Druid Fairy

Chapter 188 Whose Background is Stronger?
That beam of holy light that shot into the sky almost washed away the gloom in half the sky and completely shattered Wang Tianba's hypocritical smile.

He had imagined countless possibilities, even considering that Li Mengjin, with his extraordinary sword intent, would withstand the erosion of resentment and ultimately suffer severe damage to his vital energy.

I never expected it to be so calm and uneventful.

Zhuge Qingcheng parted her red lips slightly, her voice carrying a hint of admiration that she herself was unaware of, and looked at Wang Tianba, whose face had turned as black as the bottom of a pot, "Lord Wang, the result is already very obvious."

Wang Tianba's lips twitched violently.

Yes, the result is obvious.

It was so obvious, like a resounding slap, hard across the face of him, the commander of the Demon Suppression Division.

Not only did he fail to smooth out the rough edges of this rough jade, but he also made it shine with a dazzling light that made even him feel awe!

The way the other examinees looked at Li Mengjin had changed from initial envy to awe.

Wang Tianba felt an unprecedented provocation.

An ant in his eyes actually stepped on his face in front of everyone and was revered!

"Hahaha……"

Wang Tianba suddenly laughed in anger and clapped his hands heavily.

"What a young hero! He has truly broadened my horizons!"

As he spoke, he slowly walked towards Li Mengjin, who had just been teleported out of the Ten Thousand Souls Cave.

The armored soldiers behind him also moved, silently spreading out and forming a circle that surrounded Li Mengjin and the others. Their cold iron armor and unsheathed blades gleamed with a bloodthirsty light in the sunlight.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

"Lord Wang! What do you mean by this?"

Zhuge Qingcheng frowned, stepped forward, and blocked Li Mengjin's path. "The selection process is over. Li Mengjin's skills surpassed all others, and he won first place, which is what everyone expected. Are you trying to disregard the imperial edict and openly sabotage this important plan to select talents for the country?"

She invoked imperial power, hoping to make Wang Tianba more wary.

"Lord Zhuge is joking."

Wang Tianba said with a forced smile, "I have absolutely no objection to the selection results. Li Jin is the champion, and I am completely convinced. However..."

He abruptly changed the subject, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Li Mengjin, his voice becoming chilling: "I now suspect that this boy is colluding with demonic forces! The leaf he just used had a strange aura; such evil magic is strikingly similar to the methods of the Blood Fiend Sect!"

"For the safety of the Great Yu Dynasty, and to prevent any demonic spies from infiltrating the court, I, in my capacity as the Commander of the Demon Suppression Division, must now bring this person back to the division for rigorous interrogation! I hope Lord Zhuge will not interfere in the internal affairs of my Demon Suppression Division!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was in an uproar!

Shameless!
Shameless!

This is a blatant frame-up!
"You...you are so slanderous!"

Han Youwei was trembling with anger. He pointed at Wang Tianba's nose, wanting to curse him, but before he could finish speaking, Han Wanshan, who was standing next to him, covered his mouth tightly.

"You unfilial son! Do you want to die?!" Han Wanshan was sweating profusely with anxiety. Although he also felt that Wang Tianba was going too far, the other party was, after all, the commander of the Demon Suppression Division, who held the power of life and death!

Once the label of "colluding with the demonic path" is slapped on him, let alone one Han family, even ten Han families would be crushed into dust!

Zhuge Qingcheng's expression turned completely cold.

She never expected that Wang Tianba would be so shameless.

She could use her position as the chief examiner to ensure the fairness of Li Mengjin's selection process. However, once Wang Tianba forcibly escalated the matter to the level of "the Demon Suppression Division handling a case," then it would be truly difficult for her, as the chief examiner, to intervene.

The Demon Suppression Division is a violent agency independent of the imperial court and directly under the emperor. It wields immense power and has always been domineering.

If she forcibly obstructs him, Wang Tianba can easily accuse her of "protecting the demonic path." At that time, even if she has a powerful background, she will still get herself into trouble and face endless problems.

She could fight for Li Mengjin's interests and provide him with protection, but it would be difficult for her to fight to the death with a powerful local tyrant for the sake of a genius she had just met.

“Li Jin,” Zhuge Qingcheng looked at Li Mengjin, a hint of apology flashing in her eyes. She used telepathy to say, “If you are willing to become my disciple, I will immediately send a message to my sect to ensure your safety.”

This was the biggest concession she could make.

However, Li Mengjin simply shook his head slightly at her and replied telepathically, "Thank you for your kindness, sir. I appreciate it."

Seeing that Li Mengjin rejected Zhuge Qingcheng's "kindness," Wang Tianba's sinister smile deepened.

In his view, this kid was already his for the taking, and there was no way he could escape!
He waved his hand dismissively and shouted, "Take him down!"

"Who dares!"

With a strength that seemed to come from nowhere, Han Youwei broke free from his father's restraints, spread his arms, and stood in front of Li Mengjin.

"Wang Tianba! Let me tell you! My older brother is under my protection, Han Youwei! If you want to mess with him, you'll have to get over me first!"

"Hmph, you overestimating yourself!" A hint of killing intent flashed in Wang Tianba's eyes.

Just as he was about to take down the fat man who was oblivious to his own death, Li Mengjin reached out and gently placed his hand on Han Youwei's shoulder.

"It's okay, I'll come."

Han Youwei was taken aback and wanted to say something, but he saw Li Mengjin's calm and composed eyes.

That look in his eyes inexplicably calmed him down.

Li Mengjin stepped forward slowly, alone, facing the dozens of murderous Demon Suppression Guards and the powerful Commander.

He held no sword in his hand, but stood with his hands behind his back. His cool, moon-white robe fluttered in the mountain wind, making him as aloof as a peerless divine weapon about to be unsheathed.

He looked at Wang Tianba and suddenly smiled.

“Lord Wang, what you rely on is nothing more than the power of the Demon Suppression Division and your official position.”

"I just want to ask one question..."

"You really intend to use your power to intimidate others?"

This sentence seemed to possess some strange magic, instantly silencing the noisy valley to the point where you could hear a pin drop.

At this moment, he was no longer a fifteen-year-old boy, but a seeker who dared to confront the abyss and ask questions!
Wang Tianba's face turned incredibly ferocious.

So what if I suppress you!

His voice was as if squeezed out from between his teeth, "In Songling Prefecture, I am the law! If I say you are a demon, then you are a demon! Seize me! If you dare to resist, kill me without mercy!"

The armored soldiers roared, drew their blades, and their killing intent soared to the sky!
Han Youwei was so frightened that he closed his eyes.

Zhuge Qingcheng clenched her jade-like hands tightly, her expression hesitant.

At this critical moment!
A shrill voice, like thunder from the heavens, rolled in from the distant horizon.

"stop!"

Immediately afterwards, a vast imperial dragon aura swept in from the horizon, auspicious clouds parted the way, and celestial music filled the air. Nine magnificent dragon horses pulled an extremely luxurious imperial carriage, displaying the supreme status of the emperor, as it broke through the sky. Behind it followed a slightly smaller, but equally magnificent, phoenix chariot.

"His Majesty has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived! Princess Mingyue has arrived!"

The eunuch's distinctive singing voice resounded through the sky!
Throughout the valley, whether they were soldiers or examinees, whether they were Wang Tianba or Zhuge Qingcheng, their expressions changed drastically upon seeing the dragon flag representing the imperial power of the Great Yu Dynasty, and they all knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

"The Queen Mother is a thousand years old!"

Wang Tianba buried his head firmly in the ground.

Why would His Majesty the Emperor come?

And she was accompanied by the Empress Dowager and Princess Mingyue, who was currently enjoying the Emperor's favor?

But he reacted very quickly and instantly realized that this was a golden opportunity for him!

This is a perfect opportunity to completely eliminate Li Jin, this thorn in our side, and also to make a great contribution in front of His Majesty!

The imperial carriage slowly descended, and the Emperor of Great Yu, dressed in a dragon robe, stepped out amidst a throng of palace maids and eunuchs. His face was dignified, exuding authority without anger.

On the other side, the Empress Dowager stepped down from the phoenix carriage, supported by a beautifully sculpted little girl of about seven or eight years old, dressed in a gorgeous palace dress.

"Rise, all of you." The emperor's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Everyone stood up, but still dared not raise their heads.

Wang Tianba rushed forward, sobbing uncontrollably, "Your Majesty! You've come at the perfect time! This humble subject... this humble subject has failed Your Majesty's grace, almost allowing a treacherous demonic spy to infiltrate this selection! Fortunately, Your Majesty's divine might is overwhelming, and your dragon aura suppresses evil, thus exposing this villain!"

His words were sincere and heartfelt, and his acting was superb.

"Oh?" The emperor was indeed intrigued. "Is that so? Minister Wang, please tell me in detail."

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

Wang Tianba was overjoyed; this was exactly the effect he wanted!
He whirled around, pointed fiercely at Li Mengjin who remained standing calmly, and angrily rebuked her:
"This is the man! His name is Li Jin, his origins are unknown, yet he possesses evil arts! In the final test, he actually used a bizarre demonic technique, a method that is exactly the same as that of the Blood Fiend Sect, which everyone wants to kill!"

"Your Majesty, I dare to suspect that this person is a spy sent by the Blood Fiend Sect, intending to infiltrate the court and overthrow the Great Yu Dynasty! I am about to arrest him and interrogate him thoroughly to ensure the peace of the Great Yu! I beg Your Majesty to investigate!"

His ability to distort the truth and shift the blame is truly masterful.

Many people were stunned and cursed the shamelessness in their hearts, but no one dared to refute it.

After listening, the emperor frowned slightly. He looked at Li Mengjin, a scrutinizing glint in his eyes.

Wang Tianba was even more pleased with himself and was about to add a few more words when he suddenly sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere.

He secretly glanced up and noticed that the emperor, the empress dowager, and all the palace maids and eunuchs around him were not looking at him, nor at the "evil spy" Li Jin.

Their gazes were all focused on the little girl holding the Empress Dowager's hand—Princess Mingyue, Li Mengyue.

At this moment, the little princess, who was deeply favored and hailed as an auspicious omen of the Great Yu Dynasty, tilted her adorable little head and stared unblinkingly at the young man in blue robes whom Wang Tianba had labeled a "spy of the demonic path."

Her gaze shifted from initial confusion to uncertainty, then to surprise upon recognizing him, and finally, after hearing Wang Tianba's impassioned accusations, her clear eyes instantly filled with tears of grievance and a furious anger at having been provoked.

Wang Tianba was unaware of what had happened; he only felt a strange chill travel from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

"elder brother……"

A soft, tearful, and aggrieved cry escaped from Li Mengyue's little mouth.

This word, like a thunderbolt from the heavens, struck Wang Tianba on the head, leaving him charred and utterly destroyed!
elder brother???
This Li Jin… he… he… he’s Princess Mingyue’s… brother?!

Wang Tianba's mind went completely blank for a moment.

When Li Mengjin saw that familiar little figure, his face, which had always been like an iceberg, finally melted, revealing a helpless yet doting smile.

He nodded gently to the little girl whose eyes were red and looked like she was about to cry at any moment.

"Crescent Moon".

That one word, "Crescent Moon," definitively confirmed the relationship between the two.

This also definitively sentenced Wang Tianba to death.

Li Mengyue could no longer hold back. She let go of the Empress Dowager's hand, took two short steps, and like a little swallow, rushed towards Li Mengjin.

"That man is a terrible villain! He's framing you!"

The little girl's cries were clear and loud, full of childlike anger and grievance.

She clung tightly to Li Mengjin's leg, crying as she glared angrily at Wang Tianba, whose face was ashen.

Han Youwei's mouth gaped open even wider than when he saw that Zhuge Qingcheng was the chief examiner.

A look of realization and shock flashed across Zhuge Qingcheng's eyes.

The Empress Dowager was taken aback at first, then a loving smile appeared on her face. She looked at the Emperor and said softly, "Your Majesty, you see, I was just saying that all the talented people in the world are one family."

The emperor's expression was beyond just ugly.

He felt a burning pain on his face.

He first glanced at the "demon spy" who was clinging to his "auspicious" leg and crying his eyes out, then glanced at the commander of the Demon Suppression Division who was so frightened that he was shaking like a leaf.

A surge of overwhelming rage erupted in his chest!
it is good!
You bastard Wang Tianba!

You are truly a good subject of mine!

In front of me, he pointed at my "auspicious" elder brother and said he was a traitor to the demonic path? And he wanted to kill him without mercy?

What are you doing?
Do you want me to bear the infamy of harming loyal officials and slaughtering the relatives of meritorious people for all eternity?

Do you think I, the emperor, am too easy to fool?

The emperor's gaze, like a glacier that has never melted for ten thousand years, slowly fell upon Wang Tianba.

He didn't roar or howl; he simply spoke in a calm, chilling tone:
"Wang Tianba, you just said you wanted to clean house for me?"

"Now, I'm giving you that chance."

"There is a knife in front of me."

He pointed to the sword at the waist of a commander of the Imperial Guards beside him.

"Choose your own way of dying."

(End of this chapter)