CHAPTER 284: TO YANYU DOMINION

The next day, Grim went into the palace to meet with the Empress.

As he walked the halls most people stepped aside instinctively, sensing the power that radiated from him despite his efforts to keep it contained.

Empress Alexia received him in a small sitting room. She sat behind an ornate desk covered with documents, her expression unreadable as he entered.

"Lord Ambrose," she said without looking up from her papers. "Chen Xing sent word that you required immediate audience. Something about urgent travel."

"Your Majesty," Grim replied with a respectful bow. "I need to travel to the Yanyu Dominion. The situation there affects imperial interests."

"The elven invasion," Alexia said, finally looking up. "Yes, we’ve received reports. Disturbing news, though I’m curious why you feel compelled to involve yourself in a foreign war."

"Lady Lianna Levenhart is imprisoned there," Grim said directly. "She was on a mission when the war began, and her situation has become complicated."

"Ah," the Empress said. "Personal loyalty drives you. Admirable, though potentially foolish given the scale of what’s happening there."

"I’m not going as a private citizen," Grim clarified. "I’m offering to assist Emperor Yanyu against the elven forces."

Empress Alexia leaned back in her chair, studying his face carefully. "You’re proposing to involve the empire in a foreign war by offering military assistance?"

"I’m proposing to offer my personal assistance as a cultivator," Grim corrected. "If Emperor Yanyu chooses to see that as imperial support, that’s his interpretation."

"Clever distinction," the Empress admitted. "And what do you expect from me?"

"Nothing official," Grim replied. "But if my actions there prove beneficial to imperial interests, I trust you’ll remember that when I return."

"And if your actions create diplomatic complications?"

"Then I’ll handle those complications personally," Grim said with confidence that bordered on arrogance.

The Empress was quiet for several moments, clearly weighing the potential benefits against the risks. "Very well. You have my unofficial blessing to travel to the Yanyu Dominion. But understand that if this goes badly, the empire will disavow any knowledge of your activities."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

"How long do you expect to be gone?"

"As long as necessary," Grim replied. "My sect can function without me for a reasonable period."

"See that it does," the Empress said, returning her attention to her documents. "The empire has invested considerable resources in your Celestial Sect. I expect to see returns on that investment when you return."

Grim bowed again and turned to leave, but the Empress’s voice stopped him at the door.

"Lord Ambrose," she said without looking up. "Bring Lady Lianna home safely. Her father has been difficult... since receiving news of her situation."

"I will, Your Majesty."

---

Three days later, Grim rode toward the border between the Celestis Empire and the Yanyu Dominion. He traveled alone, having left his sect in the capable hands of Chen Xing and Shen Lao.

The journey had taken him through increasingly remote territory, and now he could see the border checkpoint ahead.

The border had additional watchtowers that had been constructed, more guards were visible, and there was an atmosphere was tense.

As he approached the checkpoint, Grim could see that the guards were on high alert. Their eyes tracked his movement with the kind of suspicious attention reserved for potential threats, and several hands rested casually on weapon hilts.

"Halt," called out the checkpoint commander, a man whose uniform marked him as a captain in the Yanyu border patrol. "State your business in the Dominion."

"I’m here to offer assistance against the elven invasion," Grim replied, reining in his horse. "I request passage to the capital."

"Assistance?" the captain asked with obvious skepticism. "You’re one man with a sword. What assistance could you possibly offer?"

"More than you might expect," Grim said calmly. "I suggest you allow me to pass and let your superiors decide whether my offer has merit."

"I don’t think so," the captain replied, his hand moving to his sword hilt. "Unknown foreigners aren’t welcome during wartime. Turn around and go back where you came from."

"I’m afraid that’s not an option," Grim said, as he dismounted from his horse slowly. "I have business in your kingdom that can’t wait for bureaucratic approval."

"Sir, you need to leave," another guard said, stepping forward with his weapon drawn. "We have orders to turn away all unauthorized travelers."

"Your orders don’t apply to me," Grim replied.

The captain’s eyes widened as he sensed the spiritual energy emanating from Grim. "You’re a very high level cultivator."

"I am," Grim confirmed. "And I’m going to pass through this checkpoint whether you cooperate or not. The only question is how much trouble you want to cause yourselves in the process."

"We have procedures for dealing with hostile people," the captain said, though his voice carried less confidence than his words suggested.

Six more guards emerged from the checkpoint building.

"Impressive preparation," Grim admitted. "But ultimately insufficient."

The captain raised his hand, preparing to signal an attack, but Grim moved first.

"Aurora Flash," he said quietly.

The brilliant light that erupted from his position was far more intense than any Aurora Flash Grim had produced before. Enhanced by his increased cultivation level, the flash didn’t just blind the guards temporarily. It left them completely disoriented and stumbling.

Before they could recover, Grim was among them.

His enhanced speed and strength made the fight laughably one-sided. He moved through the group of guards like they were standing still, using the flat of his blade and precise strikes to disable rather than kill.

The first guard went down with a blow to his solar plexus that left him gasping for air on the ground.

The second received a strike to his wrist that sent his weapon flying and left his sword arm numb.

The third tried to throw a net over Grim, but found himself tangled in his own equipment after Grim redirected the throw with casual ease.

Within thirty seconds, five guards were on the ground injured. The captain stood alone, his sword drawn but his hands shaking as he faced an opponent who had just demonstrated power far beyond anything he was equipped to handle.

"Please," the captain said, his voice barely steady. "We were just following orders."

"I know," Grim replied. "And I have no quarrel with men doing their duty. But I told you... I have business in your kingdom that can’t wait."

He sheathed Echo and walked over to where his horse waited patiently.

"Here’s what’s going to happen," Grim said, mounting his horse and looking down at the captain. "You’re going to send word to Emperor Yanyu Du Shi Wang that Grim van Ambrose is traveling to the capital to offer assistance against the elven invasion. Tell him I’m here to hunt elves. It’s my favorite sport."

"Lord Ambrose?" the captain asked, recognition dawning in his eyes.

"The same," Grim confirmed. "Your emperor should be interested in what I have to offer, especially given his current situation."

"But sir, the injured men...."

"Will recover," Grim interrupted. "I was careful not to cause permanent damage. Though they’ll probably be sore for a few days."

"The checkpoint protocols..."

"Are your problem to solve," Grim said with a grim smile. "I suggest you report that a powerful cultivator forced his way through your position, injured several guards in the process, but left you alive to deliver a message. All of which is technically accurate."

The captain nodded slowly, clearly trying to process the situation and figure out how to explain it to his superiors.

"One more thing," Grim added, his tone becoming more serious. "The guards I fought showed courage in the face of overwhelming odds. That speaks well of your kingdom’s military discipline. Make sure that’s included in your report."

Without waiting for a response, Grim spurred his horse forward, leaving the checkpoint behind as he continued toward the Yanyu capital.

The border crossing had gone exactly as he’d expected—the guards had done their duty, he had done what was necessary, and now Emperor Yanyu would have advance warning of his arrival.

Behind him, the captain helped his injured men to their feet while trying to compose a report that would adequately explain what had just happened.

The other guards looked after Grim’s retreating figure with expressions mixing fear, respect, and relief that the encounter hadn’t ended worse.

"Sir," one of the guards said, nursing a bruised arm, "should we send riders after him?"

"With what?" the captain replied wearily. "The man just walked through our entire defensive position like it was a training exercise. Our job now is to report what happened and let people with more authority decide how to handle it."

"Do you think the emperor will really want to see him?" another guard asked.

"After what just happened here?" the captain said, watching Grim disappear over a distant hill.

--

[The guards handled themselves well,] Caius observed. [They stood their ground against impossible odds.]

"They did," Grim agreed. "Which suggests the Yanyu military has discipline and courage. That’s useful to know."

[And your message about hunting elves?]

"Will get the emperor’s attention," Grim replied. "Especially if he’s as desperate for help as the reports suggest."