Otherworld Advance Team-Chapter 1768 - 1761: Officially Entering the Capital

After listening to Yichuan Fei’s description, Luo’er nodded slightly, showing a satisfied expression. However, after pondering for a moment, he couldn’t help but feel a trace of anxiety: "Can I trust you?"

"Of course," Yichuan Fei nodded, responding confidently, "As long as the saints can fulfill their promises, we will never break our word. The Wen Family acts with credibility first, so please do not worry, saint."

After a pause, as if he thought of something, he continued, "Additionally, His Majesty also hopes for the saint to arrive in the capital soon."

"His Majesty?"

"Emperor Wu has heard of your experiences in the East Sheng Nine States and is eager to meet the saints," Yichuan Fei answered.

"So we’ve become so famous." Luo’er smirked, unclear if it was satirical or self-mocking.

"His Majesty is very interested in you. After the reception, he hopes to meet you privately through me," Yichuan Fei smiled and said, "Since you wish to seek everlasting peace beyond West Outer Heaven, this meeting is crucial, for Emperor Wu’s will represents the will of the Empire."

"Isn’t it the case that nowadays, it’s the Cabinet that calls the shots in the Dongsheng Empire," Luo’er squinted and said.

"His Majesty, as Emperor Wu, is the emperor of all martial artists, embodying the will of all warriors. Therefore, often what Emperor Wu wants to do, the Cabinet finds it hard to oppose, because what drives these matters is the force of the Wu Family behind His Majesty," Yichuan Fei explained.

"So, does the Young Mansion mean to say that the Dongsheng Empire’s invasion of West Outer Heaven is led by the Wu Family backing the Emperor?" Luo’er asked tentatively.

Although he had a rough guess of the truth, it was still speculation regardless. The only way to confirm was to hear the admission from Yichuan Fei.

"Isn’t it obvious," Yichuan Fei chuckled lightly, not intending to hide it, "West Outer Heaven is distant, and the Heavenly Army’s expedition yields no gain compared to expenditure. Even if we forcibly occupy it, such an enclave is extremely difficult to govern with officials. No matter how we toss and turn, to firmly control West Outer Heaven, the Empire must constantly bleed resources. Any rational person, I think, would never agree to such a course of action."

"Yet you invaded, and thousands of the Demon Clan were left homeless because of this war." Luo’er frowned, pressing his lips together.

"As I said," Yichuan Fei shrugged, "after all, the Cabinet is just the Cabinet. Very few can oppose what His Majesty wants to do."

Luo’er fell silent for a moment, staring at Yichuan Fei speechlessly. He wasn’t sure if what Yichuan Fei said was true, because his experiences told him that the actual governing body of the Dongsheng Empire was the Cabinet primarily led by civil officials. And Emperor Wu had long since become a mere figurehead.

This is somewhat akin to a constitutional monarchy, where the monarch is only the nominal supreme ruler, but the actual rulers are the ministers under the monarch.

However, specific problems should be analyzed specifically and can’t be generalized.

The Dongsheng Empire is a country born from the Magic World, established by cultivators.

So no matter how similar its political institutions are to those on Earth, they shouldn’t be equated. After all, in Earth’s history, cases of individual might overwhelming armies do not exist.

Emperor Wu, after all, is Emperor Wu, the nominally strongest individual in martial prowess across the East Prosperity Nine States, the monarch of all cultivators.

Therefore, even if the Wen Family controls the Cabinet, it doesn’t mean they can completely monopolize Emperor Wu’s power. Even as the leading group of civil officials, the Yichuan Clan still needs to be tightly bound to the Royal Family through marriage.

This implies that, at least in the eyes of the Yichuan Clan, Emperor Wu is not something that can be easily manipulated as a mere mascot. They still need to maintain a marriage alliance with the Royal Family to ensure their power remains stable.

Understanding this layer makes the rest easy to interpret. Emperor Wu, goaded by the Wu Family forces, launched a war against West Outer Heaven. While the Cabinet government didn’t want to initiate such an expedition, they couldn’t do anything about Emperor Wu, so they had to go along with what was destined to be a failed war.

But is the Wen Family’s Cabinet government really so innocent?

If Luo’er remembered correctly, that military leader named Xuan secretly conspired with the Demon Clan, plotting against the generals in the army.

This means that while the Cabinet government did cooperate with this war, they also used this war to purge the Wu Family’s influence from the military.

Throughout the war, none suffered more heavily than the generals of the Dongsheng army. These generals, all cultivators in the Jiedan Realm, perished in the war.

"I have a question." After a brief silence, Luo’er suddenly spoke.

"Please ask."

"What role does the Wen Family Cabinet play in the East Sheng Empire’s Imperial Court?" Luo’er couldn’t help but ask.

Hearing his question, Yichuan Fei visibly paused for a moment, then resumed his smile, looking at Luo’er and asking, "Does the saint want to know who really holds power in today’s Imperial Court? That’s not a topic to be mentioned lightly."

"If you find it sensitive, this conversation ends here." Luo’er also seemed quite forthright.

"The Empire is under His Majesty’s rule. Of course, the current Imperial Court is governed by His Majesty," Yichuan Fei paused, then continued, "The Wen Family Cabinet merely acts on behalf of His Majesty to manage state affairs."

"Is that really the case?" Luo’er asked.

"What kind of answer does the saint wish to receive?" Yichuan Fei smiled, looking at Luo’er with a meaningful smile.

"Let’s end the conversation here," Luo’er, somewhat guilty, shifted his gaze evasively and said, "Since His Majesty wants to meet us, please arrange it for us, Young Mansion."

"Naturally," Yichuan Fei nodded.

"Then, when do we head to the Capital City?" Luo’er asked.

"If the saint does not mind, we shall set off tomorrow," Yichuan Fei said, "His Majesty has already prepared a grand ceremony for the saint. At that time, civil and martial officials will all be present, so please do not disappoint His Majesty’s intention."

"A welcoming ceremony..."

Upon hearing his words, Luo’er took a deep breath, his heart racing slightly. This is a grand occasion, one he’s rarely encountered, even after traveling far and wide in the Otherworld for years, making it inevitable to feel anxious.

Early the next morning, before dawn, the Liangyu Mansion was already bustling. Everyone in the mansion was busy preparing for the Advance Team’s audience with Emperor Wu.

Outside Liangyu Mansion, the Capital City’s Forbidden Army awaited, led by Yichuan Xv. This was an elite force of over three thousand, with every soldier being a cultivator. Clad in mysterious black heavy armor, they are the most elite armed force of the Dongsheng Empire.

Their appearance signifies the official recognition and welcome of the saints by the Dongsheng Empire.

Although the Advance Team had encountered numerous troubles before, most were internal struggles between the Wen Family and the Wu Family and didn’t represent the official stance. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Now, with the appearance of the Forbidden Army led by Yichuan Xv, the Dongsheng Empire officially extends an invitation for the Advance Team to enter the Capital and meet the Emperor.

It is a rare opportunity. Though they have a mission, the members of the Advance Team unanimously put on their best clothes.

Luo’er watched their actions calmly, his face showing little expression. However, although he appeared calm, inside he was quite anxious.

In such situations, Cheng Ziang certainly couldn’t be counted on. Despite his usually impeccable manners, he too got flustered when facing such matters.

As the captain of the Advance Team, Luo’er knew that such responsibilities could only fall on him, as his position demanded.

Once everyone was ready, they boarded the carriage, and under the escort of three thousand armor-clad soldiers, they grandly left the Liangyu Mansion, heading towards the Capital City of the Dongsheng Empire.

As they got closer to the Capital City, the roads became smoother and wider. The Capital City, Shengyuan Qilan, features an outer city comparable to a large state capital, with an array of houses, some even high-rise buildings.

At that moment, the streets in the outer city were cleared, and even the stone-paved roads had been washed. Every two meters stood a soldier with a lance. The streets and the windows of the surrounding houses were crowded with masses of people.

The Kyushu people displayed immense curiosity towards the delegation from the West, with the streets stretching over ten miles surrounded by crowds.

Cheng Ziang observed that most of these Kyushu people were well-dressed, seemingly from affluent families, with barely any signs of the poor. Of course, whether the poor didn’t exist or were driven away, only the local officials would know.

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