The news that the King of Chambord had finally completed his cultivation and emerged from seclusion quickly spread throughout the city.
The various factions secretly observing from within the city became increasingly cautious yet also more active. Their purpose in coming to Chambord City was to ascertain the true strength of Chambord City rising power, in preparation for the upcoming Zenit Empire Martial Combat Competition. Of the 250 vassal states under the Zenit Empire, while most of their King and kingdoms were long since corrupt, there were still ambitious individuals and schemers among them. They were determined to include all their rivals in their future plans, making intelligence gathering paramount.
Of course, some organizations that make a living by selling information have also extended their reach to Chambord City.
Everyone thought this intelligence would be hard-won and was prepared to pay a price. However, no one expected that on the very evening King of Chambord emerged from seclusion, the young king would hold a city-wide banquet in the temple square. Everyone saw the majestic Chambord City and his future queen, whose unparalleled beauty was regarded as Goddess. All the heads of Chambord City's military and political systems appeared at the banquet. What surprised many even more was that Princess Tanasha of the Zenit Empire, of noble birth, also attended the banquet in a very high-profile manner. During the banquet, she chatted cordially with King of Chambord, as if they were old friends who had known each other for a long time.
This banquet provided many spies with the opportunity to get to know the key figures in Chambord City and to observe the strength of Chambord City.
What made them even happier was that, at the climax of the banquet, King of Chambord actually held a so-called 'military parade'. The two extremely strangely named military forces of Chambord City — the Saint and the Urban Management —were completely unveiled and appeared before everyone's eyes.
The Saint's complete force consists of only 50 people, similar to a knightly force. Each rider rides a fully armored level-four magical Crimson Flame Beast, spoils of war from the previous Nine Kingdoms Allied Army war. This was expected by many, but the weapons wielded by the knights truly sent chills down the spines of many scouts—their shields, with protruding serrations, resembled doors, and they all carried long-handled, broad-bladed giant axes, the blades alone being as long as a longsword... The weapons wielded by the Saint had only one characteristic—enormous size!
The full complement of Urban Management currently consists of two hundred people. They are dressed in light armor, T-shaped helmets with nose protection, holding Long Spear, round shields on their left arms, and riding fine horses. They look very imposing. Two hundred men riding horses and brandishing their spears, charging through the square, do have a rather menacing aura.
The people of Chambord City were overjoyed at what they were seeing.
Compared to the ragged, peasant-like army four months ago, this military strength represents a dramatic increase for Chambord City. They have all witnessed the changes over the past four months, and each of them is a witness to Chambord City's gradual growth. The pairs of heroic and imposing soldiers before them, along with the sharp, chilling swords and spears, gave them an unprecedented sense of security.
However, for the spies from various countries, the reality seemed much more optimistic than they had imagined. They were prepared to see a disciplined and numerous elite army appear before them, after all, this was a country that had defeated the Nine Kingdoms Allied Army. But who knew that the regular Giant of Chambord City who appeared before them numbered only a little over three hundred, and judging from the whispers of the Chambord City people around them, there seemed to be no sign of them holding back.
"How... is that all? Did King of Chambord defeat the Nine Kingdoms Allied Army with just this few soldiers?" In the dim shadows outside the square, someone secretly drew a question mark in their mind.
"A mere three hundred soldiers, even if they are brave, how much can they possibly achieve?" Some people, after witnessing the scene before them, relaxed their expressions. "It seems the Earl is overthinking things. There's nothing of interest in Chambord City."
"This level of military strength is far from what was rumored. It seems that the Nine Kingdoms Allied Army they defeated was nothing but a bunch of good-for-nothings. It's such a pity that those sixty-odd level-four magical Crimson Flame Beast, have fallen into the hands of King of Chambord! Perhaps we can find a way to get our hands on these Crimson Flame Beast!" Someone was tempted by greed; those sixty-odd Crimson Flame Beast were indeed a tempting fortune.
Of course, not everyone is a greedy and short-sighted person.
Some foreign spies, hidden in the dim light, also saw things that others couldn't notice.
" King of Chambord exudes a vast and unfathomable aura; it seems he has made another breakthrough during his seclusion... Rumor has it that he once slew Three-Star-Rank Warrior; he's probably close to Four-Star Class now!"
"The relationship between the King of Chambord and the eldest princess is extraordinary. Is there something more to it than meets the eye?"
" Chambord City does have a few noteworthy experts. Perhaps the Viscount would be interested in them. If we could recruit them, Chambord City would be free of any threat..."
The banquet didn't end until the early hours of the morning, and apart from a very small number of people, a turbulent undercurrent began to quietly stir.
Three days later, the army from Chambord City that would participate in the Zenit Empire's military exercises set off.
The autumn wind whipped the long, rectangular banners of the expedition into the wind, each one meticulously embroidered stitch by stitch by the future Queen Angela. The design of the two-headed dog-like monster, each holding an axe and Sharp Sword in its mouth, was personally created by Sun Fei, and naturally, the prototype for the creation was none other than the Big Black [ Black Whirlwind ]. The flagpoles soared high into the azure sky, the banners stretched taut in the wind like long, flying dragons, howling as if desperately trying to break free from the flagpoles' constraints.
The entire populace of Chambord City lined both sides of the street, scattering flowers and leaves—symbols of victory, Glory, and courage—on the road beneath the knights' feet. These knights were husbands of women, fathers of children, sons of the Old Man, and lovers of young girls. With reluctance and blessings, they watched their dearest loved ones mount their warhorses and embark on their journey, anticipating their triumphant return...
Sun Fei, clad in light black armor, his long, flowing black hair dancing in the wind, rode Big Black. He seemed to be bound to the color black, exuding a unique charm. He stretched out his arms, embracing his beautiful fiancée Angela, and walked at the very front of the procession.
Today, Angela was unusually dressed in an exquisite set of women's light armor. Beneath her Milan helmet, her black hair flowed like silk in the wind, and the faint fragrance of her hair stimulated Sun Fei's sense of smell. Anyone who looked over couldn't help but linger on this innocent girl with a happy smile on her face. Dressed in military uniform, Angela exuded a rare heroic spirit, making her even more charming.
Behind Sun Fei followed Petr Čech, the commander of the Saint Corps; the two Golden Knight, Drogba and Pierce; Frank Lampard; Chambord City Oleg; the blonde little Loli Jima; and his personal bodyguard Fernando Torres. This expeditionary force included almost all the top fighters in Chambord City, leaving Sun Fei only his father-in-law Best and Gordon Brook to oversee the overall situation.
Princess Tanasha's magical carriage and her retinue also appeared in the procession.
This [ Female Literary Sage ] has lingered in Chambord City for far too long and is finally returning to the capital.
Half an hour later, the expeditionary force finally disappeared at the edge of the golden grassland in the distance. The people of Chambord City who had come to see them off reluctantly returned home. On the city wall, Best and Brook stood for a long time until the last banner disappeared on the horizon before they turned their gaze away.
"By the time His Majesty returns, Chambord City may have become a third-class vassal state... oh no, it should be a second-class vassal state?"
"A second-class vassal state? Gordon, you still don't fully understand His Majesty's ambitions?" Old White-faced Best laughed, "A mere second-class vassal state is probably not even in His Majesty's eyes... No one can guess what Chambord City will gain from this military exercise. However, now that His Majesty has left, the two of us certainly cannot slack off. Our lazy Majesty has left us with quite a few things to accomplish!"
Brook lightly patted the battlements in front of him, brimming with pride. "Haha, yes, just thinking about the blueprint His Majesty has drawn up makes my blood boil. If those goals can truly be achieved, who on the Azeroth Continent will dare to underestimate my Chambord City?"
"I never imagined that someone as dull and wooden as you could be so sentimental!"
"Hey-hey..."
The territory of Chambord City is pitifully small, and the expedition's marching speed was not particularly fast after it set off. However, in less than four hours, before they had even left the golden grasslands, they had already left the territory of Chambord City and entered the territory of the neighboring Kingdom of Laisi.
Kingdom of Laisi was a fifth-rank vassal state. Although its national strength was only considered weak, it was still much stronger than the former Chambord City. When Chambord City was in decline, Kingdom of Laisi had often taken advantage of its misfortune to bully and oppress it. The two countries had clashed countless times, with Chambord City Chambord City losing more often than it won. The Chambord City royal family dared not speak out and were squeezed out of a lot of wealth. It was said that the King of Kingdom of Laisi could go to Chambord City at will to obtain money and women whenever he wanted, which shows the relationship and status between the two countries.
Therefore, this country can definitely be considered one of the hostile forces of Chambord City.
"Attention all soldiers, remain on alert!"
With a wave of his hand, Čech dispatched over twenty Saint as scouts, and every move within a four- or five-mile radius of the group was under the surveillance of the Chambord City expedition team.
A giant bird with a wingspan of over a meter soared in the sky. The people in the group had seen this giant bird land and affectionately chirp and fawn over Sun Fei's arrow. They knew it was His Majesty the King's pet, so no one dared to do the unsightly thing of drawing a bow and shooting at the bird.
About ten kilometers into Kingdom of Laisi's territory, we finally encountered a Kingdom of Laisi checkpoint.
This is a shabby outpost commonly set up on the borders of various countries. Usually, only five or six poor soldiers are sent here to suffer. In fact, it is of little use in the event of war and is just for show. However, to the surprise of everyone in the Chambord Expeditionary Army, they actually encountered the King of Kingdom of Laisi and most of the royal family here.
"Stop--!"
With a wave of his hand, Sun Fei brought the advancing troops to an instant halt. Even the warhorses beneath the soldiers seemed to understand the command, stopping in unison at the last moment.
However, amidst a series of clanging metallic sounds, the chilling blades and spears were all revealed, their sharp glints aimed directly at the Kingdom of Laisi's forces. An unbridled, mountain-like momentum erupted at this moment. All the Chambord City soldiers made no attempt to conceal their hostility, their air thick with a fierce killing intent. If the Kingdom of Laisi's side dared to make any Teleport, at the king's command, they would instantly Charge forward and crush them into a pile of minced meat!
Sensing the hostility and murderous intent from the Chambord City side, the obese King Kingdom of Laisi's expression changed, his heart pounding with fear. He quickly stepped forward from his guards with a fawning smile, spreading his hands to indicate that he meant no harm. "Your Majesty, King of Chambord, please do not misunderstand, we have no hostile intentions whatsoever!"
"What is it?" Sun Fei asked, sitting on the back of the Big Black, squinting his eyes.
"Your Majesty, King of Chambord, having heard that the expeditionary force from Chambord City participating in the military exercises is passing through, I have specially led members of the royal family and ministers here to welcome them. Chambord and Rice have had friction and hostility in the past, but that is all in the past. From now on, the Kingdom of Laisi royal family is willing to become the closest friend of the King of Chambord. These are some small gifts..." King Kingdom of Laisi said, waving his hand. Behind him, several guards carefully carried four heavy iron chests over, placed them on the ground with a clatter, and opened the lids. A burst of golden light shone out, somewhat dazzlingly, and inside were all gleaming imperial gold coins.
King Laisi Kingdom and his entourage were here, seemingly to humbly apologize and beg for peace.
Although Sun Fei hadn't said anything yet, at that moment, all the generals and soldiers of Chambord City felt something burning hot coursing through their bodies. Everyone gripped their weapons tightly, straightening their backs even more, and an unprecedented sense of pride filled their hearts.
Sun Fei reached out and grasped at the air, and a sharp, black Long Spear appeared in his hand.
Everyone in Kingdom of Laisi was shocked by this scene. Besides worrying that the legendary King of Chambord, who was said to be as dazzling as a comet, would turn ruthless, they were also stunned by Sun Fei's methods. He retrieved the Long Spear from the void without any fluctuation of Dou Qi aura or magic power. Such strength far exceeded their imagination... The strength of Chambord City was indeed as the intelligence said, and it was already immeasurable!
With the sharp tip of his spear toying with the gold coins, Sun Fei did not dismount from the Big Black's back. After a while, seeing King Laisi Kingdom's embarrassed face and cold sweat dripping from his forehead, he waved his hand lightly, and soldiers rode out from behind to unceremoniously take all four chests of gold coins.
King Laisi Kingdom finally breathed a sigh of relief, his obese body able to stand up a little straighter. He then waved with a fawning smile, and several warriors from the Kingdom of Laisi led over a dozen pretty women. These women were all around eighteen or nineteen years old, dressed elegantly and gracefully in sheer, alluring clothes. They had clearly been carefully groomed and trained. However, it was late autumn, and the weather was already quite cold. The girls tried to force smiles, but their petite bodies couldn't help but shiver from the cold.
Sun Fei was slightly taken aback, but then he immediately understood.
These women were also part of the tribute offered by King Kingdom of Laisi as an apology.
Sun Fei remained silent for a moment, then gently waved his hand. Soldiers drove a carriage over and placed the girls on the horses. Sun Fei did not refuse the gift, because these girls had originally been raised and treated as gifts and slaves. Even if he didn't accept them, their fate wouldn't be much better—it might even be worse. Perhaps accepting them was a kind of Redemption. Of course, Sun Fei had no intention of building a harem.
Seeing that Chambord City had accepted two batches of gifts, Kingdom of Laisi and his group finally felt a little relieved.
"I have also prepared a grand banquet in Laisi City to welcome His Majesty King of Chambord and all the warriors of Chambord City. I wonder..." King Laisi Kingdom smiled obsequiously, trying to further bridge the gap between them, but Sun Fei merely shook his head, causing him to swallow all his remaining words and dare not say another.
Staring coldly at the pale, plump man before him, Sun Fei said condescendingly, "I originally intended to ride my horse and raze the Kingdom of Laisi to the ground, to make you pay tenfold, a hundredfold, for what you did to Chambord City. However, you're quite sensible; I'll accept these gold coins. But things won't end so simply. You'd better remain sensible, otherwise, the royal family of Kingdom of Laisi won't be able to withstand the next wrath of Chambord City!"
"Yes, yes, yes... We will be the closest of friends, friends, friends..."
King Kingdom of Laisi felt an immense pressure emanating from King of Chambord. His knees buckled, and he swayed unsteadily. Had it not been for the quick reflexes of his guards who caught him, he would have nearly collapsed to his knees, utterly disgracing himself as a king.
"Friends? Hahaha, you don't deserve that word!"
Sun Fei spat disdainfully, waved his hand, and the Chambord City Expeditionary Force surged forward like an unstoppable torrent of steel. Even the earth trembled under their iron hooves. The gleaming armor and the white blades of their spears reflected the sunlight, chilling everyone to the bone. No one in Lai Kingdom of Laisi dared to look this army in the eye; the cold, murderous aura emanating from the Chambord City soldiers terrified them.
King Laisi Kingdom only stood up, panting heavily, after watching the Chambord City procession disappear into the distance.
A gloomy young man, dressed as a minor nobleman, approached and helped King Laisi Kingdom up. He glared resentfully at the retreating cavalry in the distance and said viciously, "That damned King of Chambord! How dare he humiliate His Majesty like that! Hmph, let him be smug. He thinks he's invincible just because he has a little power. Heh heh, the Chambord City expedition might not even make it to St. Saint Petersburg alive. It would be best if they all died at the hands of those people. But it's a pity about that little beauty; King of Chambord's fiancée is indeed a flirtatious woman..."
Seize--!!
A Sharp Sword suddenly whistled from afar and pierced the young nobleman's mouth.
The ruthless young nobleman fell backward, his eyes filled with disbelief and incredulity, the white arrow still trembling as it pierced his neck...
"The sharpshooter from Chambord City [ Jebe ]!!!!"
The people of Kingdom of Laisi were in complete chaos. The guards frantically shielded the even more panicked King Laisi Kingdom in the center. They saw a man and a horse standing proudly a hundred meters away, a longbow in hand, the mane of the Crimson Flame Beast dancing in the wind... It was none other than the [ Jebe ]-level archer from Chambord City who had once displayed great prowess in the Nine Kingdoms Allied Army War!
I didn't expect to keep going for 5400 words, almost two chapters.
I hope that when I wake up tomorrow, my headache and eye pain will be gone. Amitabha, God bless me.
Thank you everyone.