Five minutes later.
As he followed along with the Sui-Year Bureau's escort out of the old temple, Wang couldn't help turning his head to look at Anthony — or rather, at Po — walking beside him.
And in that moment, the same primordial, unshakeable conclusion rose in his heart, as it always did in the end.
This guy really is a dog.
Wang tucked that quietly liberating thought away and let himself be at peace with it.
The truth was, he had been perfectly aware the moment the Sui-Year Bureau arrived. What he hadn't anticipated was that the so-called "Avatar" in front of him would march up and demand his protection with such breathtaking, shameless confidence.
Demanding protection was one thing — the problem was the sheer volume of conditions that came attached. Still, given that Wang himself had something he needed from him, he had ultimately agreed.
In fact, if not for Anthony's long and chaotic list of requests, Wang would not have been walking out of the temple alongside the Bureau's escort at all.
Even the Candlebearers currently handling the escort — the ones who had just realized they were now, technically, escorting Wang — could feel cold sweat running steadily down their backs.
The situation, in brief, was this.
Roughly five minutes ago, the Sui-Year Bureau's Candlebearers had entered the old temple. They had received authorization from their superiors, and the directive had been relayed through them to both Anthony and Wang:
Someone above wants to see you.
As for who that someone was?
The True Dragon.
One could hardly blame them for the urgency. Everything had been perfectly calm — and then a subordinate came rushing in with a report that what appeared to be a new Agent had surfaced. It wasn't just the Sui-Year Bureau that had nearly choked. Even the True Dragon had come close to losing composure entirely.
These things don't just appear out of nowhere whenever they feel like it!
And so, with almost no deliberation at all, the True Dragon ordered the Sui-Year Bureau to first send someone to sound out the situation — and if things seemed manageable, to bring them in for a direct audience.
The moment Anthony heard that the True Dragon intended a personal meeting, he understood immediately what was running through the monarch's mind — and he recognized, at once, that this was an opportunity.
A household registration under the Sui-Year Bureau. Now that's what I'm talking about.
If this works out, my whole black-market identity problem just sorts itself out on its own, doesn't it?
He wasted no time. Almost immediately, Anthony signaled to Wang — asking him to play along as his older brother, to vouch for him personally, and to accompany him to meet the True Dragon.
If Wang was willing to acknowledge him as family, then even if everyone knew perfectly well that his Sui Beast registration was a fiction, it could be made official anyway. And once that foundation was laid, Anthony's next phase of plans could begin to unfold.
Wang, faced with the request, had been silent for a moment. It wasn't exactly a comfortable ask — but in the end, he agreed.
After all, Anthony had made his own position clear: he intended to find a way to resurrect Jie, and beyond that, he held his own hopes regarding the Sui Beast. Going forward, they were allies on the same boat. Giving him a name and a place within the family — for now, at least — wasn't really a significant concession.
And so, Anthony had acquired a household registration.
From this day forward — I am the Thirteenth of the Sui family!
And just like that, the two of them walked through the maze of structures and cookfires, past the stern-faced guards, led by the Candlebearers into the vast and sprawling palace complex.
Anthony found himself quietly marveling at the sheer scale of the place as he followed along, head turning to take it all in.
Until, at last, all the Candlebearers stopped before the palace gates, turned around, and gestured toward the entrance.
"This way, please — both of you. His Majesty awaits inside."
The Candlebearer kept his voice steady, but beneath the surface, there was no mistaking the tension. Wang glanced at him sideways, then paid him no further attention and walked straight through the palace doors. Anthony fell into step behind Wang and followed him in.
Inside the hall, the air was vast and full of a quiet, commanding weight.
Anthony looked around — and then raised his head, and through the gauze curtain he could just make out the figure of the True Dragon seated behind it. He followed Wang's lead and offered a bow toward the sovereign.
"Wang, in the presence of Your Majesty."
Anthony, taking his cue, added in an even voice:
"Po, in the presence of Your Majesty."
"...Po. Po." The True Dragon was quiet for a moment, then repeated the name twice before speaking again. "You are... the newly emerged Agent?"
Anthony nodded calmly. Behind the curtain, the True Dragon couldn't help but furrow their brow.
To be candid — something felt slightly off to the True Dragon.
For instance: in the past several days, Sui's Mausoleum had shown no signs of any unusual activity whatsoever.
But then again — did that even matter anymore?
Who could say what state the Sui Beast was actually in these days?
What did matter was this: Wang had acknowledged the Po standing before them as his own blood brother.
With that single realization, the True Dragon's misgivings dissolved. Rather than pressing further, the monarch rapped a knuckle against the arm of the throne and addressed Anthony with slow, measured words:
"The unnecessary questions — We shall spare you those. Even if you are newly awakened, you should have some awareness of what Agents do within Great Yan. Accept your responsibilities, and carry them out. To act in the service of Great Yan's welfare is, naturally, the most desirable outcome..."
"Beyond conduct that risks awakening whatever sleeps within Sui's Mausoleum, Great Yan will impose no particular restrictions on you. In most matters, you will be free to act as you see fit."
Need to find a way to keep this newly awakened Agent settled and on side.
"Naturally. A sovereign's charge is not something one may decline."
Anthony composed his expression into one of gravity and said it with complete seriousness.
The True Dragon gave a slow nod — and seemed to take some small comfort in how accommodating Anthony was being.
"...However, there is one matter I would humbly request."
"Speak freely."
The True Dragon gestured magnanimously — and then heard Anthony's next words:
"Before I take up my duties, I would like to meet with my elder sister Nian, just once. After that, I will carry out my responsibilities without complaint..."
"Cough — cough!"
In an instant, the True Dragon coughed sharply and waved a hand in dismissal. "That, and only that, is one matter We cannot permit... What reason do you have to meet with her?"
What is he thinking — an Agent, barely arrived, immediately asking to meet with another Agent?
There is absolutely no way that request gets approved.
As though he had anticipated exactly this outcome, Anthony merely shook his head with an expression of mild, diplomatic regret — and continued:
"It is only that there is an item I wished to ask Sister Nian for..."
The True Dragon considered for a moment, then interrupted him: "If it is merely an item you require, tell Us directly what it is. We will have it delivered to you — until then, you need only wait in a quiet room. As for meeting with the other Agents — that conversation can wait until you have settled in."
"If that is so... then I shall accept your generous consideration, Your Majesty."
Anthony bowed in acknowledgment, and watched as the True Dragon waved a hand. Attendants stepped forward from both sides to lead him and Wang away.
"Think nothing of it. Once the item has been delivered, the Sui-Year Bureau will send a Candlebearer to you. At that time — We trust you will carry out your duties as expected."
Sometimes, when you ask to open a window, no one will let you. But if you say you intend to tear off the roof — suddenly, the window becomes negotiable.
The thought flashed through Anthony's mind, and then he looked over at Wang — and felt a familiar, exhausted wave of speechlessness wash over him.
Good grief. Wang. You absolute slacker.
I brought you here to back me up, and you couldn't manage to say a single word on my behalf? You spent the entire audience staring off into space from beginning to end!
Wang, apparently sensing Anthony's stare, let out a dismissive snort and said nothing more.
And so the two of them were led by palace attendants to a quiet room on the side of the travelling palace, and separated into two different chambers.
According to the attendants, the True Dragon had already dispatched someone to make contact with Nian. Anthony had to admit — the efficiency really was something.
He let that thought drift through his mind with mild appreciation, then, out of sheer boredom, opened the chat group and decided to chat for a while.
After a brief pause, he started typing.
[Lord of the White Holy Throne: @Wordsmith of the Great Yan — Jie! Jie!]
[AAA City Female Ghost: ? What's going on? Has Anthony finally lost his mind?]
[Wordsmith of the Great Yan: Why... all of a sudden like this?]
[Lord of the White Holy Throne: Nothing — just getting used to it.]
[Lord of the White Holy Throne: After all, in a certain sense... it looks like I'll actually have to call you that from now on.]
[Wordsmith of the Great Yan: ?]
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👻🔥Walnut-chan🔥👻
🔥 New history: Group chat of the Dead
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