Chapter 100: The Dangerous Empress

After dressing in his formal attire and securing the gift he had prepared for the Empress, Zhou Tian exchanged greetings with a few people he knew and some he did not, before following the flow of the crowd into the palace of the Yanhuang Empire.

Although he held the title of Bishop, his position fell outside the usual circles, and while most people who spotted him offered a nod or a word of greeting, none truly wished to engage him in conversation. Thus, a rather peculiar spectacle formed around Zhou Tian: everyone who saw him greeted him, but after that greeting, they would all drift away to chat and drink with their own acquaintances. Though people constantly passed by his side, not a single noble actually paused to spend even a moment with him.

Naturally, placed in such an environment, Zhou Tian felt more than a little awkward. He genuinely regretted his decision to attend the banquet. Unfortunately, having already arrived, it was not so easy to leave. Since he had come, regardless of how he felt, he had no choice but to remain until the banquet had drawn to a close.

Just as Zhou Tian was growing utterly bored, a tall, slender young woman suddenly walked toward him.

Seeing someone approach, Zhou Tian straightened his expression, tucking away his previous grimace and fixing his gaze intently upon the wine glass in his hand, as if the glass held something worthy of his careful study.

"Let's get acquainted. My name is Wu Zhao!" After introducing herself, the young woman extended her right hand to Zhou Tian.

"Pfft!" Zhou Tian sprayed the wine from his mouth in a sudden burst. Staring at her in astonishment, he could not help but ask, "What did you say your name was?"

"Wu Zhao!" The young woman found his reaction rather strange. However, mindful of her purpose, although she felt somewhat displeased by his response, she ultimately reintroduced herself with good grace.

"Wu... Wu Meiniang!"

"Eh!" Wu Zhao shot him a surprised look, then asked with a curious expression, "If I may ask, Bishop, where did you hear that name? I don't recall anyone other than my parents ever knowing it."

"So... you really are called Meiniang!" Zhou Tian was at a loss for words. Attending a perfectly ordinary banquet, he had somehow run into an otherworldly iteration of Wu Zetian. Silently grumbling to himself, he could only reply to Wu Zhao with an awkward smile: "I can't recall where I heard it either. I never would have guessed you truly bore that name! What a... what a coincidence!"

"Is that so?" The young woman named Wu Zhao appeared somewhat bemused. After giving Zhou Tian a strange look, she suddenly took her leave, saying, "Well, that really is too coincidental. Oh, right! I still have some matters to attend to, so I won't keep you company any longer. I hope you enjoy the rest of the party, Bishop!" With that, she turned and took two steps, then, for reasons unknown, glanced back and added, "I forgot to mention—I'm a married woman. Next time, you must address me as 'Madam.'"

"Madam?" Zhou Tian stared at the retreating figure of the young woman named Wu Zhao, a rather odd expression creeping across his face.

He had never studied the matter seriously, but back on Earth, out of sheer curiosity, he had picked up quite a few methods for discerning a virgin's identity from the internet. And that Wu Zhao—from where Zhou Tian stood, whether it was certain physical characteristics or aspects of her bearing, everything pointed to her being a maid. Yet this very young woman had insisted to him that she was married, and even asked to be called "Madam." Zhou Tian truly did not know whether to suspect that she was playing with him, or whether her husband was impotent.

Just as Zhou Tian was pondering who this woman named Wu Zhao truly was, and why she had approached him, the banquet had passed its midpoint when the day's birthday girl—Her Majesty the Empress of the Yanhuang Empire—finally made her appearance, accompanied by the Emperor.

Aside from the clergy like Zhou Tian, nearly everyone present knelt in reverence before the two most exalted figures of the Yanhuang Empire.

Even the clergy, in fact, all offered a bow to express their goodwill—with one exception: Zhou Tian, the last-minute guest.

"How could it possibly be her!" Zhou Tian had initially intended to offer at least a token bow to the Emperor and Empress of the Yanhuang Empire. But the moment he laid eyes on the Empress, he froze on the spot, his would-be gesture of respect halting midway.

Zhou Tian had never imagined that the Empress of the Yanhuang Empire was none other than the young woman who had earlier approached him and struck up a conversation—that "maiden" named Wu Zhao. Gazing at the woman on the dais, radiant and stately as she carried out the ceremonial rites, he found it hard to believe that she was the same person he had met before.

Because he had been so stunned that he forgot to move, his behavior at that moment was rather discourteous. Fortunately, everyone else had their attention fixed upon the stage, and Zhou Tian's position was likewise tucked away in a remote corner, so no one noticed that this guest had not only failed to bow, but had been staring at their Empress with a thoroughly "disrespectful" gaze.

As though sensing something, Wu Zhao—having completed the ceremony and while conversing with the Emperor—suddenly turned her head directly toward Zhou Tian's corner and cast him a look laden with meaning.

For reasons he could not explain, Zhou Tian felt profoundly uncomfortable beneath Wu Zhao's gaze. Taking a sip of wine to mask his unease, he slipped away and hid in a corner.

He was no longer thinking about how to pass the time. Now, Zhou Tian simply hoped that Wu Zhao would not come looking for him again. For some reason, he had a premonition that if he became too entangled with that woman, his future would be plagued with troubles because of her.

Unfortunately, though Zhou Tian wished to avoid her, Wu Zhao had no intention of letting him go. Just as the banquet was drawing to a close, having slipped away from the crowd at some point, Wu Zhao sought him out once more.

"Why is the Bishop drinking alone in this corner? Would you care for this little woman to keep you company?"

Hearing her words, Zhou Tian could only answer with a wry smile: "Your Majesty, please do not mock me. I would never dare have you accompany me in drinking. If I truly did such a thing, I doubt I would be able to leave here alive."

"I'm not a man-eating tiger—what are you afraid of?" Though her expression turned somewhat sharp at his words, she nevertheless spared his feelings and did not tease him further. Instead, she pulled out a chair and sat down beside him.

Unconsciously shifting his body to create a small distance between them, Zhou Tian then asked, "Your Majesty, there must be a reason you keep seeking me out. Out with it, then. If it is something I can help with, I would not mind lending a hand."

"Is that truly so?" Wu Zhao smiled as though delighted, but then promptly came out with her request: "I wonder if the Bishop happens to have any medicine that could allow a hermaphrodite to grow full limbs? I trust you understand what I mean."

A strange look flickered across Zhou Tian's face. After hearing her words, he could not help but wonder—was the Emperor of the Yanhuang Empire truly an impotent man?

Of course, whether or not that was the case, even if he could help the woman before him, Zhou Tian would absolutely not agree so easily.

Thus, after hearing her request, he paused for a moment, then answered with certainty: "I do have such a thing, but it is quite troublesome to produce. If Your Majesty has need of it, well, that would require..." He trailed off, leaving her a look that said, "You know what I mean."

Wu Zhao nodded to him in acknowledgment, then, to Zhou Tian's astonishment, abruptly changed the subject: "That was only a joke. The real reason I sought you out is simply to make a friend. As a token of my sincerity, let me offer you a piece of information."

"What information?"

"A young woman named Afra is your companion, is she not?"

"That's right. What of it?"

"Her current situation is far from good. If you do not wish for something unfortunate to befall her, then I suggest you make a trip to the black market in the western part of the city tonight. Otherwise, once tonight has passed, I fear something may happen that you will regret for the rest of your life."

Zhou Tian did not grow angry. Had anyone else spoken such words to him, he would surely have felt at least some concern for Afra's safety, whether or not he believed them. But since the words came from Wu Zhao, he found himself uncertain how much of it was credible.

Her series of performances before him had not only solidified his decision to stay far away from her, but had also planted seeds of doubt in every single word she uttered. Faced with Wu Zhao, Zhou Tian truly could not tell which of her words were genuine and which were simply games.

"Believe it or not, it's up to you." Seeing the suspicion on Zhou Tian's face, Wu Zhao's demeanor suddenly chilled. Shooting him a displeased glare, she turned and left without another word.

"What's she so upset about?" Zhou Tian genuinely could not understand her sudden flare of temper. Still, regardless, since he had heard the news from Wu Zhao, he knew that tonight he was bound to make a trip to the western city.

No sooner had the banquet ended than Zhou Tian declined invitations from Li Jiahao and other acquaintances and headed off in the direction of the west.

In any place, one would inevitably find districts divided by type—the rich quarters, the poor quarters, and so on. Even in the imperial capital, there was no exception to this rule.

The Yanhuang Empire favored the east as its primary direction, so the eastern quarter was largely home to royalty and nobility. The northern quarter, while hosting few nobles, was chiefly occupied by wealthy merchants of the empire. As for the southern quarter, it was inhabited almost entirely by the common folk of the capital—though not as prosperous as the other two districts, at least public order there was reasonably maintained.

If there was one place in the capital that could be called the most chaotic of all, it would have to be the western quarter.

In the present world, professionals were a formidable class. Setting aside the sheer number of lower-ranking professionals, those who stood at the very apex of the professional pyramid could, if they so chose, raze cities and topple nations with ease.

Thus, though the saying goes, "the martial defy the law," even though everyone knew that professionals were apt to cause trouble in their spare time, ultimately every empire was forced to set aside a district within their cities for these people to operate. And perhaps preferring an out-of-sight, out-of-mind arrangement, the Yanhuang Empire had designated the western quarter—farthest from the imperial palace—as the capital's professional activity zone.

Because of the large presence of professionals, not only was order in the west somewhat chaotic, but even things that could not see the light of day could often be found in the western black market, catering to the professionals' needs.

Those with a bit of capability enjoyed strolling through the western quarter—not merely out of rebellious sentiment, but more because the west had exactly what they needed.

Though Zhou Tian differed from the usual run of professionals, he had learned about the conditions of the western quarter from Vivian and the others long before he even reached the capital. Now, with Wu Zhao's warning ringing in his ears, knowing well what the west was like, Zhou Tian dared not waste a moment. Even as he left the crowd and hurried toward the western quarter, he activated the power of the Ten-Thousand Snake Basin. Without any of the western residents noticing, countless small serpents began to scour the entire district, searching for Afra's whereabouts.

"This is..." The power of the serpent swarm was formidable. Compared to the methods of some professionals, Zhou Tian's search was in no way inferior. After the serpents had investigated the greater part of the buildings, they finally located Afra's presence.

Yet, upon receiving the relevant information, Zhou Tian's face held no trace of joy—only the blazing light of anger.

With a face dark as water, he walked to the entrance of a shop. Before he could enter, he was blocked by a guard at the door.

"May I see your invitation? This is a private club. Without an invitation, please turn back." The attendant gave Zhou Tian a casual once-over. Possibly influenced by Zhou Tian's expression, his tone was hardly friendly. After casually blocking his path, he regarded Zhou Tian with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Move aside."

"As I've already said, please present your invitation. Without one, I—"

"I told you to move aside—did you not hear me?" Zhou Tian, who had remained silent and brooding, suddenly erupted. Reaching out, he shoved his palm directly into the attendant's face, then applied force and shoved him into the other attendant.

Although Zhou Tian's strength was not particularly impressive, as he had never allocated points toward that attribute, given his current level of power, even an unremarkable show of strength was far beyond what those petty attendants could withstand. Under Zhou Tian's violent charge, the two guards at the door never even had a chance to warn those inside before being knocked unconscious.

Having disposed of the two attendants, Zhou Tian ignored the stares cast at him from all directions. Turning around, he walked back to the entrance and, to the shock of all, reached out and closed the doors behind him.

"The one thing I hate most is people like you—especially when you dare to lay hands on my companions. Though Afra can be willful and impulsive, and her tastes differ from most women's, she is still mine. Since you dared to touch what is mine, then be prepared to journey to hell." Murmuring these words to himself, Zhou Tian's eyes gleamed with icy light as he exchanged for a heavy blade once more from his system store, and then walked deeper into the rear of the establishment...

(A thousand thanks to dunyexie for the generous 1888 tip, and to nothing-to-do for the 588 tip. Today's chapter should be the final public chapter. Once the VIP chapters are released, I hope you will all lend your support!)