The Unparalleled Sword Emperor
Chapter 273 - 272: Young Military Marquis! Chu Jiangliu!

Chapter 273: Chapter 272: Young Military Marquis! Chu Jiangliu!

All the princes and kings were seated to the left.

The left, directly opposite the Four Major Sects.

Just as the princes and kings had sat down for a bit, a eunuch at the door cried out.

"Play the music!"

"His Majesty has arrived at the Chaoyang Palace!"

Immediately, all the warriors, civil and military officials, the Four Major Sects, and the princes and kings, stood up and respectfully looked towards the gate of Chaoyang Palace.

The solemn national music resounded, a profound aura spreading throughout the eight directions and echoing for miles at end.

Bai Huatian led a group of princes and princesses, Bai Xiaoxiao, Bai Zhiyuan, the Fifth Princess, the Second Prince, and all other members of the royal family, into the Chaoyang Palace, and directly ascended the Dragon Throne before sitting down.

All the princes and princesses then sat at the foot of the Dragon Throne.

"All of you may be at ease."

After sitting down, Bai Huatian called out with a smile.

Bai Xiaoxiao’s gaze immediately swung towards the Spirit Sword Sect, and upon seeing Lin Bai safely returned, she let out a sigh of relief, slightly nodding towards Lin Bai.

Bai Zhiyuan, however, was grinning at Lin Bai.

Lin Bai nodded back with a smile.

"Is there anyone else who has not arrived?"

Bai Huatian inquired after taking his seat and surveying the surroundings, his voice cold as he examined the empty seat in the Qi Wangfu’s designated area.

But of course, Bai Huatian knew the Qi Wangfu was missing, but as the Emperor of Shenwu Kingdom, he could not simply ask why the Qi Wangfu was missing.

If he did, he would be admitting to everyone that the Qi Wangfu did not respect the royal family.

"Your Majesty, the Qi Wangfu has not arrived yet," said the managing eunuch with a trembling voice.

Bai Huatian’s expression turned noticeably grim.

Several ministers faithful to the royal family began to exclaim indignantly, "Prince Qi is getting more and more audacious, daring to keep His Majesty waiting!"

Just at this moment, a eunuch at the entrance of the Hall cried out, "The Qi Wangfu has arrived."

The Qi Prince and Qi Rui, along with a group of military geniuses, briskly walked into the Chaoyang Palace.

Qi Prince apologized guiltily, "Your Majesty, please forgive us, my son just returned from the Qitian Mountain Range and needed some rest, which caused us to lose track of time and arrive late."

Bai Huatian sneered, "It’s not an issue. Considering it’s Qi Prince’s son, an exceptional person - there’s no harm. Hmm."

Bai Huatian sneered again, "You may be seated."

"Yes." A faintly smug smile appeared on Qi Prince’s face as he took his reserved seat.

"Oh my, the Qi Prince has actually walked behind His Majesty. Is he trying to challenge the Royal Family?"

"Yes, indeed. It’s clear that Qi Prince believes his status surpasses His Majesty, hence the tardy appearance."

"But that old fox Qi Prince really knows how to play his cards, entering just after His Majesty sat down. Had he been a moment later, the Imperial Banquet would’ve begun without him and he would have seemed insignificant. Wouldn’t that be akin to slapping his own face?"

"Exactly, the timing was just perfect."

Many of the civil and military officials began whispering among themselves.

Just as they said, the Qi Wangfu was challenging the royal family.

Everyone’s entrance into the Chaoyang Palace was determined based on their status.

First were the merchants, then the officials, followed by the Four Major Sects, then the princes and ministers, and finally the reigning Emperor.

However, Qi Wangfu intentionally entered after the Emperor. Wasn’t this implying that they held a more noble status than the Emperor?

A hint of triumph emerged on Qi Prince’s face as he heard the whispering sounds of the people around him.

Qi Rui was also very delighted.

This was precisely the Qi Wangfu’s intention - to intimidate the royal family.

They were intending to make the royal family realize that Shenwu Kingdom was no longer under their control.

Bai Huatian glared at Qi Prince with a cold look and suppressed the rage within him.

Immediately, Bai Huatian stood up and spoke, "Since that is so, let’s begin the imperial banquet. Serve the dishes."

The dishes at the Imperial Banquet were meticulously prepared by the Imperial Kitchen over several months.

All kinds of delicacies were served by stunning maids and placed in front of all the warriors.

The merchants and civil-military officials were basically there to enjoy the banquet.

Because the merchants were not skilled in martial arts and the civil-military officials had lost their qualification to participate, all they could do was eat.

Especially the merchants, being invited to the Imperial Banquet was already a great honor. In addition to enjoying food at the banquet and witnessing the martial arts competition of Shenwu Kingdom’s younger generation, it was a matter of prestige they could boast about for the rest of their lives.

Three rounds of wine passed in harmony with the melody.

Suddenly.

Chu Jiangliu rose from his seat, holding his wine cup, and respectfully made his way to the center.

"Oh, it’s the little one from the Chu royal mansion, hmm, he has grown taller," Bai Huatian recognized Chu Jiangliu and smiled accordingly.

With a completely serious and earnest face, Chu Jiangliu held up his wine cup towards Bai Huatian and the First Princess, and said, "Your Majesty, I am here today to wish our Shenwu Kingdom perennial prosperity and eternal stability.."

"Secondly, I would like to express my gratitude to Princess Chang."

Bai Huatian furrowed his brow, he could understand the first part of what he said, but he didn’t understand the latter part.

What does ’gratitude to Princess Chang’ mean?

You must understand that the Chu royal mansion is currently the second most powerful mansion among the princes and kings, following the Qi Prince’s mansion.

Qi Prince’s mansion had tried numerous times to annex the Chu royal mansion, but to no avail.

"Thank me?" Bai Xiaoxiao asked quizzically.

Chu Jiangliu replied seriously, "I am in debt to the Princess for saving my life. If it hadn’t been for her discerning righteousness and unmasking evil, I might have already been killed by treachery. I am unable to repay this profound kindness. If Princess Chang ever needs help from the Chu royal mansion in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask."

"Although the Chu Royal Mansion is regarded low, its courage is unyielding, willingly sacrifices everything for the First Princess, and charges on the battlefield!"

Ssssh——

Upon hearing Chu Jiangliu’s words.

Bai Huatian and the First Princess were both stunned.

And the rest of the civil and military officials were all wearing looks of shock.

Murmurs filled the room: "It seems like Chu Jiangliu is supporting the royal family on behalf of the Chu Royal Mansion."

"Yes, the Chu Royal Mansion is still neutral now, if they support the royal family, the Qi Prince’s Mansion will probably explode with rage."

"Hehe, how is the Prince Chu allowing his son to act recklessly like this!"

Upon seeing Chu Jiangliu step forward, both Qi Rui and Prince Qi were shocked.

With a dumbfounded look, Prince Qi stared at Qi Rui, his eyes seemingly saying: wasn’t he supposed to be in the dungeon in Qitian Mountain?

With an equally puzzled face, Qi Rui shook his head, saying: I don’t know either.

Immediately, Qi Rui sent messengers to rush to Qitian Mountain to find out the situation from Qi Fang.

Unknown to Qi Rui, Qi Fang was already enjoying drinks with Yama in the Yama Hall.

Having heard Chu Jiangliu’s words, Bai Huatian promptly stood up from the Dragon Throne, saying earnestly: "Chu, my worthy nephew, it is indeed rare for you to possess such a heart to protect our homeland."

"Very well, servants, reward him!"

Bai Huatian laughed heartily.

At this moment, the Qi Prince’s Mansion was looking a bit displeased. If the Chu Royal Mansion truly sided with the royal family, even though it wouldn’t significantly strengthen the royal family’s might, the Chu Royal Mansion was still a very sharp treasure sword after all.

If the royal family used it well, this sword would likely deliver a crushing blow to the Qi Prince’s Mansion.

Prince Qi laughed and said, "Haha, Prince Chu, you must be drunk, you should go back now."

Chu Jiangliu gave Qi Prince and Qi Rui a cold glance, smiling: "I’m not drunk. I haven’t even had a sip of wine, how could I be drunk?"

Hearing this, Prince Qi was taken aback, his face turning iron green, as he gritted his teeth and said: "Can your words even represent the Chu Royal Mansion?"

"Huh? Prince Chu, are you going to let your son wreak this havoc, ruining the century-old foundation of your Chu Royal Mansion?"

Prince Qi glared furiously at Prince Chu of the Chu Royal Mansion.

Prince Chu was an aged and dignified old man. Hearing Prince Qi’s words, he stood up with a solemn and extremely serious look on his face, walked to Chu Jiangliu’s side, bowed, and spoke to Bai Huatian.

Bai Huatian looked at Prince Chu excitedly, waiting for his reply.

Because Bai Huatian knew that the Chu Royal Mansion was a sword, an extremely sharp sword. If used well, it would deliver a heavy blow to the Qi Prince’s Mansion.

Prince Chu said, "Your Majesty, my son’s words can represent the Chu Royal Mansion!"

Whoosh——

The scene was in uproar.

Prince Chu’s words, like a huge stone thrown into a water pond, caused ripples.

The Chu Royal Mansion had firmly sided with the royal family!

Chu Jiangliu gratefully said to his father, "Thank you, Father."

Getting support from Prince Chu made Chu Jiangliu particularly happy.

Although Prince Chu knew previously that Chu Jiangliu had been captured by the Qi Prince’s Mansion, he didn’t know that Chu Jiangliu was going to publicly pledge allegiance to the First Princess at the imperial banquet.

Now with these surprising remarks, although they shocked Prince Chu, he still chose to support Chu Jiangliu.

Prince Qi’s teeth were itching with anger as he stood up, glaring at Prince Chu and said: "Prince Chu, think three times! Think about the century-old foundation of your Chu Royal Mansion, think carefully."

Prince Chu smiled and said: "Don’t worry, Prince Qi, I have given this a lot of thought. Your Majesty, I am getting old, I no longer have the strength to wield a war sword, let alone accompany you to the battlefield."

"Now, it’s time to pass the Chu Royal Mansion into the hands of the younger generation."

"Your Majesty, I seek your approval in my decision to retire and return to my hometown, and at the same time, I wish to pass the title of the Chu Royal Mansion to my son, Chu Jiangliu!"

Hearing these words from Prince Chu, Bai Huatian was so surprised that he immediately stood up from the Dragon Throne.

"Chu Xiang! You want to leave?" Bai Huatian angrily said: "I do not agree! You are still in your prime, your arms still have the might to hold up the sky, how can you retire?"

Prince Chu smiled and said: "Your Majesty, I do not mean to leave you, if you ever need me in the future, I am willing to put on armor and go into battle. It’s just that this stage, it’s time to hand it over to the young ones."

"Chu Jiangliu, is a child that Your Majesty watched grow up, his loyalty to Shenwu Kingdom, is no less than mine."

"I ask for Your Majesty’s approval, for Chu Jiangliu to inherit the title of the Chu Royal Mansion."

Prince Chu knelt down and kowtowed as he said this.

After listening, Chu Jiangliu was stunned, looking at his father with surprised eyes.

Prince Chu is abdicating?

"Father..." A gleam of moisture appeared in Chu Jiangliu’s eyes.

Prince Chu looked at Chu Jiangliu with a smile, saying: "Jiangliu, from now on, the Chu Royal Mansion is in your hands. Remember the words you said today, protect our Shenwu Kingdom with long-lasting prosperity."

With tears in his eyes, Chu Jiangliu nodded heavily.

Seeing the determination on Prince Chu’s face, Bai Huatian sighed helplessly, saying: "Alright, since you are determined to retire, I won’t stop you. If you wish to return in the future, I will host a banquet in your honor."

"The title of the Chu Royal Mansion should indeed be passed onto Chu Jiangliu."

"Chu Jiangliu, are you willing to command the million elite soldiers of the Chu Royal Mansion?"

Bai Huatian asked.

Chu Jiangliu resolutely said: "I am willing."

Prince Qi stood in silence at the side, hearing all of this, his teeth itched with anger! His sharp eyes were fixed on Prince Chu, as if he wanted to swallow Prince Chu whole with his gaze alone.

The Chu Royal Mansion swearing allegiance to the royal family was not good news for the Qi Prince’s Mansion!

----

The fifth Chapter on November 26th.

Seeking subscriptions, recommendations, and all sorts!