Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Departure of the Third Prince

A fervent battle intent now enveloped the entire hall. Even the Third Prince could not remain seated; he rose involuntarily, staring at Su Yang with an expression of sheer disbelief.

After being repelled by Su Yang’s surging aura, the five figures in black quickly steadied themselves and launched their longswords forward once more. Seeing this, a murderous glint flashed in Su Yang’s eyes. Gripping his long staff, he unleashed a fierce horizontal sweep.

*Clang!*

As metal clashed against metal, three of the figures were sent flying. The remaining two black-clad men struck from behind, but Su Yang swung his staff backhanded with such explosive force that their swords were knocked from their grips. They narrowly evaded the blow by spinning mid-air and tilting their bodies.

*Boom!*

As the staff struck the ground, the reinforced steel tiles shattered into dust, leaving behind a massive crater.

Seeing this, Eunuch Zhao glared at Su Yang in rage. "Boy, you dare raise a hand against someone from the Great Xia Dynasty? I cannot let you live today!"

"Die!"

"Black Dragon Palm!"

Eunuch Zhao unleashed a palm strike; the rampant spiritual energy coalesced into the shape of a dragon, roaring as it surged toward Su Yang.

"Hmph! You think you can?" Su Yang sneered, holding his staff with one hand while throwing a punch with the other.

*Bang!*

A sonic boom shattered the air. The two forces collided and erupted instantly, the terrifying shockwaves of spiritual energy forcing both men to stumble back several paces.

"Such immense power! Is this boy truly only at the Sanxuan Realm?" Eunuch Zhao felt a jolt of alarm. He, a dignified expert at the peak of the Shenwu Realm, was actually evenly matched with a boy from the Sanxuan Realm? If this were to spread, how could he show his face back at the Imperial Court before the Xia Emperor?

"Is that all you have?" Su Yang steadied himself and sneered.

Standing to the side, Li Beiye felt his heart churning with turbulent waves. Just days ago, although Su Yang had fought Elder Bi of the Wangyue Sect, he had not been nearly as relaxed as he was now. He was actually going toe-to-toe with Eunuch Zhao of the Great Xia Dynasty. This rate of improvement was truly terrifying.

The Third Prince watched everything coldly, his hands clasped behind his back, rubbing together nervously. A hint of killing intent flickered in his eyes, as if he were contemplating joining the fray himself.

"This boy has such a powerful battle intent. What kind of cultivation technique is this? Could it be even stronger than the Dragon Might of our Great Xia?"

"Damn it. Father ordered me to win him over first. If he refuses, I must at least ensure he isn't killed by the Wangyue Sect. But now... this boy is clearly a troublemaker. Should I spare him or not?" The Third Prince hesitated. As the Third Prince of the Great Xia, he had little advantage in the struggle for the throne against his eldest and second brothers.

The First Prince commanded the military while stationed in Youzhou, and the Second Prince, despite having no notable achievements, had been taken away by a mysterious expert at the age of three due to his unique constitution, leaving his current cultivation level unfathomable. As for himself, he lacked both military feats and the cultivation of his second brother, making his claim to the throne look weak. His father, the Emperor, rarely hinted at his intentions regarding the succession. Now that he had been given this opportunity, the Third Prince was determined to seize it.

Watching Su Yang and Eunuch Zhao locked in combat, the Third Prince hesitated for a moment before calling out, "Eunuch Zhao, stop."

At these words, both Eunuch Zhao and Su Yang ceased their battle and returned to their respective sides, exchanging wary glances.

"Your Highness, if this boy cannot be used by us, he must not be left alive," Eunuch Zhao urged, clearly intent on disposing of Su Yang.

"No need. Father has decreed that even if he refuses, we must not let him be killed by the Wangyue Sect. We certainly cannot be the ones to strike him down. Let it be," the Third Prince replied via secret transmission. Hearing the Emperor’s command, Eunuch Zhao had no choice but to bow and comply.

Su Yang looked at the Third Prince, realizing he was no longer intent on killing him, or he would not have called a halt to the fighting. However, Su Yang wondered what value he still held that would make the Third Prince show mercy.

"Truly worthy of one with the Supreme Bloodline; your battle prowess is peerless. It is a pity you refuse to join the Great Xia Dynasty. I am disappointed," the Third Prince sighed, shaking his head.

"You flatter me, Your Highness. The Imperial Court is filled with experts; what am I, a mere commoner? I suggest you look elsewhere," Su Yang replied, his tone softening.

"Very well. In that case, I shall take my leave."

"Whenever you have made up your mind, you may come to Central Province to find me. The gates of the Great Xia Dynasty will always be open for you." With that, the Third Prince departed the City Lord’s mansion, accompanied by Eunuch Zhao and the black-clad men.

Watching the Third Prince’s retreating figure, Su Yang sneered inwardly, *He hides his intentions well. This Third Prince certainly has many tricks up his sleeve.*

"Farewell, Your Highness," Li Beiye knelt and bowed. Su Yang could afford to remain standing, but as the Lord of Yebie City, Li Beiye could not.

"Brother Su Yang... thank you," Li Shanshan said softly from the side.

"It is nothing. I promised the City Lord I would take you to the Liang residence in Central Province today. I am simply fulfilling my word," Su Yang replied with a smile.

After kneeling for a moment, City Lord Li rose slowly, looking at Su Yang, at a loss for words.

"City Lord, how did the Third Prince manage to find me so quickly?" Su Yang asked, still puzzled. Even with his Supreme Bloodline, he doubted he was important enough for the Third Prince to visit in person and offer such generous terms.

"I underestimated the Xia Emperor's reach. But now that you have offended the Third Prince, I fear you will face quite a bit of trouble in the future," Li Beiye said, sitting back in his chair.

"Do not worry. If he is smart, he won't provoke me further. But why does the Xia Emperor value me so much?" Su Yang asked.

"It is all because of the feud between you and Wang Yiyi. Central Province is currently divided into three powers. The Xuantian Sect has risen to prominence and is now on par with the Wangyue Sect, which remains a thorn in the side of the Great Xia Dynasty. They hoped that by joining the Wangyue Sect, Wang Yiyi would bolster their strength, but your appearance has given the Emperor new ideas. I just never expected he would try to recruit you into the Great Xia Dynasty."

Listening to Li Beiye’s explanation, Su Yang had an epiphany. It all boiled down to using him to check the power of the Wangyue Sect. The Xia Emperor’s schemes were truly terrifying—he could orchestrate events from afar without even being present.

"There is one more thing I wish to ask, if the City Lord could be plain with me," Su Yang said, suddenly remembering something.

"What does my young friend wish to know?"

"You asked me to take Shanshan to the Liang residence in Central Province. What kind of power is this, and what connection does it have to you?" Su Yang was unfamiliar with the Liang residence. Although it was within Central Province, he preferred to be prepared. As the saying went, to know oneself and one's enemy is to ensure victory in every battle.