The Strongest Mythical Emperor-Chapter 77 - The First Night

77: Chapter 77: The First Night

77 -77: The First Night

“Good day, Fourth Prince.”

Qin Jun nodded indifferently.

As for Qin Yu, he was completely ignored.

He greeted Grandmaster Jia Xun with a nod, “Good day, Grandmaster Jia, I apologize for having kept you waiting.”

Although his fondness for Jia Xun was limited, he had to admit that Jia Xun’s ability to govern was indeed impressive; otherwise, the Qianyue Kingdom would not have withstood the Qian Emperor’s decades of campaigning.

If a kingdom wanted to wage wars in all directions, domestic supplies and resources had to keep pace.

These depended on the common people’s labor, which was why peace and prosperity were the foundation of a powerful nation.

“The King Yue is most courteous.

Now that everyone is here, it’s time for us to depart.

Please, get into the carriages,” said Jia Xun, bowing with a smile.

Beside him were four luxurious carriages.

As royal family members, it was natural for them not to travel on foot, and Jia Xun’s status as the Grandmaster meant each of the four would have their own carriage.

Qin Jun directly chose the last carriage, took Daji by the hand, and walked over, with the Roaring Sky Dog trotting behind them.

“Hmph!

Bringing a woman to the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Competition, he’s like a wall of loose mud that won’t stand!” Qin Yu scoffed.

Meanwhile, Qin Yun stared infatuatedly at Daji.

Her beauty that was said to bring disaster to the nation left him lost in a trance.

Although Qin Yu had heard some rumors about Daji, he didn’t believe she was as formidable as claimed.

In his eyes, it was Guan Yu who killed Xiahou En, and the humiliation at Cliff Inn had been orchestrated by Qin Jun.

The more he thought about it, the more resentful he became, and he swept past toward the foremost carriage, with the Blood Saber King following close at his side.

Jia Xun could not help but frown.

In theory, he should have taken the first carriage, considering his high status within the kingdom.

He felt displeased to see Qin Yu arrogantly take over the first one.

Qin Jun, utterly disregarding the guards’ odd looks, pulled Daji into the carriage.

The Roaring Sky Dog then lay on the carriage’s outside plank—being a demon king, it was idle too.

The procession began to move forward, with fifty guards securing the four carriages as they made their way towards the eastern city gate, attracting the curious chatter of the common people.

“The palace guards, there must be someone important in those four carriages!”

“I’ve heard they are going to participate in some Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Competition…”

“I’ve heard of it too, it’s said to be organized by the Nanzhuo Dynasty to select geniuses.”

“The Nanzhuo Dynasty?

Are they allies of our kingdom as well?”

“You wish!

Our Qianyue Kingdom can’t even play the dog to them!”

As the Nanzhuo Dynasty’s reputation gradually spread, their thrice-yearly Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Competition had gone twenty years without participation from the royal family because the Qian Emperor had children in middle age, while the older royals pursued fame and fortune and did not attend.

The three major Sects and the other Clan forces would also send competitors, but rarely, as participation in the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Competition could lead to death!

The news of the King Yue, Fourth Prince, and Fifth Prince attending the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Competition in the Nanzhuo Dynasty spread rapidly, and the story grew, clearly driven by someone with intent.

Should Qin Jun and the others fail, it would be a resounding slap to the Imperial Dynasty.

Imperial Palace, Qianzhen Hall.

“Have they set out?” the Qian Emperor asked casually as he reviewed documents.

Standing before him was Shen Yan, the palace steward, who bowed and smiled, “They should have passed the city gates by now.”

“Do you think what I’m doing is too cruel?” the Qian Emperor’s tone shifted, somewhat helplessly.

Shen Yan squinted, chuckling lightly, “Your Majesty, you are choosing the ruler of the kingdom, of course you cannot be softhearted.

Even the Great Founder wasn’t softhearted.”

Mention of the Great Founder caused the Qian Emperor to fall silent.

After a while, he waved his hand, “Go, continue spreading news about the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Competition.

I hope this competition will yield the right person.”

“Yes,” Shen Yan bowed respectfully, then retreated as silently as he had arrived.

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The sun set behind the mountains.

Qin Jun and the others had entered the mountainous region, and as the sky gradually darkened, which was not suitable for traveling, the caravan stopped to rest.

Some guards began gathering firewood.

Sitting on the carriage step, Qin Jun couldn’t help but sigh.

Earth might not have cultivation, but its technology was just as powerful; at least it wouldn’t be as dull as the current scene.

Bored, he decided to practice spear work.

He stood up abruptly, went to an empty space, and began to wield his Silver Dragon Slaying Spirit Spear, drawing sidelong glances from Qin Yu and others.

“Does that spear really weigh five thousand pounds?” Qin Yun wondered aloud, palpably feeling the terrifying weight from the sound of Qin Jun’s spear cutting through the air.

Qin Yu scoffed, but kept silent.

He was self-aware enough to know that challenging Qin Jun now would lead to his own embarrassment later.

Jia Xun also looked at Qin Jun with surprise, not having expected him to be so powerful.

Night gradually fell, and the party split into three groups.

Qin Jun and Jia Xun gathered around one campfire, while Qin Yu and Qin Yun kept to themselves.

The guards sat on the outermost part, remaining vigilant of the surroundings.

Qin Jun ate his grilled meat, entirely lacking any interest in making conversation with Jia Xun.

It was just the first day outside of the royal city, and it was not likely to be dangerous.

With this thought, Qin Jun remained cool and collected.

In contrast, Qin Yu and Qin Yun were somewhat nervous as they experienced their first time outside the royal city, and their first time sleeping in the wild, naturally.

A large portion of the Qianyue Kingdom’s territory remained unoccupied by the Human Clan, and encounters with demonic beasts were common.

Such situations were the same in other kingdoms, and sometimes there were even beast tides attacking cities.

The night was quiet, and after a simple dinner, everyone settled down to rest.

Qin Jun had Daji sleep inside the carriage while he and the Roaring Sky Dog leaned against the outside.

“Why so quiet tonight?” Daji teased.

Qin Jun shrugged with a smile, “It’s a critical time.

We need to watch out for demonic beasts and people alike.”

Although he said so, Daji was deeply touched.

Where would you find a prince who lets his followers sleep inside the carriage while he stands guard outside?

But Qin Jun was insistent, and Daji didn’t persist.

Time passed quietly.

The stars in the night sky shone ever brighter.

“Awooo—”

Somehow, a sudden wolf howl rang out, startling everyone from their slumber.

Standing on the carriage step, Qin Jun looked around.

The wolf howl had a menacing edge to it, which even made his Foundation Establishment eighth-layer cultivation feel a little uneasy.

Damn!

Had they encountered a powerful demonic beast just after setting out?

Qin Jun inwardly cursed but showed no sign of panic.

The Roaring Sky Dog beside him still lay on the ground, half-closed eyes indicating its indifference.

Daji did not emerge from the carriage, which made Qin Jun even more relieved.

With two supreme bodyguards by his side, they were ready to slay gods and demons alike!

Qin Yu and the others, however, reacted differently.

Each drew their weapons, filled with tension.

The guards quickly surrounded them, ready to fend off any sudden danger.

“Awooo—”

The wolf howl sounded again, louder and clearly approaching.

“All guards, prepare for battle.”

The captain of the guards commanded in a deep voice; he possessed a Foundation Establishment fifth-layer cultivation and was one of the elites within the guards.