Chapter 67: Number One Expert of the Southern Land


    At the southern city gate, toons of cavalrymen stood in a neat formation. Standing at the center of the formation was a stern-looking schr who looked to be in his forties, and he was staring lividly at Zhou Xius hung corpse.


    Being basked under the sun for long hours had caused Zhou Xius corpse to emit a nasty stench, and a light breeze whiffed it over to the schr.


    Great Xia has gone too far! How can they humiliate a Longdu viscount even after his death?! the middle-aged schr enunciated each of his words through gritted teeth,


    Baron Xian, are we still entering the city? Why dont we throw the State War Tablet and leave? one of the cavalrymen asked.


    Our duke has said it. We have to enter the city, berate the emperor for the atrocities Great Xia hasmitted, then toss the State War Tablet at them. We must ensure that Guhe and Yizhou see it, Baron Xian sneered. He turned to his men and ordered, Someone, take down Viscount Zhou Xius body!


    A cavalryman was just about to speak when a group of people walked out of the southern city gate. Leading the group was the Minister of Rites Tao Mingsheng, and he was apanied by the officials of the Bureau of Rites.


    From afar, Tao Mingsheng sped his fist and greeted Baron Xian, It has been a while, Brother Xian!


    Minister Tao. Baron Xians expression alleviated a little. <em>At least Great Xia has the courtesy to dispatch their Minister of Rites, a second-grade official, to wee me. That would be roughly equivalent to a marquess in our country. </em>


    His Majesty knows about Baron Xians intention. Please follow me into the imperial pce to meet His Majesty, Tao Mingsheng said.


    Minister Tao, our Longdu has always been on good terms with your country, but Fang Chen murdered our viscount under broad daylight. May I know what your emperors stance on this matter is? Baron Xian asked coldly.


    Hundreds of Longdu cavalrymen coldly red at Tao Mingsheng and the others too.


    Its a misunderstanding, Tao Mingsheng said. Fang Chen is indeed rash, and His Majesty understands that. Please follow me into the imperial pce to meet His Majesty. Theres still room for reconciliation between Great Xia and Longdu.


    Before that, I want you to return our viscounts body first, Baron Xian said.


    Tao Mingsheng fell silent. He looked at his subordinates, but all of them averted their eyes.


    What a joke! Minister Tao, your officials from the Bureau of Rites are timid like a mouse. You fear a fangless tiger! Baron Xian sneered.


    Baron Xian, there has been an upheaval in our Great Xia. Fang Chen recently used our Vice Minister of a crime, and over thirty officials were implicated in the matter. All of them are going to be executed in front of the imperial pces gates a few dayster, Tao Mingsheng said with a sigh.


    Vice Minister Qin Dong? But hes a third-grade official! Why is he on death row? Baron Xian was taken aback. <em>Does Fang Chen be so influential in Great Xia as to be able to kill a third-grade official just like that?</em>


    Well talk about thister. For now, Baron Xian, please follow me into the imperial pce, Tao Mingsheng said.


    Quite a number of Great Xia civilians had gathered in the area to observe the situation. Tao Mingsheng didnt want to linger in the area lest something went amiss. If so, there would really be no room for reconciliation between Great Xia and Longdu!


    Men, take Viscount Zhou Xius body down, Baron Xian ordered.


    Two cavalrymen stepped out. Both of them galloped toward the southern city gate; one of them went to retrieve the head, whereas the other one went to retrieve the body.


    Bam bam!


    Someone sent the twote Ki Condensation cavalrymen with a kick each. The two cavalrymen crashed into the ground, and their horses fled back into the military formation in rm.


    Baron Xian was infuriated. He red at the assant and asked, Who are you?!


    Seven Profound Saber Huangfu Jie! the person replied.


    Seven Profound Saber? When did he enter the capital?


    Thats the number one expert of the southern region!


    Seven Profound Saber rarely steps into the capital. What business does he have here?


    Amotion broke out amidst the crowd. Most of them had heard about Seven Profound Saber Huangfu Jie.


    Great Xia could be divided into the northern region and the southern region. The capital was located in the northern region, and it was a far distance away from the southern region. If the northern region was ruled by the imperial court, the southern region was lorded over by the pugilistic world.


    Most of the major martial sects were based in the southern region.


    Seven Profound Saber Huangfu Jie was the son of the Profound Saber Sects sectmaster, but his strength had long surpassed his father. As he revealed his edge, some began to dub him as the number one expert of the southern region.


    Seven Profound Saber? Baron Xian frowned. He coldly eyed Tao Mingsheng and asked, Minister Tao, a mere pugilist dares to attack my party and stop us from retrieving our viscounts body. Is this your Great Xias stance? Since thats the case, theres no need for us to meet your emperor anymore. Ill leave the State War Tablet here and meet you on the battlefield!


    Tao Mingsheng angrily red at Seven Profound Saber Huangfu Jie and bellowed, How dare a pugilist interfere in the imperial courts affair? Men, take him down!


    Several figures instantaneously encircled Huangfu Jie.


    As the Minister of Rites, it was normal for Tao Mingsheng to have powerful guards constantly by his side, lest someone attack him.


    War God Fang said that Zhou Xius corpse must remain here as a warning to the other countries. Anyone who tries to take down the corpse is helping the evildoers, Huangfu Jie calmly replied.


    The powerful guards encircling Huangfu Jie froze up. It was one thing to subdue Huangfu Jie, but thetter was backed by War God Fang! Thest thing they wanted to do was to make an enemy out of War God Fang.


    Tao Mingsheng was infuriated. <em>Is a mere pugilist trying to suppress me with War God Fangs name too? </em>Do you know who you are in the presence of? He is Longdus envoy, Baron Xian! He has the right to retrieve Viscount Zhous body! A pugilist like you cant take responsibility if your reckless actions today undermine the good rtionship between Longdu and Great Xia!


    He amplified his voice with his Ki Condensation martial cultivation, causing his words to echo loudly.


    Thats none of my business. Im only in charge of doing War God Fangs bidding. Huangfu Jieughed heartily in response.


    Indeed! Thats a decision made by War God Fang. We cant let others undermine it, even if its Longdus envoy!


    That Zhou bastard hunted down our merchants as if they were livestock. He has iting!


    I heard the merchant convoy he hunted belongs to the Verdant Apothecary Hall. Its manager, Miss Fang, took over the Compassion Halls and is taking care of the vulnerable. The medicine they sell is also affordable.


    Such discussions echoed in the surroundings.


    Tao Mingshengsplexion turned horrible. He was just about to speak when he spotted another figure walking over. It was one of Fang Chens subordinates, Windcloud Sword Xu Ge!


    Xu Ge, you have reached Ki Control? Huangfu Jie took a look at Xu Ge before frowning in bewilderment. Clearly, he was acquainted with thetter.


    Heh, I didnt expect to see you in the capital. We should have another duel soon. I dont think Ill lose to you this time around! Xu Ge chuckled.


    Sure. Huangfu Jie nodded.


    Xu Ge grinned. He turned to Tao Mingsheng and shouted, Minister Tao, our young master has said that no one is allowed to touch Zhou Xius corpse, not even Longdus envoy. Anyone who tries to do so will have to face the consequences.


    Tao Mingsheng was so angry that steam coulde out from his seven apertures. Baron Xians face also turned so livid, and he nearly tossed out the State War Tablet there and then.


    Quick trivia from Starve:


    The tablet (State War Tablet) here is a wooden block, and it serves as an expression of intent. To draw a parallel, its simr to how medieval knights took off their gloves or gauntlets and threw it at someone else to challenge them to a duel.