Beginning of Cultivation
Chapter 27: On the way back

Chapter 27: On the way back

After more than a day of moving and searching, Jun Wu Xiao and Yue Guang finally pinpointed the exact location of the royal palace. Approaching the palace and observing the rather simple scenery before them, Yue Guang remarked:

"This place seems quite impoverished. On our way here, I also noticed that the life of the people in this kingdom is quite difficult."

Jun Wu Xiao nodded and responded:

"You are not wrong. The geography of this kingdom is both an advantage and a disadvantage. It acts like a double-edged sword, able to block outsiders from entering while also hindering those inside from leaving. Therefore, trade here is also likely to be very difficult, and it seems that their agriculture isn’t doing well either."

Yue Guang nodded, but this situation might not necessarily be a disadvantage for them. She said:

"If that’s the case, doesn’t it mean we have a greater chance of success in persuading them?"

"You are right, but such matters are hard to predict. It depends on what kind of emperor resides here. If he is a wise ruler, then it’s a different story, but if he is a foolish ruler, then success will be difficult to achieve. But let’s not discuss this for now. First, let’s go and bring that person to Chu Wu." said Jun Wu Xiao with a nod.

Yue Guang looked towards the royal palace and asked:

"When do you plan to act?"

Jun Wu Xiao gazed at the strictly guarded palace and pondered for a moment. Though it is quite strictly guarded, it couldn’t compare to the time he had to capture the emperor from the midst of a battlefield.

"Our main objective is to capture the emperor, but it would be better if we could also take some high-ranking officials. We want to assist Chu Wu, so obviously, we aim to do our best. Let’s hide somewhere nearby and wait for the moment when the important officials gather with the emperor, then we’ll take the whole lot of them to meet Chu Wu." Jun Wu Xiao explained.

Yue Guang had no objections, she said:

"Alright, then let’s find a place near the palace to hide and wait."

Subsequently, the two of them stealthily moved at an incredibly fast pace, and soon after, they sneaked into the palace and hid in a secluded corner on the roof of the palace.

Their waiting was not in vain, as a few hours later, a meeting took place inside the palace. Finally, the emperor they had been waiting for appeared.

An old man clad in imperial robes came into their view, and Yue Guang said:

"If this emperor is so old, then it should be easier to capture him. After all, he won’t have much resistance."

"Indeed, let’s control him first. Then we can speak with him afterward." said Jun Wu Xiao.

Following that, the two of them quickly leaped down from above. Their sudden appearance frightened both the emperor and the court officials. Someone hastily shouted:

"Guards, assassins! Protect Your Majesty."

The chaos inside the palace drew the attention of the guards around, who quickly entered and sealed off the palace.

But it was already too late, Jun Wu Xiao and Yue Guang were standing right next to the emperor. Jun Wu Xiao said:

"There’s no need for panic. I am not here to kill you. Someone wants to speak with you and these high-ranking officials. Do not think of resisting, or it will end in death. Talking may still offer a chance to live."

At this point, the guards only dared to surround them but did not dare to advance since their emperor was in the hands of the enemy.

Although the emperor was somewhat frightened, his expression remained unchanged. As a competent emperor, his demeanor could not be underestimated. He asked in a calm voice:

"What do you wish to discuss with me?"

Hearing the emperor’s composed tone, Jun Wu Xiao had a high regard for the man before him. He replied:

"The person you need to speak with is not us. Our task here is merely to invite you and the officials here for a discussion. It’s clear you may bring your army, we do not forbid it."

Hearing this, the emperor and the officials were even more puzzled. Who would want to have a conversation while masked like assassins? Moreover, the fact that only two individuals could calmly approach the emperor also indicated their extraordinary strength, obviously, no one would dare to cause trouble, or the emperor could be in danger.

However, the emperor still tried to maintain his composure and asked:

"With whom must I speak?"

"It is General Chu Wu. We wish to subjugate this kingdom and thus need to discuss terms with you and your officials." Jun Wu Xiao said straightforwardly, seeing no need to conceal anything. If they did not listen, he was prepared to knock them out and take them by force.

The emperor and his officials’ expressions drastically changed upon hearing this, and the emperor immediately replied:

"That is absolutely impossible. Even if I die, I will not surrender."

What a joke, only two people standing before him wanted to make him surrender. It was obvious even without thinking that he would not agree. Moreover, the emperor speculated that the enemy probably could not or would find it difficult to conquer, hence resorting to this strategy of negotiation.

The court officials and those present, upon hearing the emperor’s declaration, all said:

"Huh, just the two of you dreaming of making us surrender. Dream on."

"That’s right, we will never surrender."

"If you are wise, release Your Majesty immediately."

...

Jun Wu Xiao and Yue Guang, observing the strong reactions, indifferently said:

"Hey, we haven’t even discussed terms yet. How do you know whether they will be beneficial or harmful to you? If you continue to spout nonsense, we will be forced to use violence."

The emperor, hearing the threat, still did not agree to surrender, and he commanded loudly:

"Regardless of me, charge and take down these two. Anyone who disobeys will be executed."

The guards hesitated for a moment, fearful for the emperor’s safety, but the emperor’s command could not be disobeyed, so they charged forward.

Dozens of soldiers, equipped with weapons and armor, rushed towards Jun Wu Xiao. Seeing the scene unfold, he sighed:

"Haiz, it seems a fight is inevitable before you lot will calm down."

He then immediately surged forward, with a speed beyond everyone’s imagination, and in a mere moment, all the guards were knocked unconscious.

Everyone inside the palace was shocked into stupor, thinking they were dreaming. What had just happened before their eyes seemed utterly unreasonable, something unseen in thousands of years of human history.

Jun Wu Xiao then returned to the emperor and said:

"Will you now kindly have a discussion with us?"

The emperor could only agree now. If the other people were human, he would have thought of opposing them, but the other people were really like devils walking in the human world. He also doesn’t know how to fight with them. He said:

"Alright, alright. But please do not harm their lives."

Jun Wu Xiao nodded and responded:

"Good, then let’s go. Moreover, if I wanted to kill someone, none of you could escape."

The emperor reassessing the situation, he realized that with the power of the person in front of him, killing hundreds would be a simple task. He then felt somewhat reassured.

Afterward, Jun Wu Xiao turned to the officials and said:

"You all prepare your horses and quickly follow us. But let me make it clear that you are only there to listen. The emperor and General Chu Wu are the ones who will be talking, so do not cause any trouble."

The officials, though silent, did not object. Facing such overwhelming power, any scheming was not only futile but potentially life-threatening.

Soon after, everyone mounted their horses and headed towards Chu Wu’s location. The emperor and his officials also brought troops, although they doubted the effectiveness of such a precaution.