When the sun rose once more from the end of the earth.
The bamboo clack of the startled-deer fountain rang out from the elegant courtyard, echoing through the silence.
Lu Ming Hall was deathly still.
The court nobles who usually gathered together only to argue without end now stared dumbfounded at the returned envoy. They could scarcely believe it; their lips opened and closed several times, yet no sound came out.
Only after the envoy sighed and repeated the demand from the King of Tanba did a chorus of sharp inhalations finally rise in the room.
Along with choking coughs.
"Seven hundred thousand standard Origin Essence Crystals?" The Matsunaga clan's superintendent removed his glasses, staring blankly. "Th-This is far too outrageous."
"Were those really his exact words?"
Someone refused to believe it and questioned the envoy.
The envoy's expression shifted slightly, as though someone had struck a sore spot. Just as the others prepared to angrily press the matter, he showed a bitter smile. "Are you sure you want to hear that person's 'exact words'?"
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room froze again.
No one spoke.
Clearly, everyone was getting old. Their hearts were not in great shape, and they might have had trouble accepting such brutal reality.
That was The Tuner...
What kind words could they possibly expect from him? No matter how important they thought they were, could they be more important than the Unified Bureau? Even the Unified Bureau had had its table overturned, only for him to point at their faces and curse them out.
At least they were indispensable pillars supporting the Present Realm. Even when he cursed people, he left them some dignity. Who the hell were they?
After understanding the envoy's good intentions, everyone coughed awkwardly and pretended nothing had happened.