“Father!”
Wu Yi, who was still thinking of a solution, was jolted awake and cried out in shock.
But his father, Duke Wu An, was a 7th stage Martial King, one of the most famous experts in the Longhua Empire. How fast was he? Wu Yi had no time to stop him.
“Duke Zhenbei, don’t!”
BOOM—!
Just as the sword was about to fall, an incredibly terrifying aura suddenly erupted from Empress Long Qiyue, instantly sweeping across the entire Golden Luan Hall.
ROAR—!
At the same time, a soul-shaking dragon’s roar rang out, echoing throughout the hall.
Everyone present felt dizzy and disoriented, their minds thrown into chaos.
As for Wu Yi, who was only a 2nd stage Martial Disciple, he almost fainted on the spot. He and the equally useless Eighth Prince, Long Yinyin, had to support each other just to stay upright.
“Damn… this Empress is seriously strong.”
Long Qiyue was a 7th stage Martial King. Though slightly lower than Wu An’s 8th stage, she possessed a dragon bloodline. That dragon roar alone was enough to dominate her peers.
It was that very roar and her oppressive aura that froze Duke Wu An mid-swing. His sword-wielding motion was forcibly stopped in place.
Even Prime Minister Xu and the rest of the officials realized something. Inwardly, they thought, “Looks like the Empress really doesn’t want to break ties with the Duke of Dingguo’s house.”
Wu Yi gave Long Qiyue a surprised look, then quickly grabbed his father’s arm to stop the hot-tempered man.
“Father, I have a solution. Trust me.”
“Let me handle this today. You can’t steal my spotlight.”
Wu An blinked. He had already investigated the matter yesterday and found nothing. But when he looked into Wu Yi’s serious and confident gaze, he somehow nodded.
“Fine.”
Long Qiyue narrowed her phoenix eyes at Wu Yi, her beautiful face now frosted over.
“Young Master Wu, it seems you’re not convinced?”
“If you can’t provide evidence to prove you were framed, then based on the crime of provoking imperial authority alone…”
“According to Longhua law, it warrants execution!”
As she spoke, a flash of killing intent flickered in her narrowed eyes.
But hidden within was also a hint of hope.
It was as if she truly wished for Wu Yi to produce proof.
Wu Yi replied steadily, “Your Majesty, I am indeed unconvinced.”
“If I didn’t do it, why should I admit it?”
“In fact, I do have evidence. But first, I ask Your Majesty to grant me one request.”
Hearing that Wu Yi had evidence, Xu Yangshuo’s heart skipped a beat. He exchanged a quick look with Prime Minister Xu.
Long Qiyue scoffed. “Now you’re making demands?”
“But very well. We’ll give you a chance. Speak.”
As everyone looked on in confusion, Wu Yi suddenly raised a finger and pointed straight at Xu Yangshuo, shouting loudly, “This official requests a duel with Xu Yangshuo. Life or death—no regrets.”
“If I win, the truth will come to light.”
“If I lose, Your Majesty may take my head, regardless of evidence. I will have no complaint.”
The entire court erupted in shock.
Long Yinyin kept frantically signaling Wu Yi with his eyes.
“Bro, are you insane?”
“You’re only at 2nd stage Martial Disciple. Xu Yangshuo is already a 4th stage Martial General. That’s more than two whole realms above you!”
“If you want to die, there are easier ways!”
Wu An glared at Wu Yi. “I’m still alive. Since when is it your turn to risk your life?”
Just as Duke Wu An was about to step forward and challenge the Empress again, Wu Yi quickly pulled him back.
“Father, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. Just watch.”
Still, he made up his mind—if anyone dared try to kill Wu Yi, he would kill them first.
Ironically, the person happiest about all this was Xu Yangshuo.
Wu Yi wanted to duel him?
And it was life or death?
Was this a dream come true?
Long Qiyue looked deeply at Wu Yi. “Your request… We grant it.”
In truth, she had been waiting—hoping Wu Yi could prove his innocence.
She didn’t want this matter to tear apart the royal court and the Duke of Dingguo’s house.
Then she turned to Xu Yangshuo. “Do you accept Wu Yi’s challenge?”
Xu Yangshuo glanced back at Wu Yi with contempt, as if looking at a dead man.
“What are you looking at, your mother’s leg?” Wu Yi sneered. “I just cussed you out, and you’re still staring? Keep staring and I’ll gouge your dog eyes out.”
Xu Yangshuo, speechless: “?”
Long Qiyue: “……”
Furious, Xu Yangshuo turned and bowed. “Replying to Your Majesty, since Wu Yi wants to uncover the truth from me, then I naturally must cooperate.”
“This concerns royal dignity and the face of Longhua and Great Yan—so I shall—”
Before he could finish, Wu Yi interrupted.
“Can you shut the hell up? One sentence is enough—‘Yes’ or ‘No’? All this babbling like you’re so loyal. It’s nauseating.”
“Hahahaha…”
Before he finished speaking, Long Yinyin burst into laughter.
But noticing Long Qiyue’s frosty glare, he immediately stood still, gazing at the floor like a monk in meditation.
Then, as if reminded of something, he took out an exquisite longsword from his spatial ring and strapped it to his waist, muttering to himself, “Left in such a rush, forgot my sword.”
“This is a 6th-grade spiritual weapon. Cuts through soft armor like slicing tofu. Just one ‘swoosh’ and it’s in.”
Long Qiyue shot him a glare and turned back to Wu Yi. “Where do you want to fight?”
“Right here. Right now.”
Unexpectedly, Prime Minister Xu spoke up, “Your Majesty, this isn’t appropriate.”
“Young Master Wu is Duke of Dingguo’s grandson. If Yangshuo seriously injures or kills him, how would we explain that to the Duke?”
Wu Yi rolled his eyes and snapped, “Cut the act, old fart. We all know what you’re thinking. Stop trying to play both sides.”
Being scolded in front of everyone, Prime Minister Xu’s face darkened, but he forced a chuckle. “You’re still too young. Don’t let your temper get the better of you.”
Wu Yi immediately fired back, “And you’re too old. Stop pretending.”
Xu Xian’s eyes narrowed, a flash of murderous intent flickering within.
He cupped his hands toward Long Qiyue. “Since Young Master Wu insists on seeking death, this old official will not object.”
Lin Zhengtang looked on, unable to bear it, and gave the Empress another wounded look.
“Your Majesty, did you hear that? He even insulted the Prime Minister…”
Wu Yi looked at him in disgust. “Why are you acting like such a green tea bimbo? You disgust me.”
It was Long Qiyue’s first time seeing Wu Yi curse so much.
He didn’t spare anyone—she was getting a headache from listening.
“Enough, Wu Yi! One more insult and We will smash your mouth!”
Then, her phoenix eyes swept the room with dominance. “Now that both parties have agreed, and with vital evidence at stake—no one is allowed to interfere.”
“This duel between Wu Yi and Xu Yangshuo will be personally overseen by Us. Life or death—no exception.”
Seeing the Empress lose her temper, no official dared utter a word.
Everyone quickly stepped back, clearing a large space in the center of the hall.
Xu Yangshuo stepped forward first, standing in the center, sneering at Wu Yi.
“Wu Yi, you’re digging your own grave. Don’t blame me for what’s coming.”
“You committed a capital crime and now dare frame me? Today, I will—”
Wu Yi cut him off. “Alright, alright, enough with the drama. Shut up already, you’re annoying.”
Infuriated, Xu Yangshuo unleashed the aura of a 4th stage Martial General.
“Such a filthy mouth… I’ll break it first.”
As he spoke, his figure flashed and charged toward Wu Yi.
His right hand curled into a claw, wind howling around it—clearly aimed to tear Wu Yi apart.
Say what you will—Xu Yangshuo was a 4th stage Martial General. His speed left afterimages in the air behind him.
Seeing this, Prime Minister Xu’s faction wore smug smiles.
They could already envision Wu Yi being shredded on the spot.
After all, with a two-realm difference, Wu Yi had no chance of winning.
Only Long Qiyue kept her eyes fixed on Wu Yi.
He was too strange today.
She wanted to see what gave this waste of a Young Master the courage to challenge Xu Yangshuo.
“Die!”
Xu Yangshuo grinned wickedly, about to reach Wu Yi.
“You look like a monk’s wooden fish—born to be beaten.”
“Goddamn, I really wanna smash your face.”
As Wu Yi spoke, a small, black wooden hammer suddenly appeared in his hand—about 30 cm long, ancient in design, like something used to knock on temple blocks.
He raised it toward Xu Yangshuo and swung—
DONG—!
[Merit +1]
Suddenly, a resounding bell rang inside Xu Yangshuo’s mind.
It was like a divine toll from the heavens, shaking his soul.
The bizarre numbness pierced straight into his skull, making his scalp go numb—he felt like his soul was leaving his body.
His whole body began twitching violently, eyes rolled back, frozen in place like he’d been electrocuted.
Long Qiyue: “?”
Duke Wu An: “??”
Civil and military officials: “???”
Wu Yi simply grinned and kept hammering away.
The Hammer of Boundless Merit in his hand was swinging so fast it nearly caught fire, creating shadowy afterimages.
“You dare frame me?”
“You look like a Shiba riding a deer—stupid and destined to be squashed!”
DONG—!
[Merit +1]
DONG—!
[Merit +1]
DONG—!
[Merit +1]
[……]