Decades ago.
Prince Zhennan, Zhou Fangzun, detected the matter of the Nine Provinces Cauldron in Fengcheng, and subsequently discovered that the Yao family was related to the Nine Provinces Cauldron.
He even dispatched his confidant, Xi Butui, to lay plans in Fengcheng for decades, all to silently exterminate the Yao family and eliminate the hidden danger of the Nine Provinces Cauldron.
The Yao family, numbering hundreds, perished tragically, and Yao Zixuan's whereabouts remain unknown.
By all accounts, Prince Zhennan, Zhou Fangzun, could not be absolved of responsibility.
Facing Chen Jiuyang's terrifying and peerless saber strike, Zhou Fangzun's expression changed drastically. With a gesture, his Fangtian Huaji landed in his hand, and he quickly channeled his energy to ascend into the air, blocking Chen Jiuyang's saber to prevent the Zhennan Army soldiers and warships from suffering the consequences of the aftermath.
"Boom!"
"This saber strike carries immense power. In my current state, I am no match for him!"
Zhou Fangzun blocked the saber, his arms numb. His figure retreated hundreds of meters in the air, leaving a long white streak of energy. He stated gravely, "King Qian, if this matter has any connection to me, I am willing to offer my head and be executed by you.
"However, this matter truly has nothing to do with me."
Chen Jiuyang held the Yan Sheng Saber, his eyes bloodshot. "Decades ago, you entered the Heavenly Realm and specifically consulted ancient texts in the Forbidden City. Besides you, who else would specifically investigate ancient texts for such a matter?"
Zhou Fangzun's brows furrowed. As Chen Jiuyang stated, from an outsider's perspective, no matter how one calculated or viewed it, he could not escape involvement.
He said sternly, "King Qian, calm yourself! This matter truly has nothing to do with me. If it were my doing, why would I still be here waiting for you to come find me?"
"This matter involves great implications. Since I could uncover it, others might also be able to."
"If you and I were to turn on each other now, would that not play right into the hands of our hidden enemies?"
From the moment he learned of the Yao family's misfortune, he had anticipated such a day.
The cycle of cause and effect, who could escape it?
Chen Jiuyang had completely lost his reason. His eyes were bloodshot, his killing intent surged like a raging inferno, his golden aura blazing like fire, and he roared:
"I would rather kill a thousand by mistake than let one go!"
Yao Zixuan, who carried his bloodline and Six Harmonies, was his absolute taboo.
Zhou Fangzun's heart sank. If this continued, he would surely perish at Chen Jiuyang's hands.
Just as Zhou Fangzun was at a loss for how to respond or explain,
Several terrifying auras erupted from the horizon and, in the blink of an eye, arrived instantly.
Prince Zhendong, Huangfu Ruisheng, arrived wielding his authority sword, followed by the Sword Bearers of the Zhendong Army.
Prince Zhenhai, Ye Bumei, arrived wielding his authority sword, followed by the Sword Bearers of the Zhenhai Army.
The four arrived together, and upon seeing the situation, they finally breathed a sigh of relief, realizing they had arrived in time to prevent a major catastrophe.
Whether King Qian killed Prince Zhennan or Prince Zhennan killed King Qian, it would be an unimaginable event for the Dragon Kingdom.
Upon learning that Chen Jiuyang's plane had approached the Dragon Kingdom's border but suddenly changed course towards the Zhennan Army, many knew something was about to happen. Prince Zhendong and Prince Zhenhai immediately set off urgently, wielding their authority swords.
The four soared into the air, separating Prince Zhennan and King Qian.
Huangfu Ruisheng spoke to dissuade him, "King Qian, calm down."
"Calm down?"
Chen Jiuyang roared, "My wife and child are missing, and hundreds of my relatives and clan members have been annihilated. How can you ask me to calm down? How can I face my wife's father? How can I face my family members?!!!"
Everyone frowned. On their flight, intelligence regarding the grievances between Chen Jiuyang and Zhou Fangzun had been thoroughly conveyed to them.
Under these circumstances, they could not guarantee that Prince Zhennan was entirely innocent and unconnected to the matter.
The chain of suspicion in the dark forest could not be broken.
With the four Kings gathered, three Kings against Chen Jiuyang alone, let alone two Kings wielding authority swords, even with Chen Jiuyang's heaven-defying combat power, he could not kill Zhou Fangzun in their presence.
The authority sword that had once restrained Xi Butui from killing Chen Jiuyang now stood in the way of Chen Jiuyang killing Zhou Fangzun.
Zhou Fangzun stated gravely, "King Qian, I understand your anger, but this matter truly has no connection to me. If you do not believe me, I am willing to go to the Forbidden City with you and undergo trial by ancestral artifacts."
In the Forbidden City's Jixia Academy, ancient Confucian interrogation techniques were preserved.
Upon hearing this, Chen Jiuyang regained a sliver of his composure.
"There is no need for trial by ancestral artifacts."
The Zhennan Sword Bearer's authority sword suddenly glowed, and a figure emerged from it. Behind the figure was the palace of Jixia Academy, where an old man, holding a wine gourd, lay on a chair. This scene startled everyone.
They had not expected this matter to alarm the sacred land of the Forbidden City.
The three Kings and four Sword Bearers bowed in unison and said loudly, "Greetings, Elder 'Shu'!"
Before the Asian Martial Ranking competition, Chen Jiuyang had received the Suiyu Saber Intent from this old man. He only knew that he was a prominent figure in the Forbidden City's Jixia Academy.
The old man spoke:
"By order of the Summer Emperor, Prince Zhennan has been thoroughly investigated. The Nine Classics Ancestral Artifacts were used, and the results were clear."
"Prince Zhennan is innocent."
Everyone was shocked again. The ancestral artifacts had been used!
It seemed they were truly afraid Chen Jiuyang would kill Prince Zhennan.
Chen Fengge's heart was also wildly shaken, his expression changing. He flickered and appeared beside Chen Jiuyang, sighing, "Jiuyang, the ancestral artifacts have confirmed Prince Zhennan's innocence. Calm down."
"Swish!"
Silence fell upon the heavens and earth.
The golden light on Chen Jiuyang's body vanished. He sheathed the Yan Sheng Saber, and his entire demeanor became extremely suppressed, like a beast restrained and unable to vent its emotions, both stifled and desperate.
Since it had nothing to do with Prince Zhennan, Zhou Fangzun.
Then who was it?!
Chen Jiuyang's heart bled, his emotions were torn apart, and his mind was a chaotic fog, unsolvable, unknowable, and bewildering.
Tears suddenly streamed down his cheeks, and the overwhelming grief could no longer be contained.
"Alas."
"Let's go home."
Chen Fengge cupped his hands towards Zhou Fangzun and said, "Excuse me, please arrange a helicopter for us."
Zhou Fangzun returned the salute and said gravely, "It is my duty."
Furious, intent on killing Prince Zhennan with his saber, the three Kings joined forces, and the sacred land intervened, only then did King Qian, Chen Jiuyang, calm down.
Upon hearing the news, countless people were horrified.
King Qian, Chen Jiuyang, had forgone the championship of the Martial Ranking World Competition and returned to the Dragon Kingdom to kill Zhou Fangzun. What exactly had happened?
On this day, in the Martial Ranking World Competition, Ye Tiannan lived up to expectations and advanced to the finals. This unprecedentedly joyous news overshadowed the incident between King Qian and Prince Zhennan.
At present, few people paid attention to the matters between King Qian and Prince Zhennan, and even fewer cared about King Qian's feelings.
More people were focused on whether the Dragon Kingdom could win the championship in the Martial Ranking World Competition, whether the Dragon Kingdom could revive and become strong!
June 10th, past midnight, a helicopter marked with the Prince Zhennan insignia landed in Qingzhu Town, Feng Province.
Chen Jiuyang, Yao Deyun, and Chen Fengge arrived at the King Qian's Mansion.
The entrance to the King Qian's Mansion was draped in white, and an atmosphere of sorrow permeated the entire estate.