Royal Gold Magistrate

National Preceptor Paba walked to Black Mountain Chilie’s side, and Chen Hong cupped his hands in greeting.

But Fang Zheng and Lu Fa had completely ignored this bald man.

They were just looking Chilie up and down.

They exclaimed in admiration: “Impressive, truly impressive!”

In his past life, he’d only seen such tall people on TV. Seeing one in person, the powerful visual impact was especially shocking.

On a battlefield, wouldn’t someone like this be unstoppable in a suit of armor?

Fang Zheng took a deep breath, staring at Chilie, muttering: “This man looks incredibly fierce, he’ll surely become a great threat in the future.”

“Need to think of a way to take him out!”

Chen Hong’s face instantly turned deathly pale. He quickly reached out to cover Fang Zheng’s mouth, saying repeatedly: “Lord Fang, watch your words! Please watch your words!”

Fang Zheng pushed his hand away, saying helplessly: “What are you afraid of? He can’t understand us!”

Beside them, Paba’s face had turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

He slowly walked up to Fang Zheng: “I can understand you.”

“……..”

“Ah… hahaha, and you are, Master?”

The atmosphere became rather awkward as Fang Zheng attempted to gloss over it.

Chen Hong was now covered in cold sweat.

A major diplomatic incident! Before even going out, you’re already thinking about how to take someone out.

Even in war, we don’t kill envoys, and they’re here bearing gifts!

How can I trust you to take the envoys out like this?!

“Ahem… this is the Northern Rong’s National Preceptor, Paba.”

“Greetings, Master Paba.” Fang Zheng smiled.

Paba was silent for a moment, still trying to figure out what this young man was about, then slowly said: “I’m not a monk. You are…?”

“I am the Vice Minister of the Court of Diplomatic Receptions, Fang Zheng.”

Vice Minister? Looking at Chen Hong’s behavior, that seemed unlikely – probably just a temporary position.

His actual rank must be more significant.

Paba nodded: “Hello, Lord Fang, but… what did you mean by what you said earlier? I didn’t understand.”

“Oh! Well, the Vice Minister position is…”

“Not that part. What did you mean about taking Chilie out?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.”

Paba stared expressionlessly at Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng’s expression remained calm, but there was already a sense of drawn swords between the two men who’d just met.

Chen Hong was caught helplessly between them, nearly in tears.

He could only keep pulling at Fang Zheng’s sleeve, trying to get him to say something conciliatory.

Fang Zheng looked Paba up and down and smiled: “Master has misunderstood.”

“I’ve always been straightforward, saying whatever’s on my mind.”

“It’s like seeing a beautiful woman on the street – though I might want to sleep with her, I wouldn’t actually go kidnap her.”

“Surely Master isn’t angry over this? Your Buddhist practice must not be very deep!”

Damn it!

Three black lines appeared on Paba’s forehead.

“Lord Fang is indeed straightforward. However… I’m not a monk. May I ask why you two have come?”

Fang Zheng maintained his breezy expression.

“No matter, I personally love studying Buddhist teachings, and feeling especially close to Master.”

“We’re here for nothing special, mainly because Master has been in the capital for some time, cooped up practicing etiquette in the Court of Diplomatic Receptions. We thought to take Master for a walk around the city, if you’re agreeable?”

Paba’s eye twitched involuntarily.

What’s with this guy? Such thick skin!

Talking nonsense – I’ve said I’m not a monk, yet he keeps calling me Master. Will he ever stop?

Suppressing his anger, Paba turned to look at Chilie.

He asked: “Chilie, do you want to go for a walk?”

Chilie grinned widely: “Let’s go then. What were these little people saying about me earlier?”

Chilie had a fiery temper, so Paba didn’t dare say much, only: “Nothing special, Great Jing doesn’t have anyone as tall and mighty as you, they were just curious.”

Chilie looked disdainful, then ducked out through the doorway.

Standing straight, he looked even more terrifying, making Fang Zheng draw in a sharp breath.

He turned to ask Lu Fa: “What were they gabbling about?”

Lu Fa paused: “They called us little people and said Great Jing people are ignorant!”

Chen Hong felt like his heart had been stabbed.

He glared angrily at Lu Fa.

I told you to watch Fang Zheng and prevent trouble.

You don’t want your job anymore, deliberately stirring things up like this?

How much has happened in just this short meeting?

It’s over… his career was going to be ruined by Fang Zheng.

Chen Hong suppressed his displeasure and walked up to Fang Zheng, saying seriously: “Lord Fang, I happen to be free today.”

“No need for you to take them out, I can go just as well.”

“No need! I think Lord Fang is perfect for this. Lord Chen, you’re high-ranking and must be busy with affairs of state, we won’t trouble you.”

Paba was also quite curious.

Having stayed at the Court of Diplomatic Receptions for several days, he had some understanding of Great Jing officials.

Chen Hong and Fang Zheng clearly weren’t in a superior-subordinate relationship, and this Fang Zheng seemed quite special.

An anomaly in the bureaucracy – observing someone like this would be far more valuable than observing Chen Hong.

Fang Zheng simply ignored Chen Hong, pushing him aside.

He looked up, carefully studying Chilie.

Someone like this… even Zhang Biao probably wouldn’t be a match.

I thought Zhang Biao was invincible, but I didn’t expect the Northern Rong to have such a monster!

At one meter eighty, I stand out wherever I go in Great Jing!

Today someone actually called me little… this is ridiculous!

Fang Zheng turned to look at Paba: “Master, he’s too ugly.”

“When we go out, I’m afraid he’ll scare the citizens. Could we find some cloth to cover his face?”

How rude can you be?!

Paba immediately clenched his fists: “I’ve heard Great Jing is a land of propriety. Is this how Great Jing treats its guests?”

“Sigh… Master, I’m doing this for your own good. With his appearance, I’m worried it might spark unsavory rumors outside that could affect relations between our nations.”

“No need for Lord Fang to worry about that!”

Chen Hong clutched his chest, looking left and right, his eyes full of helplessness.

“Very well then, shall we go, gentlemen?”

Paba and Chilie walked out of the guesthouse first.

Just as Fang Zheng was about to leave, Chen Hong grabbed his sleeve tightly, pleading: “Lord Fang! Please don’t cause any trouble!”

Fang Zheng glared: “What are you talking about? I’m taking them to eat.”

“Alright, alright, just relax!”

Under Chen Hong’s plaintive gaze, Fang Zheng departed gracefully.

The Court of Diplomatic Receptions naturally had carriages ready.

Black Mountain Chilie was too tall to fit in a carriage.

He could only ride his own horse.

His mount was also twice the size of normal horses, and the combination of man and beast was incredibly intimidating.

Paba walked up beside Fang Zheng, saying proudly: “Chilie is the Northern Rong’s greatest warrior. Does Great Jing have any warriors like him?”

Fang Zheng glanced at him and said flatly: “This official has only recently arrived in the capital, and indeed hasn’t seen such a warrior.”

“Haven’t seen anyone as ugly as him either.”