Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts-Chapter 427 - Forming a Closer Bond with Beihai.

Xu Ming’s return to the capital of Wu was not simply by flying on his own.

After all, he was merely at the Dragon Gate Realm and had yet to reach the Fifth Realm, where one could break through space and travel vast distances with ease.

Moreover, the journey from Beihai (North Sea) to Wu was incredibly long—if he were to rely solely on his own flight, it would take at least a year or two.

By then, not to mention reporting back to the Emperor, the Four Seas might already be embroiled in war by the time he arrived.

Thus, Xu Ming traveled using a flying boat provided by Beihai.

In just two months, he was already approaching the Wu Kingdom.

Before arriving, he sent a sword message ahead, informing the court of his imminent return and providing an estimated arrival time. After all, returning unannounced would be discourteous.

By the time he reached the gates of the capital, Xu Ming witnessed a grand sight—Emperor Wu himself, accompanied by his civil and military officials, had come to personally welcome him.

Among the gathered officials, only Wu Yanhan was absent. Even Mr. Xiao was present.

The entire assembly stood with eager anticipation. When they saw the approaching flying boat, their eyes lit up with excitement.

Seeing such a spectacle, Xu Ming naturally understood that it was meant for him. However, the scale and formality of the reception seemed excessive.

This level of ceremony—it looked more like they were welcoming a noble prince rather than a returning envoy.

Quickly, Xu Ming put away the flying boat and descended from the sky.

“Your subject, Xu Ming, pays his respects to Your Majesty.”

Standing before Emperor Wu, Xu Ming bowed respectfully.

“Hahaha! There’s no need for such formalities, Top Scholar,” Emperor Wu said with satisfaction, personally stepping forward to lift him up. “I have been waiting for you for quite some time now.”

“Your Majesty personally coming to the gates of the capital—I am truly overwhelmed,” Xu Ming said as he straightened his posture.

“What’s the harm in that?” Emperor Wu responded grandly, his voice loud and clear. “Xu Ming, you have dedicated yourself tirelessly to the Wu Kingdom. This time, your mission to Beihai has resulted in a strengthened alliance—this is a great achievement! I must reward you! And I will reward you handsomely!”

As he spoke the words “I must reward you”, Emperor Wu pointed directly at Xu Ming, raising his voice as if to make sure the entire court heard him.

The gathered officials exchanged glances among themselves.

They all knew that His Majesty greatly favored this young man and that Xu Ming had indeed made significant contributions during his mission to Beihai.

A reward was expected.

However, the way the Emperor publicly declared it with such solemnity suggested that this reward would be far from ordinary.

It was highly likely that Xu Ming would be directly granted a noble title—perhaps even a marquisate or chancellorship.

It was no secret among the court that the Emperor had long wanted to grant Xu Ming a title. However, until now, Xu Ming lacked a sufficiently significant achievement to justify such an elevation.

But now, with his successful diplomacy in Beihai, his merits were undeniable. A noble title was no longer in question—it was merely a matter of how high.

Moreover, the Emperor’s proclamation carried another clear message:

“From this day forward, Xu Ming belongs to me. Any of you harboring ulterior motives—be warned!”

After all, during the Rootless Secret Realm incident, some had orchestrated an assassination attempt against Xu Ming.

That event had not only enraged the Emperor, causing him to turn the capital upside down in search of the culprits, but had also stirred the common people into a fervent outcry of solidarity.

“It is my duty to share in Your Majesty’s burdens,” Xu Ming replied humbly.

To be honest, he was a bit apprehensive.

The favor of an emperor was not necessarily a bad thing—countless officials schemed and fought to gain imperial favor.

However, being too favored by an emperor was not always a good thing either.

“Xu Ming, there’s no need for such modesty. Come, come—ride with me in my carriage. I want to hear all about your time in Beihai. What they told me was nowhere near enough!”

As he spoke, Emperor Wu had already pulled Xu Ming into the carriage.

Many officials watching this scene felt a mix of emotions.

To ride in the same carriage as the Emperor.

The last person to receive such an honor was the current Prime Minister, Xiao Mochi.

And now, it was Xu Ming.

If they remembered correctly, Xiao Mochi was also Xu Ming’s first teacher.

“A teacher for a day, a father for life.” Their bond as master and disciple was unshakable.

At this rate, the influence of the “Xiao faction” would only continue to grow, and stopping it would soon become impossible.

Xu Ming tried to politely decline a few times, but with the Emperor’s insistence—and especially after he said, “Could it be that my beloved subject does not enjoy riding with me?”—Xu Ming had no choice but to step into the carriage.

On the way to the palace, Xu Ming recounted everything that had transpired in Beihai, down to the smallest detail.

Of course, his relationship with the Dragon Empress was something he absolutely could not mention.

Emperor Wu listened silently, saying nothing, as if deep in thought.

Xu Ming suspected that the Emperor was contemplating the current power dynamics of the Four Seas.

Perhaps, he was even debating whether to go all in on Beihai right now.

After all, the Four Seas were in complete turmoil, and they could remain unstable for a long time. If the Emperor bet on Beihai and Beihai emerged victorious, the benefits for Wu would be enormous.

But the problem was—the Emperor had no idea what Beihai’s true ambitions were.

From what Xu Ming reported, Beihai (North Sea) aimed to control Donghai (East Sea).

But did Beihai also plan to unify the other two seas? That was an open question.

Through their conversation, Xu Ming also learned that Beihai had already sent a letter ahead of his arrival.

The Emperor handed him the letter.

It was personally written by the Dragon Empress.

In it, she explicitly stated that during the Four Seas Grand Ceremony, Xu Ming had provided immense assistance to Beihai. In gratitude, Beihai was willing to use Xu Ming as a bridge to form a deeper friendship with Wu.

At that moment, Xu Ming finally understood why the Emperor was so overjoyed and eager to grant him a grand reward.

For years, Beihai had only maintained superficial relations with other kingdoms and sects.

But now, Wu was the first power with which Beihai was officially establishing diplomatic ties.

With Beihai’s backing, Wu’s standing among the Ten Great Human Kingdoms would undoubtedly rise.

Still...

Xu Ming couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling as he read the words “a deeper friendship.”

It felt like there was an underlying implication.

“What a pity,” Emperor Wu sighed suddenly.

“The Dragon Empress has no heirs, and I... have only one daughter. There is no way to establish a marriage alliance with Beihai.”

With that, the Emperor looked directly at Xu Ming.

“Xu Ming, do you have any ideas?”