Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

「Atop the wall of the Jiang Family's Inner City.」

"Ning something-or-other, it's not too late for you to beg for mercy now!"

No sooner had Jiang Tao left than Jiang Hua spoke, his tone menacing. The words were for Ning Xuan, but Jiang Hua's gaze never stopped roving over Shangguan Qingrou.

"Are you sick in the head or something?" Shangguan Qingrou, unable to contain her annoyance, shot back.

Jiang Hua was stunned. This is the Jiang Family! I'm a scion of the Direct Lineage, and this girl dares to disrespect me?!

"Do you have any idea that this is the Inner City?!" Jiang Hua's eyes were frosty.

This time, Shangguan Qingrou simply ignored him.

Jiang Hua was infuriated. He wanted to take action but was somewhat wary of Jiang Tao. The vast family was a tangled web of complexities. He was of the Jiang Family's Direct Lineage, and so was Jiang Tao. Unlike Jiang Hua, who relied on his brother, Jiang Tao had earned the position of Inner City Leader through sheer ability.

Yet, if he were to give up just like that, he would be unwilling to let it go.

As he grappled with indecision, a voice wafted up from the street below. "Brother Jiang Hua, aren't you off duty today? Why are you on the city wall?"

Looking down, Jiang Hua immediately cheered up. The boy who spoke was only sixteen, but he was one of the three core talents of the Jiang Family, the youngest grandson of Jiang Changkong's lineage—Jiang Yun!

"Little Brother Yun, you don't know the situation..." Jiang Hua immediately began to recount an exaggerated version of Ning Xuan's origins.

Shangguan Qingrou fumed, wanting to explain, but Ning Xuan stopped her.

Down below, upon hearing Jiang Hua's words, Jiang Yun grew livid. Without a word, he tapped his foot and instantly ascended to the top of the wall.

Jiang Yun glanced at Shangguan Qingrou, his expression still impassive, before shifting his gaze to Ning Xuan. After sizing him up, he said, "You look decent enough, but you're a little stupid!"

Ning Xuan didn't even bother with him, his gaze still lingering below the city wall.

Jiang Hua flew into a rage and was about to speak, but Jiang Yun stopped him.

Following Ning Xuan's gaze, Jiang Yun muttered, "Honestly, Grandfather... We're in our own home, so it's not like I could possibly be in danger, yet he still insists on having Grandpa Fu follow me!"

Hearing this, Jiang Hua looked down and was overjoyed, despite not seeing anyone. Grandpa Fu, famous for over a hundred years! A century ago, he was already a peerless power in Gouchen! Even though no one has seen him in action for years, who would dare challenge his might? With him here, this matter is as good as settled!

Right away, he said, "Little Brother Yun, your grandfather is just concerned about you. This may be our home, but there are always some blind fools who don't take our Jiang Family seriously!"

Jiang Yun caught on and immediately stepped forward, chastising Ning Xuan, "Hey, are you deaf or dumb?! Scram, or I'll make you regret it!"

A dark look crossed Jiang Hua's face. This Jiang Yun completely missed my point. Trespassing in Jiang City is a capital offense! And he's just telling the guy to scram? This won't do!

Just as Jiang Hua was about to speak, Ning Xuan glanced at Jiang Yun and repeated, "You look decent enough, but you're a little stupid."

He threw Jiang Yun's exact words back at him!

Jiang Yun was dumbfounded.

Jiang Hua was secretly thrilled. This guy really has a death wish, daring to insult Jiang Yun! This time, I don't even need to stir the pot!

Jiang Hua was over the moon.

"You... what did you say?" Jiang Yun, coming back to his senses, still seemed incredulous. From childhood to this day, no one had ever dared to defy him, let alone insult him to his face like this.

"Little Brother Yun, he called you stupid!" Seeing Jiang Yun dawdling, Jiang Hua was beside himself with anxiety. He feared Jiang Tao might return at any moment. If what Ning Xuan said is true, I'll become a laughingstock! I have to eliminate this guy before Jiang Tao gets back!

"You're courting death!" Jiang Yun finally erupted in fury.

Amidst his roar, a short sword surged out from his body, aiming straight for Ning Xuan. The speed was incredible, for this was Jiang Yun's Life-bound Magic Treasure!

A so-called Life-bound Magic Treasure is fused with an infant from birth. It is formed by using a Secret Technique and one's Essence Blood to merge the Magical Treasure with the baby. Magical Treasures chosen for this process are already the finest of their kind. After years of refinement, it becomes almost a part of the master's body! With a single thought, the Magical Treasure could decapitate someone thousands of miles away!

Although Jiang Yun couldn't perform such a feat yet, at this close range, the attack was unstoppable. Not even a late-stage Holy Realm Cultivator could dodge the assault, let alone an average one!

"Be careful!"

Shangguan Qingrou realized something was wrong and tried to block the strike for Ning Xuan, but it was too late. Although she was already moving as she cried out, the short sword still bypassed her.

SPURT!

The sound of spraying blood rang out.

Shangguan Qingrou's face lost all color.

Jiang Hua laughed smugly, "Haha, Ning Xuan, oh Ning Xuan, our Jiang..."

"Little Yun, are you all right?!"

Before he could finish, he heard a voice filled with concern. Looking closely, he saw another person beside Jiang Yun. It was Grandpa Fu, whom he hadn't noticed before.

Jiang Hua's face turned pale with shock. He looked at Jiang Yun and saw his ghastly pale face, a startling trickle of fresh blood at the corner of his mouth!

It wasn't Ning Xuan who had spat out blood; it was Jiang Yun!

"This is impossible!" Jiang Hua cried out in disbelief.

When he looked back at Ning Xuan, he saw the man toying with Jiang Yun's Life-bound Magic Treasure!

Jiang Hua was stunned. How could this guy have possibly dodged Jiang Yun's attack and imprisoned the Magical Treasure at the same time?!

"Don't move!" Ning Xuan's voice suddenly rang out.

"I didn't move!" Jiang Hua instinctively raised his hands, terrified. This guy's combat power is beyond my comprehension! I'm no match for him!

"I'm not moving. Don't do anything rash. Let's talk this over," Grandpa Fu's voice sounded from the side.

Jiang Hua was taken aback, then breathed a long sigh of relief. It wasn't aimed at me! Phew, that's a relief... Wait a minute! How did that guy know Grandpa Fu was about to make a move?! His perception is monstrous!

Jiang Hua was astounded. He stared blankly at Ning Xuan as if he were looking at a deity.

"I just caught his sword. Why did he spit up blood?" Ning Xuan asked the old man, feigning puzzlement.

"Return my Life-bound Sword!"

The elder was about to invent some excuse when Jiang Yun's angry roar interrupted him. The elder's face darkened. This kid is definitely doing this on purpose! The young master has no experience in the Jianghu; he walked right into the trap!

Sure enough.

"A Life-bound Sword? Now this is a fine treasure! I wonder how much it's worth?" Ning Xuan's eyes lit up, and he put on the air of someone who had never seen the world.

"My..."

Jiang Yun was about to speak again, but this time the elder was prepared and cut him off. "Little Yun, you're injured. Don't speak for now. Grandpa Fu will heal you first."

"Grandpa Fu, I'm fine!" Feeling utterly humiliated, Jiang Yun refused any healing. He had to get his dignity back!

"Return my Life-bound Sword! Otherwise, you're dead!" Jiang Yun snarled viciously.

The little fellow still hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation.