Martial Arrogance Dragon Soul-Chapter 344 - 327: So what if you rebel?

"Boom!"

It was like thunder exploding overhead.

Qin Qing was instantly shocked.

Beside him, Bai Qiuhe, Liu Hongxue, and others also looked at Qin Sheng with disbelief.

Qin Yi was equally dumbfounded.

What was going on?

Hadn’t everything been fine just a moment ago? How did it suddenly come to this?

All around, everyone was looking at Qin Qing.

Their faces showed a variety of expressions: astonishment, mockery, schadenfreude, and more...

"Heh heh! Qin Qing, did you really think you had the qualifications to negotiate terms with our Royal Family?"

Qin Yun, standing to the side, said with a mocking tone.

"Father, what do you mean by this?" the Ninth Prince, Qin Ren, came over and asked in confusion, "If you wanted the third Fruit of Life, you could have simply said so. Why accuse Qin Qing of such serious crimes?"

The Ninth Prince looked at Qin Qing, giving him a reassuring look.

But Qin Qing just gave a bitter smile. At this point, for Qin Sheng to dare to give him trouble, by directly slapping on such big accusations of colluding with criminals and jailbreak, it was probably not just about the Fruit of Life anymore.

Indeed—

At this moment, Lu Tianlong walked over.

Following Lu Tianlong were Mu Hongtu, Mu Yunlan, as well as Shangguan Yong and others.

Now, Qin Yun, Mu Yunlan, and others all looked at Qin Qing with a cold sneer.

"Qin Qing, did you think you could survive?" Lu Tianlong’s face was cold as he looked at Qin Qing, his murderous intent almost tangible.

By this time, Qin Qing had fully understood.

Apparently, his fate had already been decided within these people’s scheme.

No matter whether he handed over the three Fruits of Life or not, he couldn’t escape today’s disaster!

"Your Majesty! Why is this?" Sui Jin and Zhu Shuangyu came over.

"Your Majesty. What crimes has Qin Qing committed? Wasn’t Qin Yi brought here by you? How can you accuse Qin Qing of colluding with criminals?" Zhu Shuangyu asked, dissatisfied.

Qin Sheng didn’t speak, but Qin Zheng beside him shouted coldly:

"Guards, take these two away!"

As soon as Qin Zheng’s words fell, Sikong Tu and several other masters of the Golden Core Late Stage rushed over and immediately subdued Zhu Shuangyu and Sui Jin.

"Father!"

The Ninth Prince, Qin Ren, bellowed, "You can’t do this. Qin Qing is innocent! He brought you the Fruit of Life and also saved your son! He has made great contributions!"

"Take away all those who are creating a disturbance!" Qin Sheng waved his hand.

Sikong Tu and the others immediately took away Qin Ren, Sui Jin, Zhu Shuangyu, and the others.

Qin Qing watched all this, then turned to look at the Third Prince, Qin De.

But from beginning to end, Qin De had not spoken a word; he stood there, maintaining silence as if all of this had nothing to do with him...

As if he and Qin Qing had never known each other, just strangers.

This was the future Crown Prince of Great Qian, the future heir apparent, indeed very calculating.

"This truly exemplifies what it means to be coldly imperial..."

In a flash, Qin Qing had fully understood.

Or rather... Qin Qing had confirmed the suspicions he had harbored for some time.

That night, Lu Tianlong had intended to kill Qin Qing, but was stopped by Qin Sheng.

Then Qin Sheng and Lu Tianlong had a secret talk, and Lu Tianlong ultimately gave up the idea of killing him...

It seems that at that time, Qin Sheng had already promised Lu Tianlong that once Qin Qing had harvested the Fruits of Life from Tianjue Forest, his life would be in Lu Tianlong’s hands.

And it wasn’t really because Lu Yu’an and Qin De had different principles that Qin De gave up on her to support Qin Qing.

Instead, he genuinely believed that Qin Qing would perform better in the Life Forbidden Zone!

Since meeting Qin De, he had always appeared benevolent, but now it seemed, it was all just an act.

This Qin De was even more calculating than Qin Zheng.

"Mu Hongtu!"

At this moment, Mu Hongtu also stepped forward.

Qin Yi, seeing Mu Hongtu and his official attire, couldn’t help but be stunned.

"Heh heh... Qin Yi." Mu Hongtu’s face was full of smugness as he looked up at Qin Yi and said, "Would you have imagined? The tables turn every thirty years. Back then, I had to obey you. But now, I am an official of Great Qian and you are nothing but a prisoner at my feet."

Qin Yi looked coldly at Mu Hongtu and said, "Even as an official of Great Qian, you can’t change your origins as a servant. Besides, what does it matter if you’ve become an official? I once freed you from servitude, restoring your freedom. Not only do you not appreciate this, but now you come before me with such words, what for?"

"Father. It’s because of his daughter, Mu Yunlan..." said Qin Qing.

"Yun Lan, what about her?" Qin Yi looked towards Mu Yunlan, who was behind Mu Hongtu.

Mu Yunlan looked back at Qin Yi with a blend of coldness and disgust.

Having been in prison for many years, Qin Yi was completely unaware of what had transpired between Qin Qing and Mu Yunlan.

"Father, I will tell you all about it bit by bit," Qin Qing said.

"You can have your chat in prison!" Mu Hongtu sneered.

"Mu Hongtu, do you really think that today, I will enter Qian Country’s prison?" Qin Qing asked in return.

"Haha... Qin Qing. At this time, what are you still thinking about?" Mu Hongtu mocked.

"He doesn’t need to enter the Heavenly Prison!" Lu Tianlong’s voice came through, as he coldly looked at Qin Qing, "A man who’s about to die, why bother imprisoning him in the Heavenly Prison?"

Mu Hongtu was initially startled, but upon hearing the latter half of Lu Tianlong’s sentence, he immediately understood, nodding repeatedly, "Yes, yes, yes, what the head of the Lu Family says is very true. Why would a man who’s about to die need to be thrown into the Heavenly Prison? Qin Qing!"

He pointed at Qin Qing and said further, "Why don’t you kneel and accept your death? Perhaps the head of the Lu Family will allow you to die a less unsightly death!"

"Die?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Qing smiled sardonically. He looked around; the place was crowded, and everyone’s gaze was on him. It was a scene all too familiar.

That’s right.

Just like last year in Tianjue City.

Back then, at Mu residence’s birthday banquet, there was a similarly deafening crowd and all eyes were on him as well... facing what seemed to be an inescapable deathtrap.

And at that time, Qin Qing truly was in a situation where death loomed at every turn.

But this time—Qin Qing was no longer the perplexed youth without any support.

"Qin Qing, I really don’t know how you can remain so composed..." Mu Yunlan finally spoke up, her voice as cold and indifferent as it had been back in Tianjue City.

"You have ultimately lost!" Mu Yunlan looked at Qin Qing and said indifferently, "The fact proves that not choosing you was not a mistake! Your pride is too great, your ambitions too lofty, yet your life is as fragile as paper!"

"I am prideful?" Qin Qing looked at Mu Yunlan. His feelings from the past had long since calmed like still water, leaving behind only the hatred for betrayal and the resentment from having his Martial Soul devoured.

"Mu Yunlan, I treated you well without a hint of pride or arrogance. But in return, I received your betrayal and ruthless abandonment. Since the beginning until now, all I wanted was to keep myself alive, to survive, to ensure the survival of my loved ones..."

Mu Yunlan shook her head faintly, "No matter what you say, your path has come to an end today. Qin Qing, you’ve lost..."

"I don’t think I’ve lost!" Qin Qing said calmly.

"Is that so? Today, in this imperial palace, powerhouses abound. With the head of the Lu Family present, do you think you’re still in Tianjue City, that you can once again escape certain death?"

Mu Yunlan didn’t believe for a moment that Qin Qing had any hope of survival; she was convinced that his death was inevitable today.

"Enough. Let’s not waste words!" Lu Tianlong’s face showed signs of impatience, "Today, within this imperial palace, let me, Lu Tianlong, act on behalf of Great Qian’s laws to dispose of this little beast!"

Lu Tianlong’s face was fierce, and his killing intent was palpable.

"Stop!"

Just at that moment, a thunderous shout suddenly rang out.

A group of people swiftly approached from not too far away.

Golden armor shining brightly.

A troop of hundreds, yet as swift as golden lightning.

It was the Jinyin Army!

"I want to see who dares to make a move today!"

Zhao Tianyin appeared in front of Qin Qing.

"Zhao Tianyin, you again?" Upon seeing Zhao Tianyin, Qin Sheng immediately showed a furious expression.

"Your Majesty, I, Zhao Tianyin, have a decree to submit today!" Zhao Tianyin looked directly at Qin Sheng and said with a bow.

"Prince of Zhennan, you have a decree, you should go to the Qianqing Palace and wait for me. Why come here?" Qin Sheng said in a deep voice.

"No! This matter concerns Qin Qing!" Zhao Tianyin said.

"Oh? It concerns Qin Qing?" Qin Sheng frowned.

Zhao Tianyin took out a decree from the Spirit Ring, made of red gold, each stroke sharp as if etched with iron.

"Your Majesty! Qin Qing is innocent! Qin Qing’s father is also innocent!" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Zhao Tianyin spoke loudly.

He amplified his voice intentionally, making it echo throughout the imperial city.

For a time, everyone turned an ear to listen to what was happening within the palace.

"Qin Qing established three great merits at Northern Pass. The first great merit: he saved our intelligence army at Northern Pass, allowing us to detect Northern Yuan’s conspiracy in time to fortify at the Modragon Pass, thus gaining the advantage to conquer Mohe first!"

"The second great merit: As the general of the great battle of Mohe Pass, Qin Qing directed the entire campaign, leading the Northern Pass army from defeat to victory, annihilating the Northern Yuan’s million-strong force. This is a grand achievement that will be forever esteemed in the annals of history!"

"The third great merit: As Great Commander, Qin Qing led the troops to break the Snow Eagle Sect, which colluded with Northern Yuan, thus removing a hidden threat for Great Qian, preserving the peace and security of our lands and people!"

Zhao Tianyin’s voice resonated throughout the imperial city.

Now everyone knew of the impressive feats Qin Qing had achieved at the Northern Pass.

Qin Sheng’s face drastically changed.

He, too, hadn’t expected Zhao Tianyin to appear at the imperial city at this time and to use the Sound Transmission Technique to make these words known to the entire city.

In fact, Zhao Tianyin had already sent a letter with great haste prior to this, detailing Qin Qing’s merits at the Northern Pass.

It was just that Qin Sheng had pretended as if he had not yet received the letter.

And now Zhao Tianyin had come in person and directly made Qin Qing’s achievements public...

"Your Majesty. With such merits, I think Qin Qing need not be accused of colluding with criminals." It was Xu Fang who stepped out from the crowd, the dean of the Great Qian Martial Institute.

"Indeed. Such merits are enough to pardon nine clans," another voice said.

"Your Majesty!" Zhao Tianyin spoke up again, "Great Qian cannot treat someone who has rendered such great services to our country and rivers and mountains like this! Otherwise, the hearts of the people under heaven will grow cold!"

Qin Sheng’s face grew even uglier, "Zhao Tianyin, what exactly do you want? Could it be that you also wish to rebel?"

Qin Sheng was raging.

The atmosphere also became instantly tense.

He directly cast a heavy accusation at Zhao Tianyin, glaring at him fiercely.

Zhao Tianyin’s face turned red, his chest heaving, and he suddenly said, "If the heavens are so dark, what does it matter if I rebel?"