Hardness and Compromise

Everyone wanted benefits. Duàn Yì had such a fine opportunity before him yet refused to seize it; calling it a reckless waste of Heaven's gifts would not be excessive.

Of course, it was also possible that this was one of Duàn Yì's tricks to catch before releasing. What he truly wanted might be even more.

Unexpectedly, Duàn Yì smiled faintly and replied in the same calm yet distant tone,

"Crown Prince, everyone has their own desires: fame, profit, beauty, and more besides.

"This Duàn has no great ambitions and seeks neither power nor wealth. I only wish to take the woman I love, withdraw into the mountains and forests, and devote myself to cultivating martial arts.

"Thus, forgive this disrespectful remark: not merely the position of King of Zhenbei—

"Even if the throne of the Son of Heaven, ruling all Shenzhou, were within reach, I would not be moved. That is my answer."

The moment Duàn Yì finished speaking, before Xia Yang could react, an immense and razor-sharp Killing Intent erupted from a corner of the tavern. Like a savage, overbearing longsaber, it slashed toward him, accompanied by a furious roar,

"Duàn Yì, what colossal audacity! You dare scorn the Imperial Family!"

A surging gale came sweeping in with the Killing Intent. Crimson gleams, nearly tangible, tore through the tables, chairs, and floorboards along the way. Wood chips flew everywhere; porcelain bowls and wine jars shattered. Yet it came to an abrupt halt three feet from Duàn Yì's body.

This showed that the speaker possessed incomparably profound cultivation. Fortunately, he had not truly intended to strike, merely to issue a warning.

Duàn Yì was not someone who could be casually molded and handled, and besides, the Crown Prince had given no order.

Xia Yang's expression beneath the Flying Phoenix Mask