I Can Replicate Martial Arts

News of King Chonghou’s enthronement ceremony spread throughout Blue Star.

Neighboring countries and factions all dispatched officials to attend the ceremony.

America, in particular, sent a massive delegation of a hundred people.

America was in an extremely difficult position. Although the Exotic Beasts were temporarily contained along the east and west coasts, the people were trapped on the isolated island that was the American Continent.

It was only the emergence of True Qi—which resolved the energy crisis and allowed some scientists to achieve rapid technological progress through special means—that kept them going.

Without it, America would likely have already become a playground for Exotic Beasts.

But even so, the survival of the entire continent remained precarious. They were in desperate need of effective forces to help them eliminate the Exotic Beasts.

Across Blue Star, smaller nations had long since ceased to exist. Only a handful of regional powers were still barely holding on.

The only ones truly capable of eliminating the Exotic Beasts were the Great Shang and the Great Zhou, who had returned from Gui Xu.

These two nations were incredibly powerful and boasted countless masters. Their Martial Dao strength alone was enough to limit the territory of the Exotic Beasts.

Of the two, the Great Shang had been back on Blue Star longer. During its campaigns on the planet, it had interacted with most other nations and had also shown itself to be receptive to new technology.

They were, by far, the most suitable choice.

As for the Central State, it was a matter of strength; they had more than enough to defend themselves, but not enough to take the initiative.

It was impossible for them to spare any forces to help America fight monsters.

Thus, King Chonghou’s enthronement attracted the attention of all interested parties across Blue Star.

Without exception, all those who were able to make the journey rushed over to attend the ceremony.

Those who lacked the means to attend sent messages of congratulations instead.

The grand occasion was even live-streamed on the Central State’s internet, serving as a sort of primer to educate the public ahead of time.

After all, the situation on Blue Star was completely different now.

The grand enthronement ceremony began after a series of complex and solemn preliminary rites.

Clad in his coronation regalia, King Chonghou strode toward the altar-throne that symbolized the power of the king.

He was there to receive the ceremonial prayers and divine blessings!

Just as the blessings were being bestowed, a miraculous sign appeared in the heavens. A Phoenix seemed to arrive from the east, trailing ten thousand auspicious clouds, its cry shaking the entire land.

Then, the Witch Venerable, a figure like an Immortal, descended and cast a boundless halo of light that bathed King Chonghou’s body. A magnificent crimson radiance seemed to rise from him, making the scene both solemn and divine.

"The rite is concluded! Offer congratulations!"

As the officiant’s words faded, everyone present rose to their feet to congratulate King Chonghou on his ascension.

A smile on his face, King Chonghou accepted their tribute with composure.

"By the grace of Heaven, I now wield the authority of the Human King of the Great Shang... In this age of great revival, I shall forge ahead with determination, reform our laws, and honor both civil and martial achievements... I will strive to ensure that my people, the subjects of the Great Shang, live and work in peace and contentment, enjoying the greatest of blessings..."

"By special decree, I name Mo Wuji the East Pole King, with a fief of three thousand households... and Zhao Rui the Southern Imperial King, with a fief of two thousand households..."

As an official read the royal edict aloud, Zhao Rui and the others slowly rose, accepted King Chonghou’s bestowal, and offered their thanks.

This was merely part of the planned ceremony, but due to the live broadcast, it caused a massive uproar in the Central State.

"Emperor Zhao actually accepted a title from the Great Shang? Doesn’t that mean he’s one of them now?"

"That’s not how it works. Emperor Zhao just accepted a title; it doesn’t change his allegiance. It just goes to show that he’s so powerful that even the Great Shang has no choice but to try and win him over."

"I don’t buy it. This is treason."

"I think this is perfectly normal."

The online discussion quickly split into two camps. One side felt it was no big deal, believing it only served to highlight Zhao Rui’s formidable power.

The other side insisted he should be condemned outright. He should either renounce the title from the Great Shang and apologize to all Central State people, or he should get lost, go to the Great Shang, and never call himself a person of the Central State again.

The online furor soon spilled over into the real world.

Some Martial Artists even gathered at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain, demanding that the Qingcheng Sect expel Zhao Rui, vowing to protest until their demand was met.

Not only that, but some people even went to protest at places Zhao Rui had attended, like Jeju University.

Had Zhao Rui’s family not already left Dongqi Province, the protestors probably would have shown up at their door as well.

Many of the protestors didn’t actually have a strong opinion on the matter concerning Zhao Rui; they were simply jumping on the bandwagon, grandstanding for attention, or couldn’t stand to see someone else succeed.

Others were driven by resentment and jealousy; they had missed out on the boons of the Martial Dao’s renaissance and the Spiritual Qi Revival, and they hated Martial Artists like Zhao Rui who had taken full advantage of being in the right place at the right time.

For all these reasons and more, a massive wave of opposition began to build across the Central State.

By the time Zhao Rui learned of the protests against him in the Central State, he was soaking in a hot spring with Miao Miaomiao and Mo Ling’Er.

Having been elevated to the rank of Marquis King, he now had not only his own fiefdom but also a Prince’s Mansion.

A vast territory, an area the size of two or three Jeju Cities, had been allocated to him.

King Chonghou had clearly spared no expense.

"What? They’re protesting me?"

Zhao Rui was stunned when he heard the news.

"What did I ever do to them?"

Zhao Rui shook his head, speechless. Anyone with a brain would know that this had absolutely nothing to do with betraying the Central State.

In fact, Zhao Rui’s current status was a gesture of goodwill from the Great Shang toward the Central State.

But in the eyes of these people, it had become his crime.

Zhao Rui couldn’t be bothered to deal with them. He sent a message directly to Chi Hu, telling it to take its buddies for a "stroll" through the Central State.

’Some people won’t appreciate how important you are until you remind them what danger is.’

Upon receiving the order, Chi Hu cheerfully flew back into space and shot off toward the Moon to find its old buddies.

"Huh?"

In orbit around the Moon, a look of surprise filled the massive, tiger-like eyes of the Golden-Winged Tiger Roar.