At Xu Ning’s command, the six Heavenly Venerables struck simultaneously.
Yuwen Wuji was both shocked and enraged. Unwilling to accept defeat, he forcibly activated a secret technique and clashed head-on with the two elders of the Xuanming faction.
Meanwhile, the two young women turned pale, their expressions frozen as they stared at the chaotic battle unfolding before them.
Xu Ning stood with his hands behind his back, his posture upright and righteous as he declared, “I, Xu Ning, never slaughter the innocent. Those who surrender will not be killed.”
However, no one noticed the faint, barely perceptible smirk at the corner of his lips.
He was putting on a show—for the two women.
…
Inside the main hall of the Northern King’s Residence, Xu Ning sat calmly on a cushioned couch. Beside him stood Yao Ling’er in a flowing green dress. Before them, the upper ranks of the Yuwen Family knelt in rows, tightly bound.
At the front was Yuwen Wuji, followed closely by the two young women, and behind them, the rest of the Yuwen Family’s high-ranking members.
Just as Xu Ning had expected, the Yuwen Family was now at its weakest—only Yuwen Wuji remained at the Heavenly Venerable Realm.
His gaze was sharp as a blade as it swept across the crowd. Then, a warm, gentle smile appeared on his already striking face, and he spoke calmly, “I said I wouldn’t kill—and I won’t.”
At this point, Yuwen Wuji had already accepted reality. Knowing his clansmen could not escape Xu Ning’s grasp, he immediately echoed him, “Young—Young Master Xu, no, Your Highness speaks the truth! Hurry and thank His Highness!”
With him taking the lead, the others quickly followed, “Your Highness spares us traitors from death. Such immense grace—we thank Your Highness!”
Xu Ning nodded slightly. Then his gaze shifted, locking onto the two young women as his smile remained unchanged, “May I ask how the two young ladies are addressed?”
The long-haired girl pressed her lips together slightly before speaking softly, “This humble one is Yuwen Rou. Thank you, Young Master, for sparing my life.” Her voice was gentle and melodious, like a lark at dawn, soothing and pleasant to hear.
In contrast, the twin-tailed girl let out a cold snort and turned her head away in disdain, refusing to even look at Xu Ning.
She and Long Lingtian had once been bound by life-and-death friendship, and she had long given her heart to him. Yuwen Wushuang’s decision to rush to the battlefield had been deeply tied to her.
What had happened to Long Lingtian? Had something already gone wrong?
Her thoughts spiraled into chaos.
Seeing this, Yuwen Wuji quickly shot her a warning glance. When she ignored him completely, he could only turn back with an awkward smile, “This is my daughter, Yuwen Shuang. She is ignorant—please forgive her, Your Highness.”
Xu Ning waved his hand generously, “No matter. Guards, release them.”
The moment those words fell, everyone present was stunned.
At that moment, Elder Xuan stepped forward and cupped his fists, “Young Master, this must not be done. The Yuwen Family has been personally branded as traitors by the Mystic Saint Empress. If we release them rashly…”
Hearing this, Yuwen Wuji’s expression darkened to the extreme, his eyes filled with unwillingness.
Is this the end? I haven’t even seen Feng Yao yet…
A crushing sense of despair enveloped her, and a faint mist gathered in her eyes.
Beside her, Yuwen Shuang’s face turned deathly pale. Her delicate hands clenched tightly, her body trembling uncontrollably.
In her eyes, Xu Ning was nothing more than one thing—utterly depraved, a useless wastrel.
So this is where he reveals his true nature? she thought bitterly, biting down hard on her lip.
Faced with naked death, no one present could remain calm. Unwillingness, despair, humiliation—countless emotions surged through their hearts.
Even Yao Ling’er, standing beside Xu Ning, felt her gaze dim. She had always known he was a ruthless enforcer of the Mystic Saint Empress, but hearing rumors was one thing—witnessing it firsthand was another.
The faint goodwill she had just begun to develop toward him faded by more than half.
At that moment, Xu Ning spoke again, “If I were to release them, I would indeed be punished by the Mystic Saint Empress.”
Hearing this, everyone’s hearts trembled violently. They thought he was about to begin a massacre.
However, his tone suddenly shifted, “So I won’t be releasing them.”
The hall erupted in shock.
“The Yuwen Family has guarded the Northern Region for years. Even if they lack great merit, they have endured great hardship. How can they be executed at a single word from the Mystic Saint Empress?”
“In my eyes, the Yuwen Family are all iron-blooded warriors who have diligently defended our Northern Region!”
“Yuwen Wushuang, as Northern King, may have deceived the throne and plotted rebellion—but what does that have to do with the rest of the Yuwen Family? Why should the innocent be implicated?”
“I will not kill them. I will have them continue to guard the Northern Region and dedicate their lives to the Mystic Saint Empire!”
By this point, Yuwen Wuji and the others were already in tears, their voices trembling as they shouted, “Your Highness is wise! We are willing to serve you with utmost loyalty, even unto death!”
A faint smile curved at Xu Ning’s lips.
Not killing them, but making them work tirelessly every day—no wonder they’re so moved. Even a capitalist would be moved to tears by this.
He cleared his throat and pressed on, “Since I have taken over the position of Northern King, rewards and punishments must be clear. Enough talk—release them!”
“We thank Your Highness!”
“We are willing to serve Your Highness for all eternity!”
Yuwen Rou’s eyes widened, tears shimmering within them as she stared at Xu Ning in disbelief.
She had thought disaster was inevitable, that her life would end here. Yet Xu Ning had chosen to pardon the Yuwen Family, even at the risk of angering the Mystic Saint Empress.
It seemed the rumors were false. Xu Ning was no wastrel, but a benevolent and magnanimous ruler.
At that thought, her gaze toward him softened.
Could someone like him—supposedly a cruel wastrel—really do such a thing?
Beside Xu Ning, Yao Ling’er’s tense expression faded, replaced by a faint smile.
So he has this side to him as well… I truly misunderstood him before.
She took a deep breath, steadying the emotions surging within her.
[The female lead’s stance toward the host has changed, negatively affecting the child of destiny. Reward: 400 fortune points.]
Another unexpected gain.
Xu Ning smiled faintly and waved his hand, “That will be all. Return to your duties for now.”
The Yuwen Family’s high-ranking members were overwhelmed with gratitude, their voices filled with thanks as they withdrew.
Just as they were about to leave, Yuwen Wuji suddenly stepped forward with a flattering smile and cupped his fists, “Your Highness, my two daughters have been deeply impressed by your bearing. They wish to remain by your side… what do you think?”
That’s exactly what I was waiting for.
A barely noticeable smile curled at Xu Ning’s lips.
The reason he had crafted such a righteous image was precisely to win over the hearts of the female leads. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have wasted so many words—he would have long since ordered their execution.
The two young women clearly hadn’t expected their father to sell them out so suddenly.
It was already late afternoon, the sky dimming toward night. What staying behind implied was obvious.
Yuwen Rou’s expression filled with conflict, her gaze dimming.
Though unwilling, if it was for the survival of her family—and if the man was Xu Ning… perhaps it wasn’t unacceptable.
The thought startled even herself.
Yuwen Shuang, however, looked as cold as ice. Her beautiful eyes locked onto her father, her body trembling with rage.
Even if she died, she would never serve a villain like Xu Ning.
Her purity belonged to Long Lingtian.
Even though Xu Ning’s earlier actions had slightly changed her impression of him, it still couldn’t erase the deep-rooted disgust she felt toward him.
Watching Yuwen Wuji’s ingratiating smile, Yao Ling’er appeared calm on the surface, yet an inexplicable emotion stirred within her heart—sharp and sour.
What’s wrong with me?
What is this feeling?