In order to prevent any accidents, the border armies were strictly prohibited from arranging large teleportation arrays that connected them to the heartland cities of the empire.
After two days of non-stop traveling, the messenger convoy had finally exited the wartime areas and arrived at a city near the border.
Qin Yu announced his identity and was allowed to proceed unimpeded. After hearing about the arrival of the messenger convoy, the city governor rushed over but only managed to see the back of the convoy driving into the Teleportation Portal. He could not help but sigh and felt disappointed!
A small city led to a big city, and a big city led to a main city. One could only go directly to the Imperial Capital through the 108 main cities in West Desolate territory.
After many twists and turns, perhaps it was just a coincidence, but Qin Yu returned to Seascape City once again. His current status was that of the third-ranked officer in the West Border Army, and he also had the title of a first-class Earl, which was comparable to the position of a Great General.
Now that he had received the imperial decree to return to the Imperial Capital, there must be the necessary regulations and etiquette in place to welcome him.
Therefore, after arriving at Seascape City, the guards from the mine who were surrounding the General’s carriage made their way to an inn to settle down for a while.
Having been trapped in the mines for a long time, these soldiers lived like ghosts and they thought that they could no longer live like true humans. They did not expect that they would have this opportunity to follow their General to Seascape City to see for themselves what first-class prosperity looked like.
The main General named Big Head Wang held his head high. Together with his subordinates, they all showed their extreme eagerness and energy.
Even though we are only some lowly foot soldiers in the West Border Army and have finally restored our human bodies, we cannot let the General be underestimated by everyone!
Feeling the awe and reverence from people standing on both sides of the street, Big Head Wang stood even straighter and pulled down his headpiece to cover his reddened eyes. He felt even more thankful towards the General.
At this time, the messengers had already sent a message to the Imperial Capital. The next step would be to wait for a response. Once they obtained the permission to continue, they could then embark on the last part of their journey.
“General, the road has been arduous; we have teleported continuously across West Desolate territory. It has been hard on you, so please rest well for a day. If nothing goes wrong, we will be allowed to enter the Imperial Capital tomorrow.”
The young eunuch plastered a huge smile on his face, his demeanor full of respect. Although it was too late to make amends for himself, it was better to try and gain some brownie points than to do nothing at all.
Qin Yu nodded and did not say anything to him. He led Rourou into an inn which had already been tidied up. They had been allocated the most lavish courtyard in the inn.
The young eunuch had an ordinary status in the palace. However, he had the honor of announcing this imperial decree, and until he returned to the capital, he represented the might of the emperor.
Naturally, he had a courtyard of his own in the inn as well. After closing the door, he paced back and forth before hurriedly taking out a jade slip from his arms. After a few moments, the jade slip shattered into powder. The young eunuch’s face was pale and his lips were trembling in fear.
He poured a cup of tea for himself but his hands were trembling so much that he accidentally got his sleeves wet as well. However, before he could drink half the cup, horror filled his face and the tea cup fell to the ground.
There was a ‘pa’ sound as the tea cup smashed to the ground. The young eunuch stared blankly at the broken tea cup. As if all his strength had been drained out of him, he burst into tears and was flooded with grief.
At the same time as the young eunuch was crying with fear all by himself in his own courtyard, Qin Yu welcomed some guests.
It was Seascape City’s governor, Chen Yuanshen.
“General Jinwu, I came today to apologize for what happened in the past.”
Chen Yuanshen was an intelligent man in charge of this big city. He went straight to the point and did not bother giving a vague statement.
Just the first sentence expressed his intentions for coming here today.
That mighty and noble son of the city governor’s mansion looked at General Jinwu clad in mighty armor. The General now sat on an equal footing as his father and he could only stare at the General with resentment and unwillingness in his eyes.
However, he knew that he had to lower his head today.
Back then, he got very excited when he heard about the turmoil boiling in the capital. However, things started to progress in a strange manner after that.
In addition, Chen Sanglue was aware of the change in his father’s attitude. Though the Imperial Capital seemed to be embroiled in a tumultuous storm, General Jinwu still could not be shaken.
Since General Jinwu could not be shaken, this meant that the ‘storm’ would most likely help General Jinwu.
Otherwise, with his father’s status, why would they be at General Jinwu’s courtyard today, trying to earn his favor?
Taking in a deep breath, Chen Sanglue stepped forward and bowed politely, “I failed to see the truth back then and unintentionally offended you. Please be magnanimous and give me another chance.”
His words were sincere and he seemed full of remorse.
If Qin Yu did not have a keen ability to observe ‘people’s hearts’ he would really have believed that Chen Sanglue was sincere. Yet he picked out the brief flashes of emotions in Chen Sanglue’s eyes that gave him away.
Qin Yu picked up his tea cup and took a sip. He said, “City governor, your words are too serious. Now that the past matters have been revealed, I will let bygones be bygones.”
Chen Yuanshen laughed, “You are too magnanimous, General. Since you were offended, punishment must be carried out.”
With a wave of his sleeves, a ‘ka-cha’ sound rang out. Chen Sanglue screamed slightly as he knelt on the ground.
Blood soaked through his robe and seeped onto the ground. As he knelt in the pool of blood, his face was pale and contorted in pain and his forehead was covered with beads of sweat.
He looked extremely haggard, which was very different from how he used to look before – unrestrained and distinguished.
Qin Yu narrowed his eyes and he thought to himself that the great old fox was truly ruthless.
Breaking Chen Sanglue’s legs with his own hands to appease the general was definitely enough to show his sincerity. However, if he could be this heartless towards his own son, it can only be imagined how he treated outsiders.
Unless there was a chance to completely kick this person into the mud such that he would never have a chance to rise in power again, or to kill him directly, it would be better to never have such a person as an enemy.
In fact, this was exactly the message that Chen Yuanshen was trying to send to Qin Yu.
I am very sincere in resolving the grievances between us. Either we shake hands and make peace, or we use underhand methods to deal with each other.
Qin Yu frowned slightly. Picking up his teacup and taking another sip of tea, he said, “City governor, what is the meaning of this?”
Just because he knew what Chen Yuanshen was trying to tell him, does not mean that he had to accept it. This was especially since Chen Yuanshen sent the message in such a half-threatening way.
Chen Yuanshen replied, “I just wanted to express my sincerity in getting close to you. If it is not enough…Xu Shen, ask the General to punish you too!”
Ever since this man entered the room, this lieutenant stood in the corner like an invisible person. Once he heard his name being mentioned, he bowed and strode forward.
Xu Shen’s face paled a bit, but without any hesitation, he grabbed one of his arms and ripped it off with force.
Not trying to stop the bleeding, Xu Shen knelt down on one knee and raised his broken arm, “General Jinwu, I was at fault in the past. Will this arm be enough to atone for my sins?”
Qin Yu laughed coldly and slammed the tea cup down on the table. “Interesting, very interesting. I was just passing by Seascape City. Why does the city governor have to make such a bloody scene in my courtyard? You’re making it seem like I am the one who is unforgiving and bullied your Seascape City.
“If this matter spreads, what will happen to my reputation? You said that you would like to get closer to me, but by doing this, you are just forcing me to make an enemy out of you. Fine! In the future, if you are dissatisfied in any way, you may voice your concerns in court!”
Parting on bad terms.
This time when he walked out of the inn, his son had a broken leg and his lieutenant had a broken arm. Chen Yuanshen turned around and his face was no longer calculative as before. Instead, it was filled with helplessness.
His Majesty, since there is no evidence for what appended back then, can’t you let this matter go?
The young eunuch in the inn looked at the scene in front of him, and his face turned pale with fright. His body shook and he did not dare to approach at all.
“Let’s go.”
Chen Yuanshen sighed lightly, before hopping onto the carriage and leaving.
Night fell, and rumors began to spread in Seascape City. General Jinwu Ning Qin did not forget his old grievances and suppressed the city governor.
Although no one knew the specific details, it was an indisputable fact that Chen Sanglue’s leg was broken and Xu Shen lacked an arm.
Very quickly, people started to frown about Qin Yu. They thought that he had run wild after gaining so much power and he should not be approached. Some people also thought that since General Jinwu was too arrogant, he would very quickly meet his downfall in the future.
But at the same time, they also felt that since General Jinwu dared to be so domineering, he probably had calculated the situation.
In other words, he really did not care about the ‘storm’ that was happening in the Imperial Capital.
In the inn.
Someone was in Qin Yu’s room again, but this time it was not really a guest.
He glanced at Hundred Saint who was opposite him and said, “You’re hesitating so much. Speak, what did you do to betray me again?”
Hundred Saint laughed bitterly as he bowed, “I would not dare to deceive you, General. After I returned to the Imperial Capital, I was interrogated many times about whether there was anything unusual about your identity and your actions.” After gritting his teeth, he continued, “I reported everything that you did according to the facts, without any concealment.”
Hundred Saint thought about that time when his uncle had personally asked him if there was anything unusual about General Jinwu Ning Qin, and he hesitated before choosing to nod his head.
Of course there was something unusual!
For example, that young girl who came from the Demon Sect.
For example, how he managed to resolve the mine’s Barbarian Curse which even a Half-King could not accomplish!
And of course, how General Jinwu had such hidden, powerful strength.
With all these factors, Hundred Saint did not dare to hide anything from his uncle.
So, at this moment, Hundred Saint’s face turned pale and his heart was filled with endless guilt. He lowered his head and did not dare to look Qin Yu in the eye.
Qin Yu looked calm. He thought for a while before he said, “From the beginning, I have known about your role in the palace. Since I did not hide anything from you, I am not afraid of you telling the truth to others.”
Hundred Saint instantly raised his head and looked at Qin Yu with surprise.
“What are you looking at? Like I’ve told you, there’s no problem.”
Hundred Saint let out a long sigh of relief.
Even though Hundred Saint did not think that he had managed to see through the general yet, he could at least be certain that General Jinwu was not a person who would protect his reputation at all costs.
Since he said that there was no problem, then this was indeed the case.
“That’s good, that’s good,” Hundred Saint mumbled to himself with joy on his face.
Qin Yu laughed coldly and said, “Of course, this is also the reason why you will tell me the truth as it is, otherwise, I might investigate the matter. Your current status is also that of my military counselor, if you dare to falsely accuse your superior of doing things that he did not do, you shall suffer from capital punishment!”
Hundred Saint knew that there was truth in these words, and also a bit of a beating. He immediately saluted respectfully and said, “I would never dare to hide anything from you.”
Qin Yu humphed, and did not bother to continue spouting nonsense, “Tell me, what’s the situation like in the Imperial Capital now?”
Even though Qin Yu guessed that there would not be much risk in this trip to the capital, it was still good to be cautious.
Hundred Saint seemed to have expected that Qin Yu would ask him about this, and he explained in detail what he managed to find out about the situation in the Imperial Capital.
It was really very detailed. He covered almost every aspect of the situation.
Qin Yu had a puzzled expression on his face, “All this news, you couldn’t have found it out yourself, right?”
Hundred Saint coughed lightly, “You are wise and clever, General.” He did not explain, and in fact, there was no need to explain. The source of all this news must be Lord Chengtian.
Even though this matter seemed unimportant, it confirmed the speculation Qin Yu had before.
This time, his return to the Imperial Capital, would be full of surprises, but there would be no danger.
Hundred Saint thought for a while before he said, “General, the Seascape City’s governor is His Majesty’s close confidant. Although he has been caught in some troubles these few years, he is still favored by His Majesty, and he also has many allies in court. Those small things that happened in the past…”
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Qin Yu’s half-smiling look. He scratched his head and asked, “General, did I say something wrong?”
Qin Yu waved his hand and shook his head without an explanation.
How could things be so simple?
For the Seascape City’s governor to get his status today, would he have acted so rashly?
In short, what happened today was His Majesty testing Chen Yuanshen.
Of course, His Majesty was also trying to test Qin Yu.
Qin Yu refused to cooperate or accept Chen Yuanshen’s request of getting closer. He seemed arrogant and domineering, but this was the best thing he could do to satisfy both parties.
