In fact, with Xiao Yunlong's current martial arts cultivation, if he were to fully unleash the power of his divine kingdom and all its might, even the four Eastern Domain guardian powerhouses before him would not be his match.
However, these four elders had willingly dedicated most of their lives to safeguarding the peace of the entire Eastern Domain. While they might be a bit rigid and naive, Xiao Yunlong would not act against them unless absolutely necessary.
Therefore, before this, Xiao Yunlong had not intended to waste words and planned to directly subdue the imposter Eastern Domain King. But he ultimately held back.
Because if he were to act now, these four guardian powerhouses would undoubtedly fight to the death to protect the Eastern Domain King!
Facing Xiao Yunlong's gaze, the Eastern Domain King felt a tremor of fear within, but he maintained a facade of composure.
"Old Eastern King, I have three questions. I ask that you answer them truthfully!" Xiao Yunlong spoke.
The Grand Commander Wang Kezheng scoffed, "Xiao, it seems you haven't grasped the current situation. Even if your past identity was significant, you are now a murderer and a fugitive. What right do you have to pose questions to His Highness the Eastern Domain King?"
"Let him ask!"
The Chief Guardian elder suddenly interjected, "In consideration of your past identity, you may be permitted to ask questions. However, if you fail to provide a satisfactory explanation and we find you are slandering, we will not spare you today!"
After speaking, the Chief Guardian glanced at the Eastern Domain King, a peculiar expression flashing in his eyes. It was unclear if he had detected something amiss with the Eastern Domain King before him.
Xiao Yunlong then said, "First question: Three years ago, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, we gathered at a manor outside the capital. Old Northern King was still alive then, and we admired the moon together. Please tell me, was there a moon that night?"
The Eastern Domain King replied without hesitation, "Of course, there was a moon that night. Otherwise, why would we have gathered at the manor to admire it?"
"Wrong. There was no moon that night. Not only was there no moon, but it even rained in the end!" Xiao Yunlong coldly retorted.
The Eastern Domain King before him was taken aback, a hint of panic surfacing in the depths of his eyes. He was momentarily at a loss for words.
Seeing this, Wang Kezheng sneered, "Ridiculous. You say it rained, so it rained? You say there was no moon, so there was no moon? We can't just believe the words of a murderous fugitive like you, can we?"
Xiao Yunlong also sneered, "You may not believe my words, but you can immediately check the weather forecast for that day three years ago. Additionally, there are related news reports. I believe they can all be found!"
Wang Kezheng was instantly rendered speechless, unsure how to refute.
The white-haired female guardian interjected, "Three years is not a long time, but it's still quite a while ago. The Eastern Domain King is busy with state affairs. It's understandable if he forgets the details of a particular day, isn't it?"
"Precisely. His Highness the Eastern Domain King has so much to attend to daily. How could he remember the specific events of every day, let alone something from three years ago? Therefore, this alone cannot serve as evidence!" Wang Kezheng added with a snort.
"Very well, then I shall ask the second question!"
Xiao Yunlong smiled slightly and continued, "Also three years ago, during the gathering at the capital manor, Old Uncle East, to congratulate me on becoming the heir to the Northern King, gifted me a jade pendant he cherished. Four characters were engraved on that jade pendant. Please tell me, Your Highness the Eastern Domain King, what were those four characters?"
He then added with a playful smile, "You always wore that jade pendant close to you. There's no reason why you wouldn't know those four characters. Moreover, you even said back then that whenever you were idle, you would take out the jade pendant and admire it carefully!"
This time, the Eastern Domain King was completely stunned. He stammered, unable to provide a coherent answer, and instinctively glanced at Wang Kezheng for help.
Although he had memorized the deeds of the Eastern Domain King over the years, there were still many details he was unaware of. For instance, he had never heard of this jade pendant gifting incident, nor had Wang Kezheng mentioned it to him before.
Xiao Yunlong chuckled, "Your Highness the Eastern Domain King, Commander Wang wasn't present at the time. Why are you looking at him now?"
These words were undoubtedly loaded with subtext. Wang Kezheng's expression instantly changed. However, in this situation, no matter how eloquent he was, he couldn't argue his way out.
The Eastern Domain King stammered for a long time before finally saying, "To be frank, my cultivation went awry in the past two years, causing some memory damage. Therefore, although I gifted you the jade pendant as a congratulatory gift, I can't recall the inscription on it."
"Yes, yes. His Highness the Eastern Domain King had a mishap with his cultivation the year before last, leading to memory impairment. It's quite normal that he doesn't remember the characters on the jade pendant. This proves nothing!"
Grand Commander Wang Kezheng chimed in repeatedly, emphasizing this point.
Xiao Yunlong slightly raised the corner of his mouth in a playful manner, "You are mistaken. In fact, Old Uncle East did not give me any jade pendant back then. As a junior, how could I possibly accept such a valuable item from an elder? Therefore, the inscription on the jade pendant is naturally unknown!"
The Eastern Domain King was speechless. He was losing his composure, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
Wang Kezheng shouted, "Xiao, so you were trying to trick us. But what does that prove? It's just your word against theirs. Whether there was a jade pendant or anything else, it's not for you alone to decide!"
"Alright, I'll ask the third question!"
Just as Xiao Yunlong was about to speak, the Chief Guardian elder suddenly said sternly, "I will ask this third question!"
With that, the white-haired elder slowly stepped forward, facing the Eastern Domain King directly.
Judging by his stern and serious demeanor, it seemed his suspicion was growing. After all, the two questions Xiao Yunlong had posed, while not yet disproven, were highly abnormal and suspicious given the Eastern Domain King's answers and reactions.
Therefore, this Chief Guardian powerhouse decided to ask himself. The other three guardians also turned to look with serious expressions.
The Eastern Domain King's face turned pale, and even Wang Kezheng's palms began to sweat, clearly sensing something was amiss.
The Chief Guardian elder slowly took out a thumb ring from his inner pocket, a thumb ring as black as ink, and held it up, loudly proclaiming, "Your Highness the Eastern Domain King, allow me to ask: what is this thumb ring called, and what is its purpose?"
He then smiled and continued, "Do not tell us again that you don't remember because of a cultivation mishap. I can tell you clearly: the origin and purpose of this thumb ring are known to every generation of Eastern Domain Kings, and they must know it. Even if they become a vegetable, they cannot forget it. If they don't know, then they are not qualified to be the Eastern Domain King!"
These resounding words struck the hearts of the Eastern Domain King and Wang Kezheng like a heavy blow, and they also blocked all their excuses.
The Eastern Domain King's face was ashen. He stammered, unable to speak, and turned to Wang Kezheng for help.
Wang Kezheng inwardly cursed, thinking that if this thumb ring was so important, why hadn't the Eastern Domain King mentioned it to him before.
However, Wang Kezheng soon understood. It was likely because this black thumb ring was too important that the Eastern Domain King refused to reveal anything, even at the cost of his life.
"Do you truly not know?" The Chief Guardian elder's expression darkened.
"This... I told you, my memory..."
Before he could finish, the Chief Guardian elder shouted, "No, your memory is perfectly fine. The problem lies with you. You are not the real Eastern Domain King. You are indeed fake!"
This declaration sent a shockwave through the entire hall.
The Eastern Domain King before them, perhaps due to extreme shock, collapsed onto the ground, unable to maintain his composure any longer. Seeing his disheveled state, the last vestiges of doubt in the surrounding crowd vanished.
"Damn it! So, Mr. Xiao was right. It was you, Wang Kezheng, who was causing trouble in the entire Eastern Domain camp. You controlled His Highness the Eastern Domain King and brought in this imposter!"
Two of the guardian elders grumbled, directly advancing towards Wang Kezheng.
Unknowingly, their address for Xiao Yunlong had completely changed, from "you fellow named Xiao" or "fugitive" to "Mr. Xiao"!
Wang Kezheng instinctively retreated, moving to the side of the four Yin Ming elders, anticipating trouble.
"Where is the real Eastern Domain King? Hand him over immediately!" the Chief Guardian elder roared, joining his three companions in surrounding Wang Kezheng and his group.
The scales of victory had tipped in favor of Xiao Yunlong.
Facing the four guardians, Wang Kezheng suddenly threw his head back and laughed heartily, "I never imagined that the elaborate scheme I spent years meticulously planning, even finding a man who closely resembled the Eastern Domain King, would ultimately fail. All of this is because of you, you dog, Xiao Yunlong! If it weren't for you, I, this Grand Commander, would have already completely controlled the entire Eastern Domain camp and become the new Eastern Domain King!"
Xiao Yunlong sneered, "With your demeanor, you still want to be the Eastern Domain King? Are you worthy?"
"I'm not worthy, so are you?" Wang Kezheng retorted mockingly. "Look at yourself. You're just a stray dog everyone is chasing. You're not even as good as me!"
"Enough nonsense. Hand over the Eastern Domain King, or you die!" the two guardian elders roared.
"Hand him over? I'm not a three-year-old child to be easily scared. If I hand over the real Eastern Domain King now, I'll surely die. Conversely, as long as I have the old Eastern King in my grasp, you won't dare to touch me!"
Wang Kezheng grinned sinisterly.
"Wang Kezheng, how dare you hold the Eastern Domain King hostage? Do you believe we won't exterminate your entire clan?" the guardian elders exclaimed in rage.
"What, are you threatening me? Do you believe that if I give the order, the Eastern Domain King will lose his head on the spot?" Wang Kezheng taunted.
The four guardian elders were momentarily stunned and dared not press further.
Seeing their silence, Wang Kezheng chuckled triumphantly, "That's right. Now, get out of my way immediately and prepare my private jet. I warn you not to play any tricks, or the old Eastern King will surely die!"
Since they held the Eastern Domain King hostage, the four guardians were hesitant to act rashly. Despite their reluctance, they stepped aside to clear a path, as the most important thing now was to ensure the Eastern Domain King's safety.
Wang Kezheng grinned playfully and took a step forward to leave.
However, after taking just three steps, he found Xiao Yunlong standing resolutely in his path.
"Are your ears deaf? Get out of my way immediately, or I'll have someone kill the Eastern Domain King!" Wang Kezheng roared.
Xiao Yunlong raised the corner of his mouth and sneered playfully, "Wang Kezheng, do you think I would make such a grand display today, exposing this imposter in front of everyone, if I didn't have any other backup plans?"
"What do you mean by that?" Wang Kezheng frowned. For some reason, upon seeing the other's smile, a sense of unease suddenly arose within him.