I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 664: Chapter 665: Master of the Royal Secret Service
At the same time, within the Imperial Court.

In the grand hall of the Imperial Palace, the civil and military officials were attending the early court, and a young Emperor, approximately fifteen or sixteen years of age, was seated at the center. His eyes were sunken, and his face was severely lacking in vitality.

“If there’s anything to be reported, speak now; if not, court is dismissed!”

A eunuch by the side shouted loudly.

“My ministers, these past few days I have been exceptionally tired. If there’s any matter, see to it yourselves. I will be taking my leave now.”

The young Emperor scanned the civil and military officials, yawned, and said, “In the past few days, the Prime Minister has sent me a pair of twin girls, with the same youthful look of about fifteen or sixteen. They are like jade maidens, and I simply cannot wait to savor their delights.”

“Cough cough, your servant has a report to make!”

“Speak!”

The young Emperor, with a displeased look on his face, sat back down on the Dragon Throne.

“In three days, that ‘Demonic Woman’ from the Demon Path is to be executed. This will surely lure out that demon head, Li Xiaobai. To ensure that nothing goes wrong, your servant requests permission to borrow a few experts from within the Imperial Guards.”

“What are your thoughts, Your Majesty?”

The speaker was indeed the Prime Minister, named Zhang Liang. He had long coveted the legendary Spirit Realm Technique, believing that once he reached the fabled realm, neither the state nor the court could any longer constrain him.

“So, it’s about that matter. I am very satisfied with the way the Prime Minister handles affairs. Whichever expert you esteem, just take them with you.”

“However, do not truly execute that girl named Long Xue. Once Li Xiaobai is captured, send her to my sleeping quarters. I have some questions I want to ask her.”

The young Emperor paused to think for a moment, then added another sentence. He had long heard that Long Xue was a beauty of the land, and it seemed too wasteful to simply chop her head off.

If she truly were heavenly in appearance, it would be no problem to make her an imperial consort later on.

“Hehe, this old servant understands!”

A contemptuous look flashed in the Prime Minister’s eyes as he bowed respectfully.

This Emperor was not only young but also lascivious. He possessed all the faults one would expect of an inept ruler, but this suited the Prime Minister’s purpose well, as it facilitated his control.

The Emperor had become utterly infatuated because of just a pair of twins sent to him, not paying any attention to state affairs. In the future, the Prime Minister had many ways to monopolize power and turn the court into his own one-man rule.

“All right, unless there’s anything else, I will be returning now.”

“Your Majesty, I, too, have an urgent matter to report!”

Before the young Emperor could rise, a sonorous and powerful voice filled the hall. It was a General speaking, named Chen Yu, who was normally stationed at the border. It was unexpected for him to attend court today.

“Can’t you all be more considerate? Deal with your own issues. What could be so important to report?”

The young Emperor was boiling with anger inside. His good mood had been disrupted again and again, which was extremely frustrating for him.

“Your Majesty, General Chen is stationed at the border all year round. It must be a matter of importance if he has come to report. We should listen to what he has to say.”

Zhang Liang reminded from the side. Everyone’s words could be ignored, but only General Chen knew the news from the border. If he had made the effort to come to the early court, it must be because of some issue there.

“Alright, let’s do as the Prime Minister says. General Chen, what urgent matter do you have to report?”

The young Emperor asked with a hint of patience.

“Your Majesty, an urgent report from the border! The Southern Barbarians have invaded; they are skilled and numerous. The leader is none other than powerful experts at the level of the Refinement Void Realm. We are no match for them, and I fear the defensive line will collapse before long. Your Majesty must make an early decision!”

General Chen spoke loudly, his voice making the rafters tremble.

No one paid attention to the buzzing in their ears. At this moment, on the court floor, every civil and military official was agape with shock, as words like “border crisis” and “Southern Barbarians invasion” echoed in their ears.

This was an event unseen for many years. The border had been quiet for so long. How had it suddenly erupted into conflict?

They were completely unprepared!

It’s not just them, even Zhang Liang’s face has changed at this critical moment. To think that a war would erupt so suddenly—it’s far too abrupt.

The young Emperor has been scared witless, now realizing that beyond the border, packs of wolves lie in wait!

“Prime Minister Zhang, faced with the Southern Barbarians’ mighty army, what should I do?”

The young Emperor asked, seemingly at a loss.

“Your Majesty, please remain calm. This old official will come up with a plan together with General Chen.”

“The Southern Barbarians have invested heavily this time; it seems they are well-prepared. General Chen, do you know how many Refinement Void Realm experts they have in total?”

Zhang Liang inquired.

“Not more, not less, exactly fifteen. And they have all been trained in the barracks, not from the Jianghu. Their combat strength and cohesion are not to be underestimated,” Chen Yu said with a somber voice.

Anyone with a slight understanding of military strategy knows what the other party is worried about. Even if they are all in the Spirit Refining Realm, the warriors from the barracks are not only powerful but also fearlessly fierce. Not to mention that they are a team of fifteen. Once they coordinate, they are simply not something that this side’s scattered forces can withstand.

Years of peace and stability have made the Imperial Court’s army complacent and opulent, with a sharp decline in combat effectiveness.

Within the Imperial Court’s barracks, there are only two Spirit Refining Realm experts in command; the rest of the experts, who had not seen war at the border for many years, retreated to the mountains after reaching this realm to seek higher breakthroughs. Whether in terms of Blood Qi or combat power, they fall far short and are no match for the invaders.

“Convene the righteous heroes of Jianghu. At a time like this, relying solely on us is not enough.”

“Agreed!”

Determination shimmered in Zhang Liang’s eyes. Maybe this was an opportunity, an opportunity to obtain the Cultivation Technique from Li Xiaobai by a mix of soft and hard tactics.

…

The next day, a troop of people arrived as scheduled, reaching the outskirts five kilometers away, all of them Spirit Refining Realm experts. However, from a hidden spot, Li Xiaobai quickly noted something unusual. One of the old men, dressed differently from the surrounding Martial Artists, radiated a distinctly different aura.

Clearly, he was not on the same level as these government officers.

He must be in the Refinement Void Realm. His demeanor was restrained with no traces of Inner Strength to be seen, enough to demonstrate his extraordinary nature.

“Come out, I see you,” said the old man in a calm, slow voice, pinching his fingers in a gesture as if pointing at a specific clump of grass.

“The Imperial Court really thinks highly of me, to actually invite such a high-level expert,” Li Xiaobai chuckled, walking out slowly from the shadows. Judging by the voice, this was an eunuch, likely a skilled fighter from the Imperial Palace.

But now, he was not afraid of facing someone in the Refinement Void Realm. With Inner Strength as vast as the sea inside him, even if he couldn’t overpower the assailant, he could at least fend them off for a while.

“So you are Li Xiaobai. I have no patience to dally with you. Where is the Cultivation Technique?”

The eunuch said disdainfully, glancing at Li Xiaobai and speaking indifferently.

“Where is Long Xue?”

Li Xiaobai countered.

“I am not here to trade with you. You are not yet worthy to deal with me as an equal. Hand over the Cultivation Technique obediently, and I can grant you a more dignified death.”

“Ha ha ha, what a coincidence—I also have no intention of trading with you.”

“Today, I only wish to kill all of you, or be killed by you!”

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