Chapter 118 : The Emperor’s Word Is Law
Chapter 118: The Emperor’s Word Is Law
Her voice was gentle, like a flowing spring.
Though it was a demand for accountability, a reprimand, a call to justice, there was no shouting or anger.
Only a soothing calm that seemed to comfort the heart, like jade beads colliding—leaving not the slightest trace of displeasure.
Even crying infants and children throughout the city, upon hearing that voice, unconsciously fell silent.
Their tender faces bloomed into smiles, their innocent eyes sparkling as they looked around, searching.
Utterly yin and gentle, carrying the unique radiance of a woman’s maternal nature.
Such a voice stirred indescribable feelings even in countless hot-blooded men.
At that moment, many figures across the city suddenly raised their heads, looking toward the Imperial Palace.
“That’s the Sword Saint!”
“Wait… the Sword God Ying Jiu is here too!”
“Is this the prelude to a battle between the Sword Saint and the Sword God?”
Amid the noisy discussions, a man dressed in white robes, just like the Sword Saint, stepped into the air.
His figure was upright and straight, his long hair simply tied behind his head. An invisible sword light seemed to radiate from his body, making him impossible to ignore.
Facing the Sword Saint, both sat cross-legged above the palace, their auras gradually gathering and rising.
Like two divine swords hidden within their sheaths, ready to unleash world-shaking sharpness at any moment.
“The battle between the Sword Saint and Sword God must not be missed!”
“We must witness it—what if I’m a once-in-ten-thousand Sword Dao genius?”
“Who was that gentle female voice just now?”
“That voice belongs to Li Yunqing, the Sword Saint’s disciple. She was unjustly forced into marriage and slandered by the imperial family—she’s here to demand justice!”
“What? What kind of background does she have to make both the Sword Saint and Sword God support her?”
“More than that! Nearly twenty Profound Realm Grandmasters of the Great Yu Imperial Dynasty have arrived!”
“And the Hidden Sects too—almost all of them are here!”
The entire city grew lively.
Countless figures darted along the streets, rushing toward the palace.
On every street, people climbed to the tops of teahouses, restaurants, and inns, gazing toward the palace.
Even the main road before the palace gates was packed with people. Figures stood atop walls, rooftops, and trees.
Some came to watch the battle, some to see the owner of that gentle voice.
Others simply came to watch the spectacle.
Even street vendors, seeing the crowds, rushed over, loudly hawking their goods.
Children ran and played, laughter ringing out.
For a time, nearly the entire capital gathered here, growing ever more noisy and bustling.
“So that’s Li Yunqing? What a beautiful young woman—no wonder the imperial family took a liking to her!”
“With that figure and appearance, there’s no second like her in the entire capital!”
“Her temperament—so gentle and serene, even more dignified than noble ladies and imperial princesses!”
“If I had such a wife, I’d die content!”
“This is what true gentleness looks like. Even holding a sword, she remains so soft—makes me want to be pierced by her blade!”
Gazes from all directions converged upon the ten-meter-high arena.
The young girl stood there, her pale cloak dancing behind her, her purple dress and black hair fluttering. She stood upright, yet remained exceptionally quiet.
It was hard to imagine this was a battlefield.
Countless people watched her, their eyes roaming over her figure and face, filled with admiration.
Beautiful things naturally inspired affection and appreciation.
“That is the Sword God.”
Li Yunqing slightly raised her eyes, looking toward the sky.
His age seemed similar to the Sword Saint’s—around forty—but due to his strength, he appeared only in his thirties.
Unlike the calm, scholar-like demeanor of the Sword Saint, the Sword God seemed colder, more reserved.
His gaze held a sharpness like unsheathed swords, making others afraid to meet his eyes.
A glimmer of light rippled in Li Yunqing’s eyes as her Greater Yin Eyes swept across the surroundings.
She discovered many powerful figures—no fewer than seventeen or eighteen Profound Realm Grandmasters, countless peak Qi Realm experts.
Initial Realm martial artists were everywhere—even some vendors possessed Upper Tier Initial Realm strength.
There were simply too many martial artists—like hairs on an ox.
“Before the eyes of the world, I cannot retreat. I cannot show weakness…”
“Then let me… kill until no one in the world dares force me into marriage!”
At that moment, a surge of boldness rose in Li Yunqing’s heart.
With the sword in her hand, she would tell the world—the imperial family, the Hidden Sects, and all powerful figures—
She, Li Yunqing, would never be manipulated at will.
Better to shatter like jade than live as broken tile.
If she refused, no one could force her!
For a moment, standing upon the arena, her aura gradually revealed a sharp edge.
A different sharpness from the Sword Saint and Sword God Ying Jiu—like spring water freezing into ice.
Ice could shatter, but it would never melt back into spring water for anyone.
As countless people continued rushing toward the palace—
Inside the Hall of Audience, the court session had yet to end.
Emperor Yu Taiyan sat upon the dragon throne, like a true dragon overlooking the mortal world.
The ministers in the hall all bowed their heads, as if unable to withstand the overwhelming aura of the Emperor.
None dared to speak rashly.
To have the palace gates blocked before the eyes of the entire world—this had never happened since the founding of the Great Yu Imperial Dynasty.
And it was done by a woman—one who, by custom, should obey her father at home and her husband after marriage.
This was nothing less than a slap in the Emperor’s face before all under heaven.
At this moment, even the princes dared not raise their heads or breathe loudly.
Especially the Third Prince, whose legs trembled as unease filled his heart.
“Ministers, speak—how should this woman be dealt with?”
Yu Taiyan spoke, his tone devoid of emotion, his expression unchanged.
Only his eyes, like thunder and lightning, swept across the hall, making scalps tingle.
“I believe she must be forcefully suppressed, so the world knows that imperial authority is the heaven of Great Yu!”
“I agree!”
“I agree!”
Voices of agreement echoed uniformly.
“Oh? And who will suppress her?”
“And how should we deal with the Sword Saint and Sword God behind her?”
Yu Taiyan spoke again, his tone calm, revealing nothing of his thoughts.
“This concerns imperial dignity—it must be decided through battle, under Your Majesty’s command!”
Another minister spoke, again drawing agreement.
Only the Third Prince felt a chill in his heart.
That was a woman capable of killing a Profound Realm Grandmaster with a single finger.
Though only in the Qi Realm, who could guarantee absolute suppression?
Even they, as princes, could not.
Looking across the world, even disciples of Hidden Sects might struggle to achieve such a feat.
“In that case…”
Yu Taiyan pondered, his gaze sweeping across the hall like lightning.
He saw the fear and unease in the ministers, all afraid of being chosen to fight.
Offending the Emperor still left room for maneuver due to laws and rules.
But offending the Sword Saint and Sword God—who dared battle above the Imperial City—meant death could come with a single strike.
Understanding their thoughts, Yu Taiyan turned his gaze toward his sons.
He knew of Li Yunqing’s feat of killing a Profound Realm Grandmaster with one finger.
But having not witnessed it personally—and looking down on that recently advanced Blue Sea Grandmaster—he did not believe his sons were inferior to a woman.
Yet as Emperor, he could not gamble.
He could not risk his sons failing to suppress her.
He needed stability—he needed to minimize the impact of this incident.
After all, today’s events had already occurred. Even if she were forcefully suppressed, public discussion and unrest in the Jianghu would be unavoidable.
What he wanted was stability.
He also wanted to secure the loyalty of powerful Jianghu figures and Hidden Sects.
And perhaps take this opportunity to gauge their strength.
With that thought, Yu Taiyan’s calm voice echoed through the hall:
“Transmit my decree—whether Jianghu martial artists or sect disciples.”
“Whoever successfully suppresses Li Yunqing shall be rewarded one hundred thousand taels of silver and granted the title of Marquis of a Thousand Households, hereditary for three generations.”
“The Emperor’s word is law!”