“Look at you, getting all worked up again.”
Xiao Junlin lifted a cup of hot tea and sipped it slowly, wearing a calm, confident smile.
“Big Brother, that brat came right up and slapped me in the face. How could I not be furious?”
The Fourth Prince stomped his foot impatiently.
He may have been lustful and lazy, with countless flaws, but he was still a prince of the Northern War King’s household. When had he ever suffered such humiliation?
As for that punk Xiao Yang, he was just relying on Ning Hongye, that demonic woman, to back him up!
He refused to accept it!
“Lu Xu, go summon Gui Shou.”
Xiao Junlin turned to his advisor not far away and gave the order.
Moments later, a man in black robes with an eerie aura stepped into the room, bowed respectfully, and greeted them, “Greetings, Your Highnesses!”
“Isn’t this the guy who gave Old Nine a new eye? Big Brother, why did you bring him here?” the Fourth Prince asked, puzzled.
He knew Xiao Junlin had gathered three thousand retainers, all strange and capable figures.
For example, witch masters from Miaojiang who could plant curses from afar using objects, killing people without a trace. And puppet masters from the Hundred Refinements Sect, who crafted puppets as lifelike as real people—some were even as strong as Martial Grandmasters.
“Gui Shou, how’s the matter I entrusted to you?” Xiao Junlin suddenly asked.
“Reporting to Your Highness, it was a great success!”
Gui Shou showed a flattering smile and continued, “When I gouged out Xiao Yang’s spirit eye, I took the chance to implant the [Heart-Piercing Blood Curse]. Now, he’s like a lamb waiting for slaughter—at my mercy!”
The Fourth Prince’s eyes lit up, gleaming with excitement.
[Heart-Piercing Blood Curse]!
That was a forbidden secret art from the Witch Sect. Once activated, the victim would suffer unbearable pain as if thousands of needles were piercing through every bone and vessel.
If the cursed tried to forcefully circulate their strength, their body would collapse—bones shattered, flesh torn.
“Big Brother, as expected of you! You set this up back when his eye was replaced! Quick, have Gui Shou activate the curse!”
The Fourth Prince couldn’t wait to see Xiao Yang screaming in agony. Only then could he release the rage in his chest.
“Do it!” Xiao Junlin ordered.
As soon as the words fell, Gui Shou extended his withered hands and began chanting incantations.
“[Heart-Piercing Blood Curse], activate!”
A dark red beam of blood light shot from his forehead, tore through the night sky, and flew toward Xiao Yang’s residence.
“Your Highnesses, now that the curse has been triggered, Xiao Yang will suffer excruciating pain—bone-piercing and heart-wrenching!”
“This curse is irreversible. In eighty-one days, he’ll die without question.” Get faster updates on g.com.
“And it’s extremely covert. Even if the Astronomical Bureau investigates the body, they’ll never trace it back to us!”
Gui Shou explained smugly, clearly full of confidence.
“Excellent. Reward him with 100 taels of gold!”
Xiao Junlin waved generously.
Gui Shou accepted the reward and retreated.
“Fourth Brother, Xiao Yang insulted me in public. I won’t just kill him—I’ll strip him of everything and drive him out of the royal household!” Xiao Junlin gritted his teeth, his eyes gleaming with malice.
“Big Brother, he’s become Ning Hongye’s lapdog and has the Vermilion Bird Army backing him! Plus, he must’ve learned some secret technique—probably from dual cultivating with that freak Ning Hongye. His strength soared overnight! Even my guards couldn’t match him!”
The Fourth Prince looked troubled. He wanted to deal with Xiao Yang, but he didn’t have the strength right now.
“Don’t worry. I’ve had a plan in place for a while.”
Xiao Junlin revealed a sinister smile. “Next month is the annual ‘Azure Cloud Grand Examination.’ At that time, all princes must participate.”
“Xiao Yang has ranked dead last for nine straight years. If he’s last again, we can submit a petition to Father, strip him of his title, remove him from the royal succession, and exile him to the border!”
“Once he’s no longer a prince, his engagement with Ning Hongye will be void.”
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince’s eyelids twitched and his heart trembled.
Such ruthless means!
Big Brother wasn’t just out to kill. He wanted to destroy Xiao Yang’s soul—make sure he never rose again!
The Fourth Prince felt a chill. Thankfully, he and Xiao Junlin were on the same side. Otherwise, he’d have no idea how he might be toyed to death.
…
Elsewhere, at the Ninth Prince’s residence.
Xiao Yang sat cross-legged in his room, cultivating.
Though he had used the system to obtain the Yin-Yang Genesis Pill and instantly reached the 3rd stage Qi Sea Realm—equal to decades of ordinary cultivation—he knew daily training was still essential.
Without it, rapid ascension would lead to unstable foundations, and a mismatch between comprehension and strength could become a major liability.
Boom!
Suddenly, a beam of blood-red light shot toward him, aiming straight for his forehead.
“Swish!”
Xiao Yang’s eyes snapped open.
[Witch Sect curse detected. Host possesses the Innate Yin-Yang Sacred Body. All evil forces can be purified.]
In the next moment, dazzling light erupted from Xiao Yang’s body, like a blazing sun in the sky. The blood curse evaporated instantly.
“System, can you trace who cursed me?” Xiao Yang asked silently.
[Yes. The caster is 2,000 meters southeast, currently moving away from the palace.]
“Good.” Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Xiao Yang immediately rose, donned his Blackscale Myriad Dragon Armor, and slipped out of the royal residence under the cover of night.
…
Moments later, in a nondescript courtyard.
“With 100 taels of gold, I can hit the black market and buy some high-tier warrior limbs. I’ll refine a flawless 5th stage Copper Corpse!” Gui Shou muttered, eyes gleaming with greed.
“Bang!”
Suddenly, the courtyard door burst open.
“Who’s there?!”
Gui Shou turned sharply, only to see a handsome young man stride in. Moonlight bathed his figure, adding a mysterious air.
Such a refined, graceful youth in this filthy world!
“Ninth Prince? Why are you here?”
Gui Shou was shocked, eyes narrowing dangerously as they emitted a cold glint.
“I’m here to take your life.”
Xiao Yang didn’t bother hiding it. He gripped the saber at his waist and walked forward step by step.
“Hahaha!”
Gui Shou burst into arrogant laughter. “Ninth Prince, you’re dreaming! I’ve trained in witchcraft for decades. My cultivation is equal to a 5th stage martial artist, and I already cursed you. How will you kill me?!”
As he spoke, he started chanting again to activate the [Heart-Piercing Blood Curse].
“The curse has already taken hold. Within three seconds, you’ll beg for life and be unable to find death!”
Gui Shou sneered and even began a countdown.
“Three!”
“Two!”
“One!”
But to his horror, Xiao Yang showed no signs of pain. He kept walking forward—now just ten steps away.
That was within a martial artist’s kill range.
“Impossible!”
Gui Shou’s face twisted in shock. “Once the blood curse takes hold, even the great scholars of the Wen Temple can’t neutralize it in such a short time! Kid, how did you do it?!”
“Idiot.”
Xiao Yang gave him a cold glance like he was looking at a fool. He drew his saber, the blade gleaming as it pointed directly at Gui Shou’s throat.
“Talk. Any last words?”