Chapter 374: The Envoy? Isn

Even though Li Rui and the others stayed daily in the Dianke Office, they knew Minister Wang's progress was not going well.

The Wu Kingdom's reaction was fierce.

One after another, seasoned military officers shouted in the imperial court.

Saying things like, "How could Wu Kingdom become a vassal of Yu Kingdom?"

The young ruler of Wu Kingdom ultimately could not ignore the furious outcry of his entire court.

He could only delay again and again.

In the courtyard of the Dianke Office.

"Wu Kingdom has some real men."

Nie Siming said.

He was well aware of the difficulties the Yu Kingdom's envoy had faced in Wu Kingdom these past days.

But in his view, this showed the Wu Kingdom's generals still had spirit.

If every general in court bowed their heads, hoping Yu Kingdom would pacify Dongwu, then when Dongwu was finally subdued, Yu Kingdom's armies would surely turn their blades straight toward the Wu court.

He believed both the Holy Emperor and his adoptive father, Marquis Yuan, would certainly do exactly that.

Did the founding emperor not want to swallow Wu Kingdom's vast lands?

He could not.

Wu Kingdom's depth was far stronger than the world imagined.

Even the founding emperor feared mutual destruction, leaving the newly established Yu Kingdom shattered.

Yet Yu Kingdom's ambition toward the southern frontier had never ceased.

This was something any emperor with ambition would surely do.

Wu Kingdom's new emperor was diligently governing, and his court teemed with capable men—hardly inferior to Yu Kingdom; such a fierce reaction was inevitable.

Perhaps this was also why the new Wu emperor and the Grand Shaman had not been overly rigid.

Yuan Xiong smiled faintly: "Let's go. The Wu Grand Sacrifice is about to begin. I've long heard it's grand—today we'll finally see it with our own eyes."

"Let's go!"

Nie Siming laughed heartily.

He and Yuan Xiong had heard of the Wu Grand Sacrifice many times before, while fighting alongside Yuan Dingting.

Never expected they'd have the chance to witness it firsthand.

Li Rui and the other two immediately stepped out and joined Minister Wang, who was already waiting at the gate, heading to the southernmost edge of the Wu court.

Before them stood a massive altar spanning hundreds of acres.

Upon the massive altar.

Towered twelve statues, each over a hundred zhang tall, each with a different form: human heads with serpent bodies, leopard heads with human bodies, and others that were simply giant winged serpents.

"The Twelve Ancestral Gods!"

Li Rui gazed at the twelve statues, his heart tightening.

Legend said these Twelve Ancestral Gods were subordinates of the Beast God.

The Beast God led them in carving out the lands where the Wu people have lived for generations.

Hence the custom of the Grand Sacrifice in early spring to pray for harvest, much like Yu Kingdom's rites to Heaven.

The Yu Kingdom's envoy had been invited as guests.

On a high platform positioned prominently forward.

As the deep, ancient sound of ox-horn trumpets blared, the new Wu emperor led his court officials in beginning the ceremony.

Twelve shamans danced upon the altar, imitating the Twelve Ancestral Gods.

The scene was solemn, reverent.

For the first time, Li Rui saw the face of the young Wu emperor.

The Wu ruler appeared around thirty, with well-proportioned features and a short beard, radiating an aura of natural authority.

Compared to the Holy Emperor of Yu, he could still hold his own.

Of course.

No ordinary man, even with the Grand Shaman's backing, could so swiftly secure the throne.

And according to what Li Rui knew.

This young emperor was no puppet of the Grand Shaman.

He possessed real statecraft.

The Grand Sacrifice lasted two full days; its elaborate rituals were no less complex than Yu Kingdom's, and its majesty left everyone awestruck.

Who says Wu Kingdom is a barbarian land?

It's merely Yu Kingdom's arrogance.

Ignorance breeds arrogance.

Minister Wang grew increasingly alarmed—Wu Kingdom's depth was truly formidable, yet he was also grateful for Wu's internal chaos.

Otherwise, a powerful Wu Kingdom would be a dire threat to Yu Kingdom.

After the Grand Sacrifice ended.

Came the grand Sai Mu Tournament.

In simple terms, it was Wu Kingdom's martial contest, where each city sent its young champions to fight; the most valiant would receive rewards from the Wu emperor.

To demonstrate Wu Kingdom's martial virtue.

It bore some resemblance to Yu Kingdom's autumn hunts.

"Wu Kingdom truly produces extraordinary talent."

Minister Wang gazed at the fierce battles unfolding across the vast open ground before the altar, unable to help but sigh.

Among them were no shortage of experts.

Some could even overpower Yu Kingdom's top young prodigies.

It left him quietly stunned.

Though Minister Wang held a third-rank official position, his martial cultivation remained stuck at the Primordial Stage.

The overwhelming aura of killing intent made him struggle to hold his ground.

"Incredibly powerful."

As for Nie Siming and Yuan Xiong, they remained calm.

They had fought countless battles in Wu Kingdom alongside Yuan Dingting, and more than a few Wu prodigies had fallen to their blades.

At this moment.

A massive Wu warrior swung his axe, sending his opponent flying.

After winning,

He turned and stared directly at the Yu Kingdom's high platform.

A cruel grin curled his lips.

"I've long heard Yu Kingdom men are fierce fighters—since you've come, why not come down and spar a bit!"

His voice rang loud; many eyes on the altar turned toward them.

Minister Wang narrowed his eyes.

His expression darkened.

The brute's open challenge humiliated him.

But to refuse?

Would that not mean admitting Yu Kingdom was weaker than Wu Kingdom? Negotiations were already difficult—if they backed down now, things would only grow harder, and returning to Yu Kingdom, they might even be charged with damaging national prestige.

Minister Wang turned to look behind him at Nie Siming and Yuan Xiong.

His heart eased slightly.

'Thankfully we brought these two.'

In Wu Kingdom's Sai Mu Tournament, all participants were young.

"Young" here did not mean age—it meant anyone below the third rank could compete.

!

No white-bearded elder was fighting with enthusiasm.

Nie Siming and Yuan Xiong, both at the Primordial Stage, were nearly invincible.

With them, victory was assured.

The brute stared at the Yu Kingdom's platform, his eyes showing clear hesitation.

The Yu Kingdom's envoy consisted of four people.

One was a civil official—Minister Wang, the envoy, who obviously could not fight.

As for Nie Siming and Yuan Xiong, he knew well they were ruthless warriors who had fought alongside Yuan Dingting—definitely not to be chosen.

Finally,

His gaze landed on the old man standing at the very back.

'Fine, I'll pick on an old man.'

"You! Dare you come down and fight!"

The brute pointed at Li Rui.

Countless Wu court officials turned their eyes toward Li Rui.

Thousands of eyes were on him; any ordinary person would have felt uneasy.

Li Rui was no ordinary person.

Facing invisible pressure, he remained calm and composed.

His gaze flickered to the nearby Wu state generals, whose expressions now openly awaited a spectacle.

He knew full well.

This day's events had been deliberately stirred up by these people behind the scenes.

Their aim was to incite emotion.

To disrupt Yu state's plans for military intervention.

They wanted a spectacle, to stir up the court.

Those old men would not believe it, but it didn't matter—so long as the young generals believed, that was enough.

Even the Wu state's sovereign would never dare defy the world's condemnation.

Then, Yu state's military move would be ruined.

'Truly, they've gone to great lengths.'

Li Rui smiled faintly and shook his head.

Amid countless stares, he took one slow step forward: 'If you want to fight, then come.'

The envoy corps.

Isn't that what it's for?

'Please, Lord Li, give them a little shock.'

The words of the Grand Shaman that day rose in his mind.

He had foreseen this scene long ago.

Pick the softest persimmon to squeeze.

Among those present, wasn't he the one who looked easiest to bully?

Seeing Li Rui accept the challenge, several Wu state warriors already engaged in battle paused.

Suddenly, Li Rui became the center of attention.

Who didn't know that Yu state wanted to interfere in Wu state's war? These men now shared a common hatred.

Li Rui was about to descend the platform.

Nie Siming said: "Brother Li, that man is Tu Xuan from Zhu Long City—a natural Diamond Body, incredibly strong, and wielding the ruthless River-Flow True Qi. Be careful."

Li Rui glanced at Nie Siming.

Nodded slightly.

Then he descended the platform without hesitation.

Arriving before the altar.

Seeing Li Rui actually step down, Tu Xuan grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

He dared to step forward

Only because he had powerful backers behind him—should he defeat Li Rui today, he would receive a rich reward.

Moreover, he was a staunch advocate of war.

He strongly opposed Yu state's military intervention.

'Yu state man, you have courage—but you've come at the wrong time.'

Tu Xuan licked his lips.

As tension reached its peak,

a Wu state official spoke up.

'Lord Li is an envoy, here in our Wu state. If we resort to weapons, the world will think us uncivilized.'

Tu Xuan glared impatiently at the official who had spoken.

Just as there were those opposing Yu state's intervention, there were also those supporting it.

The young official before them was one such.

As the young official spoke, voices of agreement grew louder.

Tu Xuan had no choice but to grit his teeth and glare at the young official: 'Then tell us—how should we proceed?'

The young official smiled slightly:

'According to ancestral custom, we must summon the Emperor's Drum.'

(End of Chapter)