Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

"Me?"

Facing Shangguan Wuji's inquiry, Wang Chen smiled and said, "Of course I'll follow Princess Qingyun's wishes. If she's willing to marry the Barbarian King, I will escort her to the Southern Barbarians."

"And if Her Highness is unwilling?"

Shangguan Wuji directly spoke the words Wang Chen had not yet said, his eyes of the sixth-tier Martial Venerable sharpening like blades: "Protector Wang, how will you handle the situation then?"

"And I hear that Protector Wang is also Her Highness's mentor?"

"That's right, I am Her Highness's mentor."

Wang Chen met Shangguan Wuji's gaze with a calm demeanor: "If Her Highness is unwilling, then no one should think of forcing her!"

Their silent glances collided, causing the temperature in the entire hall to suddenly drop.

Sun Zhengheng, who was sitting on the side, couldn't help but shiver.

His cultivation level was the weakest among the three, so he didn't even have the chance to speak.

Shangguan Wuji was silent for a moment, then stretched out his finger and slid it across the table, pressing into the hard tabletop and drawing a simple map.

"This is Great Qi, this is Great Yan, this is the Southern Barbarians..."

After finishing drawing, the commander of the Hanhai Army pointed consecutively at four spots on the table: "This is our Great Liang."

Geographically speaking, Great Liang occupied the best territory, not only having vast fertile plains but most areas also experiencing four distinct seasons with pleasant climates and rich natural resources.

However, Great Liang was also surrounded by Great Yan, Great Qi, and the Southern Barbarians, with the latter two always coveting Great Liang's rich lands, leading to constant wars over centuries.

Although Great Liang's relationship with Great Yan was good, to say that Great Yan had no ambitions toward Great Liang's territory would only be believed by the ignorantly foolish.

The existence of Hanhai City was to check Great Yan's ambitions!

These were external troubles.

The internal troubles were even more complex, with the Rebel Faction uprising and Heretical Sects emerging, along with countless Demons and spirits causing mischief among the people, coupled with corrupt officials and powerful local bullies, gradually weakening Great Liang's national strength.

In the eyes of Shangguan Wuji, a general commanding troops, the mediocre and weak-natured Emperor Shaowu simply lacked the ability to reverse Great Liang's decline, and marrying Princess Qingyun off to Great Yan would not change anything.

To rescue the teetering Great Liang, a drastic change was needed!

Shangguan Wuji believed that King Jing, except in status, far surpassed Emperor Shaowu in all other respects.

This was the root of his support for King Jing in this celestial upheaval.

Even King Jing's idea of ceding the northern three counties to Great Qi had Shangguan Wuji's approval.

Because the northern three counties bordered Great Qi without any natural defenses, countless human and material resources had been invested over the years to counter Qi's incursions, causing Great Liang's resources to continuously diminish.

Ceding the three counties would indeed cause severe pain for a time but would allow hundreds of thousands of elite border troops to retreat and defend the fortresses of Heaven Cloud Mountain, blocking the southern advance of the Qi army, and thereafter saving countless funds and provisions.

And a portion of the border troops could also be redeployed to the south to suppress the insurgent Rebel Faction and Heretical Sects, deterring the restless barbarian tribes.

It was indeed killing several birds with one stone!

Additionally, the lost territories of the three counties could be completely reclaimed from Great Yan.

King Jing willing to put aside past grievances and bear the burden to negotiate peace with Great Qi was also for the survival and resurgence of Great Liang!

He planned to have Princess Qingyun marry the Barbarian King to demonstrate to Great Qi their commitment to peace talks, and also to temporarily stabilize the Southern Barbarian tribes, leaving them to be dealt with later.

"For the perpetual stability of the Great Liang's lands, and the peace of its people..."

Shangguan Wuji spoke righteously: "I hope Protector Wang can consider the overall situation and persuade Her Highness to travel to the Southern Barbarians!"

"What an 'overall situation'!"

Wang Chen laughed: "What if I choose not to consider the overall situation? What will you do then?"

Shangguan Wuji's expression darkened, a hint of murderous intent emerging.

He did not respond, but his attitude said it all.

Wang Chen seemingly unaware, retracted his smile and said, "I won't see you out!"

Shangguan Wuji's eyes twitched, he took a deep look at Wang Chen, then said, "The day King Jing ascends the throne will be the day Your Highness heads south. Protector Wang, take care!"

After saying this, Shangguan Wuji brushed off his sleeves and left.

Wang Chen watched as the figure disappeared at the entrance of the hall, and let out a cold laugh.

This commander of the Hanhai Army clearly harbored a killing intent, and yet strongly suppressed the impulse to act out, his scheming was indeed profound.

Wang Chen turned his head to look at Sun Zhengheng, who was sitting beside him, and asked, "Are you alright?"

Sun Zhengheng's face was pale, sweating profusely, and his hands were still trembling.

The sudden burst of killing intent from Shangguan Wuji had greatly intimidated him.

That he didn't collapse on the spot was already quite remarkable.

"I'm fine."

Sun Zhengheng took a deep breath and said with a bitter smile, "Protector Wang, how will we cope in three days?"

Now that the marital delegation is trapped inside the Palace, and having turned against Shangguan Wuji, the situation truly can't get any worse. Sun Zhengheng could no longer imagine what they would have to face in the future!

Thinking of his family far in Daye, the mood of this commander of the Feathered Forest Guard darkened to the extreme.

"Don't worry, I've got this."

Wang Chen said indifferently, "Let's wait for three days. In three days, if Shangguan Wuji persists in his obstinacy..."

"I will send him to his death!"

Sun Zhengheng was terribly shocked!

He could hardly believe his ears—was Wang Chen actually thinking of killing Shangguan Wuji?

Is it possible?

By the time Sun Zhengheng regained his senses, Wang Chen had already left.

Wang Chen did not leave the Palace, but went to the inner hall to meet Princess Qingyun and relayed the current situation to her in detail.

After hearing this, Princess Qingyun wilted like a frost-stricken flower.

She had already endured great mental stress today, and couldn't imagine that an even worse fate was awaiting her!

What kind of person was the Barbarian King?

In the eyes of everyone from the nobility to the commoners in Great Liang, he was akin to a beastly existence - bloodthirsty and brutal.

Princess Qingyun could not imagine what kind of treatment she would receive after marrying the Barbarian King.

Barbarians are inhumane, utterly lacking in manners and decency!

The delicate girl couldn't help but tremble uncontrollably, feeling as though she had fallen into a bottomless icy pit, coldness rushing from her feet to the top of her head, leaving her dizzy and nearly collapsing.

At this moment, a warm and firm hand grasped her delicate hand.

Princess Qingyun instinctively turned her head and saw the concerned look from Wang Chen.

She felt a sudden warmth in her heart and leaned into his embrace.

"Don't worry,"

Wang Chen gently patted her shoulder and said, "I won't let you marry to the Southern Barbarians, I can take you away to avoid all the hatred and disputes, but I don't think that's the best choice."

"Your Highness, have you ever thought of becoming the first Empress of Great Liang?"

Princess Qingyun was stunned!

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First update delivered.