Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 7: Celestial Xiao’s Trial

In the General Manors front hall, Fang Canghai looked at the imperial edict before exhaling deeply. He turned his eyes to Fang Chen and asked, Chener, what are your plans?

Father, Ill take a step at a time, Fang Chen replied.

Take a step at a time?

The crowd felt downhearted. Now that Fang Chen had lost his martial cultivation, there wasnt much he could do even if he had all the schemes in the world.

Just then, the middle-aged man on the wheelchair looked at Xu Ge and frowned. Are you Windcloud Sword Xu Ge?

Second master, please call me Xu Ge. I am unworthy of that title, Xu Ge replied with a grin.

Fang Canghai and the others were shocked, especially Fang Zhixue. She rushed up to Xu Ge and examined him. It really is Windcloud Sword Xu Ge! How did you know my big brother?

Windcloud Xu Ge was a mysterious individual. Five years ago, he arrived at the capital and revealed his outstanding swordsmanship. Over this course of time, his cultivation rose from early Ki Explosion to pinnacle Ki Explosion.

Someone of his strength was rare in the current Great Xia.

Many Ki Explosion and Ki Control experts had died in the fight at the Three Realms Mountain, shaking Great Xias foundation. There were probably no more than a hundred Ki Explosion and barely ten Ki Control martial artists left in Great Xia.

In contrast, Greenpine Country had at least a few hundred pinnacle Ki Explosion martial artists. This was enough to highlight the disparity between the two countries.

I have long admired the War God. I have come here today to pledge my loyalty to the War God and serve him as a guard, Xu Ge clasped his fist and said.

Fang Canghais eyes glimmered. He nodded his head, as he looked at Xu Ge with gentle eyes. Ill be counting on you to take care of Chener when he goes to Greenpine Country.

The crowd was also relieved to hear that. Fang Chen would be spared a lot of torture if he had a pinnacle Qi Explosion martial artist protecting him in Greenpine Country.

Fang Zhixue quickly said, Big brother Xu, well be troubling you in the future.

Its not trouble at all, Xu Ge quickly replied.

Chener, do you want me to accompany you to the imperial palace? the middle-aged man on the wheelchair asked.

The daughter of Wolf Marshall Xiao has come here to humiliate our Fang Clan. Second uncle, wed be playing to her tune if you visit the imperial palace too, Fang Chen said with a chuckle. Ill suffice.

Fang Chen glanced at Xu Ge before heading out with the imperial edict.

Xu Ge remembered what Fang Chen had told him: If I dont walk out of the imperial court today, you have to escort the Fang Clan out of the capital. However, the chances of it happening are extremely slim.

In the imperial palace, the hundred soldiers stood solemnly before the Palace of Great Peace. They would occasionally glance at the nearby guards with contempt in their eyes.

The guards were infuriated, but they dared not say a word.

Five years ago, the Wolf Army wouldnt even have been able to enter their capital, but here they were in the imperial palace. Great Xia had become incomparably insignificant before Greenpine Country.

Bring me before His Majesty! Eunuch You screeched with a face covered in blood, as he rushed toward the Palace of Great Peace under the support of a few other eunuchs.

The guards were taken aback. Didnt Eunuch You head to the Fang Clan to announce the imperial edict? How did he get beaten up?

Godfather, what happened? The vice-commander of the West Tiger Barracks, You Longchang, walked over and stared at Eunuch You in shock.

That brat, Fang Chen, is too much! Eunuch You berated, but he rushed into the Palace of Great Peace instead of lingering around for a chat with You Longchang.

Fang Chen?!

You Longchang was startled. Fang Chen has maintained a low profile over the five years, but he actually struck my godfather today? This reminds me of five years ago, when even His Majestys prestige seems to pale in comparison to him.

A cripple like him dares act so arrogantly. It looks like he cant put down his past You Longchang sneered.

The hundred soldiers of the Wolf Army reflexively raised their heads and glanced at each other, the disdain in their eyes disappearing without a trace.

The Great Xias War God carried great significance to them as they had clashed countless times with Fang Chens military formation. Not once had they ever gotten the upper hand over him. Countless soldiers of the Wolf Army had died to him. In fact, they were the ones who came later.

In the Palace of Great Peace, practically all of the officials, academic and military, were present. The emperor of Great Xia sat on the imperial throne in a yellow dragon robe as he chatted with Celestial Xiao.

Their conversation revolved around Fang Chen marrying into the Xiao Clan, as well as Greenpine Countrys promise to not invade Great Xia within the next five years.

Eunuch You happened to barge into the Palace of Great Peace then and kneeled on the floor, crying in agony, Your Majesty, I have failed to properly deliver the imperial edict. I was struck by young master Fang. Please punish me for my incompetence!

What?!

He was struck by Fang Chen?

The official stared at Eunuch You in bewilderment. But Fang Chen hasnt struck anyone for five years, right? Some of them reflexively touched their own cheeks.

Celestial Xiao looked at the emperor with a frown.

The emperor was also taken aback. He stared at Eunuch You with a darkened face as he asked, You were struck by Fang Chen? What about the imperial edict? Did he accept it?

Your Majesty, he did accept it, but

Eunuch You wanted to further elaborate on the matter, but to his astonishment, the emperor waved his hand and said, Thats good enough. He wouldnt have struck you without reason. You must have said something that angered him. You arent the only one who has been struck by him in this Palace of Great Peace. Theres no need to make a huge fuss about it.

Eunuch You was rendered speechless.

Some of the officials snorted. Great Xia needs Fang Chen to marry into the Xiao Clan and appease Greenpine Country in exchange for five years of survival. A mere eunuch still wants to deal with Fang Chen at this critical juncture?

Your Majesty, War God Fang seems reluctant to marry into our Xiao Clan. Will he disregard your imperial edict? Should I send my Wolf Army to drag him here? Celestial Xiao asked with a smile.

There were subtle changes in the officials expressions. A hint of nervousness tinged their eyes.

If news spread that the Wolf Army has captured Fang Chen in our own capital, it would be a huge slap in Great Xias face!

Rest assured, Miss Xiao. Fang Chen is my nephew. He wont disregard the imperial edict, the emperor said. He glanced at the impassive empress behind him before directing another smile at Celestial Xiao, You just need to be more patient.

Just then, You Longchangs voice echoed from outside the doors, The young master of General Fang Manor is here!

The emperor smiled. See, hes here.

Celestial Xiao narrowed her eyes. She turned outward and shouted, War God Fang, you have to undergo a trial if you wish to marry into the Xia Clan!

Everyone, from the emperor to the officials, were startled by those words.

Well drop this marriage if he fails the trial. Our Greenpine Country will trample on Great Xia and turn it into our subordinate nation, Celestial Xiao said with a chuckle.

Outside the Palace of Great Peace, the Wolf Army got into their formation and eyed the approaching Fang Chen with sharp eyes.