The Demon Prince

As Xiao Xingyue's true colors were revealed, the room fell silent.

Li Miaoqing was stunned, Li Shunhua frowned, and Li Wangshu blinked.

"Xiao Xingyue, you really are threatening us." Li Shunhua sneered, "I disagree!"

Li Miaoqing also released her grip on Xiao Xingyue, "I disagree too!"

Xiao Xingyue was too lazy to say anything and simply walked out.

Li Miaoqing, who had just withdrawn her hand, was so frightened that she clung to him tightly again, saying, "Stop right there."

Li Shunhua also stood in front, her anger rising and falling. She had never seen such a shameless person... but the current situation seemed to leave her no choice. "Fine... I agree!"

Li Miaoqing suddenly looked at her: "Eighth Sister!"

Li Shunhua gave her a wink, and Li Miaoqing understood. She could only grit her teeth and say, "I agree too."

Xiao Xingyue looked at Li Wangshu, "And you?"

Li Wangshu said angrily, "I originally wanted to vote for you."

Li Shunhua and Li Miaoqing both stared at her in shock.

"Very well!" Xiao Xingyue smiled. "The three princesses are so understanding and righteous. I am deeply grateful and have no way to repay them except to recover my health... so that I can repay you in the future!"

The three women simultaneously released him, wanting to curse him, but they all held back.

They nodded to each other in tacit agreement.

Then Li Miaoqing spoke first: "Your Highness has just taken the Great Rejuvenation Pill and practiced the Sacred Dragon Technique. You should rest and recuperate as soon as possible. We will take our leave."

Li Shunhua also cupped her hands in a generous gesture, and then left with Li Miaoqing.

Only Li Wangshu remained in the room. She crossed her arms and raised her proud figure. "Xiao Xingyue, the Sacred Dragon Technique is divided into nine levels, each more difficult to master than the last. Even Father Emperor only reached the seventh level. Now that your poison has been cured, you should stop practicing it to avoid going astray."

After saying that, she angrily waved her sleeve and said, "I'll go see them off."

After Li Wangshu left, Xiao Xingyue's carefree expression turned serious and solemn.

"If I were crazy, I wouldn't be practicing such a divine skill... But the Emperor has only reached the seventh level..." Xiao Xingyue stroked his chin. "I remember my cheapskate father saying that the Emperor's level was no lower than his, while he was only at the eighth rank!"

Xiao Xingyue's eyes lit up. "Could the Emperor be a ninth-rank martial artist?!"

He clenched his fist. "No, I have to practice this Sacred Dragon Technique! I have to practice it until I'm even more powerful than that old emperor!"

……

Outside the Prince's Mansion.

Li Shunhua and Li Miaoqing walked side by side. Li Miaoqing looked apologetic. "Eighth Sister, I was reckless this time, and I dragged you into this too..."

Li Shunhua held her hand. "Seventh Sister, did you deliberately let Xiao Xingyue unleash his beastly nature to embarrass him in front of Ninth Sister?"

Li Miaoqing nodded. "Ninth Sister and Xiao Xingyue have already consummated their marriage without her even realizing it. She has fallen in love with Xiao Xingyue, but Father Emperor is determined to eliminate the Xiao family. Ninth Sister cannot develop feelings for Xiao Xingyue, otherwise, when Father Emperor takes action, Ninth Sister might do something foolish."

Li Shunhua looked troubled. "So you just promised him you'd vote for me?"

"Of course it's fake! I wouldn't vote for him unless I'm as crazy as Ninth Sister!" Li Miaozhen sneered. "He's lucky this time, escaping unscathed. Eighth Sister, do you have a better idea? Let's make Xiao Xingyue fail sooner!"

"Let me think..."

The two walked further and further apart.

Unbeknownst to them, Li Wangshu, who had originally intended to come out to see them off, had stopped behind the gate of the Prince's Mansion and was secretly listening.

"I...have I fallen for Xiao Xingyue...?" Li Wangshu's face flushed with the rosy hue of a young girl experiencing first love, but she quickly shook her head vigorously, "No way!"

……

Early in the morning, the Prince's Palace in Zhenguo was already bustling with activity.

Zhao Yuanbao squatted at the entrance of the main hall, holding a long list in his hand, muttering something about a hundred guards, warhorses, pack animals, swords, spears, and armor.

Every time he read out an item, Chen Manfu's eyebrows would twitch.

Maintaining all of this stuff would cost a fortune.

Chen Manfu sighed:

"Horses need to eat grass, armor needs to be fed, weapons need to be repaired, guards need to live in the compound, and they also need to be paid monthly wages."

Just then, a commotion broke out outside.

A large group of people, with heavy footsteps, trod on the bluestone road, like the rumbling of war drums.

Chen Manfu's expression changed, and he quickly went out to greet them, with Zhao Yuanbao also peeking out.

Outside the gate of the Prince's Mansion, a hundred guards stood ramrod straight, wearing old military jackets, their backs as straight as spears.

The older ones were in their early sixties, with graying temples, while the younger ones also had physical disabilities. At first glance, they all exuded the fierce aura of the military.

These people were not ordinary servants; they were old, weak, and disabled soldiers who had retired from the border army. Due to physical reasons, they had retreated from the border to the capital, but their spirit of toughness remained.

The leading veteran was named Feng Lie, in his forties, with a dark complexion, short and thick stubble, and a loud voice.

"Listen up, people of the King's Palace! The General has sent us here, and we acknowledge him."

But if you want us to follow orders, that depends on your own abilities. Whoever is capable will lead us!

Chen Manfu's forehead immediately broke out in a sweat.

These veterans were all handpicked by Qin Zhenyue. They were delivered, but taming them wouldn't be so easy.

They had all served in the border troops, seen blood, killed, and been stabbed...

When Xiao Xingyue came out of the inner courtyard, Chen Manfu immediately looked at him with pleading eyes.

All one hundred veterans' eyes fell on Xiao Xingyue.

Feng Lie made no attempt to hide his intentions, scrutinizing him from head to toe. "You must be the Ninth Prince, Xiao Xingyue?"

Xiao Xingyue first scanned the group of people, then looked at Feng Lie: "Since Qin Zhenyue sent you here, you'd better do a good job."

Feng Lie scoffed, "Young Master, hold on! Don't blame us for being blunt, but we're all from the border army. We'd give our lives for you, and we're tough as nails. If you're just putting on airs, then we won't stand for it."

After listening, Xiao Xingyue nodded: "That makes sense."

Feng Lie found his unhurried and unperturbed demeanor even more displeasing:

"Young Master Xiao, don't try to fool us with empty words."

"Let me be frank, we respect your father and brothers; they are truly remarkable people! But we look down on you."

As soon as he said that, the group of veterans behind him stirred slightly, offering silent support.

Chen Manfu's face turned pale.

Xiao Xingyue was just about to test his current combat strength when he raised his hand: "Don't think highly of me? Then let's have a couple of moves."

"Your Highness is too kind. If I were to hurt you..." Feng Lie said with disdain, treating him as a spoiled brat having a fit of madness.

To everyone's surprise, Xiao Xingyue became even more domineering, declaring, "If you injure me, you'll be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold!"

Feng Lie's eyes darkened instantly. He tossed his hand behind him and sneered, "Fine! I'd like to see just how much the last surviving member of the Xiao family is worth!"