Chapter 67: Number One Expert of the Southern Land

Chapter 67: Number One Expert of the Southern Land

At the southern city gate, platoons of cavalrymen stood in a neat formation. Standing at the center of the formation was a stern-looking scholar who looked to be in his forties, and he was staring lividly at Zhou Xius hung corpse.

Being basked under the sun for long hours had caused Zhou Xius corpse to emit a nasty stench, and a light breeze whiffed it over to the scholar.

Great Xia has gone too far! How can they humiliate a Longdu viscount even after his death?! the middle-aged scholar enunciated each of his words through gritted teeth,

Baron Xian, are we still entering the city? Why dont we throw the State War Tablet and leave? one of the cavalrymen asked.

Our duke has said it. We have to enter the city, berate the emperor for the atrocities Great Xia has committed, then toss the State War Tablet at them. We must ensure that Guhe and Yizhou see it, Baron Xian sneered. He turned to his men and ordered, Someone, take down Viscount Zhou Xius body!

A cavalryman was just about to speak when a group of people walked out of the southern city gate. Leading the group was the Minister of Rites Tao Mingsheng, and he was accompanied by the officials of the Bureau of Rites.

From afar, Tao Mingsheng clasped his fist and greeted Baron Xian, It has been a while, Brother Xian!

Minister Tao. Baron Xians expression alleviated a little. At least Great Xia has the courtesy to dispatch their Minister of Rites, a second-grade official, to welcome me. That would be roughly equivalent to a marquess in our country.

His Majesty knows about Baron Xians intention. Please follow me into the imperial palace to meet His Majesty, Tao Mingsheng said.

Minister Tao, our Longdu has always been on good terms with your country, but Fang Chen murdered our viscount under broad daylight. May I know what your emperors stance on this matter is? Baron Xian asked coldly.

Hundreds of Longdu cavalrymen coldly glared at Tao Mingsheng and the others too.

Its a misunderstanding, Tao Mingsheng said. Fang Chen is indeed rash, and His Majesty understands that. Please follow me into the imperial palace to meet His Majesty. Theres still room for reconciliation between Great Xia and Longdu.

Before that, I want you to return our viscounts body first, Baron Xian said.

Tao Mingsheng fell silent. He looked at his subordinates, but all of them averted their eyes.

What a joke! Minister Tao, your officials from the Bureau of Rites are timid like a mouse. You fear a fangless tiger! Baron Xian sneered.

Baron Xian, there has been an upheaval in our Great Xia. Fang Chen recently accused our Vice Minister of a crime, and over thirty officials were implicated in the matter. All of them are going to be executed in front of the imperial palaces gates a few days later, Tao Mingsheng said with a sigh.

Vice Minister Qin Dong? But hes a third-grade official! Why is he on death row? Baron Xian was taken aback. Does Fang Chen become so influential in Great Xia as to be able to kill a third-grade official just like that?

Well talk about this later. For now, Baron Xian, please follow me into the imperial palace, Tao Mingsheng said.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

War God Fang said that Zhou Xius corpse must remain here as a warning to the other countries. Anyone who tries to take down the corpse is helping the evildoers, Huangfu Jie calmly replied.

The powerful guards encircling Huangfu Jie froze up. It was one thing to subdue Huangfu Jie, but the latter was backed by War God Fang! The last thing they wanted to do was to make an enemy out of War God Fang.

Tao Mingsheng was infuriated. Is a mere pugilist trying to suppress me with War God Fangs name too? Do you know who you are in the presence of? He is Longdus envoy, Baron Xian! He has the right to retrieve Viscount Zhous body! A pugilist like you cant take responsibility if your reckless actions today undermine the good relationship between Longdu and Great Xia!

He amplified his voice with his Ki Condensation martial cultivation, causing his words to echo loudly.

Thats none of my business. Im only in charge of doing War God Fangs bidding. Huangfu Jie laughed heartily in response.

Indeed! Thats a decision made by War God Fang. We cant let others undermine it, even if its Longdus envoy!

That Zhou bastard hunted down our merchants as if they were livestock. He has it coming!

I heard the merchant convoy he hunted belongs to the Verdant Apothecary Hall. Its manager, Miss Fang, took over the Compassion Halls and is taking care of the vulnerable. The medicine they sell is also affordable.

Such discussions echoed in the surroundings.

Tao Mingshengs complexion turned horrible. He was just about to speak when he spotted another figure walking over. It was one of Fang Chens subordinates, Windcloud Sword Xu Ge!

Xu Ge, you have reached Ki Control? Huangfu Jie took a look at Xu Ge before frowning in bewilderment. Clearly, he was acquainted with the latter.

Heh, I didnt expect to see you in the capital. We should have another duel soon. I dont think Ill lose to you this time around! Xu Ge chuckled.

Sure. Huangfu Jie nodded.

Xu Ge grinned. He turned to Tao Mingsheng and shouted, Minister Tao, our young master has said that no one is allowed to touch Zhou Xius corpse, not even Longdus envoy. Anyone who tries to do so will have to face the consequences.

Tao Mingsheng was so angry that steam could come out from his seven apertures. Baron Xians face also turned so livid, and he nearly tossed out the State War Tablet there and then.

Quick trivia from Starve:

The tablet (State War Tablet) here is a wooden block, and it serves as an expression of intent. To draw a parallel, its similar to how medieval knights took off their gloves or gauntlets and threw it at someone else to challenge them to a duel.