Chapter 66: Coming and Going Freely, Dispatching a Fleet to Escort the Heavenly Demon (Part 1)

"As you wish."

Bakagu took a deep breath and directly closed his eyes, seeming to enter a selfless state, cutting off his perception and ignoring all changes in the outside world.

His lifelong cultivation path had been immensely arduous, filled with countless failures. He had long understood the truth that there is always someone better, and a heaven beyond the heaven. Although he was defeated by a young man today, and so decisively at that, he felt neither discouraged nor doubtful of himself.

Indeed, he had underestimated this opponent—not just his strength, but also his boldness and grit. Now, outmatched in skill and squarely defeated, he had nothing to complain about. As long as he survived, he would surely press forward with indomitable courage and settle the score another day.

At this moment, he focused his intent, immersing himself in the world of his own consciousness. In his mind, the battle scenes replayed continuously as he carefully comprehended the true meaning and transformations within them, summarizing his insights from the encounter.

Bakagu was born into a poor family; he originally learned boxing solely to support his household, and his physical aptitude was even considered mediocre. Yet, through growing stronger amid repeated setbacks, he had forged his path step by step to the present day.

The Eight-Armed Fist was inherently meant to heal amidst wounds and grow stronger after recovery.

"Good! Quite the backbone."

Seeing this reaction, Yi Beidou could not help but look at him with newfound respect.

"In that case, I will spare you the humiliation."

Yi Beidou turned his gaze to Mahila, who was hiding behind the grand hall.

"You have two choices: order the army to open fire and see if I can fight my way out with him, or find a vehicle to take both of us to the border and let me leave."

Yi Beidou said.

Originally, he had not planned to ask the Siamese authorities for a vehicle. After all, given his foot pace, he did not need transport to leave Siamese territory.

However, doing so would mean dragging Bakagu along through the streets like a captured chick, which would undoubtedly subject the man to utter humiliation and complete loss of face.

Seeing that Bakagu possessed a formidable spirit and had managed to hold out for so long against his Annihilation Dharma Tribulation before his mental defense cracked, Yi Beidou thought the man might one day contribute to the righteous martial paths of the world, and thus he was unwilling to see him end up in such a state.

"Please wait a moment, I will arrange it immediately!"

Mahila nodded hurriedly. As long as Yi Beidou did not kill Bakagu, everything else was negotiable.

After all, the two sides held no deep enmity, and there was no need to push things to the point of mutual destruction.

Meanwhile.

Inside the royal palace of Siam, the Siamese King and his senior ministers were gathered together. Inside and outside the palace, fully armed soldiers maintained the utmost level of security, with attack helicopters on standby for immediate takeoff.

Under such circumstances, even a martial master who had achieved the physical sage realm stood no chance of sneaking in undetected; this was a true wartime state.

A scaled, modern army still posed an immense threat to a physical sage, but maintaining constant vigilance was exhausting, and such a state consumed massive human and material resources, keeping everyone under relentless stress with a heavy long-term cost.

Yi Beidou's appearance and violent rampage at the Grand Baolian Temple had genuinely shocked and intimidated the Siamese upper echelon, prompting them to instantly raise their security alert level.

It felt as though a bomb had landed right in their backyard—how could they not panic? No one knew if such a fierce and lethal figure would target them next.

Fortunately, the situation was now under control. The army had tightly surrounded the Grand Baolian Temple, and the Eight-Armed Heavenly Luo Master had personally arrived. No matter how vicious or murderous the intruder was, he would have to surrender.

"Your Majesty, we just received a message from the East China Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They hope we will maintain restraint and calm, avoid deploying the military in a way that causes widespread casualties, and request permission for their embassy personnel to go to the Grand Baolian Temple to negotiate with the intruder. They guarantee the situation will not escalate further."

A staff member of the Siamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs walked into the hall and reported.

"Hmph! Simply intolerable! East China is indeed powerful, but they cannot behave so recklessly, letting such a dangerous individual sneak into our country to cause chaos and go on a killing spree, and then guarantee the situation won't expand. How can they even utter such words?!"

A Siamese minister slammed his hand onto the table, his face full of anger.

"The Starry Sky Nation's embassy just called, expressing deep dissatisfaction with our security environment and hoping we will severely punish the violent criminal, rather than making improper concessions and compromises due to threats from certain individuals and forces. If we truly find it difficult, they are willing to have the criminal captured and handed over to them for handling."

Another staff member walked into the room and reported.

"Perhaps leveraging the power of the Starry Sky Nation to pressure East China is a good choice. Let them know that our country of Siam is not a place anyone can enter and leave as they please."

A minister whispered.

This matter had now escalated into an international incident. With the situation at the Baolian Temple seemingly stabilized, they had to consider broader implications.

"The Starry Sky Nation merely wishes to sow discord; what good intentions could they possibly have? That international organization, the Vanguard Group, has intricate ties with them. Back when they wanted to insert their influence into Bangkok, it was the Eight-Armed Heavenly Luo who drove them back."

"East China is growing increasingly powerful and is not to be trifled with. The best way to handle this matter is for the Eight-Armed Heavenly Luo Master to subdue that man. Holding this bargaining chip, we can negotiate terms with East China. This person is East China's newly ascended physical sage expert, and judging by how much they seem to value him, they will surely be willing to pay a sufficient price."

Beneath the Siamese King sat the second-in-command of Siam, its newly appointed Prime Minister—a woman not yet forty years old. She spoke with a calm expression.

She had only officially taken office a few months prior, and if this incident were handled well, it would greatly boost her prestige throughout Siam.

"This is indeed the best course of action. For now, ignore the diplomatic messages from East China and the Starry Sky Nation. We will wait until the Master achieves a result over there before deciding our next steps. Presumably, it won't take much longer."

The Siamese King nodded and said.

Clatter, clatter, clatter!

At that moment, the Siamese King's words were interrupted by a flurry of hurried footsteps. A staff member entered the conference room, panting heavily, and reported respectfully: "We just received news from the Baolian Temple. The man from East China clashed with the Eight-Armed Heavenly Luo Master. The Master was defeated by the opponent and has been taken hostage. Now, the intruder demands that we dispatch a vehicle to escort him to the border, upon which he will release the Master alive."

"What?!"

An uproar instantly erupted among the gathered Siamese officials.

Surrounded by a massive army, with the Eight-Armed Heavenly Luo Master personally present, he had still been taken hostage?!

Just what kind of monster had come from East China?

"Execute his demands immediately! Spare no expense to ensure the Master's safety!"

The Siamese King's expression shifted several times before he spoke in a deep voice.

He knew very well that if Bakagu were lost, his own personal safety and that of the royal family would face severe threats in the future—something he could never allow to happen.

Since matters had reached this stage, there were no better alternatives.

Moreover, the sheer brutality of the East China intruder struck deep fear into his heart.

If you strike a venomous snake and fail to kill it, the consequences will be severe.

Compared to a shred of so-called dignity and interest, he cared far more about his own survival.

"Your Majesty!"

The female Prime Minister said, somewhat unwillingly. Although the Eight-Armed Heavenly Luo had been captured, perhaps other diplomatic avenues remained.

"Know your place!"

The Siamese King stared coldly at the female Prime Minister, then instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs: "Contact the East China embassy immediately and have them send someone to mediate. I have only one demand: Bakagu must return to me alive!"