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

Sun Yuwang stood still, silently enduring the insults from his fellow martial artists around him.

Only after the doubts gradually subsided did he slowly open his mouth and say, "Have you said everything? Now can you listen to my explanation?"

Zhi Qing glanced at them coldly and uttered a contemptuous sound: "Speak, I want to see what kind of ivory you can spit out of your dog mouth."

Sun Yuwang ignored Zhiqing and directly cupped his hands to the crowd, saying, "Gentlemen, as a disciple of the Shushan Sword Sect, I would never do such a thing as betraying my friends for personal gain."

I confess that my attempt to assassinate the Empress in Jinling was ill-considered, which allowed her to seize the opportunity and kill eight hundred of my brothers.

I will take full responsibility for this, but please believe me, I, Sun Yuwang, would rather die than collude with the imperial court.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than someone immediately questioned, "Then explain why you put on that official robe and became a lackey of the court? We all saw it yesterday."

"There's a reason for that. Do you think I'm comfortable wearing this official robe? You're wrong. I wish I could tear this skin off!"

Zhiqing scoffed: "Heh, don't tell me you became governor out of necessity."

Sun Yuwang said helplessly, "I know you all doubt me now, but please calm down and listen to my explanation."

"I believe that you fellow practitioners have already noticed that the current imperial court has an extremely tough attitude towards the martial arts world, and its supervision of the size and conduct of sects is becoming stricter day by day."

"We can no longer roam freely in the world like we used to."

"Because the current Great Chu court, whether you like it or not, is more ambitious than ever before."

"What are they planning to do? They want to eradicate the sects and forces that have existed on the Taiwu Continent for nearly ten thousand years, leaving us with no place to be buried."

"You must have seen the firearms of the Chu army to some extent, right? An ordinary mortal can easily take the life of a martial artist who has cultivated for decades or even hundreds of years with just a small copper ball. We can't afford to waste manpower with them!"

Everyone fell silent, exchanging glances with each other.

Clearly, the advent of firearms has put unprecedented pressure on martial arts factions, even to the point of threatening their very survival.

"Therefore, there is only one way to turn things around: to make firearms, such terrifying weapons that threaten us martial artists, disappear completely."

"How can we make her disappear? If the Empress dies, then everything can end."

“But we have already failed once. The Empress must be on guard. I can only turn the tide by infiltrating their ranks and gathering useful intelligence.”

Zhiqing frowned: "So, you mean your purpose in becoming the governor of Shu Commandery is to find the best opportunity to assassinate the Empress?"

"That's right, and we've already made progress."

Sun Yuwang said with great certainty.

"After entering officialdom, I realized that the reason our operations repeatedly failed was because we were unfamiliar with the court's movements."

Did you know that on the fifth day of the fourth month, the Empress will be inspecting Shu Commandery?

Everyone's eyes lit up, and they immediately began to whisper among themselves.

Finally, Zhiqing asked, "Is what you're saying true?"

"It's absolutely true! I only learned of this news this morning, but the specific itinerary still needs to be sent by the local government offices."

I have summoned you here today for two reasons: first, to prove my innocence, and second, to inform you of this news so that you can prepare yourselves in advance.

"You're not lying to us, are you?"

Zhiqing asked suspiciously.

"You can wait for my news. Whether it's true or not, I will contact you in a few days after I've become more familiar with the situation."

"Alright, since you sound so sincere, we'll trust you this once. There are still more than twenty days until the fifth day of the fourth month. Be sure to let us know as soon as you have any news."

"Thank you all for your trust. I should not linger here any longer and must return to Yuzhou first. I will relay any news to you in a timely manner."

After exchanging ideas for a while, the group of heroes decided to trust Sun Yuwang one more time.

"Okay, then we'll wait for your news. We hope you won't let us down."

"Don't worry, this time, let the Empress's blood flow dry on this land of Sichuan."

……

Having finally appeased the group of heroes, at least for the time being no one would bother him, and Sun Yuwang's frustration subsided considerably.

Back at the governor's office, Steward Xu suddenly rushed out, looking anxious, and said, "Sir, you're finally back..."

Looking at Butler Xu's expression, Sun Yu's relaxed brows furrowed again: "What happened?"

Steward Xu pointed in the direction of the government office: "The imperial envoys have been waiting in the main hall for quite some time."

Upon hearing this, Sun Yuwang felt a sudden surge of tension: "Someone from the imperial court? Who is it? And what do they want with me?"

Steward Xu shook his head: "The person who came didn't say anything, only that he would wait here for the master to arrive before giving any instructions. Two hours have already passed."

Upon hearing this, Sun Yuwang, filled with trepidation, quickly stepped through the gate of the mansion.

Upon entering the hall, one sees a man dressed in brocade robes and flying fish attire sitting at a hastily moved dining table, eating heartily, with two brocade-clad guards standing motionless beside him.

Upon seeing the flying fish robe, Sun Yuwang clenched his fists and secretly began to circulate his internal energy.

This is the infamous Jingwei Division, the Empress's direct intelligence agency, which no one dares to mess with.

"Oh, Governor Sun is back?"

Upon seeing Sun Yu enter the hall, the man put down his chopsticks, smiled, put a toothpick in his mouth, and slowly stood up, bowing slightly in greeting.

"This humble officer, Pei Lun, is the Chief Flag Officer of the Southern Garrison Command. Greetings."

Pei Lun maintained a faint smile on his face throughout his speech, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.

Sun Yuwang returned the greeting at the opportune moment: "I apologize for keeping Commander Pei waiting. I wonder what important matter Commander Pei has come to see me about?"

"How could that be?" Pei Lun laughed upon hearing this. "I am merely a seventh-rank flag officer in the palace, while you, sir, are a fourth-rank governor."

"This humble servant has no important business to trouble Your Excellency the Governor; I am merely here on the orders of the Commander to deliver a document to you."

As he spoke, he took out a roster from his waist and handed it to Sun Yuwang.

"This is……"

"His Majesty has decreed that there have been disturbances in Shu Commandery recently, which has greatly troubled me."

An investigation revealed that the headquarters of the rebels in Shu Commandery was located in Qinshan County. The Governor of Shu Commandery was ordered to swiftly and decisively suppress the rebels.

After Pei Lun finished speaking, ignoring the fascinating expression on Sun Yuwang's face, he cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Congratulations, Governor Sun, on gaining His Majesty's trust so soon after taking office."

"I hope Governor Sun will handle this matter well; Her Majesty does not want to hear any more news of a rebellion in Shu County."

After saying that, he smiled and left the governor's hall with his subordinates.

Sun Yu looked at the roster in his hand, then staggered and slumped into his seat.

"Let me? Kill those fellow martial artists? Empress, you are truly wicked!"