LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 188: Converting Gangqi_2
Indeed, it was for this reason that despite being numerically inferior, the strength of Da Yuan Country was not much less than that of Da Xia. In fact, over the years of warfare between the two nations, Da Yuan usually held the upper hand, even coming close to breaching the defenses and invading the Central Plains several times.
However, 23 years ago, after the current Xia Emperor was born, the situation began to turn around. With the Xia Emperor alone, he was able to subdue the entire nation of Da Yuan, which for a full 23 years did not dare to make any moves or violate the border.
Twenty-three years ago, it was the previous ruler of Da Yuan who, despite being heavily guarded, was killed by the current Xia Emperor with a single palm strike.
This one palm strike revealed the Xia Emperor's strength to the fierce people of Da Yuan. From the nobles and high officials to the common folk, all were struck by fear, which brought about 23 years of peace for Da Xia.
If it were not for the Xia Emperor's retreat into seclusion to break through to the Heavenly Man realm, Da Yuan would have long been swallowed by Da Xia, becoming part of its vast territory.
Currently in the Nine States, it can be said that the world is divided into three. Aside from Da Xia and Da Yuan Country, the remaining one is the barbarian tribes.
Ever since the ancient times when the Nine States split, there are now a total of twenty-one states in the world, with Da Xia occupying thirteen, boasting a prime geographic location and abundant resources, allowing its citizens to be completely self-sufficient.
Da Yuan occupies the territory of the Seven States, primarily consisting of grasslands, with the nomadic tribes forming the majority.
As for the barbarian tribes, they reside in the vast Hundred Thousand Mountains, the most inhospitable place, leading a primitive life of drinking blood and eating raw flesh. They covet the fertile lands of the Central Plains belonging to Da Xia, which is why they eye the thirteen states possessed by Da Xia and constantly think of invading the Central Plains, having attacked the border many times.
However, just like Da Yuan, 23 years ago, the barbarian tribes came fiercely, invading Da Xia. The current Xia Emperor led the army to quell the barbarians, inflicting heavy casualties on them. In order to preserve their lineage, they had no choice but to retreat into the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Even to prevent the Xia Emperor from pursuing them, they fled deep into the Hundred Thousand Mountains, where the environment was harsh, with countless poisonous insects and ferocious beasts, and possibly even ancient exotic beasts remaining, which is why the Xia Emperor did not pursue them into the mountains.
It can be said that the present peace and prosperity of the world were all won by the Xia Emperor after he ascended to the throne.
But now, with no word from the Xia Emperor as he remains in seclusion, not only has the Six Union God Sect reemerged in the jianghu, but Da Yuan Country and the barbarian tribes are also beginning to stir.
Now, Da Yuan Country has started to make moves, daring to station troops at the border, which must mean they have some kind of assurance, or intent.
At this moment, King Huai spoke up. He looked toward the Minister of the War Department, Chen Yuanli, with a gentle voice, he asked, "About Bastu from Da Yuan, has there been any news?"
Upon hearing the name Bastu, everyone in the grand hall, including the Crown Prince, all showed a change in expression.
Bastu, the national teacher of Da Yuan Country, was regarded as the foremost martial artist of the current era in Da Yuan, revered by billions of its citizens, and held a status that was even somewhat above the current ruler of Da Yuan. Even the ruler had to respectfully address him as "Teacher" when they met.
Hugely powerful, far surpassing a Grandmaster of martial arts at the innate realm, after witnessing the Xia Emperor's terrifying strength in killing the previous ruler of Da Yuan with a single palm strike 23 years ago, Bastu bitterly reflected and chose to retreat into seclusion.
This seclusion lasted for over a decade.
Now, the fact that Da Yuan dares to make moves at the border is possibly due to Bastu's emergence from seclusion, because without Bastu present, Da Yuan would definitely not dare to do so.
However, to everyone's surprise, Chen Yuanli shook his head and said, "Your Highness, Prince, there has been no news from Bastu."
Upon hearing this, King Huai nodded slightly. Bastu remaining in seclusion was both a good thing and a bad thing.
With the current Xia Emperor in seclusion, the tower commander of the Jing Tian Department absent, and the Tower Supervisor of the Mingjing Department missing, the only person in Da Xia who could be considered a peak level fighter was the supervisor of the Qintian Monitor.
Yet, even the supervisor of the Qintian Monitor might not necessarily be a match for Bastu, the national teacher of Da Yuan, since the Qintian Monitor is not renowned for martial prowess.
Therefore, if Bastu were to emerge from seclusion, Da Xia might truly not have a strong enough warrior to withstand him.
After all, at the level of the supervisor of the Qintian Monitor and Bastu, numbers no longer hold much significance. Only a warrior at the same level can compete with them.
For this reason, upon hearing that the national teacher of Da Yuan, Bastu, was still in seclusion, a slight sense of relief washed over the ministers in the imperial court.
Yet, everyone was puzzled as to why Da Yuan would dare to station troops at the border and provoke Da Xia if Bastu had not emerged from seclusion.
Where did they get the courage from?
Even King Huai narrowed his brows slightly, somewhat perplexed.
"Uncle Emperor, about this matter…" The Crown Prince expressed his concern, looking towards King Huai.
King Huai nodded slightly, signaling to the Crown Prince that he would handle the matter.
Seeing this, the Crown Prince let out a soft sigh of relief; he was extremely confident in King Huai's ability to manage the situation.
At this time, the Minister of the War Department, Chen Yuanli, spoke again, "To report to Your Highness and Prince, there is another matter."
"Speak," the Crown Prince nodded.
Chen Yuanli said, "There's news from the Marquis of Pingxi. Recently, the barbarian tribes also have been very restless, frequently showing signs of unrest.
The Marquis of Pingxi has sent letters indicating that it seems the barbarian tribes have discovered something in the depths of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, greatly increasing their strength, stirring once more the desire to invade the Central Plains."
Hearing that both Da Yuan Country and the barbarian tribes have been showing signs of unrest recently, everyone in the grand hall grew tense.
Right now, within the borders of Da Xia, with demons and the Six Union God Sect wreaking havoc, and Da Yuan Country and the barbarian tribes casting covetous looks from the borders, if the Xia Emperor does not emerge from seclusion, the world, which has been peaceful for 23 years, may really descend into chaos.
At present, with the disappearance of high-end military power, Da Xia has been gradually weakened over the years due to the increasing number of demons. If it were to be caught between the three prongs of attack, with internal strife and external threats, the situation could likely spiral out of control in an instant.
At that time, it could be said that the entire world would be on the verge of chaos.
And the dynasty of Da Xia, which had lasted for over five hundred years, might also be annihilated amidst the turmoil.
Because Da Xia was the strongest, once the chaotic times arrived, it would certainly face attacks from all sides, and countless forces would pounce upon it like sharks drawn to the scent of blood.
With this thought, everyone in the great hall became increasingly worried. Everyone here held high ranks and significant power, whether they were first or second rank officials or nobles, sharing in Da Xia's glory and its potential ruin. If Da Xia faced a critical moment of life and death, none of them would be spared.
Even King Huai's brow furrowed, his gaze turning more somber.
Boom!
Just then, a violent tremor was felt, and the entire imperial palace suddenly shook; everyone's faces turned anxious at once.
"What's happening?"
"Protect His Highness, protect the Prince!"
A group of guards rushed in at the first sign of the tremor, forming protective layers around King Huai and the Crown Prince.
Master Gongsun also appeared immediately, standing beside King Huai.
Thunderous rumbling!
Just then, a thunderous roar like nothing ever heard before filled the air, as if the heavens were about to collapse and a torrential downpour was imminent. An unprecedented sensation of alarm rose in the hearts of everyone present.
Even Master Gongsun, who had reached the innate realm and become a Grandmaster of martial arts, was no exception.
The next moment, Master Gongsun's gaze hardened as he abruptly turned his head to look towards the imperial palace's rear mountain. There, he felt an incomparable, exceptional aura.
And certainly, at that moment, at the central point surrounded by mountains near the rear mountain of the imperial palace, a dazzling pillar of light shot towards the sky, incredibly brilliant, shattering the cloud cover and linking the heavens and the earth, becoming the singular focus of the world.