“Young man, did you hear what our Little Marquis said? Hurry up and do as you’re told!”
Commander Zhang suddenly erupted with a fierce killing intent that pressed straight towards Ling Xiao.
Everyone watching the commotion could not help but shiver. Whether it was the middle-aged woman or Lin Qian, their faces had turned somewhat pale.
Ming Liu laughed.
He laughed with great satisfaction.
He trusted Commander Zhang’s strength.
This Commander Zhang was the second strongest expert after his father, the Earl of East County. To deal with the brat in front of him, merely releasing killing intent should be enough to make the boy kneel and beg for mercy.
However, his laughter soon stopped abruptly.
Because in the face of Commander Zhang’s terrifying killing intent, not only did Ling Xiao show no fear, he even revealed a trace of mocking smile.
It was as if he were ridiculing an ant that had stretched out its leg in front of an elephant.
“Make me kneel and lick your shoes clean?
The mocking smile at the corner of Ling Xiao’s mouth grew even more exaggerated.
He had met many people who acted arrogantly in front of him, but someone who made such a bizarre demand was truly the first.
“Do you know my name? Do you know who I am? To dare release killing intent at a prince, this Commander Zhang of yours really must want to die!”
“A prince?”
Ming Liu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood something and exclaimed, “Could you be that Heavenly Dragon Prince, Ling Xiao?”
“At least you finally guessed it. Not too stupid.”
Ling Xiao smiled faintly smiled.
“Hmph, if you really are Ling Xiao, that’s even better. Commander Zhang, someone is causing trouble on our territory. What do you think we should do about it?”
Upon learning Ling Xiao’s identity, Ming Liu showed no trace of fear at all. Instead, his expression became even more ferocious.
He had previously worried that Ling Xiao might belong to one of the nearby major pirate groups, so he had not dared to attack directly. After all, his family had only been able to become the overlord of East County thanks to those pirates. Without them, they would lose a lot of grey income.
Now that Ling Xiao’s identity was confirmed, what was there to fear?
“Understood, Little Marquis.”
Commander Zhang stepped forward, stood in front of Ming Liu, and released an even stronger killing intent. That intent faintly condensed into the vague outline of a solid long knife.
To reach this level was genuinely impressive. He was indeed a warrior of the Ten Directions Heaven realm.
“Just this bit of strength, and you dare to attack a prince? You may not fear death, but this killing intent of yours is truly embarrassing.”
Ling Xiao smiled faintly and said, “I’ll give you one chance to live. Tie up your Little Marquis.”
“Truly worthy of a young hero. Rumour has it he is extremely arrogant and domineering, acts decisively, and never drags his feet. This is impressive. He actually dares to have the Little Marquis tied up. Amazing.”
“I’m afraid even a tiger that has fallen into the plains can be bullied by dogs. Don’t forget, previous prefects arrived here acting tough too, but after witnessing Commander Zhang’s power they obediently submitted.”
“Ling Xiao is definitely different. I’ve heard he even dares to kill members of the imperial family.”
The warriors of East County whispered among themselves.
None of them had expected the newly appointed city lord, upon arriving in East County, to immediately put on such a show. Was this meant to be a demonstration of authority against the Earl of East County?
“Insolence!”
How could Commander Zhang possibly obey Ling Xiao? Seeing that his killing intent had no effect, he simply attacked.
A short sword appeared in his hand. His figure abruptly shot forward, blade shadows flashing as he slashed towards Ling Xiao’s head.
This man truly was bold. The court-appointed city lord of East County, an officially enfeoffed Heavenly Dragon Prince, and he actually dared to try to kill him.
It seemed the Earl of East County’s family really did act like local emperors and local snakes in East County, accustomed to being overbearing.
Ling Xiao gave a disdainful cold laugh. “Attempted assassination of an imperial prince. Death penalty!”
As the laugh ended, the sword in his hand had already pierced through Commander Zhang’s body.
That instant of brilliance was simply too fast.
Far too astonishing.
Neither Ming Liu nor Commander Zhang had seen clearly how Ling Xiao had struck.
Clearly there had been no sword in his hand a moment earlier, yet in the next moment Commander Zhang was already pierced.
Just how quick was that!
Having killed Commander Zhang, Ling Xiao did not even blink. He casually flung the corpse aside, then turned his gaze towards Ming Liu.
In that instant, a terrifying, extreme killing intent suddenly exploded, piercing the sky and piercing straight through Ming Liu’s courage.
Everyone trembled in fear.
Ming Liu directly fell to his knees.
It was not that he wanted to kneel. That terrifying killing intent forced him to kneel.
He tried to stand, but his legs were limp and powerless, completely unable to move.
“What terrifying strength. Is this really that sixteen-year-old Ling Xiao?”
“No mistake, no mistake. If Ling Xiao didn’t have this kind of power, how could he have captured Jiumo Zhiyan alive? How could he have killed Tiemu’er Mutu!”
“Too powerful. This aura is probably even stronger than the Earl of East County.”
In the crowd, hearts pounded uncontrollably.
“Impossible! Aren’t you only at the early Six Arts Heaven stage? How can you possibly be this strong?”
Ming Liu knelt on the ground and shouted in terror.
Ling Xiao slowly walked towards Ming Liu. He walked very slowly, slower than an ordinary person.
Yet with every step he took, it felt as though he were stepping on Ming Liu’s heart, frightening him until his face was deathly pale.
Slap, slap, slap!
Ling Xiao crouched down, gently patted Ming Liu’s face three times, and said with a smile, “How can the noble Little Marquis kneel on the ground? Weren’t you extremely impressive and arrogant just now? Didn’t you want me to kneel and lick your shoes clean? How come you’re the one kneeling to me now?”
Humiliation!
Absolute humiliation!
Ming Liu, a warrior of the Eight Desolations Heaven realm, had not even had the chance to strike in front of Ling Xiao. He had actually been scared by mere aura until his legs gave out and he could not move.
What a disgraceful thing.
Seeing the situation, the middle-aged woman hurriedly tried to slip away into the crowd, but she was blocked by the indignant onlookers.
A moment ago these people had not dared to step forward, which was understandable. If they had, they would only have died and still failed to save Lin Qian.
Now, with Ling Xiao backing them, they naturally no longer feared the Earl of East County or the Little Marquis.
Lin Qian had long been staring in fascination.
Such a powerful and imposing man.
Such an enthralling man.
Such a fearless man who dared to stand against authority and act decisively.
Why had she not met him earlier?
“Lord City Governor, you must uphold justice for us! The Earl of East County and his son have been committing evil in East County for many years. They have done every wicked thing imaginable. Several previous prefects were killed by them, and those who survived became their lapdogs!”
Someone in the crowd shouted.
“Yes, severely punish the Earl of East County and his son!”
“Silence, all of you!”
Ling Xiao said coldly, “You all know full well that the Earl and his son have committed countless atrocities, yet not one of you dared to stand up and resist. Everything you have suffered is entirely deserved.
I will certainly deal with the Earl of East County and his son, but not for you. I will do it for those who had the courage to resist.”
He said these words to lay the groundwork for the future.
Anyone who wished to live in East County from now on would have to bear the duty of defending the land and protecting the home, or they could get out.
