Section 111

Zhao Li slammed a memorial to the throne onto the ground in a fit of rage.

"Reckless, lawless, and utterly defiant of the law!"

Yuan Benxi stood to the side, his expression calm.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. His Highness Prince Xia is young and impetuous; it is only natural that he would do something out of line."

"Natural?"

"I see it clearly—he wants to rebel!"

Zhao Li roared, "Does he still have any respect for me as his Emperor?"

Yuan Benxi smiled, his tone meaningful.

"Your Majesty, whether His Highness Prince Xia intends to rebel is a matter for another time."

"But for now, the most urgent matter is how to resolve this trouble."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Li's brow furrowed.

"In Mr. Yuan's opinion, what should be done?"

Yuan Benxi's eyes narrowed slightly, and a cold smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Your Majesty, why not... kill with a borrowed knife."

"Kill with a borrowed knife?"

Zhao Li looked at Yuan Benxi in confusion.

Yuan Benxi walked slowly to Zhao Li's side and whispered, "Has Your Majesty heard of Wang Xianzhi of Wudi City?"

Wang Xianzhi!

Hearing that name, Zhao Li's pupils shrank suddenly, and a flash of shock and wariness crossed his eyes.

Wang Xianzhi—he was a legendary Land Immortal, an invincible existence in the world!

"Mr. Yuan means..." Zhao Li's voice trembled slightly.

Yuan Benxi smiled coldly, his voice chilling.

"Your Majesty, Wang Xianzhi might be the best blade to eliminate Li Chengping."

Inside the Imperial Study, Zhao Li paced back and forth, his brow filled with anxiety.

"Do you think Wang Xianzhi will truly make a move?"

Yuan Benxi stroked his beard and smiled, looking every bit the calculating strategist.

"Your Majesty, Prince Xia's current strength already qualifies him to stand on equal footing with Wang Xianzhi. The one in Wudi City has always only engaged with the strong. If he doesn't act now, when will he?"

Zhao Li's footsteps halted, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

"But what I want is for Wang Xianzhi to act and completely eradicate Li Chengping, not just... give him a warning."

Yuan Benxi cupped his hands, his tone certain.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, your humble servant knows what to do. At this moment, we only need Wang Xianzhi to see the threat posed by Prince Xia. As for whether he acts, the timing will be in our hands."

Zhao Li pondered for a moment before finally nodding.

"Very well. To be able to kill with a borrowed knife is for the best."

A flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes.

"Mr. Yuan, I leave this matter entirely in your hands. You must ensure that Wang Xianzhi... relieves me of my worries."

Yuan Benxi bowed and accepted the command.

"Your humble servant obeys your decree."

Zhao Li asked again, "What news is there of Li Chengping?"

Yuan Benxi replied, "Spies report that Prince Xia has not continued his pursuit of the North Liang remnants; instead... he seems intent on heading into the heart of North Liang."

Hearing this, Zhao Li was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy as he clapped and laughed.

"Good! Good! Good! Truly, heaven is helping me! North Liang and Li Chengping—it really is a small world for enemies!"

His laughter carried a hint of madness and a touch of smugness.

"Mr. Yuan, quickly arrange for men to 'accidentally' leak the news of Xu Zhihu being at Longhu Mountain to Li Chengping. I want to see how these two fight to the death!"

"Your humble servant... obeys your decree."

Outside North Liang City, in a dilapidated inn.

Li Chengping sat by the window, slowly sipping coarse tea.

A man dressed as a eunuch bowed and handed over an envelope.

"Your Highness, an urgent letter from the capital."

Li Chengping took the envelope but didn't open it immediately. Instead, a playful smile touched the corners of his mouth.

"It seems the imperial court finally can't sit still and has stopped pursuing North Liang... Heh, this play is becoming more and more interesting."

Xuanyuan Qingfeng stood nearby, her brow slightly furrowed.

"How could the court know we are here?"

Li Chengping chuckled and explained, "In this world, where is there a wall that doesn't leak? The court's eyes and ears are everywhere, monitoring our every move. It's not surprising."

Xuanyuan Qingfeng snorted coldly, snatched the envelope, and tore it open.

On the letter paper were but a few words.

"Longhu Mountain, Xu Zhihu!"

Xuanyuan Qingfeng looked at Li Chengping with concern. "Your Highness, could this Longhu Mountain... be a trap?"

Li Chengping stood up, hands behind his back, his gaze disdainful and his spirit soaring.

"So what if it's a trap?"

"A mere Longhu Mountain can be extinguished with a flick of my finger."

Inside the inn, some Jianghu warriors had already been pointing and whispering about Li Chengping's group.

Now, hearing Li Chengping's arrogant words, they snorted in derision, their faces full of disdain.

"Tsk tsk, such big talk! You dare look down on Longhu Mountain?"

"An ignorant brat who doesn't know the heights of the heavens—who does he think he is?"

"He probably doesn't even know which way the gates of Longhu Mountain open!"

Xuanyuan Qingfeng's willow-leaf brows slanted upward and her almond eyes widened in anger, about to flare up.

Li Chengping raised his hand to stop her, a cold arc curling on his lips.

His gaze swept over the doubters as he calmly spat out a few words.

"I am Prince Xia, Li Chengping."

Before his voice even faded, a terrifyingly powerful aura erupted instantly.

Those doubters didn't even have time to scream before their bodies were crushed by an invisible, massive force, instantly exploding into a mist of blood that showered the floor.

The inn fell into an instant, deathly silence.

The previously noisy crowd was as if their throats were being gripped; not a sound was heard, leaving only heavy breathing and the thick scent of blood.

Li Chengping's gaze was cold as he looked around. His voice wasn't loud, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"To Longhu Mountain, this King shall go."

Chapter 92: The Four Great Celestial Masters! Destroyed by Lightning Tribulation!

He wanted the court to see that he, Li Chengping, would deliberately walk into the tiger's den knowing full well the danger!

He would satisfy the court's ridiculous schemes and let them watch with their own eyes as he, Li Chengping, trampled Longhu Mountain underfoot!

Longhu Mountain, Demon Slaying Platform.

Xu Zhihu was surrounded by a group of Taoists. Her pretty face was pale, a mix of terror and anger.

"You... what exactly do you want to do? Let me go!"

Immortal Master Zhao Danxia looked solemn, holding a fly-whisk, his tone cold.

"Young Miss Xu, do not panic."

"This humble Taoist is merely acting on orders to ensure your safety."

"Protection? This is your protection? Imprisoning me and restricting my freedom—is this how Longhu Mountain treats its guests?" Xu Zhihu questioned angrily, her voice carrying a hint of a sob.

Immortal Master Zhao Danxia remained unmoved, his tone still calm.

"Young Miss Xu, please be patient. Everything... is for the greater good."

Xu Zhihu's heart went cold, filled with utter despair.

She knew she had become an outcast of North Liang, a pawn used by the imperial court.

And the instigator of all this, Li Chengping...

At the thought of that name, Xu Zhihu's heart filled with even more overwhelming hatred.

However, just then, a world-shaking dragon's roar echoed from afar, making all of Longhu Mountain tremble.

Immortal Master Zhao Danxia's expression changed drastically. He snapped his head up to look into the distance, his eyes filled with shock and gravity.

"This... this is..."

Xu Zhihu was also stunned, looking blankly toward the source of the sound.

She vaguely sensed a terrifying aura rapidly approaching Longhu Mountain.

And the owner of that aura...

A name she both hated and feared surfaced in her mind.

Li Chengping... is here!

A Taoist rushed onto the Demon Slaying Platform, stumbling and crawling, his voice cracking.