Chapter 643: 644 Kill Them!
After overcoming the beheading crisis, there were bound to be developments to follow, but Gui Xuan had already voluntarily given up on those subsequent parts.
At the same time, in the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea, within the great hall of the Imperial City, a group of civil and military officials were currently staring wide-eyed in astonishment at the scene unfolding before them, since there were far too many surprising events occurring.
The illusionary realm created by the Old Dragon King, starting off with a beheading, was already frightening enough, but Li Xiaobai’s decision at the moment was even more terrifying.
Could this be his true nature?
“Great King, why did you arrange it this way?”
“At the start, you directly made Xuan’er a villain, but gave Li Xiaobai such a normal role, effectively increasing the difficulty of my grandson’s trial by a great deal. Are you showing favoritism towards Li Xiaobai?”
The Tortoise Prime Minister, looking at the scene on the screen, had a layer of gloom in his eyes.
Because Gui Xuan was willing to be a lackey for the officials, this had led to several people currently facing execution. In such a case, how could Long Xue possibly come to like Gui Xuan?
Fortunately, his grandson was astute, readily admitting his mistakes, and promptly salvaged part of his reputation, reducing Long Xue’s dislike to a minimum with just a few words. Otherwise, this trial would probably have been entirely out of reach for him.
“Indeed, Great King, and the setting of this scene is a bit too complicated, raising the difficulty for Young Master Gui Xuan significantly.”
“Doesn’t this approach seem biased? Even if the outcome is determined, it will likely be hard to convince everyone!”
The civil officials behind the Tortoise Prime Minister also spoke up in unison, not expecting the situation set by the Old Dragon King to be so mysterious and complicated. Moreover, by starting off by assigning Gui Xuan a villainous role, it naturally provoked Long Xue’s aversion—how could they possibly continue playing this?
And the scenario just now, where the official incited infighting, truly made them break out in a cold sweat for Gui Xuan. His reaction was a bit too hasty. The official had only spoken halfway when he couldn’t wait to jump out, falling into the trap instead.
Fortunately, Li Xiaobai did not withstand the temptation. As long as he accepted the demands of the Imperial Court, and called for the execution of the other two to survive, then Young Master Gui Xuan was set!
But could everything really be that simple?
Quite a few civil and military officials stealthily glanced at the Old Dragon King, thinking that their own great king, sly and cunning… no, deeply tactical and strategic, could not possibly set up just a single scene for the test.
“Hmm?”
“Do you all think that my actions are biased?”
The Old Dragon King seemed somewhat surprised, looking at the civil and military officials and asking.
“This old servant knows that the Great King is a wise sovereign and would never openly show favoritism due to personal desires. There must be some reason unknown to us. This old servant takes the liberty to ask why you have arranged it this way, is there some hidden circumstance?”
Seeing that the civil and military officials bowed their heads, not daring to speak further, the Tortoise Prime Minister also mustered his courage to step forward and ask.
“Hahaha, the Prime Minister is indeed the Prime Minister, with a very sharp intuition.”
The Old Dragon King laughed heartily and said to the officials below: “You all think that I am showing favoritism to Li Xiaobai, lowering his difficulty while deliberately raising the difficulty for Gui Xuan, don’t you?”
“If you truly think so, then I would be greatly disappointed. Since the three entered the Illusionary Realm, you seem to have only noticed the framework of the world, neglecting some important details.”
“Could it be that none among you have noticed that Gui Xuan has not integrated into the Illusionary Realm World? He still maintains his senses, has not lost his memory, and he knows all this is a test from me. So, everything he does is to curry favor with Xue’er.”
“Perhaps he has brought out the Condensing Spirit Bead from the Tortoise Prime Minister’s home, a treasure of the Half-step Human Immortal realm, what a bold move. Tortoise Prime Minister, based on this fact alone, it’s only reasonable for me to increase the difficulty a bit, right?”
The Old Dragon King said to the Tortoise Prime Minister with a smile that was not quite a smile.
“Cough cough, The Old Dragon King is right, it is indeed a dereliction of duty on my part. This unfilial descendant, to actually steal the sacred artifact from our clan and use it in such a place, is completely heretical, absolutely not the proper way. When I return, I must severely punish him!”
The Tortoise Prime Minister’s complexion immediately darkened, appearing ready to bring about justice over familial ties.
To say he was unaware of the insider information would be a complete bluff. As the head of the clan, how could he not know when the sacred artifact was taken? His knowledge and lack of intervention were a tacit approval of Gui Xuan’s actions, but he had not expected the Old Dragon King to see through it.
“Prime Minister, quell your anger. Xuan’er acted rashly out of urgency. Please forgive him this once.”
“Indeed, committing such an act also shows how significant the little princess is in his heart.”
“Fortunately, the king’s wisdom is like a torch; otherwise, we really wouldn’t know how to resolve this.”
A host of civil officials hastily stepped forward to smooth things over, their gestures subtly praising Gui Xuan’s infatuation without leaving any trace.
“This king will not pursue the matter, you all needn’t worry. In the Illusionary Realm, one competes in wisdom and integrity. If my dear subjects believe that I have deliberately lowered the difficulty of Li Xiaobai’s trial, then just watch carefully. You will soon understand whether this trial is fair.”
The Old Dragon King spoke with a light smile, steering everyone’s attention back to the vast image in the void.
In the world of the Illusionary Realm.
At this moment, a high official took an interest in Li Xiaobai.
“Oh?”
“I originally thought Gui Xuan would stand out; unexpected that in the end, it’s you.”
“You’re called Li Xiaobai, right? Quite adept at judging the situation. I am a man of my word and will not go back on it. If you sincerely work for our Imperial Court, from now on, I’ll ensure your food and clothing are taken care of.”
The official said, speaking in a somewhat strange tone. Even though Li Xiaobai couldn’t see the man’s face, he could imagine the contempt and disdain in his eyes.
In any place, the weak and subservient are never respected. But this was just a part of his plan.
“I thank you, sir!”
The ropes binding Li Xiaobai were untied, and he turned to bow deeply to the official, his face full of gratitude.
“Get up, you’re one of us now.”
The official was a middle-aged, corpulent man with a greasy face, clearly not someone acquainted with the phrase “honest and incorruptible”; he was likely a low-ranking official who was extremely corrupt.
“However, you are also a man of the martial world, you should know that there’s something called a ‘letter of loyalty,’ right?”
“Merely your words will not suffice for my trust; if you can demonstrate your loyalty here, I will support you wholeheartedly in the future!”
The official spoke with a smile still on his face.
“May I ask, sir, what kind of letter of loyalty you require, just give your command!”
Li Xiaobai inquired.
“Hehe, your martial arts skills are mediocre, I won’t make it hard for you. Do you see these two fellow disciples of yours?”
“You shall be the executioner today!”
“Kill them!”