Chapter 269: Did I Forget Something?
In the Holy Kingdom, Tianlang City.
In the grand hall of the royal palace, Empress Huo Ningxue sat quietly on her dragon throne, propping her head on one leg, her beautiful eyes calmly gazing down the steps.
Meanwhile, five generals of the Crossing Tribulation Stage Tianlang Wei knelt on the ground below, not daring to breathe a word.
Even the civil and military officials within the hall were silent, the atmosphere so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Everyone was awaiting the queen’s wrath.
Even a few commanding generals had braced themselves for a harsh punishment.
After a long wait, a detached voice came from the dragon throne:
“……How is the injury of the Master?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, although the Master’s injuries are severe, they are only superficial wounds and have not affected his foundation. The National Master’s Office has brought him back, and he should recover soon,” replied General Huang.
Huo Ningxue’s beautiful eyes slightly lowered, looking at the burly General Niu below the steps.
General Niu immediately trembled in fear, repeatedly bowing: “Your Majesty! I deserve ten thousand deaths! I shouldn’t have fled in battle, causing the Master to be gravely injured—”
He was so nervous that his speech faltered, but to his surprise, Huo Ningxue just shook her head gently.
“The matter of General Niu fleeing in battle shall be put aside for now. He will have a chance to redeem himself later.”
General Niu was momentarily taken aback but quickly rejoiced: “Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty!”
“I’m more interested in a mere Demon Cult that couldn’t even produce a single Crossing Tribulation Stage cultivator from their entire sect.”
She leaned slightly forward, her beautiful eyes coldly scanning the crowd before her:
“How is it possible that they managed to force five generals of the Tianlang Wei to return in defeat?”
“What do you all say? Where does the problem lie?”
The generals looked at each other, then all bowed their heads in unison: “This subordinate is incompetent!”
“No, that’s not right.”
“No one understands the capabilities of the generals better than I do.”
Huo Ningxue propped her head on her hand and softly said, “This is my lapse in underestimating the enemy, not the generals’ fault.”
“In this confrontation, the Demon Cult hardly lost a single soldier while easily driving back our Holy Kingdom’s manifold encirclements. Their methods are unpredictable and varied, as if multiple forces are assisting the Demon Cult in the shadows.”
“This indicates that there are clearly other experts in the Demon Cult…”
As her words echoed, the civil and military officials began to murmur amongst themselves.
“Your Majesty,” Chancellor Cao stepped forward and whispered, “I believe if there truly are hidden dragons and crouching tigers within the Demon Cult, protected by experts, then perhaps the recent rumors about the ‘Reincarnation of the Demon Sovereign’ are not just exaggerated tales.”
“Perhaps there is indeed a cunning old demon among them that has lived for over a thousand years.”
“If this is true, then our consideration of the Demon Cult will need to be reassessed.”
Huo Ningxue nodded slightly.
Upon hearing this, many officials who had previously advocated for peace suddenly jumped in, urging Huo Ningxue to abandon hostility toward the Demon Cult and instead negotiate with them and the Floating Splendor Commerce.
The martial generals, who had been eager to fight, fell silent after this defeat.
In an instant, the tide of opinions in the court completely turned toward negotiation.
Throughout it all, Huo Ningxue merely observed the noisy faces below.
Waiting for the clamor to quiet down, she slowly spoke:
“What does the Chancellor think?”
All eyes turned to Chancellor Cao.
He confidently stepped forward and bowed respectfully:
“Your Majesty, I believe…”
“……we should not negotiate.”
His words immediately caused a stir among the officials behind him.
Huo Ningxue narrowed her eyes slightly, pondering for a long while before speaking:
“Is that the Chancellor’s own opinion?”
Chancellor Cao respectfully and openly bowed: “It is not.”
“……It is the National Master’s Office’s stance.”
In an instant, the court fell silent.
Not a single official dared to utter a sound.
Huo Ningxue gently massaged her temples, thinking hard.
“……Let’s pay a visit.”
“I will personally go to the National Master’s Office to hear what the National Master has to say.”
——
——
Three days later.
In a branch of the Divine Machine Pavilion to the west.
“Thank you, my lord.”
In front of the pavilion, workers were unloading goods from the transport carts in batch after batch, while the branch master flattered Young Master Sang while signing documents.
“Have all the goods been counted?”
Young Master Sang took the document, glanced at it, and said, “Once I sign this, it’s as if I’ve done my job successfully.”
“Yes, yes, yes, thank you, my lord.”
The branch master eagerly grasped Young Master Sang’s hand, “To be honest, our Communication Devices in Xuzhou are sold out and in urgent need, your trip has truly solved our pressing issue!”
“As a gesture of gratitude, I must invite you to stay tonight so I can fulfill my duty as a host.”
“Uh, no thanks, I’m in a hurry to get back home. What if my wife is waiting anxiously—”
“Our young ladies in Xuzhou are not only beautiful but also talented in singing. If I personally sponsor, I could arrange ten or eight of them to ensure you have a fantastic time, my lord!”
“—If she’s waiting anxiously, then so be it. Oh, how could I not stay a few more days for such a precious opportunity? How can I disappoint my brother’s good intentions?”
Young Master Sang immediately threw his arms around the branch master’s neck enthusiastically: “You should’ve mentioned something this important earlier next time.”
“Yes, yes.” The branch master had an expression that said he understood.
At this moment, Young Master Sang’s Communication Device suddenly rang, startling him as he thought it might be his wife checking in.
But looking at it, it was Bai Ming calling.
“Sang brother, it seems everything arrived smoothly on your end.”
“Yeah.” Young Master Sang stretched lazily, “What about the other routes?”
“They all arrived as well. I called to inform you, this shipment was a complete success.”
Successful, huh. Young Master Sang felt a mix of emotions.
It’s not easy.
This trip for the Floating Splendor Commerce has taken over a month.
He had only returned home once during this time, it was tough.
“Now that the goods have arrived, you should come back quickly. I’ve prepared a celebration feast, waiting for you to return in triumph.”
“Oh, no, that sounds too embarrassing.”
Young Master Sang recalled what the branch master said earlier and rubbed his hands together: “Since I’ve come to Xuzhou, how about taking a short break to relieve my travel fatigue—”
“Miss Shuiming said she’s been missing you and can’t wait for you to return and drink with her.”
“—Relieving travel fatigue is something only old folks do. I’m young and strong, not tired at all! I’ll be heading back shortly!”
On the other end, Bai Ming let out a barely noticeable hum before hanging up.
Young Master Sang put down the phone, silently chanting in his heart:
“Nian Nian, I suppose my progress with Miss Shuiming has exceeded fifty percent, right?”
“……It has.”
Nian Nian’s voice carried a tone of hesitance.
“Alright then.”
Young Master Sang comfortably placed his hands on his hips, gazed up at the sky, and said with spirit: “Once I get back and win over this girl, I’ll have completed a task you’ve long wished for.”
“Not only will I gain money, but also points. Heck, this time, I’m really hitting the jackpot.”
Just thinking about that delightful scenario, Young Master Sang didn’t want to stay a moment longer.
“Brothers, pack your things, we’re heading out! Back to Linzhou!”
……
Huh?
Uh-oh, why do I feel like I forgot something?
……
Forget it.
If I can’t recall it, it must not be anything important.
Time to go back and count my money!
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