"I only feel the spiritual power surging through my body now, could this be the strength of a Martial Emperor realm expert?" Lu Fan spoke, his eyes filled with joy. Even he hadn't expected the strength of a Martial Emperor realm expert to be so immense, bringing him a pleasant surprise.
"That's right, it is indeed the power of a Martial Emperor realm expert!" Liu Ruyan said, "Congratulations, you've broken through to Martial Emperor in such a short time. This is the best possible outcome for you. With a Martial Emperor realm expert taking over the position of Northwest King, it won't incite any criticism!"
"I am the Lord of the Heavenly Court, the Northwest King appointed by them. Who would dare criticize?" Lu Fan shrugged slightly, a smile on his face. This was indeed a fortunate turn of events for him.
However, at this moment, Lu Fan frowned, "Why don't I see Ling'er? Didn't he enter the King's City long ago?"
"You've been in a coma for the past few days, and I didn't want to disturb you to look for him," Liu Ruyan shook her head. "Under normal circumstances, he should have appeared by now, but we haven't seen any sign of him these past few days!"
"How could this be!" Lu Fan's brows furrowed, his expression changing. He hadn't expected that Ling'er, who had come to the King's City to deliver a message, would actually go missing.
"His disappearance isn't the scary part. What's scary is that he disappeared with the Northwest King's Token. This is no trivial matter!" Liu Ruyan stated.
"You mean to say that someone from the King's Mansion captured him?" Lu Fan frowned, then suddenly stood up, "Let's go to the Northwest King's Mansion!"
Liu Ruyan nodded. At this point, it was the only way to uncover the truth. As for whether it was someone from the Northwest King's Mansion, even she wasn't entirely sure.
Not long after, Lu Fan brought Liu Ruyan to the Northwest King's Mansion. Inside, guards were stationed, appearing to be on high alert, as if no one could breach their defenses.
"I am the Northwest King!" Lu Fan stepped forward, "Who is managing this Northwest King's Mansion now?"
The guards glanced at Lu Fan, a smile playing on their lips, their eyes filled with disdain, as if they considered Lu Fan merely a vagrant.
"Kid, go wherever it's cool and stay there. Don't cause trouble here!" one of the guards said. "Someone was causing trouble here a few days ago and was directly arrested. He also claimed to be the Northwest King, oh wait, he should have said he was a friend of the Northwest King!"
"Who's in charge here!" Lu Fan's eyes darkened, filled with a chilling coldness. Every word he had spoken was fact, yet he was met with such mockery, making it impossible for him to accept.
"What, kid, are you serious?" the leading guard asked. "Let me tell you, this is the Northwest King's Mansion. Those who dare to cause trouble here will die miserably. You'd better be sensible and leave now, or you'll regret it!"
"Such big talk, daring to speak to the Northwest King like that!" Liu Ruyan said, "I think you've grown a pair of bear's hearts and leopard's gall!"
"Just two Martial Emperors, and you dare to claim to be the Northwest King here? Do you really think this is the Northwest King's Mansion, a place you can come and go as you please?" The leading guard was imposing and completely unfazed.
"It seems we'll have to force our way into the mansion today!" Liu Ruyan said coldly, her voice laced with anger. How could she tolerate such mockery?
"If you have the guts, try it!" The men responded without restraint, their anger flaring. As guards of the Northwest King's Mansion, how could they be threatened?
Liu Ruyan didn't hold back. She instantly stepped forward, attacking the guards with surging power, looking exceptionally fierce. The guards' expressions shifted upon seeing this. They hadn't expected Liu Ruyan to be so direct and unapologetic, attempting to barge in.
"Stop them!" the leading guard commanded with a cold expression and overwhelming might.
In that instant, the guards attacked in unison, attempting to suppress Liu Ruyan. Liu Ruyan, however, remained unfazed. Her aura continuously expanded, directly defeating the guards, appearing effortless, as if these guards were beneath her notice.
"How dare you make a move within the Northwest King's Mansion!" At that very moment, a cold voice rang out, and a white-haired old man slowly strode forward, exuding an aura of supreme authority. Seeing this, Liu Ruyan quickly stopped her attack and looked at the elder. The elder appeared refined and immortal, seemingly not an ordinary person.
"Steward Zhao!" The guards bowed respectfully, showing utmost deference to the white-haired elder before them, not daring to show any negligence.
"You are the one managing affairs in the Northwest King's Mansion?" Liu Ruyan sneered. "Even the Northwest King arrives and you don't come out to welcome him, yet you dare to put on airs here. I think you're truly full of yourself!"
"In recent years, many have impersonated the Northwest King, but none have managed to fool us!" Steward Zhao chuckled. "What proof does he have to demonstrate he is the Northwest King?"
"I have no proof!" Lu Fan shrugged. "Because my proof is in your hands. Don't you have my Northwest King's Token?"
"Ridiculous!" Steward Zhao said coldly. "As the one in charge of the Northwest King's affairs, I must handle matters with due diligence. If you cannot provide a reasonable explanation for your identities, you will have to await justice in prison!"
"I say I am the Northwest King, and you don't seem to believe me!" Lu Fan shrugged. "Now that the Northwest King's Token is in your hands, how can you expect me to prove it?"
"You and that woman must be in league, right?" Steward Zhao said coldly. "Tell me, where did you steal the Northwest King's Token from? Perhaps we can spare your lives. If you insist on being stubborn, don't blame this old man for showing no mercy."
"You say that as if we really stole it?" Liu Ruyan said softly. "Who has such audacity to do such a thing?"
Steward Zhao frowned. Even now, he couldn't quite believe Liu Ruyan's words, as this matter was of great importance, and if he made a mistake, even he would face punishment.
"The Northwest King's Token and I have long formed an imprint. If you hand it to me, I can summon it!" Lu Fan stated, his gaze calm. With these words, Steward Zhao was instantly swayed and handed the Northwest King's Token to Lu Fan.