Chapter 2691 - 35: Not Taking Zhuang Country as a Country (2)

Great Zhuang Nation’s Prime Minister Du Ruhui!

This wise Prime Minister who has orchestrated the clouds and wind over thousands of miles of Zhuang Country gently saluted Wu Bingyi: "Zhuang Country’s Prime Minister Du Ruhui, meeting True Monarch Wu. I wonder what brings you so far here, disregarding Zhuang Country’s nationhood, disregarding Zhuang law?"

Behind him, the royal palace array still silently operated, covering all information within the deep palace.

If it was another True Monarch, they would have bashed their way directly in. But the Grandmaster of the Legalists must speak of law and order, especially the Triple Punishment Palace cannot kill without teaching.

Moreover, if it were another True Monarch, they might not care about this matter at all. Even if they did, they might not be able to bypass Jade Capital Mountain.

Wu Bingyi looked at Du Ruhui expressionlessly: "If I did not regard Zhuang Country as a nation, nor Zhuang law as law, I wouldn’t be waiting here so long. Since you, Du Ruhui, have come out, go and convey this to Emperor Zhuang. Invite him here to face the interrogation from the Palace of the Palace."

Du Ruhui’s face was shocked and angry: "Master Wu arrived so suddenly, may I ask if the Dao Sect Country knows, does Jade Capital Mountain know?"

Wu Bingyi said coldly: "Since I came here to find your King, it’s naturally tacitly approved by Jade Capital Mountain, and there won’t be nonsense from Jing Country. You, Du Ruhui, are said to be a smart person, better not bring up unrelated people and matters that exhaust my patience."

The seriousness of this matter lies in... the Triple Punishment Palace had already communicated with Jade Capital Mountain in advance, yet Jade Capital Mountain did not send any message back!

In other words, regarding Wu Bingyi’s mentioned assassination case of Yan Dao’s descendant from the gate of all demons—if it really involves Zhuang Gaoxian, Jade Capital Mountain has directly abandoned him!

This attitude might be more solemn than the incident itself.

"Grandmaster earlier asked if our nation’s Son of Heaven is in the palace. The Lord of the State cannot be moved lightly, my Great Zhuang’s Son of Heaven is naturally in the palace!" Du Ruhui said, taking out a Yellow Scroll from his bosom and saluting: "The Son of Heaven just recently issued an edict to me, instructing me to hand it to True Monarch. Please take a glance at your convenience."

But Wu Bingyi did not accept it at all, only said: "I give you only thirty breaths, if Lord Zhuang does not arrive, the Triple Punishment Palace will see it as shirking responsibility. What I will do then, don’t say I didn’t warn!"

"Please allow me to declare it on behalf of the Son of Heaven." Du Ruhui simply unfolded the Holy Decree himself and recited: "Written to True Monarch Zhi Wen of the Palace of the Palace—you may be the great Grandmaster of the world and the Lord of the Legalist Holy Land. But I am the Son of Heaven of Zhuang Country, ordained by Heaven, ruling over all people. How can you come when summoned and leave when dismissed? On discussing virtue, merit, responsibility, and punishment, I am fearless, but please send the public document first and submit it to the relevant authorities, then discuss a good time. This will not violate propriety, nor break standards, is this not the spirit of the Legalists?"

This passage carries firmness within gentleness, and can be considered to have both etiquette.

And Du Ruhui appeared respectful, yet without a hint of retreat.

This Zhuang Country from top to bottom, from Lord Zhuang to Prime Minister Zhuang, and even a general guarding the palace gate, all seem to be tough bones!

But Wu Bingyi’s face still showed no expression, he implements the law openly, never caring for others’ views and disregarding superficial efforts, only saying: "Ten, nine..."

"Grandmaster." Du Ruhui could no longer stay composed, somewhat anxiously said: "Our Zhuang Country always respects the Triple Punishment Palace, upholds human race’s justice. Demon slaying and monster extermination, resisting foreign enemies, always exerting full strength. I do not know where you received some information leading to such a misunderstanding towards us, stepping our national gate? Could you allow me, this old minister of Zhuang Country, to explain?"

His words were both emotional and rational, standing on the moral high ground and the low ground of weakness, making it difficult for people to ignore his request.

But Wu Bingyi seemed to hear nothing, the voice of this Grandmaster of the Legalist Sect was constant and indifferent, with an exerting suffocating pressure: "Five, four, three..."

Everyone knew, his conditions would not change.

Is Emperor of Zhuang in Zhuang Palace or not?

Time mercilessly passed with each count.

The meaning of the law etched into time, like it became the coldest tool of judgment.

At this moment, the array enveloping the entire Zhuang Palace suddenly disappeared. The voice of the Zhuang Country Emperor, familiar to all palace guards, resonated in the air with its own majesty like the sky collapsing—

"Since Grandmaster insists on seeing me... Prime Minister Du, let the Grandmaster in!"

All palace guards present breathed a sigh of relief.

The Zhuang Country Emperor was presently in the palace, and dared to face the Grandmaster of the Legalist Sect, unafraid of investigation!

Du Ruhui hence stepped aside, extended his hand with a gesture of respect to Wu Bingyi: "Please."

With no scruples, Wu Bingyi flicked his robe sleeve and stepped into the palace gates.

With one step through the door and another, he was already inside the sleeping quarters of Zhuang Gaoxian, confronting Zhuang Country’s Emperor dressed in a dragon-patterned sleeping gown face to face.

Though standing in the Western Territory, being in Zhuang Country, and setting foot in Zhuang Palace, Wu Bingyi seemed more like the master here, his gaze upon this nation’s Son of Heaven was scrutinizing and indifferent.

Zhuang Gaoxian simply resembled a typical wealthy middle-aged man, albeit far superior in appearance compared to the notoriously ugly Grand Ancestor Zhuang. He showed no sharply aggressive aura, appearing quite harmless.

They were now within one palace.

Any worldly authority—army, fame, backing—was all useless at this moment.

The cultivation of Yan Dao was enough to crush Dongzhen.

In other words, at this moment, Wu Bingyi was the absolute master, life and death were all in a thought.

Yet Zhuang Gaoxian simply sat quietly on the dragon bed, maintaining a posture of just having put on his boots, tone congenial: "Feeling a bit winter weary, so I lay down for a while."

His ordinary eyes lifted, carrying doubt and also withheld anger not yet released: "Master Wu, what urgent matter, that even Emperor’s change of clothes could not await?"