A dozen minutes later, the three men, who were quite fast walkers, traversed a large part of the palace and arrived at the location of the Imperial Study.

Zhu Wushi personally requested an audience, and the emperor was naturally very welcoming.

As the door opened, the three entered the Imperial Study.

"Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Majesty!" Shangguan Haitang and Zhu Wushi bowed simultaneously.

"This humble subject greets Your Majesty!" Zhang Bairen clasped his hands in a fist salute and then gave a slight bow.

"Well, no need for formalities, no need for any formalities!" The still young Zhu Houzhao stood up from his seat.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the three replied in unison.

In this world, martial artists have a fairly good status.

As long as one has mastered martial arts, one can even face the emperor without bowing and communicate with him on an equal footing.

"Uncle, why did you come here in person?" Zhu Houzhao asked curiously.

"Your Majesty, it was Haitang who requested that I come along," Zhu Wushi said frankly.

"Oh, I see, she's worried about her senior brother, right?" Zhu Houzhao said with a sudden realization.

"Speaking of which, I've been curious for a long time about what kind of appearance is required to be called the most handsome man in the world," Zhu Houzhao said, looking in Zhang Bairen's direction.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Houzhao was instantly stunned.

How can there be such a handsome person in this world!

I'm afraid even the most stunning beauty wouldn't have such a perfect face!

"The most handsome man in the world, he truly lives up to his reputation!" After a long while, Zhu Houzhao exclaimed.

Upon hearing Zhu Houzhao's mutterings, Zhu Wushi nodded in agreement.

This young man's appearance is simply unfair.

"Zhang Bairen, I ask you, why are you unwilling to serve your country?"

As far as I know, you were taught by the Young Master Wuhen, and you have surpassed him in every way.

He was knowledgeable in astronomy, geography, politics, military affairs, agriculture, and commerce; he was proficient in everything and knew nothing.

"I don't want to bury a talent like yours!" Zhu Houzhao asked.

"Your Majesty, I am a man of the martial world and have no interest in court affairs."

"Your Majesty, please grant me your freedom, so that I may not be burdened by external things," Zhang Bairen replied.

"Alas, what a pity, what a pity, what a real pity!" Zhu Houzhao sighed repeatedly, showing how deep his regret was.

“Zhang Bairen, you and Haitang are fellow disciples, why not join my Dragon Guard Manor? I can have Haitang handle various matters with you,” Zhu Wushi asked.

“My Lord, I have no desire to participate in court politics. I am but a carefree hermit, and I only wish to live out the rest of my life in peace and freedom,” Zhang Bairen refused again.

At this moment, both Zhu Houzhao and Zhu Wushi began to get angry.

Who are they? They've invited you three times, and you still refused? Are they looking for trouble?!

Sensing the dangerous gazes of the two, Zhang Bairen smiled nonchalantly.

Then, he opened the folding fan with neither arrogance nor servility.

In an instant, a supreme sword intent, seemingly as vast as the Dao of Heaven, was silently released from Zhang Bairen's body.

If we're talking about showing off, the Heavenly Sword Realm is still the best.

Especially in the world of martial arts, who wouldn't be shocked and amazed when the Heavenly Sword Realm is revealed?

"This sword intent!?" A mysterious aura that could devour everything appeared on Zhu Wushi's body.

"Zhang Bairen, you've broken through to the Grandmaster realm!?" Zhu Wushi asked in great shock.

“That’s right, I have broken through to the Grandmaster realm,” Zhang Bairen replied.

Zhu Houzhao was somewhat stunned. Was this the real genius?!

Not only is he proficient in various miscellaneous subjects, but his martial arts talent is also enviable.

“Zhang Bairen, now that you are a Grandmaster, you are naturally exempt from entering the imperial court.”

"Although I am the emperor, I will not offend any martial artists in the world." Zhu Houzhao took a deep breath and then began to speak.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhang Bairen withdrew his sword intent and replied humbly.

At this moment, Shangguan Haitang's eyes revealed an uncontainable joy.

Acquired, Innate, Grandmaster, Great Grandmaster – these are the classifications of strength in the martial arts world.

Then there are: Shattering the Void, Celestial Realm, and Terrestrial Immortal. These three realms are not very different; the only difference is the name, which is due to the different countries they belong to.

The Grandmaster realm, literally speaking, is located in the middle, neither high nor low.

In reality, grandmasters are extremely rare. Even Zhu Wushi, who possessed the Absorption Technique, had to devour the pure internal energy of thousands of people to accumulate enough to become a grandmaster.

As for breaking through to the Grandmaster level, the hope is even slimmer, and the future is uncertain.

That's why Zhu Wushi was so shocked and surprised.

"Now that the matter has been resolved, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave." Zhang Bairen cupped his hands slightly, indicating that he was preparing to depart.

"Wait a minute!" Zhu Houzhao called out, reaching out his hand.

"Oh? Is there anything else Your Majesty needs to instruct me on?" Zhang Bairen asked.

“Zhang Bairen, you are a Grandmaster-level expert, there is no need for you to refer to yourself as a commoner.”

"Secondly, I have another matter that I need your help with," Zhu Houzhao replied.

"May I ask what it is, Your Majesty?" Zhang Bairen asked.

"To be honest, it is a disgrace to the royal family."

The top master of the evil path, Tian Can, openly proclaims in the martial arts world that he is in love with the Emperor's younger sister, Princess Yunluo.

Then, he even planned to break into the palace and forcibly abduct my sister. Zhu Houzhao's face showed a complex expression of embarrassment and anger.

Zhang Bairen frowned slightly, then said, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, the royal family also has top experts, right?"

For example, there's the Sunflower Patriarch who sailed the Western Ocean seven times and massacred Western countries, the Demonic Cult Leader on Blackwood Cliff, and the Iron-Blooded Marquis before His Majesty.

With them protecting the royal family, I seem somewhat superfluous.

Zhu Houzhao shook his head slightly, the embarrassment in his eyes becoming increasingly obvious.

"Actually, I am not afraid of losing face."

Tian Can cultivated the Tian Can Divine Skill, so his strength was far superior to mine.

Not long ago, he forcibly entered the Kingdom of Goryeo and obtained a thousand-year-old ginseng king. If he consumes the thousand-year-old ginseng king, he is estimated to be able to break through to the Grandmaster realm.

However, I only broke through to the Grandmaster realm by relying on the accumulation of internal energy.

Currently, he is only at the mid-stage of the Grandmaster level.

"As for Cao Zhengchun, let's not even mention that eunuch," Zhu Wushi explained in a low voice.

"Young Master Zhang, I cannot explain the situation of the royal family to you."

However, if you are willing to lend a hand, I can promise you that, regardless of the outcome, you can go to the Imperial Treasury and obtain any item as a reward for your action.

Moreover, this matter doesn't require you and the Imperial Uncle to be the main force.

I have contacted Long Jianfei, the leader of the martial arts alliance, and he is willing to take action to deal with the evil demon Tiancan.

"The Shaolin Temple will also send four eminent monks to lend a hand," Zhu Houzhao explained.

"In other words, Tian Can may break through to the Grandmaster realm."

Furthermore, the Dragon Alliance Leader will act as the main force, joining forces with the four great Shaolin monks to deal with Tian Can.

"As for Shenhou and me, we're just assistants," Zhang Bairen confirmed.

Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly and answered again, "That's right, that's exactly it."

Furthermore, if Young Master Zhang requires any other compensation, I will do my best to provide it.