Shen Yu introducing Bi De to the Imperial Court.

Harish

I like that all the competent managers in this story come to that conclusion 😊

Cranky Otter

I love that you finally got the archive detail to the Emperor. I think the chapter is well crafted, especially to highlight that tidbit about the Hong demon siphon formation. Not sure what of the chapter fought you but it didn’t come through to me. It was calming. I like the detail of the desk & chair that never need maintenance. I’m glad the emperor appreciates what he has. (too often books show people inured to their highly cultivated surroundings) I wouldn’t mind a detail or two like “he always likes the X in season Y” but not specifying lets us imagine our own peaceful place. Usually the way emperors work is “the emperor is infallible therefore if something is wrong (even if it was the emperor’s obvious error), a middle manager gets the axe”. That this emperor is responsible and reasonable is nice for my sensibilities (and for that governor getting merit) but it’s very unusual for a man who hasn’t been told “no” or that he’s wrong in 500 years. How did he hang on to that? Shen Yu giving him crap? The long timelines are the thing that make things hard for me to suspend disbelief tho. So in thousands of years, only 3 emperors? But human timelines stay the same? One generation is 20-25 years so 800 years is 32-40 generations, and no one in that time wants to take over the CSS leadership? Boomers merely not retiring as early as their parents has messed up the adulthood milestones of both GenX & Millennials. All these people living hundreds of years but still having kids at age 20 creates some very odd issues with hierarchies and passing the torch. On this topic, Jin still refers to Fa Ram as “his”/“mine” not “ours”, and he needs to do some succession planning, especially if women tend to be overlooked legally in this Empire. Does the emperor have no female scribes? (The earliest known signature is that of a female scribe.)

Cranky Otter

This chapter wasn't bad by any stretch of the imagination but I do think it was weaker then most of your chapters. That's not a bad thing, the interlude is important but considering what's going on at the Farm I can't really think of anything you could write that wouldn't be a bit of a letdown

Rake1810

I really enjoyed this chapter, but the ending is the best part to me. The Emperor being amused by Shen Yu knowing exactly who the faceless voice is.

Duncan Morin

I bet he has the world's best snacks. I say that but all I can think of is a bell I would ring and someone brings me a fresh Fried mozzarella stick or a loaf of that bread from cheesecake factory.

Xander Lionheart

That varies by country. In the UK the 'and' will almost always go before the tens.

james freeman

He's the emperor he can snack if he damn well pleases

Cat rock31

Beautifully done!

Idan tal

Great chapter. I love when we see powerful people just as people :)

Man this is good interlude showing how an Emperor is smart enough to let the sleeping dragon lay instead of poking it with a stick.

Duke of Coffee

It's a good chapter.

RBAWintrow

Thanks for the chapter, I enjoyed reading it, was relaxed and fun. I never do corrections but I enjoyed this one too much not to mention: Not entirely hppy with some of this, but.... Happy. ;)

Justin

I believe the Magistrate of Pale Moon Lake City is the Provincial Governor as well, or at least adjacent. The current one is acting and TLM son.

Kuma

@Ligeia "My guess is Saturday since the 2nd chapter wasn't until Thursday night." Thursday?? B-b-but today is Wednesday for me... how do you have access to advance chapters in time!? TELLL MEEEEEEE!!!! 😭 lol

Alex Ingraham

Go to CF's patreon home page, click on membership and scroll down until you see the "Quick links" section. It'd under that.

Alex Ingraham

As always, thank you for the chapter. Point of order about numbers in word form. Use of the conjunction "and" is for going from whole numbers to parts of the whole. E.G. one hundred forty seven and one half. So "sixty five thousand, four hundred, and twenty three years old" should be "sixty five thousand, four hundred, twenty three years old". Likewise for the seven thousand forty nine.

Old Dog

Then he wouldn't need tea either. Some things are consumed for enjoyment not benefits like caffeine stimulation.

Old Dog

It was made by one of the first students of shennong

AG

It would be interesting to see the reactions of other sect elders to Jin's calling TLM teacher.

Old Dog

Ah. As though they were all bishops, but one of them is the archbishop.

Andrew Denton

Amazing chapter! I really loved the change of pace and of point of view! Every detail you put in that expands this universe is like pure candy to me; I love it!!! PS: i cant seem to find the link to the discord and google isnt forthcoming, could someone help me please :)

MP Maillette

Better mahogany than sugar maple!

Ligeia

My guess is Saturday since the 2nd chapter wasn't until Thursday night. It's usually 2 days minimum between them, but of course only if CF is ready to put out what he wrote. His schedule is flexible because of his high standards, which I for one appreciate!

Ligeia

The magistrate in Pale Moon is the top one for the province. Remember that the criminal magistrate in Grass Sea City thought HE should be top guy, but now he's out of office anyway.

Ligeia

The author answered this in the Patreon Chapter Channel on Discord (as a hidden-text spoiler). https://discord.com/channels/799119283653312523/818517911655546900/1351781318249283605

Randall Brynsvold

I don't think they have one because the province used to be a nation ruled by an emperor so all of the magistrates likely reported directly to the emperor. After the collective amnesia they just remembered that they served an emperor so the Rising Pheonix empire just took over without changing things.

Alan McBrayer

Fair point. SOMEONE definitely would have cut down that tree to make a desk out of it, but since the Empire is at least attempting to keep the Cultivators in check it probably wasn't them.

Ian Burns

This is one of my favorite recent chapters and it really made my day. The temporary change of setting is very welcome and the little glimpse of an unrelated emergency being resolved was extremely fun. On top of that seeing the emperor find out that his education gamble has really paid off is increadably gratifying.

Miles Sumida

@ Alibhal TLM is on good terms with the most powerful cultivators in the Azure Hills (and in the Empire since he's met Ge and Minyan plus Shen Yu). If anyone is going to be stressed it'll probably be the other cultivators. Though TLM will still be a little stressed because TLM.

John D Jones

Maybe the magistrate of the capital of the province is the governor? We know that the orders of the capital have some authority in other cities and towns from the pov of the once magistrate of the city with the slavery problem. There was also some genuine authority that magistrate thought could be acquired by his city becoming the capital instead. It would make sense if this was not just the indirect authority of being officially the most important city, but a more tangible power within certain procedural contexts.

BeepBoop

Memories of the horrible and fantastic writing of Robin Hobb...

Splutty

Why, I believe that would be whoever the Grand Marshal appoints. 😁

Andrew Denton

I’ve now read and re-read this chapter a couple of times. Each time is better than the last. It’s a subtle chapter, and I can see why it gave CF problems. For all the literal earth-shattering power of the two characters in it, the most important part is that it shows the peace Fa Ram brings to all who could or would be allies. The shock-waves of Jin’s choice to follow the path of Shennong are only just starting to reach the greater empire, and they have already brought peace to the heart of the Phoenix Emperor. He has at long last received proof that he has fulfilled the final commandment that his father laid upon him: he has accomplished something that has made the empire greater than he found it.

Michael Larsen

“Competent subordinates were alway a relief.” “Alway” should be “always”

Adam

Until you consider it was the Empire that forced sects to become more self sustaining to avoid pillaging everything in sight

Duncan Morin

Do the Azure Hills have a Lord Governor? I'm curious of the administrative structure above Magistrate.

Pat Sprehe

….Mahogany….

EverydayCrucible

And then Fengyan receives a plant that helps him cultivate again, the emperor tries to give him a vast fortune, but Jin refuses wishing only to be left alone.

EverydayCrucible

Which in turn is why it's vital to build institutions and advisors you can actually trust, and stamp out corruption at every level.

Ian Burns

This is true, they might have. They might even have planted a replacement for 65,000 years from now. But given this culture I doubt it.

Ian Burns

There's no indication that they cut down the tree for that purpose. Could have died for any number of reasons, many if not most of which have nothing to do with them. Nor is there any indication that there aren't other 60k+ year old trees out there. Trees die, it happens, might as well do something with the wood when it happens.

NameGame

Or perhaps it's made of the remains of a still living grown skyship.

leopard eye

I'd say more that a few

leopard eye

This looks pretty good. I was hoping for a Elder Ge and Jin discussion but I can wait a little longer. Next chapter friday?

Simon Andriessen

Thanks for the chapter 😊

Kt-x

Need? No. Want? ...maybe. Not that he'd admit it.

Ian Burns

It restores itself to harmony in accordance with the Dao. By fluffing up the cushions and getting rid of dust.

Ian Burns

Don't you know the genre? Only cultivators are real people!

Ian Burns

Nowhere is the tragedy of this world more exemplified than taking a sixtyfive thousand year old tree and making a desk out of it. Subtly horrifying. I love it. And they wonder why their world is getting weaker.

Ian Burns

The grand legacy revealed! Such is the genre. And yeah, you can have the desk made from the mahogany trees that are 600 miles tall and breath fire, made with blood rituals that let it warp the fabric of space and time itself... or you have have it be indestructible, always clean, and super comfy.

Ian Burns

Does Fengyan have any queen/wives/concubines and sons/daughters?

Harish

Terrible, yes, but the report itself states that the people were infected and turning into monsters. It was a mercy to end them, even if cultivators or Spiritual doctors might have found a way to cure them sometime down the line. (Really hope Meimei runs into this in the future and actually creates a cure) The "Terrible" I am talking about is the kind where you Deal With The Devil to ensure the prosperity of your people. Perhaps the Emperor agrees to the conquest of a Province by an Unorthodox sect in return for their support for a thousand years. In return, the Unorthodox Sect gets to murder all of their rivals and the rival's allies upto the next ten generations. That's usually the kind of evil that cultivator stories are all about, right? I like the chapters with Fengyan because they are a stark contrast to life at Fa Ram, showing how truly blessed the protagonists are. Hell, I want Fengyan to visit Fa Ram (in disguise as a standard cultivator) and promptly decide this was going to be his vacation destination.

Harish

I wonder if that desk was made by Shennong?

WarStrider72

Commending the governor for killing 7,000 people seems approving a terrible action

forest tate

Shen Yu: You gotta do better than that sonny to get one over me! I know everyone!

WarStrider72

There must be so many cultivators in the capital which would translate to so much stress .......I can see it happening. If for nothing else but our amusement 😂😂

Alibhai

It seemed to work quite well. The most powerful person in the world can't quite have normal concerns.

Randall Norman Pick

Sapient pearwood.

Andrew Denton

He did say that a powerful cultivator calls him teacher... That at least intriguing

matthew gilley

The magistrate gets promoted to magistrate of the capital and he is just screaming about it in his head for eternity

matthew gilley

I'm curious if the desk was the desk from the first empire of the azure mountains and no one cared enough to write it down. Like the emperor will see it when he watches the crystal and his main take away will not be all the earth shattering revelations but "so that's where my desk is from, huh, mystery solved. "

matthew gilley

As lonely at the top as it can be, I'm glad the Emperor has Shen Yu as a confidant. Especially for the levities.

Daniel Mountain

I think you're mixing up what Shi Ling knows vs what we as readers do. Elder Ge only learned about this last chapter, and that was because he had been briefed on Lan Lan being a person of interest before, and taking the time to talk to her in his time off. There's no reason to expect this has come up during the operation in the North.

Peter Gerganov

Yeah but we have seen cultivators even the ancestor types still enjoy food. I was using food as an example. Could have replaced it with anything personal really. A hair comb, maybe a spirit stone, just some kind of minor personal touches makes the character easier to connect with.

Xander Lionheart

I can see why you struggled with this but I had the same feeling as others and he feels different enough from TLM to not overlap characters. Enjoyed this chapter

litalmexy

The empowering fantasy of a caring, competent leader. Are any of those desks made from... Mahogany?

Ian Robert Darling Burns

You know i think it says a lot about how the azure hills are seen that Shi ling felt the the spontaneous and willing unification of every sect in the province wasn't even worth mentioning to the emperor.

Mr Fox

He was only there very briefly, and Lu Ri has a habit of 'understating' his information -- so he couldn't possibly know... Yet. He's headed back now, though -- so his next report to the throne will no doubt be full of all sorts of unprecedented nonsense...

Ormus Von Orbulon

No, it's a bit archaic but it's perfectly cromulent

Ian Robert Darling Burns

Should the words “treat” in the topic of the Spirit Beast be “treaty?”

Shawn Banks

I bet it’s made of the same wood at The Luggage of Pratchett’s Discworld.

Shawn Banks

Only three Emperors? Wouldn't it make more sense to have a longer line than that? It would certainly make more sense if a previous Important Person had put the Desk into storage for a later emperor to find?

Carl Dooley

Shen Yu did recognize Shi Lang, and told Jin his name at the end of "v5c65: The Experts of the Empire".

Randall Brynsvold

Lu Ri has his maple syrup. Maybe Fengyan has his own preferred treat too...

Carl Dooley

Careful.. we need to keep this man away from the north! There's too many excellent rulers and administrators up there. Our emperor might be inclined to raid for talent.

Thomas Lawless

But he is a cultivator. He wouldn't have need of snacks and coffee.

Daniel

No mention of the Lord Magistrate's excellent administration and character? It's almost as if you don't want the man to have a stroke from all the powerful eyes directed his way!

ChaosAndBunnies

Thank you for the chapter! 😁

Kt-x

The Herald doesn't know about it. Lu Ri only barely touched on it when he reported it to Xiao Ge.

Xerxes Aaronsson

I curious why he didn't mention all that was happening within azure hills, I believe a new centralized power would be of interest to the big boss

Kris Piskorski

Over on Discord it was stated it's mega-old. Made one of the original disciples of Shennong. Not self-aware, just a desk made by one of The Ancients who wanted to make a really good desk.

Just A Dude

I KNEW IT! Well, not specifically a disciple of Shennong, but I figured it would be some ancient master practicing a Dao related to carpentry who just wanted a Really Good Desk without any of the pretentious crap.

Just A Dude

Good furniture doesn't need to be ornate. It was probably carved by some highly ranked cultivator following the Dao of Carpentry trying to find the essence of what makes a perfect desk by stripping away all the unnecessary frippery.

Just A Dude

To reach the pinnacle of perfection, one must discard needless things. Form must confirm to function in all ways, not to vanity or aesthetic. A desk doesn't need to be made of treasure worth more than a palace, or be sized to extend much beyond the reach of the one sitting at it. It need only be sturdy, stable, and comfortable. By that measure, this is a deal in the Imperial Realm of deskness.

Just A Dude

He's that rarest of characters in fiction: Reasonable Authority Figure.

Just A Dude

AND THUS two of the greatest heroes of the Empire make their debut. The Mighty Desk of Enternal Endurance and the Gracious Chair of Sublime Comfort. Long may these two pillars support the Son of Heaven!

Truedragon5374

Also railroads would get the mail through faster.

Savannah Black

No rewards! Dang! Loot loot loot!

Savannah Black

Should we start calling the Emperor’s old desk and chair “Chekov’s Wierd Desk and Chair “? Or just CWD&C?

Matthew Picard

Thanks! Awesome chapter

Trevor Mergen

@Tsorov Xiulan did tell Ge that a memory crystal was found and that the answer for the Azure Hills weakness is based in part on Demonic activity, while also implying that Jin has something to do with the province’s restoration. However, the Herald didn’t spend time at Fa Ram, he had VERY urgent report about the VERY important matter that had prompted the Emperor to send His Voice in the first place. He was there for the urgent, Empire threatening business in the Sea of Snow not to sit around chatting with someone only tangentially related to the actual unfolding crisis. Yes, Jin providing a clue on how to stop the degradation of the world IS a MASSIVE deal that the Emperor should be told about, it’s not actually all that urgent. As for the rest of the curiosities in Fa Ram, aside from the modern beehives, everything is ,at best, on the level of “that’s pretty good. Keep working on it and get back to me in about 500 years then we might have something useable.”

Aki_Iokua18

The Emperor’s voice didn’t see steam stuff and shen yu while he has had enough teaching on such subjects to humble any leader of a mid rank sect probably doesn’t really consider any non-qi stuff at an empire level unless a question directly questioning it is voiced around him

Cinnamon Toast

The Hongs and Uncle Bao just worked out the math; someone else created the basic concept. I seem to recall it had been kicking around for a century or two and they were the first to make it work practically.

Ligeia

I wonder if it's a sentient artifact like Sunny the plow.

Serpentssnare

He doesn't know he left right after the cult hunt ended. He hasn't been to Fa Ram.

war doggle

The cloudy sword sect is not the empire

fruit dragon

He *was* accepted into the Cloudy Sword Sect in his youth, after all, and they don't take just anyone. Plus he's still a friend of Shen Yu's.

Ligeia

“A problem that could be solved by doing nothing wasn’t a problem at all.” You snuck in some serious wisdom right there!

Angel

Didn't Elder Ge just learned part of the story of the shattering of the Azure Mountains by the demonic interference when Xiaoshi broke the province-wide formation to block the demons, though? Shen Yu is the ony one who's seen what's in the crystal, yes, but he wasn't terribly concerned (probably because he doesn't know how badly the dragon veins were damaged or that Tianlan, Chun Ke, and Jin are repairing them). So the word is spreading, slowly. But attention is turning to the Azure Hills for the first time in a very, very long time, which could prove interesting indeed! The Emperor is learning thanks to his Voice, which has great implications for the Azure Hills. I'm glad the Emperor recognizes how hard the thunderhoofs have been fighting the demons; they deserve the praise and support! And while he's surprised that Jin has a mortal teacher, I suspect that Ge and/or Shen Yu will at some point tell him what a superb person the Lord Magistrate is, thanks to Lu Ri's delight in finding him. And having the proof that the Archive system really does work was obviously very gratifying news to the Emperor! I wonder whether he will gather the people who developed the formation (who are still living) to come visit him. Can you picture how Jin would be bursting with pride at Meimei, Pops, and Uncle Bao in that circumstance? He would practically shout it from the mointaintops, I suspect! The Emperor will surely learn about them being declared Honoured Allies of the Cloudy Sword Sect and recognize how brilliant they all are. Shen Yu also has such a hugh opinion of Pops that he can certainly impress it upon the Emperor, So it's really a win/win/win all the way around!

Ligeia

A table that cleans itself. That’s actually very impressive cause I have to wonder how it differentiates between waste and something that’s supposed to be on there.

Yanni

"Perfection is the enemy of good" or in this case great, don't second guess yourself.

Joe Silva

What!? A reasonable and caring emperor that actually cared for his people and land!? What is this!? I want MOAAAR

Almer Reyhan

Loved the chapter! I think it did a wonderful job humanizing the emperor.

Zero Wrath

I think you humanized the emperor well. I think my only bit of criticism would be to add a personal touch to the desk. Something being done on it that someone staying up late for office work would do. Like an old coffee cup or something. Maybe some bit of food he was snacking on because he was bored. I just feel like the chapter is about humanizing the emperor and adding some human needs would be the final touch needed.

Xander Lionheart

I get that it might not have made the list of big ticket items, but I think the big wigs should put more weight to the steam engine technology our boys are making. Steam locomotives and ships would definitely change how the mortals of them empire conducted trade and would bring everyone closer together. It would even make the Archive system more effective by speeding up the process of information dissemination.

Robert Adams

It is showing how things are degrading. The First Emperor lived a very, very, very long time.

Casualfarmer

Didn't Xianhua tell them about the crystal in the last chapter? I don't think they know about the dragon veins restoration by Jin completly, but they know that the Qi void is because the dragon veins were destroyed

Tsorov

I think it is more of a friendly rivalry issue. The voice shouldn't be seen as the person behind the mask, but as an extension of the emperors will. Since different people can wear the mask, Shen yu has made it his mission to find out who they are and in that way "rebel against the pheonix crown".

Tsorov

Yup I was reading one where the OP protagonist was already helping them, and instead of just treating him like an ally they started manipulating him and messing with him because he was a commoner (and that didn’t go well for them lol)

Kat

The Voice is supposed to be anonymous and is disguised and shrouded to be so to only represent the authority of the emperor. Not the person beneath the mask. But Shen Yu makes it a game to correctly inventory the person.

Sebastian Osterbrink

I love when people in power are reasonable authority figures. It brings Joy And knowing that the Archives produced something that would benefit all must be a huge wave of relief.

Zeromaru2

As far as I know, the only “outsider” who knows what happened to the Azure Hills in the past and what is currently happening is Shen Yu. And his thing is: “My cock found the crystal, it’s his to do with as he wants. Now if he wants to tell the Emperor, I can help and give advice, but it’s not for me to say. Just like it’s not for me to say that my Grandson’s doing what everyone thought was impossible before he gives the okay to do so.” Jin isn’t really aware or just doesn’t want to bother with any of the potential implications of what he’s doing. He just sees it as “My friend’s been hurt. I have the means and ability to help her. It’s just what you do, ya know? The fact that it also helps other people I care about, well, that’s just the icing on the cake, really.

Aki_Iokua18

I love it. Thanks CF!!

Kasinki

Shen Yu trolled the hell out of him trying to get a reaction and I think the shrug was all he managed to get. It's hilarious that it was enough and he's that salty about it.

Often Irrelephant

Casualfarmer — #patreon-chapter-channel in Discord It was made by one of Shennong's first disciples Casualfarmer — #patreon-chapter-channel that desk and chair is ooooooolllllllllllddddd

Haley Shepard

Love the concept of the Emperor being stressed about his subjects hiding problems so he only hears about them when it escalated to a major issue.

SarcasticDonkey

Im still kind of reeling on how this 6 thousand year old empire only had 3 emperors, one who was already fuck ancient before it was formed. Doubly so because after this chapters, we can see that the oldes and strongest of the Cultivators are only barely over 800 years old. Is this another show of evidence that Qi and cultivation has been degrading generation after generation? Or were these 2 emperors just the ultimate exception of the story?

Victor Segura

Tftc! It was awesome!

Katharine Gould

Exactly so many times the powerful make enemies because of bad decisions or even due to badintelk given to them by their own subordinates.

GameJunkie999

Truly, the most ambitious undertaking of all: creating the World's Most Comfortable Chair.

Benjamin Lawton

Is there some significance to Shi Lang’s identity? The Emperor asked if Shen Yu recognized him. Should Shen Yu have? Or did he recognize Shi Lang and I missed it.

Geese

I love the pragmatism of the first emperor rummaging around in a storage closet for comfortable office furniture. But so many questions! It's not even remotely normal if it doesn't need cleaning or repair for thousands of years. There's also the exceptional comfort. Where did they come from and how did end up in an imperial storage closet? My 'dear' (ala Peppa) said, "What is this? The desk of Shennong?" 🤔 Now I wonder.

Often Irrelephant

I really liked this chapter/interlude.

Benji

I liked this one

Isaac Boyles

Oh my, yes. No true ambition indeed. Certainly nothing like building a Heaven upon the world. Nothing like that.

Oni

In my head, even though it’s probably not, I see the chair as some sort of celestial lazy-boy.

Michael Larsen

When all of the people Shen Yu called on first got together at Verdant Hill, Shen Yu made a comment that he likes to guess on which person the Emperor sent as His Voice, just as a fun game for himself. He figured it was Shi Lang by his shrug, and this is confirmation for us he was correct.

Onean

Yes the ‘simple’ desk that has not needed cleaning or fixing for what sounds like thousands of years. Some master had their priorities straight when they made that desk.

Cinnamon Toast

I really like this “Do you believe he will be a threat?” “No,” Shi Lang’s answer was immediate. “Not unless we give him reason to” So many people of authority in stories create their own downfall by simply poking people they should have just left alone… I’m glad the Emperor isn’t among them

Kat

There was a side convo where Shen Yu guessed which of the emperor's men were behind the mask--correctly. Re the crystal, Shen Yu thought it would be amusing to have such a thing presented by Bi De in his rooster form, so he's definitely going to make it happen.

The butler did it

I think that was really, REALLY noticed after he'd already left because the cause of Azure Hills was hidden till recently. Even those who considered it never really thought about it other than "This is strange... wait, this is strange. With what we learned about the Dragon Veins being burnt... they need to be recovering, and have been since he came here."

Melody Haren Anderson

There's an earlier Shen Yu chapter where he notes making a game of trying to figure out who's under the Voice's mask at any given time - I don't remember *which* chapter specifically, sorry.

Geoffrey Sullivan

Somehow, the desk being simple as well as the chair but just... comfy, I love it. So very this story. Simple and humble comfortable power, rather than glory above all.

Melody Haren Anderson

"that he may cultivate in peace…" That was a groan-worthy pun if I ever saw one.

Mad Max

I don't think he was present for that.

Lelouch Lamperouge

i wonder how the emperor will react when he finds out about the bee hives

THEMIGHTYBOXHEAD

I Love the inexplicably indestructible and anomalously comfortable office furniture. 👌

Ormus Von Orbulon

“One last question for YOU” - missing the last word…

V01D

Honestly I think the chapter is fine and it was definitely what I personally needed today and a good follow up from the previous chapters.

Nathaniel Jacob moore

Very exciting to see another glimpse of the emperor! I like him, I think

Joanna

Nah, it's the healing formation that the Hongs worked out

Joanna

Shen Yu had declared the Archives to be a success. With proof. A formation that had traded hands multiple times, drifting between people who never would have met, until it produced something amazing.

Moonspike

I am surprised the the Voice did not inform the Emperor of Jin’s efforts to restore the Dragon Veins beneath the Azure Hills.

Buck

I think it's a good chapter but maybe make the desk have the words azure carved on it cause we know it's from the hills only place with good furniture

this will work

It literally told us that it was about the formation Mei Mei's family developed from what they found in the archives.

Moonspike

Okay, there HAS to be something up with that desk and chair. While it seems doubtful the Herald would actually STAY at Fa Ram, it would be interesting to see how the Emperor would react to learning more of what Jin’s done and what his coming to the Azure Hills has brought about.

Aki_Iokua18

Who is Shi Lang and why would it surprise Shen Yu? What am I missing? This chapter needs more details…… Also weren’t they going to send the full crystal to the emperor?

MARK MACKNET

The Emperor's Desk is made of very fine material, very expensive. It's Mahogany.

Daniel Jungbluth

Loved this!

Kreylix

The poor herald. But yay for not trying to poke the sleeping dragons!! Good emperor!!

Synova Vitale

Nothing fancy just a bloody good desk. That has been soaked in the qi of three Emperor's for thousands of years. Oh boy

leopard eye

Fengyan sounds cool tbh.

Mohamud Mohamed

Wew, these people are old lol. Thanks for the chap!

Enzo

I did very much enjoy this chapter.

Null_is_Void

Hooo I gotta wonder if Shen Yu’s scroll was about the memory crystal trying to find an heir

Parker Maisterra

Damn. Missed again. 3rd this time. A small anecdote about Fengyan having to approve of a terrible action might have started the chapter better, because every single time the Emperor came in, there was always a small anecdote about having to do terrible things to keep the empire safe. but this is BEWARE OF CHICKEN And I'd rather have two friends enjoying a cup of tea over grimdark any day.

Harish

:D

RUI RODRIGUES

Huzzah!

Chris Warner

Thanks!

Maple