"It's Fang Zhengzhi!"
"Why did he come together with her Highness?"
"Shouldn't he be at the Imperial Academy?"
The Dragon Protection Squad and the Royal Guards gazed at the figure who appeared in front of Ping Yang, with each soldier being slightly astonished and suspicious, but this was evidently not the time to be muddling over these thoughts.
As for Ping Yang … she crashed straight into Fang Zhengzhi's embrace.
"Let me go, let me go … Father is injured, I must save my father!" Ping Yang struggled with all her might, her delicate body wrestling and pounding against Fang Zhengzhi's chest.
Before she arrived, she did imagine the numerous possibilities that could occur when she reached the Throne Room, but she would have never imagined that she would be greeted by a pile of rubble.
Worse still, it was not just the Throne Room that was reduced to waste. There were fresh blood stains on the corners of Lin Mubai and Chen Feihua's lips. Both of their faces were completely pale, and this sight has already surpassed all her expectations.
In this situation, how could she keep her promise with Fang Zhengzhi?
"Are you Fang Zhengzhi? I heard that you were the ringleader of the previous round of Court Examinations, the youngest Chief Imperial Messenger of the Imperial Academy, the current Chief Examiner of the Imperial Examinations, and our greatest benefactor in the battle of the Southern Regions!" Qian Wu did not pay much attention to Ping Yang, instead observing Fang Zhengzhi with much interest, his mouth cracking the faintest of smiles.
"Is that so? I'm afraid I've never heard of you before." Fang Zhengzhi turned around slowly and sized up Qian Wu, his eyes containing a glint of confusion.
"Haha, let me introduce myself. I am Qian Wu of the Holy Barbarian Empire …"
"Actually, I'm not that interested in you." Fang Zhengzhi waved his hand, impatiently interrupting Qian Wu.
"No matter. I know what you're interested in. I can give you all the treasures and riches you desire. I can even give you the title of an Army General and a military strategist, and even give you the throne if you wish. And i promise not to restrict your freedom in any way. How do these sound?" Qian Wu was not angered by Fang Zhengzhi's words and instead continued rambling on.
"Army General? Military strategist? The throne? What does this person want?"
The Palace Garrison Guards and the Royal Guards could not completely grasp what Qian Wu was saying. Was Fang Zhengzhi not a wastrel?
Even though he was now helming the Imperial Academy, that was still a civilian title.
And Qian Wu would simply bestow these military titles to him. This certainly baffled them.
Most importantly, the Holy Barbarian Empire was in no way weaker than the Great Xia Empire, and judging from Fang Zhengzhi and Qian Wu's conversation, they were clearly meeting each other for the first time. So why would this happen?
"Cough, cough …" The Crown Prince vomited another mouthful of blood. He stared intensely at Qian Wu, his fists clenched so tight that they were turning white.
He recalled the terms of his deal with Qian Wu. One of them was to kill Fang Zhengzhi, but now?
After Qian Wu saw Fang Zhengzhi, he immediately nullified his promise to give the throne to Lin Tianrong. How could Lin Tianrong not hate him? And how could he not be overwhelmed with rage?
Lin Mubai's face flushed red. Even though Qian Wu's words were directed at Fang Zhengzhi, they were clearly meant to deliver a slap across Lin Mubai's face.
Fang Zhengzhi was a Rank Three Official in the Great Xia Empire who enjoyed the treatment given to a Rank Two Official.
But under the Holy Barbarian Empire? He would be an Army General, the National Military Strategist, and even be conferred the throne. Such a jarring difference in treatment would make anyone's heart waver.
"Are all these Rank One Official titles?" Fang Zhengzhi's face beamed with satisfaction after hearing Qian Wu's proposition.
"Of course they are Rank One titles, and legitimate Rank One titles for that matter! Hence, you just need to hand Princess Ping Yang over to me and everything I promise you will become reality!" Qian Wu smirked once again at Fang Zhengzhi's facial expression.
"Fang Zhengzhi, you dare betray your country?!"
"Fang Zhengzhi, let Her Highness go at once!"
"Release the princess now!"
Upon hearing what Qian Wu said, the various Royal Guards immediately raised their long spears and pointed them at Fang Zhengzhi, each appearing extremely nervous. After all, they all knew the place that Ping Yang has in Lin Mubai's heart.
If Ping Yang does land in Qian Wu's grasp, no one would be able to imagine just what Lin Mubai would do in retaliation.
Fang Zhengzhi scanned the various Royal Guards circling him and smirked. He could certainly tell that Qian Wu was attempting to sow discord.
Qian Wu was intentionally using Ping Yang's safety as a bargaining chip, and he managed to arouse suspicions among the Royal Guards with just a few words.
This plan of his was indeed executed beautifully, to say the least.
Even Lin Mubai appeared slightly unnerved, although he could see through Qian Wu's ploy given his intellect. But …
How could he relax if Ping Yang is involved?
"That sounds amazing!" Fang Zhengzhi chuckled and gently nodded his head before turning his gaze towards Lin Mubai. "Your Majesty, he offered me a Rank One post just like this. Why don't you promote me too?"
"Promote you?"
Lin Mubai was taken aback, but he quickly regained his composure. Fang Zhengzhi was bargaining with him, and using the benefits offered by the Holy Barbarian Empire as a basis to bargain.
The Royal Guards and the Palace Garrison Guards were also stunned by Fang Zhengzhi's question. Their eyes flashed with rage.
"Shameless!"
"How dare this scoundrel use Her Highness' safety to threaten His Majesty?"
"What audacity!"
They were enraged but helpless, since Ping Yang was indeed in Fang Zhengzhi's hands. And most importantly, the Northern Barbarians did offer an enticing deal.
"If I need to use promotions and riches to gain your loyalty towards me, I …" After taking a deep breath, Lin Mubai suddenly stopped in the middle of his sentence, seemingly having thought of something. With that, he stared at Fang Zhengzhi with an intense gaze. "Fine, I'll give you whatever you want!"
"..."
"Your Majesty, you …"
"This …"
After hearing what Lin Mubai's words, all the Royal Guards and the Palace Garrison Guards stared blankly with eyes widened. None of them could believe their ears.
Lin Mubai actually agreed?
Ever since Lin Mubai ascended the throne, he has never conceded to a single threat, but now, he has agreed to Fang Zhengzhi's request?
To give him whatever he wants?
Oh my god!
Was Fang Zhengzhi really going to become the king?
He's not even eighteen years old!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" After hearing this, Fang Zhengzhi nodded his head and turned his attention to Qian Wu. "I'm sorry. It's not that I don't want to go over to your side, but these two offers are so similar that I don't know which one to choose. Why don't you add a little more?"
"Add a little more?"
"He already offered him the throne. What else can he add?"
"Could it be that he does not want to be the Emperor?"
The Royal Guards were dumbfounded by Fang Zhengzhi's request to Qian Wu.
Fang Zhengzhi seemed to have dawned upon this point after completing his sentence, and his expression seemed evidently conflicted. "But since you've already offered me the throne, you can't really top that offer with anything else. Why don't you let me be the Emperor of the Holy Barbarian Empire for a few days just for fun. You did talk about your concubines, but I've never actually …"
"Insolent!" Qian Wu's eyes turned cold, finally cutting off Fang Zhengzhi's rambling. In reality, his target has always been Ping Yang.
But of course, if Fang Zhengzhi was willing to become his slave, he didn't mind keeping him to toy with his new pet. However, with Fang Zhengzhi clearly mocking him now, how could he allow Fang Zhengzhi to continue humiliating him?
"You're already angry?" Fang Zhengzhi met Qian Wu's cold gaze in resignation. He then turned to the silent Lin Xinjue. "Why is Your Highness still in a daze? With the situation being so clear now, shouldn't Your Highness be scrambling to beg for pity like a dog?"
"Shut up! I'm not one who begs for pity!" Lin Xinjue was waiting for the most appropriate chance to act. However, Fang Zhengzhi's words undeniably stabbed right through his plan, instantly engulfing his heart with an inexplicable rage, as if someone had stepped on his tail.
"Is that so? Then what is Your Highess waiting for? Quickly get rid of him!" Fang Zhengzhi curled his lips, revealing a look of disdain.
"Get rid of him?" Lin Xinjue shivered. He scanned the surrounding Royal Guards then looked at Lin Mubai, standing there in the distance.
If he never opened his mouth, all the attention would naturally avert his direction.
But … Fang Zhengzhi lured him into speaking, and in such a direct manner. In this case, how could he continue hesitating and waiting for his ripe chance?
"Scoundrel!" Lin Xinjue's eyes flashed with hate, but he ultimately clenched his teeth. "Heed my command, Palace Garrison Guards. Protect the Emperor!"
"Yes!"
Following Lin Xinjue's command, the Palace Garrison Guards, ten thousand strong, finally leapt into action again. Their flashing spears pointed straight at Qian Wu and the Demonic Man.
Qian Wu closed his eyes. He was naturally unfazed by Lin Xinjue's interference, but this was not within his original plans. According to his previous calculations, Lin Xinjue would continue to wait for the right opportunity to strike.
Or at least … not strike so prematurely.
But now, Lin Xinjue has launched his attack, and worse still, with all his might.
"Sowing discord!" This phrase flashed through Qian Wu's mind.
He used this method to deal with Fang Zhengzhi, but now, Fang Zhengzhi used the same method to deal with Lin Xinjue. And worse still, Fang Zhengzhi's method was far more direct and vicious.
"Interesting!" Qian Wu scanned across the rowdy Palace Garrison Guards and smirked once again. At the same time, he turned his gaze towards the Demonic Man beside the Near-Life Gate.