“Ji Mingxing, this one seems to be your person as well. Additionally, outside the city, there was an insolent fellow who actually attempted to kill a citizen of my Heavenly Dynasty. In the end, I killed him. He also claimed to be your person. By that reckoning, I have already slain two of your lackeys in a row. Are you not planning to take action for revenge?”
Ling Xiao looked at Ji Mingxing with contempt and said, “Are you not proclaiming yourself a once-in-six-hundred-years genius of the Heavenly Dragon Continent? Today, could it be that you even fear me?”
Provocation!
Blatant provocation without any disguise!
Ji Mingxing had claimed to be a once-in-six-hundred-years genius of the Heavenly Dragon Continent!
He had said Ling Xiao was inferior to him!
Now, Ling Xiao had killed Ji Mingxing’s people and was provoking him in front of so many witnesses. How should Ji Mingxing respond?
People gazed at the arrogant, domineering figure on the high platform.
Many hated him!
Many wished he would die!
Seeing his smug and overbearing demeanour, they itched to slay him personally!
Yet no one moved!
More precisely, no one dared to move!
Ling Xiao dared to act this way because he had his own backing!
Among peers, none matched his strength!
Among the older generation powerhouses, none surpassed his woman in strength!
Who dared provoke him?
Ji Mingxing seethed with hatred, his body trembling, yet he dared not strike.
From the moments Ling Xiao seized Feng Minglian and crippled that warrior earlier, he could judge that Ling Xiao’s strength surpassed his own.
Thus, he dared not act.
If he struck and lost, it would mean death!
Ling Xiao already loathed him utterly, hated him to the bone. He had no desire to court death.
“Is this the so-called number one genius of the Heavenly Dragon Continent?”
Ling Xiao suddenly burst into wild laughter. His voice was loud, brimming with mockery and sarcasm. “Whether you fight today or not, death is inescapable for you. Why not stand forth honourably, like a man!”
“Mingxing Huangzi, kill him!”
“Kill him, slay that overreaching fellow!”
“Such a shameless scoundrel, do not spare him.”
“Utter nonsense!”
“Prove your strength with your sword!”
From below the platform, loud shouts began to rise.
Many could not abide Ling Xiao humiliating Ji Mingxing to his face.
After all, most present were Ji Mingxing’s friends.
Yet they did not realise that such shouts only placed Ji Mingxing on the rack to roast.
Ji Mingxing’s expression grew particularly vivid at that moment.
He had once eagerly anticipated meeting Ling Xiao, then killing him to prove himself the foremost genius of the Heavenly Dragon Continent.
Moreover, earlier, he had boasted before these people that he was a once-in-six-hundred-years genius.
In other words, unmatched for six centuries.
Ling Xiao, at seventeen, naturally fell among those he referred to.
Now, Ling Xiao stood before him, issuing a challenge. What should he do?
Fight, or not fight?
Ji Mingxing fell into extreme anguish and confusion.
The crowd’s eager, expectant gazes gradually turned anxious.
Could Ji Mingxing truly be inferior to Ling Xiao?
At that moment, the Great Sun Realm Lord spoke. “Ling Xiao, whatever your purpose in coming here today, this is my disciple Ji Mingxing’s joyous wedding day. Who is the foremost of the Heavenly Dragon Continent can be settled another time. Today, as the groom, he is hardly suited to fight. As for you, do not be foolish. Hand over Feng Minglian.”
The Great Sun Realm Lord’s words carried intense threat and chilling intent.
Ling Xiao had chosen not some other day but today to appear, infuriating him. He itched to slap this fellow dead with one palm.
However, keen instincts and years of experience in the martial world told him that Ling Xiao dared act thus because he had backing.
If he struck, matters would spiral beyond control.
“Wedding day?”
Ling Xiao revealed a ferocious smile. “Old cur, ask Feng Minglian if she agreed to marry him.”
“Whether Feng Minglian agreed is none of your concern!”
Ji Mingxing roared in fury. Today, he was the most enraged and humiliated.
“None of my concern? Fine, then I shall tell you. Feng Minglian is the daughter of my senior brother Wu Xiang, Emperor of the Heavenly Dynasty Empire, a noble branch of the imperial family. Since her mother disregards her and seeks to push her into the fire pit, from today onward, she reverts to the Wu surname and shall be called Wu Lian’er. Tell me, does this matter concern me?”
Ling Xiao replied loudly.
These words shocked everyone present.
All along, the imperial family had been deeply secretive about Feng Minglian’s biological father. Today, at last, they learned the truth.
“Ling Xiao, cease this nonsense!”
Feng Ming Wuliang grew anxious.
“Nonsense? Your Majesty, in this matter, I fear it is you who are trifling! Another has cast an illusion spell on your own niece, attempting to force her into submission. Are you not furious in the slightest? Do not tell me you were involved in this too?”
Ling Xiao’s words instantly trapped Feng Ming Wuliang in a dilemma.
If Feng Ming Wuliang admitted knowledge of the illusion spell, his reputation would be ruined. Coupled with the Ji Ning incident half a year ago, his reign as emperor would end.
If he denied it, he would inevitably become enemies with the Great Sun Realm Lord and even have to confront Ji Mingxing.
“What a vicious young fellow.”
Feng Ming Wuliang’s eyes darted, and he quickly formed a plan.
“Since His Majesty now knows of this matter, he will naturally investigate thoroughly. If it proves true, Ji Mingxing and the Great Sun Realm Lord will not be spared. However, we cannot accuse the innocent based solely on Lian’er’s one-sided account.”
Feng Ming Wuliang chose neutrality, muddling through.
This, he deemed the cleverest approach.
“Investigate further? If Feng Minglian were not your niece, not a child of mixed human blood, but your own daughter, would you still say this? I wager you would furiously slap dead anyone daring to force your daughter!”
Ling Xiao gave Feng Ming Wuliang no face whatsoever.
The crowd was utterly stunned.
In the capital of the Divine Phoenix Empire, daring to deny Feng Ming Wuliang face, just how bold was this Ling Xiao? Utterly arrogant.
“No need for you two to argue. This king has already investigated the matter just now. It was indeed the doing of the Great Sun Realm Lord and Ji Mingxing. His Majesty was not involved.”
At that moment, another voice rang out.
It was none other than Feng Yinshan.
Feng Yinshan had been awaiting just such an opportunity.
Last time, the Ji Ning incident had earned him immense public favour. Nearly all citizens and warriors of the divine capital knew Prince Yinshan as impartial and unbiased.
Moreover, through that affair, Feng Yinshan had placed his own people in the military, reaping great gains.
Today, Feng Ming Wuliang had erred again.
Naturally, Feng Yinshan had to step forward.
