In that single instant, the King of Yu Yue thought of many things. He had considered simply killing Zhang Youren and fleeing if the man grew frightened and backed down.
Yet even with a blade pressed against his neck, Zhang Youren remained utterly fearless.
And so the King of Yu Yue was bluffed into submission too. With such confidence, could there be an even greater scheme at work?
His heart suddenly raced, and he soon lowered his blade.
Circumstances left him no choice. Having come this far, what else could he do?
Even killing the man would not change the humiliating fact that he had offered a surrender letter and entered the pass alone. Better to follow this road into the darkness, yield another step, and let him have his way.
"You misunderstand, sir. This is an old ailment of mine. Whenever I'm happy, I feel like finding a few people to hack at. I am a barbarian, after all, so please forgive me. Now that I have submitted to Great Shang, I too am one of its subjects. How could these soldiers who gave their lives for Great Shang not deserve my three kneelings and nine kowtows?"
"My heart is truly filled with joy!"
The King of Yu Yue dared not utter a single complaint. He obediently performed three kneelings and nine kowtows before finally entering the pass.
Rows of soldiers stood along both sides of the road leading to the General's Mansion, their long dagger-axes forming a passage for him to walk through.
The gaps along that passage were packed with commoners who had been summoned to join the spectacle.
"I heard Baiyue was raising troops to rebel. Even His Majesty brought soldiers to the pass. What's all this fuss today for?"
"They say it's to honor the