Castle of Black Iron

“How do you feel about Purple Manor? Are you satisfied with it?” Crown prince Changying asked out of concern with a smile after seeing Zhang Tie taking those secret pills and powders.

As an imperial landscape garden, Purple Manor covered over 3 million square meters. It contained dozens of courtyards, over 1,000 pavilions and attics, either large or small. There were various landscapes. The price of land in Xuanyuan Hill was very high. All the lords and dignitaries of subcontinents would feel proud to have a private residence in Xuanyuan Hill. The high value of land in the core of Xuanyuan Hill was out of people’s imagination, which couldn’t even be bought even if you had enough money. The emperor’s imperial city was the most prosperous region for humans. Each flower, grass, brick and tile across Purple Manor was the best in the world. Take this long, rectangular table facing the two people as an instance, besides looking decent and magnificent, it was made of starry catalpa wood, a wood which was provided to the imperial households from other subcontinents. Less than 10 clans in the emperor’s imperial city were qualified to use furniture made of such wood.

All the glazed tiles on the roofs of buildings in Purple Manor came from the official kiln under the affiliation of imperial financial and living affairs ministry. According to secret methods, they were well carved in each detail. Each glazed tile of the building here would be a rarity among the people with a name called glazed tile inkstone. Because some literati would be proud of having one glazed tile like this and displaying it in a private party.

The carpets in rooms here were also provided by the imperial households from other subcontinents, which could barely be bought from the market.

Such a place was even more luxurious than mansions of princes and marquises. Few places across Taixia Country could match Purple Manor. Of course, Zhang Tie was very satisfied with it.

“Thanks, Elder brother Changying. I’ve taken a walk around the landscape garden today and found that everywhere here is picturesque. Purple Manor carries the soul of mountains and rivers, the masterpieces of craftsmen and the rarities in the world. It’s inclusive. How could I not be satisfied with such a place?”

“Ahh, glad to hear that!” Crown prince Changying said with a smile, “Younger brother, you might have no private estate in Xuanyuan Hill. I’ve already ordered the imperial financial and living affairs ministry to transfer the property rights of Purple Manor to you. From now on, Purple Manor would be your private manor in Xuanyuan Hill. If the younger brother comes to Xuanyuan Hill in the future, you could directly live in Purple Manor. Oh, I’ve already had people change Purple Manor into Qianji Manor when I came in. Younger brother, If you have enough people in Firey Dragon Bounty Territory, you could have your stewards come here to deal with the affairs in this manor. Now, this manor is guarded by the guards of Imperial Guards for the time being. When younger brother recovers, these guards would be able to leave…”

Zhang Tie forced a bitter smile inside. Now that Crown prince Changying had done so much for him, how could he say no. Therefore, Zhang Tie could only cup his hands towards Crown prince Changying as he said, “Thank you so much, Elder brother Changying, when I came to Xuanyuan Hill last time, I just lived in Lord Guangnan’s Manor due to lack of private residence here. Previously, I was also thinking about purchasing a residence in Xuanyuan Hill as it’s so prosperous here. Now that Elder brother Changying presents it to me, I will not decline…”

“That’s good; that’s good; that’s good…” Crown prince Changying became more thrilled when he saw Zhang Tie accepting his gift. His eyes even shone. After that, the crown prince clapped his hands while a team of mesmerizing slave servants and maids entered the parlor. Zhang Tie was instantly dazzled by so many beauties.

“Qianji Immortal…” Those people lowered their bodies at the same time towards Zhang Tie as if hundreds of larks and orioles were twittering in the parlor.

There were a total of 36 women, whose looks and figures could even match that of Bai Suxian. In smooth and fair skin and imperial gown, all of them behaved gracefully. No sooner did they enter the parlor than they lowered their bodies towards Zhang Tie in two lines. They fixated onto Zhang Tie at the same time.

Zhang Tie threw a glance at them as he immediately noticed their deep cleavages under their belly bands.

As Zhang Tie had seen too many women, he was not curious about women; however, strangely, all the 36 women were Zhang Tie’s favorite types like Linda and Olina. They all had a graceful bearing that was possessed by mature women, plump breasts and butts. Being tall, their ages ranged from 30 to 40. Due to good skin care and health care, they all had fair skin and the most beautiful looks. What was more, Zhang Tie found that these women were still virgins. Additionally, each of them was distinctive.

It might not be difficult to find one beauty like them; however, it was difficult to find 36 beauties like them.

When Zhang Tie was looking at them, these women were also looking at Zhang Tie with different eye light. Some women’s eye light was affectionate as if Zhang Tie was their Mr. Right. Some women’s eye light was bashful and a bit scared like what young girls usually did in front of their beloved ones; the moment they made eye contacts with Zhang Tie, they would lower their heads out of shyness with a blush on their face. Some women’s eye light was elegant and intellectual like how a female professor looked at her student. Some women’s eye light contained flirtation. The moment they made eye contact with Zhang Tie, their eye light would be as tender as water. Some women’s eye light felt indifferent and arrogant. Being similar to that of Yan Feiqing, such eye light could easily arouse a man’s desire to conquer…

“I know that the younger brother likes mature women. These women are all Hua women who have learned in the Imperial Etiquette Academy for many years. Their family backgrounds are all innocent. They’re proficient in music, the game of go, calligraphy, painting and dance. They could even match top geishas in recreational sites and local female poets. Additionally, they’re all good at flirtation. Some of them possess musical instruments and other necessary tools, which could spice up your free time. As the younger brother has just woken up and is recovering rapidly, why not let them sing and dance for you…”

Zhang Tie had not imagined that his dissolute reputation in Youzhou Province had spread to Xuanyuan Hill. Even the crown prince had known it, who especially prepared these beauties to amuse him. ‘It seems that I could not cast off the gossip of “cougar master” in the future.’

Now that Zhang Tie had received Purple Manor as his private estate in Xuanyuan Hill, he couldn’t decline the following gifts. Although they were 36 beauties, actually given their value, even 10 more times beauties might not match a pill in Crown prince Changying’s eyes. Crown prince Changying just used these beauties to express his sincerity to Zhang Tie…

What else could Zhang Tie say? Zhang Tie then waved his arm to have people take these beauties away.

“Hahaha, younger brother is indeed dissolute; you’re not hypocritical at all. This is how a hero should behave! From now on, if younger brother likes, you could select whichever you want from the beauties in the Imperial Etiquette Academy. As a Hua knight, if you marry too many foreign wives and concubines, it might arouse some gossips, why not marry some more Hua wives and concubines…” Crown prince Changying burst out into laughter.

“Haha, erm, it’s already enough to have so many wives and concubines. Otherwise, the grape trellises at home would fall; if the largest grape trellis fell, it would be earth-shaking and I wouldn’t bear it. I’d better not do that; I’d better not do that…” Zhang Tie said as he waved his hand.

The two people then looked at each other before bursting out into laughter at the same time.

After recovering his composure, the crown prince took up his teacup and had a sip. After putting down the teacup and being silent for a few seconds, he finally opened his mouth, “Younger brother, I’ve got a question to ask you out of curiosity. If it sounds offensive, please don’t blame me. If you feel inconvenient to answer it, you could keep silent!”

“Please, Elder brother Changying. I will answer it if I could. I will not blame His Majesty if I couldn’t answer it!” Zhang Tie put it straight.

“Hmm, actually Commander-in-chief Zuoqiu also wants to know the answer!” Xuanyuan Changying gazed at Zhang Tie for a second before tossing out the question, “Younger brother, you’ve not talked about your master. I wonder whether your master is Fairy Sea King from Penglai Immortal Island. Whether did you learn the skill of divine dominator from Fairy Sea King?”

Zhang Tie replied with a smile, “I’ve not seen Fairy Sea King. I got the essence of the ability of divine dominator myself by luck. It’s nothing to do with Penglai Immortal Island!”

After hearing Zhang Tie’s words, Crown Prince Changying raised his eyebrows as he asked, “You got the essence of the ability of divine dominator yourself by luck?”

“Yes, no trick!” Zhang Tie threw a glance at Crown prince Changying. After a pause, he added, “The key for common knights to become a divine dominator lies in making a breakthrough in their spiritual energy…”

“The key for common knights to become a divine dominator lies in making a breakthrough in their spiritual energy?” Crown prince Changying’s eyes sparkled.

Zhang Tie nodded.

“Younger brother, trust me. Nobody else will know this secret except you and me!”

“It doesn’t matter even if others know this secret. Making a breakthrough in one’s spiritual energy is far more difficult than promoting to a knight. I succeeded after experiencing too many life or death situations. The others might not grasp it even if they want…”

“Younger brother is the good fortune of Taixia Country. Younger brother alone could match the army of 100,000 knights…” Crown prince Changying sighed with emotions gain, “As younger brother has just recovered, I will not disturb you any longer. Younger brother, have a good rest! It’s said that the younger brother likes heavy weapons. On the battlefield that day, your heavy weapons and silver secret items were all destroyed by the thunder of nirvana. After a couple of days, when you further recover, I will take you to take a look in the imperial warehouse. There’re many silver secret items. I promise to select some proper weapons for you. Here’s one remote-sensing finger ring. You could directly contact me with it. If you have any problem, you could ask me directly…” Crown prince Changying told Zhang Tie as he gave a remote-sensing finger ring to the latter. After that, he stood up and bade a farewell to Zhang Tie.

Zhang Tie also stood up to see off the crown prince. Because the crown prince has already presented Purple Manor to him, Zhang Tie accompanied the crown prince to pass three doors continually before returning to his courtyard at the request of the crown prince according to the etiquette.

Crown prince Changying came here only for being solicitous about Zhang Tie health. Besides gifting recipes, manor, beauties and secret items, he even called Zhang Tie younger brother. He almost gave his throne as the crown prince to Zhang Tie; instead of mentioning anything else. Zhang Tie could only speak highly of the crown prince’s hospitality inside.

After returning to his courtyard, When Zhang Tie wanted to dispose of those beauties gifted by the crown prince, he was told that Bai Suxian had already taken those beauties to the other courtyard.

After shaking his head, Zhang Tie returned to the courtyard where he stayed with Bai Suxian and Yan Feiqing just now.

After entering the courtyard, Zhang Tie heard some music. Along the music, Zhang Tie came to the house beside the peach wood. The moment he entered the room, he had seen Bai Suxian and Yan Feiqing leaning against the bedstand of a soft bed and appreciating the performance of those beauties…

Bai Suxian’s eyes sparkled as if she was a bit thrilled while Yan Feiqing slightly frowned.

Growing up in Lord Guangnan’s Mansion, Bai Suxian had been used to such a scene; however, Yan Feiqing was not used to Zhang Tie bringing back dozens of beauties after taking a round outside.

Watching Zhang Tie coming in, Bai Suxian waved her arm. All the beauties then stopped and lowered their bodies towards Zhang Tie at the same time.

“These beauties gifted by the crown prince are great in both looks and talents. I’m checking their talents…” Bai Suxian smiled at Zhang Tie, “Husband, do you want to appreciate them with us…”

Zhang Tie then came to the front of the bed before sitting down in between Bai Suxian and Yan Feiqing. Putting his arms around their waists, he replied, “Nice, I will appreciate it. You remind me that I’ve enjoyed too few songs and dances. I have to feast my eyes on them today…”

Bai Suxian then threw an enchanting smile at Zhang Tie, then Yan Feiqing. After that, she told those beauties calmly, “Play a Jade-Crown Backyard Flower¹  for husband then!”

Zhang Tie almost spurted out a mouth of tea water. He hurriedly checked Yan Feiqing’s look. After finding that Yan Feiqing remained as serious as usual who just threw a glance at Bai Suxian, Zhang Tie couldn’t help but slap Bai Suxian’s butt only to get a sweet smile from her.

Only after a short while, the music started while a maid sang the wong. Over 20 maids then danced and shuttled in front of Zhang Tie like butterflies, constraining butts and raising legs, swaying sleeves and spinning.

‘Like fragrant flowers contending in front of high pavilions and buildings, concubines, you look most beautiful after well dressed-up.

When you cover the windows, the fascinating spring scenery couldn’t be seen.

After you leave your bedroom, all the spring sceneries become dwarfed.

With cute smiles, you walk out of your room dexterously.

Your faces are like fresh flowers being adorned with crystal dew.

Your frames are as beautiful, resplendent, elegant and chic as jade trees.

It’s a very temporary period for flowers from contention to droop.

When all the petals fell, everything would return to commonplace.’

The song was as euphonious as the sounds of nature. The dance was also enchanting and tender. They were both top class. No sooner did he hear the song and see the dance than he was attracted by them. What charmful music and dance!

Enjoying the song and the dance, with beauties in arms, Zhang Tie couldn’t help but let out a sigh with emotions, ‘If only there were no demons…’

‘Crown prince…’

Zhang Tie could only shake his head as he forced a bitter smile inside…