On the other side.
Xiao Yang returned to his residence with Zhao Changkong and Huangli.
"Thank you for saving me, Young Master..."
Huangli's eyes were red, and she was deeply moved.
She had truly been ready to bash her head in to preserve her virtue. She never expected Xiao Yang to appear like a heavenly god and save her.
"You're my maid. Anyone who bullies you is slapping me in the face!" Xiao Yang said with a smile.
"Your Highness, the Third Prince is vindictive. Now that you've crippled him, I'm afraid he won't let this go. And his maternal family is the Hong Alliance, the greatest power in the martial world!"
Zhao Changkong furrowed his brow, full of worry.
"What's there to fear? Third Brother is cruel and unscrupulous, and he's done all manner of evil. Crippling him was simply ridding the people of a menace!"
Xiao Yang was unconcerned.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom..."
Suddenly, a drumbeat sounded outside, deafeningly loud, each strike louder than the last.
It rolled like thunder, echoing throughout the entire royal residence.
"The Drum of Grievances?"
Xiao Yang raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
According to Great Xia's customs, the Drum of Grievances was struck only when something of grave importance had occurred, such as enemy forces surrounding the city or a member of the imperial family dying...
The last time it had sounded in the Northern Territory was more than a decade ago, when a barbarian army from the north had invaded.
"Huangli, stay here and watch the house. I have to go take a look!"
Xiao Yang flashed out of the residence and soon arrived at the gates of Xuelong Pass.
The other princes had also set out, and they discussed the matter along the way.
"The Drum of Grievances is sounding again. Has something serious happened?"
"Strange! The one beating the drum is Third Brother?"
"What happened? He's covered in blood. Could an assassin have attacked him?"
From far away, they saw the Third Prince, Xiao Li, beating the drum. His face was streaked with blood, his eyes burned with rage, yet his aura was utterly dispirited.
He really had no shame. Couldn't win, so now he was crying to Father King?
At the sight, Xiao Yang had already guessed what he was planning: to lodge a public complaint.
Suddenly, a vast aura erupted in the distance, as deep and oppressive as an abyss.
The crowd's vision blurred, and a towering figure appeared before them.
He wore a python-embroidered robe and exuded immense authority and nobility.
It was King Zhenbei, Xiao Qiankun!
"Li'er, there's no war going on. Why are you beating the drum?" King Zhenbei asked gravely.
The Third Prince, Xiao Li, was filled with grief and rage. He gritted his teeth and said, "Father King, someone struck my vital point and crippled my cultivation. They even destroyed my manhood!"
What?!
Not only King Zhenbei, but the other princes present were also shocked.
What power in the Northern Territory would dare harm someone from the Xiao Family? They were practically asking to die!
"Li'er!"
Suddenly, a lavishly dressed, beautiful woman came running from afar.
It was Xiao Li's mother, Consort Hong.
"Your Majesty, Li'er was a Fifth-grade Martial Artist, but now he's been reduced to a cripple. You must see justice done for him!" Consort Hong cried.
"Who did this?!"
King Zhenbei flew into a rage. His terrifying pressure spread across the scene, and everyone felt as if a boulder were crushing their chests, leaving them barely able to breathe.
He was an Eighth Grade Martial Marquis, whose cultivation had reached the pinnacle. He was hailed as the Northern Territory's pillar of stability.
Throughout Great Xia, he stood at the very peak of the martial path.
When a king raged, heaven and earth shattered, and mountains and rivers crumbled!
"It was Ninth Brother!"
Suddenly, Xiao Li thrust out a hand, pointing straight at Xiao Yang as he arrived at the city gates.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
In an instant, everyone's eyes turned toward Xiao Yang, putting him at the center of attention.
Third Brother, you bastard. You really are vicious!
Xiao Yang cursed inwardly.
King Zhenbei furrowed his brow and asked solemnly, "Li'er, what nonsense are you talking about? You're a Fifth-grade Martial Artist. How could Jiu Lang have hurt you?"
"Reporting to Father King! Ninth Brother learned some wicked technique from that Fiend Star Woman, Ning Hongye. He struck once and broke through my vital point!"
"He showed no regard for brotherly bonds and attacked with ruthless cruelty. I beg Father King to punish him!"
Xiao Li's eyes were bloodshot, his expression filled with grief and indignation.
His acting was incredible. You'd think he really was the victim.
"Jiu Lang, did you really injure your Third Brother?" King Zhenbei asked gravely.
"That's right." Xiao Yang nodded.
At this point, denying it would be pointless.
Besides, he wasn't the sort of coward who would do something and then refuse to own up to it!
Seeing him admit it, the princes who had grudges against him seized the chance to pile on.
The Fourth Prince, Xiao Chusheng, was the first to speak up. "Father King, Ninth Brother has been arrogant and insolent for ages! Not long ago, he even killed one of my guards and exiled my concubine. I recommend that you punish him severely!"
The Second Prince, Xiao Ziwen, also spoke. "Exactly! Ninth Brother acts with impunity because he has Ning Hongye backing him. Father King, please punish him!"
Yan Ruyu, whom he had once gone to great lengths to please, was devoted to Xiao Yang instead. He had held a grudge over it ever since.
Just then, the Eldest Prince, Xiao Junlin, stepped forward too.
"Turning against one's own brothers goes against all decency. If word gets out, it will only bring shame on the Xiao Family!"
"Father King, someone so disloyal and unrighteous doesn't deserve to remain in the royal residence!"
"Please strip Xiao Yang of his title and cast him out of the royal residence!"
His words caused an uproar.
How ruthless!
The others only wanted Xiao Yang punished, but the moment Xiao Junlin spoke, he wanted to strip him of his status as a prince. He wanted Xiao Yang deprived of his heirship!
"Whoosh!"
Just then, a War Saber tore through the air, skimming past Xiao Junlin's neck before slamming into the city gate.
"Rumble!"
The entire gate trembled and looked ready to collapse. That was how terrifying the blow had been.
"Hiss... That was close!"
Xiao Junlin clutched his bloodied neck, his scalp prickling as if he had just brushed past death.
"Thud, thud, thud!"
The next moment, a figure appeared in their sight, wearing an Asura Mask and clad in blood-red armor!
Ning Hongye had arrived!
"The Vermilion Bird Army has a rule: if someone under my command is targeted, even the King of Hell must answer to my blade before claiming their life!"
"Eldest Prince, your Supreme Bone may be inlaid with gold and jade, but my blade specializes in chopping down gaudy, useless ornaments!"
Ning Hongye's voice rang out in every direction.
She had clearly received word and come to stand up for Xiao Yang!
"She may be arrogant, but when it matters, I can count on her!"
Xiao Yang was secretly delighted.
It seemed the Affection he'd built up with her had finally paid off.
Though Ning Hongye was injured, she was still a Seventh-grade Martial Grandmaster, a Martial Dao Genius rarely seen in a century.
With her there, no one else dared act rashly.
"General Ning, this is a family matter within our royal residence. It has nothing to do with you! Don't forget, you and Xiao Yang aren't married yet. Anything could still change!" Xiao Junlin said through gritted teeth.
At that moment, King Zhenbei turned to Xiao Yang and asked gravely, "Jiu Lang, your Third Brother has been doing all the talking. Why haven't you said anything to defend yourself?"
Xiao Yang thought for a moment, then suddenly straightened his back and said something so shocking that it stunned everyone—
"Father King, I am guilty!"
"I beg you, Father King, grant me death!"
Before you continue