I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1027 Into the Tiger's Den (4K6)

Not long after, at the west gate of Fulousha City.

A group of richly dressed foreign merchants slowly approached the city gate, led by Su Yao in disguise.

"Halt! Who goes there?" the city guard shouted sternly.

Tibo immediately stepped forward and replied in fluent Kushan: "My master is a young master from the Mihran family of Parthia, who has come to pay homage to His Majesty the new king!"

As he spoke, he produced the pass given to him by the Governor-General of the North.

"Guests of the Governor-General of the North?"

After inspecting the gatekeeper, he snorted coldly and said:
"You've come at the wrong time. The Northern Governor is dead, and now the capital only recognizes the decrees of His Majesty the Divine King!"

Tibo's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "My lord, my master has come from afar to pay his respects to His Majesty the God-King."

As he spoke, he took out a heavy bag of gold coins from his pocket and quietly slipped it into the city gate official's hand: "Please do me a favor."

The city gate official weighed the money pouch in his hand, his expression softening slightly: "Wait here, I'll go and inform them."

Shortly after, the city gate official returned with a group of priests. The leading priest sharply scrutinized Su Yao and his party: "Parthians? Why have you come to the capital at this time?"

Su Yao smiled slightly and replied in Kushan with a Persian accent, "Let's not beat around the bush. The Northern Governor previously harbored ill intentions and wanted to invite Parthia to bolster his prestige."

"However, it seems that His Majesty of your country has resolved this matter. In that case, I must come to offer my congratulations and meet the new monarch to lay the foundation for the future relations between our two countries."

The priest narrowed his eyes: "You're quite direct. However, His Majesty the God-King is very busy right now and probably won't have time to see you."

"It's alright, I have plenty of time to wait."

Su Yao chuckled and said, "However, I've heard that your country is currently at war with the Han Dynasty in the north and has suffered considerable losses. I'm sure your country wouldn't want to antagonize us at this time, wouldn't you agree?"

"You dare threaten us?"

The priest's face darkened, and he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. Su Yao's words had clearly struck a nerve with them.

Since Prince Bodiao ascended the throne as Vasudeva I, although he suppressed the capital with swift and decisive measures, everyone knew that the Han army in the north was always a major threat.

Meanwhile, with the remnants of the local army under the northern governor and the Parthian Empire eyeing them covetously from the west, the Kushan Empire was still beset by internal and external troubles.

Just then, Su Yao calmly took out a letter from his robes: "This is a personal letter from the King of Kings of my country, expressing his congratulations to your new king. If your country doesn't even allow your envoy to enter the city, I'm afraid..."

The priest hesitated for a moment, then finally waved his hand, signaling, "Let them into the city. But remember, in His Majesty the God-King's kingdom, everything must be done according to the rules."

“Of course.” Su Yao gave an elegant bow. “We are the most law-abiding citizens.”

And so, Su Yao and his group successfully entered Fulousha City.

They followed the officials as they walked down the street, where a sense of oppression permeated the air.

Pedestrians hurried past, avoiding eye contact with strangers, and most shops were closed. There were even more soldiers patrolling the streets than civilians, and a faint smell of blood permeated the air.

"Your Highness, the situation is worse than we imagined," Zhang Liao said in a low voice. "This is no capital city; it's practically a giant prison."

“Indeed, Master,” Aisha said, moving a little closer to Su Yao in the carriage. “I feel that the whole city is filled with fear, unlike the royal capital I used to know.”

Su Yao nodded calmly: "Let's wait and see."

Soon, they were settled in a luxurious mansion near the royal palace.

"Please wait here for a moment," the officer leading the way said respectfully. "His Majesty will surely summon the Parthian envoys soon upon learning of their arrival."

After the officer left, Su Yao immediately gathered everyone to discuss the matter.

"Your Highness, what should we do now?" Zhang Liao asked in a low voice.

Su Yao pondered for a moment and said, “We need more intelligence. Aisha, you are in charge of gathering information; Tipo, you go and contact the Brahmin priests in the city to see if there are any internal disagreements; as for Wen Yuan, since you don’t understand Kushan language, continue to play the role of the mute guard, guard the gate, and don’t let anyone get close. Let me go into seclusion and cultivate for a while.”

The so-called seclusion for cultivation naturally meant focusing on studying the terrain of the city.

They were now in a post station, completely in the dark under the watchful eyes of the Kushans.

Fortunately, his system map can provide some help.

Currently, after entering the city, apart from the royal palace still being shrouded in a dark fog of war, the map of the outer city area has been fully opened.

And so, everyone performed their respective duties.

Aisha chatted with the maids at the inn and quickly gleaned a lot of information; Tipo, on the other hand, was granted the privilege of going out to the temple for worship, thanks to his superior status as a Brahmin priest.

As night fell, the two returned with shocking intelligence.

"Master, the situation is dire."

Aisha's expression was grave. "Vesudeva has ordered martial law throughout the city. A grand sacrificial ceremony will be held tomorrow at noon in the palace square. It is said that thousands of 'traitors' will be executed, including many priests and high monks!"

"I can understand the high monk, but what about the priest?"

“That’s right,” Tipo immediately added.

It turns out that although Vasudeva revered Brahmanism as the state religion, his extreme policies caused divisions and dissatisfaction even within the Brahman community.

The radical faction, led by the high priest, fully supported Vasudeva's bloody rule, believing it to be a divine purification of the Kushans.

Meanwhile, a group of moderate priests, led by Saint Dina, opposed the indiscriminate killing of innocent people and urged him to stop human sacrifice, bridge the differences, and end the killing.

The ideological division within the temple had serious consequences, with countless strange, terrifying, and distant things spreading rapidly.

The most terrifying of these was the belief that Vasudeva's rule was based on false oracles and that everything was the evil conspiracy of the high priest.

And this rumor and division ultimately led to the disappearance of the saint.

Some say that the holy woman was imprisoned or even killed by Vasudeva after admonishing him.

So the priests went to the palace to pressure the king to release the holy maiden and allow her to appease the people.

How could Vasudeva, who considered himself a god-king, tolerate such a challenge?
结果
"So all these people have become sacrifices, to be offered up tomorrow?"

After listening to Aisha and Tipo's report, Su Yao frowned slightly: "It seems that this 'God King' has completely gone mad."

Zhang Liao clenched his fist: "Your Highness, the palace square will be packed with people during tomorrow's sacrificial ceremony. That will be the perfect opportunity for us to make our move!"

"Wait a minute!"

Tipo hurriedly reached out to interrupt, nervously saying:

"According to the remaining priests of the temple, Vasudeva's power now far surpasses that of humans."

"He seems to have gained extremely powerful strength through blood sacrifice. Previously, a general of the royal guard led several hundred men in a mutiny, but was killed by Vasudeva alone. The general's head is still hanging on the palace gate for public display."

"If we act rashly, there is a risk of unforeseen consequences."

"You said that Saintess Dina disappeared after meeting the king in the palace?" Su Yao suddenly asked Tipo.

"Yes, it is."

Tibo wiped the cold sweat from his forehead:

“The priests were certain that she did not come out through any door after she went in.”

"They're either imprisoned deep within the palace, or they've already been brutally murdered."

"She shouldn't die so easily."

Aisha interjected, "Everyone in the capital knows that the Kushan king was deeply in love with Miss Dina when he was still a prince, and proposed to her many times without success. Even though his personality has changed drastically now, he probably won't kill her easily."

Su Yao nodded thoughtfully: "Then the final question is where she will be imprisoned. Perhaps in his harem?"

"It will probably be the tower of the royal palace."

Aisha paused and said:
"It is said that it is a place used by the royal family to imprison important figures. It is heavily guarded and outsiders cannot get close at all."

"I believe there's an 80% chance that such an important figure as the Holy Maiden will be there."

"Eighty percent? That's enough. Looks like I'll have to make a trip tonight."

Su Yao stood up, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone: "Tonight I will personally go to the tower to investigate. If Dina is really there, she might become an important asset to us."

Zhang Liao exclaimed in alarm, "Your Highness, this is too dangerous! The palace is heavily guarded; what if we are discovered?"

Su Yao chuckled and patted Zhang Liao on the shoulder: "Wen Yuan, have you forgotten who I am? A mere royal palace can't hold me." As night fell, Fulousha City was shrouded in an eerie silence.

Looking at the night sky, Su Yao, with Aisha's help, changed into a set of night clothes, tucked a short sword into his waistband, and then quietly slipped out of the inn.

With his excellent stealth skills and his familiarity with the city map during the day, Su Yao easily avoided the patrolling soldiers, moving through the streets and alleys like a ghost, gradually approaching the palace.

The night is getting darker.

Inside the royal palace tower, two young girls kept each other company.

"Your Highness, it's late, you should go," Saintess Dina reminded her.

Princess Samira shook her head and held Dina's hand tightly: "No, I can't leave you here alone. My brother... he's completely changed now, and I don't know what he might do to you."

Dina sighed softly and pulled Samira to sit down by the window. "This is all fate, the punishment I deserve. It's all because of the divine oracle I brought that His Majesty has become what he is today."

Princess Samira shook her head and said, "No, Miss Dina, this is not your fault. It was my brother who chose this path."

"But, is that really what the oracle said?"

Faced with Samira's question, Dina looked out at the moonlight, a layer of worry in her eyes: "The oracle did indeed foretell that His Majesty would ascend the throne, but it has never shown such a scene before."

"Is this power—this ability to gain power through killing and sacrifice—truly a gift from the gods?"

Dina couldn't answer Samira's question. All she knew was, "His Majesty has been blinded by extraordinary power. If this continues, not only will he be doomed, but the entire Kushan Empire will also be plunged into endless darkness."

"Is there any way to save him?" Samira asked anxiously.

"help me?"

With a bang, the door opened.

Vasudeva I's tall figure appeared at the doorway, his cold gaze sweeping over the two of them.

"My dear sister, is this how you try to persuade her?"

Samira trembled and hurriedly stood up: "Brother, it's me."

"Get out," Vasudeva said coldly. "I have something to say to my queen alone."

"No, you can't hurt her."

"Don't make me say it a second time!"

Samira wanted to say something, but was too frightened to speak by her brother's terrifying gaze. She could only clench her hands and leave the room in tears.

After the door closed, Vasudeva slowly walked towards Dina, reached out and lifted her chin: "Why must you oppose me? We could have ruled this empire together and spread the glory of the gods."

Dina met his gaze without flinching: "Your Majesty, what you are doing now is not the will of the gods. You have been corrupted by power."

"Corrosion?" Vasudeva sneered. "Then tell me, what is the will of the gods?"

“The gods gave you power so that you could protect your people, not slaughter them!” Dina said firmly.

Vasudeva suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter filled with madness: "Protection? Do those traitors deserve protection? No, they are only fit to be my stepping stones!"

He grabbed Dina's wrist abruptly, a dangerous glint in his eyes: "Listen, Dina, I'm giving you one last chance. At tomorrow's grand ceremony, I want you to publicly declare your support for me and agree to become my queen. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Dina asked without backing down.

Vasudeva leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Otherwise, all those who support you will die, and you will go with them."

"I'm quite eager to see just how much power offering the saintess's blood will grant me."

Dina's pupils contracted slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "If this is the will of the gods, and if my blood can awaken His Majesty, then Dina is willing to die."

Vasudeva's face instantly darkened. He grabbed Dina by the neck and slammed her against the wall: "You think I wouldn't dare kill you?"

Dina closed her eyes in pain, but stubbornly remained silent.

"Don't make me come to this."

Vasudeva finally released her grip, flicking her sleeve: "I'll give you one last night, or you'll become the most dazzling sacrifice at tomorrow's ceremony!"

After saying that, he turned and strode away, slamming the door shut behind him.

Dina collapsed to the ground, coughing violently, tears streaming silently down her face.

A moment later, when there was no sound coming from outside the door, a soft sound suddenly came from the window.

Immediately, a dark figure flashed in.

"Is this all there is to a God-King?"

"I thought he would have a better insight."

Dina looked up abruptly. In the moonlight, a strange, masked man dressed in black stood by the window, his eyes shining like stars.

"Who are you?" Dina asked, trying to remain calm.

"The people who came to save you."

Su Yao walked slowly closer, his gaze lingering for a moment on the bruise on Dina's neck: "It seems that our God-King is not so gentle with ladies."

Dina caught sight of the short sword at Su Yao's waist, instinctively took a step back, and her back pressed against the cold wall:
"Stop and don't move!"

"How did you get in? This is the forbidden area of ​​the royal palace. If you come any closer, I'll call for help!"

"Just climbing through a window." Su Yao shrugged. "More than that, I'm curious about what this divine oracle you're talking about is."

Dina's pupils contracted slightly: "You were eavesdropping on our conversation?"

"It just happened to be a coincidence."

Su Yao paced around the room, his gaze sweeping over the simple furnishings:

"Your Holiness, time is of the essence. Let's get straight to the point—do you wish to stop tomorrow's blood sacrifice?"

Dina stared warily at the mysterious man: "Who sent you?"

“That’s not important.” Su Yao stopped and looked Dina directly into her eyes. “What’s important is that I can help you.”

"Help me?" Dina smiled bitterly. "No one can help me. His Majesty is no longer human."

"Because he gained extraordinary power?" Su Yao raised an eyebrow.

Dina was surprised by his composure. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded: "His power has been growing every day since the coronation ceremony. Now, no one in the entire palace is his match."

"Interesting." A hint of excitement flashed in Su Yao's eyes. "Then, Your Majesty, are you willing to take a gamble?"

"What are you gambling?"

"I bet I'm stronger than your God-King."

As he spoke, Su Yao removed his mask, revealing a heroic and confident face.

His face was like jade, his eyes like bright stars, and his brows exuded an imposing aura.

This left Dina stunned.

But it wasn't because she had never seen such an extraordinary young man before and was swooning over him; it was because his face was unforgettable after just one glance.

"You! You are the Han Chinese demon king from the oracle!"

In an instant, a flash of lightning struck, and before she could finish her exclamation, Dina's mouth was covered by Su Yao.

"Fun and interesting."

"The Holy Maiden truly lives up to her reputation."

"Even though we've never met before, he can recognize my face."

"It seems your oracle is actually quite effective."

"So, if you've calmed down, let's have a proper, in-depth discussion, what do you think?"

(End of this chapter)