Achieving the Dao from the Hundred Schools of Thought

Bo Pi rose, bowed, and said with a smile:

"Your Majesty, we are from humble backgrounds, how could we be so considerate! Considering Zhuang Weiyang's merit in escorting us, please do not pursue the matter of Zhuang Weiyang's negligence."

I have heard that the State of Yue has presented a beautiful concubine, skilled in singing and dancing, whose beauty could topple kingdoms. The State of Qi is a powerful state in the Central Plains, and its customs and traditions are far more refined than those of our State of Wu. Perhaps we should invite a member of the Tian clan to judge the Yue woman's dance.

If she could gain the approval of the Tian clan, it would not only prove that the Yue women's skills were unparalleled, but also demonstrate the Yue people's unwavering respect for the King.

Zhuang Weiyang bowed again, lowered her head, and cursed Bo Pi inwardly.

He had barely said a few words when Bo Pi accused him of negligence.

As expected, like repels like. I just wanted to fool them and make Fuchai happy so he would let me go as soon as possible.

Unexpectedly, Bo Pi reacted violently and actually threw dirty water at him.

Fortunately, the outcome was good.

Fuchai waved his hand, gesturing for Zhuang Weiyang to sit down, the fleeting glimpse he had seen that morning replaying in his mind.

The graceful dance of a beautiful woman is sure to captivate the hearts of heroes.

King Fuchai immediately became interested and ordered a minor official to summon Xi Shi.

"The legend of the Yue woman—!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Wu King's palace fell silent.

Those present were all nobles of the Wu Kingdom, who had long heard of the legends that the Yue women were skilled in singing and dancing.

However, very few people have actually seen the Yue woman.

Upon hearing that the Yue Kingdom had presented a beautiful concubine to the King of Wu, everyone's attention immediately turned to the entrance.

"Lingling—"

"gurgling--"

The musicians, who had been preparing for some time, began to play music.

The xiao and sheng played in harmony, the qin and se sang in accord, and dozens of Yue women dressed in green entered through the door. Among them, a splash of pure white stood out.

Zhuang Weiyang had already seen Xi Shi dance before, and now she was involuntarily attracted by Xi Shi's dance.

At first, the music was gentle, and Xi Shi was hidden among the crowd. Her dance was neat and unremarkable.

"Zheng—Buzz!"

As the musicians changed their tune, the Yue maiden bloomed like a white lotus, and all the other women, like green leaves, arched their backs and made way for her, leaving only Xi Shi dancing in the palace.

"So beautiful!"

Bo Jiang was captivated by the beauty of Xi Shi's dance when he saw it for the first time, and he couldn't help but keep praising it.

Zhuang Weiyang had already seen Xi Shi dance, so she still had some resistance.

But a sense of vigilance rose in my heart.

"It is only the beginning that can disturb people's minds."

Is the gap between the first and second realms really that large?

Zhuang Weiyang previously believed that she possessed supernatural powers, and if she could max out her proficiency, she might be able to fight against someone in the second realm.

Now, seeing Xi Shi dance, that confidence has vanished.

Stay calm and don't get reckless!

Crossing borders to kill enemies is not done this way; it should be done by fighting one enemy from two different borders!

"Before Xi Shi's bells were even dangling, before her dance moves were fully unfurled, and before her true nature was revealed, she was already able to bewitch people's hearts and minds."

If they use all their methods, can I really withstand it?

After Zhuang Weiyang pondered for a while, the answer was revealed.

Can't stop!

As the music became more cheerful, Xi Shi's dance moves also changed rhythm in sync.

Xi Shi, dancing among the crowd, had a waist that seemed to be made of water. With the rhythm of the music, she suddenly turned around, and her skirt spread out and transformed into a blue lotus. Her toes touched the ground, and her body swayed, like a lotus flower swaying in the wind. The bells on her wrists jingled, responding to the music.

The crowd watched, mesmerized, their eyes glazed over, as if they were drunk.

Including Zhuang Weiyang.

Fuchai, protected by a third-tier human fortune, possessed resistance far exceeding that of ordinary people, and was also attracted by Xi Shi's dance.

Unlike the others who were bewitched, he still retained a sliver of his consciousness.

Fuchai glanced at the Tian clan members when he had a moment to spare, and saw that Tian Chang, who had no cultivation, and Tian Ni, a soldier cultivator, were already engrossed in their cultivation.

Fa Xiutianbao's eyes were tightly closed, his forehead covered in cold sweat, yet he was still struggling to hold on.

King Fuchai was in a good mood, and then turned his attention back to Xi Shi.

"Buzz".

The true nature of Xi Shi behind her—Xi Shi clutching her heart—slowly emerges as the music progresses.

Before long, the illusory nature of the body materialized and danced for the king alongside Xi Shi.

"clang--!"

The music ended.

The two beauties, each holding their hearts in their hands, walked up to Fuchai and gazed at him adoringly. It was as if they wanted to offer their pure, innocent hearts to Fuchai.

King Fuchai's vanity was unprecedentedly satisfied, and he repeatedly cheered.

"This dance is enough to topple kingdoms, this woman is enough to captivate cities. I have witnessed the submission of the Yue people!"

A third-tier royal fortune can protect one, but if a king willingly succumbs to it, the royal fortune becomes useless.

"Excellent! This woman may enter my Wu palace!"

King Fuchai looked satisfied, his eyes fixed on Xi Shi.

Xi Shi showed no fear, raised her head, and met Fuchai's gaze.

For a moment, Fuchai was stunned.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Bo Pi called softly, pulling Fuchai back to his senses.

Fuchai coughed lightly twice, his expression unchanged, but his heart was burning with excitement.

The fire spread, gradually reaching the dantian (lower abdomen).

"Alright, my beloved subjects, let us drink together!"

Fuchai forgot all about showing off to his ministers and comparing himself to the people of Qi.

Now, Fuchai had only one thing on his mind.

Be the groom!

Bo Pi was well-versed in this matter and immediately saw through his king's thoughts. He stood up to say something polite and end the banquet.

Bo Pi was not the only one who could guess what Fuchai was thinking.

Wu Zixu spoke angrily:

"Your Majesty, the Yue Kingdom has offered up a beautiful concubine; this is truly a wolf's ambition!"

In this age of great strife, our king should strive to govern diligently.

But the Yue people presented the beautiful woman, intending to diminish the king's regal bearing. Their disloyalty was blatantly obvious!

"I beg Your Majesty to order the execution of this woman first, followed by the slaughter of all Yue people who resist, and to bring the Yue Kingdom into the territory of my Wu Kingdom!"

Fuchai looked displeased and was about to retort when Bo Pi stepped forward.

"Prime Minister, the Yue people have now submitted and offered up their most precious treasures. Where is their disloyalty? I, Bo Pi, see none of it!"

As Bo Pi spoke, his anger flared, and he relayed orders to his subordinates in the palace.

Upon receiving the order, the subordinates immediately left the palace.

Wu Zixu tried to speak up to stop him, but Bo Pi interrupted him.

"Your Excellency, the Qi envoy is still here, and you want to incite the King to kill all the Yue people."

"What, do you intend to tarnish Your Majesty's royal name and let the states of the Central Plains laugh at us Wu people as barbarians?"

"Your Majesty, you are wise enough to know that this old minister had no such intention!"

Wu Zixu bowed deeply, his voice trembling. Zhuang Weiyang knew immediately that Wu Zixu was utterly loyal.

But a ruler of a country needs not only loyalty, but also obedience!

Fuchai's face was grim, and he didn't say much. Tian Chang, who had been pretending to be asleep, spoke up for reasons unknown:

"Prime Minister Wu, your remarks are alarmist. The people of Qi have presented female musicians to us, causing King Ding of Lu to neglect state affairs and allowing the Three Huan families to seize power."

Would King Fuchai, the supreme ruler of the land, really neglect state affairs for a mere female entertainer?

After saying this, Tian Chang seemed to realize something, and with a look of sudden understanding, he apologized to Fuchai.

"Your Majesty, our envoy from Qi should not have interfered in your internal affairs. Please forgive our rudeness!"

Fuchai was provoked by Tian Chang and became even more furious.

"What, does Prime Minister Wu also think I'm like King Lu Ding? That I would drive away loyal ministers and neglect state affairs?"

Who are the Three Huan families of Wu? Tell me!

Wu Zixu looked grief-stricken and indignant, sighed deeply, and could not say a word.

At that moment, Goujian's voice came from outside the door.

"Merciful King!"

You are the Unifying King of the Human Race!

Goujian is of lowly birth and should not have been born in the same era as Your Majesty!

"Since a true king has descended to earth, why is there a need for a false king to govern the people?"

Goujian chanted a ballad, dressed in a strange sacrificial robe, and crawled on his knees to Fuchai's feet under the watchful eyes of the officials.

In Xi Shi's beautiful eyes, sorrow was like an impenetrable fog.

Wu Zixu took in the expressions of everyone present.

Fuchai's triumphant smile after his initial shock; Bo Pi's knowing smile; the deep sorrow in Xi Shi's beautiful eyes...

My king is a fool!

Wu Zixu turned and left, angrily departing from his seat.

Goujian continued to sing praises in the Wu King's palace.