âHmph, since my dear brother has put it that way, I shall spare this wretch for todayâ¦â
âHmm?â
âWait a moment!â
âWhat did you just say, Eighteenth Brother?â
The Ninth Prince seemed to suddenly realize something mid-sentence and looked at Li Xiaobai with a somewhat astonished expression, asking in a daze.
âDidnât Ninth Brother ask whether this woman should be killed? In my opinion, not only should this woman be killed, but her entire family should be executed!â
âYour body, Ninth Brother, is incomparable to ordinary cultivators, as you carry the blood of the Great Flame Dynasty. You are exceedingly precious. This woman had the good fortune to massage you and yet, she acted half-heartedly. This is a contempt for the royal dignity! I suggest not only to execute her but also to declare it to the world. Henceforth, no one shall offend the sacred members of the royal family of our dynasty!â
Li Xiaobaiâs words were righteous and resolute as he stared intently at the Ninth Prince. A hint of mockery flashed deep within his eyes. He had seen through the otherâs tricks and intentions, thinking, I know what youâre after, but Iâm not playing along your lines, so what are you going to do?
Upon hearing this, Cuier felt like she had fallen into an ice cave. She also realized that the Ninth Prince was only using her as part of a play to embarrass the opponent. But she never expected that the young man whom she once enchanted would now demand the execution of her entire family with a single sentence!
This joke had gone too far!
It was highly likely that the Ninth Prince would kill her to save face. If that happened, it would be too much of a loss!
âYan Liang, youâre such a joker. I think you still hold a grudge against Cuier.â
âIn truth, matters of the heart have always been difficult to perfect since ancient times; there will always be regrets. Although Cuier is no longer by Yan Liangâs side, she has always believed that Yan Liang will soar to new heights. Itâs my hope that Yan Liang can soon move past these heartaches.â
While speaking, Cuier gently walked behind Li Xiaobai and started to massage his shoulders, with a tenderness that was quite charming.
The Ninth Prince, watching this scene, showed a trace of appreciation in his eyes. He was very satisfied with Cuierâs quick thinking.
âThe name Yan Liang is a thing of the past. I am now called Yan Zhaotian. Remember that,â Li Xiaobai said indifferently.
Cuier and the Ninth Prince were both taken aback. As the Princely Heir, did he really change his own name without authorization?
This was a grave offense of disrespect!
And what sort of name was Yan Zhaotian?
Doesnât it sound rather shabby?
âAhem, Yan Liang, your new name is quite unique, but maybe you should consult His Majesty first about such a matter. The Princely Heir of the Great Flame Dynasty changing his name without permission, if word spreads, itâs a serious offense of disrespect!â
A smug look flashed in Cuierâs eyes as she spoke with an unconscious sense of triumph.
So what if youâve become stronger through some fortuitous encounter?
After all, youâre still the same loser from before. Just a little manipulation from her was enough to make you obediently comply. Why pretend to be aloof? Seeing the approval in the Ninth Princeâs eyes, she couldnât help but breathe a sigh of relief.
But Li Xiaobaiâs next words slightly startled her.
âAre you teaching me what to do?â
Li Xiaobai spoke with a detached expression, his voice cold.
âNo⦠I wouldnât dare. Cuier is just considering the affection of the past, hoping that the Princely Heir will avoid further detours,â she said.
âI hope the Princely Heir will heed Cuierâs advice and not provoke entities too great to handle, for that could bring disaster.â
Cuier looked at the person before her, her eyes shimmering with uncertainty. She could clearly sense that something was off with the young man who used to dote on her, yet she couldnât pinpoint what it was at the moment.
âWhat do you count for, daring to interfere with the decisions of the royal family?â
âYou lowly creatures, today I shall cleanse the household for Ninth Brother!â
Li Xiaobaiâs eyes suddenly turned fierce. A cold flash in the void, Sword Qi crisscrossing; the beautyâs head was tossed high, landing on the desk, rolling to stop before the Ninth Prince.
The stunned servants nearby were splashed with blood on their faces, crying out in alarm.
A red glow flickered in the void, and the number above Li Xiaobaiâs head changed to six thousand one.
âHmph, noise!â
âTo displease my Ninth Brother is one thing, but now you even dare to lecture me. This wretched woman clearly does not regard either of us brothers seriously, a sin deserving of death!â
âNinth Brother has yet to speak, and yet this woman has been prattling on incessantly, showing no courtesy in her heart, no fear for our royal kin. She must be executed!â
âNinth Brother, such a despicable wench, tell me, can you accept her?â
Li Xiaobaiâs face was filled with anger, righteously indignant as he spoke to the Ninth Prince.
âNo⦠I cannot!â
âIndeed, this woman deserves to die!â
The Ninth Prince was so angry his face turned bluish-green, almost gnashing his teeth, squeezing out a few words through clenched teeth.
His heart was bleeding. Cuier was the woman he admired the most, with the unique tenderness and warmth of a young girl. He had not even begun to cherish her when she was slaughtered by someone else.
What was key was that he could not even refute the other party. Princely Heir of the dynasty had to maintain face; the fellow in front of him kept invoking the bloodline authority of the kinship with the royal family. Even with great resentment, he could find no fault.
âElder Brother wouldnât blame your younger brother for this lowly wench, would he?â
Li Xiaobai continued to ask.
âNo, those who dare to disrespect our imperial clan, kill without mercy!â
âSo, Ninth Brother, you say, did I do right?â
âYou did very well!â
The Ninth Princeâs forehead bulged with veins, wanting to explode with anger but seeing the string of blood-red numbers above the otherâs head, he immediately suppressed the rage in his heart.
âItâs just that, recently, you seem to have killed quite a few, havenât you, Eighteenth Brother?â
âSuch deeds, how are they any different from the Demon Path?â
âFor the honor of the Great Flame Dynasty, Ninth Brother will make a decision for you. For the next year, you are to chant scriptures in front of the Ancestral Hall to cleanse the demonic nature within you.â
âAt tomorrowâs birthday banquet, Ninth Brother will plead with father on your behalf.â
The Ninth Princeâs tone changed, speaking coolly, his voice a bit cold. In his view, the numbers above Li Xiaobaiâs head meant he was courting death. Killing in front of the righteous, anyone had the right to capture him.
A mere good-for-nothing fool thinks he can compete just because heâs had some fortuitous encounters. He would make the other party understand what real tactics were.
âBirthday banquet?â
Li Xiaobai, with his acute senses, caught on to something. This was news to him.
âHas Eighteenth Brother forgotten such an important day after a few days out on his training journey?â
âTomorrow is Grand Emperorâs birthday, and it also happens to coincide with our monthly family banquet. Itâs a double celebration. The emperor is combining both occasions into one grand feast, inviting heroes from all over. Have you not noticed the number of cultivators has increased here in Yan City?â
The Ninth Princeâs expression calmed down, a mocking look in his eyes. Tomorrow was the Grand Emperorâs birthday. All the Princely Heirs would rack their brains to prepare gifts for the old man. Yet here was Eighteenth Brother, who had killed someone in public the day before his grandfatherâs birthday and even forgot about the birthday itself.
If he canât produce a gift tomorrow, heâs in big trouble!