The Princess of Zhennan looked at Chen Jiuyang, who was the same age as Zhou Wushuang, her eyes flickering. After a moment of hesitation, she walked forward and sat down, picked up her teacup, and took a sip. "The tea is good."
"…Marquis Xuanyang," the Princess of Zhennan said to Chen Jiuyang, her expression showing a hint of yielding. She slightly bowed and cupped her hands. "What will it take for you to spare my son's life?"
Chen Jiuyang did not answer directly. He slowly rose from the stone chair, his hands behind his back, and walked towards a plum blossom tree in the corner. His calm voice drifted out, "Everyone thinks I, Chen Jiuyang, am vengeful. When have I ever actively offended anyone? When have I ever killed anyone indiscriminately?"
"In Fengcheng, Xi Butui forced my brother to commit suicide."
"In Suzhou and Hangzhou, Zhou Fangzun issued a nine-star golden decree, wanting me to die at the hands of foreigners."
"In Jianfeng Mountain, Jian Fengshan personally tried to strangle me."
"In the Qinling Mountains, hah, they ambushed me for thousands of miles to prevent me from entering the capital."
"All the way here, I have given you many chances. Once, twice, you failed to stop me and retreated. If that had been the case, there would still have been some room for negotiation and reconciliation."
"But, there are no 'ifs'!"
"Thousands of miles of ambush and traps, mobilizing thousands of martial artists, all for me alone!"
Rumble!
Chen Jiuyang could no longer suppress the killing intent in his heart. His terrifying and heart-palpitating aura instantly soared into the sky, causing countless people to change color. His pale golden blood surged, melting the goose feathers of snow within a radius of tens of meters, shattering the ground tiles and the stone walls of the courtyard.
"Your son Zhou Wushuang's life is a life."
"Is my life, Chen Jiuyang's life, not a life?"
"Princess of Zhennan, if you can give me a reason that convinces me, what harm is there in me, Chen Jiuyang, sparing Zhou Wushuang's life? What harm is there in me not competing for the Martial Ranking!"
"I, Chen Jiuyang, was born with the Dao Foundation Physique. Is this Martial Ranking that important to me?"
"I killed my way through thousands of miles of blood-soaked roads, not to compete for this Martial Ranking, but simply to tell you that I, Chen Jiuyang, am only fighting for my pride!"
"But—"
"How can YOU! LET! ME! SWALLOW! THIS! BITTER! PILL!"
As he spoke, Chen Jiuyang's hidden anger, his arrogant dominance, his unparalleled confidence, and his heroic spirit as a man were all unleashed.
"Good!"
"Well said!" m..oΓg
The Patriarch of the Chen family and others immediately flushed, their eyes filled with relief.
Those who were watching openly and secretly let out cheers.
The members of these noble families fell silent.
The Princess of Zhennan heard his words, pursed her lips, and looked at the young man standing under the plum blossoms with a complex expression.
That's right.
They had never truly examined Chen Jiuyang before, nor had they ever been in close contact with him.
Sensing Chen Jiuyang's resolute intention, the Princess of Zhennan, holding onto a sliver of hope, asked, "Marquis Xuanyang, as long as you spare my son's life, name your price."
"Princess of Zhennan, I respect you as a mother. I have given you a final chance, but you have not found a reason that convinces me. You are still thinking of enveloping me with benefits."
Chen Jiuyang, with his hands behind his back, admired the plum blossom tree. His murderous aura receded, and his calm, domineering voice rang out, "On the Martial Ranking arena, if Zhou Wushuang dares to step onto the stage, I will kill him."
"As for those involved in this matter, if I encounter them, they should prepare a coffin for themselves."
"A sharp sword comes from grinding, and the plum blossom's fragrance comes from bitter cold."
"Princess of Zhennan, please go."
The Princess of Zhennan remained silent for a long time, looking at Chen Jiuyang with a complex expression. She lightly cupped her hands and bowed to him. "This consort has learned her lesson. My son Wushuang will forfeit the Martial Ranking competition."
"Also, my husband only dispatched over twenty people to intercept Marquis Xuanyang. The remaining people and matters have nothing to do with my Zhennan Royal Mansion."
Afterward, the Princess of Zhennan turned and walked out of the courtyard, getting into a red flag sedan and leaving.
Before she left, she glanced at the members of these noble families and sects with killing intent in her eyes.
From this moment on, the name of Prince Zhennan's heir, Zhou Wushuang, would be mocked by countless people. Yet, even so, many lives would be taken as compensation.
Chen Jiuyang's momentum was already established. She could not stop him, but these noble families and sects deserved to be killed.
What she said to Chen Jiuyang was her hope that he would not hold her Zhennan Royal Mansion accountable for this matter. As for the Fengcheng incident, once Chen Jiuyang was ennobled and stood on equal footing with the Zhennan King, Chen Jiuyang would understand certain secrets and would not make things difficult for her Zhennan Royal Mansion.
"The Princess of Zhennan just left like that…"
"Even the usually forceful Princess of Zhennan was rebuffed by Marquis Xuanyang. The upcoming Martial Ranking will be truly exciting."
"Since Zhou Wushuang has forfeited the Martial Ranking,呵呵, these noble families and sects should pray for their own fortune."
"Alas… this Chen Jiuyang truly possesses the bearing and demeanor of a king."
"What he said is not wrong. He was born with the Dao Foundation Physique. Even without participating in the Martial Ranking, he could have advanced to the Heavenly Realm and become a king without any obstacles in the future."
Chen Jiuyang's prestige was now established.
Seeing this, the members of these noble families and sects retreated dejectedly, no longer lingering outside the Chen family's courtyard.
In the subsequent Martial Ranking competition, it would all depend on the fortune and strength of each family's descendants.
Returning to the main hall.
The Patriarch of the Chen family looked at Chen Jiuyang with emotion. "Your power can be contained or unleashed at will. Jiuyang, you truly possess the aura of a king now."
"You have grown."
Chen Jiuyang smiled faintly. "After a long march of tens of thousands of miles, how many steps have I taken?"
"There is still a long way to go."
Seeing Chen Jiuyang like this, the Patriarch of the Chen family felt even more reassured.
The journey through the Qinling Mountains had yielded immense gains, but outsiders could not possibly know that Chen Jiuyang had passed through Wang Shengren's illusion array, as if living another life. His state of mind was completely different from before.
Ye Tiannan's gaze was sharp as he spoke, "Brother Chen, after the Martial Ranking, you and I should have a battle."
"Naturally, we must… fight to our heart's content…" Chen Jiuyang replied.
Ye Tiannan's comprehension of martial arts had progressed further than his. Ye Tiannan had already grasped sword intent.
Chen Jiuyang understood blade momentum and could move his fists with intent, but he had not mastered blade intent or fist intent.
Being able to spar and temper himself with a martial arts genius like Ye Tiannan would be of great benefit to Chen Jiuyang.
On December 20th, many events occurred, enough to make many people toss and turn, unable to sleep peacefully.
The wind and snow howled, the cold wind whipped, ushering in December 21st.
The second day of the Martial Ranking competition.
That night, Chen Jiuyang slept very soundly. For the first time in over a year of practicing martial arts, he slept in.
No one disturbed Chen Jiuyang.
"Hoo."
Chen Jiuyang slowly opened his eyes, put on his clothes, his black hair falling loosely like a waterfall. He raised his hand and gently beckoned, and the Yan Sheng Saber hanging on the wall flew into his hand.
He pushed open the door, and the cold wind howled, piercingly cold.
Chen Jiuyang exhaled a breath of warm air and smiled faintly, "Let's go."
Outside the door stood the Patriarch of the Chen family, Elder Han, Lin Buwen, Yao Qianhe, Yao Zixuan, Lin Yuexian, Ji Lengyue, Qiu Yihan, and others.
Everyone was led by him, like stars surrounding the moon.
Head held high, chest out, he stepped out of the door and onto the road. From today onwards, the world would know that Chen Jiuyang was different!
With a clear conscience, it was his turn to perform!