In the capital of the Song Dynasty, upon receiving advance notice from soldiers that the Divine Might General had been found and would arrive in the capital soon, Emperor Huizong, who was holding court, immediately led his civil and military officials out of the palace under the protection of the Imperial Guards. They hurried towards the city gates.
Although some ministers strongly opposed it, believing it would be beneath the emperor's dignity, many others strongly supported it, with some even suggesting that they go ten miles outside the city to welcome him.
They weren't entirely fools. Many ministers, including Emperor Huizong, understood how much the beleaguered Song Dynasty desperately needed a mighty general capable of vanquishing demons and monsters, possessing unparalleled martial prowess. In the near term, this general could save the Song Dynasty from destruction; in the long term, he might even be able to reclaim lost territories and restore the Song Dynasty's glory. Therefore, they naturally treated him with utmost sincerity.
"Report: General Shenwei is still fifteen li away from the capital."
"Report: General Shenwei is still ten miles away from the capital."
"Report: General Shenwei is still five li away from the capital."
At the south gate of the capital city of the Great Song Dynasty (the city name will be omitted to avoid explicit mention, just knowing it's there), Emperor Huizong and his court officials stood waiting, guarded by a large number of imperial guards. Listening to the repeated reports from the soldiers, their excitement and anticipation grew stronger. Even the soldiers guarding the city were filled with anticipation, some curious about the mighty General's appearance—was he some kind of three-headed, six-armed being, capable of slaying so many terrifying demons and monsters?
"They're here!" a loud shout rang out from the city gate tower. In the distance, a group of more than ten people was gradually approaching the south gate.
Amidst the shouts, Emperor Huizong, his ministers, and the imperial guards all looked towards the approaching procession. First to appear was a three-meter-tall white-armored rhinoceros, clad in full armor. The person seated atop it was also nine feet tall, clad in imposing armor.
"What a magnificent mount!" Everyone exclaimed upon seeing it.
Soon, the procession arrived at the south gate, and everyone could finally see the imposing general atop the white-armored rhinoceros. He was well-proportioned yet very tall, nearing twenty, with a dignified yet gentle face, skin like jade, and an imposing yet heroic air. In his hand he wielded a thirteen-foot-long halberd, carved with dragons and phoenixes, its blade gleaming coldly. His black armor, also adorned with qilin, was a divine weapon, a treasure of armor.
"What a mighty and handsome young general!" Upon seeing Wang Han, Emperor Huizong and his ministers couldn't help but admire him.
"General Shenwei is indeed like a celestial being descended to earth, extremely majestic." As Wang Han approached, Emperor Huizong of Song said to him with a smile.
The next moment, Wang Han suddenly disappeared from the back of the white-armored rhinoceros and reappeared in front of Emperor Huizong of Song almost instantly.
Seeing Wang Han suddenly disappear on the back of the white-armored rhinoceros and then suddenly reappear in front of him, Emperor Huizong of Song was so frightened that he took two steps back. He had never seen anything so bizarre.
"Save the Emperor!" The ministers present were all terrified, believing that Wang Han was plotting against His Majesty. Several generals around Emperor Huizong even drew their weapons and were about to rush forward.
Seeing this, Wang Han simply moved his fingers, forming a hand seal, and softly uttered, "Water Binding Technique."
As Wang Han shouted, several streams of water appeared out of thin air, binding the hands and feet of several generals who tried to rush forward, no matter how hard they tried to break free. Using water and fire was undoubtedly more like that of a Taoist practitioner.
"Don't move!" Emperor Huizong waved his hand to stop the imperial guards who wanted to come to his rescue. After calming his heart, which had been pounding with fear, he smiled and said to Wang Han, "General Shenwei is indeed extraordinary. What kind of magic was that just now? Could it be the shrinking of the earth into an inch?"
"I suppose so!" Wang Han replied ambiguously, holding his halberd and giving Emperor Huizong a traditional greeting, saying, "Emperor Huizong, I am used to traveling the world and do not like mundane affairs and official etiquette. Please forgive me."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Huizong's smile froze for a moment.
"How dare you be so disrespectful to His Majesty!" several ministers around Emperor Huizong shouted.
"Shut up!" Emperor Huizong silenced several ministers in an instant. His smile returned, and he said to Wang Han, "Since General Shenwei dislikes these mundane affairs and official etiquette, I hereby grant him a special pardon, exempting him from these cumbersome formalities. No one shall pursue the matter. General Shenwei must be weary from his journey; please come with me to the palace to rest. I have prepared a banquet to welcome him and wash away the dust of his journey. This will also allow me to formally bestow upon him the authority he deserves in front of all the civil and military officials. I still do not know the General's name."
Emperor Huizong acted this way because Wang Han had already demonstrated his abilities, and such talent was exactly what Huizong desperately needed. A few minor breaches of etiquette and disrespect were therefore trivial. He had finally managed to invite this person; if he were to drive him away now, he would have nowhere to turn. Other matters could be addressed later, but for now, he had to keep Wang Han.
"Thank you! My name is Wang Han." Upon hearing this, Wang Han said, waving his hand to untie the restraints on the generals.
My purpose in doing this is to set the right standard for myself, to be superior to others from the very beginning, so that I won't be subject to certain annoying restrictions.
As for whether doing so would arouse suspicion from Emperor Huizong and his ministers, Wang Han was not worried. With his strength, even if they suspected him and were wary of him, they couldn't do anything to him, or even dare to do anything to him. What he wanted was official convenience and status, which would facilitate his movement and plans in this world. He had plenty of power and resources, and he had plenty of ways to obtain them. Even turning the world upside down wouldn't be too difficult for him.
Wang Han simply wanted to experience more of the joys of this world, and also to support his fellow citizens. Another reason was that Emperor Song was still very popular among the people, so Wang Han didn't want to establish a new emperor.
"Prepare the carriage and return to the palace," Emperor Huizong immediately said to his ministers, walking side by side with Wang Han into the city.
After entering the capital, the Imperial Guards stood on both sides, and behind them were crowds of people lining the streets to welcome them.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" As Emperor Huizong, Wang Han, and their civil and military officials entered through the city gate, the people lining the streets immediately knelt down, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" Then they shouted, "The mighty General Shenwei is so powerful! We respectfully welcome the mighty General Shenwei to the capital!"
"The people have long heard of the mighty General Shenwei's reputation, and now that they know he is coming, they have spontaneously come to welcome him." Seeing Wang Han looking at the people on both sides of the street, Emperor Huizong of Song said to Wang Han with a smile.
“I merely slew some lowly demons; this is the people’s love and respect for Your Majesty,” Wang Han said upon hearing this.
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