The crowd gathered around to hear the Emperor's grand announcement.
Everyone already knew what it was. The Emperor was going to choose Jiahao to become the next Emperor. But before the Emperor could even make the announcement, a man came barging in the party.
"Master Cheng!" Yue exclaimed as she flew to the man who just arrived. She landed on the man's shoulders as she nudged her head to the man's cheeks, surprising everyone including the princes.
The Emperor quickly recognized who it was as it was the heavenly master that helped him gain the throne.
"Greetings to the Heavenly Master Cheng," the Emperor said as he stood up from his throne and walked over.
"Greetings Your Majesty. I have heard that your son has conquered a war in a short time," the heavenly master said.
The people were curious who was this man that the Emperor treated warmly.
"Yes, yes... he wasn't born yet the last time we saw each other," the Emperor laughed. "You haven't aged."
"Ah... yes. You weren't even married yet. By the way, I'd like to meet this son of yours," the heavenly master said as he put an arm on the Emperor's shoulder. But the Emperor didn't mind at all.
"Everyone, this is Heavenly Master Cheng who has helped me into this throne. Disrespecting Heavenly Master Cheng will also be disrespecting me," the Emperor said as he the young master into a seat near his throne. "I will postpone my announcement for the meantime first as Heavenly Master Cheng and I hasn't seen each other in ages."
"You have grown old, Your Majesty. But I am glad your son has found my apprentice. She had lost her way home," the heavenly master said as he nudged the bird to transform.
"Your apprentice?" the Emperor asked as he looked at the bird.
"Yes. Please call your son. I believe your son is quite close to my disciple," the master said as he smiled at the servant who served him tea.
Jiahao approached them as a servant called for him.
"Greetings to His Majesty and to the Heavenly Master. You called for me?" he asked.
"Ahh... such a handsome young man you have," the master laughed.
Jiahao got even curious as the master looked like he was on the same age as him. He didn't realize that this heavenly master was already more than a hundred years old.
"He looks like me back when I was younger!" the Emperor laughed.
The young prince looked at Yue who was lazily perching on the master's shoulder. He got confused on why Yue knew this man and why does his father, the Emperor know this man also?
"Ah, my son. Heavenly Master Cheng was my master back in the day. When I was still a young prince and was sent into exile by my own brother and father, your grandmother sent me to him in the Southern Mountains to become his disciple," the Emperor said. "Heavenly Master Cheng is already a few hundred years old, not too old eh."
"It is of great honor to meet my father's master," Jiahao said as he respectfully bowed to the master.
"But aside that, that bird is your disciple? Let me meet this extraordinary student of yours," the Emperor said.
"Liang-liang, go and greet the Emperor," the heavenly master said as he instructed Yue.
Yue nodded in response and flew overhead. Flames appeared on her wings as she slowly transformed into her human form. It was a beautiful spectacle to witness. It was as if the flames danced around her as she slowly became human again.
The entire palace fell silent as they witnessed this heavenly spectacle and realizing who the human was.
"Greetings to the Great Emperor and Benevolent Empress of the Li Empire. Wen Yueliang kowtows to the Emperor," the heavenly master's disciple said as he bowed to the Emperor who was caught in a state of shock.