Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

Chapter 182 Gambling with Life

Tianqing Kingdom, within the royal capital.

It was a time of peace and prosperity, overflowing with joy and celebration.

The Tianqing Kingdom of today was no longer the vulnerable nation beset by dangers on all sides that it had been two months prior.

Xiao Yi alone had subdued the Tianlan Kingdom and the Qingyun Kingdom, incorporating these two nations, neither of which was weaker than the Tianqing Kingdom, into his own territory.

At the same time, he had also repelled the Sihai Kingdom and the Baijing Kingdom.

He had thus become the undisputed overlord among the ten nations of Nanhuang.

Even more so...

If one were to discuss area alone, the Tianqing Kingdom could now enter the top ten among the more than one hundred vassal nations under the Great Qian Dynasty.

The name of Xiao Yi was sung by everyone, as he deservedly became the Guardian Martial God, a matchless hero!

In the vast Tianqing Kingdom, almost every household enshrined Xiao Yi's Longevity Stela.

Particularly in Nanhuang City, where Xiao Yi used to be, a huge Martial God Temple had been built to worship a statue of Xiao Yi, and the temple was bustling with devotees.

Within the palace.

Jiang Tai sat at the main seat, laughing and toasting three cups with Xiao Yi before jestingly saying, "Xiao, your reputation has far outshone mine nowadays. In Nanhuang City, your Martial God Temple has been thronged with worshippers since its establishment. I've heard that even many people from the surrounding areas come in droves to pray for marriage, for martial fortunes, for wealth, and even for children..."

"Hahahaha..."

"Lord Xiao, can you truly grant children? If so, you'll have to give me a pair of dragon and phoenix twins!"

Everyone laughed merrily, full of joy and happiness.

Xiao Yi shrugged helplessly and said, "I can't guarantee gifting children, but I can definitely pour you a few drinks! Daring to tease me, come on, drink three cups in a row..."

The official hastily said, "Three cups it is!"

People had gradually come to understand Xiao Yi's character.

As long as one didn't foolishly provoke him, he was easy to get along with.

Of course...

To truly gain Xiao Yi's approval was not so easy!

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food.

Xiao Yi glanced at Jiang Tai.

In an understanding nod, Jiang Tai waved his hand to dismiss the servants by his side, leaving the court officials in the great hall.

All eyes turned to Jiang Tai in unison.

Jiang Tai took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Today is a day of great joy for our Tianqing Kingdom, with the Guardian Martial God Xiao Yi wiping out both Tianlan and Qingyun Kingdoms, Dean Gu Junhe repelling the Baijing Kingdom, Yu Huaxian together with our ancestors annihilating the army of 700,000 from the Sihai Kingdom, slaying their Tao Tribulation Realm progenitor. Among the ten nations of Nanhuang, our Tianqing Kingdom shall stand as first!"

Boom!

A thunderous applause suddenly erupted.

Everyone's eyes burned with passion, sharing in the glory.

As important officials of the court, when the kingdom was strong, so were they, and the kingdom's glory was also theirs.

Jiang Tai continued, "Now our Tianqing Kingdom is in need of rebuilding. With strong presences like the Guardian Martial God, Dean Gu Junhe, our ancestors, Yu Huaxian, and the Undying Ghost Doctor Xue Bufan, these five Tao Tribulation Realm beings, as well as 20,000 Azure Dragon Guards and more than 400,000 regular soldiers, our national strength can be described as the most flourishing ever."

"Long live the King, long live, long live the King!"

"Tianqing Kingdom, for a thousand autumns and ten thousand generations, shall never fall!"

The court officials shouted one after another.

However...

Jiang Tai let out a cold snort and mocked, "A thousand autumns and ten thousand generations? Never fall? Do you truly believe that?"

"..."

The expressions of joy gradually faded from the officials' faces.

Jiang Tai turned to Xiao Yi and said, "Xiao, tell them!"

"Hmm!"

Xiao Yi slowly stood up, his gaze sharp as a knife sweeping across the officials, and he spoke with a heavy voice, "According to reliable information, within three months, the Great Jin Kingdom will launch a full-scale attack on our Tianqing Kingdom. By that time, there will be as many as 100,000 soldiers as powerful as the Azure Dragon Guards and the army sent by the Great Jin Kingdom will certainly not be less than one million, perhaps even more..."

Hiss!

The officials looked at each other, their faces filled with horror.

They were completely unaware of this news!

For a moment,

the expressions on the officials' faces were no longer smiles, but fear and unease.

Amidst the crowd,

an old man with snow-white hair, yet emanating a dignified aura, stood out. This person was Ge Zheng, the Right Chancellor of the Tianqing Kingdom. Ge Zheng clasped his fists and said, "I dare to ask Lord Xiao, the Great Jin Kingdom had not previously launched a major offensive. Now that our Tianqing Kingdom has achieved this brilliant victory, why have they struck again?"

Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I killed the seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom and the Grand Commander Zhan Bitao!"

Whoosh!

The courtiers were in an uproar.

"This, this is too impulsive, isn't it?"

"That was a prince… If I were the King of the Great Jin Kingdom, I wouldn't be able to swallow this pride either..."

Ge Zheng said in a deep voice, "Lord Xiao has indeed made great contributions to our Tianqing Kingdom, but whether it was the initial attack by the four countries or now the impending Great Jin Dynasty, everything has pointed to Lord Xiao as the catalyst..."

"Mr. Ge, what are you implying?" Jiang Tai narrowed his eyes, showing a displeased expression.

However, Xiao Yi remained as nonchalant as ever, toying with the wine cup in his hand.

Ge Zheng straightened his back and said sternly, "Your Majesty, I mean no disrespect. Now that our Tianqing Kingdom has just survived a great disaster, albeit strong as Lord Xiao may be, I fear he may not be able to stop the Great Jin Dynasty. I think, as the Guardian Martial God of our nation, Lord Xiao should protect the Tianqing Kingdom at all costs. I earnestly request that Lord Xiao, for the sake of billions of our Tianqing citizens to avoid a catastrophe, should go alone to the Great Jin Dynasty and quell their rage!"

"Outrageous…"

Yu Huaxian's expression darkened, and he rose from his seat, slamming the table.

Yet Xiao Yi raised his hand to stop Yu Huaxian, with an intriguing look in his eyes as he gazed at the courtiers who, just a moment ago, were toasting and shedding tears of gratitude with him.

Upon meeting Xiao Yi's gaze,

many of the officials lowered their heads, not daring to look back at him.

Xiao Yi's gaze finally settled on Ge Zheng, "Mr. Ge, are you aware of what fate awaits me should I go to the Great Jin Dynasty?"

Ge Zheng's pupils shrank slightly.

What fate could there be?

Of course, it would be a dead end!

But he could not say this outright. After a moment of consideration, Ge Zheng spoke righteously, "Even at the cost of one's life, a true man should act with righteousness! Lord Xiao is the Guardian Martial God of our Tianqing Kingdom. If your life could, in exchange, ensure the peace and prosperity of billions of our citizens, it might not be such a bad deal. Of course, we will also not forget Lord Xiao's kindness. In the future, your temples will surely be built across the Tianqing Kingdom, to pay tribute to your spirit in heaven, and engrave your name in everlasting history!"

"Mr. Ge is right!"

"If Lord Xiao is willing to sacrifice himself, my government office will erect a Longevity Stela in your honor to be worshiped for generations!"

"We assure you, the incense will never cease to burn..."

Suddenly, one third of the courtiers stood out.

The majority kept their heads down, staying out of the affair.

Only a minority of officials spoke up in defense of Xiao Yi, "Do you all have no conscience? If not for Lord Xiao, we would have long been slaves to a fallen nation..."

"The late King, even in his death, did not wish to sacrifice Lord Xiao. What are you all doing?"

"Slaves of a fallen nation? Without him, would we be surrounded by enemies, facing formidable foes?"

"Now, the Great Jin Kingdom has sent troops because of him..."

The two sides quarreled incessantly.

"Enough!"

Ge Zheng shouted lowly, silencing everyone. He then focused his gaze on Xiao Yi, "Lord Xiao, don't be so selfish!"

Xiao Yi leaned slightly forward, squinting his eyes at Ge Zheng, "Mr. Ge, if I were to tell you that your life in exchange could ensure the everlasting prosperity of Tianqing Kingdom, would you be willing?"

"This..."

Ge Zheng's face changed slightly, then with a cold huff and righteous words, he said, "For the Tianqing Kingdom, Ge is naturally willing… However, Ge's life is insignificant, dying a thousand or ten thousand times would still not be enough to stop the Great Jin Dynasty. Lord Xiao, you..."

Xiao Yi waved his hand, saying, "Mr. Ge, would you dare to make a bet with me?"

"Hmm?"

Ge Zheng was momentarily taken aback, "Bet what?"

"Bet our lives!"

Xiao Yi spoke each word deliberately, looking at Ge Zheng and the rest of the officials, "I bet the lives of all of you!"