Chapter 224 - 224 Releasing the Empress?

224 Releasing the Empress?

Hearing Xuan Wushang’s request, Lin Ran was puzzled.

It was indeed a big gain to get the enemy’s country to retreat 300 miles from the border and hand 15 cities, but compared to the greatest benefit of holding the empress hostage, it was nothing.

It was no exaggeration to say that if Lin Ran became the emperor of the Great Yong Dynasty, as long as the empress was in his hands, he was confident that he could take down most of the Heavenly Saint Dynasty in a month!

However, what puzzled Lin Ran the most was that Xuan Wushang actually suggested letting them go.

Now that the war between the two countries had only stopped for the time being, the grudge that had existed for thousands of years was far from over. It was already benevolent of Xuan Wushang not to take the opportunity to kill them. How could he let them return to the Heavenly Saint Dynasty?

Liu Ruxi was also puzzled.

When Liu Ruxi realized that she was no match for Lin Ran, she had secretly sent a signal to Xuan Wushang to ask for help. It wasn’t easy for her to stall for time, but Xuan Wushang actually wanted to let them go?

After hesitating for a while, Liu Ruxi couldn’t help but say, “Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

“I’ve made up my mind. Lord Liu, there’s no need to say anything else.”

Xuan Wushang smiled. Then, he said indifferently, “Remove the restriction on the two of them.”

“But Your Majesty…”

Just as Liu Ruxi was about to speak, Xuan Wushang shot her a fierce look, causing her to swallow back her words.

Liu Ruxi lowered her head and replied softly, “Yes.” The soft sword in Liu Ruxi’s hand shook slightly, and the red ribbon on the empress’s wrist that Lin Ran couldn’t break no matter how hard he tried was easily cut in half.

Then, Liu Ruxi walked up to Lin Ran and cut the red ribbon on Lin Ran’s wrist into two before silently retreating behind Xuan Wushang, clearly afraid of Lin Ran.

Lin Ran, on the other hand, stared at Xuan Wushang the entire time. He didn’t even look at Liu Ruxi, who was inches away from him. Even when Liu Ruxi raised her soft sword, he didn’t even blink.

After all, compared to Liu Ruxi, Xuan Wushang was clearly more of a threat.

Seeing the hostility in Lin Ran’s eyes, Xuan Wushang only smiled indifferently. He turned to look at the empress and said sincerely, “Emperor Sheng Yuan, I’ve already shown my sincerity. You can leave at any time. Do you agree to hand over the cities?”

The empress did not answer Xuan Wushang. She only looked at the wisp of fog lingering around her and asked, “Leave at any time?”

“I’m sorry, this is just a precaution.”

Xuan Wushang smiled apologetically and glanced at Lin Ran. “After all, we are too close.”

Lin Ran, who was 100 feet away, narrowed his eyes and relaxed his grip on the Yin-Yang Sword.

He didn’t know how Xuan Wushang could tell that he was preparing to launch a surprise attack. Perhaps it was because Xuan Wushang was sensitive to danger, or perhaps it was just a coincidence, but at this moment, the empress was still in his hands. Lin Ran didn’t dare to take the risk.

As if sensing that Lin Ran had relaxed his grip on the hilt of his sword, the smile on Xuan Wushang’s face deepened. He pondered for a moment and said, “I believe Emperor Sheng Yuan is a smart person. Fifteen cities and 300 miles of border in exchange for your lives… This deal is very worth it.”

The empress’s face darkened but she did not say anything. Logically speaking, as the Heavenly Saint Emperor, she should not give up an inch of her own land, but compared to her and Lin Ran’s safety, this little thing was indeed nothing.

300 miles was only a day’s journey for a quick march. As for the 15 cities, there were hundreds of garrison cities near the border. Every time a large-scale war broke out, the number of cities destroyed was far more than 15.

In any case, Xuan Wushang did not say which 15 cities he wanted. Even if the empress gave him 15 garrison cities, he would not think there was anything wrong.

Therefore, no matter how one looked at it, this deal was worth it. However, it was also because it was too worth it that the empress could not help but suspect that Xuan Wushang had other plans.

After thinking for a moment, the empress looked at Xuan Wushang and asked with a frown, “Do you have any requirements for the cities you want?”

“No.”

Xuan Wushang shook his head and said as if he had guessed what the empress was thinking, “Even if it’s just a garrison city at the border, it’s fine. But it has to be 15 cities, not one less.”

“There’s indeed something fishy going on!”

The empress thought to herself, but she really had no clue at this moment. After thinking for a moment to no avail, she changed the topic and asked, “But how can I hand it to you? If you need something like a document, I’m afraid I can only issue it after I return to the palace.”

“I have my own plans.”

Xuan Wushang smiled and looked at the empress with sparkling eyes. “In that case… Emperor Sheng Yuan, you agreed?”

The empress did not say anything and only nodded in agreement.

“Deal!”

Xuan Wushang laughed and was clearly a little excited. Then, he curled his finger and the wisp of fog that lingered around the empress dissipated.

The empress, who had regained her freedom, was stunned for a moment before she immediately ran towards Lin Ran. Seeing this, Liu Ruxi’s expression changed and she was about to chase after her when Xuan Wushang raised his hand to stop her.

Wasting no time, Lin Ran quickly went forward to catch the empress.

As soon as their hands touched, a large amount of pure internal energy flowed into Lin Ran’s body. Although it was not enough to restore him to his peak state, it was enough for him to protect himself.

Clang—

The Yin-Yang Sword pointed at Xuan Wushang. Lin Ran’s expression darkened as he asked coldly, “Tell me! What exactly do you want?”

“I just want 15 cities.”

Even though the sharp sword intent swept across his body like needles, the elegant smile on his face did not change at all.

With that, Xuan Wushang stepped to the side, making way for them to leave Nanjiang Town. “Emperor Sheng Yuan, you can leave now. When you go back, don’t forget to sign the document. Otherwise, I’ll have to be rude to you again.”

Liu Ruxi stared at the two of them, but with Xuan Wushang around, she did not dare to make a move. After Xuan Wushang finished speaking, he looked elsewhere and stood with his hands behind his back, as if Lin Ran and the empress no longer existed.

Lin Ran and the empress looked at each other and saw vigilance and confusion in each other’s eyes.

A moment later, the empress asked in a voice that only the two of them could hear, “What should we do? Are we leaving or not?”

“Of course we have to leave, but…”

Lin Ran glanced up. “We can’t go the way he wants us to go!”

With that, Lin Ran grabbed the Thunderball Sword. In the blink of an eye, a thick bolt of lightning rose from the ground and flew a thousand feet away!

Liu Ruxi’s expression changed slightly and she was about to chase after them when a fair and slender hand grabbed her shoulder.

“There’s no need to chase.”

Xuan Wushang said calmly. At some point, the smile on his face had already disappeared, and his malicious eyes were cold. “Those who are in the way have left. It’s time to settle the score between us.”

...