Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

Under Wang Chen's command, Mingyu Palace immediately entered a state of full alert.

One after another, members of the Feathered Forest Guard quickly took up key positions within this temporary palace and set up heavy crossbows.

Mingyu Palace, built for the Emperor's border inspections, is located at the center of Hanhai City, but its defenses are in no way weak; it could be considered a fortress within the city.

The entire perimeter of Mingyu Palace is surrounded by tall and sturdy walls, with exceptionally robust gates at the front and back, in addition to facilities like arrow towers and weapon storage towers, all fully equipped.

With proper defensive measures in place, three thousand elite Feathered Forest Guards are entirely capable of holding out for a considerable duration.

The only trouble is that although there are wells inside the temporary palace, there is no grain or fodder in the storerooms. Relying solely on the supplies brought by the marriage entourage, they would not be able to last for long.

So, as long as the enemy besieges Mingyu Palace thoroughly, the three thousand Feathered Forest Guards will inevitably collapse without a fight as time passes!

But this scenario is predicated on the actual defection of the Hanhai Army.

Due to the situation being unclear, Wang Chen and Sun Zhengheng did not act rashly, such as rushing to Hanhai Prefectural Government to challenge or accuse them.

While they arranged the defense of the temporary palace on the one hand, they started interrogating the detained kitchen staff and general hands on the other.

However, these people were mostly ignorant and frightened out of their wits, weeping and trembling uncontrollably, pleading their innocence!

"Sir!"

During the interrogation, a member of the Feathered Forest Guard hurried into the side hall, anxiously reporting, "A large number of soldiers have appeared outside the temporary palace; we are surrounded!"

Wang Chen and Sun Zhengheng exchanged glances, their hearts sinking.

The worst scenario had materialized!

"Lord Sun, hold the fort here."

Wang Chen made a decisive decision: "I'll go and take a look!"

Sun Zhengheng nodded: "Be careful!"

The siege on Mingyu Palace; only the Hanhai Army could pull off such a feat. The situation was as dire as it could possibly be.

Under such circumstances, if Wang Chen were to encounter mishap, Sun Zhengheng had no confidence whatsoever in his ability to protect Princess Qingyun.

He suddenly grabbed Wang Chen's arm, clenched his teeth, and said, "Protector Wang, if the situation is untenable, I will lead the Feathered Forest Guards out of the palace to draw them away, and you take the princess and escape."

Sun Zhengheng planned to sacrifice himself and three thousand Feathered Forest Guards just to create an opportunity for Wang Chen and Princess Qingyun to break out and flee.

With Wang Chen's strength capable of rivaling ten thousand enemies, there was a great chance for success!

"Let's not panic for now."

Wang Chen patted the arm of the Feathered Forest Guard leader and said, "We will act according to the situation."

He left the side hall and quickly reached the city wall at the entrance of the front palace.

He saw countless torches raised in the vicinity of Mingyu Palace, their flickering flames casting the figures of soldiers clad in armor and weaponry, arrayed in strict formation with solemn expressions, a chilling aura piercing the firmament.

Undoubtedly, it was the Hanhai Army!

As the sole natural barrier of Great Liang's western borderlands, the significance of Hanhai City was beyond question. Although Great Liang and Great Yan had not engaged in conflict in recent decades and relations had always been quite amicable, mutual vigilance had never ceased.

To ensure the safety of Hanhai City, Great Liang stationed a legion of fifty thousand soldiers in Hanhai City.

The Hanhai Army was not the local border force of Hanhai Prefecture; its members were mainly rotated in from the Northland, with extensive combat experience from the harsh wars against Great Qi.

Coupled with Great Liang's significant investment in armaments, the elite status of this military force went without saying.

Most importantly, the commander of the Hanhai Army was a very distinguished figure!

"I am the Prince's Protector, the Marriage Envoy, Wang Chen!"

Standing atop the wall, Wang Chen called out in a deep voice: "Is General Shangguan present? Please come out and speak!"

Shangguan Wuji, commander of the Hanhai Army, a sixth-tier Martial Venerable!

This pillar of Hanhai, also known as Grand General of the Western Defense, was one of the most prominent individuals within the military hierarchy of Great Liang.

He hails from a Noble Clan, instructed in the arts of the military, and since joining the army at fifteen, he has been through countless battles, his merits and honors notable. Having controlled the Hanhai Army and defended the frontier for as long as ten years, he is without a doubt the soul of this border force.

Any action of the Hanhai Army could not possibly bypass this Great General!

No sooner had Wang Chen's words fallen when dozens of bright lanterns suddenly rose in the street ahead, illuminating the entire street.

Flag after flag was raised high, surrounding a majestic war chariot pulled by four fine horses.

Atop the war chariot stood a tall military commander in iron armor.

Despite the distance of hundreds of steps, his gaze clashed with Wang Chen's!

This military commander cupped his hands towards Wang Chen from afar: "So it is Protector Wang in person, I am Shangguan Wuji."

"Tigers!"

Before he could finish speaking, the Hanhai Army soldiers around him roared in unison, the sound echoing and whipping up the winds and clouds!

The military formations can congeal an aura of supreme ferocity, possessing the power to intimidate enemy forces and shatter all techniques, such that even formidable Demons dare not lightly confront their edge.

Once a martial artist of great strength falls into this formation, their Cultivation Level is greatly suppressed, making it difficult to exert their full power.

The Feathered Forest Guard stationed atop the walls all changed their expressions in unison.

They were the elite of the army and belonged to the Emperor's personal guard, naturally harboring pride.

Yet faced with the aura of ferocity bursting from the Hanhai border soldiers, being suppressed before even clashing, they felt extraordinarily stifled and uncomfortable!

Their blood and bravery for battle were greatly reduced.

"General Shangguan, may I ask what are your intentions by leading your troops to besiege Mingyu Palace?"

Wang Chen shouted fiercely: "Are you attempting to rebel?"

The Feathered Forest Guard around Wang Chen immediately breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much less tense.

Because the aura of intimidation from the Hanhai Army had been dispelled by a large margin!

"Rebel? I harbor no such intention."

Shangguan Wuji looked deeply at Wang Chen and said, "I am acting upon a royal command; the reason for which, I can personally explain to Princess Qingyun. Protector Wang, please refrain from making unfounded accusations."

A royal command?

Wang Chen was briefly stunned, then sharply questioned, "And the poisoning of the army provisions, was that also done on a royal command?"

Shangguan Wuji denied outright: "As the Grand General of the Western Defense, how could I stoop to such petty acts!"

Wang Chen scoffed: "If you have a clear conscience, do you dare to enter and make your statement before Princess Qingyun?"

"What have I to fear?"

Shangguan Wuji slapped the chariot rail: "Proceed to the palace immediately!"

The soldier driving the war chariot immediately flicked the reins, and the four fine horses kicked into action, dragging the chariot towards the palace gate.

A troop of fully-armed, fierce Knights followed closely behind.

"Open Gate!"

Seeing that Shangguan Wuji truly intended to enter, Wang Chen commanded to open the palace gates without a second thought.

The Feathered Forest Guard hesitated for a moment, but still followed his order.

With creaking and grinding noises, the heavy doors of the palace opened left and right, Shangguan Wuji's chariot being the first to break through, with a hundred War Cavalry following closely behind.

At this moment, the Feathered Forest Guard stationed at the palace gate were extremely tense, fearing that these Hanhai War Cavalry might suddenly make a move.

But such a situation did not occur.

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The first update is here.