You said it was a useless body, yet you punched a saint to pieces?

The main hall of the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion, where banquets are held.

The beams and pillars, carved from golden nanmu wood, are adorned with dragons and phoenixes, while the walls are hung with scrolls depicting thousand-year-old dragon skins that would drive cultivators from the outside world mad.

The air was filled with the extremely expensive scent of calming incense, but this priceless fragrance could not suppress the undercurrent of restlessness surging within the hall.

Dozens of gazes met, and whispers mingled like the buzzing of mosquitoes, deliberately lowered yet carrying undisguised malice and disdain.

"I heard that good-for-nothing finally sensed Qi and blood? Is that really worth making such a fuss about?"

"Shh, he's still the prince's son, even if he only started his studies at sixteen. People would laugh their heads off if they heard that."

"Hey, I think it's a waste of resources; they're just relying on their good family background..."

"Shh! Keep your voice down! Tonight, the Princess Consort is personally hosting a banquet to celebrate for him. Are you out of your mind?!"

In the main seat, Zheng Wanqing wore a bright red peony and gold phoenix robe, looking dignified and noble.

Sitting beside her, the Second Madam, Liu Mei, dressed in gorgeous clothes, picked up a cup of jade dew, her gaze sweeping over the various expressions of the princes below, finally settling on Zheng Wanqing's face, where she smiled charmingly.

"Sister, Dao'er has really made something of himself."

"This notion of a useless body has existed since ancient times, and no one has ever been known to be able to break it."

"Could he... have used some underhanded methods?"

Before Zheng Wanqing could speak, a young man dressed in brocade robes with an arrogant expression snorted and slammed his wine cup down from a seat below.

"Mother is overthinking it." Wang Long curled his lip, his tone full of undisguised contempt. "He's just a piece of trash. Even if he gets lucky and manages to cultivate, what future can he possibly have?"

"He probably used some kind of evil magic that drains his life force, just to have a glorious death."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment, and many people wore expressions of anticipation, as if they were watching a good show.

Zheng Wanqing remained as elegant and gentle as ever. She first gave Wang Long a reproachful look, then softly said to Liu Mei:

"Sister is joking, and Long'er is just being silly too."

"I watched Dao'er grow up. He has a pure heart and would never go down such a crooked path."

"It seems that the prince's bloodline is indeed extraordinary, and he has been accumulating strength for a long time before unleashing it."

While she verbally defended Wang Dao, her eyes were filled with a myriad of thoughts; she too wanted to know how Wang Dao had managed to achieve this.

Today's banquet is to see just how effective the Kingly Way really is.

Upon hearing this, the second wife, Liu Mei, exchanged a glance with her son, and a hint of smugness flashed in both of their eyes.

She then let out a sweet laugh and said, "Sister is right."

"Why isn't Dao'er here yet? I can't wait any longer! I really want to see with my own eyes what kind of demeanor the person who broke the curse of the useless body is!"

"After all, this is a once-in-a-century miracle!"

Just then, Wang Dao stepped over the high threshold, walked in against the light, and entered the main hall.

Today he was dressed in a simple white robe, the wide sleeves billowing in the wind, his long black hair tied casually behind his head with only a straw rope.

Upon reaching the center of the main hall, Wang Dao bowed deeply to the noblewoman seated directly above him, dressed in a bright red robe adorned with peonies and golden phoenixes, as well as to the several elders around her, all exuding a profound aura. He clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"I am late, please forgive me for keeping the Princess and the elders waiting."

His posture was respectful, and there was not a single fault with it.

Seated at the head of the table, Madam Zheng Wanqing held a teacup, gently blowing away the foam. She slightly raised her eyelids but did not speak. However, the oppressive aura of someone who had long held a superior position silently enveloped her.

Just then, a discordant sneer shattered the atmosphere.

"Punishment? Seventh Brother, you make it sound so easy."

On the left, Wang Long, dressed in a purple brocade robe with python patterns, leaned back in his chair, toying with a top-grade spirit jade in his hand, a mocking smile on his lips.

"To have all the elders waiting for you alone, this pomp and circumstance is probably even more impressive than my father's."

"That's true. After all, it's understandable that some children, born without being raised, don't know the rules, right?"

These words shocked everyone in the room. Everyone knew that the mysterious disappearance of Wang Dao's birth mother was a taboo in the Wang family. Wang Long's words were like stabbing Wang Dao in the heart.

"Long'er! Shut up!"

The second wife, Liu Mei, sitting next to Wang Long, suddenly shouted.

She was dressed in a gorgeous pink gown, her face exquisite, but now she looked at Wang Long with a disappointed expression. She quickly stood up, smiled apologetically at those around her, and then looked at Wang Long with a seemingly stern expression:

"How can you say that about your seventh brother? Although Dao'er is dull-witted and only barely entered the path of martial arts at the age of sixteen, he is still your father's flesh and blood."

"His mother isn't around to guide him, so we should be even more tolerant. How could you expose his shortcomings in public?"

These words were like a soft knife, each one drawing blood.

On the surface, it was a reprimand of Wang Long, but in reality, it firmly attached the labels of dullness, absence of his mother, and lack of guidance to Wang Dao.

Upon hearing this, Wang Long feigned annoyance and slapped his forehead, saying, "Mother is right. I misspoke and shouldn't have told the truth."

The mother and son sang in perfect harmony, their voices blending seamlessly together.

The whispers in the hall suddenly grew louder, and mocking smiles spread across everyone's faces.

Wang Dao slowly straightened up, the humility on his face receding like the tide. He turned around and stared intently at Wang Long.

In that instant, Wang Long felt as if he were being stared at by an ancient ferocious beast. His hair stood on end, and the hand holding the spirit jade trembled involuntarily.

"Third Brother just said, 'People give birth, but no one raises them?'"

Wang Dao's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly penetrated into everyone's ears.

He took a step forward, and although his terrifying aura did not erupt, it stirred up a visible ripple on his body.

"My mother is indeed not in the house."

A cruel smile curled at the corner of Wang Dao's lips, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing directly into Wang Long's eyes.

"Since my mother is gone, I was raised by my father, and I ate the food of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion and learned the rules of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion."

"Is Third Brother criticizing me for being ill-mannered, or is he criticizing Father for failing to raise his son properly?"

"boom!"

These words struck Wang Long like a thunderbolt.

Wang Long's face turned deathly pale instantly, and his previous arrogance vanished in an instant.

He jumped to his feet, his finger trembling as he pointed at Wang Dao: "You...you're talking nonsense! When have I ever cursed my father? Don't you dare slander me!"

"Isn't that right?"

Wang Dao gave him no chance to breathe, taking another step forward, his imposing aura pressing down on Wang Long like a collapsing mountain.

"The elders present heard this clearly. You said I was born but not raised. Since I was born and raised in the royal palace, it is my father's responsibility to raise me."

"Third Brother's public criticism of the Prince's children for lacking manners is tantamount to criticizing Father for failing to manage the household properly and for Father's failing eyesight!"

"Third brother, do you even respect Father? This is utterly disrespectful!"

This huge accusation is enough to crush Wang Long.

Cold sweat poured down Wang Long's forehead. He opened his mouth, but found himself speechless, stumped by this logic.

He usually only knew how to bully others by relying on his power; he had never seen such a subtle and insidious tactic that used someone else's strength against them.

The second wife's fake smile froze completely, and the silk handkerchief in her hand was almost torn to shreds.

She never expected that this usually taciturn illegitimate son would be so sharp-tongued, turning the tide of the battle in just a few words and pushing Wang Long to the brink of despair.

Even Zheng Wanqing, who had been watching the show, had a glint of surprise in her beautiful eyes as she re-examined the young man in white.

The atmosphere inside the hall was extremely tense, and no one dared to breathe.

That's enough.

A clear, cold, and authoritative voice rang out, instantly silencing the commotion in the room.

Zheng Wanqing slowly put down her teacup. The sound of the porcelain hitting the table was crisp and pleasant, but it made Wang Long's legs go weak and he almost knelt down.

Those phoenix eyes swept over Wang Long indifferently, finally landing on Wang Dao, a barely perceptible hint of admiration and shrewdness flashing deep within them.

"Long'er is young and ignorant, and speaks recklessly; he has indeed spoken recklessly."

"After today, go down and receive your punishment: three days of confinement and copying of the family rules one hundred times."

Zheng Wanqing's voice left no room for doubt, directly defining the nature of the matter.

She saved Wang Long's face by not charging him with serious disrespect, but she still punished him.

Then, she looked at Wang Dao, her tone softening slightly:

"Dao'er, please take a seat as well."

"We're brothers, so some things are best left unsaid; there's no need to take them too seriously."

The sharpness in Wang Dao's eyes vanished instantly, and he reverted to the gentle and refined young man he once was. He bowed respectfully to Zheng Wanqing, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"The Princess is right, Dao'er has learned his lesson."

He turned and walked towards his seat. As he passed Wang Long, whose face was ashen, he paused slightly, but did not look at him. He simply chuckled and then calmly sat down.