After Breaking the Marriage Contract, I Became the Strongest State-Stabilizing Duke! - Chapter 2:

Chapter 2: A Punch Weighing 5,000 Kilograms, Entering the Palace to Meet the Emperor:

As the system’s voice fell, Mu Zian felt an unbearable heat surge through his entire body, as if his blood was boiling. A crackling noise, like frying soybeans, echoed in his ears, and the next moment, Mu Zian felt his body filled with overwhelming strength. A punch carrying 5,000 kilograms of force struck out, comparable to being hit head-on by an elephant—its power was unimaginable.

While Lu An was feeling the surging power within him, Lu Yunxue’s cold voice came, “Mu Zian, if you apologize to me now, for the sake of our past relationship, I can still forgive you. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Hearing this, Mu Zian found it ridiculous, “Who do you think you are? In my eyes, you are not even worth a fart.” 

After speaking, Lu An turned around and was about to leave. At this moment, he couldn’t wait to experience the strength he had just obtained.

“Wait!” Breaking off the marriage contract with Mu Zian was something Lu Yunxue had long desired, but not in this manner. If this spread, how could she still set an example for the women of the world? How would others view her? 

Thinking of this, Lu Yunxue spoke coldly, “Mu Zian, I can agree to dissolve our marriage contract, but at the triumphant banquet two days later, you must publicly announce in front of everyone that you are voluntarily breaking off the engagement, not me, Lu Yunxue, being ungrateful.”

“By then, I will use my three years of military achievements to petition the Emperor for an imperial decree to fulfill my relationship with Brother Pei.”

Without looking back, Mu Zian left, sneering at Lu Yunxue’s words. 

Wanting to be a whore and build a monument for chastity—how could there be such a good thing in this world?

At that moment, the system’s voice sounded again. 

[Ding! Choice triggered!]

[Choice 1: Refuse Lu Yunxue’s request and leave decisively. Reward: 5,000 taels of silver.] 

[Choice 2: Accept Lu Yunxue’s request, attend the banquet openly, and expose her hypocrisy. Reward: One Fangtian Halberd, plus the Overlord Halberd Technique.] [Please make your choice.]

To hesitate even slightly would be disrespectful to the Fangtian Halberd! 

Lu An paused and said coldly, “Fine! Two days from now, at the celebration banquet, I, Mu Zian, will personally announce to the world that I am the one breaking off the engagement!”

“But remember this! From today onwards, we are completely severed! No more ties between us!” 

After speaking, Mu Zian turned and left, leaving behind a proud and lonely figure.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for making a choice!] [The Fangtian Halberd has been issued!] 

[The Overlord Halberd Technique has been issued!]

Mu Zian’s voice echoed above the Heroine Marquis’ residence for a long time. 

Lu Yunxue, sitting atop her horse, was slightly stunned as she watched Mu Zian’s departing figure. The triumphant banquet would be attended by the royal family and nobility of the Great Li Empire, and more importantly, the Emperor himself would be present. 

Even if Mu Zian had a hundred times the courage, he wouldn’t dare to speak recklessly at the banquet.

Thinking of this, Lu Yunxue’s heart settled. “Hmph! Haven’t seen you for three years and your temper has grown, but two days later, I’ll make you regret it! I’ll let everyone see how laughable your fragile pride truly is!”

…

As soon as Lu An returned to his courtyard, he closed the door. 

Walking to the center of the courtyard, there stood a massive tree as thick as three people could encircle. Lu An took a deep breath, clenched his fist, and with a loud shout, punched toward the towering tree!

The next moment, a loud bang was heard! The massive tree was snapped in half by Lu An’s punch! 

Dust flew everywhere, but Lu An couldn’t hide the ecstatic smile on his face. 

Immediately, Mu Zian summoned the Fangtian Halberd from the system space.

The long halberd was black as ink, radiating a chilling gleam under the sunlight. As Mu Zian touched the Fangtian Halberd, the Overlord Halberd Technique was instantly imprinted into his mind. Gripping the halberd tightly, Mu Zian began practicing in the courtyard. Sand and stones flew wildly, making for a spectacular sight!

Soon, after completing a full set of the halberd technique, Mu Zian was drenched in sweat, but his eyes sparkled. 

With this domineering halberd technique and his 5,000-kilogram strength, where in the world could he not go?

However, for now, Mu Zian had more important matters to attend to. Since he could once elevate Lu Yunxue, he could also drag her down from the clouds! 

With this thought, Mu Zian turned and entered his room.

Since Mu Zian had given up his right to inherit the State-Stabilizing Duke’s residence, he naturally couldn’t stay there. 

This courtyard served both as a temporary residence and as a place to monitor the construction progress of the Heroine Marquis’ residence. Now that he had cut ties with Lu Yunxue, there was no longer any reason to continue staying here.

Inside the wing room, Lu An pulled out a wooden box from under the bed. It was the only thing he had brought out from the State-Stabilizing Duke’s residence. Opening it, he found neatly placed armor, glinting coldly. According to the Great Li Empire’s laws, privately owning armor was considered treason.

However, there was one man in the Great Li Empire who could openly keep armor at home—Mu Zian’s father, the first-class State-Stabilizing Duke of the Great Li Empire, Mu Zhanying. 

By imperial privilege, he was allowed to keep armor at home, wear a sword in the palace, attend court without quickening his pace, and remain unnamed during ceremonies.

Without any hesitation, Lu An quickly donned the armor and strode out toward the palace.

In front of the Great Li Empire’s imperial palace, the guards, upon seeing Mu Zian in full armor, didn’t even question him and directly opened the palace gates. Such was the supreme honor carried by the title of State-Stabilizing Duke.

…

Inside the imperial city, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Emperor of the Great Li Empire was focused on painting. 

With a few strokes, a majestic tiger appeared vividly on the paper. At that moment, the chief eunuch, Grand Steward Cao, bowed and reported, “Your Majesty, the heir of the State-Stabilizing Duke, Mu Zian, is requesting an audience outside the hall.”

Hearing the name Mu Zian, the Emperor’s hand trembled slightly, ruining the painting of the roaring tiger. 

“Why is he here again! Isn’t one Marquis enough? Does he now want me to grant the title of State-Stabilizing Duke to his fiancée too?”

Grand Steward Cao smiled awkwardly. 

Normally, Mu Zian never came to the palace unless it was to ask for favors for Lu Yunxue. Whenever the Emperor heard Mu Zian’s name, he found it hard to even breathe.

Were it not for the memory of his old friend who died in battle, the Emperor would have long exiled Mu Zian to a remote frontier, out of sight.

“How many times has he been here this month?”

“Your Majesty, this is the third time.”

“Hmph!” The Emperor threw down his brush and said, “How can a man be so greedy! The State-Stabilizing Duke was such a hero, sigh…” Although he didn’t finish, the message was clear.

Thinking of his old friend who died far from home, the Emperor couldn’t bear to be harsh. 

Soon, Mu Zian, clad in full armor, stepped into the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Sunlight from behind cast a shadow, making Mu Zian’s figure look hazy. At that moment, the Emperor was momentarily dazed, as if seeing once again the invincible State-Stabilizing Duke.

“Your subject, Mu Zian, greets the Emperor!” Mu Zian’s voice snapped the Emperor out of his trance. 

So similar! 

Looking at Mu Zian in armor, the Emperor was deeply moved, as if reliving that night when Mu Zhanying, armed with a spear, slaughtered his way through countless foes to escort him to the throne.

The words of rebuke he had prepared got stuck in his throat and finally turned into a long sigh. “Speak. What do you want this time for your fiancée?”

Mu Zian didn’t hesitate and immediately said, “This subject has realized how ridiculous he was before! A true man living between heaven and earth should not be trapped by trifling matters of love! Today, I have come to my senses! As a member of the Great Li Empire, I should serve the nation, expand its territory, and protect its people!”

“Therefore, today I respectfully request the Emperor to permit me to reopen the State-Stabilizing Duke’s residence and revive the Mu family’s glorious reputation earned through countless battles!”