Chapter 648: Without Destruction, There Can be No Return
As he looked at the luxurious huge purple carpet, Mings.h.i.+ Yin clicked his tongue in wonder. “I’ve never ridden a flying carpet before!”
It was carried on the shoulders of the escorts as it flew in the air. This was more impressive than a palanquin.
“If you’d please.” The Lou Lan escort bowed again and made an inviting gesture.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and stepped into the air, leaving the flying chariot.
Pan Litian, Leng Luo, and Yu Zhenghai followed closely behind him.
When it was Mings.h.i.+ Yin’s turn, the Lou Lan envoy boarded the chariot tactfully and said, “Allow me.”
“That’s more like it…”
Mings.h.i.+ Yin pa.s.sed the helm to him.
The Lou Lan envoy took over.
Mings.h.i.+ Yin was about to leave when he said, “Hold on, where are you going to park the flying chariot?”
“It’ll be parked in the royal plaza outside the royal city… There’s a vast s.p.a.ce there that’s guarded around the clock. It’s large enough for this chariot.”
Mings.h.i.+ Yin nodded and leaped off the flying chariot.
When Lu Zhou heard this, he found some parallels between the so-called royal plaza and the airports in the modern world. Regardless of the worlds, so long as humans existed, their basic needs would still be the same. The only difference would be the appearances.
The 49 Lou Lan escorts carried the flying carpet and sped toward Lou Lan’s ancient city.
…
Lou Lan’s ancient city was starkly different from Great Yan’s Divine Capital.
Great Yan’s Divine Capital was built on a plain. The huge city was built before powerful cultivators settled there. It was accessible from all sides without much obstruction.
Lou Lan’s ancient city, on the other hand, was built on steep terrain. It had a natural geographical advantage. Even so, they built city walls on such difficult terrain.
The city wall was one of the greatest inventions of men… Whether it was mortals or cultivators, their settlements were always established within city walls to keep dangers outside.
The flying carpet slowly landed on the welcoming plaza in front of a long and arching walkway.
Two rows of soldiers were waiting for them with their backs straight.
The Lou Lan royals and high-ranking officials were also present.
Adorned with a crown and lavish garments, the Lou Lan King, Angui, looked stately and poised as he stood there. He was slightly taken aback when he saw there was only a small party of people on the flying carpet. Nevertheless, he stepped forward to welcome them hospitably. He placed a hand on his chest as he said, “I’m honored to welcome our esteemed guests from Great Yan!”
The people from Lou Lan followed his example and greeted the visitors.
When Lu Zhou and the others landed, they looked at the monarch.
“Angui?”
The members of the royal family and the high-ranking officials behind the King of Lou Lan, Angui, looked up. They could only smile. There was nothing they could do when Great Yan’s Nine-leaf cultivator addressed their king by his name.
“I’ve prepared a banquet for all of you. This way please…”
…
During the banquet.
Angui raised his cup and wanted to exchange pleasantries.
Alas, Lu Zhou only waved his hand and said, “I’m not Great Yan’s emperor. We can skip these convoluted ceremonies.”
Angui was taken aback. He nodded immediately. “As you say.”
“Do you know why I’m here?” Lu Zhou asked.
Angui shook his head.
Lu Zhou waved his hand.
Mings.h.i.+ Yin, who had been feasting at the side, had no choice but to stop eating. He said, “My master is here for three reasons. First, he wants Lou Lan to leave the 12 allied nations and submit to Great Yan. Second, my master wants to meet the head of the Bonar Family, and we won’t compromise on this. Third, Eldest Senior Brother…”
Mings.h.i.+ Yin looked at Yu Zhenghai beside him.
Yu Zhenghai said, “Daluo.”
They were forthright with their three demands.
“I can agree to the first request.” Angui was straightforward as well. He seemed to have expected this.
The officials and members of the royal family did not oppose it.
“However, what business do you have with Mister Lanhai, the head of the Bonar Family, and General Daluo?” Angui asked, puzzled.
“Just summon them here. That’s how I’ve always gone about my business.” In other words, Lu Zhou had no intention of explaining himself to Angui.
Angui could only wave his hand.
Shortly after, a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious clothes appeared outside the great hall of the royal city. He bowed after he entered the hall and said, “Hail, Your Majesty! Daluo, at your service.”
“Rise.” Angui pointed at the table near him. “Prepare a seat for General Daluo.”
Lu Zhou raised an arm. “There’s no need for that.”
“What do you mean, old mister?”
Lu Zhou ignored Angui and looked at his disciple.
At this moment, Yu Zhenghai was staring at General Daluo with flames of fury burning in his eyes. Although many years had pa.s.sed, and the young n.o.ble Daluo had become a general, Yu Zhenghai could still recognize him. This man… was the very aristocrat who pierced his heart until he died!
“A dead man doesn’t need to sit.”
After Lu Zhou finished speaking, silence descended on the great hall.
The royals and officials seated at the banquet stopped moving their hands. They looked at Daluo, Lu Zhou, and their king, Angui.
Daluo fell to one knee. He raised his hands before himself and said, “Indeed, there have been unfortunate events between Lou Lan and Great Yan in the past. However, why must you put me in such a difficult situation, old mister?”
“Daluo!” Yu Zhenghai rose to his feet.
Daluo looked at Yu Zhenghai. Young Yu Zhenghai’s appearance was difficult to forget, triggering some old memories in his mind. His eyes widened in shock as he exclaimed, “You… H-how are you alive?”
Yu Zhenghai said, “You must be so disappointed that I’m still alive.”
When Angui heard their exchange, he frowned and asked, “Daluo, you’re one of the most reputable generals in Lou Lan. What’s the meaning of this? Explain yourself!”
Daluo bowed and said, “Your Majesty, it’s all a misunderstanding. I met this young man before. I accidentally wounded him in the past and thought he was dead. I didn’t know that he’s still alive. I’m relieved to learn about this!”
Mings.h.i.+ Yin made a great show of clearing his throat and spitting on the ground.
His actions drew everyone’s attention.
He pointed at a fat piece of meat on the table and said, “What’s this? It tastes awful!”
A Lou Lan official at the side explained, “My friend, this is made from tofu. It’s not real meat…”
“No wonder… Do you think I can’t tell that it’s fake? It’s unpalatable”
Daluo. “…”
After a short moment’s silence, the others looked at Angui and Lu Zhou again.
What happened next depended on these two people.
Lu Zhou looked at Yu Zhenghai and said, “Yu Zhenghai, tell me your request. Today… I’ll act for your cause.”
Thud!
Yu Zhenghai fell to his knees. Perhaps, he was agitated by seeing Daluo again. He kowtowed loudly and respectfully as he said, “Master, I can’t behave magnanimously… I have but one request. I want Daluo’s entire family to pay for his sin!”
The great hall fell as silent as a graveyard again.
Daluo widened his eyes as he looked at the kneeling young Yu Zhenghai and said, “Are you out of your mind?”
“I am not!” Yu Zhenghai stood up.
Daluo chuckled. “Indeed, Great Yan had some conflicts with Lou Lan in the past, but that never stood in the way of the relations.h.i.+p between our two nations. Lou Lan’s Consort Yu and Lady Mo Li married to Great Yan, and our nations have always been on good terms. That won’t change because of you… Sometimes, thinking too highly of oneself is a foolish thing to do.”
Lu Zhou raised his cup and took a sip as though nothing was wrong. Then, he toasted Anqui before draining his cup.
They seemed to be in harmony.
After placing his cup on the table, Lu Zhou looked at Yu Zhenghai and calmly said, “In that case, I’ll execute Daluo’s entire family for you!”
Everyone looked up in shock! They instinctively looked at Daluo.
Even the King of Lou Lan, Angui, was shocked. A few drops of wine spilled out from the cup in his hand as he trembled.
Daluo felt his heart tremble.