Chapter 1987: Just Started and Got Interrupted

If they nodded, it would reaffirm their approval of Situ He making decisions on behalf of the allied forces, with endless repercussions. But if they didn't, they wouldn't get through today's challenge.

Emperor Jiuyou's hand finally pointed at King Poliu.

"This one—"

The Ghoul Beast, Hunsheng, who was also being pointed at, felt the intense killing intent and couldn't help but let out a roar.

King Poliu was about to speak, but heard Emperor Jiuyou say listlessly, "No need to speak. Kill!"

The last word was bone-chilling.

"You!" King Poliu was both shocked and angry. "Wait..."

Why was it that he didn't even get to speak?

Emperor Jiuyou waved his hand, and a thousand arrows flew forth simultaneously.

A light blue barrier immediately rose around King Poliu, activating automatically upon attack.

The Child-Devouring Ghoul Beast also opened its mouth again and lunged forward. It wasn't limited to just roaring.

The battle was exceptionally violent and brief, lasting less than a quarter of an hour from start to finish.

Most of King Poliu's two hundred Kaan tribe guards were slaughtered. The battle ended with King Poliu and his close associates pierced through the heart, and the Kaan tribe leader wounded and captured.

Situ He and the others watching were drenched in sweat. Not only did the Black Armored Army have an overwhelming numerical advantage, but their instantaneous burst power was also terrifying, with various divine abilities flying everywhere from the start. The enclosed terrain was also perfectly suited for them to overpower fewer opponents with greater numbers.

They only realized while watching the battle that King Poliu had more than one Ghoul Beast by his side. Besides Hunsheng, another demonic puppet appeared from nowhere to assist in the fight. It was small in size and specialized in short-distance instantaneous flashes. The most remarkable thing was that it could even carry one person.

After Hunsheng was beheaded by Luo Xie's peculiar weapon, this demonic puppet had intended to carry King Poliu away to escape. Even Tao Ran couldn't stop it, but it was blocked by the Blood Demon, who pierced through a wall to deliver a heart-piercing blow, impaling both the demonic puppet and King Poliu like a skewer.

Only then did everyone realize that Emperor Jiuyou's cloak was actually a demon monster transformed.

Afterward, this crimson demon threw King Poliu's corpse back into the collapsed courtyard.

With a thud, dust scattered everywhere.

King Poliu, who had been high-spirited half an hour ago, now lay face up to the sky, half-covered in dust and mud, half in water, his eyes wide in death.

King Poliu's guard force was already retreating steadily. Seeing that their master had already fallen, they could only throw down their weapons and kneel in surrender.

The several major leaders watching immediately felt a sense of sorrow and empathy.

Although King Poliu had brought about his own demise, Emperor Jiuyou's public execution of a monarch was like slaughtering a chicken, undoubtedly serving as a warning to others.

What he intended to do, riding on the might of his great victory, was clear without asking.

The Blood Demon then slowly returned to Emperor Jiuyou's side, transforming back into his cloak.

Situ He also watched, cold sweat pouring down. On one hand, it was due to the overwhelming pressure from Emperor Jiuyou and the Black Armored Army. On the other hand, he was also startled by King Poliu's preparations.

Two Ghoul Beasts, two hundred skilled fighters, and a group of Kaan tribesmen. If he could also secure the support of Baoxin Kingdom and the Wutu tribe, King Poliu would have had a high chance of keeping Situ He here today.

Unfortunately, Emperor Jiuyou suddenly appeared, directly cutting King Poliu's plan short.

The battle ended, and the Black Armored Army began clearing the battlefield and handling the aftermath.

In the process, two more people were captured: the envoy sent by Qingyang, the one who had previously hidden behind King Poliu and shouted, and the controller of the Ghoul Beasts and demonic puppets.

This controller hadn't been with King Poliu's party but was hidden in a nearby civilian house, exerting his power. Seeing King Poliu killed, he tried to escape in the chaos. Unfortunately, the battle formation cast by the Black Armored Army could prevent escape techniques, followed by a thorough search that eventually led to his capture.

He Lingchuan was particularly experienced in catching demonic puppet masters, so capturing this fellow was a piece of cake.

He played the role of a county magistrate and immediately interrogated the two captured individuals on the spot.

The result was no surprise: King Poliu and the Kaan tribesmen had indeed sided with the Heavenly Gods. Following Qingyang's instructions, they set a trap to capture Situ He, planning to turn the entire allied army against Emperor Jiuyou. The Bixia people would also send troops simultaneously to join them in confronting Emperor Jiuyou.

Enemies who had fought to the death for years were about to shake hands and make peace under the Heavenly Gods' mediation.

A few words repeatedly mentioned in Qingyang's letter were "capture Situ He alive."

Upon seeing the letter, Situ He repeatedly touched his neck several times, realizing how valuable his life apparently was.

The envoy also confessed that once King Poliu controlled the allied army, his most important task would be to fully exert himself to stall Emperor Jiuyou and form an overwhelming alliance with the surrounding powerful factions.

As long as public sentiment wavered and the Dragon God's aura of faith weakened, Emperor Jiuyou, with only the limited manpower of the Black Armored Army, would no longer be able to turn the Blazing Gold Plains upside down.

Since both confession and witness testimony were present, the collusion of Poliu Kingdom and the Kaan tribe with the enemy was confirmed. Therefore, the other five factions had nothing to say about Emperor Jiuyou's powerful intervention.

If he hadn't come, Situ He would probably have become a prisoner.

Today's sudden turn of events, which was originally King Poliu and the Kaan tribesmen's plot against Situ He, quickly resulted in the killing of the Poliu king.

Qingyang's plan had just begun when it was interrupted by He Lingchuan. His method was direct and brutal but effective.

Emperor Jiuyou gave no time for the others to process what had happened and immediately said, "Marshal Situ, a word with you, if you please."

After speaking, he turned and entered a tavern on the street.

As soon as he spoke, everyone knew the main event was about to begin.

Between Emperor Jiuyou and the allied army, there were more important issues to address.

Situ He looked at his other allies, but couldn't say anything, and walked into the tavern under their anxious and complicated gazes.

The second floor of the tavern was off-limits to idlers.

On the table, a jar of fine wine and four small dishes had already been set out.

With no one else around, Emperor Jiuyou's battle armor automatically retracted.

The formidable and awe-inspiring reincarnated Dragon God instantly reverted to He Lingchuan, Situ He's old acquaintance.

"Brother He, you've saved my life again!" Without waiting for He Lingchuan to speak, Situ He bowed deeply, his hand almost touching the floor. "Brother He, you risked your life for me alone. How can I ever repay such a great kindness?"

He Lingchuan's first time saving him was from the Ghost King. Otherwise, the grass on Situ He's grave would be person-high by now.

"We are close friends, why be so formal?" He Lingchuan pulled him up. "For a long time, you've been the one to resist pressure and refuse to bow to the Sky Demons. The trouble you faced today was also because of me."

Situ He immediately said, "The Heavenly Gods... the Sky Demons indeed tried to recruit me repeatedly. But Brother He has great righteousness for Blazing Gold, and great kindness toward me. How could I turn against and harm you, both publicly and privately?"

Heaven knows how much pressure he had endured, both within and outside the allied army, since Emperor Jiuyou's uprising.

The two exchanged a smile.

"Sit," He Lingchuan said, sitting down first and casually filling two cups. "Since I went to Yaoguo, we haven't sat down together for a drink."

"Indeed, half a year has passed in a flash. Time flies so fast." Situ He raised his cup and took a small sip. "Good wine! Brother He, you've kept this from me so well. I've always found it strange why a foreign merchant would get so deeply involved in Blazing Gold. Turns out, alas, you had ulterior motives!"