What do you mean?

This turn of events doesn’t seem right!

For the first time, Ye Luo truly observed the young man in front of him.

Yet the youth, draped in luxurious robes, paid Ye Luo no heed. Instead, with an agitated expression, he shouted at Ling Xue, "What? Xue’er, what did you just say? You’re engaged? Impossible, absolutely impossible! Uncle Ling would never do something like this!"

Uncle?

It appears this guy has quite an unusual relationship with Ling Xue.

Without needing any explanation, Ye Luo immediately understood the young noble’s intentions. Judging from his reaction, this must be another of Ling Xue’s admirers. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so hysterical upon hearing that Ling Xue had a fiancé. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

At that moment, the youth in fine clothing became exceptionally flustered and lunged toward Ling Xue.

Ye Luo’s brow furrowed slightly but without hesitation, he stepped forward and positioned himself in front of the young man.

Ye Luo didn’t utter a word. He merely stared at the youth in luxurious attire while Ling Xue, seeing Ye Luo’s move, promptly retreated a step and stood behind him.

The noble youth was already brimming with rage. Seeing Ye Luo’s interference pushed him past his limit!

He wasn’t someone known for having a good disposition. If it weren’t Ling Xue, there’d be no room for rejection!

That’s right—he was a princely heir!

His father was none other than the Just King, Li Jue!

Unlike Xiaoyao King, the Just King held a much higher status as a Prince of the Empire!

Though Xiaoyao King might wield significant authority, his position still paled in comparison to the Just King, simply because his surname was Ling!

Royal clans bearing the surname Li had no relation to one named Ling!

Thus, their rank naturally differed greatly.

The relationship between Xiaoyao King and the Just King could hardly be described as harmonious, though it wasn’t entirely hostile either. Due to certain circumstances, Li Zheng had occasionally encountered Ling Xue, and subsequently became infatuated with her. At that time, both were still quite young, and Xiaoyao King didn’t bother intervening.

Li Zheng’s visits to Xiaoyao Mansion became frequent, all so he could catch glimpses of Ling Xue.

Make no mistake—Li Zheng was not much of a virtuous prince. He engaged in acts of oppression and indulgence without restraint, yet failed to fulfill even the bare duties of royalty. His cultivation was completely lackluster!

As the two gradually grew older, Xiaoyao King discerned Li Zheng’s true nature. Thus, even when the Just King personally showed up at Xiaoyao Mansion to propose marriage, Xiaoyao King rejected him outright.

The reasoning was simple—their children were still too young.

This argument left the Just King with no room for compromise.

Ling Xue’s enrollment into the Royal Academy was, in fact, partly an attempt to avoid Li Zheng.

With her maturation over time, Ling Xue naturally came to understand Li Zheng’s intentions.

The Royal Academy’s unique status made it clear that once Ling Xue entered, Li Zheng wouldn’t easily have the chance to approach her.

Because of this, Li Zheng made several attempts to gain entry into the Royal Academy. Unfortunately for him, despite being of noble descent, his cultivation was abysmal. Even with special privileges for nobility, the Royal Academy would never accept someone so incompetent!

Nonetheless, this hardly meant Li Zheng was willing to give up. In his mind, the bond they shared since childhood meant Ling Xue was destined to marry him.

What’s more, Xiaoyao King’s position as an imperial relative hardly made him a genuine member of the royal family. As far as Li Zheng was concerned, Ling Xue belonged to him.

As of now, Li Zheng’s household already included over thirty concubines, yet he had deliberately left the position of his primary wife open for Ling Xue.

Previously, he hadn’t felt any urgency; he assumed Ling Xue would inevitably become his. After all, he bore the surname Li and was of the true royal family—what could Xiaoyao King do to defy him?

But today... today, the news he received was an unprecedented blow!

Ling Xue was engaged!

That old bastard Xiaoyao King had dared to betroth Ling Xue to someone else!

At this moment, fury surged within Li Zheng—his eyes burned with killing intent!

Never mind his lack of combat prowess; his unique status meant he had already claimed over a hundred lives.

"You, get out of my way!"

Suddenly, Li Zheng roared at Ye Luo.

Ye Luo’s brow furrowed slightly—such intense malevolence!

The aura emanating from Li Zheng was deeply repulsive to Ye Luo.

Witnessing the conflict erupting near Ye Luo, Yun Liancheng and the covert Imperial Guards swiftly prepared to intervene. However, Ye Luo casually waved them off, indicating that no assistance was needed.

Neither Yun Liancheng nor the Imperial Guards would ever defy Ye Luo’s orders. Hence, they remained in their hidden positions, observing but not acting.

"What did you just say?"

Ye Luo locked his gaze onto Li Zheng, his tone indifferent, without emotion.

"Kid, I don’t care who you are. If you don’t want to die, get lost immediately. Otherwise, even if you’re a guard of Xiaoyao Mansion, this princely heir will have you ripped apart!"

This fool—did he actually mistake Ye Luo for Ling Xue’s guard?

Ye Luo’s lips curled into a faint, mocking smile as he raised his hand.

"Smack!"

In an instant, Ye Luo struck Li Zheng across the face with a slap.

Although Ye Luo restrained his strength to only ten percent, Li Zheng’s pitifully weak cultivation meant the slap sent him flying, two bloodied teeth dislodging from his mouth in the process.

Looking at the fallen Li Zheng, Ye Luo sneered, "Trash!"

Dazed by the slap, Li Zheng quickly transitioned to rage.

"You... you dare hit this princely heir! You there, what are you standing around for? Kill him! Kill him for me!"

Furious beyond compare, Li Zheng barked commands at his guards.

Unfortunately, since the guards didn’t intervene when Ye Luo struck, they certainly wouldn’t jump into action now!

Though Li Zheng wasted his days on frivolity, his guards weren’t ignorant. From the start, they recognized Ye Luo’s identity.

In the Imperial Capital, the fame of Ninth Prince Ye Luo was unmatched.

If someone claimed not to know of Ninth Prince Ye Luo, they’d certainly face ridicule!

After all, it was Ye Luo who, time and again, single-handedly resolved Demon Clan crises. What’s more, despite his royal lineage, he risked his life to protect civilians.

News of his deeds had already spread throughout the Imperial Capital.

Some noble-born ladies even secretly purchased Ye Luo’s portrait, clutching it as they fell asleep at night.

They dreamed of catching Ye Luo’s eye—content to serve even as a concubine.

And then there were Li Zheng’s guards.

Their master might dare challenge Ninth Prince Ye Luo, but deep down, they felt only shame and embarrassment!

To these guards, the disparity between their master and Ninth Prince Ye Luo was immense—a chasm they could never bridge.

It wasn’t just the guards—even Li Zheng’s most loyal attendant student refrained from speaking up.

Attack a prince? And not just any prince, but Ninth Prince Ye Luo? Was their master courting death?

Of course, they knew their master’s temperament well. Anyone who dared advise him now, even out of loyalty, would inevitably become his scapegoat, facing punishment not only themselves but also implicating their families.