Chapter 248: Kingdom Banquet
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Summer Rain City was bustling with excitement, and as the royal capital of the Great Xia Kingdom, it was sufficiently large and flouris.h.i.+ng. Due to the arrival of the Crown Prince and the bridal escort army from the Divine Martial Kingdom, it made Summer Rain City even livelier.
The Divine Martial Kingdom was the strongest among the six va.s.sal states, and the only kingdom that had two Vajra Realm martial experts. The citizens of the Great Xia Kingdom were still in an anxious state after Jiang Bieli gave the burial for hundreds of thousands of the Great Xia Kingdom’s soldiers in Soul Break Valley. No one knew when the army of the Divine Martial Kingdom would march south and eradicate the Great Xia Kingdom, and the citizens would have no choice but to submit as slaves.
The political marriage between Xia Wuhui and Su Ruoxue gave the citizens of the Great Xia Kingdom a great dose of sedatives to calm their hearts. Su Ruoxue might be the G.o.ddess to many youths’ hearts in the Great Xia Kingdom, but when they considered the political marriage, the kingdom didn’t have to worry about being eradicated anymore. This thought alone helped quell the concern that came from the Great Xia Kingdom’s citizens.
It was why when Xia Wuhui arrived, the citizens and officials from the Great Xia Kingdom welcomed him pa.s.sionately. Even though Xia Wuhui was intercepted and wrecked by a renegade of the Divine Martial Kingdom—and even fled to Summer Rain City like a dog, it didn’t affect the people’s respect and love towards Xia Wuhui. He was, after all, the Crown Prince of Divine Martial Kingdom!
The officials of the Great Xia Kingdom seemed to have forgotten about the unpleasant past like nothing ever happened. They even cordially welcomed Xia Wuhui to enter the city, arranging his lodgings in the courtyard within the royal clan. Countless officials went over to inquire solicitously about his well-being and offered the friendliness of the Great Xia Kingdom.
King Su Diw.a.n.g even announced the royal decree that the royal palace would host the kingdom banquet three days later and entertain Xia Wuhui with their utmost hospitality. They would announce the political marriage between the two kingdoms, sending Su Ruoxue out for marriage on the sixth day… for the two kingdoms to be officially joined in political matrimony.
Su Diguo arrived at the outskirts of the army which was followed closely by the Divine Martial Camp, setting up camp outside of the city. The soldiers’ morale was low; and after being disturbed by Jiang Yi, it was already praiseworthy that they didn’t revolt.
Xia Wuhui behaved very shamelessly while Tais.h.i.+ Zhen and his officers were even more shameless. They would constantly receive the visits from the Great Xia Kingdom’s officials and attend endless banquets. Their manner of speech portrayed the dominance and power of their kingdom as though they forgot about the incidents that happened a few days ago.
“Jiang Yi is still not found?”
On the night before the Kingdom Banquet, Xia Wuhui returned from a welcome banquet. He immediately summoned a royal general from the Divine Martial Kingdom and inquired.
“No news yet…”
The general gritted his teeth and reported, “Jiang Yi either went to Mt. Thirty Thousand, or other va.s.sal states, or… someone is covering for him in the dark. There is no news from the Great Xia Kingdom’s side either.”
“Useless!”
Xia Wuhui grabbed a teacup and thrashed it. Even though he looked rather well-off on appearance these few days, he knew how much his heart was suffering—humiliated and sullen. These officials from the Great Xia Kingdom might seem to be respectful and humble, but Xia Wuhui could see the trace of mockery and sneering in their eyes.
Most importantly!
What if Jiang Yi was to hide and intercept them again when he was en route to the Divine Martial Kingdom with Su Ruoxue? Was he going to ask Eunuch Wei to carry him and flee like a dog back to the Divine Martial Kingdom again? He was a Crown Prince of a kingdom and actually had to suffer such humiliation? It was already good enough that Xia Wuhui didn’t go crazy during these few days.
“Search! Continue the search! Mobilize everyone to search for him!”
Xia Wuhui let out a furious roar. When the general was preparing to dismiss himself, he suddenly recalled something and reported again, “That’s right. Your Highness. There are rumors that the Azure Dragon Empire granted the status of Patrol Envoy to someone. Right now, that Patrol Envoy is marching towards the Summer Rain City to congratulate Your Highness and Princess Su Ruoxue’s marriage.”
“Patrol Envoy? What sixes and sevens 1 is that?”
Would Xia Wuhui be in the mood to listen to such things? He didn’t place any regards to the Azure Dragon Empire; he wouldn’t even bother about the imperial prince or princess. He simply waved his hand and said, “Don’t bother about such things. Go search for Jiang Yi first. If you cannot find him, don’t bother reporting back to me.”
…
“Patrol Envoy?”
In the palace of the Great Xia Kingdom, there was a man of average height in dragon robes, who looked pale from the overdose of alcohol. Once the Great Xia Kingdom’s King—Su Diw.a.n.g—received the report from his subordinates, he had this bewildered expression.
He swept a look at an elderly eunuch by the side and asked, “Where did this Patrol Envoy come from? What sixes and sevens is this? Why isn’t there any report earlier? Why isn’t there any information regarding this Patrol Envoy?”
The old eunuch had this flattering expression as he bowed slightly and reported, “My King, this Patrol Envoy popped out during these two days, and City Commander Ling had just sent someone to send over their greeting doc.u.ments. As for who is this Patrol Envoy, this subordinate doesn’t know either. He has been staying in the carriage and not revealing himself, but City Commander Ling did mention that the newly-appointed Patrol Envoy would be announced by the Empire soon. He is representing the Empire to congratulate the Princess’s wedding.”
“Oh, okay!”
Su Diw.a.n.g felt some headache as he was rubbing his temples and instructed: “Then welcome him properly, give some generous gifts to this Patrol Envoy, and do not neglect him. Ask someone to investigate on him and find out what Princess Ling Xue wants.”
“Yes!”
The old eunuch bowed and dismissed himself before quickly vanis.h.i.+ng into the darkness, at a speed faster than a peak-stage Soul Travel Realm expert.
…
The next day, the Kingdom Banquet had begun. The Special Envoys from the other four kingdoms had arrived early in Summer Rain City and entered the palace. Xia Wuhui was wearing a minister robe and had set out for the royal palace under the protection from the Great Xia Kingdom’s royal military. Along the way, there would be cheers from the citizens of the Great Xia Kingdom. After today, the two kingdoms would be officially connected by marriage, and the Great Xia Kingdom wouldn’t have to worry about being slaughtered in battle.
“The Special Envoy from the Saint Spirit Kingdom has arrived!”
“The Special Envoy from the Northern Liang Kingdom has arrived!”
“The Special Envoy from the Northern Mang Kingdom has arrived!”
In the Universe Palace of the royal palace, various delicacies, spirit fruits, and wines were arranged on hundreds of golden square tables. The scholar and officials of the Great Xia Kingdom were all here way beforehand and had been seated according to the arrangements. Foreign envoys would constantly arrive to offer generous gifts and their blessings.
“The Crown Prince from the Divine Martial Kingdom has arrived!”
Xia Wuhui quickly entered the palace, and because this was the Kingdom Banquet, he only brought Eunuch Wei, Commander-in-Chief Tais.h.i.+ Zhen, and four other eighth-stage Soul Travel Realm guards with him.
“Congratulations…”
“My blessings…”
Once Xia Wuhui entered, he was immediately surrounded by a group of people who were sweet-talking to him. Xia Wuhui had no choice but to suppress his frustrations and concerns, exchanging conventional greetings with these people.
“Heaven Mystics Kingdom’s Special Envoy, Princess Yun Fei has arrived!”
A sharp echo from a eunuch came from the outside, which stunned the crowd. The Heaven Mystic Kingdom actually sent a princess, and it was the recently most-outstanding princess?
Countless individuals looked towards the palace gates while many of those accomplished youths who were qualified to attend the Kingdom Banquet had their eyes lit up. Yun Fei was dressed in a phoenix robe, attending in this set of splendid clothes. She had this splendor which dazzled everyone—even Xia Wuhui felt that she looked breathtaking.
Yun Fei had this subtle smile on the corner of her mouth while she offered the gifts to Xia Wuhui and exchanged some conventional greetings before she cheerfully went to sit on her seat.
“The Great General Lord has arrived…”
“The Tiger Prestige General has arrived…”
With the s.h.i.+ft of times, all the important figures were almost gathered; and the palace hall was nearly packed with guests. Xia Wuhui sat on the first row on the left and looked at the lane ahead with burning pa.s.sion at the front, waiting for the Great Xia Kingdom’s King and Su Ruoxue to appear.
“The King and Princess Ruoxue have arrived!”
There was a clear and loud announcement and everyone stood up and looked towards the tunnel at the front pa.s.sionately. When everyone saw King Su Diw.a.n.g holding hands with a lady that was so beautifully suffocating and chillingly breathtaking, they quickly walked from their golden square tables and readied their gifts. At this moment, Xia Wuhui had this extremely brilliant smile!
“Patrol Envoy Jiang… has arrived!”
Right at this moment, there was an untimely voice that echoed from the outside; and it was the voice that came from the eunuch that stood outside. It was the yelling from City Commander Ling Qiang who was stationed here by the Azure Dragon Empire.
“Swis.h.!.+ Swis.h.!.+ Swis.h.!.+”
Countless scholar and military officials from the Great Xia Kingdom looked outside in anger. What nonsense Patrol Envoy? He actually dared to arrive later than the King? It was at the moment when the King just appeared, and people were preparing to offer their gifts? Was he here to mess up the occasion?
Xia Wuhui, Yun Fei, and the other Special Envoys of the various va.s.sal states were shocked as they looked outside. After they took a single glance, everyone was dumbstruck. Yun Fei’s eyes brightened up while Xia Wuhui was immediately dazzled.
A youth with extraordinary bearing—who was wearing a black feudal official’s robe with red seams, a purple-gold feathered crest, and equipped with a golden artifact sword—walked in with two Soul Travel Realm experts in big strides.
This youth walked into the palace hall without the slightest scruple and stood inside—looking at everyone with arrogance—and spoke with a discontented tone, “Don’t you know how to give your greetings when you see this Patrol Envoy? Are you all trying to rebel?”
“Huh…”
When Su Ruoxue—who was dressed in a white palace dress, appearing like an ice mountain snow lotus flower—saw that youth, her eyes shrank. That incomparably cool face which didn’t have any emotions… actually smiled for the first time, which was so gorgeous that it could certainly cause the downfall of cities!