All these signs undoubtedly made Yang Tinghe extremely wary of Pei Xuanjing's strength.
Their exchange just now made him question whether he could kill the other.
"Aren't you going to make a move?" Pei Xuanjing was somewhat bored.
While he was interested in observing Yang Tinghe's methods, he was clear that his primary aim today was something else, and thus, his patience was scarce.
This attitude of his frustrated Yang Tinghe, stirring his anger.
Even though he admitted that he might not be a match for Pei Xuanjing, in his view, they were both powerful individuals of the same caliber.
However, Pei Xuanjing's words made him feel belittled, leading him to rage and strike out once more.
With a flick of his right wrist, a foot-long knife thin as a cicada wing with a blood-red glow began to circulate, emitting a chilling aura.
The Blood God Blade, a Ten Thousand-Forged Divine Weapon.
As Yang Tinghe flipped his wrist, a terrifying edge erupted from the Blood God Blade, as if even the air was cleaved into a vacuum.
Buzz…
The shrill sound of the blade echoed in the square, a terrifying scene of mountains of corpses and sea of blood seemed to fill everyone's minds.
Zing!
Yang Tinghe leaped into the air, his Blood God Blade carried an unrivaled sharpness, slashing towards Pei Xuanjing.
A trail of blade light flashed, the peerless blade light seemed to cleave heaven and earth apart, reminiscent of the dawn, wandering through the starlight of the night, shining everywhere.
At this moment, he appeared unified with the Blood God Blade, like a blood-red dragon.
An endless mist of blood diffused around, appearing in front of Pei Xuanjing almost instantly, almost like teleportation.
"Insignificant tricks!"
Pei Xuanjing shook his head and sighed.
With a slight shift of his body, he avoided the fierce blade.
After gathering his Divine Soul, Pei Xuanjing's mental strength had become extremely powerful, and he had become countless times more agile than before.
What looked like the bizarre and rapid knife techniques of Yang Tinghe, could seem swift and teleport-like to others.
But in front of Pei Xuanjing, they were slow, like a turtle crawling before his eyes, insignificant.
Being easily evaded by Pei Xuanjing caught Yang Tinghe by surprise, but his wrist flipped again, but it was still effortlessly avoided by Pei Xuanjing.
The sharp knife aura nearly turned the floor around Pei Xuanjing into dust, but it still did not hurt Pei Xuanjing in the slightest.
"Hehe!" Pei Xuanjing chuckled lightly, his eyes staring straight into Yang Tinghe's.
The sword technique with eyes!
Yang Tinghe never imagined that Pei Xuanjing could use this kind of technique, he didn't avoid Pei Xuanjing's gaze at all, facing it head-on.
Boom!
In an instant, he felt as if countless swords were shooting out from Pei Xuanjing's eyes, piercing his pupils, and pricking into his mind, even shaking his spirit. The momentum of the knife in his hand was even halted.
Without any hesitation, Pei Xuanjing raised his slender white palm and gently slapped it down on Yang Tinghe's knife-wielding wrist.
Pei Xuanjing's physical strength was immense after having gone through a rebirth, every blow of his carried the force to shatter Heaven and Earth.
Even though Pei Xuanjing didn't use his full strength, just an arbitrary strike harbored a power that Yang Tinghe couldn't withstand.
Crack!
Still reeling from the shock of the eye sword technique, Yang Tinghe felt a brutal impact on the wrist holding the knife, as if even his bones were shattered by the immense force.
The hand holding the knife lost its strength, and the Blood God Blade slipped from his grasp. As Pei Xuanjing casually caught the Blood God Blade, his other hand struck the Dantian of his opponent.
Puh!
Yang Tinghe spat out a mouthful of blood, the whole person seemed like a kite with its string cut off, flying out and crashing dozens of feet away on the square.
At this moment, the True Qi in his Dantian was shattered by Pei Xuanjing's palm, making it hard to gather for a while, he didn't even have the strength to struggle to stand.
"Sir!"
Seeing this, a few of his men abandoned their opponents and tried to rush over to his aid.
Pei Xuanjing snorted coldly, casually swung the Blood God Blade in his hand, the razor-sharp blade shot out, those few men didn't even have time to utter a word before they were sliced in half.
"Cough, cough, cough…"
Yang Tinghe didn't care about the death of his men, he only fixed his hateful gaze on Pei Xuanjing, who was walking towards him.
All eyes were focused on Pei Xuanjing, watching his every move in silence.
Yang Tinghe, the Blood Demon, was defeated too easily, and Pei Xuanjing won too effortlessly.
From beginning to end, Pei Xuanjing never used his divine sword at his waist, he just used simple punches and palms to defeat the powerful Yang Tinghe, which left everyone speechless.
Almost everyone knew that Pei Xuanjing's strongest technique was his swordplay, countless people had fallen under his sword along the way.
Especially during the duel with the Old Heavenly Master on Dragon Tiger Mountain, Pei Xuanjing's Sword Tao Realm shocked many people. Therefore, after the battle field was broken, many people scrambled for pieces that contained traces of his sword.
Even to say that among the various forces present today, many people had pieces containing traces of his sword, preserved for their descendants to study.
In just a few steps, Pei Xuanjing arrived in front of Yang Tinghe. Looking at Yang Tinghe who had lost his fighting strength, he gently slapped him down with a palm.
Everyone thought that Pei Xuanjing would kill him without hesitation, but instead, Pei Xuanjing only shattered his Dantian, crippling his martial abilities.
"Why didn't you kill me!" Yang Tinghe roared in rage.
Having his martial abilities taken away from him was more painful than being killed by the opponent.
Pei Xuanjing shook his head and said: "Someone thinks your life is still useful."
Originally, according to his plan, he would kill him and be done with it.
But Bai Xiaosheng told him that Yang Tinghe's life was more useful alive than dead, if Pei Xuanjing was sure he could defeat the other and spare his life, then he should do so.
According to what Bai Xiaosheng said, Blood Demon Yang Tinghe carried a big secret. For him to be able to hide in the court of Great Ming for decades, the plan he was plotting must be something grand.
According to the information he received, Yang Tinghe was indeed trapped deep in a forbidden blessed land and hadn't come out. The opening of that forbidden blessed land hadn't arrived yet. It could be said that even if Yang Tinghe survived in the forbidden blessed land, it wasn't time for him to come out yet..
Yang Tinghe holds a great secret. That was Bai Xiaosheng's assumption.
Because when everyone believed the other party was trapped in the forbidden blessed land, it was extraordinary that the Blood Demon not only mysteriously got out, but also didn't return to the Demonic Cult. Instead, the Blood Demon hid here, which seemed very peculiar.
Originally, Bai Xiaosheng was oblivious to this matter. Even when Yang Tinghe's actions were a bit abnormal during the turmoil in Tiandu, it did not raise his suspicion.
Only after Pei Xuanjing killed the Seven Kills Sword Master, and had a conflict with the Demonic Cult, did Bai Xiaosheng pay special attention to the Cult's affairs. Upon realizing the strange actions of the Sky Demon Sect's leader, Xue Wuheng, in Tiandu, he traced back to discover the true identity of Yang Tinghe.
Furthermore, the Divine Soul did not come to Tiandu, not because everyone believed he was in seclusion, but due to his discussion with Xue Wuheng, preventing him from intervening and affecting the plan in Tiandu.
Yang Tinghe has a great secret, so even if it is just to understand this matter, sparing his life is worthwhile.
Of course, this is what Bai Xiaosheng said considering that after Pei Xuanjing gathered the Divine Soul, he confidently behaved in this manner.
If it comes to a critical point, when things go beyond expectations, Pei Xuanjing need not hold back. Everything should prioritize the plan.
It is precisely because of this that Pei Xuanjing did not exert his full strength when making his move, and always chose to leave room for manoeuver. One reason is the fear of accidentally killing the opponent, and the other is to carry out a probing action.
Otherwise, with Pei Xuanjing's current strength, once the Seven Kills Sword is drawn, he would need only one strike. No matter what skills the opponent possesses, survival is difficult. There is no need for such troubles.
He released a sword intention into the Blood Demon's body, then decisively ignored the opponent's cursing and demands for death, and turned towards the officials.
Although they were in the Imperial city at the time, usually-discreet Pei Xuanjing held his ground as if he were the master, leisurely walking amongst the officials.
He slowly walked towards these officials. With each step, expressions on the officials' faces changed.
As they faced the terrifying Pei Xuanjing, they didn't know what his next move would be.
What terrified them even more was that regardless of what Pei Xuanjing intended to do, it seemed they had no chance of stopping him.
Wang Qiong's face changed slightly, about to step forward, but someone beat him to it.
The Brocade Guard Commander, Jiang Bin, suddenly burst into laughter and said: "Brother Pei, long time no see. I trust you are well!"
No one expected that the usually silent commander, who always downplayed his own presence, would step forward at this time.
The news of his acquaintance with Pei Xuanjing was widely known. Even now, many believe that when Pei Xuanjing executed the former commander Qian Ning in Xuanfu, Jiang Bin had a hand in it.
Jiang Bin had been silent from the moment Pei Xuanjing appeared, but unexpectedly spoke up now.
A few people speculated that having witnessed Pei Xu anjing's extraordinary power, Jiang Bin desired to win him over.
Even Lin Qingyi, who was standing not far behind him, held the same suspicion.
After all, Jiang Bin had warned Lin Qingyi not to get too close to Pei Xuanjing because they now belonged to different camps.
Pei Xuanjing was somewhat taken aback; he didn't expect Jiang Bin to step forward now.
However, Pei Xuanjing did not reveal his surprise. He said with a hint of a smile on his face, "Long time no see, Mr. Jiang. I trust you are also well."
Hearing Pei Xuanjing refer to him as "Mr. Jiang," many officials smirked.
Clearly, they all understood that Jiang Bin'S attempts at developing a closer relationship would prove to be futile.
Even Jiang Bin's smile froze for just a moment. However, it quickly recovered as he responded to Pei Xuanjing with a smile, "Although the Blood Demon was subdued by Brother Pei, I, Jiang, still want to ask for a favor. Can Brother Pei hand him over to me? After all, it's the Brocade Guard's responsibility to oversee the officials. This traitor has been hiding in the court for decades and I was none the wiser, somewhat derelict of duty, and I wish to make amends by interrogating him for any accomplices."
He pointed at Yang Tinghe and spoke with a righteous tone.
His speech was compelling and none could find fault in it.
After all, it was indeed the Brocade Guard's duty to oversee the officials, and Yang Tinghe was the Prime Minister, the highest-ranking official. Unless the Emperor stripped his rank, no institution, be it the Ducal Palace, the Ministry of Criminal Affairs, or the Three Judicial Departments, had the authority to act against him.
Only an organization like the Brocade Guard, backed by the royal authority, had the qualifications to take him into custody, detain, and interrogate him.
Suddenly, it dawned on some people that Jiang Bin wanted to take advantage of this situation to make up for his negligence and/or to claim the credit.
Of course, nobody saw the indescribable flash of hope that crossed Yang Tinghe's face as he heard Jiang Bin's words.
Pei Xuanjing responded with a faint smile. When Jiang Bin thought he was agreeing, Pei Xuanjing shook his head and said, "No need."
"Brother Pei….," Jiang Bin was taken aback and tried to continue pleading.
Pei Xuanjing's face turned cold, he sternly said, "I said, no need."
As he spoke, he coldly glanced at Jiang Bin, causing the surrounding temperature to seemingly drop.
Jiang Bin froze under Pei Xuanjing's gaze, as if he were plunged into an ice cave. He was drenched in a cold sweat and dared not say another word.
He had a hunch that if he continued to plead, Pei Xuanjing would not hesitate to kill him.
Although he didn't understand why Pei Xuanjing suddenly turned against him, disregarding old ties, Jiang Bin chose to remain silent. Years of instinct told him that silence was the best option.
All eyes again turned to the two as the crowd's expressions shifted. Many officials who had once mocked Jiang Bin now wore different looks on their faces.
This was exactly the case of "mourning the death of a fellow rabbit." Although they were enemies or rivals, and they looked down on or envied Jiang Bin, they still saw themselves in the same group. They were all officials of the Great Ming imperial court and undoubtedly, Jiang Bin outranked most of them.
Seeing Jiang Bin so overpowered and frightened by Pei Xuanjing that he didn't dare to contradict him evoked a sense of sorrow. They shared a common indignation and began looking at Pei Xuanjing differently.
At this moment, the humiliation Jiang Bin had suffered had resonated with them, as if it was their own, triggering a sense of injustice.
But the truly tragic part was that they were helpless in this situation..
After he saw that Jiang Bin stopped talking, Pei Xuanjing withdrew his gaze and glanced around. He took in the expressions of all the officials without seeming to care.
Despite the fury and dissatisfaction of these people, there were only a few who dared to meet Pei Xuanjing's gaze.
As for a few individual officials who dared to face Pei Xuanjing, he noted their faces. Not that he planned revenge, but he felt that these people had determination and valor—qualities that might prove useful in the future.
Standing tall on the plaza, Pei Xuanjing overlooked all four directions with an imposing gaze that could not be easily challenged.
The whole sight was a profound show of a single man's power.
His voice once again resounded in the plaza. Although he didn't use any True Qi, his words clearly reached everyone's ears.
As is usual, when a strong man speaks, all fall silent. So everyone on the plaza quieted down, waiting for Pei Xuanjing to continue.
"Today, I am here for three reasons. I've already discussed and acted upon the first two. Now, I will talk about the third one."
Upon hearing this, all gathered at the plaza were immediately captivated by Pei Xuanjing's words, eager to know what he intended to do next.
After all, both issues previously raised by Pei Xuanjing were of great importance and could cause considerable turmoil.
Now, the third matter he had chosen to discuss last was undoubtedly of utmost importance.
"Six hundred years ago, the former dynasty acted unjustly and oppressed the people. A group of rebels rose against it and, led by the first Emperor of the Great Ming, ousted the dynasty and liberated the kingdom. And so the six hundred year reign of the Great Ming began." , declared Pei Xuanjing.
Hearing Pei Xuanjing suddenly recount the history of the Great Ming Empire, many began frowning in confusion, wondering why he would bring up these historical events.
Even though opinions about the first Emperor of the Great Ming varied widely, no one dared deny his feat of expelling invaders and liberating the kingdom. Even officials who secretly thought of him as a tyrant held this view.
Because this was the founding principle of the Great Ming Empire, a point of legal and moral principles, no one dared to question it. A denial would be seen as a rejection of their own identity and a challenge to the royal family—a course of action that invited severe punishment.
While they were puzzling over his words, Pei Xuanjing continued: "The first Emperor of the Great Ming was indeed a great ruler. But the overthrowing of the former dynasty wasn't his Ione achievement. Countless heroes and upright individuals sacrificed their lives for this cause. This is a fact acknowledged by the emperor himself. Is there anyone here who would deny this?"
All heads nodded in agreement, and no objections were voiced. Pei Xuanjing was right. This was a fact personally confirmed by the emperor in his first imperial decree, a decree which still remains in the possession ot tne royal tami1Y today.
Pei Xuanjing paused, then continued: "Reward be given to those who merit it, punishment to those who offend. When the first emperor ascended the throne, he not only rewarded those who had contributed to his cause but also extended his gratitude to the large number of people who had helped him expel the invaders but did not wish to receive rewards. The Great Ming kingdom belonged not only to him but also to those heroes."
"In line with the first emperor's decree, no matter when or who the emperor might be, as long as the Great Ming continues to exist, these people could rightfully claim their share from the kingdom whenever they wish. "
On hearing Pei Xuanjing's words, everyone began to understand what he was getting at.
Upon overthrowing the former dynasty, the first Emperor of the Great Ming wanted not only to confer nobility but also to reward the powerhouse individuals from the martial world, thus bringing them into his fold.
Although these factions of the martial world rejected the emperor's offer, he still left a promise to them. He even had his words engraved onto a stone monument, and this monument was erected in front of the ancestral shrine as a declaration of his will.
Even though six hundred years had passed, and even though a number of elder statesmen were dismissed during the later years of his reign, the monument was left intact, either out of negligence or intention.
In the past, that monument was considered insignificant and taken for granted. However, with Pei Xuanjing's recent reference, it had become undeniable proof that silenced any opposition and left them without an argument.
Pei Xuanjing's words resonated through the plaza once more: "Back then, the heroes did not ask for anything. However, today, the Great Ming has broken its promise… As much as the kingdom belongs to the Great Ming, it also belongs to us. Just because we did not ask for anything back then, doesn't mean we wouldn't ask for it now. Thus, I, on behalf of the Shenxiao Sect, am here to reclaim our share of the kingdom."
Boom!
Everyone gathered in the plaza changed countenance dramatically. No one could have anticipated that Pei Xuanjing would say something so shocking, stirring tumult throughout the crowd.
While they were astounded by his statement, they could not deny that he was right.
The Shenxiao Sect played a significant role in overthrowing the former dynasty. If one were to truly calculate, according to the ancestral order left by the first Emperor of the Great Ming, they undeniably had a share in the kingdom.
Not just the Shenxiao Sect, but also most of the factions present at the plaza could rightfully claim a share of the kingdom.
"You…", Xuan Zheng, tried to rebuke Pei Xuanjing upon hearing his words, but he couldn't utter a single word.
This stone monument was considered the testament of the first Emperor and was placed in the ancestral shrine.
Not only was it a demonstration of the emperor's achievements, but it also represented the legitimacy of Great Ming's royal family, symbolising their endorsement by the martial factions.
But, who would have thought, that today it has turned into a weapon for Pei Xuanjing to use against them.
Although Xuan Zheng was furious, he didn't dare to deny what Pei Xuanjing said.
Even if denied, the stone monument still existed and even without the monument, he couldn't deny a principle that is a fundamental part of the Great Ming's legal system.
If he were to deny outright, without Pei Xuanjing needing to say anything, there would undoubtedly be countless people ready to overthrow him, Xuan Zheng.
Regardless of the others' thoughts, Pei Xuanjing boldly asked again: "Today, with the entire Great Ming royal family gathered, all the officials in attendance, and the main participants from all sides witnessing, I, the Long Life Son of the Shenxiao Sect, ask: Does the ancestral decree left by the first emperor of the Great Ming hold true?"
Does the ancestral decree of the first emperor of the Great Ming hold true?
These words made all the nobility blanch. Some wore anxious expressions, some appeared lost, some were panic-stricken, some were livid, and some…
But everything was quiet, and no one dared to utter a word..