The Zhu family guards, brandishing sabers, surrounded the entire scene.
Li Mingyuan, without hesitation, drew his blade and charged, confronting the entire Zhu family single-handedly!
The slaughter erupted almost instantly.
The Zhu family guards were unlike those of other families. These guards were all veterans who had retired from the front lines for various reasons; they were elites who had survived seas of blood.
Even with hidden ailments, they could contend with two opponents.
Over fifty of them could shake an enemy force of a thousand soldiers!
This was the elite of Great Xia's front lines!
"Old Master Zhu, I didn't expect my visit today to include a show. Heh, quite interesting," Yu Yuan emerged from within, observing the scene and shaking his head slightly, seemingly disappointed with the Zhu family.
Old Master Zhu snorted, then sighed and began to praise himself: "These things happen many times every year. After all, in my position as deputy general for so many years, I've inevitably offended a group of people. Even after retiring, many still want me dead.
If it weren't for these retired brothers willing to stay with the Zhu family, you might have been drinking Zhu's wine long ago. These years, it's these brothers who have kept me safe."
The unspoken implication was that he, Zhu Lie, still held some influence, and that his enemies remembered his past actions.
At the same time, it was a reminder to Yu Yuan that despite his age, he could still wield a blade.
However, Li Mingyuan's mocking voice rang out: "You do despicable things and yet fear the rightful owner showing up, labeling it as vengeance from an enemy? Zhu Lie, you truly are shameless. Fortunately, when they divided the teams back then, I wasn't assigned to your command, otherwise, I would have become a petty thief like you now!"
With that, Zhu Lie's expression turned grim. Being directly called a petty thief made it difficult for him to explain himself to Yu Yuan.
Yu Yuan was the current head of military academy admissions. If he knew about the exam paper switch, it would be a matter of annihilation.
National exam papers were sealed as archives, subject to the highest secrecy regulations.
If it were truly exposed, the capital would undoubtedly order a thorough investigation, implicating even the military academies. Relevant personnel would be executed without mercy!
How many lives did he, Zhu Lie, have to spare?
"I've weathered storms for many years. The reason I could attain the position of third deputy general was through righteousness and integrity. As for the petty thievery you speak of, I resolutely deny it!"
"If I did it, I wouldn't hide it. If I didn't do it, even if someone from the Hall of Honor appeared today, it wouldn't be me. Do not tarnish my reputation!"
In his fury, Li Mingyuan, with extreme speed, slew all the Zhu family guards. He stood there amidst the blood, his rusty saber already stained with gore, dripping onto the ground from its edge, a truly terrifying sight.
Black Dragon emerged from within and casually glanced at the scene, saying lightly, "Old Master Zhu, openly insulting someone from our Dragon Pavilion like this, you owe our Dragon Pavilion an explanation."
The incident involving the Five-Star Heavenly King was shrouded in mystery. Most rumors from the capital suggested it was false, but below the Five-Star Heavenly King, the Dragon Pavilion held the greatest power.
It was an external force for military deterrence, an external armed organization! This was a elite violent agency for external operations, who dared to offend it?
Moreover, the Dragon Lord was always mysterious, but his methods were sharp.
Every time he acted, it was an annihilation!
Previously, the leader of the Dragon Pavilion was decided. The supreme authority, the Hall of Honor, issued a stunning decree.
"Great Xia has a Dragon, the backbone of Great Xia!"
Ten words bestowed the highest prestige upon the Dragon Clan.
Concurrently, to ensure the Dragon Pavilion's mystery and authority, a Dragon Robe of Soaring Dragons and a saber were crafted!
These two items were once publicly displayed.
They represented the Great Xia Dragon Pavilion!
Their symbolic meaning was immense, their practical use... utterly none!
If Li Mingyuan was indeed a retired elite from the Dragon Pavilion, it would truly be troublesome!
"Nonsense, do you have any right to speak here? Withdraw!" Yu Yuan said indignantly, then sternly reprimanded.
Black Dragon lowered his head, his expression complex: "Teacher, I never imagined you would be involved in this matter. If that's the case, I can only ask you to... retire early, lest the Dragon Lord implicate you."
If there was no involvement, it would be best. But if there was, not even Ying Long of the Divine Dragon Guard could protect Yu Yuan, let alone Black Dragon.
Yu Yuan: "..."
He had merely asked his student not to interfere with this matter, who knew he would ask him to step down??
Black Dragon continued, "Teacher, you still don't know, do you? I am a Divine Dragon Guard of the Dragon Pavilion, codenamed Black Dragon!"
Yu Yuan: "..."
Instantly, a chill ran down his spine!
Zhu Lie's complexion also shifted several times, finally fixing his gaze on Li Mingyuan: "I know you're upset about your son's failure in the national exam, but it's best not to speak nonsense without evidence."
"After all, the capital's military academy is different. If this matter blows up, it will lead to significant trouble."
His intention was that since you've already killed so many people, you can stop, lest the military academy get involved, making it difficult to resolve.
A thorough investigation would consume a large amount of manpower and resources. If it turned out that nothing existed, who would bear the resulting losses?
But to Li Mingyuan, it sounded like a threat.
It implied that since he dared to do this, he surely left no evidence. If it really escalated, all participants would be implicated, and before the matter erupted, he would certainly silence them.
If you're smart, retreat now.
There was still room for maneuver.
Li Mingyuan sneered, "Since Old Master Zhu has such influence, why not write a statement? I, Li Mingyuan, will go to the capital's military academy and request a public investigation. If that's not possible, I can appeal and ask the Affairs Bureau to intervene. With the heavens above and the earth below, won't there be justice?"
Black Dragon interjected at this moment: "The Dragon Pavilion is willing to act as the supervisory party, guaranteeing fairness and impartiality."
Li Mingyuan grinned.
These two, playing their parts in tandem, completely cornered Zhu Lie. He couldn't find a way out.
Zhu Lie, at this moment, couldn't bother with the Dragon Pavilion. Only by dealing with Li Mingyuan, the instigator, could the problem be solved at its root. But with Black Dragon present, he couldn't resort to force, which was troublesome.
"Li Mingyuan, don't overestimate yourself. Whether you can even reach the capital safely is still a question. If you continue to push your luck, get out of here now. If I get angry, let alone you, even if your son scored nine hundred points, what good would it do? With a single word from me, you'll never leave Southern Province!"
Zhu Jun then scoffed: "Exactly, he's just a madman. Who would believe your gibberish? If you have the guts, go appeal yourself. Do you really think everyone gives you face? A Dragon Pavilion retiree, right? Just wait. When I enter the Dragon Pavilion and replace the Dragon Lord, you'll be the first one I kill!"
With these words, Zhu Lie's expression abruptly changed!
Black Dragon: "..."