Nine Heavens Martial Emperor

Corpses littered the ground before Your Highness’ Mansion.

The armored Captain of the Guard stood among them, his eyes filled with utter shock.

That’s right—only shock, not fear.

The Captain of the Guard knew of Lin Hao, and he knew the Eighth Prince’s decree. He was, after all, one of the death sworn.

The death sworn had long since disregarded their own lives, and he was well aware of Lin Hao’s might.

He had thought that with over a dozen Martial Artists of the Eighth Layer of Elemental Realm, they could at least severely wound Lin Hao, even if they couldn’t kill him. But this scene was far beyond his imagination.

Moreover, the Captain of the Guard knew that Lin Hao had intentionally left him alive.

Not only did Lin Hao possess an Imperial Art, he also had extreme speed!

With this extreme speed, Lin Hao’s body moved like a phantom, effectively elevating his combat prowess to no end.

A smile suddenly appeared on the Captain of the Guard’s face as he prepared to end his own life.

He could guess why Lin Hao had spared him, but he would not let Lin Hao have his way.

As for what had happened here, someone would surely get word to His Highness.

But just as he wanted to die, Lin Hao would not grant him that wish either.

Lin Hao had further refined his Body Technique today, pushing his speed to new heights. He had just given a perfect demonstration of what true speed meant.

Just as a look of resolve flashed in the Captain of the Guard’s eyes, Lin Hao had already made his move.

Lin Hao snatched him up like a helpless chick, rendering him completely immobile.

Even death had become a luxury he couldn’t afford. The Captain of the Guard’s face went ashen.

This put Lin Hao in an excellent mood.

And when he imagined the look on the Eighth Prince’s face, his mood improved even more.

Wenren Yuxin and Chen Qian had gone inside a while ago. ’I suppose the Eighth Prince will be out shortly to personally receive me, his "honored guest,"’ he thought.

’How could I not give him a generous gift for my first visit?!’

Just as this thought arose, the sound of footsteps came from inside.

The footsteps were frantic and disorderly; clearly, several people were rushing over.

The ones arriving at this moment were, naturally, Duan Xinyu and his entourage.

Walking out the main gate and seeing the scene before him, Duan Xinyu felt a wave of dizziness and nearly collapsed.

These men were the best of the best, each one in ten thousand. He had poured countless resources into training them, and now they were all dead.

As for Lin Hao, he didn’t even seem to have a scratch on him.

Duan Xinyu wanted nothing more than to devour his flesh and grind his bones to ash!

Beside Duan Xinyu, the expressions on the faces of the disciples from the four great families were a sight to behold.

Some were shocked, some disappointed, and some were afraid...

"Your Highness, you’re finally here. I said I was an honored guest, but they didn’t believe me and even attacked. I’m sure a man of your standing would be ashamed to have such subordinates. But don’t you worry, I’ve already dealt with them for you. No need to thank me." Lin Hao’s voice rang out, his tone dripping with mock helpfulness.

Duan Xinyu nearly choked on his rage.

"Who are you? Are you really our Highness’s honored guest?" Duan Xinyu couldn’t speak, so someone standing next to him spoke up.

The speaker was a man in his thirties, rail-thin, with a wispy handlebar mustache.

"Don’t tell me you want to see an invitation too?" Lin Hao retorted instead of answering.

The man shook his head and chuckled. "You misunderstand, Young Master. His Highness did indeed invite an honored guest, one who requires no invitation. By the way, his name is Lin Hao."

"That is Lin Hao," Chen Qian’s voice came from behind Duan Xinyu.

"So you are Lin Hao. Please forgive our poor hospitality." A flicker of surprise crossed the man’s eyes before he hurried to greet Lin Hao. "I am Yue Zhongyin."

Yue Zhongyin cupped his fist in his palm toward Lin Hao and said with a thin smile, "Young Master Lin, they surely only attacked because they didn’t realize who you were. As the saying goes, ignorance can be forgiven. What do you say to letting him go?"

The "him" naturally referred to the sole survivor.

Out of more than a dozen Martial Artists, only one remained. They had to save him, no matter the cost.

But Lin Hao shook his head.

Yue Zhongyin’s smile froze for a moment, then instantly returned.

"Since he has offended Young Master Lin, death is no more than he deserves. But why should you dirty your hands? Allow Your Highness’ Mansion to handle this matter."

"You misunderstand. All this fighting and killing is so distasteful. I’m just worried... what if I let him go and he tries to attack me again?" Lin Hao said, his face a mask of concern.

The corners of several people’s mouths twitched.

With over a dozen corpses lying on the ground, Lin Hao’s feigned concern was utterly shameless.

"You can rest assured about that. He’s not a pig; he wouldn’t be that stupid," Yue Zhongyin assured him, his own lips twitching.

Lin Hao nodded and, with a backhanded toss, threw the Captain of the Guard out like a piece of trash.

"Young Master Lin, this way, please." Yue Zhongyin gestured for him to enter.

A glint flashed in Lin Hao’s eyes as he glanced at Duan Xinyu.

’Ever since Yue Zhongyin started talking, Duan Xinyu, the actual host, hasn’t said a word. It seems this Yue Zhongyin’s position in the mansion is quite extraordinary.’

’And the man hides a knife behind his smile. I have every reason to believe this whole thing was his scheme.’

’But I’ve vented my anger and don’t feel like tearing away the facade just yet.’

With a nod, Lin Hao was just about to step forward...

The next moment, a murderous glint suddenly erupted in Lin Hao’s eyes.

Then, he threw a punch behind him.

BOOM!

A figure went flying, slamming into a stone Qilin statue.

The stone Qilin, which stood over ten meters tall, exploded into fragments, and the figure did the same.

"He really was a pig." A flicker of disappointment, gone in an instant, crossed Yue Zhongyin’s eyes. He then smiled at Lin Hao. "I knew I should have just let you squeeze him to death."

"Phew... That was close." Lin Hao exclaimed dramatically. "Oh dear! Such a lifelike Qilin statue, completely shattered. Good thing I’m not the one who broke it."

He said this because he saw Duan Xinyu staring at the shattered Qilin, his face turning an ugly shade.

At this moment, Lin Hao was genuinely hoping the prince would finally snap, which was why he’d said it.

The way countless people looked at Lin Hao changed.

They came from the four great families; they all knew what the four stone Qilin statues in front of Your Highness’ Mansion represented.

They were the pride and dignity of Your Highness’ Mansion.

Now one was destroyed, yet Lin Hao was still running his mouth. Was he truly not afraid the Eighth Prince would fly into a humiliated rage?

"Mr. Yue, seize him for this Prince—" As expected, Duan Xinyu finally spoke, his words slow and deliberate, ground out between clenched teeth.

"Rest assured, Your Highness. I will escort Young Master Lin inside. We have important business to discuss with him, after all," Yue Zhongyin said, cutting Duan Xinyu off.

Duan Xinyu’s gaze flickered a few times before he actually smiled and nodded. "If Mr. Yue hadn’t reminded me, I would have almost forgotten. Lin Hao, this way, please."

Surprise flashed through Lin Hao’s eyes.

’This Yue Zhongyin changed Duan Xinyu’s mind with a single sentence. I’ve underestimated his status. It seems the real crisis hasn’t even begun.’

However, Lin Hao was not afraid.

’Even if Your Highness’ Mansion is a dragon’s pool and a tiger’s den, I will still brave it.’

The group proceeded into Your Highness’ Mansion. With Duan Xinyu on his left and Yue Zhongyin on his right, they escorted him along, pointing out the various rockeries and peculiar stones. Lin Hao, in turn, would offer his own opinions, presenting a picture of perfect harmony.

Behind them, the rest of the entourage watched with baffled expressions.

If not for the field of corpses at the mansion’s gate just moments ago, they would have almost believed that Lin Hao was truly an honored guest.

In reality, Lin Hao’s heart was sinking. ’The more they act this way,’ he thought, ’the more I feel that things are far from simple.’