Chapter Four: The Sage Is Infallible
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As the nominal residence of the Han Emperor, the Sacred Palace sprawled to the east of the imperial capital. At the founding of the nation, its scale was no more than one million square meters. But as the empire grew ever stronger, this palace complex underwent continuous expansions, eventually reaching a scale that astonished the world. Three hundred million square meters!
The magnificent Sacred Palace was encircled by a thirty-meter-high city wall, resembling a white giant dragon in its grandeur and form. The stones used for the outer layer of the walls were all premium, pure white granite sourced from the empire’s western borders. Each massive stone bore natural patterns like ink paintings, shining with a gentle luster under the sunlight.
The enormous gates were meticulously crafted from top-grade golden silk nanmu wood, centuries old. Even from afar, an invigorating woody fragrance drifted through the air.
At this moment, the Azure Dragon Gate stood firmly shut. Twenty imperial guards stood aligned on both sides of the gate, fulfilling their duty of protection. To be chosen for the imperial guard, the primary requirement was a height of at least 1.9 meters, coupled with being an awakened superpowered individual.
Honda Tatsuki, with his exceptional physique and unblemished family background, had successfully joined this elite imperial guard. On duty today, Honda stood tall and straight like a spear, his head held high, his sharp, hawk-like eyes constantly scanning the empty expanse before him.
This vast white stone plaza served as a buffer zone between the Azure Dragon Gate of the Sacred Palace and the surrounding residential buildings, strictly forbidding any civilians from crossing. Visitors wishing to witness the daily flag-raising ceremony had to crowd outside the plaza to watch.
It was already ten in the morning, and the flag-raising had long finished. Though scattered tourists still lingered outside taking photos, the bustling crowds of early morning had long since dispersed.
Even so, Honda’s spirit remained intensely alert; not a shred of carelessness was permitted. He did not want to be caught slacking by any tourist’s camera, becoming tomorrow’s trending scandal on the empire’s social networks.
Suddenly—
In the solemn, pristine plaza’s center, two figures appeared out of nowhere without warning.
Honda’s pupils instantly contracted, muscles tensing like drawn bowstrings.
Yet when he caught sight of their faces, his heart leapt violently.
That distinctive vermilion dragon robe, that heroic visage he had only seen in the news.
It was the Sage!
He had never imagined he would see the empire’s supreme ruler so close, with his own eyes.
By instinct ingrained to the bone, Honda’s right hand clenched fiercely into a fist and struck hard against his left chest at the heart’s position.
At the same time, he straightened his spine like a pine tree, his right arm slashing out like a drawn sword, finally locking into a perfect forty-five-degree military saluteI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.