Time flowed on, and three years vanished in an instant.
"Chivalry violated the law through force." In the third year of Kaiyuan, Tuwahaer, who had founded his state three years ago, finally understood the true meaning of those words!
"Your Majesty Sage Monarch, King Pingyun's two sons were beaten to death by martial cultivators of the jianghu in a brothel. That same night, King Pingyun himself was attacked as well. Had it not been for the talisman bestowed by Your Majesty, I fear even King Pingyun would have..."
Within the magnificent, resplendent, and grand Golden Palace Hall, after the Wu Dynasty subordinate finished his report, his voice still echoed through the hall.
The leaders of the various grassland tribes present, along with several Feng Kingdom officials who had only recently submitted to the Wu Dynasty, all wore exceptionally grave expressions.
As for Sage Monarch Tuwahaer, seated upon the dragon throne, his face had darkened to the extreme.
"Since the beginning of spring, this makes the fourth case of jianghu martial cultivators attacking meritorious nobles and dignitaries, does it not?" Tuwahaer, who styled himself the Sage Monarch, spoke in an incomparably low voice, carrying an authority that seemed innate.
The five men below answered. He then sighed and said, "They all say ruling the realm is harder than conquering it. Now, I have truly come to understand that."
"My dear ministers, speak. What should be done?!"
"..."
That King Pingyun had been a tribal leader who rendered great service during the conquest of the cities across Cloud Prefecture.
After the founding of the state, Tuwahaer had not been stingy toward tribes such as his that had rendered great merit. He had granted them marquisates and noble ranks, and in an instant, an aristocratic collective with shared interests had formed.
King Pingyun,