The Unparalleled Sword Emperor
Chapter 274 - 273: Loyalty of the Kings

Chapter 274: Chapter 273: Loyalty of the Kings

As Chu Jiangliu agreed.

Bai Huatian loudly declared, "The Chu Royal Mansion has shown true loyalty for generations, today I bid farewell to my dear friend, the God of War of Shenwu Kingdom, Prince Chu Xiangxu who is leaving to return home. Consequently, I am immensely saddened and I hereby grant Chu Xiangxu the title of Protector of the Nation, with his noble status being hereditary."

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty," responded Prince Chu respectfully.

"The noble status of Chu Royal Mansion is originally hereditary. Now as Prince Chu returns home, it will be inherited by his son, Chu Jiangliu."

"Henceforth, Chu Jiangliu will hold a highly revered position in Chu Royal Mansion and shall be honored as Prince Chu of Shenwu Kingdom!"

Bai Huatian declared loudly.

Once his words were out, both civil and military officials along with all the wealthy businessmen congratulated in unison.

"Congratulations! The Young Prince truly is a paragon amongst men."

"Such a young military marquis! Chu Jiangliu is still so young, no more than twenty, and yet he is undertaking the heavy responsibility of Chu Royal Mansion."

"Such an outstanding young man."

"Congratulations, congratulations."

"..."

Chen Gong also stood up and contributed his congratulations, "Congratulations to Young Prince Chu Jiangliu on taking charge of Chu Royal Mansion. I believe under the leadership of Prince Chu, the Chu Royal Mansion will surely rise higher and higher."

"Congratulations, congratulations," Murong Qi said smilingly.

Lin Bai also congratulated him, "Congratulations, Prince Chu."

Chu Jiangliu responded to the multitude of congratulatory voices with a smile.

Congratulatory sounds echoed continuously in his ears.

Yet, only Qi Royal Mansion and Qi Rui were incapable of smiling.

Chu Royal Mansion was indeed an excellent sword. If it were to fall into the hands of the royal family, it would certainly become a great threat to Qi Royal Mansion.

Qi Prince looked somber, turning to Qi Rui, he asked quietly, "What on earth is going on? Shouldn’t they all be in the dungeon of Qitian Mountain Range now? How come they suddenly showed up here?"

"Father, I’ve already sent people to investigate at Qitian Mountain Range. I don’t know what Qi Fang is up to, he must have let them out," said Qi Rui anxiously.

"But Father, now that Chu Jiangliu is out, Chu Royal Mansion will surely bear a grudge against us. Won’t it already be impossible to win Chu Royal Mansion over to our side?"

Qi Prince said coldly, "Hmph, what’s a mere Chu Royal Mansion with its mere million soldiers?"

"If Chu Royal Mansion yields, of course, I would be pleased. But if not, Chu Prince won’t be able to save his mansion from my army. He’d just fade into oblivion."

These were the cold words of Qi Prince.

Qi Prince had originally intended to incorporate the military force of Chu Royal Mansion. But since that’s no longer possible, he wouldn’t fear Chu Royal Mansion.

In the hands of Qi Prince were half of Shenwu Kingdom military forces, more than ten million soldiers.

And Chu Royal Mansion, at most, only houses over a million, not even worth the consideration of Qi Prince’s Mansion.

Prince Chu and Chu Jiangliu took their seats one after the other.

Just at this moment, another young lad stood up from the princes and kings’ seats.

"That is... the heir of Lin Royal Mansion!"

"It’s Lin Xiaotian of Lin Royal Mansion!""What’s Lin Xiaotian trying to do?"

Both civil and military officials saw that Lin Xiaotian, the heir of Lin Royal Mansion, had stood up.

Bai Huatian and Bai Xiaoxiao, both noticed this and watched Lin Xiaotian with curiosity.

Lin Xiaotian respectfully walked to the center of the hall and said to Bai Xiaoxiao, "I’ll never forget the life-saving grace of Princess Chang. Should you need any assistance in the future, Lin Royal Mansion would spare no effort to come to your assistance!"

Hiss!

The whole hall exploded with shock!

Hearing Lin Xiaotian’s words, civil and military officials gasped in surprise.

The Chu Royal Mansion and Lin Royal Mansion, both his military marquis mansions, held command over millions of soldiers, second only to Qi Royal Mansion.

"Even Lin Royal Mansion now...?"

Many people were confused.

What’s happening today? Two Royal Mansions successively sided with the Royal Family, and did so seemingly without any hesitation.

If one Chu Mansion couldn’t impede Qi Royal Mansion, what about additionally having Lin Royal Mansion on its side?

The veins on Qi Prince’s forehead bulged in frustration. Clearly, Chu Royal Mansion and Lin Royal Mansion were resolved to embarrass him.

Qi Prince, with a gloomy face, said menacingly, "Lin Xiaotian, this is a state banquet, you have no right to speak. Quickly take your leave! Do you really think you can speak for Lin Royal Mansion?"

Upon hearing the words of the Prince Qi.

Another dignified old man seated among the princes stood up, he was the prince from the Lin Royal Mansion.

The prince of Lin Royal Mansion declared aloud, "Your Majesty, Xiaotian can represent Lin Royal Mansion!"

"Lin Xia! Have you too been drinking?" The Prince Qi rose in fury, roaring angrily at the Prince of the Lin Royal Mansion.

The Prince of Lin Royal Mansion went by the name Lin Xia.

Lin Xia responded with a light laugh, "Prince Qi, the imperial banquet has not even begun, I haven’t even started drinking, where does this accusation of drunkenness come from?"

The Qi Prince, gnashing his teeth and glaring at Lin Xia and Chu Xiang, said, "Very well, a Chu Royal Mansion, a Lin Royal Mansion, can you have any impact and be a fraction as valuable as I, Qi Prince?"

"Ridiculous!"

Qi Prince sneered.

"Qi Prince, seeing as Chu Royal Mansion and Lin Royal Mansion can’t match up to Qi Royal Mansion, what about adding me to the mix?"

Just then, another prince from the seated princes stood up.

Qi Prince surveyed him with a cold voice, "Double Sword King, you are also going to intervene, huh?"

The Twin Swords Royal Mansion, among the princes and kings, also enjoyed immense prestige. Once, the Prince of the Twin Swords Mansion, singlehandedly swept through thousands of soldiers on the frontier, resulting in his meteoric rise to fame and his subsequent ennoblement.

Although the force of the Twin Swords Mansion was not pervasive, it still commanded over eight hundred thousand, and furthermore, the army of the Twin Swords Mansion was renowned for its valor and military prowess, boasting invincible courage in the face of ten thousand men.

Double Sword King stood up and respectfully said, "Princess Chang, thank you for the aid your envoy extended to my good-for-nothing son. If there is a notice from Princess Chang in the future, Twin Sword Royal Mansion will surely lend a hand!"

Bai Xiaoxiao smirked at Double Sword King with a forced smile.

Now, the words of Prince Chu, Prince Lin, Double Sword King, perplexed Bai Xiaoxiao completely.

What did they mean by saving their sons?

Bai Xiaoxiao was clueless.

Qi Prince, exploding like sudden thunder, looked at all the princes behind him and bellowed, "Is there anyone else? Any other prince, step forward?"

As soon as the words of the Qi Prince fell, another prince stood up: "Duan Royal Manor is willing to be of service to Princess Chang!"

"Duan Royal Manor, have you gone crazy?" Qi Prince roared.

"I am also willing, Princess Chang, from henceforth, Li Royal Mansion will follow, putting you first in all matters!"

"Zhang Prince’s Mansion will never betray Princess Chang in this lifetime!"

"Zhao Royal Mansion is grateful to Princess Chang for the life-saving grace..."

"Ning Royal Mansion..."

"Heavenly King Mansion..."

"Zhan Royal Mansion..."

"..."

Under the glaring watch of the Qi Prince whose face turned red with anger, one by one, prince after another stood up to pledge their loyalty to Princess Chang.

Shockingly, over seven hundred princes stood up.

Qi Prince glared at all the princes, bellowing furiously, "You, you, you all actually..."

The Qi Prince was so furious he was lost for words.

Qi Rui was stunned at this point as well. He couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

Why were all the princes now pledging their loyalty to Princess Chang?

If Chu Royal Mansion, Lin Royal Mansion, Twin Swords Royal Mansion were the three Royal Mansions pledging loyalty, then the Qi Royal Mansion would not have to worry so much. After all, the power of all three combined could not match the Qi Royal Mansion.

But now that over seven hundred princes publicly pledged their loyalty to Princess Chang, the total number commanded by these seven hundred princes exceeded fifteen million.

That is to say, at this moment, Princess Chang, in an instant, commanded the loyalty of over seven hundred princes, grasping the might of over fifteen million troops.

At this point, even Bai Huatian was stirred, it was clear that these princes pledged their loyalty to Princess Chang.

But Bai Huatian didn’t mind, he knew his own daughter best.

To pledge loyalty to Princess Chang was essentially pledging loyalty to the royal family.

Bai Huatian couldn’t help but look happy, if Bai Xiaoxiao could take over these seven hundred plus princes, then the military power of the royal family would be recovered by half.

Bai Huatian looked at Bai Xiaoxiao and said, "Xiaoxiao, you’ve done very well! I’m proud of you. You’ve given me a huge surprise at this feast!"

A smile appeared on Bai Xiaoxiao’s face, but inwardly she forced a smile: What is going on? I haven’t done anything!

Lin Bai sat on the side, a wry smile on his face. He hadn’t expected matters to progress in this way either.

However, on giving it some thought, Lin Bai felt that this probably was for the best. With this progress, Princess Chang secured the support of half of the military power. Coupled with the hidden aces of Old Prime Minister and Shanhe Ding, their strength now surpassed Qi Royal Mansion, making it difficult for the Qi Royal Mansion to behave as arrogantly as before.