C21 Get off the Horse

Shabarov had been mulling it over—if Gao Shaoyi ordered his troops to the border, it would signal that he wasn't looking for a fight. Besides, there could be issues with the firearms; they might just be for appearances.

But now, with his command for the army to stand guard 200 meters out, it was clear he was ready for battle. The terrain was a flat plain, making it a death trap for the thousands under his command who might attempt a charge, likely resulting in massive casualties.

As a military officer stationed in the Rakshasa Empire, Shabarov had friends in the weapons research field and had heard of rifles equipped with bullet cartridges, capable of firing eight shots before needing a reload.

Shabarov had never seen such a weapon, but if the rumors were true, the disparity in their combat capabilities would be staggering—a tenfold difference.

"Finally..."

Gao Shaoyi had managed to get through the imperial edict, a dry-mouthed recitation of over five hundred words, to an audience of foreigners who seemed hardly attentive.

"Marquis, you must not proceed."

After the edict, Gao Shaoyi was set to mount his horse when Liu Shaan intervened.

"Rest assured, Chief Advisor. They're no match for me, and I assure you, they wouldn't dare to strike."

Gao Shaoyi spoke with unwavering confidence. Throughout the edict reading, he had kept a keen eye on Shabarov's reactions. The youngster was surely aware of the potency of their rifles; only a fool would initiate combat.

Plus, with tens of thousands of onlookers, it was an excellent chance to make an impression.

How could he pass up this moment to bolster his fame?

Legends spoke of Zhao Zilong's solo rescue mission.

Now, Gao Shaoyi stood poised to single-handedly topple six nations.

The thought alone set Gao Shaoyi's blood on fire.

Still, to err on the side of caution, he brought eight guards along.

"The Young Marquis is valiant!"

"The Marquis is formidable!"

The first cheer erupted from the spectators, while the second was the united voice of the King Protector Army's soldiers.

For a long time, officials of the Qian Empire had left the common folk with the impression of being spineless, never daring to confront foreigners directly. Yet here was Gao Shaoyi, accompanied by only a handful of personal guards, with his troops stationed a full two hundred meters back—a display of commendable bravery.

The soldiers of the King Protector Army were practically vibrating with excitement, their hearts pounding as if ready to burst from their chests. The fiery demise of their comrades had already set their blood ablaze, but now, they felt themselves igniting with fervor.

To follow such a leader, they would march to their deaths without hesitation, heads held high, knowing they would have no regrets when their time came.

Ryoji Otomo couldn't keep his gaze steady when he saw Gao Shaoyi, his eyes darting away as if haunted by a past encounter. But as he took in the stance of the allied soldiers around him, he straightened up quickly. Today was not like that day; the tables had turned. Could this young upstart really stand against the might of multiple nations? Only if he had a death wish.

"Aren't you going to come and receive the imperial edict?"

Gao Shaoyi called out, holding the imperial edict aloft, even as he remained thirty meters from Shabarov.

"That's your emperor's edict, not mine. And besides, the envoys of the six countries have reached a consensus—we won't allow you entry. You can enter once we've concluded our discussions."

Technically, Gao Shaoyi's army was allowed entry, but only with the consent of the six countries' envoys.

"How long will your discussions take?" Gao Shaoyi asked, well aware that the matter was far from straightforward.

"It could be an hour or two, maybe a month or two, or even three to five years," Shabarov replied, stroking his beard in a gesture that was nothing short of provocative.

In response, Gao Shaoyi abruptly raised his right hand. Behind him, hundreds of soldiers snapped to action, rifles at the ready.

This was no bluff—the seasoned soldiers knew the distinctive sound of live ammunition being chambered.

To be threatened on the soil of the Embassy Area by the forces of the Qian Empire was beyond the realm of imagination for the gathered foreigners. Even in their wildest dreams, they could not have envisioned the scene unfolding before them today.

"Have you lost your mind? Do you realize where you are? Are you trying to provoke an international incident? Do you want to be responsible for another humiliating defeat?" Shabarov bellowed. Though he appeared to be threatening Gao Shaoyi, fear was creeping into his own heart.

He harbored no more doubts. The soldiers under Shaoyi's command were armed with authentic, state-of-the-art rifles—not mere replicas. Should a skirmish break out, his men would be utterly outmatched, and his own life would hang in the balance.

At this proximity, hundreds of bullets would fly in a mere instant, and within another second, even more would follow. No matter his agility, evasion was impossible.

"I'm not aware of the issues you're mentioning, but I am clear on one thing. You have thirty minutes to go back and consult with your people. And you must dismount and receive the imperial edict as per protocol. If you utter a single word of refusal, I won't hesitate to command my troops to open fire," Gao Shaoyi declared, his hand raised high, signaling the imminent order to his soldiers.

"I don't believe you have the guts to follow through," Shabarov retorted, taking a deep breath. The six envoys from the other nations, standing some distance away, were oblivious to the exact words exchanged but could sense the escalating tension.

"Then keep your eyes on my hand, and don't say I didn't warn you. I've instructed my men that when my hand drops, that's their cue to fire," Shaoyi stated with a casual ease that belied the gravity of the situation, sending Shabarov's nerves into overdrive.

As Shaoyi's hand began its slow descent, the hundreds of soldiers behind him readied themselves to act.

Madman! That was Shabarov's silent verdict on Gao Shaoyi.

He dismounted.

Then he walked over to Shaoyi's side.

With both hands, he accepted the imperial edict.

Every step of his was witnessed by many, including the astonished soldiers of the King Protector Army. Some were in such disbelief that they pinched themselves hard, only accepting the reality when the sting of pain confirmed it.

Tears welled up in the eyes of many. The foreign powers had finally conceded, bowing to the customs of the Qian Empire, accepting the imperial edict with due reverence.

Meanwhile, Gao Shaoyi remained astride his horse, head held high as he gazed across to the other side.

The envoys from the six nations approached, faces flushed with indignation. They were at a loss as to what Shabarov had in mind. Did he have no regard for their dignity?