The Unparalleled Sword Emperor
Chapter 278 - 277: The Reason Behind the Matter!

Chapter 278: Chapter 277: The Reason Behind the Matter!

With Qi Prince handing over control of eight million soldiers, the colossal military edifice that was Qi Wangfu crumbled with a thunderous crash.

This prompted lamentations from many.

Half an hour before, Qi Wangfu had been in its prime.

Who, however, could have imagined that half an hour later, Qi Wangfu would experience its downfall.

Perhaps this was the nature of the imperial power struggle; one wrong move in the game and you lose everything.

And the only misstep Qi Wangfu made was to cross Lin Bai!

Overjoyed, Bai Huatian took several swigs of wine before announcing loudly, "The time is almost upon us. When the moon is at its zenith, the Imperial Banquet Martial Arts Competition will officially commence."

"There’s still a bit of time before that. All warriors wishing to participate in the Martial Arts Competition should prepare."

That’s what Bai Huatian said.

The time that followed was for all to use as they wished.

Bai Xiaoxiao rose from her seat and made her way straight to the Spirit Sword Sect’s area.

Chen Gong pulled Lu Yuan and Zhang Lingdao away, laughing all the while.

Lin Bai, however, stayed in place, watching Bai Xiaoxiao approach.

Bai Xiaoxiao stood next to Lin Bai. He breathed in the subtle, refreshing scent wafting from Bai Xiaoxiao, which was particularly refreshing.

Bai Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and said, "I’m here to discuss serious matters. What exactly happened in the Tianshan Range? I want you to tell me the truth."

Lin Bai responded with a faint smile, "It’s simple actually. As soon as I set foot onto the Tianshan Range, I was pursued by the Canghai Yuntai Palace and the Fire Palace. Then..."

Lin Bai slowly recounted the events that had taken place in the dungeon within the Tianshan Range, clarifying each detail for Bai Xiaoxiao.

"I told them it was you who had sent me to rescue them, so they would feel indebted to you, the royal house, thereby preventing them from being too passive within the military. My intent was for them to feel grateful and lean more toward the royal house when choosing sides in the future. That was all."

"Think of it as a small gift I bestowed upon you."

Lin Bai said with a gentle smile.

Moved, her magnificent eyes shimmering, Bai Xiaoxiao spoke earnestly, "Lin Bai, you have no idea how precious this ’small gift’ is."

"Today, not only did the Royal Family regain control of the military’s command, but it also severed one of Qi Wangfu’s arms by depriving it of eight million soldiers. Considering the Royal Family’s current predicament, this is something akin to a revitalizing elixir."

Bai Xiaoxiao said earnestly.

"Lin Bai, no amount of words would suffice to express my gratitude."

"You saved the Royal Family, and you saved me."

Her face tender, Bai Xiaoxiao said with emotion.

Caught off guard by the soft look in Bai Xiaoxiao’s eyes, Lin Bai chuckled awkwardly and said, "I didn’t expect that Chu Jiangliu, the young prince, would pledge his allegiance to you upon his return, and then, together with over seven hundred princes and kings, impeach the Qi Prince right on the spot."

"This unexpected turn of events is certainly a pleasant surprise."

Bai Xiaoxiao said, "Indeed, I hadn’t expected Chu Jiangliu to have such courage and cunning."

Lin Bai chuckled, "Indeed. He first declared his loyalty to you, then after more than seven hundred princes and kings also pledged their allegiance, he felt your power was already on par with Qi Wangfu."

"Only now do they raise accusations against Qi Wangfu."

"Just as the royal family builds momentum, they move Qi Wangfu into the spotlight."

"This Chu Jiangliu, can be considered a talent, a competent candidate. If you have troubles in the military, you can ask him for advice."

Lin Bai said to Bai Xiaoxiao.

Bai Xiaoxiao smiled and said, "Chu Jiangliu, for all his cleverness, is not even one-ten thousandth as smart as you, Lin Bai. If you are willing to leave the Spirit Sword Sect and join Shenwu Kingdom, I assure you that by tomorrow dawn, you could be crowned king."

Lin Bai laughed, "Your Highness, I am not interested in the power struggles of the empire."

"My path is not in the Spirit Sword Sect, nor in Shenwu Kingdom!"

"It is in a place far away, a place I do not even know at the moment."

When Lin Bai said these words, he thought of his father, Lin Duo.

Lin Duo had been missing for so long, Lin Bai guessed it had something to do with his mother.

Now that Lin Bai was on the path of martial arts, he naturally had to seek out his parents. Otherwise, he would be living a leisurely life in Shenwu Kingdom, while his parents suffered harsh conditions. Lin Bai would be a disgrace as a son in that case.

Lin Bai laughed again, "Your Highness, even if I do not stay in Shenwu Kingdom, I am still a martial artist who comes from Shenwu Kingdom. Shenwu Kingdom is my home, my birthplace."

"If Shenwu Kingdom faces difficulties in the future, Her Highness only needs to send word. Even if I must cross a thousand miles of mountains and rivers, I will definitely return to save Shenwu Kingdom from disaster."

Bai Xiaoxiao laughed, "Then I will remember your words."

"You don’t need to address me as ’Your Highness’ all the time. Since we are friends, you can just call me Xiaoxiao."

"Oh, that would be quite embarrassing. You are now a princess commanding over twenty million troops, of course you should still be respected." Lin Bai said with a faint smile.

"Hehe, it is because of you that I have two million troops. If not for you rescuing these princes and princesses, I would probably be oppressed by Qi Wangfu like the royal family is now." Bai Xiaoxiao laughed.

"The credit all belongs to you. I have gained two million troops undeservedly." Bai Xiaoxiao said with a smile.

Lin Bai shook his head with a bitter smile, "I have no use for the favors from these princes and kings, you should have them instead."

Bai Xiaoxiao said with concern, "You should be careful. You have caused Qi Wangfu so much trouble, Qi Rui and the military geniuses of Qi Wangfu will definitely not let you go in the Imperial Banquet Martial Arts Competition."

Lin Bai laughed, "Let them all come, I’ll face whatever comes."

Lin Bai turned his head and saw that Qi Rui and Zhan Feng from Qi Wangfu were both looking at him with hatred, their eyes filled with murderous intentions.

The Fire Palace and Canghai Yuntai Palace were enjoying themselves at one side.

The civil and military officials and the merchants were together enjoying themselves.

The princes and kings gathered together for a good time.

Only Qi Wangfu, the Spirit Sword Sect, and the Edgeless Sect seemed to be cut off from the rest of the world.

The Edgeless Sect was fine, these assassins were solitary by nature, they did not interact much with others, not many martial artists would want to get involved with these desperate fugitives, there was no need to deliberately make friends.

As for Qi Wangfu, they would not be in the mood for a drink at this moment. As the previously unbeatable military candidate of Shenwu Kingdom, they have collapsed overnight. The feeling of desolation and bitterness was probably only understood by Qi Prince.

As for the Spirit Sword Sect, their performances in the Year-end Tail Sacrifice over the years had been very poor, which made many people look down on them and not bother to make friends with them.

After the joyful drinking, Bai Huatian finally said solemnly, "Dear subjects, it is boring to just drink like this. How about inviting the young talents under the age of twenty to get on the stage and compete in martial arts for our entertainment?"