Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

Just as the young woman beside him said, he was merely one of the four commanders of the Outer City. Why should he risk his life?

Behind Fang Meng, however, the armored soldiers were all on high alert, as if facing a formidable enemy. His reaction had made them extremely tense. But in the next moment, they were all astonished. They watched as Ning Xuan actually brought out a recliner. Ignoring Commander Fang Meng's longsword and their own spears, he lay down and closed his eyes, looking as relaxed as could be.

They were all stupefied. Where on earth did this guy get such audacity? This was Jiang City! He had killed the Outer City's strongest Head of the Courtyard and stolen his weapon, and now he was ignoring a commander and all of them. Had he eaten a bear's heart and a leopard's gall?

Of course, some of the soldiers felt a deep sense of unease. Could it be that he really knows Princess Chan? He dares to be so insolent. Could everything he said be true? The armored soldiers who thought this subconsciously moved their spears away from Ning Xuan, pointing them into the void instead.

In fact, it was not just the soldiers; even Fang Meng, at the very front, was feeling incredibly anxious. Ning Xuan was far too composed. It seemed what he said was most likely true. However, it was not confirmed yet, was it? If he made the wrong gamble, his future would be completely ruined. Glancing at Kong Xiu, who had died with his eyes open, Fang Meng hesitated for a long time but still did not withdraw his longsword. An unidentified person had arrived, and stopping him was his duty. Even if Ning Xuan was telling the truth in the end, at most, he would face some punishment. With this thought, Fang Meng tightened his grip on his sword.

Shangguan Qingrou looked at Fang Meng and his group, then turned her gaze to Ning Xuan, her beautiful eyes sparkling. Although she had never been to Jiang City before, she was absolutely certain that Ning Xuan was the first person to ever treat the Head of the Courtyard and a commander of the Outer City with such disdain. So domineering! Watching Ning Xuan's perfect profile, Shangguan Qingrou's heart pounded wildly. Ah, I'm going to die! Shangguan Qingrou, be composed! She realized something was amiss, but her eyes and her mind were at war.

Up ahead, Fang Meng's mouth twitched slightly. Good grief. They had all become tools for that fellow. How infuriating! Why are those two so slow?! At that moment, Fang Meng felt as if an eternity was passing. This awkward situation was unbearably uncomfortable.

Fortunately, he suddenly sensed something. Just as he turned his head, a man landed to his right. Although the man was in casual clothes, Fang Meng recognized him at a glance. It was Jiang Hua, one of the four great commanders of the Inner City.

"Commander!" Without a second thought, Fang Meng flipped his wrist, pointing his sword downward as he gave Jiang Hua a respectful fist-and-palm salute.

Jiang Hua ignored him, instead looking toward Shangguan Qingrou. A glint appeared in his eyes as he spoke, "I am one of the four great commanders of the Inner City. My name is Jiang Hua. Miss, are you trying to enter the Inner City?"

"Brother Ning is an old acquaintance of your Princess Jiang Chan," Shangguan Qingrou stated plainly, not wanting to waste time.

Jiang Hua saw the look in Shangguan Qingrou's eyes and only then shifted his gaze. He glanced at Ning Xuan for a mere moment before looking away. Then, he demanded not of Ning Xuan, but of Fang Meng, "What is your name?"

"Reporting to the Commander, my name is Fang Meng, I'm..."

"What are you standing around for? Seize him at once!" Jiang Hua cut him off, pointing at Ning Xuan with palpable killing intent.

Fang Meng was taken aback. After a moment's hesitation, he did not act immediately. Instead, he said, "Commander, should we send for Steward Jin or Steward Qin? He..."

"Have you decided you don't want this job anymore? If I say he's a fraud, he is a fraud!" Jiang Hua interrupted him again, his eyes already filled with murderous rage. If Fang Meng did not make a move, he absolutely would.

"Young Master Ning, my apologies for this offense!" Fang Meng transmitted his voice to Ning Xuan as he launched a sudden attack.

Ning Xuan calmly retreated, positioning himself coolly a short distance away. Fang Meng's attack was neutralized by Shangguan Qingrou.

"Young Master Ning, I believe what you said is true," Fang Meng's voice transmission to Ning Xuan continued, even as his aura surged. "However, this Jiang Hua is from the Jiang Family's direct lineage. Thanks to his elder brother, he has always been arrogant and condescending. Please don't make things difficult for me." When Ning Xuan did not reply, he quickly added, "Rest assured, I will definitely find a way to let them know you've arrived."

Ning Xuan finally glanced at Fang Meng. Just as Fang Meng breathed a sigh of relief, Ning Xuan said, "Let's go."

He grabbed Shangguan Qingrou's hand and dashed straight toward the Inner City at an incredible speed. Fang Meng was dumbfounded.

Jiang Hua's roar erupted. "How dare you!"

His thunderous shout unleashed a terrifying sonic wave, like a cannonball solidifying in mid-air. Its wild and domineering presence reached Ning Xuan's back in an instant. In response, everyone watched as Ning Xuan's charging figure unbelievably soared higher before descending again, stepping on the sonic wave and crushing it underfoot.

"Much obliged!" Ning Xuan's voice of gratitude drifted back as their speed abruptly increased.

Jiang Hua's face darkened. He shot a glance at Fang Meng and vanished from the city wall. A long howl echoed, piercing the sky.

On the Outer City wall, Fang Meng watched the direction in which Ning Xuan disappeared, choosing not to pursue. He had decided to make a big gamble. I hope I've bet on the right horse this time! he murmured to himself, gripping his sword tightly.

On the other side, thanks to Jiang Hua, Ning Xuan was moving with immense speed. Soon, he saw the walls of the Inner City. There, an armored man stood, his gaze locked on them. The man showed no intention of attacking, simply allowing Ning Xuan and Shangguan Qingrou to land on the wall. He was a young man only in his twenties. After sweeping a glance over the two of them, he ignored them and looked out beyond the wall, where Jiang Hua was rapidly approaching.

"Jiang Tao, seize that man at once!" Jiang Hua had not even arrived, but his Majestic Pressure already swept over them along with his voice.

The young man named Jiang Tao did not move; instead, he simply slapped Jiang Hua's attack apart.

"Jiang Tao, do you know what you're doing? He's a fraud!" Jiang Hua shouted as he landed, immediately accusing him. He was furious that Jiang Tao would dare to oppose him in front of outsiders. He ignored Ning Xuan completely and confronted Jiang Tao first.

"What's going on?" Jiang Tao still paid Jiang Hua no mind, instead asking Ning Xuan. Jiang Hua was all bark and no bite. His Cultivation Realm had been artificially inflated with Elixirs; his impressive aura was only for show. Yet, he still flaunted his identity as a Jiang Family descendant to cause trouble in the Outer City. Jiang Tao thoroughly disliked him.

Shangguan Qingrou, looking somewhat delighted, quickly explained their reason for being there.

Jiang Tao immediately called down to a soldier below, "Go and invite... no, never mind. I'll go myself." Both Aunt Qin and Aunt Jin held high statuses in the Jiang Family thanks to their relationship with Jiang Chan. A personal visit was necessary.

Only then did Jiang Tao finally speak to Jiang Hua. "It won't take long to confirm. If they turn out to be frauds, I will give you a satisfactory account."