Chapter 660: 435: How Can the Vast Lands of Shen Zhou Tolerate Covetous Japanese Slaves? (Don't Foster Books, Ah!)_2

Chapter 660: Chapter 435: How Can the Vast Lands of Shen Zhou Tolerate Covetous Japanese Slaves? (Don’t Foster Books, Ah!)_2

At other times, it is not permitted to speak.

“Your Majesty, pardon my offense; this is my eldest son,” Ito Shinsei said, and then turned his head, pretending to scold:

“Shut your mouth, this place demands respect. When is it your turn to interject?”

This poor attempt at acting naturally did not fool Jingtai, who raised his hand to stop Ito Shinsei’s reprimand and said indifferently:

“What matter do you wish to report?”

Ito Ikeda took a deep breath and said loudly:

“Your Majesty, just now, in the great hall, the court officials referred to us from Japan as ‘Japanese dwarfs’ with scorn in their words. I can’t accept this,

the Central Plains are part of the Heavenly Dynasty, a nation of propriety. How could they be so crude?”

“Oh, and what would you have us do?”

Jingtai’s expression darkened, showing some displeasure.

“Ito, thirty-one years of age, wishes to challenge Martial Artists below thirty-five from the Capital City. If a Central Plains Martial Artist wins, I will naturally be convinced and after this, Japan Martial Artists will dare not show the slightest dissent.

If the Central Plains Martial Artist is defeated, I hope Your Majesty will enact a law henceforth prohibiting officials, who are Central Plains Martial Artists, from calling us from Japan ‘dwarfs’.”

“Presumptuous, a mere dwarf dares to challenge the experts of the Central Plains?”

“Hmph, a fool who knows not whether they’re dead or alive.”

“What do you think you are, daring to compel His Majesty to issue an edict?”

“Roll out of the Central Plains at once, never to step foot here again.”

Some of the more radical officials immediately rebuked sharply.

Cao Zhengxian slowly began to speak:

“Your Majesty, in my opinion this is inappropriate. Winning a contest serves no benefit to the court, and moreover… how can our great Central Plains bully the weak?”

Many, including Jingtai, understood that the stakes proposed by the other party came with considerable confidence. Observing the person, not old in years but with an aura that, although well-concealed, was extraordinarily fierce,

he easily sensed that this individual had reached the Heavenly Core Level.

In the Capital, there were indeed Dan Realm Masters under thirty-five, but there may be only one or two with Heavenly Core Cultivation, and the odds of winning were low.

He was about to refuse on the spot.

Unexpectedly, Ito Ikeda once again spoke:

“It seems that in the Capital there are not many Martial Artists under thirty-five who have broken through to the Heavenly Core Cultivation. If so, I am willing to change the method of the challenge.”

Jingtai’s brows furrowed; he was about to scold this person for their disrespect.

But at Ito Ikeda’s silent urging, Sima Ke, gritting his teeth, stepped forward and asked:

“What method would you like to change to?”

“The three major families of Japan spent a hundred years forging an Exotic Treasure called Sumeru Illusion Realm, which can refine the Dao Heart. This treasure has been open to Japan Martial Artists, and except for me, no one has succeeded in surmounting its challenge.

I have brought it here on purpose to experience the prowess of Central Plains Martial Artists. Any Martial Artist below Yang Transformation can attempt it. Should anyone succeed, I will humbly accept defeat and henceforth look only to His Majesty’s orders.”

Sima Ke’s brow furrowed. What Ito Ikeda was saying now differed significantly from what he had said at the Prince Mansion—back then, he had claimed that no one from Japan was successful.

Was he deceiving him?

As Sima Ke pondered, a few officials he had previously signaled spoke out:

“Laughable, some Japanese treasure? As if it could stop a Martial Artist from the Central Plains!”

“The only reason none of you Japanese Martial Artists except this one succeeded is because you’re all useless, incomparable to the Central Plains.”

“Indeed, indeed.”

Listening to the echo of agreement, Sima Ke’s heart skipped a beat, feeling something was off, because apart from these voices, not one other official spoke.

And behind him, there was a gaze upon him.

That was—the Emperor!!!

“In that case, let the Central Plains Martial Artists have a try. If anyone succeeds, I am willing to admit defeat and will follow only His Majesty’s command,” Ito Ikeda then said.

Jingtai stayed silent, neither consenting nor scolding.

Encouraged by the officials below, he was somewhat caught in a difficult position. If he did not agree, wouldn’t it suggest that the warriors of the Central Plains were inferior to those of Japan?

If this spread, it would surely provoke immense public outrage!

Considering this, Jingtai’s gaze shifted to Sima Ke, his eyes slightly heavy.

Sima Ke’s heart contracted, not daring to look back, his gaze flickering uncertainly.

Ito Shinsei, sensing the atmosphere growing tense, spoke up:

“Your Majesty, forgive me, this is just the rash words of a youngster, not to be taken seriously. The Central Plains are teeming with talent, how could we from Japan compare?”

Cao Zhengxian hummed softly:

“Clan Leader Ito is aware, that is good.”

“How does the State Preceptor view this?” After a moment’s contemplation, Jingtai looked towards the calm-faced Pu Xian Bodhisattva to ask.

“In my view, giving it a try wouldn’t hurt. I examined the Sumeru Illusion Realm the other day, and indeed it is somewhat extraordinary, useful for refining the Martial Artists. If His Majesty does not permit it, then I am willing to send monks from my Small Leiyin Temple to temper their hearts,”

Pu Xian Bodhisattva said calmly.

“Your Majesty, I believe we should accept this challenge from these Japanese Martial Artists. If we don’t, and word spreads, wouldn’t it mean our dynasty is inferior to Japan?” a vice minister from the Ministry of Rites spoke up.

“Your Majesty, I think otherwise. These Japanese Martial Artists came prepared, likely planning this all along. We mustn’t fall for their trickery,

If they wish to compare skills, then let’s compare with the True Monarchs. Such beings represent the pinnacle of Martial Arts in this world, and are also the prime candidates for comparison,” a Ministry of War official presented his advice.