Chapter 50

"Abundant Martial Virtue."

The emperor finished writing the four large characters and set the brush aside.

Two attendants silently bowed and entered, taking the writing tools and the line of characters to prepare the relevant matters.

From this moment on, Wu Xiaode officially debuted.

He was the first artist of the "Abundant Martial Virtue" film and entertainment company.

"Xiao Wu," the emperor said kindly, "why did you confess for Junyu on the university playground?"

"At that time, I felt some danger," Wu Xiaode said.

"Danger?" the emperor repeated.

"Yes, people like me are very sensitive to danger," Wu Xiaode said.

—Your ancestors are crying in heaven.

Of course, this couldn't be said, and it didn't need to be said. As long as one investigated Li Zheng's case carefully, there would be a conclusion.

"You're not bad, very good," the emperor praised. "I see you practice Iron Wire Fist. How about I reward you with a pair of boxing gloves?"

"Thank Your Majesty," Wu Xiaode said, clasping his fists.

"Do you have any other skills?" the emperor asked.

"I have also studied some sword techniques," Wu Xiaode said.

"Good," the emperor said with a pleased tone. "More skills never hurt. Go and choose a sword."

"Thank Your Majesty," Wu Xiaode said gratefully.

It was best to get something.

The royal family had been collecting weapons and armor for many years, and all of them were top-notch, except for the pastries.

It was just what he needed—a sword!

The emperor saw how happy he was and smiled, saying, "This is what you deserve. Junyu has never had friends, and you helped him and became his friend. I am very pleased."

"Zhibing, he has chosen the items. Take him to get them."

"Yes," the girl standing beside him said, lowering her eyes.

She stepped forward, gesturing, and Wu Xiaode followed her out of the hall.

The two walked one after the other along the long corridor leading to the royal treasury.

The girl suddenly spoke, "I am Junyu's sister, Zhao Zhibing."

"Nice to meet you, Princess," Wu Xiaode said.

"No need for formalities," the girl said without turning her head. "You saved Junyu and caused a commotion on the bone dragon, helping my father through a difficult time. I should be the one to thank you."

"Your Majesty got through a difficult time? What does this have to do with the bone dragon? If I shouldn't ask, just pretend you didn't hear me," Wu Xiaode asked.

"For years, all the various powers of the state have been distributed. Father basically no longer interferes, only retaining the last power," Zhao Zhibing said.

"Books say it's the information power," Wu Xiaode said without hesitation.

"The central AI has gathered all the information power, which is entirely in the hands of our royal family, causing many people to be dissatisfied," Zhao Zhibing said.

"How are they dissatisfied?" Wu Xiaode asked.

"Whoever does what, the central AI and the emperor know. Wouldn't they be restless and unable to sleep?" Zhao Zhibing said.

"That's true. The central AI's algorithms are so powerful that they can deduce many things from the slightest clues, let alone now when everyone is inseparable from the internet," Wu Xiaode said with a sigh.

Zhao Zhibing said with a downcast expression, "Seven years ago, the emperor was assassinated. Since then, his health has been poor, and he has been barely maintaining it. But now, with the appearance of the skull, unrest in various regions, and humans awakening soul power to enter another world, various disasters are frequent. He has to frequently connect to the central AI, enduring the impact of countless pieces of information."

"Why not rest and recover?" Wu Xiaode asked, puzzled.

Zhao Zhibing said, "Giving up the information power is equivalent to giving up the royal power. If the nobles and the military have any issues, the royal family won't be able to react in time, leading to a catastrophic disaster."

Wu Xiaode sighed.

He remembered an ancient prime minister who handled state affairs every day, exhausted and sweating profusely.

—He never imagined the emperor would have it even harder.

"When the bone dragon appeared, the central AI, facing something with no data, began an incredibly intense computation and learning process. With the panic and chaos in various regions, Father was connected to the AI, enduring the computational impact every second and making various decisions..."

"What was that like?" Wu Xiaode asked.

"Only the emperor knows. Do you want to know?" Zhao Zhibing asked.

"Never mind," Wu Xiaode said immediately.

But he thought about it.

When he received the Iron Wire Fist inheritance, his brain had ached severely.

It was because the amount of content received at once was too much, and his brain's nerves couldn't handle it.

The emperor must have felt the same way.

As an ordinary person, especially one with an injured body that hasn't recovered, enduring such impacts frequently would be unbearable.

Zhao Zhibing stopped and looked back at him.

"Thanks to your live stream on the bone dragon's back, everything calmed down, and the central AI stopped that computation."

"Therefore, we thank you."

Wu Xiaode suddenly remembered Xiao Baihong's words:

"Hahaha, you find it funny too, right? I do too. Who knows what these big shots are up to? They're probably spreading fear. You know, humans, when they're afraid, they reveal their true evil, right?"

Wu Xiaode muttered, "I see..."

At that time, a critical message popped up on his phone.

"Enter a state of war nationwide!"

"The military command proposed a motion, requesting the royal family to delegate authority to the central AI, enhancing the information and armament rights of all citizens."

They talked about information rights, but it was actually the information power!

That was it!

After the emperor's power weakened, they attempted to assassinate Zhao Junyu. When that failed, they released the bone dragon, hoping to take advantage of the emperor's inability to handle the central AI's impact to seize power!

Could the emperor give it up?

There were skull castles coming from the sea, and various phenomena of other worlds opening up in the country, with frequent disasters.

If not handled well, it would be a national disaster.

"I want to kill someone," Wu Xiaode said.

"Who? The military commander, Ge Lengshan?"

"Yes."

Ge Lengshan was one of the masterminds.

If they hadn't stolen Sister Lan's research results and even attacked him—

He would be living a simple and happy life right now.

"He is just one of a group. Killing him will immediately put you in a situation where the royal family can't protect you," Zhao Zhibing said.

Wu Xiaode thought for a moment and insisted, "How can I put it? I still want to kill him."

Zhao Zhibing laughed softly and said, "If you want to kill, wait until the day you find them all, then act."

"Otherwise, they will hide?"

"They are a very strange group. Father, through the central AI and all the equipment, hasn't been able to uncover their true background. So for now, don't act. Wait for the right moment."

Zhao Zhibing continued, "And you have more important things to face right now."

"What?" Wu Xiaode asked.

The corridor had reached its end.

A small and beautiful pavilion came into view.

Zhao Zhibing led Wu Xiaode to sit in the pavilion and opened the two boxes on the table.

One box contained a long sword.

The other box contained a boxing glove.

Zhao Zhibing pushed the box with the long sword to Wu Xiaode and said,

"The world is about to change."

"What do you mean?" Wu Xiaode asked.

"Last night, over 70% of the awakened people who entered the other world did not return," Zhao Zhibing said.

"What!" Wu Xiaode exclaimed.

Seventy percent.

That means out of ten people, only three returned.

This ratio was too high.

No wonder Zhao Junyu said the other world was heading towards destruction.

For some reason, Wu Xiaode's mind conjured up the image of the three-eyed giant snake.

—Could 10-point soul power professionals defeat it?

No.

The gap was too large.

If this continued, wouldn't all the awakened people die?

He was lost in thought when he heard Zhao Zhibing say softly,

"In recent days, the awakened people of various countries have suffered significant losses. Everyone is suspecting that all the awakened people will die in that world."

She gently patted the wooden box on the table and said solemnly,

"Your current situation is not good. You need to protect others, and you are with Junyu. You also have to go to the other world every night. So after careful consideration, the emperor decided to gift you this sword."

Wu Xiaode looked at the sword.

It was about an arm's length, with a thick spine and a sharp edge like snow. On the handle, two ancient and elegant characters were engraved:

"Blow Dream."

Wu Xiaode's eyes lit up.

"This is a treasured sword from the founding emperor. This sword has no other tricks, only its sharpness, capable of cutting through metal and iron effortlessly."

Zhao Zhibing continued, "In these troubled times, the emperor decided to gift you this sword, hoping you can return safely tonight."

Wu Xiaode was silent for a moment and said, "This will be a big deal."

The sword.

It was a treasured sword.

But more importantly, it was gifted by the emperor of the empire to a young man.

This was enough to shock many people.

"Let's be straightforward. No one can guarantee survival tonight, so we must do our best to ensure that every strong person on our side has a chance to live," Zhao Zhibing said.

Wu Xiaode nodded, understanding.

—If the royal family's strong people die, there would be no need to continue fighting those people.

Now, it was a matter of who could preserve their strength.

"And this," Zhao Zhibing said softly.

She pushed another box to Wu Xiaode, which contained the black boxing glove.

"This glove was found in the other world. Each time you use it, it will increase your punching speed by about 10%."

"These two items are yours. I hope you use them well."

Wu Xiaode thought for a moment, reached out, and took the glove, putting it on.

It fit perfectly.

He also felt his arm seemed lighter and more agile.

As for the long sword named "Blow Dream"—

Wu Xiaode held it in his hand and recalled the sword techniques taught by the Qian family ancestor.

Clang!

The long sword flashed and instantly returned to its sheath.

A gentle breeze blew.

Outside the pavilion.

Petals fell from the branches, scattering in the wind, drifting away.

Zhao Zhibing's eyes narrowed, and the corners of her mouth curled up. She said softly, "Good sword technique. The emperor indeed did not misjudge you."

"Thank Your Majesty for the sword and the glove. I will use them well," Wu Xiaode said sincerely.

Ding dong—

His phone rang.

Wu Xiaode looked at Zhao Zhibing, who nodded slightly, "Please go ahead."

Wu Xiaode answered the call.

Xiao Baihong's breathless voice came from the receiver,

"Hey, we agreed to kill the Guess Demon together. Why aren't you helping?"

"With your strength, can't you take down an injured one?" Wu Xiaode asked in surprise.

The other side choked, and his voice suddenly rose, "Of course I can take him down, but now he has escaped to the desert, and I'm lost—besides, chasing him alone, who knows how long it will take. Can't you come and help?"

Wu Xiaode held his forehead, "Alright, wait for me... share your location with me first."

"That's better," Xiao Baihong said, satisfied.

Wu Xiaode was about to say something when he saw Zhao Zhibing beckoning him.

"Old Xiao, wait—what's up?" he covered the receiver and asked.

"Is your target the Guess Demon from the S-level club?" Zhao Zhibing asked.

"You know?" Wu Xiaode asked.

"Everything in the empire, as long as there is electronic equipment, is under the control of the royal family," Zhao Zhibing said.

"The Guess Demon was initially hunting Sister Lan, then went to the other world to kill me. I agreed with Xiao Baihong to kill him," Wu Xiaode said straightforwardly.

Zhao Zhibing nodded and said, "Tonight is very dangerous. You must not waste your strength meaninglessly. The Guess Demon... enjoys necromancy, has killed many ordinary people, and is extremely cruel. He should not be allowed to live."

She picked up her phone and said, "Father, the target is in the desert. Can I have the authority... Yes, okay."

The call ended.

"It's done," Zhao Zhibing nodded at Wu Xiaode.

"It's done?" Wu Xiaode was puzzled.

Zhao Zhibing opened a small notebook, typed quickly, and said,

"Actually, most of the royal family's power has been distributed, so we can't help you much now. The Guess Demon is a necromancer with over 10 points of soul power, very hard to kill..."

"We can only help you with a nuclear bomb."

She pressed the enter key on the notebook, and a beautiful electronic voice sounded,

"Target locked."

"In three minutes, the land-based nuclear weapon will be activated. An A-2207 tactical nuclear bomb will fly to the southwestern desert."

Zhao Zhibing closed the notebook, her expression calm.

Wu Xiaode was almost dumbfounded, muttering, "How did you track his location?"

"He had a phone. Satellite positioning, very simple," Zhao Zhibing said.

"What if the phone is out of power?"

"As long as he has an electronic communication device, whether it has power or not, the central AI can find him."

Wu Xiaode nodded silently, then suddenly reacted and said into the phone,

"Hey, hey? Old Xiao, are you still there?"

"Yes, I've sent you my location. I'm waiting for you," Xiao Baihong said listlessly.

"Um... run in the opposite direction quickly. The Guess Demon is about to die, so I won't come over," Wu Xiaode said.

"You're not coming? He's about to die? What's going on!" Xiao Baihong asked, puzzled.

"You know, I have a good relationship with the royal family—"

"What's up?"

"They helped me with a nuclear bomb."