As the talk grew more and more outrageous, some of the older, steadier Martial World travelers could not help speaking up.
Of course, they did not provoke those hot-blooded youngsters. Instead, they resorted to the traditional tactic of changing the subject.
A middle-aged man with a goatee coughed twice and said with an air of mystery, "Let's leave those unpleasant matters aside. I have a strange tale for you... Have you heard of the third prince, Di Luonan?"
"Di Luonan? The Seven Kills Star? Wasn't that baleful star confined after he returned from suppressing the rebellion in Jing Province? It's been thirteen or fourteen years... What trouble could he stir up now?" Sure enough, someone's curiosity was piqued.
Pan Long was curious too. Di Luonan was the third son of the reigning emperor, Di Renchen. Gifted from childhood, he had displayed a startling talent for martial arts. He had entered the Innate Realm at just twelve, making him the most outstanding young fighter the Di Lineage had produced in recent generations. Many even believed he would one day attain Longevity and become the first Immortal or Buddha in the lineage's history.
Fourteen or fifteen years ago, just after Di Renchen ascended the throne, the people of Baixi Commandery in southern Jing Province had rebelled, unable to bear the pressure of expanding into Jiaozhou. Di Luonan, then only seventeen, led troops to suppress them. The prince issued a shocking order called the "Seven Kills Edict."
Kill those who became rebels. Kill those who aided rebels. Kill those who spoke on rebels' behalf. Kill those who knew of rebels but failed to report them. Kill those who saw rebels but failed to fight them. Kill those who failed to destroy rebels. Kill those who failed to coordinate the campaign or deliver military