The Bird in a Cage-When Will It Fly?

Everyone present was stunned by those words, even wondering if they had heard correctly.

What was going on?

Even Xiao Junlin had only asked for Xiao Yang to be stripped of his status and expelled from the Prince's residence.

But why was Xiao Yang asking to die?

At that moment, even Xiao Junlin was a little confused.

A strange light flickered in Ning Hongye's beautiful eyes. She had no idea what Xiao Yang was planning.

"Jiu Lang, do you mean that?" King Zhenbei asked coldly.

"Absolutely!"

Xiao Yang nodded, then continued, "Father King, I did indeed commit a grave crime, but it wasn't for injuring Third Brother. My crime was something else."

"What was it? Let's hear it," King Zhenbei said.

Xiao Yang's eyes lit up.

Now it's time to steal the show!

"Ahem!"

He cleared his throat and spoke proudly. "Third Brother did host a banquet today, but during the feast, he ordered me around and called me a 'bastard' at every turn!"

"He wasn't insulting me. He was insulting you, Father King..."

"I failed to uphold your dignity. That is my first crime!"

His words caused an uproar. No one had expected there to be more to the story.

"You... You're talking nonsense! I wasn't insulting Father King, I was—"

Xiao Li grew flustered and tried to explain.

He had called Xiao Yang a bastard because Xiao Yang's mother had died in childbirth. She was also extremely mysterious, and no one knew where she had come from. That was why he had insulted him like that.

He hadn't expected Xiao Yang to twist things around with just a few words, making it sound as if he had insulted Father King.

"Silence!!!"

King Zhenbei suddenly flew into a rage and roared. His python-patterned robe stirred despite the lack of wind, as if a towering fury were building within him.

"Jiu Lang, go on," King Zhenbei said.

"Today, at Tianxiang Pavilion, Third Brother killed three young women over a disagreement. He even boasted that he could slaughter everyone there, and the shopkeeper wouldn't dare say a word!"

"As far as I know, Third Brother has been throwing his weight around and killing innocent people for years. The people resent him, and he's brought shame upon the Xiao Family!"

"And as a member of the Xiao Family, I failed to protect the reputation of the Prince's residence. That is my second crime!"

At first glance, Xiao Yang seemed to be blaming himself, but his words were sharp as swords, aimed straight at Third Prince Xiao Li.

"Father King, Ninth Brother is slandering me! Please don't believe him..." Xiao Li cried out in a hurry.

"I'll ask you directly: did you kill three people at Tianxiang Pavilion today, as Jiu Lang said?" King Zhenbei asked gravely.

"Yes, but I—" Xiao Li tried to explain again.

"Enough!"

King Zhenbei's expression darkened, and a terrifying aura rose from him.

"Clearly, I've been too lax in disciplining you. If I keep letting you do as you please, you'll bring disaster upon us all. You are confined to your quarters for three months. Spend that time reflecting on your actions!" King Zhenbei commanded.

"Father King..."

Xiao Li was dumbstruck. He couldn't believe that even though he was clearly the "victim," he was still being punished.

"My lord!"

His mother, Consort Hong, could no longer hold back. She stepped forward to complain. "Not only has Li'er's cultivation been ruined, but his manhood has been destroyed, too. Are we just going to let that go? One matter at a time—the culprit should be punished, shouldn't he?"

King Zhenbei furrowed his brow at her words.

"I beg Father King to sentence me to death again!"

Xiao Yang suddenly spoke up. "But as a son of the Xiao Family, I should die on the battlefield, in a blaze of glory, so I won't disgrace my ancestors!"

"Please send me with General Ning to the Southern Territory. I'm willing to lead the charge, join the suicide squad, and spill my blood for my country!"

"Who would shirk the hardships of the frontier? Even in death, a hero's spirit leaves its fragrance!"

King Zhenbei was shaken by Xiao Yang's words.

He hadn't expected his youngest son, who had always been an invisible presence, to compose such stirring verses.

Word had it that at the Lanting Poetry Gathering, he had downed wine and produced a hundred poems. It seemed the rumors were true!

In truth, Xiao Yang's request to "seek death" had been carefully considered.

The Prince's residence was full of danger. His brothers were all ruthless, fighting among themselves for the throne in a life-or-death struggle.

But I'm done playing your game!

As long as he left the Northern Territory, he'd be free to roam wherever he pleased. Wouldn't that be the life?

"Please grant my wish, Father King!"

Xiao Yang bowed with his hands clasped.

"Enough!"

King Zhenbei furrowed his brow and said solemnly, "Jiu Lang, don't bring this up again! The Imperial Family has already arranged your marriage. The urgent matter now is for you to marry Miss Ning as soon as possible!"

"Next month, I'll host your engagement banquet. The Imperial Family will send an envoy to attend, too!"

"For now, stay at the Prince's residence and prepare for your wedding!"

With that, King Zhenbei flashed away and vanished.

The Prince had spoken, and no one else dared to disobey.

Soon, guards escorted Third Prince Xiao Li away to reflect on his actions.

"Li'er, just you wait!"

"Your mother will go back to the Hong Alliance right now. I'll find a way to restore your cultivation!"

"If your father doesn't care about you, I'll go to your maternal grandfather!"

Consort Hong gritted her teeth and strode toward the city gates.

Xiao Yang watched her leave and gave a cold laugh to himself.

Calling for reinforcements?

The Hong Alliance might be the most powerful force in the martial world, filled with experts.

But he had a system, and Ning Hongye was his fiancée!

No matter how powerful the Hong Alliance was, how could it stand against the Vermilion Bird Army's cavalry?

"Miss Ning, thank you for saving me just now," Xiao Yang said gratefully as he approached Ning Hongye.

"I didn't save you. I was only repaying you for those gifts."

Ning Hongye replied coldly, then left without looking back.

You tsundere. Is it really so hard to say you care about me?

Xiao Yang sighed helplessly.

It seemed it still wasn't the right time to win over this cold Female God of Slaughter.

The Prince's residence, study.

This was King Zhenbei's private domain. No one was allowed inside without his permission.

At that moment, King Zhenbei Xiao Qiankun entered, opened a hidden compartment, and took out a painting.

It showed an unparalleled beauty, her bearing refined, like a Banished Immortal.

A closer look revealed that her features bore a seven- or eight-tenths resemblance to Xiao Yang's.

The name written in the corner was Ye Qingmei.

"Qingmei, your son has grown up!"

"He's not only talented in both letters and arms, but extraordinarily gifted, too. He always says things that astonish people, just like you did back then!"

"The Bird in a Cage—when will it fly?"

"Once it does, it'll soar to the ninth heaven!"

"Will he truly be the one born in accordance with destiny, as you said?!"

King Zhenbei gazed at the woman in the painting and let out a long sigh.

Late at night.

Xiao Yang had been through quite an ordeal that day and was a little tired, but he hadn't gone to rest.

He had finally gotten the Spirit Grade Cloud Piercing Bow from Xiao Li, and he still hadn't had the chance to give it to Ning Hongye.

Soon, he brought the bow to the courtyard where Ning Hongye was staying.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Xiao Yang knocked on the door.

The room was lit, but no one answered.

Xiao Yang found it strange and couldn't help opening the door to peek inside.

In the next instant, he saw a scene that made his mouth go dry and his heart race—

Ning Hongye had taken off her clothes and was soaking in a wooden tub!