NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: The Barbarians Enter the Capital!
Little Guizi intentionally wanted to warn Lin Ping.
However, today's visit was unlike when he had escorted Chun Fei back to Changmen Palace.
Back then, the situation had not worsened to its current extent. Thus, he could simply warn Lin Ping to seek refuge.
However, this time, he knew how determined the Emperor was and how important the matter involved was. Thus, even if he was the Emperor's favorite, he had to be cautious.
Otherwise, if his words were found to be involved in this matter, it would be difficult even for him to escape punishment.
Now, he could only use such an obscure method to remind Lin Ping and hope that Lin Ping would understand.
Even among the grade-9 masters, Shi Chengtian was considered among the top!
Even if there was a mysterious grade-9 master in Changmen Palace, that great grandmaster would not be considered anything when facing against Shi Chengtian. Shi Chengtian would instantly be able to set that master on fire!
Little Guizi's objective of doing this was to warn Lin Ping to make plans early and not rest easy thinking that Changmen Palace had the support of a grade-9 master.
But it was a pity.
He saw that Lin Ping did not seem to have understood and was rather anxious. "Little Lin, since you have no interest in becoming a government official, then even the position of Directorate of Palace Seals Manager will not move you at all. You've been silent for the past few years, but you've already achieved a grade-7 cultivation base. Yet, you are still willing to remain at such a desolate place like Changmen Palace. Wouldn't it be better to… leave the imperial compound and travel the world?"
After Little Guizi finished speaking, he did not say anything else.
Very quickly, he turned and left, laden with anxiety.
He had said everything he was supposed to say.
Considering their friendship from being dorm mates back then, he now had a clear conscience.
…
…
Of course, Lin Ping understood what Little Guizi had said.
From Chun Fei's attitude, she had thoroughly angered the Emperor, and he was not planning to leave the matter at that, even though he knew that there was a grade-9 expert in Changmen Palace.
Once the incident involving the barbarian envoys was resolved, it was very possible that he would step in to deal with Changmen Palace.
Lin Ping furrowed his eyebrows and thought, This is somewhat troublesome.
If the Emperor actually sent a grade-9 master to Changmen Palace when the time came, what would they do?
For example, from what he had heard in rumors, the Invincible Iron Fist Shi Chengtian was indeed extremely impressive and was not at a disadvantage even when he fought three grade-9 masters many years ago. Now, Lin Ping did not know what realm his cultivation base had reached.
The likes of Black and White Impermanence definitely could not compare to him. He was much more impressive than them!
Of course…
Lin Ping, who had recently mastered the Return of the Ten Thousand Swords, had now improved greatly in his attack techniques. He had also gotten much stronger than when he had killed Black and White Impermanence one month ago.
"It probably isn't as bad as Little Guizi says, right? That I'm much weaker compared to Shi Chengtian?"
"However, for safety's sake, it will be much better if I have the opportunity to observe Shi Chengtian clash with the barbarian experts."
Lin Ping thought about it.
The barbarian envoys would reach the capital in two days.
Even though Lin Ping paid no attention to outside matters, he would definitely have heard of this.
After all, almost everyone knew about it, not just in the imperial compound, but in the entire capital.
Lin Ping did not have any interest in this, but after some careful thought, he felt that there was a need to observe this.
Of course, his objective was not just to guard against Shi Chengtian, who might attack Changmen Palace in the future. Another more important reason was that Lin Ping wanted to see how strong the other grade-9 masters were.
Till present, the strongest experts that Lin Ping had clashed with were Black and White Impermanence, the two demons who were much weaker than grade-9 masters. He had not clashed with any actual grade-9 masters yet.
Thus, Lin Ping had no way to make a clear judgment of his own strength.
Furthermore, Lin Ping was now focused on finding a way to break through to the grade-9 realm and advance towards the legendary Mythical Pugilist.
When his cultivation base reached this realm, simply cultivating and advancing blindly would not lead to his ideal results.
Perhaps looking at other grade-9 masters clash might give him some inspiration and assistance in his cultivation.
…
…
Two days had passed by in the blink of an eye.
The day when the barbarian envoys would arrive in the capital had finally come.
Everyone inside and outside the Central Region Imperial City paid close attention to this incident.
From the civil and military officials to the common people, everyone was talking about matters related to the barbarian envoys.
Even the storytellers in the teahouses no longer spoke about other stories. Instead, they started to narrate stories related to the barbarian envoys.
"It's said that the team of barbarian envoys entering the capital this time only has twenty people. However, there are only two actual main characters."
"One of them is the barbarian expert who previously visited the capital, Bo Ri!
"Bo Ri was born with extraordinary strength. Furthermore, his sturdy body can compare even with peak martial artists and is untouchable!
"Six years ago, Bo Ri came to the capital with a grade-8 cultivation base and clashed with three grade-8 masters from the Grand Xia Dynasty. And what were the results? Ah, three wins for the barbarians and three losses for us. Furthermore, two grade-8 masters from the Grand Xia Dynasty were killed there and then!
"For a period of time, the entire capital was extremely jittery, and no one dared to accept this challenge.
"Luckily, at this moment, a grade-9 master called Master Yan Bugui stopped Bo Ri, allowing Bo Ri to embrace his first loss!
"Back then, when Bo Ri left, he pledged that he would visit the capital again in six years.
"Now, he has actually returned. Furthermore, what is more terrifying is that his cultivation base is no longer grade-8 like in the past. Now, he is a grade-9 master!
"Thus, this time, one of the main characters from the barbarian envoys is no other than Bo Ri!
"As for the other main character, his name is —— Moragu! As for exactly what kind of person Moragu is or what impressive techniques he has, I do not know. What I do know is that Moragu is Bo Ri's Senior Brother! He is even stronger than Bo Ri!"
This was Xiangmanlou.
This was an extremely famous teahouse in the capital. At that moment, a blind storyteller, whose eyes were white, was currently telling a story about the barbarian envoys in an expressive tone.
After speaking for a while, he used a wooden block to strike the table. He intended to drink tea and moisten his throat.
Thus, he had stopped his story.
However, the audience was seething with excitement.
"Bo Ri? Moragu?"
"Six years ago, the grade-8 Bo Ri already killed his way through the capital and was a very difficult opponent to deal with. Now that he has returned, his cultivation base has advanced, and he has broken through to the legendary grade-9 realm. Who can match his strength?"
"That's right? Just Bo Ri alone is enough, but there is also the even more impressive Senior Brother, Moragu? Doesn't that mean the Grand Xia Dynasty will definitely lose this time?"
"Impossible! Old Li, are you intentionally exaggerating about the barbarians and their strength that can possibly eliminate the Grand Xia Dynasty?"
"That's right! Old Li, I just knew that something was wrong with your story. I think that you're a barbarian spy!"
Old Li, who was drinking water, was leisurely and unhurried. He had wanted to keep the audience on tenterhooks and in suspense. However, when he heard the somewhat uncontrollable excitement of the crowd, he hurriedly put down his teacup and started to speak again.
"Everyone, please keep calm! Who said that the Grand Xia Dynasty will definitely lose this time?
"Bo Ri is very impressive, and Moragu's strength is unfathomable. However, the Grand Xia Dynasty has a vast territory with abundant resources. Furthermore, we have people of talent coming forth in large numbers. How could we possibly be afraid of mere barbarians?
"Next, I am going to talk about the experts of the Grand Xia Dynasty!
"Six years ago, Bo Ri came to the capital to make a show of his strength. The Grand Xia Dynasty was not prepared and was caught completely unaware. What is this called? This is called a sneak attack! This is a violation of combat morals!
"But this time, it is different. The Grand Xia Dynasty started preparations early in order to resist the menacing barbarian envoys. Countless experts have gathered in the capital.
"Among these experts, there are also two people with shocking talents!"
When he reached an important part, Old Li could not help but go back to his old habit and paused. He was prepared to see the audience in suspense as they waited to hear the next part with great anxiety.
As expected, the audience was once again seething with excitement.
There was a surge of public sentiment at that moment.
"Old Li, hurry up and say it! Why are you stopping!"
"Exactly which two experts are you talking about? They should both be grade-9 masters, right?"
"One of them is definitely the imperial family's guest elder, Master Yan Bugui. Six years ago, Master Yan won against Bo Ri, forcing the barbarians to return to the north in dejection. Thus, it is definitely possible for him to win again this time!"
"It can't be Master Yan, right? After all, I heard that Master Yan was injured six years ago. Furthermore, he is of old age and has one foot in the grave. It's not even certain whether he is still alive now."
"Nonsense! How could Master Yan possibly be injured? He is definitely still alive! After all, Master Yan is the imperial family's guest elder!"
"Old Li, hurry up and continue! Who exactly are the two top experts providing support for the Grand Xia Dynasty this time? If you keep us hanging, be careful if your son is born without an *sshole!"
Old Li was experienced.
Furthermore, he had perfected the skill of keeping the audience in suspense.
Not only did the abuse from the audience not anger him, on the contrary, he even felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
He only slowly opened his mouth once again after some moments had passed…