Strongest Lord by Opening Blind Boxes

Chapter 241 - 209: Wang Yi Enters the Capital, a Prince Requests an Audience

Soon, Man Datou began training his troops.

The average Octagonal Cage Soldier wouldn’t volunteer for flight training. Even under direct orders, soldiers like Leonidas paid no mind; they were born without the combat genes for it.

Neither the Taisen nor the Beast Taisen would volunteer for flight training either, but they participated under Man Datou’s direct orders.

Their pass rate in flight training was low. Man Datou, however, was patient and had those who failed continue their training.

When the Giant Scorpion Camp ran out of flight training rooms, he requisitioned more from the Giant Crab Camp and the General’s Camp. Given his seniority, no one dared to refuse him.

And just like that, one after another, Taisen Soldiers equipped with personal, dual-shoulder Flying Bags emerged.

Man Datou then contacted the Capsule Factory to have the Flying Bags processed into capsule form.

He also visited the Premium Armaments Factory, hoping to acquire weapons and equipment for his Taisen.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t that Fish-Transformed Dragon was unwilling to forge weapons for the Taisen Soldiers; the Taisen themselves simply refused to equip them. Whatever they were given, they would casually toss aside, insisting on fighting only with their fists.

Man Datou even tried to get the Taisen to play soccer to obtain the Supreme Jersey, but they were useless at it. They couldn’t learn the rules and wouldn’t kick the ball. Instead, they’d use their fists to punch both the player and the ball, committing such egregious fouls that they were constantly red-carded and even banned for life.

But Man Datou wasn’t discouraged. He simply threw himself into training his troops with great fervor and even named his unit the Manzi Camp!

Zhao Wukang remained inconspicuous in the midst of it all. By following Man Datou around the various camps and factories, he quickly got a grasp of the situation in Eggshell Village.

Meanwhile, in a seemingly forgotten workshop in Eggshell Village’s Watch Factory, Zhao Wenliang and his two companions were intently making watches.

They were skilled workers by now. The trio’s hands moved with incredible speed; they could assemble a mid-range watch in under two minutes.

They had long since completed the task Wang Yi had given them: to make three hundred watches.

But they didn’t stop, paying out of their own pockets to continue production.

"These watches are amazing. They tell time, they show direction... they’re truly essential for home and travel. I predict that if we bring these to the Capital City, they’ll be a hit with the men. We should make more to take back and sell. Such an ingenious item is bound to make us a fortune."

Zhao Wenliang said with a serious expression.

Lu Butong nodded. "Lord Zhao makes an excellent point. I’ll have to owe you two gentlemen some Gold Coins for now. Once we get back to the city and profit from reselling the watches, I’ll repay you immediately."

Tang Xian, who was in the middle of assembling a high-end watch, sighed. "Will we even get a chance to go back? I wonder if that Lord Sun, Sun Wukong, ever saw the secret decree. We’re not going to be stuck here forever, are we?"

Just then, Wang Yi, dressed in a Black Crowned Robe, strode into the workshop. "Gentlemen," he said, "it’s time to set off. We’re going to your Capital City!"

"Huh?"

"You are... Yang Jian?"

"What did you just say...?"

Zhao Wenliang and the other two stared at Wang Yi in astonishment.

Clothes make the man, as the saying goes. When they first met Wang Yi, he was dressed in coarse clothes and covered in dirt, looking every bit the part of a country bumpkin.

But now, clad in the Black Crowned Robe, he had a magnificent, imposing air, even a hint of an emperor’s bearing. He was like a completely different person.

At this point, if Wang Yi had claimed to be Sun Wukong, they would have believed him completely.

"My lord, are you willing to accept the secret decree, to be named the Jade King? And to marry Princess Longyu?" Zhao Wenliang asked excitedly, hoping things were taking a turn for the better.

Wang Yi said, "The Jade King? I won’t be accepting that. As for marrying Princess Longyu, let’s get to the Capital City first and see."

Tang Xian was overjoyed to hear this. "Excellent, excellent! Shall I set off right away?"

"You may! Just hand over 100 watches, and we’ll get going!"

’Everything’s going smoothly right now, and there’s nothing particularly urgent,’ Wang Yi thought. He had already spoken with Jelena and the others; it was the perfect time to visit the Capital City of the Golden Sparrow Country, do some sightseeing, "see the world," and probably even encounter a few plot quests.

A moment later, the group of four set off.

Their mode of transport was Zhao Wenliang’s helicopter.

The vehicle was simultaneously advanced and primitive. Wang Yi chose to keep a low profile and didn’t take out his Galaxy Airship, instead sitting back in the helicopter to leisurely enjoy the scenery along the way.

It’s worth mentioning that Wang Yi had thoughtfully prepared a set of coarse cloth clothes for Lu Datong.

Those burdened with Void Debt were unable to wear valuable clothing; it seemed that if the value of the items on their person exceeded a certain threshold, the system would forcibly sell them off.

In truth, Wang Yi had noticed that Zhao Wenliang and his two companions had "hoarded" a large number of watches, but he wasn’t concerned.

The Fire Dragon Trading Team would definitely get into the watch business in the future, so letting these three test the market with a few was actually a good thing.

Besides, he wanted Lu Datong to make money so that he could be paid back as soon as possible.

The helicopter flew at a leisurely pace for nearly a full day before finally reaching the Capital City.

The capital of the Golden Sparrow Country was named Quejing City, and its Imperial Palace was a separate inner city known as Celestial Saint City.

A hundred thousand soldiers of the Forbidden Army were stationed around Celestial Saint City. To enter the city and have an audience with the Emperor, one had to pass through five gates and six checkpoints—a very cumbersome process.

Although Wang Yi had come to be enfeoffed, he was unable to enter the palace that night. According to protocol, he had to take up temporary residence in Celestial Saint City’s Jade Dew Courtyard and wait to be summoned.

After settling Wang Yi in at the Jade Dew Courtyard, Zhao Wenliang and the other two left to report on the completion of their mission.

The Jade Dew Courtyard had dedicated attendants to see to his needs. There were also procedures such as a ceremonial incense bath and being measured for clothes. Attendants would tailor special formal robes for him, provide him with ceremonial pendants and crowns, and others would come to instruct him in courtly etiquette.

Wang Yi now truly felt as if he had been transported into an ancient dynasty.

However, strength dictates one’s mindset.

A normal Mortal, unaccustomed to such pageantry, might have been filled with awe and trepidation. But Wang Yi now feared no army and possessed the mindset of one who looked down upon the mortal world.

He couldn’t care less about rules or etiquette.

"All this pointless ceremony can be skipped. It’s a total waste of time! I don’t believe the generals and ministers have to go through such a hassle to enter the palace! How about this: all of you, leave. I’m going out for a walk. Do as you please. Whenever I can finally enter the palace, just come and get me!"

Wang Yi had no intention of being restrained. So, in front of a group of attendants who had come to serve him—he didn’t even know if they held official positions—he simply flicked his sleeves and left.

He planned to take a stroll, wander around Quejing City, and experience the local customs of this Otherworld.

Just as he stepped out of his private courtyard, Wang Yi came face to face with two people: the Southern King, Tong Yuanhai, and the Military Advisor who accompanied him, Wu Shenji.

"Great Saint, you’ve really come to Quejing. Excellent, excellent!" Tong Yuanhai said. "I made a special trip to visit. I hope I’m not intruding?"

"I’ve barely set foot here and you’ve already arrived. Your information network is quite fast!"

Wang Yi narrowed his eyes, sizing up Wu Shenji behind Tong Yuanhai. His Eye of Insight revealed Wu Shenji’s basic information; the man actually had five skills.

According to Wang Yi’s experience, green units generally had only one skill, blue units had two, gold units had four, and only red-light units had five.

’Could it be that this Wu Shenji, like Wen Miaosuan, was hatched from a Red Light Chaos Egg? How did Tong Yuanhai manage to get one?’

Slightly puzzled, Wang Yi couldn’t help but give Wu Shenji a few extra glances.

Tong Yuanhai continued, "Actually, I also just arrived in Quejing City, only about an hour before you did, Great Saint. My courtyard is right next door."

"What? As the Southern King, you can’t get into the Imperial Palace today either?"

"If I wanted to go, no one could stop me, but I’m not in a hurry to enter the palace. Great Saint, might I discuss something with you?"

"Mm!" Wang Yi nodded, inviting Tong Yuanhai and Wu Shenji into the courtyard.

The courtyard contained an ornamental fishpond, next to which stood a pavilion with a stone table and stools. Wang Yi casually sat down on one of the stools.

The many servants in the courtyard immediately bustled about, preparing to serve refreshments and tea.

The visitor was the Southern King; they dared not be neglectful.

Wang Yi waved them away, invited Tong Yuanhai into the pavilion, and asked, "Southern King, I assume you were invited to the capital because of the war in the west?"

"Of course it’s about that damn mess!" Tong Yuanhai said, taking a seat on a stone stool as well. "This worthless Court is useless; I’m afraid they can’t defeat the Celestial Net. I heard that half of the Nine Prefectures and Sixteen Counties of the Western Regions have already fallen. Were you also invited to dispatch troops to the Western Domain, Great Saint?"

"That’s right."

"Then you must watch carefully, Great Saint. The Court’s attitude is obvious—they’re just waiting to negotiate. Although I’ve never been part of the imperial court, I receive a lot of information. In my opinion, the ministers of this Golden Sparrow Country are all experts at infighting. Power struggles, framing rivals, scheming against each other—they’re all expert-level, even master-level, and their methods are vicious. But when it comes to foreign threats, they’re incredibly soft, just hoping someone will come to their rescue."

"So, your purpose for coming to Quejing City is... Your Highness?"

"I’m here for two reasons. First, to watch the show! It will certainly be interesting to see the performances of those court ministers. My second reason is also to dispatch troops to the Western Domain. Of course, I’m not sending my troops for this corrupt Court, but for the Corridor of Chaos!"

"The Corridor of Chaos? What’s that?"

"The Corridor of Chaos is precisely why I’ve taken the liberty of disturbing you. I’ll be direct. I hope to join forces with you, Great Saint, to control the Corridor of Chaos and seize its resources!"

Just then, someone came from outside to announce, "Reporting, my lord! King Pingxi and the National Preceptor are outside the courtyard, requesting an audience!"

’King Pingxi? Is he a Player or one of the Indigenous People? And the National Preceptor... is that the Xiaoliang State Preceptor?’

Wang Yi’s thoughts raced. He looked at Tong Yuanhai and asked, "Your Highness, do you need to avoid these two?"

"No need."

"Very well!" Wang Yi said to the attendant who made the announcement. "Please let King Pingxi and the National Preceptor in."

"Yes, sir!"

The servant withdrew. A moment later, a handsome young man with a longsword on his back and a little girl who looked to be only seven or eight years old walked into the courtyard.

Wang Yi’s gaze swept over them, and he immediately saw their identity information.

[Li Ben: Indigenous Person, King Pingxi, 88 years old, Martial Arts Grandmaster, Deep Skill Creation, Rejuvenation, Golden Sparrow Country’s Number One Expert, Purple Plot Character, possesses King-level Combat Power.]

[Liang Xiaoyu: Adventurer, has changed class to Celestial Fate and Destiny Official, current National Preceptor of the Golden Sparrow Country, wields the National Seal Jade Seal.]