"I've decided..."
Bai Zihe scanned everyone, his gaze sharp. "We depart now, to return to Great Xia and manage the situation."
The crowd exchanged glances, no one voicing any objection.
"This is..."
Bai Zihe produced a mobile phone and handed it to Elder Liu Yuan. "This phone can contact Senior Sister Five. Its battery is low, so use it sparingly."
"And..."
Bai Zihe's expression turned extremely solemn. "If you hear any unusual sounds, absolutely do not let curiosity lead you to investigate."
"Wait patiently."
"Survive these few days, and when the rescue ship arrives, you will be safe."
He worried about other strange black energies on the island.
If any were triggered...
The consequences could be dire.
After giving all his instructions, Bai Zihe summoned his Zhutian Sword and, with Zhuge Sheng, pursued the direction Ji Xian Yuan had left.
That was presumably the way towards Great Xia.
Along the way.
The two spoke little.
Both Bai Zihe and Zhuge Sheng knew well that upon returning to Great Xia, they would face insurmountable obstacles and countless difficulties.
"Whoosh..."
A streak of light coursed through the sky.
From sunset to the moon's rise, time ticked by.
Several hours later.
Bai Zihe could already see the myriad lights of civilization below.
However, this was not yet Great Xia's territory, merely the passing land of the Ying people.
The Capital.
The location of the War Department.
A middle-aged man, carrying a long sword on his back, stood outside the main gate.
Minister of War Qian Yuanshan and Grand Elder Dongfang Tuo, among others, were already present, facing the newcomer with utmost caution.
"Submit, or..."
"Die!"
The middle-aged man looked at the assembled experts of the War Department and uttered these words with chilling coldness, devoid of any emotion.
Qian Yuanshan and the others' pupils contracted sharply.
In the past few days.
Since Emperor Daxia and others had departed with Bai Zihe to Dragon Island, the situation in Great Xia had become extremely volatile.
And then, after only a few days.
The "Emperor," Zhuge Sheng, returned!
Upon his return, he purged the entire court of Great Xia, killing many.
Qian Yuanshan had already met the current "Emperor" and had a strong premonition that this "Emperor" was a fake; the true Emperor was likely still on Dragon Island or en route.
Therefore.
He had disregarded the various decrees issued by this "Emperor."
This, in turn, had provoked the wrath of the "Zhuge Sheng."
And thus, the current scene at the War Department unfolded.
"Who exactly are you?"
Qian Yuanshan's cold eyes fixed on the man, and he asked in a frigid tone.
He could sense the aura of death emanating from the man, indicating a true master, one who had taken countless lives.
But as the Minister of War, he would not easily yield to brute force!
"You are playing with fire."
The middle-aged man, named Qin Jian, was an inner disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect. His cultivation had reached the terrifying early stage of the Nascent Soul realm.
Within the Heavenly Mountain Sword Sect, such power was not considered extraordinary.
However, in the secular world of Great Xia, it was equivalent to Bai Zihe's former strength, standing at the pinnacle of all.
All of this stemmed from the previous fake Emperor and Liu Wen.
Behind them was the Heavenly Mountain Sword Sect.
At the time, Qin Changsheng had intended to use Liu Wen and the fake Emperor to control Great Xia.
With Qin Changsheng's demise.
The Heavenly Mountain Sword Sect naturally knew that Liu Wen and the fake Emperor were likely also lost.
Therefore.
The Heavenly Mountain Sword Sect dispatched a new contingent of personnel to the imperial capital of Great Xia.
They swiftly seized control of the imperial capital's forbidden areas and found someone who closely resembled Zhuge Sheng to impersonate the Emperor once more.
However.
The War Department had detected the anomaly.
Consequently, Qin Jian was dispatched to subdue the War Department.
Or else...
Annihilate it!
"Whoosh..."
A cold glint flashed in Qin Jian's eyes. The next moment, he unleashed a torrent of sword energy.
The sword energy was incredibly sharp, radiating dazzling light, and in a flash, it shot towards Qian Yuanshan.
"Ching..."
Qian Yuanshan felt a sudden cold sweep past. A section of his hair had been shorn off.
The chilling intent that narrowly missed him made Qian Yuanshan's eyelids twitch.
If.
That sword energy had been aimed at his throat just moments ago, he would already be dead!
"Qian Yuanshan, I'll give you one last chance."
Qin Jian was gradually losing patience, speaking in a glacial tone. "Either... submit to me, and submit to the Emperor of Great Xia."
"Or..."
"Your entire War Department will perish today!"
As his words fell.
A chilling killing intent surged and spread, instantly engulfing the skies above the War Department.
Cold, oppressive.
It was almost suffocating.
Qian Yuanshan, Dongfang Tuo, and the others wore expressions of extreme gravity.
"Our War Department..."
Qian Yuanshan gazed at Qin Jian, a resolute glint in his eyes.
He took a step forward and declared firmly, "Is the War Department of Great Xia, not a tool for your ambitious schemes!"
"If you intend to use our War Department to achieve your ulterior motives..."
"Then I advise you to abandon that idea at once!"
Dongfang Tuo also stepped forward. "This old man is already in the twilight of his years."
"To die for the nation today would not be a regret!"
As they spoke.
The many elders behind them also voiced their assent.
"You wretches, acting as lackeys in Great Xia, won't be arrogant for long!"
"The people of Great Xia will never be subservient. Kill us, torture us... as you wish!"
"What if our heads are severed today?"
"Hahaha..."
The group was actually filled with righteous indignation, unafraid of death.
Yes.
Great Xia was currently in a time of crisis.
And this Qin Jian...
Actually demanded they obey the fake Emperor to carry out the suppression and purging of others. It was sheer delusion.
"Seeking death!"
Qin Jian was instantly enraged.
"Clang..."
He raised his hand, and the long sword behind him was drawn.
The moment it left its scabbard.
A crisp sword chime echoed, indicating, unsurprisingly, that it was a peerless treasure sword.
"Swish..."
Qin Jian, with a cold expression, immediately drew his sword, preparing to behead Qian Yuanshan.
Qian Yuanshan, Dongfang Tuo, and the others tensed every nerve in their bodies.
They all knew.
The Qin Jian before them was an unprecedented master.
"Whoosh!"
"Boom!"
"Rumble!"
In an instant, over a dozen elders simultaneously unleashed a punch, attempting to force Qin Jian back.
"Trivial trick!"
Qin Jian snorted coldly and casually swung his sword.
"Rumble..."
The vast power instantly shattered the defenses of Qian Yuanshan and the others. In fact, one elder, unable to dodge in time, had an arm severed on the spot.
And everyone else, including Qian Yuanshan, was sent flying by the shockwaves, tumbling dozens of times before landing on the ground.
When they rose.
Blood was already trickling from the corners of everyone's mouths.
Qin Jian was too powerful.
With a single sword strike, the entire War Department was injured.
Qin Jian did not stop. He walked step by step towards Qian Yuanshan and the others. With each step, his aura intensified.
"Roar..."
Just then, a heaven-shaking roar echoed from behind Qian Yuanshan and the others.