"Not at all, not at all."
Emperor Zhen Gu hurriedly smiled and shook his head, bowing slightly.
How exalted was the envoy of the Cosmic Ancient Kingdom? Even if Cole King pointed at Zhen Gu from afar, scrutinizing him as if from a lofty position, Emperor Zhen Gu still had to maintain a smiling face, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.
In the vast starry sky, only strength reigns supreme!
This burly, green-bearded man, Cole King, hailed from the Cosmic Ancient Kingdom, wielded supreme judicial authority, and had reached Void Rift Tier, fourth turn—standing far above the entire Celestia Stellar System.
Andrew Han also wore a respectful expression.
With reverence in one's heart, one can go farther and live longer.
"Andrew Han, there's no need to be nervous." The Cosmic Ancient Kingdom envoy said warmly, stuffing fifteen emerald branches into Andrew's arms, not allowing any refusal. "These little gifts are nothing. You'll have much more in the future."
Immediately after.
Without giving Andrew Han a chance to refuse, Cole King strode directly into the Imperial Treasure Hall.
"What's going on?"
"Is this some kind of power play, or...?"
Andrew Han's expression froze for a moment. He glanced at Emperor Zhen Gu.
"Andrew," Emperor Zhen Gu sent a voice transmission, "Don't speak yet. Let me handle this."
The Ancient Kingdom envoy, Cole King, seemed warm and friendly, but in truth, he was overwhelmingly forceful.
Whether it was the Chenriver Empire or the Tianyu Empire, both had to treat him with utmost caution... Emperor Zhen Gu took a deep breath, his golden eyes revealing a trace of a smile. He stepped half a pace behind, following beside Cole King.
"Honored envoy," Zhen Gu said, "You've come from afar. Why not rest for a while? Chenriver has already prepared fine wine and delicacies for you."
"Hm?"
The burly Cole King halted his steps, turning his head to fix his gaze on Zhen Gu.
His green beard fluttered despite the still air, and his eyes grew stern, radiating an aura of unspoken authority. The pressure made cold sweat bead on Emperor Zhen Gu's brow, as if a cosmic mountain pressed upon his heart, heavy and suffocating.
The surrounding guards had already been dismissed.
None of the upper echelons of the Chenriver Empire were allowed inside the imperial palace without the envoy's permission; all waited outside.
Only two people truly welcomed the Ancient Kingdom envoy: the current ruler of Chenriver, Zhen Gu, and Andrew Han.
"This is bad."
A jolt ran through Zhen Gu's heart; he couldn't begin to guess Cole King's intentions.
"Envoy, Emperor, what's wrong?"
Andrew Han furrowed his brow, feigning curiosity as he stepped forward, trying to ease the oppressive atmosphere.
"Hmph." Cole King glanced at Zhen Gu, then turned to Andrew Han, his expression instantly shifting to a smile. "Don't mind him, Andrew. Zhen Gu is always trying to test me. Fine wine and delicacies? What a joke!"
"I am Cole King, from the Cosmic Ancient Kingdom."
"I've come to Chenriver on official duty, and must quickly uncover the real reasons and circumstances behind the Pink-Skin Humans' actions against Andrew Han... All these trivial matters are meaningless and only waste my time."