[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-dimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle":3,"chapter-dimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle-dimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle-chapter-129":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Dimension Park: I Am the Summoning Apostle",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2279146,4458,"Chapter 129: Strike East, Hit West","dimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle-chapter-129",129,"\u003Cp>At the northern city gate, the usual bustling crowd of civilians was now completely gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone knew a band of robbers planned to storm the capital through this gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the challenge issued to the Imperial Guard and Feathered Forest Commander, rumors had reached his ears, but no one believed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the eyes of the forest bandits, they were heroic outlaws who feasted on meat, drank heavily, and divided gold and silver by the bushel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to most people, they were merely thieves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t produce anything—how could their wine, meat, and silver magically appear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Danqing never went to the scene; he simply waited behind the lines for news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Report~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around ten in the morning, the voice of a mid-level officer from the Imperial Guard and Feathered Forest shattered Chu Danqing’s calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Over twenty bandits eliminated at the northern gate; their leader, Dong Mang, has been beheaded and displayed!” the officer said upon seeing Chu Danqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Mang was the River-Turning Dragon King who had challenged Chu Danqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Secret Investigation Office had already dug up every detail about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only twenty-some?” Chu Danqing wasn’t surprised by the River-Turning Dragon King’s death, but he couldn’t believe the number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were remnants of Mount Pingdou and Li Wanwu’s adopted kin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t deny there might be internal conflicts among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the number couldn’t possibly be this low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In recent days, the vanguard operatives who had infiltrated the capital totaled nearly a hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many had even dared to attempt assassinating him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the main force amounted to so few—this was far too anticlimactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the northern gate challenge was a decoy, then who was their real target?” Chu Danqing immediately ruled himself out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was surrounded by heavy troops; trying to kill him was no different from suicide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this trial world, forest bandits stood no chance against organized armies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, why resort to decapitation strikes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I must see the Emperor,” Chu Danqing rose at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from himself, it could only be the young Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were only forest bandits, their target would surely be Chu Danqing—the man pushing hardest for their extermination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Wanwu’s adopted kin were involved too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people didn’t just hate Chu Danqing—his predecessor, Emperor Taichang, had slaughtered their entire families, which is why Li Wanwu took them in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These individuals had been carefully cultivated by Li Wanwu and understood politically that Chu Danqing had been using control over the young Emperor to drive the anti-bandit campaign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing the young Emperor would sever Chu Danqing’s legal authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could even allow them to hold him hostage as leverage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had Chu Danqing spoken than a violent clamor erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yangqi Palace!” Chu Danqing instantly pinpointed the source and led his men there at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon arrival, over a dozen corpses of Imperial Guard and Feathered Forest soldiers littered the palace grounds—clear signs of battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were killed because they were outnumbered and faced elite opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re not slow, Commander Chu,” said a pale, clean-shaven youth in a blue robe, surrounded by several guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another burly man held the young Emperor hostage, while behind them, nearly a hundred capable forest bandits surrounded a group of ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Danqing scanned the scene; recognizing key features, he identified them all as notorious figures from the forest underworld.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re Qingyi Ke, Kui Yun, correct?” Chu Danqing said. “Release the Emperor, and we can talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kui Yun ignored him entirely, continuing on his own: “Ninety men entered Yangqi Palace as if it were empty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander Chu, do you think the Imperial Guard and the Secret Investigation Office are useless?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he answered himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not. That means someone high-ranking must have cooperated—only then could we move so smoothly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kui Yun’s gaze turned to the young Emperor. “Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were pure provocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple: he didn’t know if his plan would succeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it failed, he could sow discord between Chu Danqing and the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a world of difference between saying something and leaving it unsaid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Danqing’s expression didn’t change—he’d already known. What else could surprise him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Emperor’s face turned grim; when he looked at Chu Danqing, his eyes darted away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still too young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Release the Emperor, and we can negotiate any terms,” Chu Danqing pressed on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kui Yun smiled. “What if I demand your life, Commander Chu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would you be willing to negotiate that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Danqing didn’t hesitate. “Of course. But your price must be worth my life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Negotiating didn’t mean he had to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, if he died, they’d never release the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kui Yun’s eyes darkened with seriousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Danqing dared say this publicly because he meant to carry it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, he’d humiliate himself—how could he ever stand in court again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well. Then I—” Kui Yun began, ready to order Chu Danqing to kill himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he finished, an unexpected change erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dark shadow suddenly emerged from the shadow of the burly man holding the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It slipped past, piercing his arm; in pain, the man instinctively shielded the Emperor, and the shadow seized him, yanking him free from the captor’s grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the captor reacted to reclaim him, a crossbow bolt pierced his outstretched hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidden by the crossbowmen, the Heart Demon swiftly carried the Emperor back behind Chu Danqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Bao and Zhan Ji Hu moved simultaneously; the remaining Imperial Guard, Feathered Forest, and Secret Investigation Office troops launched their attack the moment the Emperor was rescued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides the crossbowmen and the Unicorn Dragon, Chu Danqing had plenty of guards stationed nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the captured ministers, they were simply unlucky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whole sequence happened too fast; Kui Yun could only hold his ground using the palace’s terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, these bandits are faithless and dishonorable—they must be exterminated,” Chu Danqing said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Emperor stared at the bandits retreating into Yangqi Palace; his fury slowly cooled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d intended to use this opportunity to undermine Chu Danqing and reclaim some power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he’d been outmaneuvered by Kui Yun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had his plan failed, but his prestige was shattered and many of his supporters lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he could endure. He feigned ignorance and said, “Commander Chu is right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, you wouldn’t want your Yangqi Palace stained with the blood of your ministers, would you?” Kui Yun’s voice echoed from within the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve lost. We ask for little.” Kui Yun continued shouting. “Let Commander Chu grant us safe passage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, we abandon the forest, vanish into obscurity, forever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Danqing said nothing, his gaze fixed on the young Emperor—waiting for his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Emperor was torn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he agreed, his authority would be further weakened by yielding to bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he refused, he’d lose even more power—his influence would plunge to its lowest point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d never regain control from Chu Danqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, gritting his teeth, he chose to preserve his remaining strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How innocent are these ministers,” the young Emperor said. “Commander Chu, perhaps—” He was secretly afraid Chu Danqing would refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was a perfect chance to weaken himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from Chu Danqing’s contradictory loyalty, he sensed a gamble might work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty’s word is law. I will let you leave the capital,” Chu Danqing said, ordering everyone to clear a path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bandit skilled in movement stepped forward to test the route; finding no trap, he signaled the others to bring out the ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They departed the palace, and only after leaving the capital were the ministers released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this, the young Emperor was heartbroken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hatred for the bandits deepened further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d never strongly supported Chu Danqing’s anti-bandit campaign—clearing and exterminating bandits was too costly and burdensome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now he saw: exterminating bandits was essential. Only by quelling internal threats could he address external ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Chu Danqing’s actions surprised him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d actually obeyed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are all our key ministers safe?” Chu Danqing asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Secret Investigation Office officer replied: “Your Majesty, Commander Chu—seven are unaccounted for; their bodies have been found.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the young Emperor clenched his teeth in fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have the Secret Police clamp down on them—don’t let a single one escape; bring them all back for judgment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Especially the bandit leader Kui Yuan—this man is cunning and fiercely ambitious; if he slips away, the consequences will be endless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Danqing keeps his word: since he had left the capital, capturing them again would be a different matter entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was certain that Kui Yuan was the linchpin tying everything together; the man was the eldest adopted son of Li Wanwu, and all the other adopted kin obeyed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing these bandit chieftains and spreading the news across the land would reduce the difficulty of suppressing bandits by at least thirty percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a rare golden opportunity to complete an A-rank hidden quest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After handling matters, Chu Danqing turned to the young emperor: “Your Majesty has been frightened today—please rest now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will handle the aftermath here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young emperor had indeed been terrified when captured, but he recovered quickly; now his emotions were mostly anger and hatred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he did need rest, so he played his role, feigning ignorance in response to Chu Danqing, then hurried away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After he left, Chu Danqing arranged for the cleanup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his mind, he was already pondering how to leverage this opportunity to complete the A-rank quest and leave as soon as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was fortunate the young emperor was sufficiently humanized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had indeed been harsh toward Chu Danqing, but among the three reigning Taichang Emperors, he was the most benevolent toward the common people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably because he needed to compensate for his lack of power by winning popular support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I cannot kill the young emperor—but he must give me compensation for my resignation.’ Chu Danqing thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next Taichang Emperor may not be so humanized, but Chu Danqing wouldn’t let himself be targeted without recompense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had technically resigned on his own, so he couldn’t demand N+1 severance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the emperor didn’t give him N+2 now, Chu Danqing would make him pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two matters are separate—cannot be conflated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, it would make him look easy to bully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1710,"2026-06-20T00:54:40.605Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3c4c44a49fad12d4128c17f030033a1a7081afd2708f77f9ecec563dbd692f87","dimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle-chapter-130","dimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle-chapter-128",305,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle-cover.jpg"]