This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

Chapter 225 Kneel Before Your Grandfather

Dan Liang once again turned his gaze toward Xiao Xingchen's direction, his eyes gleaming with an unfathomable light, as if he were silently calculating his chances of winning.

At this moment, the woman smiled slightly, like a blooming flower, which gave him renewed leverage.

"The Great Qian Dynasty is now a society where imperial power reigns supreme. Imperial power is like an insurmountable mountain, and no one dares to desecrate it. Desecrating imperial power is tantamount to rebellion, which Emperor Wu would never tolerate. From any perspective, you have an almost certain victory in this round. What are you still hesitating about? That is the Flying Immortal Sword! Such an easy opportunity is right in front of you, so why are you still hesitating? This is not like the Shan Liang I know."

Why are you being so kind?

"I'm just making excuses to give you the Flying Immortal Sword. If I were to give it to you directly, you would feel uneasy, and I would feel unhappy as well."

The woman's faint smile was like a calm lake, leaving Shan Liang unable to detect the slightest flaw.

However, the woman's words acted like a key, unlocking the door to Shan Liang's decision. He secretly pondered that he indeed had a high chance of winning this round. Even if Xiao Xingchen harbored resentment, a subject should still kneel to receive the imperial decree. Thinking this, he asked again...

"If I win, you'll give me the Flying Immortal Sword. But what if I lose?"

"We lost, so let's do something."

"What's the matter?"

"Kill someone."

Dan Liang's eyes suddenly narrowed. Killing was not difficult for him, but what surprised him was that this mysterious woman actually had enemies.

"Alright, I'll take this bet. I hope you keep your word. I'm determined to get the Flying Immortal Sword."

"When have we ever gone back on our word? If you win, I'll hand over the Flying Immortal Sword with both hands. But if you lose, aren't you going to ask me who I want you to kill?"

"It doesn't matter who I kill, it's all the same to me."

Dan Liang didn't dwell on the issue. Killing someone was a small matter. Besides, how could he possibly lose this round?

The woman smiled with satisfaction, then stood up and walked to Shan Liang's side, gazing at Xiao Xingchen with furrowed brows, her heart silent.

"Xiao Xingchen, will you be the ninth person? But the time hasn't come yet, how come you've arrived so quickly?"

A question arose in his mind, while the commotion outside the Prince Kao Shan's mansion grew increasingly louder.

After everyone else knelt down, Xiao Xingchen stood out, showing no intention of kneeling, which left the imperial eunuch in mid-air frozen in place.

"Xiao Xingchen, why aren't you kneeling down to receive the imperial decree?"

"Shut up, you motherfucker! Leave the imperial edict here and get out of here!"

His words, laced with deep resentment, were directed at the eunuch, causing everyone to momentarily lose their composure.

"What did I just hear? This Prince Kao Shan... seems to be at odds with Emperor Wu, doesn't he?"

Someone speculated, which immediately drew a chorus of agreement from those around them.

"Prince Kao Shan, this is a great honor bestowed by His Majesty. How can you not kneel?"

“A foolish child, arrogant and spoiled, how can such a person be worthy of being made a king? To be ranked alongside him is a desecration of the former king,”

"In the end, he's just a young man. Although he has the reputation of Xiao Jianxian protecting him, how is his arrogant behavior any different from that of the spoiled brats in the city? It's simply outrageous. For someone like him to be made a king and receive such preferential treatment is a disgrace to our Great Qian."

An old scholar, filled with righteous indignation, pointed at Xiao Xingchen and shouted angrily.

"Kneel down, kneel down,"

Led by those with ulterior motives, shouts of "Kneel down!" rang out from the crowd, and soon the air was filled with cries demanding that Xiao Xingchen kneel to receive the imperial decree.

Xiao Xingchen was so angry he laughed. He shook his head helplessly, glanced at the leaders, and whispered his orders.

"Men, bring those self-righteous bastards out here. I want to see if they're as tough as they are."

"Yes,"

Shen Yuan had already noticed the leaders, waiting only for Xiao Xingchen's order. They were soldiers after all; for them, rules didn't matter. Subduing people through fighting was their rule.

Several figures rushed into the crowd and quickly threw out three people, one of whom was an old scholar with a full head of white hair.

"Your Highness, the ringleaders have been captured. Please decide their fate."

Shen Yuan's move stunned everyone. Even those secretly observing from various countries couldn't help but give Xiao Xingchen a thumbs up, marveling at his fearless nature—he dared to do something that would incite public outrage.

"Heh, fine, let's see who sent you. How dare you cause trouble on my turf? You're really asking for it."

At this moment, Xiao Xingchen displayed a similar arrogance to his former self, Xiao Jianren. He was certain that the Martial Emperor wouldn't turn against him. Since the Martial Emperor was plotting against him, he wouldn't submit passively. He would cause the Martial Emperor some trouble in return, just to make the Martial Emperor stop bothering him and stop constantly causing trouble.

"Old man, were you the one who started criticizing me? What gives you the right?"

Ignoring the responsibilities of the others, Xiao Xingchen walked step by step to the old master, looking down at him with a contemptuous expression.

"You...you actually..."

"Pah! Do you believe that even if I chop you up right now, no one will dare to say anything? This is the Prince of Kao Shan's Mansion, and I am the Prince of Kao Shan. When did it become your place to tell me how to do things? Do you want to die?"

"And you two, who sent you to find fault with me? I advise you to confess right now, or I won't hesitate to strip you naked right here and put you on the flagpole."

"Don't think I wouldn't dare. I'll say it again, I'm the King of the Mountain. Whoever messes with me, I'll chop them down. You try shouting again!"

Xiao Xingchen's expression was one of "Come at me, then!" His sassy nature instantly erupted, immediately intimidating many people, and the crowd suddenly fell silent.

"How dare you! His Majesty's decree is here; how can you act so recklessly?"

The eunuch, holding the imperial edict in one hand and the horse's reins in the other, immediately reprimanded them.

Xiao Xingchen glanced back indifferently, then picked at his ear and shook it vigorously.

"I almost forgot about you. Who gave you permission to speak to me while riding a horse? Shen Yuan, knock him down. I won't allow anyone to stand taller than me."

"Alright, Your Highness, you can keep knocking. Now get on the field."

Shen Yuan pounced like a tiger smelling blood, lunging forward with a snap of his teeth.

"You...you dare!"

The eunuch only managed to utter those words before he was swallowed up by the dust. The sound of horses' hooves echoed, but there was no one left on horseback to deliver the imperial decree.

"That's right. You all need to remember this: in this Yong'an City, I will not allow anyone more powerful than me to appear, except for the Martial Emperor."

Xiao Xingchen laughed triumphantly, effortlessly taking the imperial edict from the eunuch's hand. He then opened it in front of everyone, disregarding all formalities of accepting the edict.

"What an impolite brat! A barbarian who has never been taught manners since childhood!"

"That little beast who gave birth to a child but had no one to raise him, can't he see that we are being ridiculed by all the nations?"

. . .

"Hey, you guys seem to be dissatisfied."

Glancing at the contents of the imperial edict, Xiao Xingchen's eyes flashed like cold arrows at the two men who had been thrown out. Seeing them still cursing and swearing, a surge of interest welled up within him.

"Guards! My word is my bond! Strip these two arrogant fools naked and tie them to the flagpole. Let their master come and take them away."

"I will obey Your Highness's orders."

"You despicable and shameless scoundrel, how dare you lay a hand on us! When our king returns to the capital, we will make you regret it!"

Anger and curses rose and fell, but Xiao Xingchen paid no heed. Outside the palace, two towering flagpoles stood like giants, each topped with a naked man whose shouts danced like leaves in the wind before the eyes of the Yong'an people. It's said one shouldn't hit someone in the face, or leave a way out for others, but Xiao Xingchen's actions clearly trampled on everyone's dignity. He was unconventional, doing whatever he pleased. This principle, though arrogant, was like a sharp sword, invincible.

Just like the nations watching the ceremony from the high-rise buildings, although their faces showed disdain for this vulgar behavior, they had to admit in their hearts that Xiao Xingchen's actions were wise. Making an example of someone was far more deterrent than swallowing one's anger.

"That's enough." The princess's voice, as melodious as a nightingale's song, reached Xiao Xingchen's ears like a whispered veil.

However, he seemed not to hear it. After reading the imperial edict, his gaze, sharp as a hawk's, rose again and looked towards a teahouse in the distance.

"Gentlemen, watching a play requires payment. After watching for so long, shouldn't you get down and stretch your muscles? Otherwise, I'm going to get angry, and I guarantee you'll all suffer terribly."

Xiao Xingchen wore a wicked smile, his gaze fixed intently on the distance, his voice carrying a chilling threat.