When he heard the name “Xu Ning,” Long Lingtian’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Why was he here?
A surge of confusion flooded his heart, immediately followed by overwhelming anxiety.
The scheming and depth Xu Ning displayed that day had left such a deep impression on him that he still felt lingering fear.
He didn’t even realize it himself—his expression darkened the moment Xu Ning’s name was spoken.
The two women beside him noticed his sudden change. Yuwen Shuang couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief.
It seemed Lingtian wasn’t entirely stupid—he at least knew he wasn’t a match for Xu Ning.
What she feared most was Long Lingtian rushing in blindly for revenge the moment he saw Xu Ning.
Although she trusted Long Lingtian, against absolute power, such an act would be no different from courting death!
Right now, Long Lingtian should lay low and bide his time, focus on inheriting the Demon Lord’s Heavenly Tomb, and then seek revenge after his strength soared.
Zhou Shuxian frowned slightly. She had never seen Brother Lingtian show such fear toward a peer.
It was hard for her to accept. After all, in her eyes, Brother Lingtian had always been unmatched among his generation and could even challenge older powerhouses across realms.
But she didn’t say much. Instead, she spoke gently, “Brother Lingtian, our Great Zhou Empire is a vassal state of the Xuansheng Empire. That Xu Ning is now the Northern Prince. If you confront him head-on…”
She left the rest unsaid.
Long Lingtian didn’t realize she was giving him an excuse to back down.
He nodded, “Since even Shuxian says so, I’ll endure Xu Ning once more—for you.”
With that, the three of them stood up and moved to an inconspicuous table in the corner.
At this moment, the guests in the tavern had already stood up one by one, voluntarily lining up at the entrance to welcome someone, eyes filled with admiration.
Seeing this, Long Lingtian gritted his teeth, veins popping on his forehead.
He watched helplessly as the people who once praised him now eagerly tried to flatter his enemy—Xu Ning. He could do nothing but clench his fists.
It felt like a knife twisting in his heart.
A commotion stirred outside the door. Flattering voices rang out nonstop.
“It truly is Young Master Xu—no, His Highness! That His Highness could grace our capital with his presence is the honor of a lifetime!”
“Your Highness, I have a daughter of sixteen who’s always dreamed of becoming one of your concubines!”
“Has Your Highness found a place to stay? I…”
Everyone had the same thought: with this rare chance to meet Xu Ning, they had to latch on, no matter what.
Xu Ning entered dressed in black robes, exuding unmatched elegance. His sharp presence and righteous bearing reminded everyone of one poetic line: As radiant as jade among men, unmatched among all the noble sons of the world.
Accompanying him were Yuwen Rou and Yao Ling’er, two stunning beauties. The three walked in together.
He ignored the fawning crowd and, amidst their adoring gazes, chose a seat and sat with the two women.
Whether intentional or coincidental, the seat he chose was directly across from Long Lingtian’s table.
Tsk, in just a few days, his ten strands of Primordial Purple Qi had recovered again. Truly favored by the heavens… Xu Ning looked at Long Lingtian’s hunched figure with a teasing smile on his lips.
Yet, he had come here tracking the aura of the slave imprint. His true target was Long Lingtian!
The leek had grown fat—time for harvest.
Long Lingtian had no idea he was already exposed.
Feeling Xu Ning’s presence behind him was like a blade against his back. His body stiffened involuntarily.
Then came the sound of Xu Ning chatting with the two women.
“Ling’er, I’ve been too busy handling affairs lately. I’ve neglected you.”
“Tonight, after we settle in, I’ll teach you two techniques—Sitting Lotus of the Goddess and The Old Farmer’s Plow. I’ll make sure to pamper you properly!”
He deliberately emphasized the word “pamper” and reached out to brush aside the strands of hair beside Yao Ling’er’s ear. Her cheeks flushed with heat, and she let out a soft whine,
“Husband, you’re being bad again… such a naughty man!”
Although she said that with a pout, her heart was filled with shyness.
Since that night, she had never been able to resist Xu Ning. She obeyed his every word, her feelings for him growing ever deeper.
A smile appeared on her face as she shot a taunting glance at Yuwen Rou across from her.
As for this woman Xu Ning seemed interested in adding to his harem, she had absolutely no affection.
Hearing this exchange, Long Lingtian trembled all over, his chest heaving violently, teeth grinding audibly, and a mad killing intent flickered in his eyes.
His enemy was sitting right across from him, openly talking about intimacy with the woman he once loved. It made him seethe with hatred!
He gripped the wine cup tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hand. The cup groaned under the pressure, cracking all over.
Zhou Shuxian quickly placed her cool, slender hand over his and gently whispered, “Brother Lingtian, a man who achieves great things doesn’t fuss over small matters. If you can’t endure this, you’ll mess up everything.”
His heaving chest slowly calmed. He nodded in humiliation.
Yao Ling’er shot him another provoking look. Yuwen Rou blushed, embarrassed, wanting to steer the conversation away.
“Um, I wonder what brings Your Highness to the capital of the Great Zhou Empire this time? You didn’t even bring any guards…”
What a perfect setup!
Xu Ning’s eyes lit up.
So Long Lingtian was really this timid? Watching his enemy flirt with his former lover right in front of him, and he stayed silent?
With behavior like this, how could he even call himself a son of the Long family? How would his cousin Long Aotian endure such disgrace?
Xu Ning cleared his throat and casually replied, “The Great Zhou Empire serves as a buffer between the Northern Territory and the Beiming Divine Region. Since I’ve inherited the title of Northern Prince, it’s only natural that I strengthen ties with the imperial family here.”
Then he deliberately added,
“Experts at the Heaven Venerable Realm are exceedingly rare—I can’t just bring them around carelessly.”
As he spoke, the smile on his lips deepened.
Now, let’s see if this little leek can sit still.
Just as expected, upon hearing Xu Ning had no Heaven Venerable guards with him, the humiliation vanished from Long Lingtian’s face—replaced by unrestrained joy.
Heavens were helping him!
He swore he would kill Xu Ning here and now!
Yuwen Shuang saw his expression change and her face turned pale instantly.
A chill ran down her spine—something was wrong! Visit g.com for the full chapter.
With Xu Ning’s cunning, how could he carelessly reveal his guard situation in a public tavern?
She had already guessed the truth. Her lips parted, but due to the slave imprint, she couldn’t speak a word!
Then, she felt a sharp, icy gaze pierce through her—it was like a blade.
Looking up, she found Xu Ning smiling at her.
Not good!
This was a trap!
Lingtian, don’t do it!
She quickly reached out to stop him—but it was too late. Long Lingtian had already slammed his hand on the table and stood up!
He turned, glaring at Xu Ning, hair standing on end, eyes burning like lanterns as he roared,
“Xu Ning! You despicable schemer! You plotted against me that day—today, I will kill you!”
His voice, infused with powerful spiritual energy, thundered through the entire tavern like a massive bell.
In that instant, he became the center of everyone’s attention.
All eyes widened in shock.
Who was this madman that dared challenge the Northern Prince in public?
Xu Ning slowly turned around, not bothering to stand. He even crossed his legs casually and said lazily,
“Yo… if it isn’t Lingtian~”
His tone was calm, even amused.
Facing a leek moments from harvest, he decided to be gentle.
But the four words that followed drove Long Lingtian into a frenzy.
“Ling’er is moist.”
Yao Ling’er jumped at Long Lingtian’s sudden outburst.
When she heard Xu Ning’s words, she thought he was bringing up her past with Long Lingtian. Panicking, she clung to Xu Ning’s arm and explained, “Husband, I don’t like Long Lingtian at all. He was the one who kept bothering me!”
Yuwen Shuang and Zhou Shuxian were both stunned.
That wasn’t what they had heard.
According to Long Lingtian, Yao Ling’er and he had grown up together and were childhood sweethearts. Xu Ning had used his background and status to steal her away, forcibly taking her as his concubine.
Now, hearing this, their gazes filled with doubt.
Humiliation burned in Long Lingtian’s chest.
[Ding! Child of Destiny’s Dao Heart damaged. Two strands of Primordial Purple Qi plundered. Automatically converted into 400 Fate Points.]
“Xu Ning, go die!”
His eyes turned blood red. Supreme Dragon Blood began to awaken, his muscles bulging with power.
Spiritual energy surged through his body as he took a step forward, and with a mighty punch, he struck at Xu Ning!