Sikong Zun, toyed with by Ling Xiao, was consumed by hatred, his once-sharp mind now clouded. At this moment, he seemed less rational than a three-year-old.
His actions were growing increasingly foolish.
Having been exposed as Sea Clan, who would dare follow his orders?
The fear instilled by the True Demon Empire still lingered in the Xuan Realm. The warriors present now looked at him with a mix of hatred and dread.
Even those from Phoenix Academy dared not obey him.
Follow a Sea Clan’s orders to kill someone speaking the truth?
If word got out, how could Phoenix Academy’s warriors hold their heads high?
“Fine! If you won’t act, I’ll do it myself!” Sikong Zun realised no one would follow his commands anymore, though they wouldn’t dare attack him either.
He had to kill this ghost-masked man, no matter who he was.
No one who dared toy with the Lightning Demon King ever met a good end.
“Try touching him!” Ji Ning sneered, his voice ringing out. “This is the Phoenix Empire, not your True Demon Empire! If you want to kill someone here, first ask if the Phoenix Empire’s warriors agree!”
“Exactly! The True Demon Empire killed so many of our kin back then. Are we to let them run rampant here now?” With Ji Ning taking the lead, many warriors who despised the True Demon Empire and the Sea Clan stepped forward.
Sikong Zun suddenly realised that, beyond strength, a sharp tongue could be formidable.
This ghost-masked man, with just a few words, had driven him to the brink.
The True Demon Empire’s plans might be ruined because of today.
His strength far surpassed the ghost-masked man’s, yet he couldn’t act.
If he did, he’d become a target and likely die on the spot.
This ghost-masked man’s calculations were deep, foreseeing even this.
Seeing Sikong Zun’s disarray, Ling Xiao felt a surge of satisfaction.
Though not as thrilling as defeating him personally, it was a different kind of triumph.
“Come, seize this Sea Clan spy and deliver him to the emperor for judgment!” Ji Ning seized the opportunity, and many warriors were eager to act.
“The imperial edict arrives!” At that moment, a figure floated in, holding an edict glowing softly.
The Phoenix Empire’s edicts were nearly impossible to forge, bearing the unique aura of the Phoenix Seal.
“Long live the emperor!” Though reluctant, Ji Ning had to kneel, as did the others.
“The emperor decrees: The Phoenix Empire and True Demon Empire form an alliance, united in purpose. The Lightning Demon King Sikong Zun’s entry into Phoenix Academy is by my will, no need for scrutiny. Ji Ning, loyal and patriotic, has merits outweighing his faults despite entering the capital without permission. He is granted ten thousand high-grade spirit stones and shall return to his post without delay. Thus decreed!”
After the edict, Ji Ning’s eyes reddened with anger.
The emperor was truly negotiating with tigers, allying with the True Demon Empire?
He sighed, a sense of helplessness washing over him.
If this was true, he was powerless. If he insisted on seizing Sikong Zun now, he’d be sparking war and branded a sinner for disrupting peace.
“General Ji Ning, will you not receive the edict?”
“I receive it with gratitude! Long live the emperor!” Ji Ning took the edict with trembling hands, his heart heavy with sorrow.
Was the Phoenix Empire truly heading toward self-destruction?
He shook his head helplessly, glaring at Sikong Zun’s smug expression, seething with rage.
“Why be angry, General? What you aimed to do today, you’ve achieved. Sikong Zun’s identity is exposed. Even if the emperor protects him, in the eyes of the Phoenix Empire’s people, he’s an enemy to be wary of! As for the Ice Phoenix Clan’s emperor, he’s likely lost the people’s trust. In the next election, they stand no chance!” Ling Xiao’s voice sounded directly in Ji Ning’s mind through a mental transmission.
“You’re right!” Ji Ning’s spirits lifted. With less than a year until the election, the True Demon Empire would struggle to act in that time.
By next year, everything would become clear.
“May I have a word with you outside the city, sir?” Ji Ning suddenly turned to Ling Xiao. He wasn’t foolish. He knew Ling Xiao had offended Sikong Zun and might be in danger if he stayed.
His invitation was a pretext to protect him.
Sikong Zun might dare attack Ling Xiao but wouldn’t dare touch Ji Ning.
“Thank you, General, but I’m just a simple warrior, unwilling to get tangled in political disputes. I only spoke a few words of justice. I’ll take my leave to avoid being hunted,” Ling Xiao declined, shaking his head.
He thought further than Ji Ning.
If he left with Ji Ning, others might think he was Ji Ning’s subordinate, part of a calculated trap.
A cunning general like that wouldn’t be favoured by the imperial family, putting Ji Ning in greater danger.
The least threatening general is one who’s straightforward, guileless, and honest.
Ji Ning was such a man, and there was no need to let him be misunderstood.
With that, Ling Xiao prepared to leave.
But Master Sun Shang, the Wonderhand Celestial, sneered from behind. “This is Phoenix Academy. You dare cause trouble here and think you can leave easily?”
Sikong Zun couldn’t act, but Sun Shang could.
“You’re truly a loyal lapdog of the True Demon Empire!” Ling Xiao sneered back. “The Holy Emperor treated you well, yet you betrayed him. People of Phoenix Academy, beware of this dog that bites its master. Don’t let him turn on you!”
“You! With that sharp tongue, if I don’t kill you today, I’m not fit to be dean of Phoenix Medical Academy!” Sun Shang trembled with rage.
“You think you can stop me from leaving?” Ling Xiao scoffed. In terms of movement techniques, save for a few individuals, no one present could match him.
A blur shot through the air, and in an instant, he vanished into the horizon.
Sun Shang hadn’t even started to move.
“What astonishing speed! Who is this man?”
“His voice sounds like he’s in his forties or fifties.”
“Voices can be disguised.”
“Heh, Phoenix Academy’s made an enemy of someone like that. They won’t have peace in the future.”
The plaza buzzed with discussion.
On the platform, the Peacock Phoenix Son and Thunder Eagle Phoenix Son exchanged glances, both seeing shock in each other’s eyes.
They thought their speed was impressive, but compared to this man, it was nothing.
