“Today, Lin Zhengtai must die by my hand. Even if the Heavenly Emperor himself descends, he won’t be able to save him. I said it!” Wu Yi’s voice thundered across the grand hall like a clap of divine fury.
Long Qiyue’s gaze quivered. Her heart stirred with admiration. “So domineering.”
Clang—!
A clear and sharp sword cry rang out. Just as Prime Minister Xu and the officials stood frozen in shock, a dazzling longsword of pure gold appeared in Wu Yi’s hand. Its blade was carved with the image of a majestic, lifelike dragon.
Seeing this, Long Qiyue let out a breath of relief. “So I was right… the Dragon Martial Sword is really in his hands.”
No wonder he dared to act so fearlessly today. With something like that to protect his life, even charging into court became reasonable.
The expressions of Prime Minister Xu and the others turned grave in an instant.
“The Dragon Martial Sword?!”
“That’s really the Dragon Martial Sword?!”
“Why would the Dragon Martial Sword be with him?!”
This was the legendary blade granted by the late Martial Sovereign to Duke of Dingguo Wu Yuan. It symbolized imperial authority. Said to cut down tyrants and behead corrupt officials, when this sword appeared, it represented the former emperor himself. Even the Empress had to step aside.
Wu Yi raised the Dragon Martial Sword high above his head and shouted, “The Dragon Martial Sword, bestowed by the late Martial Sovereign, is here! Let’s see who dares stop me today!”
He swept his eyes coldly across the hall. “If you’re not afraid of dying, go ahead and shout.”
“Yellow River’s water comes from the heavens—let me send you to the execution stage.”
So this was why he dared to be so wild? Without something to preserve his life, would he have the guts to act like this?
Long Qiyue saw that Wu Yi was truly ready to kill. She promptly stood up and stepped down from her seat, kneeling respectfully before him. “Greetings to the former Emperor. Longhua shall flourish eternally.”
The civil and military officials in the hall, including Duke Wu An, turned to kneel in unison. “Greetings to the former Emperor. Longhua shall flourish eternally.”
By the law of Longhua, officials didn’t have to kneel before the Empress, but when facing the former emperor, kneeling was required. Even the Empress herself was no exception.
Looking at the sea of kneeling officials—among them even the Empress—Wu Yi couldn’t help but feel ecstatic. He hadn’t expected to experience the feeling of being emperor.
He shouted, “Where is Duke Zhenbei?”
Duke Wu An immediately replied, “Your subordinate is here!”
Wu Yi said, “By the order of the former emperor, I command you to cripple Lin Zhengtai’s dantian.”
Lin Zhengtai was a Martial Commander. To be safe, Wu Yi decided to destroy his cultivation first. Otherwise, that dog might get desperate and try to drag him down with him.
“Yes!” Duke Wu An accepted the order. His aura as an 8th stage Martial King erupted instantly.
With a wave of his palm across the air, a blast of vital energy shot directly at Lin Zhengtai’s dantian.
In front of a Martial King, Lin Zhengtai had no power to resist. With a scream of agony, his dantian was shattered.
Wu Yi gripped the Dragon Martial Sword tightly. Killing intent radiated from him as he roared, “Everyone, out of my way!”
The officials blocking his path quickly backed away.
Pfft—!
In the next second, blood splattered. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Lin Zhengtai’s head was sent flying. It landed on the ground with a thud.
The Minister of Revenue, a top-ranked court official, had been decapitated on the spot. His eyes remained wide open in death, unwilling to close. The scene was utterly shocking.
Wu Yi turned and walked toward Xu Yangshuo, who had already fainted. His eyes burned with a murderous gleam as he spoke loudly, “Xu Yangshuo, academician of the Hanlin Academy, grandson of Prime Minister Xu!”
“You framed this heir and tried to push the blame onto the Ninth Princess. You plotted to create conflict between Her Majesty and the Duke of Dingguo’s household!”
“Your actions damaged the foundations of Longhua and threatened its relationship with the Great Yan Empire. Your crimes are unforgivable!”
“According to the law… you shall be executed!”
As he finished speaking, Wu Yi swung his sword without hesitation.
Before Prime Minister Xu’s bulging, bloodshot eyes, Xu Yangshuo’s head was cleanly severed from his body.
Without a moment of pause.
Looking at Xu Yangshuo’s headless corpse, Wu Yi grinned slightly, hiding his fear of his first kill.
“Xu Yangshuo, just earlier, you vowed to Her Majesty with your life that everything you said was true. Congratulations. You’ve lived up to your promise.”
But Long Qiyue, watching closely, noticed something subtle. Her eyes fell on Wu Yi’s trembling hands as she murmured, “Something’s off…”
“This guy… has never killed before?”
Based on what she knew, Wu Yi had killed people before. But now… everything about his reaction screamed ‘first kill’—that mix of nervousness and excitement was impossible to fake.
She quietly etched this detail into her heart. Wu Yi seemed off today. Like he had… become someone else.
The thought grew more intense.
Wu Yi collected himself, sheathed the Dragon Martial Sword, and respectfully cupped his hands toward the Empress. “Your Majesty, I have fulfilled the mission.”
“I executed two traitors who brought chaos to the court. I’ve atoned for my crimes through merit.”
Long Qiyue stood and looked at him deeply. “Well done, Heir Wu. I am quite pleased.”
Her voice turned commanding as she proclaimed, “The truth is clear. Heir Wu was framed.”
“The masterminds behind the conspiracy against him and the Ninth Princess have been executed. The Great Yan Empire has received an explanation.”
“This matter is resolved. No further discussion is allowed.”
“I’m tired. Court is dismissed.”
With that, Long Qiyue glanced at Wu Yi again, then turned to leave the Golden Throne Hall with pride in her posture.
At the moment she turned, a barely noticeable smile formed at the corner of her lips—a captivating arc, breathtakingly beautiful.
She even seemed to deliberately widen her steps, causing her skirt to sway and reveal glimpses of her long, fair, flawless legs.
She started at -35. Now it had climbed to 2?
“Did she widen her steps on purpose as a reward for me?”
“She really has figured out what I like?”
Just then, Long Yin excitedly ran up, bowed deeply, and looked up at Wu Yi with admiration. “Please, Master, take me in as your disciple! Long Yin really wants to improve!”
“I’ve never met anyone as incredible as you.”
Today’s Wu Yi had shocked him beyond belief. Whether it was courage or… shameless boldness, no one could match him.
Especially his trash-talking skills, which had reached divine levels. One witty line after another, golden phrases that left him in awe.
Wu Yi patted his shoulder and sighed, “I didn’t want to be like this either… It’s exhausting.”
“But people… are forced into things.”
Long Yin blinked. Then, realization struck. His eyes widened like saucers. “Another double meaning? Master, you’re a divine being!”
“I’m completely convinced. Long Yin is completely convinced!”
At that moment, Prime Minister Xu passed by with bloodshot eyes, holding Xu Yangshuo’s severed limbs and head in his arms.
Duke Wu An, who had just been flattered by a bunch of bootlickers, instantly flashed to Wu Yi’s side, standing guard with a vigilant expression.
As Prime Minister Xu passed by Wu Yi, he paused, looking toward the exit of the hall. His voice was low and heavy. “I had underestimated you before.”
“What you did today was truly astonishing.”
“But I hope you’ll remember this day well.”
“We… shall meet again.”
Wu Yi narrowed his eyes as he watched Prime Minister Xu carry the corpse away.
That man would have to die. But not now. Prime Minister Xu still held immense power in the court. Right now, Wu Yi couldn’t touch him.
Long Yin looked at the departing Prime Minister Xu and spat disdainfully, “Double-faced old dog. How dare you threaten my master? Careful, or I’ll crush your balls!”
He then looked back at Wu Yi with a fawning grin. “Master, please take me in. I’m desperate to grow stronger!”
Wu Yi patted his shoulder again and smiled, “Later. I have something else to do today.”
With that, he left with Duke Wu An.
Long Yin clenched his fists tightly, looking at Wu Yi’s retreating figure. With dramatic flair, he said, “I’ll definitely become your most brilliant disciple.”
“I’ll work in silence… and one day, amaze the entire world.”
…
Outside the palace gates, a stunning woman with soft features stood anxiously, her beautiful face full of worry. Her gaze was fixed tightly on the palace entrance.
“It’s been so long… Why hasn’t he come out yet?”
She was Wu Yi’s widowed sister-in-law—Yu Jia.