Chapter 302: Chapter 298: Leaving the Palace in Style

"Oh? If one sword strike can’t kill you, then I’ll just use another. Senior, your right shoulder is injured now. I wonder if you can still block my second sword!" Ye Xing sneered.

"You can use a Sword Technique like that a second time?" Tang Ancestor Li Qishan’s gaze hardened.

"You can try me!" Ye Xing said flatly. "Before this, I already used my Sword Techniques to kill Broken Water Blade Dong Yuan and gravely injure National Master Meng Shuming. Against you, this is already the third strike!"

"You’re lying. If you had used that same Sword Technique on Shuming, it would have been an instant kill, not just a serious injury!" Tang Ancestor Li Qishan said in a low voice. He was doubtful, but also wary.

"Haha, it was the same Sword Technique. It’s just that against Meng Shuming, I didn’t need to use my full power at all. Just thirty percent of its might was more than enough!" Ye Xing said proudly.

Below, National Master Meng Shuming’s face turned crimson, but he didn’t dare to object. It was just as Ye Xing said; if the sword strike used against the Tang Imperial Ancestor had been used on him, he would have been killed instantly. It was clear that, in his view, Ye Xing had indeed used the same Sword Technique before, just not at full power.

"To be honest, using a second strike is a huge burden on me. If it wasn’t absolutely necessary, I wouldn’t use it. But since the Tang Imperial Ancestor doesn’t believe me, let’s test it! Let’s see if you die under my sword, or if I am slain by you!" Ye Xing’s killing intent surged as he once again raised the Glowing Treasure Sword in his hand.

The sharp tip of the sword glinted with a cold light, pointing from afar at Tang Ancestor Li Qishan on the other side.

"Wait!" Tang Ancestor Li Qishan’s expression changed, and he quickly said, "This old man is willing to cease hostilities!"

"It’s just... young man, you’ve broken into the Imperial Palace, plundering and destroying. This old man would very much like to know what your attitude is toward the Southern Tang Country!" Tang Ancestor Li Qishan’s eyes flickered. His right arm, the one that held his blade, was injured, and his strength was reduced by at least thirty percent. He knew he probably couldn’t block a second strike. If the fight continued, it would become a gamble of life and death—a bet on whether Ye Xing could use that second sword strike. If he could, Li Qishan would die. If he couldn’t, Ye Xing would die.

Clearly, both sides had their reservations. Tang Ancestor Li Qishan was still hoping to break through the Mystic Gate in his remaining years, so naturally, he was unwilling to gamble. Unless Ye Xing intended to destroy Southern Tang—in that case, he would have to risk his life to eliminate this terrifying potential opponent.

"My attitude toward the Southern Tang Country? Hmph, you should probably be asking your Southern Tang Royal Family what they mean by all this," Ye Xing barked coldly. "The very first time I came to Golden Scale Imperial City, minding my own business, the Crown Prince of Nantang sent people to ambush and kill me. After that, the Emperor sent a large army to trap and kill me, even dispatching an Innate Realm National Master. All I did was take the Crown Prince’s head. What’s barging into the Imperial Palace compared to that? If I really intended to destroy your Southern Tang Country, I would just need to wait another two years. Once my White Cloud City grows a little stronger, I could directly contact the Nanchu Kingdom and carve up Southern Tang’s territory with them. Why would I be in such a rush now?"

Tang Ancestor Li Qishan’s gaze flickered, and he couldn’t help but look down toward Emperor Li Bi and National Master Meng Shuming.

"Reporting to Master, things are indeed as the Lord White Cloud said. The Crown Prince did indeed instigate this matter first," National Master Meng Shuming replied respectfully.

Hearing this, Tang Ancestor Li Qishan nodded slightly. He looked at Ye Xing and said after a moment of thought, "Since the Royal Family instigated this, then this old man apologizes. Let’s end our fight here. Lord White Cloud, you may leave freely!"

"Mm! Then I won’t trouble you any further!" Ye Xing nodded and immediately prepared to leave.

"Wait!" Emperor Li Bi shouted hastily. "Lord White Cloud, if you are to leave, please return the treasures from the Treasure Hall!"

"The treasures in the Treasure Hall are compensation from your Royal Family for this mistake. If you’re not happy about it, you’re welcome to try and stop me!" Ye Xing said flatly, not bothering to pay the Emperor of Southern Tang any more mind. He directly activated his Lightweight Skill, using Wind Shadow Step to head out of the Imperial Palace.

Around the Ancestral Dragon Hall, layers of Guards and tens of thousands of Imperial Army soldiers watched Ye Xing’s retreating back, yet not a single one dared to step out and stop him. The Imperial Army had been beaten into submission; they truly hoped this Evil God would leave the Imperial Palace as soon as possible. Since the Tang Imperial Ancestor gave no order, they were happy to stand there like wooden statues. Who would be foolish enough to try and stop him? Wasn’t that suicide?

’This young man is no ordinary person. Since we have no confidence we can kill him, we cannot afford to make him an enemy!’ Tang Ancestor Li Qishan muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on Ye Xing’s gradually receding figure.

Emperor Li Bi grew anxious and said hurriedly, "Imperial Grandfather, how can we just let him leave so easily? That Lord White Cloud not only looted the Treasure Hall but also killed the Crown Prince in front of everyone at the palace gates, causing our Royal Family to lose face—"

"If the Crown Prince is dead, just replace him," Tang Ancestor Li Qishan said flatly.

"But your grandson only has one son!" Emperor Li Bi was filled with grief and indignation. He only had one son, Li Yu, and he had been killed by the Lord White Cloud. Naturally, his heart was filled with immense resentment.

"Hmph, why must it be your son? The Southern Tang Royal Family has many descendants. There are plenty of outstanding talents among the fourth and fifth generations. Just pick one to be the Crown Prince!" Tang Ancestor Li Qishan snorted coldly. "Bi’Er, are you trying to make your Imperial Grandfather fight that Lord White Cloud to the death? Do you want me to risk this old life of mine just to avenge your Crown Prince?"

"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare! That’s not what I meant!" Emperor Li Bi said in a panic.

"Master, His Majesty is just heartbroken from the loss of his son; he is not disregarding your safety," National Master Meng Shuming also quickly interjected. "Your Majesty, you saw it just now. This Lord White Cloud is not so easy to deal with. Master’s right arm is already injured, and his strength is greatly reduced. If the Lord White Cloud were to use another sword strike, I fear Master’s life would be in danger. Moreover, if we fail to keep him here and this becomes a feud to the death, we would be gambling with the entire Southern Tang."

"I was wrong, I was wrong! Please forgive me, Imperial Grandfather!" Emperor Li Bi kowtowed repeatedly.

"Sigh... Back then, during the chaotic wars between the nations, it was so difficult to carve out the lands of Southern Tang!" Tang Ancestor Li Qishan let out a long sigh. "Alright, this old man is tired. You may all withdraw. In the future, do not trespass in the Ancestral Dragon Hall again. And remember, you must not offend White Cloud City. That Lord White Cloud is no ordinary person. Since we could not trap him this time, we must not make an enemy of him in the future!"

"Yes, your grandson obeys!" "This disciple obeys!"

"We will obey the ancestor’s command!"

National Master Meng Shuming, Emperor Li Bi, and the many Imperial Army Guards quickly and respectfully withdrew.

...

「Southern Tang Calendar, Year 136, December 21st, morning.」

Lord White Cloud, Ye Xing, killed Crown Prince Li Yu before the gates of the Imperial Palace. He then fought the Imperial Army and seriously injured the Innate National Master Meng Shuming with a single sword strike. Finally, he broke into the Imperial Palace and wreaked havoc in the court, surrounded by thousands of soldiers.

That same afternoon, he strolled leisurely out of the palace, shocking the world!

On that day, the crowd of onlookers outside the Imperial Palace gates numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Even through the thick palace walls, they could still hear the sounds of fighting and explosions from within.

Rumor had it that the Lord White Cloud had plundered the Imperial Palace! Rumor had it that the Lord White Cloud had stolen the Emperor’s golden throne! Rumor had it that the Lord White Cloud slept with the Emperor’s concubines—one in every place he went—and the Emperor’s face turned green with rage! Rumor had it...

For a time, all sorts of gossip circulated through the martial world, some true, some false, spreading like wildfire across the entire Southern Tang Country. Even the surrounding nations, like the Nanchu Kingdom, heard the name of the Lord White Cloud.

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