Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1838 - 1831: Duel Before the Throne

Chapter 1838: Chapter 1831: Duel Before the Throne

"Go back and tell the Yichuan Clan, the Wen Family caused the loss of two of my sons, and a few thousand minions won’t make up for it. I disdain these people, let them all get lost!" Jiuyun Zheng’s face contorted as he cursed with clenched teeth.

"But please, Manor Lord, temporarily take command, allow me to return to the capital and report..." Yungui didn’t get angry at Jiuyun Zheng’s attitude but continued to bow his head in persuasion.

"Didn’t you understand what I said? Let them all get lost, I look down on them!" Jiuyun Zheng cursed harshly.

"Father..."

At the crucial moment, it was Jiuyun Ke who stepped forward to speak on behalf of Yungui: "Father, the new army relied heavily on the fourth son, and now his corpse is not yet cold. Please retract your statement and temporarily take command."

"Are you going to betray the family too?"

"Father," Jiuyun Ke spoke earnestly, "Was the promise made to the fourth son merely his wishful thinking?"

"You..."

Jiuyun Zheng was so angry he couldn’t speak.

"If you truly care for the fourth son, then don’t betray his dying wish." Jiuyun Ke’s words unexpectedly reached Jiuyun Zheng, who although he breathed heavily with rage, listened to him. After a long silence, he slowly opened his eyes and coldly said to Yungui: "Our account isn’t settled. I’ll be waiting for you in the Northern Province. If you try to escape, I won’t let you go even at the ends of the earth!"

"After reporting and resigning, I’m at your disposal, Manor Lord!" Yungui replied with an unchanged expression.

Thus, the Yipa War in the West concluded with a comprehensive victory for the Dongsheng Empire.

Although the Dongsheng armies achieved an impressive exchange ratio on the battlefield, the loss of their supreme commander in the final moments means it cannot be considered a complete victory.

With the Eastern Beichang War also ending in total victory, the Wen Family’s Imperial Court achieved unprecedented triumph.

Two wars that seemed destined to drag on ended in less than a few months with victory for the Dongsheng Empire, proving the direction of their military reform correct and showing the Wen Family’s forces could compete with the Wu Family’s power.

Though external threats have been eliminated, the internal threats within the Dongsheng Empire cannot be dismissed and are already on the verge of erupting.

In Shengyuan Qilan, the secretly lurking forces of the Wu Family noticed the complete victory of the Wen Family’s Imperial Court. They knew that once the new army returned, they would not only lose to the Wen Family in strength but also suffer a complete psychological defeat.

Thus, they coordinated internally and externally, diverting the last forces of the Wen Family’s Imperial Court stationed in Shengyuan Qilan, and challenged the highest power of the Dongsheng Empire.

Shengyuan Qilan.

It was drizzling, and the actions of the Wu Family were too swift. From inside the city, they staged an uprising, marched towards the palace, quickly controlled the palace guards, and confronted Emperor Wu.

The reason for the Wu Family’s rapid action wasn’t their prowess but because they held two figures in their hands that both the guards and the Wen Family feared: the Prince Bailong An and the Princess Bailong Ying.

Initiating a royal duel to force the emperor’s resignation was permitted, even during the Wen Family’s rule. The Royal Family within could still decide the emperor’s fate in this manner.

Hence, the Wu Family’s forces, escorting Bailong An and Bailong Ying, easily broke into the heavily guarded palace and faced the current Emperor Wu.

"Your Majesty, long time no see!"

Below the grand hall, Bailong An smiled somewhat awkwardly and greeted his brother.

"You, you’re still alive..."

Seeing Bailong An appear before him, Emperor Wu’s first reaction was surprise, which quickly turned to joy.

"Indeed, your majesty spared my life."

"What do you mean by spared? I never sent anyone to hunt you down."

"Is that so?"

Upon hearing this, Bailong An’s face showed sadness and resentment, which then slowly morphed into a mocking expression as he scrutinized Emperor Wu.

Faced with his questioning, Emperor Wu was momentarily stunned, turning his head to look at Ichuan Fei beside him. Ichuan Fei maintained a silent, stern expression, glaring firmly at the Princess Bailong Ying brought by the Wu Family, who was also an Advance Team member, Feng.

After the pleasantries, Feng gradually stepped forward and slowly drew the sword at her waist, pointing the blade at Emperor Wu coldly: "Your Majesty, I wish to initiate a royal duel against you, I implore your permission!"

"Royal, royal duel..."

Hearing these words, Emperor Wu obviously flinched, then looked nervously at Ichuan Fei beside him.

"Neither Princess is in the palace, even if they were, it’s doubtful they could have faced this Princess as a match. Your Majesty... must personally attend..." After hesitating momentarily, Ichuan Fei pursed his lips and said.

"How can I be her match?" Emperor Wu said fearfully.

"Is your majesty considering surrender, capitulating before battle? Even if the king returns someday, how can Your Majesty sit upon the throne?" Ichuan Fei said impassively.

"Very well..."

Upon hearing Ichuan Fei’s words, Emperor Wu showed a disappointed expression, and slowly stood up, speaking without turning: "Today I accept the challenge; life and death are unknown. Please take care of the two Princesses; after all, they are your cousins..."

"As you command..."

Ichuan Fei said, bowing his head as he slowly retreated, disappearing into the shadows.

"Don’t let him leave!" Anxiang Liang pointed at Ichuan Fei, speaking excitedly.

"Calm down," Xiamu Yu pressed his hand gently, speaking softly, "This is still the Wen Family’s territory, don’t act rashly; besides, you and I may not be a match for his Shadow Guards."

"Then, let the duel begin..."

Emperor Wu spread his arms, and a martial official offered him a waist sword.

Emperor Wu studied the sharp waist sword in his hand, fully aware he had no chance of winning.

In fact, from the moment Bailong An and the others entered the palace, he was already defeated. Facing Feng, he stood no chance.

The Wen Family indeed acknowledged the royal duel system, but they also tried to prevent such occurrences to ensure they remained in control.

Yet with the Wu Family bringing Bailong An into the palace, the Wen Family’s defense line was breached directly, leaving almost no possibility of reversal.

"I recognize you..." Emperor Wu looked at Feng and calmly said, "You were an attendant under the National Teacher, no wonder you gave me a familiar feeling, you are actually a descendant of the Royal Family."

Feng remained silent.

"Come, as a member of the Royal Family you have the right to challenge and claim the Throne that belongs to you!"

Emperor Wu said, adopting a stance. Seeing his posture, Feng also posed, expressionless and staring at him.

There was no suspense to the outcome, as Emperor Wu had taken up the sword.

If he were confident in his own strength, whether Feng was armed or not, he should have accepted the challenge empty-handed. Taking up a sword indicated he acknowledged his lack of strength, it was an act of giving up.

Cultivators are such that as their realm advances, they rely more on their own strength, not external force.

Thus, the higher the level of a cultivator, the more they tend towards unarmed combat.

Seeing Feng assume her stance, Emperor Wu circulated True Qi, shouted, and swung his sword toward her. Although his strength was inadequate, Emperor Wu was still a cultivator, at least he had the fundamentals.

If Bailong An were the challenger, he would likely struggle, knowing his skills were completely crippled. So unless Emperor Wu held back, Bailong An might not genuinely be a match for Emperor Wu.

However, luckily for him, Feng was no ordinary person.

Facing Emperor Wu’s attack, Feng was unmoved, maintaining a blank expression, setting her stance remaining motionless, allowing the sword to slash towards her face.

In that split second, she began to move.

She caught Emperor Wu’s sword with a sideways block, accompanied by the sound of metal scraping, swiftly dodged to the side, followed by a reverse hand downward slash.

A clang echoed in the grand hall as Feng’s slash unsurprisingly hit the back of Emperor Wu’s sword, directly breaking it, leaving the blade tip rolling far across the floor before coming to a stop.

Confronted with Emperor Wu’s full-force strike, Feng didn’t even activate her internal magic but instead, relied solely on her skilled swordsmanship to counterattack, effortlessly slicing through Emperor Wu’s sword.

Her crisp and sharp attack not only stunned the Wu Family present but even astonished the palace guards within the hall.