Dual Cultivation God Returns Chapter 1050: The strength or status

"Ah~, Commander Chen, it is fine weather we are having, is it not?", an Inner Court Elder from the Northern Ridge Sect inquired, turning his gaze towards the azure, nearly cloudless sky visible between the pillars of the expansive, roofed corridor that led to a palace garden entrance. A gentle smile graced his lips.

He noticed the distinctive armor of the Imperial Guard Commander, accompanied by ten Imperial Guards, emerging from the distant doors of the Imperial Palace annex and making swift progress down the corridor toward him.

Beside him stood another Inner Court Elder, this one from the Pale River Hall, with both venerable figures attended by two Disciples from their respective Sects.

Not far off, on the opposite side of the garden's entrance, was a General of the Imperial Guard from the Tuyin Dynasty, leading six Imperial Guards tasked with the prince's safety.

Four Imperial Guards of the Wei Dynasty, subordinate to Chen Hui, were the sole protectors at the garden entrance. Although more guards were present inside the garden, they greeted Chen Hui with looks of vexation, having evidently failed to prevent the prince of the Tuyin Dynasty from entering.

Standing alongside these guards were two regular Imperial Guards, permanently stationed to oversee this particular garden. These two appeared more as spectators enjoying the unfolding drama, their expressions betraying amusement rather than concern for their countrymen's plight.

"I am hardly in a mood to appreciate the weather," Chen Hui responded, his voice laced with icy anger, directed at the subtly mocking expressions of the Tuyin Dynasty guests.

"Ah~, what a shame, the weather is splendid today, though~", the Elder from the Northern Ridge Sect lamented, shaking his head.

However, as Chen Hui proceeded directly toward the garden entrance, his path was obstructed by the Tuyin Dynasty Imperial Guards and their General. "I must regretfully inform you that I cannot permit your entry while His Highness, the 2nd Imperial Prince of our Tuyin Dynasty, remains within, accompanied only by two guards and a few attendants."

"Have you lost your senses? Make way!", Chen Hui commanded, gesturing dismissively with his hand, his face a mask of fury. The ten subordinates under his command mirrored his anger, yet maintained their discipline, remaining silent.

"I fear I cannot comply with that request," the General from the neighboring realm replied, his grin widening.

"Hahaha, it would seem Commander Chen is lacking in courtesy towards esteemed guests," the Elder from the Pale River Hall commented with a smirk, eliciting chuckles from his two accompanying Disciples.

"I am officially tasked with Her Highness’s protection. Any obstruction to my duties will be construed as a direct challenge to the Imperial Authority of the Wei Dynasty, and I shall be compelled to take appropriate action," Chen Hui stated, his eyes narrowing, anger simmering beneath a veneer of control.

This declaration finally brought a flicker of apprehension to the face of the Tuyin Dynasty General. But then...

"Hah, some protection you’ve provided! Were it not an affront to my Sister, I would openly question your methods, which have apparently placed you in such an inappropriate proximity to her," a derisive voice echoed from within the garden. A young man emerged, trailed by an entourage of Imperial Guards and attendants of the Wei Dynasty.

"We greet Your Highness, the 8th Prince of the Wei Dynasty. Eternal Glory to the Wei Dynasty!", Chen Hui declared, compelled to perform a fist-and-palm salute, as did everyone else present, reciting the same solemn words. The guests from the Tuyin Dynasty omitted the latter phrase.

"Glory to the Wei Dynasty," the 8th Prince, merely a year older than Wei Yuanjie, responded with a slight, dismissive wave of his hand. As he advanced toward Chen Hui, he continued, "And who, pray tell, are you to deem any of our guests’ actions a ’challenge to the Imperial Authority of the Wei Dynasty’? A mere Commander like yourself? Especially when I am present and declare it acceptable?"

"My duty to protect Her Highness has been officially conferred upon me by His Majesty the Emperor himself. Therefore, obstructing it is-..."

"You dare!!!", the 8th Prince exclaimed, stepping forward and delivering a swift slap to Chen Hui’s face. Despite the forceful blow, Chen Hui’s expression remained unchanged, while the Prince winced, clutching his hand from the unexpected sting. "How dare you utter Imperial Father’s name from your lowly lips in an argument with me!!!"

"Commander Chen! Your conduct is unruly!"

"Such disrespect! Are you attempting to usurp authority from His Highness?!"

"If you were assigned to protect her, why were you not by her side from the outset? Huh?! What a commendable guardian you are, leaving your charge vulnerable!"

"Hah! As if your corruption is unknown to us all! Do you truly believe we are unaware of your clandestine, unlawful arrests of certain ’suspicious individuals’ in recent months? Huh?! We shall certainly be investigating this matter!!!"

The shrill voices of Court Officials accompanying the 8th Prince pierced the air of the terrace-corridor as they pointed accusatory fingers directly at Chen Hui.

"With the utmost respect, Your Highness, even your authority bows to the Emperor's decree. It was his express command that I protect Her Highness," Chen Hui stated, gritting his teeth.

He recognized their tactic of stalling; no one present possessed the right to impede his sworn duty. However, he could not forcefully bypass a prince of the Wei Dynasty while engaged in conversation, unless the princess under his protection faced immediate peril. His only recourse was to cite the law and attempt to advance by repeatedly invoking the Emperor's name.

His words ignited a torrent of scorn and protest from the Court Officials. The 8th Prince, taken aback by Chen Hui's blunt refusal, which effectively put him in his place using the Emperor's authority, scowled in fury.

Nevertheless, this did not deter the 8th Prince and his retinue; they persisted in their arguments and disputes.

While Chen Hui was technically in the right, the 8th Prince's noble status and the established practices of the Imperial Palace could easily overshadow his correctness. After all, this secluded garden, devoid of any 'effective' witnesses, had been deliberately chosen for this very purpose.

Chen Hui, whose cultivation had steadily advanced to the rank of Commander, just below General, still lacked the requisite authority to directly challenge a prince, even when standing on solid ground. Should his actions escalate into a significant incident, he would be the one branded as the wrongdoer, tarnished, and subsequently punished.

Such a consequence could also adversely affect the Princess.

Therefore, he was compelled to exhibit extraordinary self-control, refraining from escalation while politely and persistently reiterating his commitment to his duty.

After a considerable lapse of time, however, these efforts became meaningless as ...

"Haa~, so heartless...", a new voice, youthful and clear, echoed from the direction of the garden. A young man, clad in Imperial Robes of striking colors and bearing the Tuyin Dynasty's Imperial Emblem, emerged from the garden entrance. "But I find it rather appealing; she will soon learn to respect her future husband," he added.

Upon his appearance, everyone, except the 8th Prince, offered bows, including Chen Hui, who could not disregard the established etiquette.

The Prince of the Tuyin Dynasty cast a dismissive glance at Chen Hui, bypassing him entirely despite being aware of his connection to the princess. He merely signaled for others to rise, but not for Chen Hui.

The foreign prince then conveyed a message via sound transmission, causing Chen Hui to clench his jaw and fists, his head bowed low.

"Oh! Have you concluded your discourse?", the 8th Prince inquired with a chuckle, addressing the newcomer as if greeting a dear friend, despite a noticeable age difference. His demeanor suggested a child attempting to emulate an older, cooler figure, attempting to establish camaraderie.

"Heh, if an hour of my monologue and her silence constitutes a conversation...", the 2nd Prince of the Tuyin Dynasty responded with slight lethargy. His tone was neither overly friendly nor distant. "But what choice does she have, even if she disapproves? This decision is not hers to make."

"Hahaha, quite so," the 8th Prince guffawed, perhaps a touch too loudly, hastening his steps to catch up with the foreign prince.

The Elders and Disciples from the various foreign Sects, along with the Imperial Guards, passed by Chen Hui, their expressions laced with ridicule and their hushed snickers audible.

Chen Hui waited until they had sufficiently distanced themselves and he was no longer required to maintain a bowed head. He then moved forward with determined strides. The fierce look in his eyes caused the two ordinary Imperial Guards flanking the garden entrance to lose their smug expressions as he passed between them.

"Your Highness!", he called out, quickly approaching the princess, who stood still, gazing into the pond.

"Commander Hui...", she turned, her face etched with melancholy, clearly finding solace in his presence. "The 8th Prince's mother, Concubine Luoshi, summoned me, stating her Family Head was present and demanding my attendance. I could not refuse, even knowing it was a calculated trap..."

"I am aware," Chen Hui acknowledged with a nod. "Much like my own summons by the Supreme General, which served to separate us initially. They orchestrated everything with precision... those despicable individuals..."

His hand clenched into a fist, the gauntlet he wore emitting sharp metallic clangs. She immediately placed her hand upon his, attempting to quell his rage as she met his gaze.

"Oh~, it appears your bond has deepened~. You two make a lovely pair," a familiar voice chimed from nearby. A man with a small white fox perched on his shoulder emerged from behind the adjacent trees.

"W-Wu Lo-... WHO IN THE BLAZES ARE YOU?!" Chen Hui's indignant gaze shifted abruptly towards the source of the voice. His face, on the verge of expressing relief, contorted in shock, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"Ouch, you could have just sent your congratulations," Wu Long chuckled lightly.

"C-congratulations on your advancement, Daoist Wu," Princess Wei Zhenhui bowed her head, her voice trembling slightly. She was as astonished by his transformed appearance as Chen Hui was.

Chen Hui observed his lover with concern, lamenting the dual fortune and misfortune of knowing Wu Long.

"S-so you truly were in the Mortal Transcendence Realm before?" Chen Hui finally surrendered to the question, recognizing the infuriatingly relaxed tone as unmistakably Wu Long's. The dramatic shift in his demeanor, now radiating an aura of the Essence Awakening Realm, solidified the belief that Wu Long had indeed advanced, rather than merely revealing a hidden cultivation as Chen Hui had previously suspected.

"I did tell you so," Wu Long replied with a smile. He stepped closer, placing a hand on Chen Hui's shoulder plate and scrutinizing him. "You wear the Commander's armor well. Though prepare to exchange it for a General's soon enough."

"That is unlikely to happen, regrettably," the princess sighed, her expression clouded with frustration. "We did expose Commander Hui's cultivation at the Essence Ignition Realm yesterday, as you advised, to postpone the marriage discussions. However, a strong contingent of princes opposed his promotion to General, despite meeting the cultivation requirements, citing insufficient achievements."

"That is until now," Wu Long nodded knowingly. "You both seem to have overlooked a significant achievement he made… or rather, is about to make, this very night."

Two pairs of eyes regarded him with bewilderment. Wu Long realized their recent preoccupations had caused them to forget.

"Tonight, you will lead a raid against a Corrupt Path lair concealed beneath the capital," Wu Long reminded Chen Hui. Their reactions diverged; Chen Hui displayed a mix of pleasant surprise and mild confusion, while the princess's face tightened with sharp worry. Unlike Chen Hui, she still believed the lair remained an active threat.

Previously, she might not have been so conflicted, as the situation served her interests, consolidating her power and paving the way for their marriage. But now, with her feelings for Chen Hui deepening, she found herself less eager for him to pursue such dangerous endeavors.

Nevertheless, both Chen Hui and Wu Long understood the necessity of maintaining the facade. Wu Long simply added, seeking to allay the princess's fears, "Fear not, I shall offer all possible assistance from the shadows. There is no real danger."

This sentiment offered the princess a measure of reassurance. While she didn't grasp the full extent of Wu Long's capabilities, she recognized his immense power and unconventional methods. Furthermore, Wu Long had assigned Li Weifang, a formidable warrior at the 3rd level of the Essence Ignition Realm, to safeguard them temporarily.

"In any case, my visit is not merely leisurely; I have pressing matters elsewhere," Wu Long's tone shifted to a more business-like cadence. "Escort the princess back to her palace, then meet me at our usual rendezvous for a discussion. Issue orders to your subordinates to prepare all available forces for tonight."

"Eh? You are in a hurry?" Chen Hui raised an eyebrow, observing Wu Long's uncharacteristic lack of relaxation.

"What do you imagine? That I came here with nothing better to do? I rushed here practically the moment I received your message! You must be pleased. I arrived in the city just as you convened and came directly, without even shaking off the road dust. That said, I was in the midst of finalizing matters at my previous location and still have much to attend to. Let us depart." Wu Long let out a light laugh, sensing Chen Hui's misconception that he was visiting casually.

"F-from the Soft Meadow Continent...?" Both Chen Hui and the princess exchanged looks of surprise, then bewilderment, and finally, disbelief. They had both assumed he was already en route when he received their message, or perhaps in Emerald Falls City to handle his own affairs.

"Indeed, from there. Now, make haste," Wu Long urged, waving his hand dismissively. He wished to avoid further debate and was surprised to see Chen Hui’s own impatience, so different from his usual easygoing nature.

"Are you truly Wu L-..."

"Chen Hui..."

"Alright! Alright! I understand! I am leaving! No need to call my name in such a menacing tone. See? I am walking away now." Chen Hui quickly took the princess's hand, placing it on his arm, and led her away.

"Haa~, honestly..." Wu Long shook his head with a wry smile and vanished from his position. He returned to the city where Old Yen, Nie Guanting, and Kwon Qianhong were already occupied with the discreet acquisition of a suitable mansion within the capital.