Chapter 2690 - 35: Does Not Regard My Zhuang Country as a Nation

The distant sky stretched on persistently, a long rainbow descending straight down.

Thousands upon thousands of miles in just a moment.

The national defense great formation, still under construction, couldn’t possibly stop this beam of light.

Before anyone could catch sight of the rainbow’s tail, a towering figure had already descended directly over the Zhuang Country’s palace, pausing before the sudden rise of the palace’s formation.

With an imperial posture that seemed to pressure an entire country, the one descending with such might was a man with a high crown, wide sash, and a stern visage.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Guards serving the palace swiftly drew their blades in response.

The man merely waved his sleeve: "I am Wu Bingyi of the Palace of the Palace geometers. You all... make way for the law!"

He didn’t employ any divine skills, yet the name Wu Bingyi itself was synonymous with rules and authority.

A grandmaster of the Legalists, standing at the absolute summit of this world. If he wished to forcefully intrude, the palace formation couldn’t have stopped him regardless. But this visit was for investigation, not direct retribution, so he would not resort to force outright. The Triple Punishment Palace acts according to law; he would not act recklessly.

The guards outside Zhuang Country’s palace exchanged glances, instinctively making way. To a large extent, the Triple Punishment Palace symbolized law itself. A grandmaster like Wu Bingyi was practically a living embodiment of the legal code.

These guards, with their mediocre cultivation, lacked any courage to resist. Not just them—even the monarch or state minister couldn’t stand against him.

Yet, amidst this hesitant and retreating tide of armor, there was a man clad in full gear, with a bushy beard upon his face, who walked against the tide.

In large strides, he came forward, holding a single mace, standing there like a stone wall.

In fact... he raised the mace angrily towards Wu Bingyi.

His eyes stared like copper bells, his voice boomed like a great bell: "I am Du Yehu, the mystic armor of Jiuxiang of Zhuang Country, ordered to guard the palace. No one can enter without the monarch’s decree!"

It’s said that when a tiger roars on the mountain, one knows the mountain cannot be moved.

Everyone knows the Son of Heaven often says, "I trust Tiger Generals," expressing his fondness for Du Yehu.

Since last year, as the commander of the mystic armor of Jiuxiang, Du Yehu was frequently summoned under various pretexts to guard the palace.

Opinions varied among court officials, some claiming this was the emperor’s favor, while others suggested it was a strategy to gradually strip him of military power.

But Du Yehu’s own stance was clear: he frequently cursed out loud, insisting that the suspicion against him was undoubtedly instigated by the traitorous Lin Zhengren.

They had once cooperated in a covert operation, details of which remain unknown, but the outcome was clear. Du Yehu nearly died in the wild, saved only by the timely arrival of the state minister. Lin Zhengren, on the other hand, remained safe and unscathed. Since then, the two had been on poor terms.

Whenever Du Yehu was summoned to guard the palace, he would not only curse Lin Zhengren but also confront him directly. There were occasions when he went on to kick Lin Zhengren’s door, causing damage even if unable to physically assail Lin Zhengren.

Lin Zhengren was widely regarded as an upright gentleman, not retaliating against the hot-tempered general, often saying that time reveals the true character of a person, and misunderstandings will be resolved.

Still, aside from venting his anger at Lin Zhengren, whenever Du Yehu came to the palace, he would dutifully patrol and stand guard without engaging socially.

He had a temper but never let it interfere with his duties.

At this moment, it was solely him, striding forth amidst the retreating tide of armor, daring to raise a weapon against Wu Bingyi!

Wu Bingyi merely glanced at him indifferently.

Du Yehu immediately felt as if struck by a heavy blow, his Soldier Slayer power completely collapsing, and he flew backward, crashing against the palace gate!

The guards stationed on the palace walls prepared to open the gate, while surrounding palace guards rushed to help him.

Du Yehu just shouted, "Without the monarch’s command, do not open the gate!"

Then he struggled to his feet, still lifting his mace, still facing Wu Bingyi fiercely and confronting him with a glare.

"I have come for the investigation into the assassination of the human race genius progeny of The gate of all demons, questioning Lord Zhuang!" Wu Bingyi looked at him: "The human race’s shared agreement, proven through ages! The Triple Punishment Palace maintains this agreement; no matter the country or sect, those who defy it will be punished! Today I come personally; do you not realize the law cannot be broken?"

Du Yehu gritted his teeth, his mouth bloodied as he said, "I only know to serve the monarch faithfully, and execute my duties loyally. The Son of Heaven entrusted me with guarding the gate. As long as I live, the palace gate shall not be opened rashly!"

Wu Bingyi furrowed his brow: "Who gave you this bravery, that the palace laws of Zhuang Country could stand above the human race’s shared agreement?"

A suffocating, terrifying pressure enveloped the entire Zhuang Country palace!

Within Du Yehu, his energy and blood roared, the Blood Drinking Divine Power activated, providing a constant feedback of power during this weakened struggle. But no matter how much strength the Blood Drinking Divine Power provided, he was like a lone boat in a furious sea, helplessly oscillating, on the brink of capsizing.

Yet he stood there unsteadily, only saying, "I have never encountered the human race’s shared agreement. Zhuang Country’s law is my family’s standards!"

These words moved many palace guards, who inadvertently tightened their grip on their weapons, eyes brimming with tears as they approached him.

"How long have you guarded this place? Is Lord Zhuang not within the palace?" Wu Bingyi suddenly asked.

The surrounding palace guards all showed astonishment.

How could the emperor not be in the palace?

Why would the Geometer Palace Master ask such a thing?

Still, Du Yehu replied, "The monarch’s whereabouts are not for me to casually discuss. If True Monarch Wu wishes to know, let me go ask for permission..."

He hadn’t finished speaking.

Wu Bingyi then waved his long sleeve, and Du Yehu, without any suspense, was flung out, thrown miles beyond the palace, disappearing from sight. The palace’s front gate suddenly flew wide open!

Behind the opened gate stood an elder with black hair cascading over his shoulders—