C23 It Was a Shocking Move the Great Emperor Favored Him

Chiang Qiushui's voice was soft, but Chu Tiankuo seemed to catch every word. Without a moment's hesitation, he pointed at her and barked,

"Bitch, what did you say? Guards, seize her!"

The Emperor's guards, aware that Chiang Qiushui was the Inferno Lord's daughter-in-law, hesitated to advance, exchanging uneasy glances without making a move.

Enraged by their inaction, Chu Tiankuo leaped forward, declaring,

"Fine, I'll discipline you myself!"

Fist clenched, Chu Tiankuo was ready to strike when Yim Wuxie, with a furrowed brow, intervened. He grabbed Chu Tiankuo's arm firmly and demanded,

"Apologize!"

"What did you say?" Chu Tiankuo writhed in his grip, the strength in Yim Wuxie's arm causing him excruciating pain, yet he continued to spew insults. "Who is this lowlife? Release me at once! Or I'll have your whole family executed! Guards, we have an assassin!"

Annoyed by his yelling, Yim Wuxie slapped Chu Tiankuo across the face without a second thought. The resounding smack echoed as Chu Tiankuo stumbled backward, clutching his cheek and collapsing to the ground.

"Has Yim Wuxie lost his mind? How dare he strike Chu Tiankuo?"

"With the Great Emperor still in power, he has the audacity to lay hands on Chu Tiankuo. No matter his strength, he's nothing but a mindless brute!"

"I had some reservations about him, but it seems I've overestimated him!"

Meanwhile, Chu Pingfeng, who had withdrawn to the inner chambers, witnessed the entire scene through the curtains. His guard inquired,

"Great Emperor, shall I intervene and stop Prince Yim?"

"There's no need," Chu Pingfeng replied, clearing his throat. "The Inferno Lord's Crown Prince is renowned for his imperial demeanor; he's not one to act without thinking. Let's just watch."

In the hall, Chu Tiankuo remained seated, face in hands.

Yim Wuxie watched him with a cold gaze and commanded, "Stand up!"

At that command, Chu Tiankuo's anger flared. He sprang to his feet and faced Yim Wuxie with defiant eyes.

"Do you realize what you've done wrong?" Yim Wuxie asked, his voice even-keeled.

Chu Tiankuo responded with defiance, "I did nothing wrong..."

Before he could finish, Yim Wuxie's hand was in the air again, and with a swift slap, Chu Tiankuo was sent sprawling to the ground.

"He's lost his mind!"

"Yim Wuxie has truly gone mad!"

The guards nearby were stunned. Caught between the son of the Great Emperor and the Crown Prince of the Inferno Lord, they were out of their depth, unsure of whom to side with.

"What do we do? Should we intervene and stop the Crown Prince of the Inferno Lord?"

"Don't bother. The Great Emperor's personal guards have seen everything. Their inaction means the Emperor himself has given his silent consent!"

Overhearing the murmurs of the crowd, Chu Tiankuo cast aside all caution. He rose to his feet, his stubborn gaze locked on Yim Wuxie.

"What's the matter? You seem unconvinced by my actions," Yim Wuxie taunted with a sneer.

"You're only using your superior cultivation to your advantage. If we were on equal footing, I'd beat you to a pulp!" Chu Tiankuo spat out through clenched teeth.

"Oh, really?" Yim Wuxie chuckled, his tone growing serious. "In that case, let's make a wager. Do you have the courage?"

"What are the stakes?"

"You're currently at the first grade of the Initiate Mystery Stage. I'll face you with the power of the fifth grade of the First Mystery Stage," Yim Wuxie proposed. "If I lose, I'll accept my death at your hands without any regrets. But if you lose..."

He paused, pointing at Chiang Qiushui, "You'll apologize to my fiancée and take me as your master!"

The difference between the fifth grade of the First Mystery Stage and the first grade of the Initiate Mystery Stage was only one grade, but it spanned an entire realm.

Chu Tiankuo stepped forward, pointing an accusing finger at Yim Wuxie, "You said it yourself. No backing out, agreed?"

"A spoken word is like a shot arrow; it cannot be taken back!"

"Ding! Favorability from Emperor of Chaos Chu Pingfeng towards the host has increased by 100 destiny points."

Just then, an elder emerged from the inner palace and announced,

"By decree of the Great Emperor, the Inferno Lord's heir and Young Master Chu will have their duel adjudicated by myself."

Approaching Yim Wuxie, the elder leaned in and whispered,

"The Great Emperor has inquired about your level of confidence. What say you?"

With a slight smile, Yim Wuxie responded confidently,

"A full ten out of ten."

"My apologies for what I must do," the elder said before channeling a surge of energy into his palm and striking Yim Wuxie.

Yim Wuxie instantly sensed the subtle energy coursing through his body, nearly completely sealing his Qi Sea and Heavenly Lake, plummeting his cultivation to the fifth grade of the First Mystery Stage.

"Fear not, Prince Yim, I shall protect you discreetly," the elder assured him.

Yim Wuxie offered a smile and turned to Chu Tiankuo, challenging, "Ready? Let's begin."

Without a moment's delay, Chu Tiankuo lunged forward, his fist powered by a concentrated burst of strength.

Unperturbed, Yim Wuxie activated his Heavenly Eye of Martial, slowing Chu Tiankuo's movements to a crawl and making the path of his energy crystal clear.

Seizing Chu Tiankuo's wrist, Yim Wuxie deftly maneuvered, flipping his opponent's arm and sending him flying through the air.

Guards nearby scrambled out of the way as Chu Tiankuo hit the ground hard. Yet, undeterred, he sprang to his feet, snatched a short knife from a guard, and slashed at Yim Wuxie.

Yim Wuxie let out a cold laugh, skillfully retreating and matching Chu Tiankuo's attacks with his own concentrated strength.

After a dozen exchanges, Yim Wuxie had fully discerned his opponent's tactics. With a flick of his finger, he touched the knife's path, infusing it with a thread of divine fire and instantly splitting the blade in two.

Clasping the severed blade between his fingers, Yim Wuxie leaped gracefully, pressing the searing edge against Chu Tiankuo's shoulder.

A sizzling "hiss" filled the air as the hot blade scorched the fabric, sending a plume of black smoke and a sharp odor straight into Chu Tiankuo's nostrils.

Frozen by the burning blade at his shoulder, Chu Tiankuo dared not even breathe, while the knife in his grasp clattered to the ground with a resonant "clang."

"Have you had enough?"

Yim Wuxie inquired in a gentle tone.

Chu Tiankuo's brow was deeply furrowed. Despite his stubborn refusal to meet Yim Wuxie's gaze, he turned to Chiang Qiushui and apologized:

"I'm sorry."

With a smile, Yim Wuxie casually discarded the knife he was holding.

"Do you understand what you did wrong?"

"I shouldn't have spouted such nonsense and insulted people!"

Chu Tiankuo declared defiantly.

Yet, Yim Wuxie shook his head and corrected him:

"No, speaking arrogantly and insulting others is a matter of character, and given your youth, it's not a grave error. The true mistake is your weakness."

"The weak are always in the wrong. Others may fear you, dread you, indulge you, and be cautious around you only because you are the son of the Great Emperor. But if one day your father is no longer there, your unruly and haughty behavior will lead to your undoing due to your frailty!"

Before Chu Tiankuo could respond, another voice rang out.

"Bravo! Such a fitting stance for the son of the Great Emperor!"

With a shout of approval, Chu Pingfeng emerged from the inner palace, his voice resonant and authoritative.

"Kuo'er, don't delay—kneel and pay homage to your teacher!"

"Father!" Chu Tiankuo called out loudly upon seeing Chu Pingfeng.

Witnessing this, Yim Wuxie also bowed respectfully.

"Wuxie has been rash, I seek the Great Emperor's pardon."

"There's no need for such formality, Prince Yim. Kuo'er, have you not heard my command? Kneel at once and pay homage to your teacher!"