Chapter 1009

Chapter 1009: The Choice

"Wang Chen, I greet the Supreme General of the State."

On the wall of Hanhai Pass, Wang Chen cupped his fists in salute to Shangguan Wuji. "What does the Supreme General summon me for?"

Shangguan Wuji pointed to the Dayan army outside the pass and said in a deep voice, "Dayan has suddenly invaded. I need to summon all the Yulin Guards to join forces against the strong enemy!"

With hundreds of thousands of Dayan troops and three sixth-level martial honors gathered at Hanhai Pass, the pressure on Shangguan Wuji was beyond words.

His ability to remain calm came entirely from his strong willpower.

Shangguan Wuji understood very well that Hanhai Pass could not be lost. If Daliang lost this natural barrier, the Dayan army would charge straight in, sweep through the Hanhai and West Sea, and invade the heart of Zhongzhou with no obstacles.

Thus, he needed to gather all available forces for the impending battle.

The three thousand elite Yulin Guards from the marriage alliance team would naturally not be overlooked by the Supreme General of the State.

Of course, Shangguan Wuji knew he did not have the authority to directly summon the Yulin Guards, so he invited Wang Chen, the Taibao of the Crown Prince, to help facilitate the request for the Three Thousand Yulin Guards.

"Now that Hanhai Pass is in a precarious situation, I hope the Taibao can consider the bigger picture and persuade His Highness to send reinforcements!"

These few sentences were spoken courteously by the commander of the Hanhai army, appealing to reason and emotion.

"Certainly."

Wang Chen readily agreed.

Just as Shangguan Wuji began to smile and prepare to praise him, he heard Wang Chen continue, "However, I have one condition."

Shangguan Wuji was momentarily taken aback. "What condition?"

Wang Chen smiled lightly, "It’s very simple. If the Supreme General of the State publicly vows loyalty to Princess Qingyun, then the Three Thousand Yulin Guards will belong entirely to the Supreme General of the State and follow your orders."

What?

Shangguan Wuji questioned his hearing or thought Wang Chen must have lost his mind.

To ask a dignified General Who Stabilizes the West, a top-ranking military official and sixth-level martial honor, to pledge loyalty to a princess meant for a marriage alliance? It was simply absurd!

Shangguan Wuji’s expression darkened, "Taibao Wang, the Dayan army is right before us. This is not the time for jokes!"

In a fit of anger, the martial honor’s oppressive force suddenly enveloped Wang Chen!

Yet, Wang Chen remained unfazed and said lightly, "If the Supreme General of the State is unwilling, then forget it. Farewell!"

He turned to leave.

"Stay right there!"

Shangguan Wuji’s eyes glinted with a terrifying light as he reached out toward Wang Chen.

The earlier polite discussion had been solely out of respect for Princess Qingyun; otherwise, a mere Taibao would not have the standing to speak to him as equals!

Unexpectedly, Wang Chen, lacking proper decorum, had spoken such nonsense about swearing loyalty to the princess, completely disregarding the authority of the Supreme General of the State. It was truly inviting punishment for such disrespect.

Shangguan Wuji could not tolerate this!

However, before his hand could touch Wang Chen, his movement suddenly paused, as if he had turned to stone.

Because the commander of the Hanhai army suddenly noticed that Wang Chen was floating three inches off the ground, silently hovering in the air like a ghost.

However, as a sixth-level martial honor, Shangguan Wuji could never regard Wang Chen as a mere ghost!

He had previously received information indicating that Wang Chen possessed an extraordinary talent for martial arts, and at such a young age, he had already become a fifth-level martial sect master. That was why he had been granted the title of Taibao of the Crown Prince, tasked with escorting Princess Qingyun to Dayan.

Yet, to Shangguan Wuji, no matter how high Wang Chen’s talent was, a fifth-level martial sect master was still easily within his grasp. He had refrained from using harsh methods earlier out of respect for the royalty.

But now, Shangguan Wuji realized that he had grossly misjudged Wang Chen’s strength!

The seventh-tier Martial Saint—Wang Chen had actually reached the pinnacle of martial artists!

Shangguan Wuji truly found it hard to believe this; otherwise, his long-held understanding of martial arts would be completely overturned.

The problem was that the truth was right before his eyes; he couldn’t close his eyes and pretend not to see it, could he?

He finally understood why Wang Chen could disregard his oppressive force.

"Hehe."

Wang Chen chuckled as he turned around and said, "Supreme General of the State, I will give you one last chance. As long as you swear loyalty to Princess Qingyun, I will help you deal with these insignificant pests!"

He pointed to the hundreds of thousands of troops outside the pass.

Insignificant pests!

This description made Shangguan Wuji secretly smile wryly; however, the immense pressure emanating from Wang Chen left him unable to smile at all.

At this moment, Wang Chen had shed all pretenses, revealing the terrifying power of a Martial Saint.

Standing so close, Shangguan Wuji felt as if he was facing a colossal Giant Beast from ancient times; even breathing had become difficult as the Qi within his body seemed to be trapped, his body and mind experiencing unprecedented oppression.

This commander of the Hanhai army had no doubt that if Wang Chen wished, with a single palm strike, he could end his life.

In that moment, Shangguan Wuji deeply regretted bringing Wang Chen close.

Otherwise, with fifty thousand Hanhai troops, he would have had a chance to contend with Wang Chen, this seventh-tier Martial Saint!

But even so, what would that matter?

Looking at the ever-growing army of the Yan Kingdom outside the pass, along with the three powerful martial honors radiating from their ranks, the General Who Stabilizes the West finally made his decision.

"This old minister is willing to swear loyalty to Your Highness."

He lowered his head in defeat, feeling as if he aged ten years in an Instant.

No matter what, Shangguan Wuji could not bear to watch Hanhai City fall into the hands of Dayan. With the aid of the seventh-tier Martial Saint Wang Chen, the chances of holding Hanhai Pass had increased at least tenfold.

As for swearing loyalty to Princess Qingyun, although it was quite humiliating, it was insignificant compared to the bigger picture.

Since Wang Chen had the ability to overturn the situation, he was the one who needed to consider the greater good!

"Very well."

Wang Chen nodded and turned to the bewildered soldier beside him, saying, "Please go to Mingyu Palace and invite the Princess over. Just say it was from me."

The soldier suddenly snapped back to reality, hurriedly glancing at Shangguan Wuji.

Shangguan Wuji’s expression was impassive: "What are you looking at me for? Did you not hear Lord Wang’s words?"

The soldier quickly replied, "As you command!"

Once he hurried away, the atmosphere on the city wall became very delicate.

The surrounding guards were not fools; how could they not see their family head’s awkward situation? Yet, no one dared to act rashly, fearing the repercussions.

Meanwhile, the number of Yan army troops gathering outside Hanhai Pass continued to increase, raising the pressure on the soldiers guarding the walls even further.

Many people’s foreheads broke out in beads of sweat, their faces turning pale.

Fortunately, the Yan army clearly did not have sufficient preparations for an Attack the City; they had set up camp three miles away from the walls, raising large tents.