75: Peace the world

Big Brother! Are you alright?

Your Majesty, who dares to be so audacious?!

What are the palace guards doing?

...

After a brief shock, they immediately questioned Gu Chang, while also appearing enraged by the sight before them.

Such assassination attempts were not unheard of in history, but for them, it was the first time it had happened.

If King Wu had truly been assassinated at that moment, the current situation would likely collapse instantly, as Gu Chang's position was simply too important.

“Nothing,” Gu Chang slowly withdrew his Martial Dao Divine Paragon and then gave orders, “Send someone to clean this up. Oh, and collect these bodies and send them to King Li. Tell him to surrender voluntarily within ten days, otherwise I will personally take action, and at that time, none of King Li's main personnel will survive.”

He didn't know how King Li had managed to create these five iron figures, but it was clear this was his last resort.

This time, losing one Refining Spirit Expert and five iron figures with physical strength comparable to a Refining Spirit Expert, it was likely that the opponent had few remaining trump cards.

“Yes! We understand!”

“As you command!”

“It's about time we acted!”

...

Upon hearing Gu Chang's orders, everyone was instantly overjoyed and immediately agreed.

Although King Li still occupied half the country, their actual military strength was not necessarily stronger than theirs, not to mention they also had Gu Chang, a top combatant!

In the previous war that annihilated King Ming, Gu Chang hadn't even made a single move, yet King Ming was still utterly defeated, completely powerless to resist.

Soon, a large number of soldiers arrived to clear the area, all the bodies were collected, and experienced coroners were brought in to restore the bodies to their complete appearance.

That night, these bodies were escorted by the army and sent north, while related news spread like a tempest in all directions.

The common people in Gu Chang's former Xuan King territory were instantly in an uproar upon hearing this news!

Over the past two years, Gu Chang's care for his people was evident to all: lightened labor, reduced taxes, refined governance, and emphasized commerce. These various measures quickly restored the Origin Qi of the seven prefectures.

Coupled with Gu Chang's various legendary experiences and tales that had already spread far and wide, countless people regarded him as a hero and a monarch.

But now, he was assassinated in his own palace. Although the opponent failed to succeed against the world's foremost expert, it still incited countless common people to righteous indignation, and many wanted to re-enlist in the army for the Northern Expedition!

Of course, the situation among the populace could not affect Gu Chang. Zhao Changkong and others undoubtedly carried out his orders without the slightest discount.

A thousand elite soldiers, ten captains, and two great generals personally led the escort, carrying the bodies of the deceased experts northward.

Traveling day and night, the bodies were delivered to the first pass in the north within just a few days.

Facing the heavy encirclement by King Li's army, Zhao Changkong was not afraid; instead, he shouted loudly.

“By King Wu's command!”

“Given King Li's ignorance and even his dispatch of assassins, these bodies are specially returned today, and it is hereby announced that if King Li does not surrender and submit within the next ten days, King Wu will personally lead his army to press the border, and at that time, King Li and his ministers will all be executed without mercy!”

As soon as these words were uttered, King Li's army was instantly in an uproar, and many generals felt a chill.

It must be said that in the current era, King Wu's image among martial artists was still quite lofty.

He was not only the foremost martial artist of all time but also a monarch who showed great favor to martial artists. Even the generals under King Xuan and King Ming were not overly harsh after surrendering; some were even given important positions.

These generals under King Li still had the confidence to resist the southern army, after all, at worst, they could just admit defeat and surrender, as long as they lived up to the kindness King Li had shown them.

But now, King Li's sudden use of such underhanded tactics clearly enraged King Wu, which was why he specifically sent someone to deliver this final ultimatum.

“Whew~ Good, I will definitely report this matter to His Majesty!”

After a period of silence, a general from King Li's army stepped forward and then assured Zhao Changkong.

“Very good! We will now wait here for King Li's reply!”

With that, Zhao Changkong did not leave; he directly announced that they would set up camp on the spot, as if the tens of thousands of soldiers in front of them did not exist.

This action made the soldiers under King Li feel belittled, but deep down, they were also somewhat helpless; the other party clearly intended not to let them delay any further.

Thus, very quickly, the bodies sent by Zhao Changkong were moved away, and at the same time, this news spread like wildfire to King Li's hiding place, or rather, the news of the assassination's failure had already reached him before this.

Now, it was merely conveying an even more serious situation.

No one knew how furious and terrified King Li was upon receiving this news, but it was clear that, apart from a small number of people, others did not particularly want to be buried with him.

As a result, even before King Li could respond, some of his ministers and generals had already sent letters expressing their willingness to surrender to the strategists and capable officials under Gu Chang through various means.

As the deadline set by Gu Chang drew nearer, the entire force under King Li became restless. King Li's personal defenses were strengthened again and again, but the fear in King Li's heart did not subside; instead, it grew stronger and stronger!

This situation continued until the bodies of Heavenly Cripple Old Man and the five iron figures were brought to him.

When he clearly saw these bodies, which had died in extremely gruesome ways, so much so that even the most experienced coroners could not fully piece them together, the string in King Li's heart finally snapped!

“Your Majesty! We, we should surrender!”

“King Xuan and King Ming are still alive and well, which shows that King Wu is not a person who indiscriminately slays!”

“Yes, Your Majesty, King Wu is invincible, truly unbeatable!”

“Five secret medicine figures comparable to Spirit Refining Experts, plus Heavenly Cripple Old Man, all died so tragically before him. There is truly no one in this world who can defeat him!”

...

At this moment, the strategists and generals accompanying him could not help but speak. If the other party continued to act stubbornly, they would probably have to take matters into their own hands!

“I, I, I am unwilling!”

“Heaven! Why would such a Prodigy be born into this world?”

King Li sighed, looking somewhat dazed, but he already understood that he had lost the power to choose. If he did not surrender, others would surrender for him!

Mainly, not surrendering was not an option; the other party was simply not human!

Thousands of mountains and rivers were as nothing before him. No matter how many soldiers and generals there were, they could not stop a being that could fly, let alone one whose strength was already unmatched in the world!

If the other party personally took action this time, his current defensive forces would absolutely not be able to withstand even a fraction of it!

The bloody reality lay before him, making him tormented and despairing, only regretting that Heaven was blind to have given birth to such a monster!

“Do as you wish.”

Ultimately, King Li made this choice. As soon as these words were uttered, the ministers around him immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Unless absolutely forced, they were unwilling to personally commit regicide.

“Your humble servants obey!”

Soon, the news of King Li's surrender reached Gu Chang's ears at the fastest speed, causing him to laugh heartily.

“Hahaha! Good!”

“However, you all must not let down your guard, in case there is a trick. King Li's forces are, after all, numerous and his generals many!”

Facing Suan Tianji and others who were continuously congratulating him, Gu Chang specifically admonished them.

“Yes! Your humble servants understand!”

“We will never fail the King's command!”

...

Soon, the capable ministers and virtuous scholars under Gu Chang immediately set out. Although King Li had expressed willingness to surrender, this matter was still extremely complex. The transfer of power, changes in decrees, military reforms—numerous issues could be described as intricate.

However, for Gu Chang, it was just another matter, much better than a large-scale war between the two sides.

After all, as long as there was war, casualties were unavoidable. It would take who knows how long for the destroyed buildings, ruined production, and deceased people to recover.

For Gu Chang, it was an unprofitable affair. What he needed was the power of billions of living beings, not a thoroughly broken mess.

The contact between officials from both sides and the transfer of power continued until the current Reincarnation cycle's contact, and Gu Chang also personally appeared to accept King Li's surrender ceremony, agreeing to let him retain a portion of his assets.

However, from this point on, the entire world was once again unified, a new dynasty was about to be established, and he would ascend to the Peak of power and status in this world as the founding emperor!