Deep within this grand hall, which resembled a library, atop a high main platform, stood a tall man with his hands behind his back. Beams of magic lamps shone from behind him, making him appear backlit. His wild, long hair cascaded down his shoulders like a waterfall, obscuring his features. Yet, an aura of noble majesty and unapproachable authority emanated from his imposing figure, filling the entire hall with an atmosphere that inspired both awe and reverence.
This is Juninho, the Emperor of Lyon.
Lloris dared not look up, quickly stepped forward, and respectfully knelt down below the platform, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"
Sun Fei slowly walked over and stood beside Lloris, looking up at the most distinguished man within a million miles without any fear.
This was a man who appeared to be in his thirties, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, sharp features, and a dignified demeanor. He was an extremely imposing figure. Judging solely from his appearance, he might be more suited to be a valiant general who Zongheng battlefield, a reckless mercenary leader who established his own stronghold, or even a lone wandering knight. It was difficult to connect this image with the cunning, decisive, and ruthless monarch that people spoke of, who had controlled the Lyon Empire for countless years, remaining steadfast through countless storms.
Juninho clearly noticed Sun Fei's extremely aggressive gaze. His bright eyes shone even brighter, like stars in the dark night sky, gleaming with a cold light. He scrutinized Sun Fei from head to toe, as if trying to see through the hunched back, long white hair, and dark mask to reveal Sun Fei's true face.
"Rise," Juninho said calmly to Lloris as he gently sat back on his throne.
"Your Majesty, I..." Lloris stood up respectfully, about to say something.
"Thank you for your trouble, King of Buckingham. Please wait a moment before you speak," Juninho said with a smile, gesturing for Lloris to sit on the stone chairs on either side. Looking at Sun Fei, he said, "I am truly surprised and deeply regretful that the Guardian Martial Saint Zenit and King of Chambord have graced my humble side hall with their presence!"
Sun Fei smiled slightly, showing no sign of panic, and said, "So Your Majesty recognized me all along."
"After much calculation, I realize that within a million miles, there seems to be no one who could withstand D'Alessandro's hasty attack and move freely in and out of the palace with Hugo. I've also never heard of the Buckingham Clan ever establishing a connection with a Great Sun-Rank Venerable. Considering the rampant rumors and the words of that Martial Saint Mountain disciple, the only person who would stand up for the Buckingham Clan, whom everyone thought was being pushed aside when they were down, is King of Chambord Alexander, who once colluded with Lloris to release the Sea Clan's evil god."
"Your Majesty's wisdom is truly admirable." Sun Fei slowly sat down next to Lloris, calmly removing his disguise and transforming back into the handsome, dashing young man he once was.
Juninho nodded approvingly. He hadn't seen such a dashing young man in many years. He had originally thought that King of Buckingham Lloris was the most handsome and charming young leader in the Lyon Empire, which was why he had always favored Lloris. But now, in comparison, Lloris was far inferior to this rising star of the Zenit Empire.
Juninho felt a slight sense of regret. Why did such a brilliant and dazzling rising star have to appear in the Zenit Empire instead of his Lyon Empire? After so many years of fighting, that guy has once again gained the upper hand.
He nodded and praised, "Indeed, you are young heroes. But I can't understand why two people who should have been enemies have become like-minded friends. And what I didn't expect was that under such circumstances, you still dared to show yourselves in Gerland City, dared to cause such a commotion, and even dared to break into the palace at night. Aren't you really afraid of death?"
Sun Fei smiled but remained silent.
"Alright, it seems Lloris will explain this to me later. I'm curious, given your current predicament, you're practically in a deadly situation, an enemy of the entire continent. D'Alessandro won't let you off the hook. How do you plan to deal with it?" Juninho changed the subject.
"Anyone who gives me trouble, I'll hang up on them." Sun Fei's answer was simple.
This simple answer surprised Juninho for a moment, then he slapped the table and burst into laughter. "Good, very good! This answer is something I never expected, but coming from you, it seems to be the best way. Interesting young man."
After laughing, Emperor of Lyon's expression turned serious. He said, "Unfortunately, there are countless experts and powerful figures on this continent. Although you are the strongest among the younger generation I have ever seen, to claim you can single-handedly contend with the entire continent is nothing but empty talk. Even if you can easily navigate between all the forces, can you guarantee that your friends, your brothers, your lover, your people, your subjects... will not suffer any harm because of this? Can you protect each and every one of them from being implicated? When your friends and family stand against you because of these words, and draw their swords against you, can you still kill them without hesitation, as you claim?"
Sun Fei's expression remained unchanged, and he smiled confidently, saying, "Of course I'm confident I can protect each and every one of them. As for what Your Majesty mentioned later, it absolutely will not happen."
Juninho sneered, "Is that so? But as far as I know, the Zenit Imperial Family has been facing immense pressure lately. The major empires have joined forces to pressure the Zenit Imperial Family to strip you of all your Glory within the empire and to arrest and exterminate all your relatives and subjects in Chambord City. Although the Zenit royal family has not made a statement, countless voices supporting this view have emerged within the Zenit noble group."
Sun Fei laughed heartily, "I'm not a gold coin; I can't make everyone love me. Some people like me, and of course, some people hate me. I expected this a long time ago. I'd be surprised if some overconfident little people didn't jump out."
"Gold coins? That's an interesting metaphor," Juninho said, pondering for a moment. "Aren't you worried that the Zenit Imperial Family will one day succumb to the pressure from all the empires and Human Clan in the Northern Region, and sacrifice your Chambord City to save the king?"
" The Zenit Imperial Family would not make such a decision." As Sun Fei spoke, he couldn't help but think of that aloof and superior figure. As long as this person was stationed in Saint Petersburg, Chambord City would be absolutely safe.
As they were talking, a flash of silver light appeared in front of Juninho, and a scroll appeared on the table.
Juninho frowned slightly, disregarding Sun Fei's age, opened the document, and suddenly a playful smile appeared on his face. He raised his hand, and the document floated in front of Sun Fei, then said, " D'Alessandro has just left Gerland City, accompanied by more than forty Moon Class experts who want to bid for the Continent Martial Saint Mountain. Guess where they went?"
Sun Fei unfolded the document and looked through it, his expression finally changing slightly. "They went to Zenit?"
"Exactly. Although D' D'Alessandro is arrogant and domineering to the extreme, he's not stupid. Your outburst tonight has finally made him realize something and he wants to investigate his suspicions. Now he's in a bind. Heh heh, with Maradona, the [ Strongest on Land ], restraining him, he doesn't dare to cause trouble in my Lyon capital, but he dares to send a bunch of fools to the Zenit Empire. After all, Zenit is just a first-level empire. Heh heh, when he gets to Zenit, it will probably be a disaster."
Sun Fei threw the document back to Emperor of Lyon and remained silent.
Although Emperor Yassin is unfathomable and elusive, he may not be a match for D'Alessandro, Maradona's second disciple. Coupled with the more than forty Moon Class experts, such a force is absolutely beyond the Zenit Empire's ability to resist. If they were to actually find the Zenit Empire, regardless of the final outcome, Zenit would at least suffer a severe blow, or worse, be completely destroyed.
"Young man, Zenit can no longer protect you. Why don't you join my Lyon Empire? I guarantee I can protect you and your family." Juninho, moved by his talent, finally couldn't help but invite him.
"Hahaha," Sun Fei stood up and laughed loudly, " D'Alessandro is courting his own destruction. Since he's being so aggressive, I'll make him regret his decision today." With that, a flash of silver light appeared, and he vanished from the spot. His thunderous laughter echoed from near to far, reverberating throughout the entire palace, and in an instant, he disappeared into the distant horizon.
Juninho stood up, his eyes flashing with cold light.
Upon hearing the loud laughter, a large number of palace guards and experts surged towards the side hall like a tidal wave to protect the King of Lyon.
"Dismissed, return to your posts." Juninho's voice rang out before they even entered the main hall.
The next instant, the tide of people silently receded, and the entire palace suddenly became empty again. It was hard to imagine where so many experts had just emerged from.
" Lloris, tell me everything that has happened since you went on this campaign."
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
First update.
I apologize for the updates these past few days. I've been in Tianjin, taking my wife for various tests and examinations, going back and forth between hospitals. The situation was a bit more complicated than I expected, and there was a lot of anxiety involved. As for myself, perhaps due to mental exhaustion, I caught a chill from the air conditioning in the hotel, and we both fell ill. I didn't originally intend to talk about this, but unfortunately, I'm ashamed of the updates I've had these past few days. I hope you can understand.