Simultaneous travel: I am rampant in the domestic area

The time comes at night.

Outside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, ceremonial music resounded, and bright red lanterns hung high, while guests came and went in an endless stream below.

The Northern Qi delegation and the guests from the Eastern Yi, all smiles, walked along the long corridor into the most solemn palace of the Qing Kingdom, greeted by the Qing Kingdom's host and guests.

"I heard that Si Gu Jian's top disciple, Yun Zhilan, will also be coming this time, and he's here specifically for you."

In the passage, Haitang Duoduo, Russell, and Fan Xian walked side by side. It was Haitang Duoduo who had just spoken, and the person she was speaking to was Russell, who was empty-handed.

"Let him come if he wants, I'm not afraid of him," Russell said nonchalantly.

As for why people say Yun Zhilan came for him, it's because in the announcement issued by the Supervisory Council, all the assassins in the Niulan Street assassination case were eliminated by Russell single-handedly.

The reason for this is that Fan Jian wanted to extricate Fan Xian from the vortex.

"Don't underestimate him. My master said that among the top nine martial artists in the world, Yun Zhilan is definitely in the top five. In a life-or-death battle, you should be careful not to capsize in the gutter in your current state," Haitang Duoduo warned.

Yesterday, Russell told her about his plan, so in Haitang Duoduo's mind at this moment, Russell hadn't closed his eyes for sixteen days... uh, hadn't slept.

"Don't worry, I slept at Fan Xian's place last night and woke up feeling refreshed this morning," Russell said.

"Tsk, I knew it. Your crooked ways are useless and you're just wasting your time. You'd be better off coming here to comprehend the Dao of Heaven with me." Haitang Duoduo said with a look of disgust, "If you ask me, you should come back to Northern Qi with me. I'll take you to see my master. Who knows, he might take a liking to you, right?"

“You have absolutely no trust in me,” Russell suddenly stopped in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, giving Haitang Duoduo a mysterious smile. “Is it possible that I have already succeeded?”

"Done? You, ha..." Haitang Duoduo rolled her eyes without any hesitation and strode forward.

"Look, nobody believes the truth anymore. People's hearts have changed." Russell sighed and complained to Fan Xian.

Fan Xian glanced at Russell with annoyance and gave him a light elbow: "Don't be so jealous in this Versailles. I'm so jealous I'm about to have my plasmolysis broken."

"There's nothing we can do about it. Our strength is there; we can't keep a low profile even if we want to." Russell laughed and walked into the hall.

The seating arrangement inside the hall was quite interesting. Haitang Duoduo and Yun Zhilan were the first disciples of Kuhe and Sigu Jian, respectively. Even out of respect for the two grandmasters behind them, their positions were not too far back.

Although Fan Xian held a low official rank, he also served as a deputy envoy, so he was seated at the central table, surrounded by elderly high-ranking officials.

Russell's situation was quite interesting. He was an idle person with no official position, yet he was sitting right opposite Haitang Duoduo and Yun Zhilan, with Zhuang Mohan to his right and the Crown Prince and the Second Prince to his right.

Upon meeting Russell and confirming his identity, Yun Zhilan gripped the hilt of the longsword at her waist, her eyes fixed intently on Russell.

Russell was speechless. Not to mention that he was blind, Yun Zhilan's glare at him had no deterrent effect whatsoever and looked ridiculous to outsiders. Russell himself didn't really want to pay attention to him either.

Just then, the faint sound of zithers and lutes came from one side of the hall. Amidst the solemn palace music, a eunuch shouted loudly, "His Majesty has arrived!"

The most powerful person in the entire world, the sole ruler of the Qing Kingdom, His Majesty the Emperor, accompanied by the Empress, slowly walked over from the side and stood before the dragon throne with a gentle smile on his face.

"Long live my emperor."

The courtiers in front of the palace knelt down respectfully to pay their respects, and the guests from the diplomatic delegation bowed in return.

Russell... Russell remained seated, motionless.

As we all know, Bertrand Russell was blind.

Just like the black guy can't understand the language, a blind man can't find his way north.

Eunuch Hou witnessed this scene and looked at Emperor Qing and the Empress. Emperor Qing also saw it, but he remained silent, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials below as if nothing had happened. He then said, "Rise."

They rose after bowing, and the banquet officially began.

First, the ministers of the Northern Qi delegation stepped forward, performed the usual praise and extolled the traditional friendship between the two countries, and then withdrew.

Once again, Yun Zhilan from Dongyi City stepped forward, said a few words expressionlessly, and then retreated.

Palace maids had already replaced the hot dishes with fresh wine, and the officials buried their heads in their food, not daring to speak.

His Majesty remained silent, and all was quiet.

Well, if you exclude the person who is enjoying their meal, it is indeed quite quiet.

If you were to ask what the greatest benefit of becoming a junior master was, Bertrand Russell would surely tell you that from that day forward, he would no longer have to spit out fish bones.

Sitting opposite him, Haitang Duoduo was furious at the sight. If it weren't for the Empress Dowager and Zhan Doudou's repeated instructions before the trip, that they must not let others look down on Daqi, she would have already challenged Luo Su.

Unlike now, she can only watch as the other person eats bowl after bowl, while she can only pretend to be refined and act slowly.

Just when Haitang Duoduo was getting bored and starting to regret volunteering to come to Daqing, Yun Zhilan stepped forward.

He fired the first salute for tonight's banquet.

"His Majesty!"

Yun Zhilan bowed respectfully to Emperor Qing on the throne, her voice clearly resounding throughout the hall:
“Your Majesty, Dongyi City does bear responsibility for the oversight regarding the assassination attempt on Niulan Street. However, my master’s reputation for swordsmanship is not to be underestimated. I have heard that a Mr. Russell from your country once boasted that Dongyi’s swordsmanship is nothing more than this. Such words have insulted my master, and I cannot stand idly by!”

He suddenly looked at Russell and said loudly, "This humble subject is willing to use the sword in his hand to learn a thing or two from this Mr. Russell. In order to determine who is superior and to establish proper status, I humbly request Your Majesty's permission!"

Upon hearing this, the ministers, who had been feeling bored, immediately perked up, put down their chopsticks, and their eyes shone with excitement and curiosity.

Even Zhuang Mohan, who was originally planning to seize the opportunity to make trouble against his conscience, temporarily put aside his plans and turned his attention to the scene.

Russell swallowed hard; he couldn't recall ever saying anything so arrogant...

Tsk, whatever, it doesn't matter whether I say it or not now.

Yun Zhilan himself might not be enough to make Emperor Qing pay much attention, but the fact that he elevated the matter to the level of "Si Gu Jian's reputation" is no small matter.

Since it involves the dignity of a grandmaster, no one dares to take it lightly.

For a moment, the hall was completely silent. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Emperor Qing's response and preparing to watch the drama unfold.

On his throne, Emperor Qing's expression remained calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

He didn't immediately agree to Yun Zhilan's request. Instead, he turned his gaze to the person in question and asked in a calm tone, "Russell, Yun Zhilan wants to challenge you. What do you think?"

In an instant, all eyes were focused on the blind young man in black wearing an eye patch.

Russell didn't care, of course. He had just wanted to give Emperor Qing a little surprise. Whether the surprise came sooner or later didn't really matter.

"If he wants to fight, then let him fight." "Good!" Emperor Qing waved his sleeve and said with satisfaction, "Since that's the case, then let's have a battle, and let me and my beloved ministers see the swordsmanship of the Eastern Barbarians and the style of the warriors of my Qing Kingdom!"

"Thank you for your permission, Your Majesty!" Yun Zhilan bowed in gratitude, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He drew his sword from his waist and strode to the center of the hall.

However, to everyone's surprise, Russell remained seated in his seat, showing no intention of even getting up.

He simply picked up the wine pot and slowly filled the wine glass in front of him.

Yun Zhilan waited for a while, and seeing that the other party did not move, he sneered: "You just talked about war, but now you are cowering and not coming out. Are you afraid? It's not too late to regret it now!"

Russell picked up the cup of imperial wine that was filled to the brim and said, "In that case, I won't bully you. I will only make one move. If you can withstand it, you will win. Tonight, you will be the one to carry my head out of this Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests."

"Insanity!"

In an instant, whether it was the civil and military officials of Nanqing, the envoys of Beiqi, or the accompanying personnel of Dongyi City, these two words all popped into their minds!

This is no nobody, this is Yun Zhilan! He is the first disciple of Si Gu Jian, one of the four grandmasters! He is a genuine ninth-rank superior swordsman, a figure among the best in the world! How dare this unknown young man, who is even blind, spout such arrogant words!?
He wasn't accepting Yun Zhilan's challenge; he was humiliating the entire Dongyi City, and even slapping Si Gu Jian in the face!

Haitang Duoduo also found it strange. Had Russell damaged his brain from staying up all night? How could he be so arrogant?

Surely it can't actually happen, right? Probably not...

Russell, holding his wine glass, calmly said towards Yun Zhilan, "If you are ready, I will make my move."

Yun Zhilan laughed in anger, the long sword in his hand humming. He was not waiting for him to make a move, his anger already burning throughout his body.

Without giving Russell any time to prepare, he moved the instant Russell finished speaking.

With a sudden burst of true energy, his body moved with the sword, as fast as lightning.

Before everyone's eyes, Yun Zhilan had already traversed a distance of three or four zhang and appeared in front of Russell's table. He raised the Autumn Water Longsword in his hand high, and the sword energy burst forth as he mercilessly slashed down.

Many civil servants couldn't help but gasp and instinctively closed their eyes, unable to bear witnessing the horrific scene of blood splattering everywhere.

Russell casually splashed the glass of wine in his hand at Yun Zhilan, who was rushing towards him.

"Bang!!!"

A deep, thunderous roar suddenly exploded!

Yun Zhilan felt an unimaginable force slam into his chest, and his powerful protective sword energy shattered instantly like paper.

He was thrown backward as if he had been hit head-on by a giant, speeding chariot, flying out of control and crashing heavily to the ground. He rolled several times before finally coming to a stop.

The sword in his hand had already flown out and landed with a clang in the distance.

He struggled to prop himself up with his hands, but then coughed up a mouthful of blood. His face was ashen, and he raised his head, staring intently at Russell.

The entire Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests was deathly silent.

Russell slowly put down his empty wine glass, his face darkening: "What's the rush?"

The moment he finished speaking, a vast and boundless energy wave, seemingly integrated with the entire world, emanated from his body without warning.

Although it was only a fleeting moment, every martial artist present, from Emperor Qing and Haitang Duoduo to the palace guards, felt a sudden jolt in their hearts, as if a sleeping ancient beast had just opened its eyes to survey the world.

That was absolute suppression on a life level, an instinctive tremor deep within the soul!
"Grandmaster...Grandmaster!!!"

Yun Zhilan supported herself on the ground, vomiting blood as she screamed hoarsely and tremblingly as if she had seen a ghost. Her body moved backward uncontrollably, as if trying to get away from that terrifying presence.

Oh no! He actually succeeded! I've become the clown!
Haitang Duoduo's chopsticks fell onto the table with a clatter, and the food on the table instantly lost its appeal.

She felt that her years of understanding of martial arts had been greatly impacted.

Does staying up really work? Should she give it a try? What if it works?
Of course, the most shocked person was Emperor Qing, who was sitting on his throne.

Although he maintained the majesty and calmness of an emperor on his face, unnoticed by anyone, the exquisite white jade wine cup in his hand had been silently crushed into powder beneath his wide sleeves, and a coldness like never before flashed in the deepest part of his eyes.

Crown Prince, Second Prince, Eldest Princess...

Fan Xian's gaze slowly swept across the faces of these people, taking in the fascinating expressions in their eyes. Then, he leisurely picked up the wine cup in front of him, took a delicious sip, and couldn't help but smile.

well.

He was very satisfied with this response.

From this day forward, Fan Xian will roam freely in this world!

Brushing off imaginary dust from his clothes, Russell stood up, raised his eyepatch towards Emperor Qing, and grinned under the emperor's astonished gaze: "I have something to attend to, farewell."

Having said that, he swaggered away from the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.

Some guards mustered their courage to step forward and stop him, but Russell didn't use any serious force against them; he simply pushed them aside with a wisp of energy.

Who says a junior grandmaster isn't a grandmaster?

He hasn't reached his limit yet, but he's already far removed from the concept of being human.

……

Small courtyard, bedroom.

The room was quiet, and Si Lili was lying on her side.

It was already the summer solstice, and she was covered with a thin brocade quilt.

Russell pushed open the door, took a shower, and then lay down next to Si Lili.

In a daze, she felt someone taking off her undergarments. She woke up in shock, her beautiful eyes wide open. After turning around and seeing that it was Russell, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"The banquet ended so quickly?" Si Lili asked curiously.

In her experience, such banquets usually last for several hours.

"No, I came back early." Russell said, but his hands didn't stop. He slipped his hand inside her clothes and grasped and kneaded her soft flesh. Only then did Si Lili react, and a blush crept onto her delicate face. (End of Chapter)