Xiao Yang placed both hands together and bowed deeply to Ning Hongye at a full ninety degrees.
It was a formal grand salute.
Though the Grand Xia Empire valued etiquette, even in front of elders or superiors, a slight bow was generally enough.
A grand salute like this was only performed in three cases:
To the Emperor.
To one’s parents.
To a sage.
Yet Xiao Yang, despite having no official title and merely being Ning Hongye’s fiancé, offered such a grand salute…
Wasn’t this just a laughingstock? A complete disgrace to the entire Northern War King’s Manor?
The Northern War King’s face darkened like ink, clearly extremely displeased.
“Haha! Is Ninth Brother scared of Miss Ning and trying to beg for mercy like this just to save his life?”
The First Prince, Xiao Junlin, mocked coldly, dripping with sarcasm.
The other princes followed suit, gloating.
“So in the end… he’s just another coward!”
Ning Hongye slightly shook her head, her gaze still as cold as ever.
But in the next moment, Xiao Yang opened his mouth again—and what he said shattered the icy wall around her heart.
“Generals guard the gates of the empire. Nobles die for the empire.”
“Soldiers fall on the battlefield. Sons sacrifice for the empire.”
“Miss Ning, you have fought and bled for the Grand Xia since childhood. Though you ordered the slaughter of cities in the Southern Wastes, you never killed the elderly, women, or children. Only the able-bodied.”
“If you hadn’t killed them, they would’ve soon turned into enemies, blades turned against our empire.”
“To kill one is a crime. To kill ten thousand is heroism. Looking back on the past eight centuries of Grand Xia, which hero has not killed?”
“You, a woman, were willing to bear the shame, shoulder the burden, all to defend the lands of the empire. How is that any different from a sage who saves the world?”
…
Xiao Yang’s words resounded like thunder, shaking the hearts of all present.
Even the elite of the Vermilion Bird Army were moved. One after another, they followed Xiao Yang’s lead and bowed deeply to Ning Hongye.
“Thank you, General Ning!”
“Thank you, General Ning!”
“Thank you, General Ning!”
Even many servants of the Northern War King’s Manor clasped their hands and bowed. The scene was grand and powerful.
Seeing all this, a feeling that Ning Hongye had never experienced before stirred in her chest.
It wasn’t because Xiao Yang had defended her.
It was because for the first time in her life—someone truly understood her.
Could this… be a kindred spirit?
“Xiao Yang, since you dare to marry me, then I’ll accept this engagement!” Ning Hongye said.
[Ning Hongye’s affection +5, total 5.]
Seeing the system message, Xiao Yang felt immense joy inside.
Clearly, his words had hit her deepest chord.
For a woman as decisive and sharp as Ning Hongye, if she had truly made up her mind to break the engagement, no one could’ve stopped her.
Even if Xiao Yang gifted her the Kirin Golden Armor, she wouldn’t have accepted it, and the system’s rebate wouldn’t be triggered.
But now that he had gained affection points, she likely wouldn’t reject it anymore.
“Miss Ning, I have something I’d like to—” Xiao Yang was just about to speak and offer his gift.
But the First Prince, Xiao Junlin, interrupted, “General Ning, I heard you were injured in the outer realms and even lost sight in your left eye?”
Hearing that, Ning Hongye stayed silent, but killing intent leaked from beneath her armor.
“Junlin, that’s enough!”
The Northern War King reprimanded him.
You don’t strike someone in the face or expose their wounds.
Ning Hongye was already disfigured, and now blind in one eye. Mentioning it was like tearing open her scars.
“Father, you misunderstood!” Xiao Junlin quickly explained, “The reason I brought it up is because I have a suggestion that might help General Ning recover her left eye and regain her sight!”
“Oh? Speak.” the Northern War King asked.
“Father, have you forgotten?” Xiao Junlin replied, “Ninth Brother was born with a spiritual eye. Among the 3,000 retainers I keep, there is one who specializes in transplant techniques. He can transfer the spiritual eye to General Ning!”
What?!
The moment he said that, the expressions of everyone present turned strange.
What kind of twisted sibling bond was this?
So ruthless and heartless. He clearly didn’t see his younger brother as family.
And if Ning Hongye really took her fiancé’s eye and implanted it into herself…
She would gain yet another infamous title.
“General Ning, now that you and Ninth Brother are about to be married, you’re family. No need to distinguish so clearly. What do you think?” Xiao Junlin asked.
Clang!
Suddenly, Ning Hongye drew the saber at her waist—her movement faster than lightning.
In a flash, the blade was at Xiao Junlin’s neck.
The cold steel sliced skin, and blood trickled out.
Just one more inch, and it would sever his artery.
“Ning Hongye, what are you doing?”
“I made that suggestion to help you, and you respond by raising your blade? You truly are a heartless, cursed star who killed your father and disrespected your mother!”
Xiao Junlin gnashed his teeth in rage, his eyes burning, but his body remained frozen.
Even though he had the Supreme Bone and had reached the 5th rank Vajra Realm in martial arts, he was no match for Ning Hongye, the female god of slaughter. At this moment, he didn’t dare move a muscle.
“How dare you!”
The Northern War King finally lost patience. A surge of vast pressure radiated from within him, “Ning Hongye, this is the Northern War King’s Manor. You cannot act so recklessly!”
The voice swept through like a tidal wave. Some lower-ranked soldiers nearly passed out from the pressure.
“Your Highness, today I’ll give you face. But if it happens again, my blade will not return to its sheath without drawing blood!”
Ning Hongye sheathed her saber and said coldly to Xiao Junlin, “Even with one eye, I can still slay ten thousand enemies. I don’t need to rely on others.”
Xiao Junlin immediately touched his neck, trembling with lingering fear. But in his eyes, hatred flickered.
You damned woman. Just wait!
When my cultivation is complete, I’ll make you kneel beneath me!
Just as the storm seemed to subside—
“Wait!”
Suddenly, Xiao Yang stepped forward, “Father, I have something to say!”
“Ninth Son, what is it?” the Northern War King asked.
“I think Eldest Brother’s suggestion was actually quite good. I’m willing to give my spiritual eye to Miss Ning!” Xiao Yang declared.
“What did you just say?!”
The Northern War King frowned deeply, confused.
Xiao Junlin and the other princes were also stunned.
What the hell?
Xiao Yang, the most overlooked ninth prince, had no support from his maternal clan. He was practically penniless.
His only valuable trait was his innate spiritual eye. And now he wanted to donate it to the female god of slaughter?
Had he gone mad?
“Why… are you helping me?” Ning Hongye stared at Xiao Yang.
Even she found it hard to believe.
It was their first meeting, yet he treated her like this. Did he have some grand scheme?
…
“Of course, because of the system!” Xiao Yang said inwardly.
But outwardly, he remained righteous, “Miss Ning, this spiritual eye is but a buried gem on me! But on you, it can shoot down hawks from a hundred kilometers away, spot enemies from a thousand, pierce the eight directions, and suppress armies!”
“If you truly want to repay me, then just kill more enemies on the battlefield in the future. That will be enough.”
Ning Hongye stayed silent for a long time. Finally, she nodded, “Alright. I accept.”
[Ning Hongye’s affection +5, total 10.]
Perfect!
More affection points!
“In that case, Junlin, go and have your retainer prepare for the procedure immediately!” the Northern War King commanded.
Half an hour later.
First Prince’s residence.
A man in black robes, shrouded in sinister energy, approached Xiao Yang with a thin blade in hand.
“Ninth Prince, for this transplant, I must remove your spiritual eye while you’re conscious. Please endure the pain.”
His name was Gui Shou, one of Xiao Junlin’s retainers, skilled in transplanting limbs and organs.
He was once a fugitive from the Central Plains and had fled to the Northern Region, later joining Xiao Junlin.
“I’m ready. Do it,” Xiao Yang said.
Swoosh!
In the next moment, Gui Shou moved swiftly and gouged out the spiritual eye, then used a secret technique to implant it into Ning Hongye.
Even during the procedure, Ning Hongye never removed her armor or took off her Asura mask.
A few minutes later.
A thrilling system notification rang in Xiao Yang’s ears.
[Host has gifted a high-grade Spirit Treasure – Spiritual Eye. First-time reward triggered!]
[Ten-thousand-fold rebate: Immortal King Grade – Unrivaled Dual-Pupils (Only One in the World)!]
[Would you like to claim it now?]