“Shut up, stop making a fuss, I’ll give you something good as compensation!”

He grabbed her and lifted her up as he spoke.

However, at that moment, a strange noise came from the main doors behind them.

Edward Clark turned around in surprise, still holding the little princess, and saw the two large doors slowly opening. Light poured out from within, and under the glow of two lanterns, dozens of burly, beardless men appeared. Surrounded by them was an old man in a red robe, hands clasped behind his back, looking at him coldly...

“What do you intend to do to my daughter?”

He spoke slowly.

Chapter Two: Zhu Yuanzhang

Edward Clark held the little princess in one hand, awkwardly facing her father.

“Protect His Majesty!”

A burly man suddenly shouted.

He loyally stepped in front of the emperor.

At the same time, the other strong men surged forward.

Edward Clark let go without hesitation. As the pitiful little princess hit the ground with a thud, he quickly drew his pistol, racked the slide, and aimed directly at the leading man’s leg, pulling the trigger. With the gunshot, the man, who was already five meters away, instantly dropped to his knees. The ones behind, not yet reacting, continued forward. Edward Clark kept pulling the trigger, and in a very short time, four more men dropped to their knees. The ones further back couldn’t dodge in time and crashed into the fallen men...

“The demon has firearms, protect His Majesty first!”

The man guarding the emperor shouted.

The remaining men quickly closed ranks, shielding the emperor behind layers of bodies.

However...

“Bang!”

A bullet struck the blue brick beside the emperor.

Amid the flying debris, silence fell. Yet the emperor didn’t move at all, only frowned slightly, then continued to look at Edward Clark.

Edward Clark still had his pistol aimed at him.

The two stared at each other through an invisible wall, like a pair of dead glass eyes, while the strong men were too frightened to move.

“You liar!”

Amid the tense atmosphere, the little princess’s delicate voice rang out.

Having been thrown to the ground by Edward Clark, she slowly pushed herself up like a rusty robot, her face full of grief and anger. But when she saw her father, she instantly sobered up...

“Father!”

She was so scared she immediately knelt down again.

“That’s quite a firearm you have there. Where did you get it?”

The emperor asked.

“Made it myself.”

Edward Clark replied.

“Father, he came down from the sky. I saw him carrying a big umbrella, descending from above. His big umbrella is still in the garden. He said he was an immortal and lied to me, saying he’d take me to the heavens.”

The little princess wasted no time in exposing Edward Clark’s crimes.

“What’s that?”

The emperor pointed at the rifle on Edward Clark’s chest.

“This is a long gun, and this is a short gun. One shoots far, the other shoots close.”

Edward Clark said.

“When I used to charge into battle, I also carried a long gun and a short gun. The long one for breaking enemy lines, the short one for close combat. In a flash, it’s been over twenty years. Since an immortal has descended, it would be rude of me not to show hospitality. An immortal’s arrival in the palace is a joyous event. If my daughter is fated with the immortal, it would be a good thing for her to follow you. May I ask your name, so I can issue an edict for all under heaven to worship you?”

The emperor said with a smile.

“Father, he’s a liar! He doesn’t know any magic!”

The little princess said anxiously.

“Silence!”

The emperor barked.

Then he and Edward Clark looked at each other...

“Heh heh!”

Both of them laughed at the same time.

“Your Majesty, I was just passing by in the sky when I suddenly saw auspicious clouds and radiant light here, knowing it must be the residence of a sage ruler. I also saw the princess has extraordinary bones, a perfect candidate for cultivating immortality. I wished to take her to the immortal mountain to train. If she succeeds, she could protect Your Majesty’s realm in the future. Now that my purpose is fulfilled, I shouldn’t delay any longer. Please allow me to take the princess back to the immortal mountain at once.”

Edward Clark said.

“Since the immortal has descended, how could you leave so soon? At least stay as a guest for a few days.”

The emperor said.

“There is a divide between immortals and mortals. It’s better not to.”

“I insist.”

“It really isn’t necessary.”

Edward Clark said.

“In that case, let us respectfully see the immortal off.”

The emperor said.

However, Edward Clark still didn’t lower his gun...

“Please!”

The emperor made a gesture of invitation.

“Your Majesty, please have them stand back first.”

Edward Clark said.

This emperor was quite decisive. With a wave of his hand, the strong men quickly retreated, like a group of machines obeying orders.

These must be eunuchs. None of them had beards, and they were unarmed. Weapons surely weren’t allowed in the palace, especially in the forbidden inner court. In fact, they were the weakest in terms of force. The palace guards and imperial troops were stationed around the outer palace and front halls. After all, even if there was an attack from outside, it would have to break through layer by layer. Someone like Edward Clark, who parachuted directly into the palace, was never in their calculations.

Edward Clark, holding his pistol, walked past the eunuchs and went straight up to the emperor.

“Your Majesty, this was just an accident. I only want to leave.”

He said in a low voice.

“You are an immortal.”

The emperor said calmly.

“Yes, I am an immortal.”

Edward Clark replied.