Published: March 12, 2025
Chapter 484: Third Master (Request for Subscription)
The carriage that Zhao Hai had previously made wasn't very large; such carriages were only used by ordinary nobles. In contrast, the family heads of truly prominent families rode in carriages like the one Zhao Hai was currently using—big and spacious.
Lando giving Zhao Hai this carriage was a roundabout way of acknowledging Zhao Hai's status. Now, Zhao Hai was qualified to ride in such a carriage, and his status had risen to be on par with the family heads of those thousand-year-old families like Lando's.
After getting into the carriage, Zhao Hai asked the driver-servant why Lando wanted to see him, but the servant didn't know, which left Zhao Hai quite puzzled.
As soon as Zhao Hai's carriage entered Karsen City, everyone who saw it immediately cleared the way. The residents of Karsen City were very perceptive; they understood well that anyone who could ride in such a carriage was someone they couldn't afford to offend and thus made sure to keep their distance.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the palace gates. The Roson Empire's palace was indeed grand; just the outer walls were over ten zhang high. Two rows of warriors, about forty in total, stood at the entrance, each clad in armor, appearing extraordinarily valiant.
Outside the palace was a moat, with a drawbridge spanning it. The carriage stopped just outside the drawbridge, and the servant stood on the carriage's platform, saying to Zhao Hai, "Young Master Zhao Hai, our carriage has arrived here. You will need to walk across the drawbridge and register after crossing it. Naturally, someone will take you to meet His Majesty."
Zhao Hai nodded, got down from the carriage, and walked toward the drawbridge. Just after he crossed the drawbridge, he was immediately stopped by two warriors. Upon seeing the carriage Zhao Hai was in, the warriors didn't dare be slow and said, "Please, sir, step aside for registration." They pointed behind them.
Zhao Hai looked in the direction they were pointing and saw a small room that appeared to be for registration. He nodded and walked toward that small room.
Upon opening the door and entering, Zhao Hai found that the room was indeed small but quite warm. The furnishings were very simple: a table and four chairs. Behind the table sat two men, both in their thirties, fair-skinned and clean-shaven, wearing clothes with unique patterns that looked very beautiful.
As soon as they saw Zhao Hai enter, the two men immediately stood up and bowed slightly, saying, "Greetings, sir! May we know your name?" Their voices were somewhat shrill, and upon hearing this, Zhao Hai realized that these two men were eunuchs.
Although Zhao Hai looked down on these eunuchs, he remained very polite. There have been many incidents of eunuchs holding power throughout Chinese history, and who knew what tricks these people might have? So he courteously bowed and said, "Greetings! I am Zhao Hai Budah, the family head of the Budah family. I am here on His Majesty's command for an audience."
Upon hearing Zhao Hai's name, the two eunuchs displayed even more respect, quickly saying, "Understood! We will register your name, and you may enter. There is a eunuch waiting for you inside."
Zhao Hai nodded, and the two eunuchs registered his name and handed him a golden plaque. One of the eunuchs said, "Please take this plaque, and you will be allowed to enter. Someone will come to escort you."
Zhao Hai nodded, accepted the plaque, turned, and exited the room. Many guards merely checked the plaque in Zhao Hai's hand before allowing him through.
As soon as Zhao Hai entered the main gate of the palace, he noticed an older eunuch standing at the entrance. This eunuch seemed quite aged, over fifty, but Zhao Hai did not sense any obsequiousness from him. On the contrary, this eunuch exuded an air of authority, a presence only someone in a high position might have, and there was a strong murderous aura about him.
Seeing this eunuch, Zhao Hai immediately understood that he was not just any eunuch; he was likely a death warrior, and not one of low rank either.