Unexpected Events: The Envoys' Mission Is Attacked

Unexpected Events: The Envoys' Mission Is Attacked

"All right, this has nothing to do with us. The time has come. It's time to carry out the mission."

Bai Yan looked at Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao and said solemnly:

"Go gather the men and leave the city to meet the Bozeguo envoys."

"Pass down the order. Stay sharp. Don't let us capsize in the gutter."

The men under him knew nothing, but Bai Yan could not let down his guard. Zheng Haihan had specifically warned him, which showed that something was amiss with this mission. No matter how great or small the danger ahead was, Bai Yan had to remain twelvefold cautious.

If nothing happened, naturally that would be for the best. If something did happen, they could at least respond in advance.

"Yes, sir!"

Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao clasped their fists and answered before immediately heading down to gather the men.

By the time Bai Yan walked out of the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau's gates, Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao had already assembled the men and were waiting outside.

"Set out."

Bai Yan mounted his horse, called out an order, and urged it toward the outskirts of Yongtang City.

The Imperial Guard followed close behind, moving in perfect step, with no one falling behind.

Once they left Yongtang City, the group picked up speed, and the formation no longer needed to be so meticulous. At that moment, Ren Hong suddenly spoke for no apparent reason:

"I heard that Bozeguo is sending a princess here to marry. Do you think she's beautiful?"

Li Kaiyao thought for a moment before replying:

"She must be beautiful. After all, she's a princess of a country. Her looks naturally can't be bad."

"If she were ugly, she wouldn't have been chosen for a political marriage."

"His Majesty's standards are very high. If an ordinary woman had only average looks, His Majesty wouldn't even spare her a second glance."

Ren Hong clicked his tongue, his voice brimming with envy.

"Being an emperor is wonderful. He can choose any beauty under heaven, and even foreign princesses scramble to offer themselves."

"Who could deny it?"

The two of them chatted back and forth, and as they spoke, looks of yearning appeared on both their faces.

Listening to their idle talk, Bai Yan felt a wave of emotion as well. He had heard that the palace maids who refined pills for the emperor were all rare beauties.

If they had been outside, there would probably have been so many men seeking their hands in marriage that they would have trampled down the threshold.

Yet in the old emperor's palace, those maids merely guarded the furnaces and helped him refine pills. They never even got the chance to serve him in bed.

What a waste of nature's gifts. With so many stunning beauties, if the emperor didn't want them, he could at least let them leave the palace.

Did he not know that there were countless unmarried men outside the imperial palace?

He was truly a well-fed man who did not know the hunger of a starving man.

Only a starving man knew how painfully full a well-fed man could be.

As for the emperor's obsession with pill refinement, Bai Yan did not know what to say.

As for the current Emperor Shunying of the Great Yu Dynasty, he could be summed up in two words: "a bizarre oddity."

This was not meant as an insult. It simply meant that his actions and conduct were extremely strange.

Emperor Shunying had been on the throne for twenty-two years.

During the first ten years, Emperor Shunying had devoted himself to state affairs and worked tirelessly to govern. He had brought order to the world.

Not only did the common people live and work in peace, but the army's strength also ranked among the best of all the nations. The country's power could hardly be called anything but flourishing.

The Great Yu Dynasty therefore prospered for a time. Emperor Shunying's prestige even rivaled that of the Founding Emperor, and the people across the realm hailed him as a wise ruler.

But during the following twelve years, Emperor Shunying seemed to have become an entirely different person.

No one knew when it had begun, but Emperor Shunying's temperament suddenly changed. He became obsessed with refining pills and pursuing immortality.

From then on, he neglected state affairs and ignored the court. He did not attend court for twelve full years, causing factions to rise everywhere and politics to decay.

Grand Chancellor Wang Qingquan won Emperor Shunying's favor by flattering him. Using the authority in his hands, he connected himself with a large number of civil and military officials, formed cliques for personal gain, and created the largest faction in the court.

He attacked those who differed from him and lined his own pockets. For his personal interests, he did not know how many loyal ministers he had framed.

Fortunately, the Pure Stream Faction stood opposed to the Grand Chancellor's Faction, barely maintaining the balance in court.

Even so, during those twelve years, the national strength of the Great Yu Dynasty inevitably declined considerably.

There had been emperors throughout history who pursued immortality. Emperor Shunying was not the first.

But this was precisely where his oddity lay.

If an ordinary emperor failed to attend court for twelve years, powerful ministers would certainly seize control of the court. His military authority would be hollowed out, and he would ultimately become a puppet.

But Emperor Shunying was different.

Although he had not attended court for twelve years, he still held both military and political power firmly in his hands.

Although he had not left the imperial palace for twelve years, nothing in the world, great or small, could escape his eyes.

Take Grand Chancellor Wang Qingquan, for example.

As the current Grand Chancellor, he appeared to hold tremendous power, standing below one person and above tens of thousands.

Using the authority in his hands, he had no idea how many loyal ministers and mighty generals he had caused to die.

Among the people, Wang Qingquan was called a treacherous minister who had brought calamity upon the country. They even said that he would eventually raise an army and rebel.

The Pure Stream officials in court had impeached Wang Qingquan countless times, accusing him of harboring disloyal intentions.

Yet Emperor Shunying had never paid any attention.

Was he unaware?

No. He knew perfectly well.

He simply did not care.

Because if he wished, a single sentence would be enough to wipe out Wang Qingquan's entire clan.

The Grand Chancellor, who seemed to hold the sky in one hand from the outside world's perspective, was no more than a toy in his palm, something he could manipulate at will.

That was Emperor Shunying: an emperor deeply versed in the arts of rulership, who had brought imperial methods and the balance of the court to the utmost extreme.

In his eyes, loyal ministers and treacherous ministers alike were merely pieces on his chessboard.

Loyal ministers had to be kept because they could help him govern the country.

Treacherous ministers also had to be kept because they could handle matters for him and bear the infamy in his place.

For an emperor to rule in such a manner, he was, from a certain perspective, truly one of a kind.

The group had not gone far when a sudden commotion erupted on the main road ahead.

Bai Yan looked into the distance and saw a crowd gathered in the middle of the road. He could not hear what was happening, but it was clear that the situation was serious.

"Send someone to investigate. While you're at it, disperse them. Blocking the road in a crowd—what kind of conduct is that?"

"Yes!"

A strongman soon ran over. After a while, he returned with a vast, noisy crowd.

He had sent the man to drive them away. Why had the fellow brought everyone back instead?

Seeing Bai Yan's displeased expression, the strongman helplessly explained:

"My lord, about this matter..."

"I don't know how to explain it either. You'd better ask them yourself, my lord."

A middle-aged man in an official robe then stepped out from the crowd and gave a slight bow.

"I am the Anmin County Magistrate, Chongyangmei. Greetings, Hundred-Household Commander."

Anmin County was one of the counties surrounding Yongtang. Although it was only a county, it covered an enormous area and was home to many merchants, making it extremely prosperous.

It also had an advantageous location. Built beside the water, it possessed a very large wharf. Its waterway trade flourished, and with Yongtang nearby, it could be called a city born for commerce.

"Do you not know that gathering in the road violates the laws of the Great Yu Dynasty? As a county magistrate, you knowingly broke the law. That makes your crime even worse."

Bai Yan spoke in an official tone.

Normally, an official who heard this would become terrified, or at the very least offer a few explanations. Yet the county magistrate merely looked calm, as if he had not taken Bai Yan's words to heart at all.

"My lord needn't frighten me. I am thoroughly familiar with the law and naturally know that. But today's matter is extraordinary, so it naturally calls for extraordinary measures."

Bai Yan dismounted, raised a brow, and asked:

"Oh? What extraordinary measure is that?"

A smile suddenly spread across the county magistrate's face. Gesturing with one hand, he ushered someone out from behind him.

"Lord Xiang, this way, please."

The man who emerged wore an arrogant expression, as though the whole world owed him money. Even after seeing Bai Yan and the large force of Imperial Guards behind him, he still held his nose high in the air without the slightest fear.

"Hmph!"

"You're the other escort force sent to receive us, aren't you? Why did you arrive so slowly? Don't you know how hot it is today? The princess no longer feels like traveling. If you delay the princess's arrival at the palace, you won't be able to bear the blame!"

Seeing his attitude and the way he spoke to Bai Yan, Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao immediately lost their tempers.

Ren Hong drew his saber in one motion and snarled:

"Impudent! Do you know who you're talking to?!"

Li Kaiyao was also blazing with anger. He rolled up his sleeves and was about to step forward to teach the man a lesson, but Bai Yan raised a hand to stop him.

Bai Yan understood. This man was probably the Bozeguo envoy mission's advance official. No wonder Zheng Haihan had emphasized before their departure that there would be trouble. It seemed the emperor's assessment of them had indeed been accurate.

They had not even met yet, and the provocation had already begun.

"How will you prove your identity?"

Understanding was one thing, but they could not skip the formal process. If something went wrong, it would be troublesome.

"Hmph!"

The man snorted again, pulled a token from his robes, and tossed it to Bai Yan.

Bai Yan caught it. The back of the token was engraved with the man's official position and the seal of Bozeguo, while the front bore his name.

"Xiang Tuoshi?"

"That's right!"

The corner of Bai Yan's mouth twitched. That absurd name was truly a perfect fit.

"Explain what happened. Why did you block the road for no reason? You know we're the escort force sent to receive the envoys. If our progress is delayed, you'll still bear joint responsibility."

Bai Yan tossed the token back and spoke indifferently.

If it had been anyone else acting this arrogantly, Bai Yan would have struck him with a palm long ago. But this man was already a lump of filth. If Bai Yan lowered himself to argue with him, that would be beneath him. Striking filth with one's hand only dirtied oneself. He should resolve the trouble quickly and get on with the real business.

"It was nothing. A commoner was looking for trouble, and I dealt with him. But he refused to let the matter go and even tried to extort us, so I taught him a lesson."

Xiang Tuoshi spoke as though it were of no concern.

"My lord! You must give me justice!"

A roar came from the crowd. A young man then stumbled out, limping badly. Without saying a word, he knelt before Bai Yan and began repeatedly smashing his head against the ground. Blood streamed down his face, but he did not stop.

Seeing this, Bai Yan reached out and helped him up, stopping him as he asked solemnly:

"What happened? Tell me everything in detail."

"My lord, they bullied my younger sister for no reason and caused her death. I took them to the authorities, but the officials protected one another and said I was a violent mob causing trouble. This leg of mine was broken by them. You must give me justice, my lord!"

The young man's words seemed to bleed from his heart. Tears covered his face, and everyone who heard him felt pity.

Bai Yan lowered his head and looked at the young man's twisted lower leg. The bone was clearly broken. An ordinary person would have long since been crying out in agony from such an injury, yet this young man had dragged himself all the way here. It was clear how deep the hatred in his heart ran.

The matter concerning Zhen Xiaoren had only just passed, and now Bai Yan had encountered something like this again.

Hearing this, Bai Yan frowned and looked at Xiang Tuoshi and Chongyangmei.

"Did this really happen?"

Xiang Tuoshi waved his hand, his expression full of disgust.

"The Kunlun Slave under me had been pent up these past few days, so he casually found some woman. What can you expect from a bunch of lowly creatures? He even found a village woman like that attractive. It was revolting."

Chongyangmei also spoke from the side:

"The Kunlun Slave is a little ugly, but at least he'll be able to enter the palace in the future. Who could have known that woman would be so foolish as to throw herself into a well? It serves her right that she wasn't fated to enjoy prosperity."

"You! You two...!"

Hearing them speak of his sister like that, the young man's eyes reddened with rage, and his chest heaved violently.

"I will give you justice."

Bai Yan soothed him, then said:

"Where is the Kunlun Slave? Bring him here."

Displeasure flashed across Xiang Tuoshi's face.

"You're going to make an issue of such a trivial matter? What about the princess's—"

"I said, bring the Kunlun Slave here. Don't make me repeat myself."

Killing intent surged around Bai Yan as his cold eyes fixed on Xiang Tuoshi.

Under Bai Yan's icy gaze, Xiang Tuoshi subconsciously shuddered. He did not dare reply and immediately ordered the Kunlun Slave to come out.

A burly man with black skin and hair, high cheekbones, a flat, broad nose, and thick lips stood before Bai Yan. He was at least two meters tall, towering a full head over Bai Yan.

When he saw Bai Yan standing before him, he curled his lip disdainfully and spoke in halting officialese:

"Little... shrimp..."

Before he could finish, Bai Yan struck.

His right hand rose high, then swept out in a single slap.

Bang!

True Essence erupted. The Kunlun Slave was blasted into a spray of blood by Bai Yan's palm, leaving not even a trace of bone.

After killing him, Bai Yan's gaze swept toward Xiang Tuoshi, and he asked indifferently:

"Do you have any objections?"

Under Bai Yan's emotionless eyes, Xiang Tuoshi felt as if he had fallen into an ice cavern. He instinctively replied:

"No... none..."

Bai Yan turned to Chongyangmei. The county magistrate shrank his neck and hurriedly waved his hands, indicating that he had no objections either.

"A life for a life. Do you acknowledge that I have given you justice?"

Hearing this, the young man heavily kowtowed three times before Bai Yan and sobbed:

"Thank you, my lord!"

After saying that, his head tilted to the side and he collapsed onto the ground.

Bai Yan bent down to examine him and discovered that the young man was not seriously injured.

He had endured until now through sheer willpower. With his grievance finally avenged and overwhelming joy and sorrow colliding within him, his mind and spirit had been damaged, causing him to faint outright.

"Does he have any relatives, friends, or neighbors who can take him home?"

A few people then ran out from the crowd. They first thanked Bai Yan profusely, then carried the young man away.

Bai Yan looked at Xiang Tuoshi and Chongyangmei, who were still frozen in place. He walked over, patted them both on the shoulders, and said with a false smile:

"You mustn't repeat this kind of thing in the future. Otherwise, your careers as officials will be over."

The two men nodded like pecking chickens, not daring to offer a single retort.

Bai Yan smiled again, swung onto his horse, and the group continued on its way.

After traveling some distance, Ren Hong could no longer hold back. He moved closer and asked in a low voice:

"My lord, those two corrupt officials deserve a thousand deaths. Why did you..."

Bai Yan replied:

"You want to ask why I spared their lives?"

Ren Hong nodded, and Li Kaiyao, beside him, nodded along as well.

Bai Yan smiled and said:

"Who said I spared their lives?"

Ren Hong froze, completely unable to make sense of it.

"They'll certainly be dead within seven days."

After saying that, Bai Yan offered no further explanation, leaving Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao staring at each other in bewilderment.

Just then, a fine horse came galloping toward them, kicking up billowing clouds of dust. A soldier with a panicked expression was seated on its back.

The moment he saw the Imperial Guard formation, the soldier immediately urged his horse closer.

"May I ask if you are Captain Bai of the Imperial Guard, who is responsible for receiving the Bozeguo delegation?"

The soldier clasped his fists and asked.

Bai Yan nodded. "That's me."

The soldier immediately took out an Imperial Guards command arrow and said urgently:

"I am Huang Ye, a personal guard under General Zhou Long. I've come on General Zhou's orders to request reinforcements!"

"The Bozeguo delegation was ambushed at Bieyou Pavilion outside the city. Bandits have attacked and abducted the Princess of Bozeguo. My lord, please hurry there and rescue her!"

"They abducted the princess?!"

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this.

How bold were these people, to attack the Bozeguo delegation outside Yongtang City?

Who was the Princess of Bozeguo? She was a noblewoman of an entire nation, and she was about to become a consort of the Emperor of Great Yu.

Simply laying hands on the princess was already a capital crime.

If they destroyed the marriage alliance between the two nations, it would be tantamount to treason—a grave crime that would bring execution upon nine generations of the offender's family!

"They really are bold beyond the heavens."

Bai Yan looked at Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao behind him and called out:

"The situation is urgent. I'll go on ahead. Bring the rest of the men and hurry after me."

With that, Bai Yan leaped up from his horse. Before he even landed, he unleashed Lightning-Fast Movement Steps.

A flash of lightning streaked past, and Bai Yan had already vanished from everyone's sight.

"My lord, you're too fast! We can't keep up!"

Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao were filled with admiration, yet their hearts were full of helplessness.

They were merely First-rate Martial Artists. The Lightness Skill they practiced was no divine art or secret manual, so there was no way they could match Bai Yan's speed.

Even on horseback, they were still far slower than Bai Yan.

Ren Hong suddenly hauled hard on the reins, turned around, and shouted:

"All men, heed my command! Make full speed for Bieyou Pavilion! Move!"