The Unparalleled Sword Emperor
Chapter 254 - 253: Descendants of Kings and Nobles

Chapter 254: Chapter 253: Descendants of Kings and Nobles

Lin Bai kept a low profile, not rushing in recklessly.

At that moment, Lin Bai figured out that this was likely not the exit of this passageway, but rather the original heart of where it should lead.

This place was heavily guarded with the tiger and wolf-like Qi Family Army standing guard. There must be secrets hidden within.

Otherwise, was the Qi Wangfu built this secret base out of sheer boredom?

"Qi Fang, have all the people been secured?"

Just as Lin Bai was observing the Qi Family Army from the shadows, a man’s calm voice echoed through the dark passageway.

"The young master can rest assured that all the people have been secured. We have captured all the princes and nobles of the Shenwu Kingdom. I wonder if those old bastards still dare to disobey us, the Qi Wangfu."

Another voice, tinged with amusement, responded.

"That’s Qi Rui’s voice." Lin Bai, hiding in the shadows, recognized the voice.

Soon, two young men emerged from the dark passageway. One of them was Qi Rui, while Lin Bai speculated that the other should be the man called Qi Fang.

Qi Fang was a Colonel in the Qi Family Army, and his cultivation level also reached the third layer of the Heaven Martial Realm.

In Shenwu Kingdom and even across the Barbaric Ancient Continent, martial officer positions imitated the Central Holy Kingdom.

From small to large, the ranking is as follows:

Decurion: Able to command ten people.

Centurion: Able to command a hundred people.

Chiliarch: Able to command a thousand people.

Tetrarch: Able to command ten thousand people.

Colonel: Able to command one hundred thousand people.

General: Able to command one million people.

Military Marquis: Able to command ten million people.

Military King: Able to command ninety million troops.

Qi Fang held a Colonel’s rank in the Qi Family Army with strength at the third layer of the Heaven Martial Realm, indicating that he was greatly valued by the Qi Wangfu.

The Qi Wangfu was the residence of a Military King.

However, the Qi Prince did not actually have that many troops.

Although during this year, the Qi Wangfu defeated several powerful rival Prince’s Mansions and coopted their troops.

But even so, the combined strength of the Qi Wangfu’s forces was only in the tens of millions.

It was equivalent to the level of a Military Marquis.

The Barbaric Ancient Continent was divided into four parts: the East Continent, South Continent, North State, and West State.

In the central area of these four states, there was a place called the Central Holy Domain.

In the Central Holy Domain, there was a nation that had been established since the beginning of the Barbaric Ancient Continent called the Central Holy Kingdom.

This was the peak of martial arts in the entire Barbaric Ancient Continent.

Every Warrior in the Central Holy Kingdom was formidable and the geniuses were as abundant as sand in a desert.

The Military King of the Central Holy Kingdom truly commanded an army of ninety million troops.

Moreover, these ninety million were all the elites of the elites.

Qi Rui emerged from the darkness and entered the core location. With a cold sneer, he said, "It’s fine now. As long as these people are in our hands, we don’t have to fear that these Military Marquises will refuse to submit to our Qi Wangfu."

"At that time, humph, all the military power of the Shenwu Kingdom will be in our hands. I wonder how the Royal Family will compete with us then!"

Qi Rui spoke with a smile of triumph.

With great respect, Qi Fang stated, "I must first congratulate the young master, no, I should congratulate the Crown Prince."

"Hahaha, Qi Fang, once my father takes the throne, you will definitely be promoted and become a high-ranking general, perhaps even ascending to the rank of Military Marquis," Qi Rui replied with a hearty laugh.

"Marquis!" Upon hearing these two words, Qi Fang was so excited that he could hardly speak.

"I am willing to dedicate my life to the Qi Prince’s Mansion," he declared.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Qi Fang knelt down to swear his loyalty.

From the darkness, Lin Bai began to understand and said, "So that’s what the Qi Prince’s Mansion is planning, they intend to use the lives of these princes and sons of nobility to coerce other military nobles into submission."

"Hehe, this year-end Tail Sacrifice has probably given the Qi Prince’s Mansion an extraordinary opportunity."

"Over the past year, the Qi Prince’s Mansion has been increasing its power steadily, and other military marquises are beginning to become wary and don’t dare to provoke them easily."

"And this year-end Tail Sacrifice has allowed all the cherished sons and daughters of these military marquises to enter the Qitian Mountain Range."

"I bet these military marquises never expected that the Qi Prince’s Mansion would be so audacious as to kidnap all their children during the year-end Tail Sacrifice."

Lin Bai commented nonchalantly, "Yet on the other hand, if the Qi Prince’s Mansion really gains control of all the military forces, then they would essentially be seizing half of the territory of the Shenwu Kingdom."

From a casual conversation with Bai Xiaoxiao earlier, Lin Bai had learned:

That within the Shenwu Kingdom, the current number of soldiers was roughly around thirty million.

The Qi Prince’s Mansion alone commanded over ten million troops, making it the most powerful mansion among all the military marquises.

Now, counting the forces of the other military marquises who had already pledged their allegiance to the Qi Prince’s Mansion, their available strength had already surpassed fifteen million.

If they were to use their cherished children to force the remaining uncommitted military nobles into submission, then the Qi Prince’s Mansion would completely dominate the military.

With thirty million soldiers under their control, even if the Old Prime Minister was still alive, and even with the presence of the Shanhe Ding, the Qi Prince’s Mansion would still have the power to challenge the royal family.

"Thirty million soldiers, even if we were to kill one with each sword strike, I reckon it would take a few years," Lin Bai said, his eyes filled with deep apprehension.

Thirty million soldiers were no laughing matter.

Even the peak of the Heavenly Elixir Realm in the Divine Elixir Realm would probably have to avoid the concentrated attack of thirty million warriors.

"Who would have thought that the first thing Qi Rui did after stepping into Qitian Mountain Range would be to seize these young princes and nobles," Lin Bai murmured to himself.

After Qi Rui had gone in to inspect and returned with Qi Fang, he said coldly:

"Qi Fang, you must keep a close watch on these princes and nobles. Although they’re in the iron dungeon, you must still treat them well."

"After all, their fathers are still unaware that they’ve fallen into our hands."

"Otherwise, when my father goes to negotiate terms with these military nobles, if any of these young nobles are injured, it could ruin our grand plan."

Qi Fang replied respectfully, "My lord, I understand. We serve them the best food from the Imperial Capital, and the best wine."

Qi Rui smiled and replied, "That’s the best way. Now that things here are settled, it’s time for me to deal with that bastard Lin Bai!"

"Hmph, Lin Bai, you’d better not die at the hands of Canghai Yuntai Palace and the Fire Palace. If I catch you, I will subject you to every manner of torture, making you wish you were dead!"

Filled with boundless fury, Qi Rui walked out of a dark passage.

"Safe travels, my lord. If you need Qi’s army to act, I can mobilize the military forces," Qi Fang offered respectfully as he watched Qi Rui’s retreating figure.

"No need. Just keep a close watch on these people here. As for Lin Bai, I can kill him with ease," Qi Rui confidently responded as he left the passage.

"Understood."

With a single reply, Qi Fang returned to the dungeon where the princes and nobles were confined.

At this time, Lin Bai poked his head out from his hiding place, gazing at Qi Rui’s receding figure and mocked, "Hmph, what a coincidence, coming across my enemy. Never mind, the royal family has been good to me, I’ll do a small favor for the First Princess."