The Demon Prince

After Li Shunhua spoke, everyone present whispered among themselves, waiting to see Xiao Xingyue back down and make a fool of himself.

Xiao Xingyue was even more anxious than they were that this battle wouldn't happen.

After receiving the imperial decree, he immediately sent Yuanbao to investigate Xu Huaiyong, who at most held the rank of first-grade martial arts.

The emperor didn't know that Xiao Xingyue was capable of martial arts, which is why he wanted Xu Huaiyong to deal with him.

In reality, this was a crushing victory for Xiao Xingyue, who could also take advantage of the situation to outmaneuver the Eighth Princess and win her over.

"Admitting defeat is impossible! Even though this battle is perilous, with a slim chance of survival, I, Xiao Xingyue, as a son of the Xiao family, will fight to the death for the world!"

Xiao Xingyue's indignant answer stunned everyone for two seconds, after which the gazes cast upon him became more appreciative.

"Although this Ninth Prince is utterly weak and not even qualified to go to the battlefield, his spirit is certainly not a disgrace to the Zhenguo Royal Palace!"

"Yes, yes! Even if he dies in this battle, he will be remembered for generations to come."

Even Li Shunhua felt that Xiao Xingyue's figure had become more imposing at this moment, and whispered, "It seems I underestimated him before... He does have his merits..."

Seeing that Xiao Xingyue had successfully shown off, and hearing that the Eighth Princess had changed her opinion of him, Xu Huaiyong immediately jumped onto the stage.

"Since the young master is overestimating himself, I won't mind showing you reality!"

The crowd watching the play instantly erupted in cheers.

"Let's fight! Let's fight! Strategist Xu! You'd better put in some effort; I've bet my entire fortune on you winning!"

"Brother, you've gone too far. Why didn't you tell me about this way to make money?"

"Exactly! I want to buy it too! I'll buy it and get beaten to death!"

Hearing the commotion from the audience, Xu Huaiyong's confidence soared. He suddenly opened his folding fan, and countless short blades sprang out from the fan ribs, aiming straight for Xiao Xingyue's shoulder and neck.

Li Shunhua frowned. "This Xu Huaiyong...didn't I warn him not to use lethal force?"

This move was ruthless and swift. As Xu Huaiyong charged towards him, Xiao Xingyue narrowed his eyes. Good heavens, is this a martial arts contest? He wants to kill me!

"Looks like you really see me as a rival in love."

Xiao Xingyue was glad that he had broken through to the second rank, otherwise his life would have been in real danger today.

He stepped to the side, and the short blade grazed past his clothes.

The agile movement made Xu Huaiyong's mind go blank. Before he could stop his move, a full-force punch containing the power of a second-grade martial art slammed into his ribs!

There was a loud bang!

Xu Huaiyong hunched over!

He immediately staggered backward, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets!

Feeling the excruciating pain in his ribs, Xu Huaiyong's heart was in turmoil!

How is that possible?!

Not only was Xiao Xingyue able to dodge his deadly attacks, but he was also able to counterattack so quickly?

And how could that punch be so powerful?

Didn't the Eighth Princess say that he was at most just a first-rank official?

"It must be because I've been hiding my skills for too long and haven't gotten used to combat yet..." Xu Huaiyong gritted his teeth, forcibly suppressing the surging pain: "Again!"

He lunged forward and stabbed three times with his folding fan-shaped short blade, each thrust aimed at a vital spot.

Xiao Xingyue listened to the sound of the wind and took a few steps as if he were just walking around, one step to the left and half a step to the right.

Xu Huaiyong's short blades all missed their mark. Before he could even thrust out for the fourth time, Xiao Xingyue had already grabbed his wrist and pulled hard.

With a crack, Xu Huaiyong's face turned pale with pain. Xiao Xingyue then raised his knee and struck Xu Huaiyong's hind leg. Xu Huaiyong immediately fell to his knees in front of him!

The crowd erupted!

"Holy crap! How is the Ninth Prince so powerful?"

"I think it's Taixu, one of the Eighth Princess's advisors, who's incompetent."

"Strategists are all talk and no action, they can't keep up with the numbers."

"Oh no, I didn't bet on the prince to win!"

Li Shunhua's heart tightened; she could clearly see that Xiao Xingyue was stronger than yesterday!

And not just a little!

His reaction, strength, and judgment all reached the level of a second-grade martial artist!

"How did he improve so quickly... or has he been hiding his true strength all along?"

On the stage.

Xu Huaiyong knelt on the ground, his face flushed red, overwhelmed by pain, humiliation, and fear.

He could hear the discussions in the stands, and he could feel Li Shunhua's gaze; this was even more unbearable than being beaten.

He can't lose, he can't lose like this in front of her!

"Xiao Xingyue, don't be so smug!" He gritted his teeth, his voice trembling. "Ten years east of the river, ten years west of the river! You just wait..."

Snapped--

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Xingyue slapped Xu Huaiyong across the face, causing Xu Huaiyong to fall to the ground in pain.

"What are you chanting slogans for? Acting like you're the main character?" Xiao Xingyue clapped his hands, then sat directly on Xu Huaiyong's lap. "I heard you also like the Eighth Princess? Then let me ask you something: do you agree to my marriage with the Eighth Princess?"

Xu Huaiyong instantly realized that Xiao Xingyue didn't really care whether he agreed or not.

This was a deliberate attempt to use him, to embarrass the Eighth Princess, and to make him a part of their scheme!

Xu Huaiyong struggled incessantly but couldn't break free; his eyes instantly reddened: "You're dreaming!"

"Stubborn, huh?" Xiao Xingyue slammed a punch into his shoulder. "Do you agree or not?"

Xu Huaiyong screamed in pain, "I disagree!"

Bang—another punch!

Do you agree or disagree?

"Xiao Xingyue, you are despicable."

bang-bang-bang-

Xiao Xingyue didn't even ask any questions, and started throwing punch after punch.

Xu Huaiyong was in so much pain that tears were almost coming out of his eyes. He wanted to maintain his integrity, but while his integrity was strong, his body was not.

Especially since Xiao Xingyue's punches were so accurate and fierce, big brother, stop hitting me like that! Why don't you ask me something, maybe I'll give in?

Xiao Xingyue remained silent, only throwing punches.

"Ah!" Xu Huaiyong couldn't take it anymore: "Stop hitting me! Stop hitting me! Please stop! I...I agree."

Li Shunhua stood in the stands, her face flushed, her eyes blazing with anger.

She was furious that Xu Huaiyong lacked backbone. If such a person were under her command, and on the battlefield, he would be considered a traitor to the country and should be punished according to military law!

Before Li Shunhua could deal with Xu Huaiyong, Xiao Xingyue wiped the blood from his fist onto Xu Huaiyong's body and suddenly looked at Li Shunhua: "Since the people of your Eighth Princess's residence are so supportive of my marriage to the Eighth Princess, then let's seize the day! Bring it here!"

Li Shunhua felt a sense of unease. What was Xiao Xingyue up to now? She felt like there was a huge conspiracy waiting for her.

Before Li Shunhua could speak, Zhao Yuanbao and Chen Manfu, along with a group of servants from the Prince's Mansion, walked onto the stage one after another, each holding wedding candies and red dates, dressed in phoenix coronet and wedding robes, and stood behind Xiao Xingyue.

The entire audience stared wide-eyed.

"Holy crap! Is the young master going to propose to the Eighth Princess right here and now?"

"How romantic! My deadbeat husband has never proposed to me..."

Li Shunhua rushed onto the stage to try and stop Xiao Xingyue, but it was too late.

Xiao Xingyue kicked Xu Huaiyong off the stage, then loudly announced: "This young master and the Eighth Princess are deeply in love and are now united in marriage. Everyone, come and witness this!"