14: Special care

Just as Shangguan Yuexi and the others stepped out of the Teleportation Array, their eyes narrowed and their expressions froze.

Outside the Teleportation Array, a young man wearing a golden-yellow Dragon Robe stood.

His figure was tall and straight, his face handsome, and his brows exuded an innate majesty.

His eyes were deep and bright, shining like stars, making people afraid to look directly at him. His nose bridge was high, his lips thin and resolute, and his expression was stern and cold.

His black hair was combed into a neat bun, secured by an Imperial Crown, further highlighting his noble temperament.

The golden-yellow Dragon Robe was embroidered with exquisite patterns, and a Jade Belt was tied around his waist, emphasizing his slender and upright figure.

Behind him, hundreds of Civil Officials and Military Generals with imposing Auras stood neatly and respectfully, their expressions calm and unreadable.

Within a radius of several miles around the Teleportation Array, numerous Imperial Guards stood guard, forbidding unauthorized personnel from approaching.

Furthermore, a clear, wide road led directly to the city gate, and along both sides, an Imperial Guard stood watch every meter, seemingly preventing anyone else from getting close.

Further away, countless Cultivators or common folk gathered, their gazes fixed on this area, their expressions varied.

Some were curious, wondering who had arrived that could warrant Emperor Nangong Aotian bringing all the officials to greet them?

Others were surprised, clearly aware of some inside information, and were astonished by the sight.

Some had flickering eyes, wondering what they were thinking.

In front of the Teleportation Array, seeing Shangguan Yuexi and the others arrive, Nangong Aotian stepped forward a few paces.

His steps were steady and powerful; every step seemed to carry the Aura of a thousand armies, making people involuntarily submit to him.

It was rare to see a smile on his lips, gentle like a spring breeze, instantly giving people a favorable impression.

Seeing this, Shangguan Yuexi and Liu Mingyue quickly bowed slightly, while Nangong De and the others immediately knelt down.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Although Cultivators strive against fate and do not easily kneel to others, who could blame them when the person before them was also a Cultivator, and one whose Cultivation was far higher than theirs?

"No need for formalities, rise!"

Nangong Aotian waved his hand casually, then looked at Nangong Yu in Shangguan Yuexi's arms, his thin lips parting slightly, "This must be Yuer. May I hold him?"

Shangguan Yuexi stood up, nodded slightly, and handed Nangong Yu over.

Nangong Aotian carefully took him. Looking at the infant in his arms, the Emperor's eyes involuntarily reddened slightly.

He looked at Nangong Yu, wanting to say something, but not knowing what to say.

Nangong Yu looked at this cheap uncle of his, blinked his large eyes, and gave a small smile.

This was the Emperor Uncle who had given him 100,000 Spirit Stones, so he definitely had to give him a smile.

Although his mother was temporarily keeping those Spirit Stones for him, they should still count as his, right?

Nangong Yu thought to himself, when two more years passed and he could walk in the eyes of outsiders, he must go and ask this Emperor Uncle for more.

Nangong Aotian saw Nangong Yu smile, and couldn't help but reveal a smile that he believed to be gentle.

Immediately, he looked at Shangguan Yuexi and said solemnly, "Yuexi, the new Prince of Zhenbeis Residence is right next to the Imperial Palace. We are not in a hurry to go there; let's go somewhere with your elder brother first!"

Hearing this, Shangguan Yuexi nodded slightly. She could tell that perhaps because of her husband, this Emperor was giving special consideration to her and her son.

If her guess was correct, the place they were about to go was probably where Xu Jing and the others were being suppressed, right?

"Yuexi will follow Your Majesty's orders!" Shangguan Yuexi opened her crimson lips and said softly.

"Good, follow me!" Nangong Aotian nodded and led the group toward the city.

Thus, a rather peculiar scene unfolded.

They saw that Emperor Nangong Aotian, who rarely even held his own Imperial Princes and Imperial Princesses, was now carrying the Little Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu, toward the Imperial City.

Beside him, Shangguan Yuexi followed closely, half a step behind.

Everyone else followed behind them, including the Offering, Liu Mingyue.

Before long, everyone arrived north of the Qingyou Imperial City, at the location of the God Slaying Execution Ground!

The God Slaying Execution Ground was the largest execution ground in the Qingyou Imperial City, and also the largest in the Qingyou Empire, specializing in executing Cultivators who committed heinous crimes within the Qingyou Empire—a place detested by all Cultivators in the Empire, yet they were helpless to change it.

Who could blame them, since no force within the Qingyou Empire could challenge the Empire?

At this moment, hundreds of powerful Cultivators sat in the Void Realm above the God Slaying Execution Ground, including three elders radiating the Aura of the Spirit Venerable Realm.

Their cold eyes surveyed the surroundings, observing everything, and a heavy Pressure descended directly onto the execution ground.

On the execution ground, dozens of ragged men and women knelt on the ground, covered in bloodstains.

Furthermore, Steel Nails radiating Yin Evil Qi were embedded in their abdomens, constantly corroding their bodies, flesh, and even their Divine Souls.

Their expressions were hideous, their faces contorted in pain, screaming and wailing, their eyes flashing with endless regret and boundless malice.

Nangong Aotian brought Nangong Yu to the Execution Supervision Platform, glancing at the countless Cultivators gathered in the distance and the common folk approaching.

Anger flashed in his calm eyes as he looked at the people on the execution ground and spoke sternly, "Xu Xuanzheng, your Xu Family truly has immense audacity! As soon as the Prince of Zhenbei died in battle, you dared to spread rumors and stir up trouble, seeking to harm the only descendant he left behind. You truly deserve death!"

As soon as these words were spoken, those who had received the news beforehand thought, 'Just as expected,' while those who didn't know the truth were slightly stunned.

Could it be that the rumor that the Little Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu, was an Evil Star who caused the death of the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Aotian, was false?

Instantly, some felt ashamed, some looked disbelieving, and some looked happy.

On the execution ground, the Xu Family members couldn't help but speak up, their faces showing grievance.

"Your Majesty, if you wish to condemn someone, why worry about lacking a pretext!"

"Your Majesty, if you want to clear the Little Prince's name, who would dare to say anything? Why must you pin the blame on my Xu Family?"

"Your Majesty, my Xu Family has been wronged!"

"Your Majesty, spare our lives! We've been wronged!"

...Listening to their cries of injustice, Nangong Aotian's expression turned cold. "You truly show no remorse and don't know what's good for you! If I don't produce evidence, you still won't give up!"

As Nangong Aotian spoke, he glanced at Eunuch Yan beside him, and Eunuch Yan immediately understood.

They saw him take out an object and gently place it on the table, his gaze toward the Xu Family members full of contempt.

Seeing that object, everyone present, whether Cultivator or commoner, had a slight change in expression.