“How outrageous!”
Xiao Yang’s expression darkened. He immediately realized that Huang Li and Zhao Changkong being beaten was no coincidence, but something done because of him.
Yesterday, the First Prince Xiao Junlin had gambled with him and suffered public humiliation. He had lost face completely and would definitely harbor resentment and seek revenge.
The Fourth Prince was Xiao Junlin’s loyal lackey, always groveling at his side. That was why he had ordered his concubine to bully Huang Li.
“Let’s go to the rear courtyard first and check on Guard Zhao.”
Xiao Yang went with Huang Li to the back courtyard and entered a side room where servants lived.
“Cough, cough!”
A young man around 20 years old lay on the bed, coughing up blood nonstop. Not only was one arm broken, his injuries were also quite serious.
“Your Highness, why have you come?”
When Zhao Changkong saw Xiao Yang, he was shocked and struggled to get up to salute.
“No need for formalities.”
Xiao Yang immediately pressed him back down.
Zhao Changkong was 20 this year and already a 3rd stage martial artist, considered a strong expert among ordinary people.
Because his parents died when he was young, the Prince’s Residence took him in and chose him as Xiao Yang’s personal guard.
The previous Xiao Yang had not paid much attention to Zhao Changkong, but now that Xiao Yang possessed the [Unrivaled Dual-Pupils], he instantly noticed Zhao Changkong’s extraordinary traits.
Zhao Changkong’s brow bones were sharp like sword edges, slanting into his temples. This was the appearance of a Sword Bone.
Although it could not compare to Xiao Junlin’s Supreme Bone, people with Sword Bones often achieved great military feats, earning lasting fame and intimidating entire armies.
It was said that figures like Zhao Zilong and Qin Shubao possessed such features, with resolute and unyielding temperaments that could shake three armies.
Xiao Yang currently lacked capable subordinates. Zhao Changkong was clearly someone worth cultivating.
“Guard Zhao, who injured you?” Xiao Yang asked.
“Reporting to Your Highness, it was the Fourth Prince’s guard captain, Katō. He is a 4th stage martial artist and practices the Golden Finger Art. His strength is immense. I was no match for him and brought shame to Your Highness.”
Zhao Changkong looked full of guilt and shame over his defeat.
Xiao Yang recalled that the Fourth Prince was named Xiao Chusheng. His mother was not from the Grand Xia Empire, but a princess of an overseas vassal empire called East Pole Island.
That was why the Fourth Prince’s concubine Qianhezi and his guards all came from East Pole Island.
“Good. Now that we know who it is, this is easy to handle. Guard Zhao, wait here. I’ll go avenge you right now.”
Xiao Yang was eager to set off. He was not the type of person who had overwhelming strength yet chose to endure humiliation in silence.
Moreover, he had just mastered the Thunder Prison World-Destroying Saber and happened to be lacking a live target to test it on.
“Your Highness, please do not. You are of noble status. How can you risk yourself for my sake?”
Zhao Changkong panicked.
He still thought Xiao Yang was only a 1st stage martial artist with weak strength. If Xiao Yang rashly went to seek revenge, he would only humiliate himself further.
“Search!”
“That gold hairpin was a gift from His Highness. It is worth 500 taels of silver!”
“Even if you have to dig three meters into the ground, even if you have to strip that little wretch naked, you must find it for me!”
As soon as the words fell.
Bang!
The door was kicked open forcefully, and a group of people rushed inside.
At the front was the Fourth Prince’s concubine Qianhezi. She was dressed seductively, her manner domineering and overbearing.
Behind her were more than ten guards, each wearing a blade at the waist, their auras fierce and aggressive.
“Such audacity!”
Xiao Yang did not expect them to come knocking directly. He said coldly, “This is the Ninth Prince’s territory. Since when does a lowly concubine get to run wild here?”
“Ninth Prince?”
When Qianhezi saw Xiao Yang, she was greatly shocked. She had not expected him to appear in a servant’s side room.
At the same time, she found Xiao Yang extremely handsome, far surpassing the Fourth Prince she served. A strange thought unconsciously arose in her heart.
At this moment, a short man walked out from the crowd. He was small in stature, with a pair of thin mustaches above his lips and a lewd appearance.
It was none other than Katō, the one who had injured Zhao Changkong.
“I am a warrior of East Pole Island. I only obey the Fourth Prince’s orders. He ordered me to search for the stolen gold hairpin. Whoever dares block me will be dealt with!”
Katō was extremely arrogant, his attitude tough, completely ignoring Xiao Yang.
“What kind of barking nonsense is this? This is the Ninth Prince’s residence. You dare trespass here. Your crime is unforgivable.”
Xiao Yang swept his gaze coldly across them and drew a line on the ground with his foot, saying proudly, “Anyone who dares step past this line will be killed.”
…
Hearing this, Katō and the group of guards looked as if they had heard a huge joke, their faces full of mockery.
In their eyes, although Xiao Yang had luckily defeated the First Prince yesterday, it was only because the First Prince had suppressed his cultivation.
Xiao Yang most likely used some trick or obtained a treasure from Ning Hongye.
Xiao Yang was merely a 1st stage martial artist. Without strength, what right did he have to speak of dignity?
“Ninth Prince, I am searching this place today. What can you do about it?”
Katō charged forward directly, unleashing the full power of a 4th stage martial artist. Violent winds howled, sweeping across the entire room.
He knew that if he injured Xiao Yang, not only would he not be punished, he would even be rewarded by the First Prince and the Fourth Prince.
“Your Highness, be careful!”
Zhao Changkong hurriedly called out, but with his severe injuries, he was unable to protect his lord.
“Young Master!”
Huang Li was so anxious that tears streamed down her face.
“A jumping clown. Not worth a single strike.”
A mere barbarian guard daring to be this arrogant.
Such a crazed dog did not deserve to live to the next chapter. Xiao Yang would use his head to establish authority.
Clang!
The saber slashed out, its light dazzling.
Thunder Prison World-Destroying Saber, first move: Thunderflash.
In the next instant, Katō froze in place.
A thin red line appeared on his neck. Blood then sprayed wildly as his head fell to the ground and his body collapsed with a heavy thud.
Katō died with his eyes wide open, as if he never understood what had happened in that instant.
“Not even able to take a single strike from me. Fourth Brother’s guard is truly useless.”
Xiao Yang spoke calmly, as if he had merely swatted a fly.
“My heavens!”
“Someone pinch me. This cannot be an illusion, right?”
“Killing a 4th stage martial artist with one saber. Is this really the Ninth Prince?”
The Fourth Prince’s guards all stood dumbfounded.
Not only them, even Zhao Changkong and Huang Li were stunned. They never imagined their master could be this powerful.
“Guard Zhao, today I used Katō’s head to vent your anger,” Xiao Yang said.
“Your Highness…”
Zhao Changkong was deeply moved, tears filling his eyes.
A man would die for one who understood him.
At this moment, Zhao Changkong felt that following the Ninth Prince made this lifetime truly worthwhile.
…
This was bad.
Today, she had kicked an iron plate.
This Ninth Prince looked so handsome, yet he killed without hesitation.
Qianhezi immediately sensed danger. She quietly edged toward the doorway, wanting to slip away.
“Stop. Who allowed you to leave?”
Xiao Yang’s figure flashed as he blocked her path. The battle saber in his hand was still dripping with blood.
“Ah!”
Qianhezi was instantly terrified out of her wits. She stumbled backward repeatedly, no longer as arrogant as before. “Ninth Prince, you… what do you want to do?”
Xiao Yang looked at her coldly and said, “I only want to seek justice for my maid. You framed Huang Li, accused her of stealing the gold hairpin, and even slapped her several times. If you want to live, kneel down and slap yourself one hundred times.”