Beside the stone-paved road at the city gate, Xue Beng's knees had gone numb from kneeling, and cold sweat had long since soaked his back.
Passing commoners and traveling merchants whispered among themselves, pointing at the Heaven Dou Empire's fourth prince.
Xue Beng kept his head lowered and his teeth clenched. His cheeks were badly swollen, and he dared not let out so much as a fart.
It was not that he did not want to run. He truly did not dare.
Half a month earlier, on the mountain road at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, he had led a group to provoke them. That little blue-haired girl had slapped him so hard his teeth flew out, then bound him like a rice dumpling with strange grass that covered the mountainside.
Later, Dugu Bo had arrived with Dugu Yan. Xue Beng had thought his savior had come, only for Dugu Bo to turn around and treat those people as honored guests!
A few days earlier, the little girl had formally entered the academy with a recommendation letter from Moonlight Pavilion. Right in front of the three chief instructors, she had delivered a ruthless warning:
"Anyone who offends the Sect Master will receive fifty slaps and kneel at the South Gate until the Sect Master returns. Move so much as half an inch, and I'll sever the tendons in your hands and feet."
Xue Beng had gone crying to his uncle, Prince Xue Xing. But after quietly sounding out Moonlight Pavilion and Dugu Bo's stance, Prince Xue Xing had slapped him again and told him to get over here and kneel obediently.
Until they uncovered that black-haired boy's background, they absolutely could not bring fire down upon the Imperial Family!
"Tap, tap."
Slow, steady footsteps sounded against the stone pavement.
Xue