Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Inside the Royal Palace at Cape of Hope.

Nguyen Ha Lai, Tse Minh Chu, and their ministers continued to celebrate the Queen Mother's birthday.

The palace and its surroundings were filled with a joyous and celebratory atmosphere, as if the war in the South China Sea had nothing to do with them.

"Angel, please."

"Your Majesty, please."

Nguyen Ha Lai took the initiative to toast Shi Mingzhu, and Shi Mingzhu returned the toast accordingly.

The two drank it all in one gulp and laughed at their empty glasses.

After setting down her wine glass, Ruan Xialai suddenly said, "My lord, I have long heard that the Kingdom of Wuzhao is known for its martial spirit, and coincidentally, I am also a man who loves martial arts."

The royal guards under his command are all martial artists; why not have them perform a short piece to entertain the angels?

Shi Mingzhu smiled and said, "In that case, it's a good opportunity to witness the style of your country's martial artists."

Ruan Xialai immediately clapped her hands and beckoned a guard: "Let them in, please ask the angel for some guidance."

"Yes."

The guards dared not delay and obeyed the order to leave.

Before long, a group of spirited warriors, wielding curved swords, appeared at the banquet.

"See you, my lord!"

The leading warrior leader knelt down first and bowed to Nguyen Ha Lai.

The other warriors behind him also knelt down and bowed.

Ruan Xialai smiled and said to Shi Mingzhu, "Angel, this is my palace guard. These twelve are warriors personally selected by me. Each of them can take on a hundred men and is unmatched in bravery."

Shi Mingzhu glanced at them discreetly, then looked at the guard standing beside her: "Tieji, what do you think?"

"Humph."

Tieji merely hummed softly, flicked the rat tail behind his head, and offered no further comment.

But the disdain in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Shi Mingzhu shook her head and said to Ruan Xialai, "Your Highness, please don't be so formal. This servant has always been like this."

He always acts inferior to martial artists, and I want him to learn a lesson so he'll remember it.

Ruan Xialai waved her hand: "The angel's words are incorrect. Since ancient times, the dignity of the strong has never been violated. The Iron Machine Warrior is so proud..."

"Of course they have reason to be proud. Besides, the Li Kingdom is a poor, remote place; how can it be compared to the superior Wu Zhao Kingdom? It's only natural that they have this temperament."

After saying that, he waved his hand and said, "Why don't you show us your skills and ask the angel for some guidance?"

"Yes."

The king gave the order, and the warriors dared not disobey, shouting as they dispersed.

Their commotion immediately drew the attention of the surrounding guests, who all put down their bowls and chopsticks and looked toward the center of the palace.

The first to step onto the stage was a short martial artist.

"ah--"

With a long shout, he strode forward with incredible speed, seemingly leaping through the air on leaves and soaring into the sky, leaving onlookers in awe.

“Angel, Ruan Si’s lightness skill is the best in the palace. Flying over rooftops and walking on snow without leaving a trace is just commonplace for him.”

boom--

At that moment, Ruan Si kicked a blue stone, which cracked instantly.

Then he possessed the opponent and unleashed a sweeping kick, the force of which made the opponent's cheeks sting.

Ruan Xialai added, "Of course, Ruan Si's most powerful skill is his legwork. It is vigorous and powerful. Anyone who gets hit by his kick will either die or be seriously injured."

"It's really great."

Shi Mingzhu raised her glass and took a sip of wine, her eyes filled with admiration.

After Ruan Si finished his performance, another young man jumped out.

He immediately unleashed a set of unpredictable fist and palm techniques, each punch seemingly carrying immense force, causing the air to emit a faint crackling sound.

"Ruan Er's signature move, the Empty Condensation Hand, combines fist and palm techniques and can knock back a bull with a single punch within thirty paces."

Ruan Xialai continued to explain, while Shi Mingzhu watched Ruan Er with great interest.

"Look at me!"

Just then, Ruan San, who had become interested, suddenly joined the battle, starting with a move called "Plucking Leaves and Flying Flowers".

In just a moment, a gust of wind swept through, and the bullseye of the seventeen wooden targets in the distance was now filled with dense leaves, each one deeply embedded in the wood.

"Ruan San is skilled in using hidden weapons. No one knows where his hidden weapons will come from. They are unpredictable and impossible to defend against."

"The Li Kingdom is indeed full of talented people. Today, I have truly broadened my horizons."

Shi Mingzhu offered a compliment and toasted Ruan Xialai with a glass of wine.

"It's my turn."

It was finally Ruan Yi's turn to perform.

He leaped to the center of the royal court, assumed a horse stance, and took a deep breath.

In an instant, veins bulged on his forehead, and his body began to gradually shrink.

hiss-

With a tearing sound, Ruan Yi burst open his clothes, revealing a strong and muscular body that left onlookers speechless.

The next moment, several warriors simultaneously drew their swords and slashed at various parts of Ruan Yi's body.

"Ding, ding—"

Unexpectedly, the sharp swords struck Ruan Yi, but instead of harming him in the slightest, they struck him as if he were hitting a piece of fine steel, producing a metallic clanging sound.

"This is Ruan Yi, the most skilled and powerful of the twelve warriors under my command. He has an indestructible golden body that is impervious to blades and spears, and he can even split mountains and shatter rocks, making him unshakeable."

Shi Mingzhu laughed and said, "Good, today has truly broadened my horizons. The warriors of Li Kingdom are indeed extraordinary. I will remember this."

Just then, Tieji suddenly spoke up: "My lord, please allow me to spar with these few."

Upon hearing this, Shi Mingzhu looked embarrassed and then angrily rebuked, "Nonsense! Today is a state banquet at the Royal Court. Is this the time for you to show off? Shut up now!"

Upon hearing this, Ruan Xialai hurriedly said, "Angel, let Iron Warrior give them a few pointers. I also want to see the strength of the Wuzhao warriors."

Shi Mingzhu: "Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Ruan Xialai smiled and said, "The angels are overthinking it. In fact, since the first day the angels arrived, they have also wanted to see the level of the martial artists of Wuzhao Kingdom. Please grant their wish."

Shi Mingzhu sighed softly, "Then I shall respectfully accept your offer."

Then he said to Tieji, "Today is just a friendly spar, remember to stop when you've made your point."

"Please rest assured, sir, I will not kill them!"

After finishing speaking, Tieji shook the money rat tail behind his head and couldn't wait to join the battle.

"It's no fun for you guys to enjoy this alone. Why don't I join you in the fun too? Let's all come at each other together."

Upon seeing such an arrogant person, Ruan Si was the first to jump out.

"Arrogant! I'll teach you a lesson."

After saying that, he immediately raised his leg and kicked the iron machine.

As a result, Tie Ji simply dodged Nguyen's attacks one after another, and then grabbed the leg that the other party was kicking at him.

"you……"

"drink!"

Before Ruan Si could react, his body was slammed heavily to the ground, and he immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.

"You dare to hurt my fourth brother? You're courting death!"

Ruan San threw a hidden weapon at him, but Tie Ji blocked it all with his bare hands.

"Get out!"

Then Tieji let out a deep shout and directly knocked Ruan San back with a palm strike.

"Next!"

Without taking a breather, Tie Ji dealt with two more in a row, then turned his attention to Ruan Yi and Ruan Er.

"you wanna die!"

Ruan Er leaped towards the iron machine, his fist clenched in mid-air, generating a powerful force.

However, Tie Ji smiled slightly and countered each move. After dozens of exchanges, Tie Ji struck again, sending Ruan Er flying.