Chapter 598 - Embarassment

Numerous people roamed the hall, bustling about as they conducted their business. There were two reception counters, one on either side of the hall. The space reminded Tang Wulin of the Blacksmith’s Association back on Douluo. 

Tang Wulin took in everything as he swept his gaze through the hall’s entirety. As he watched and listened, he formed a better picture of what set apart Star Luo’s Tang Sect from the others. Here, the Tang Sect’s corporate front, the Dazzling Era Tang Sect Corporation, was a mega-conglomerate spanning the entire continent. They manufactured and sold all sorts of soul devices and dominated the market. Naturally, those products were for civilian use. But Tang Wulin also overheard someone saying the Tang Sect was an arms supplier for the Star Luo Empire. Truly an influential organization! 

Tang Wulin never imagined the Tang Sect occupied such a lofty position on Star Luo. Clearly, they favored the Star Luo Empire more than the Sun Moon Federation. Perhaps there were tensions between the Tang Sect and the Federation behind the scenes. 

After a moment of contemplation, Tang Wulin quickly moved on. It was enough to understand the local situation. He was only here as a member of the diplomatic delegation. 

Once he checked in, Tang Wulin left the Tang Sect headquarters and headed straight back to the hotel. When he returned, Gu Yue was still out. He asked the concierge about forging workshops and soon managed to rent a nearby workshop. 

Tang Wulin hurried to the workshop and diligently got to forging. He couldn’t afford to waste time when his blacksmithing skills were more valuable than ever here in Star Luo. Still, just like in the Federation, he would spend a significant amount of time blacksmithing.

It seemed the two continents weren’t as different as he had originally thought. 

☀

Two days passed in a flash. Everyone from Shrek Academy grew familiar with the city. On the third day, Tang Wulin’s group was notified that the Emperor of Star Luo would receive the delegation that evening, with a banquet following. They were advised to dress in their best for the event. 

Tang Wulin still only had the one suit Gu Yue bought him. The others just managed as well. 

Once evening fell, limousines pulled up to the front of the hotel to pick them up. 

Elder Cai was an especially honored guest so she rode in her own limousine. Wu Zhangkong and the students shared a different one. 

The Star Luo Imperial Palace stood in the center of the city. Supposedly, it was identical to the palace that used to be on the Douluo continent. The Imperial Family possessed the surname of Dai, and the most famous of the bloodline was Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao. Originally, his name had been Dai Yuhao and he had descended from the Imperial Family. 

The Dai clan had ruled the Star Luo Empire since ancient times, but they had abdicated the throne for a period. Then Huo Yuhao appeared, and with the combined strength, they rose up to retake their positions as rulers. It was also thanks to Huo Yuhao’s terrifying strength that the Sun Moon Empire, which was now the Federation, hadn’t decimated the Star Luo Empire back back then. They had been afraid of incurring his wrath. Unable to contend with neither the Sun Moon Empire or the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire was forced to migrate to this new continent.

Trumpets sounded, playing the Empire’s anthem. A red carpet rolled out of the palace to the entrance for guests. 

Leading the Douluo delegation was one of the Federation’s vice-chairmen, a few other high-ranking members of the legislation, and others of esteem such as Elder Cai.

Tang Wulin’s group was positioned near the back. As he listened to the blaring anthem, his eyes couldn’t help but droop. He had forged deep into the night and had gone to bed much later than normal the previous night. Then today, he had also made a trek to exchange more metals. He was too exhausted to hold any interest in this banquet.

A cacophony of booms jolted Tang Wulin out of his drowsy state, soul power stirring within him. 

At his side, Gu Yue nudged him. “It’s a gun salute.” 

Only then did Tang Wulin’s mind clear and he remembered where he was. A hint of crimson painted his cheeks. He smiled sheepishly at the people who noticed his blunder. 

“Captain, just continue napping,” Xie Xie said, smirking. Tang Wulin glared at him in response. 

The gun salutes announced the climax of the ceremony. Through the cracks between the sea of people before him, Tang Wulin could vaguely spot a man dressed in a luxurious robe, adorned with a golden crown at the very front. He handed what appeared to be a gift to the vice-chairman from Douluo, before the two shook hands. Off to the side stood Elder Cai.

Right. That was a gun salute. Jeez. That scared me. Wait, huh? As Tang Wulin watched the stage, he spotted a familiar face. Isn’t that the girl from the other day? Behind the man with the crown, just a few meters away, stood a composed girl in an elegant dress. It was the girl he and Gu Yue had run into a few days ago. The one who appeared after they had a tussle with her guards. Recalling how those men had addressed her, Tang Wulin was hit with a theory. Is she an actual princess? But he quickly pushed away that thought. Eh, screw it. Let’s nap a little longer. Who knows how long this is going to take? 

Tang Wulin lowered his head and nodded off again in moments. Even standing, he managed to sleep. But just as he was getting comfortable, he heard someone shout, “Murderer!”

Tang Wulin’s eyes snapped open and he instantly began circulating his soul power and blood essence. The next moment, he used Golden Dragon Body and his aura burst with power, unleashing a swarm of Bluesilver Emperor vines.

His reaction had been instantaneous. Now he stood in front of Gu Yue protectively, his body in a slight hunch. His eyes scanned the surroundings. 

But all that entered his gaze were startled faces. Suddenly, he was the focus of thousands of eyes. 

Just moments ago, the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Tianling, had just finished exchanging greetings with the Federation’s vice-chairman. The anthem had ended and he proceeded to greet and shake the hands of the other high-ranking diplomatic members when Tang Wulin’s outburst occurred. 

Now, dozens of people charged toward Tang Wulin quick as lightning. 

Currently, Tang Wulin was still unclear about the situation. His Bluesilver Emperor continued to spread out and wrapped around the waists of his comrades, forming a link between them. Then he raised his golden dragon claw toward the sky, preparing to release a Golden Dragon Shocks the Heavens.

“Wulin, what are you doing?” Wu Zhangkong barked. In a blur of movement, he stood before Tang Wulin. Intercepted the quickest person charging toward his student.

Their soul power clashed and crackled. A boom, and Wu Zhangkong retreated two steps back. His opponent, on the other hand, backflipped into the air as they tossed a bunch of soul devices. 

Mind finally catching up to his senses, Tang Wulin managed to utter, “Where’s the murderer?

Unseen to him, the princess behind the emperor lowered her head, stifling her laughter. 

Wu Zhangkong glared at Tang Wulin. “What are you going on about?”

Puzzled, Tang Wulin glanced at Gu Yue in. “Didn’t you shout that there’s a murderer earlier?”

“I didn’t!” said Gu Yue with a blank stare. “Are you sure you weren’t dreaming?” 

“Huh?” Tang Wulin blinked a few times. He was sure he had heard someone scream ‘murderer’ earlier! But perhaps it really was a dream. 

“Pftt.” Xie Xie couldn’t contain his laughter anymore. If Tang Wulin really had dreamed it up, then that would make it all the more hilarious.

All of a sudden, the imperial guards had them completely surrounded. “What’s going on?” asked the leader of the guards, an elderly man. 

Although Wu Zhangkong managed to maintain his composure, he had no idea how to answer. But not answering was not an option either. In the worst-case scenario, they might be misunderstood as assassins after the emperor’s life. 

It was improper to interrupt the imperial ceremony. Withdrawing their martial souls, Tang Wulin and Wu Zhangkong followed the imperial guards.