In the eyes of onlookers, Blanche seemed to harbor some unspeakable secret, exceptionally shy. Such behavior had undoubtedly confirmed Shuro's guilt. The main house sneered ceaselessly, while the branch house hung their heads in shame. The gazes of York Old Lady and other wanderers towards Shuro were filled with killing intent.
Yet Shuro knew Blanche was exerting herself to resist, though to little avail.
"Young mistress, it's time for your medicine," Shuro smiled faintly. No one could discern his silhouette before he had already appeared before Blanche.
His hand moved swiftly as lightning, one hand grasping Blanche's slender waist while the other forced the melancholy relieving elixir from Warden City into her mouth.
All were stunned, no one reacting in that moment.
"Audacious!" York Old Lady was the first to come to her senses, fury blazing in her eyes as she moved to act. But a powerful energy pushed through the air from an oblique angle, forcibly blocking her path.
York Old Lady turned to see it was Marco.
In the center of the hall, a strange aura emerged from Blanche, as if something was rising within her, brimming with vitality. Suddenly, a trace of electricity flashed through Blanche's eyes, startling those who saw. They had not expected the shut-in young mistress of the York family to possess half a wanderer's skill.
Blanche's delicate body quivered, as if breaking free of something.
At the same time, one of the Solitary Moon Mountain disciples swiftly paled, blood rushing to his throat, barely swallowed back down.
"Everything he said is true. This is all John and Solitary Moon Mountain's sabotage," Blanche declared without thinking, looking to Shuro, unable to conceal the delight in her beautiful eyes.
The imagined reversal did not occur.
Silence fell over the great hall, even the sound of falling snow outside could be clearly heard.
Blanche looked up in confusion to see everyone gazing upon her with complex, bizarre expressions focused on her waist. Blanche glanced down to see Shuro's hand still placed on her waist, the two of them so close, thighs and chests nearly pressed flush against each other, intimate without gap.
Fool!
Blanche was anxious inside. Though Shuro's actions surprised her pleasantly, behaving so intimately in front of everyone, was he trying to undo all previous efforts? Blanche wanted to move away, but with her energy spent after breaking the puppet technique, her delicate body could only slump weakly, nestled against Shuro.
"The truth remains as you have all witnessed. It was not my intention to conceal it, but...some family disgraces simply cannot be aired publicly," John sighed and murmured.
"The truth is these two were discovered committing adultery in the main house by myself. I wished to preserve the York family's reputation yet could not condone harboring this affair, so I could only resort to this scheme, letting Shuro shoulder all the blame. I hope Your Highness will pardon this offense."
John, renowned as the York family's foremost genius, maneuvered adeptly, subtly pinning the crime of "incestuous affair" without rousing suspicion. Relieved after speaking, his expression made disbelief difficult.
"Enough."
Shuro passed Blanche to Faithe, then turned to John, his tone now frigidly murderous: "Depraved villain sowing discord, for the sake of our shared surname, choose how you will die."
Facing Shuro's gaze, an inexplicable chill rose within John. He was secretly astonished.
Before John could respond, King Peppe of Tera was already incensed. It was not just the king, the civil and military officials filling the hall were likewise furious. This was the Golden Pavilion, York Old Lady's celebratory birthday feast, yet such chaos had erupted. With Shuro's guilt firmly established, he still stubbornly clung to deceit.
"Guards! Seize this knave! Should you fail to capture him...execute him here publicly!" Peppe bellowed loudly.
Not only the palace guards, but even some of the wanderer and half-step wanderer world family patriarchs stood up. They could sense Shuro's profound cultivation, so deep it was unfathomable. The disciples of Solitary Moon Mountain who came to the banquet ranged from third to fourth level in their foundation building, and now sat watching coldly from the sides.
"Hahaha! You foolish Peppe, after so many years you are still just as stupid, remaining an utter imbecile!" From the furthest seat in the wanderer section, Marco drained his cup and laughed loudly.
King Peppe of Tera and his officials simultaneously changed color.
A blur streaked across half the hall. Marco raised his sword and struck down, though no movement could be seen, the palace guards attacking Shuro were blasted back in unison. The half-step wanderer world family patriarchs were also forced back nearly ten steps, their expressions extremely ugly.
So powerful!
The wanderers and disciples of immortal sects were inwardly shocked. After breaking through to the wanderer realm, Marco's strength already far surpassed ordinary wanderers, reaching a level that made common wanderers and ordinary fourth level foundation building cultivators gaze at him in awe and fear.
Imperial Protector Huasan, a wanderer, gritted his teeth and stood up, "Marco, are you rebelling again?!"
Marco ignored him completely, striding towards Shuro standing in the hall, a faint smile on his face as he mildly said, "It's been a while, Young Master Chuan."
Young Master Chuan?
King Peppe of Tera gaped, his officials were shocked, the wanderers had bizarre expressions. The reactions of the York family's two houses were even more fascinating, from York Old Lady down, they were all dumbfounded and incredulous.
He is the famed prophecy granting Young Master Chuan of Immortal River? The mysterious Young Master Chuan who caused great waves and vanished without a trace in Caelius Capital some days ago is actually an obscure collateral child of the York family's branch house?
How is this possible...
"Humph!" Marco's expression changed as he backhandedly slashed out a sword, like a flash of flowing light, the Heavenly River in cascading torrents, splitting an attacking talisman cleanly in half.
The talisman's spiritual energy detonated explosively with tremendous force, wreaking havoc and raging unrestrained.
"Today, whoever dares make things difficult for him will become Marco's enemy!" Staring at Leone, Marco said coldly.
In the past, the legend of Tera told of one sword fighting one nation.
Standing tall and proud in the Golden Pavilion Hall, Marco possessed the lofty aura of one who had once, with a single sword, called forth ninety thousand fierce bandits to gather under his banner with a swing of his arm, overturning half of Tera.
Only now did everyone recall Marco's feud with the Tera royal household, remember the thousands of souls beneath Low Duke's sword.
Immediately after, an even icier aura rose from behind Marco, making the ministers in the hall shiver.
"Let me deal with this petty thief first, then I can drink with Brother Zhou."
Shuro walked past Marco, moving smoothly as flowing clouds and water, at the same time, an imposing murderous aura enshrouded John.
John stepped forward, a trace of electricity in his eyes, completely fearless as he revealed his half-step wanderer skill.
A fierce struggle between dragons and tigers was about to unfold.
Before Shuro even drew near, John's body violently convulsed as he rapidly retreated over ten steps, the light in his eyes instantly stripped away, his complexion ghastly pale.
Unable to withstand even the mere killing intent...what a vast gap!
King Peppe and his officials were greatly alarmed, looking at Shuro complicatedly.
"You! You! Are you trying to silence him?!" Seeing John routed without even making contact, the York family patriarch Jordy could no longer remain seated and rose to his feet shouting.
"Verbose old codger!" A shadow flashed as an ugly fat man appeared next to Jordy and slapped him flying with one palm.
"Anyone who dares spout more nonsense and insult my young master, don't blame me, Lee, for showing no quarter!" Under the horrified gazes of the York family members, Lee raised his head proudly and arrogantly declared.
"No matter how great your skills, they cannot surpass the word 'reason'!" Looking at the approaching youth, John laughed wildly towards the heavens with a ghastly pale face, "John is untalented, but for the sake of my York family's hundred years of reputation, I vow to fight you to the death today, you villain!"
Righteous words, grand and majestic!
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John's performance earned the respect of the majority inside the palace, even the palace maids and guards were indignant as they glared at Shuro.
"If you wish to die, I will grant it." Shuro was still dozens of steps away when he threw out a punch.
John's vision swam. He seemed to see an enormous fist like a collapsing mountain range pressing down overwhelmingly, the wind and clouds roiling murderously between its fingers. Each breath transformed into a fist the size of an alms bowl, or a meteor streaming in from all directions to bombard him!
John's heart thundered as he desperately tried to dodge but found himself mired, unable to budge. Amidst his shock, an intense unwillingness rose in John's heart.
Even Tenth Young Master Chen Yusheng had submitted under Shuro's fist intent, let alone John who was merely a mundane martial artist.
Thump!
Without even a chance to react, John's knees smashed into the ground as he knelt, the shattering sound of his knee bones striking the jade tiles echoed through the hall. At the same time, John's skin ruptured all over, tendons and bones fracturing, flesh splitting open, his elegant robes already thoroughly soaked crimson, white bone visible!
The cultivator wanderers' expressions changed. They had originally been prepared to stop Shuro, confident in success. But Shuro's terrifying punch which shattered John's knees also viciously slapped their faces.
The pain wracked John as sweat poured like rain while he shivered uncontrollably, barely clinging to consciousness as his body trembled, powerless to stand. He could only sprawl limply on the ground, eyes filled with shock and fear as he looked at Shuro.
Shuro's unreasonable fist had thoroughly crushed John's schemes. An unprecedented terror arose from the depths of his heart as his mind descended into chaos.
"Still unwilling to admit guilt even if it means death? The dead have nothing," Marco sneered with arms crossed. He didn't care about truth or lies. Even if Shuro was really responsible, he would still support him fully.
John's body imperceptibly trembled as he clenched his jaw, swiftly glancing towards Solitary Moon Mountain's direction.
"Slanderous vilification! False accusations!" Leone leapt forth, blocking before John, "King of Tera, where is your dignity?!"
"My pitiful grandson, forced to be beaten to death before the throne by evildoers for upholding Tera's rituals and laws!" Jordy wept bitterly as he prostrated himself before the Golden Pavilion Hall, "I implore Your Highness to take charge of this!"
Shuro's blatant violence in front of the civil and martial court and wanderer immortals, in the Golden Pavilion Hall, had not only turned York Old Lady's birthday celebration into a joke, but also utterly humiliated King Peppe of Tera.
Although harboring some doubts, King Peppe of Tera still gritted his teeth, "Guards, apprehend this knave!"
Including York Old Lady, the eight Grand Masters of Tera leapt forth, descending gracefully into the Golden Pavilion Hall, surrounding Shuro in the center. Beyond the Grand Masters were the half-step wanderer world family patriarchs, warily watching Marco, afraid of losing face again.
Seeing this, John secretly relaxed. Under the pressure from Shuro, he had nearly abandoned struggling. Fortunately he knew very clearly that while Shuro could overwhelm him temporarily, ultimately, he was no match for the greater forces.
"Young Master Chuan, that day you granted my wish and set me on the immortal path. Today, I will bathe the Golden Pavilion Hall in blood, slaughter all these fools, and free you!" Marco flicked his sword wrist, unleashing one hundred and eight sword flowers from Low Duke Sword, its aura astonishing.
"No need to calculate so clearly if you truly see me as a friend." Shuro faintly smiled and smoothly shielded Faithe and Blanche behind himself.
"Friend?" Marco was taken aback, his eyes gradually filling with something more, "Since I was branded Low Duke in my youth, no one has dared call themselves my friend. Hahaha, refreshing, truly refreshing! In Tera and the whole world, only you are worthy to be Marco's friend."
Shuro also did not expect his casual words to elicit such a big reaction from Marco.
Unprompted, Shuro thought of the lonely Nine-Dragon Sovereign.
Compared to Nine-Dragon Sovereign, he had Aunt Faithe, Lee and Lewis, and now a friend like Marco too.
The Tera legend from the storytellers of his childhood had now become a side-by-side comrade in arms. It felt somewhat surreal.
They exchanged a glance and burst into loud laughter together. The sound waves rolled like tidal waves, churning the air as they spread in all directions. Many family patriarchs with weaker cultivation were tossed about like withered leaves in the wind.
"Audacious!" "Insolent!"
Two Masters shot forth, one wielding lightning while the other wood, charging straight for Shuro! Midway, their movements started becoming erratic and unpredictable.
Just as Marco was about to act, Shuro had already strode forth, throwing out two fists. Like antelopes locking horns, galloping through the heavens, the surging air waves actually condensed into gigantic fists within the hall that smashed towards the two Masters.
Boom! Boom!
The two Masters had their path obstructed and rhythm disrupted. Caught off guard, they could not withstand the tremendous might and reluctantly fell back, retreating ten steps with astonished expressions.
With just two fists in midair, he had forced back two Masters!
King Peppe's heart thumped rapidly. The Masters' expressions were grave as John stared fixedly at Shuro's back, filled with envy and hatred.
A great battle seemed on the verge of breaking out.
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the hall. Faintly concealed within was a wondrous rhythm, like rolling thunder from thousands of miles away yet also right before them.
The weaker cultivators in the palace hall flushed and paled erratically as their breathing became unstable.
Master Hua coldly snorted, looking towards the hall entrance, "Who dares make a pretentious spectacle here?"
"Little fella, quite the temper."
A round silhouette floated in from outside the hall, followed by a robust, dark-faced elder. Aside from these two, there were several others, uniformly white-haired old folks.
Though aged, no one dared look down on them.
As soon as the plump old man entered the Golden Pavilion Hall, invisible energy proliferated, like a mountain path being cleared, scattering the eight Grand Masters apart.
Relying solely on one person's power to contend evenly against eight Masters without falling behind! Even Marco regarded them gravely.
The dark-faced elder's aura was similar to the plump old man's. While the others behind them did not possess auras as astonishingly powerful and unmatched, they were still like fathomless oceans and mountains, firmly suppressing the Tera Grand Masters.
Cold sweat beaded on King Peppe of Tera's forehead. As the ruler of a nation, he knew many secrets of the mundane world in Tian Nan domain. The moment the plump old man and dark-faced elder appeared, two names arose in Peppe's mind. Just the names themselves were already frightening enough, but even more terrifying was the colossal might behind them.
"The two sirs are... Elder Sun and Elder Wu!"
York Old Lady was shocked, her face lighting up ecstatically. Disregarding Peppe, she drifted down before the hall and bowed deeply, "Junior received guidance from the two seniors sixty years ago in Chechi Nation. I wonder if seniors still remember this junior? If not for the two seniors, junior would not have attained my current accomplishments."
Hearing this, Tera's seven Grand Masters were evidently excited. Master Hua was even somewhat flattered at being called "little fella" by Elder Sun and Elder Wu. They had all heard the story of York Old Lady in her youth receiving pointers from the two masters which allowed her to step into the half-step Master realm by forty and achieve meteoric success since.
Those two masters were legends in Tian Nan's martial world: Elder Sun of the South and Elder Wu of the North.
Legend said their martial arts had reached a transcendent sage-like level. Many foundational great completion stage immortal sects even treated them deferentially.
The greater situation is settled! Heaven assists me!
Still sprawled on the ground, a sinister smile appeared on John's cheek. As the most talented and promising heir of the younger York generation, he had heard since childhood about the connection between the old matriarch and Elders Sun and Wu.
No matter how extraordinary Shuro and Marco were, how could they compete against Elders Sun and Wu? At their peak, battling same level Masters, they both had the appalling record of one against ten. Now, just their rallying cry could mobilize thirty percent of Tian Nan's masters. It was no exaggeration to say these two were the supreme existences of Tian Nan's martial world. Aside from the Xia and Zhou dynasties, every secular nation was apprehensive of them!
Looking at the slightly bitter Shuro, John's smile grew even more radiant.
He had heard long ago of Elders Sun and Wu's hatred for evil. With their relationship to the old matriarch, today would be the only outcome for Shuro - death! If Elders Sun and Wu were unhappy, they might even vent their anger on Marco. By then, he would replace Marco to become the number one in Tera!
"You..." Elder Sun sized up York Old Lady, then casually nodded after a long pause, "Seem a little familiar."
In a single nonchalant sentence, York Old Lady was stirred with excitement, her eyes misting over with a thin layer of tears. If not for her current status, she would have knelt down on the spot, offering homage as if to a revered master.
With a tense expression, Sun Zhongyuan leisurely approached Shuro's side.
The residents of Wuju, appearing out of nowhere, cast fierce glares at Shuro, their hostility palpable.
As the cold wind swirled, the atmosphere in the grand hall instantly solidified.
York Old Lady's heart skipped a beat, her face draining of color.
After a moment's hesitation, York Old Lady sighed deeply, her expression filled with immense shame as she said, "Unworthy descendants have committed such grave sins, causing trouble for the two seniors."
Before she could finish, Sun Zhongyuan grinned, his face melting from its icy demeanor to one of warmth. Stepping forward, he playfully grabbed Shuro.
"You, lad, didn't even bother to inform us and sneakily returned on your own. What, do you think we're too old and useless to help you?"
"And you!" The resident of Wuju turned his head, fixing a stern gaze on the cowering Lee. With a snort, he added, "You're slippery with words but speak no truth, just fleeing when things get tough!"
"Punish him with wine! It must be done!"
"Why the long face? This wine was just brought back from the Thousand-Year-Old renowned shop of Fengqi Hall, costing ten Yin coins per two liang, commonly known as Immortal's Drunk. It's not something ordinary folks get to taste!"
"Brother, our old buddies Sun and Wu have planned it out beforehand. Tonight, we won't return until we're drunk. Brother Chuan, just accept it."
In the center of the hall, the esteemed masters of the Southern Sun and Northern Wu surrounded Shuro, wearing smiles on their faces. The other Masters chimed in, creating a lively and harmonious atmosphere.
York Old Lady widened her eyes, her mouth gaping in disbelief.
The seven national champions gasped in astonishment, staring blankly for a moment before turning to the stunned York Old Lady with envy.
As for the Third Young Master John, his smile froze on his face, his expression dumbfounded.
Several old Masters subtly observed, their gazes as sharp as cold steel, not hiding their intent to kill.
John's inner turmoil intensified under their piercing gazes, nearly on the verge of collapse.
This scene left King Tera Peppe filled with doubts, no longer as certain about the truth of the matter. It wasn't just King Tera; even the palace maids, courtiers, and national champions, including the Masters, cast doubtful glances at John.
"Don't think bringing in reinforcements will absolve you of your crimes!"
A discordant voice rang out, originating from a disciple of the Solitary Moon Mountain, persistently clamoring.
"A few Masters, please give Solitary Moon Mountain some face. This young man has committed heinous crimes and we hope you can stay out of it," Leone said coldly, his voice almost squeezed out between his teeth.
Sun Zhongyuan and the resident of Wuju were masters of great skill, not ones to regard a mere Foundation Establishment disciple with much regard. They seemed to have not heard him, continuing to banter with Shuro and occasionally chatting with Marco.
Leone, exasperated, but knowing the Southern Sun and Northern Wu, understood that the two were not to be trifled with. He turned to Peppe again, "Your Majesty, do you intend to let this disrespectful, violent criminal go unpunished? It's truly disappointing."
"Well..." Peppe frowned.
As a monarch, he enjoyed unlimited prestige in front of his subjects and courtiers, but in front of the immortal sects and powerful Masters, Peppe often appeared powerless. This was why he sought to curry favor with the Solitary Moon Mountain; having an immortal sect's backing would elevate Tera's status significantly.
But on the other hand, there were also the Masters of the Great Zhou Dynasty and Great Xia Dynasty, whom Peppe couldn't afford to offend. With Sun Zhongyuan, the resident of Wuju, and other Masters surrounding Shuro, speaking loudly as if to protect him, the truth was irrelevant to Peppe at this moment. What mattered was making the right choice.
Seeing King Tera Peppe hesitating, Leone sneered, "Since Your Majesty seems to have made up your mind, I suppose I understand. For the sake of a criminal, Your Majesty is giving up the opportunity to befriend the Solitary Moon Mountain. So be it."
At Leone's signal, the disciples of Solitary Moon Mountain rose one by one. The three other insignificant sects also withdrew, their faces displaying indifference and arrogance.
Peppe and his courtiers were in a panic.
"Leone, the banquet hasn't even started yet. What is the meaning of this?" Peppe hurriedly stood up.
"Your Majesty, since you already have other guests, we don't wish to intrude," Leone said, secretly signaling to John with a "don't panic" look, then glaring at Peppe, "Your Majesty's hospitality today will be remembered by Solitary Moon Mountain."
"Leone, why this unnecessary trouble?" Peppe was on the verge of desperation. He had intended to use York Old Lady's banquet as an opportunity to win over the immortals of Solitary Moon Mountain, establishing connections for Tera's future rise. But before the banquet even began, one chaotic event followed another, and now even the immortal sects were leaving.
Lowering his posture, Peppe almost begged humbly. Leone remained resolute in humiliating Tera, paying no heed as he coldly bypassed the feast, heading for the exit.
"Hold on. Who gave you permission to leave?" Shuro's voice rang out.
"I see they want to retreat to advance, trying to coerce the foolish King Tera into submission. How naive," Marco said leisurely, his right arm slashing through with a blur, the sword light flashing and leaving a trench in the floor, barely cutting off Leone's path.
Staring at the shattered tiles in astonishment, King Tera Peppe's face turned purple with rage.
"How dare you! Do you really think a few Masters' support can elevate you to our level?" a disciple of Solitary Moon Mountain exclaimed angrily.
Leone was equally furious, his gaze shifting to Sun Zhongyuan as he said icily, "I respect your reputations in the mortal realm, which is why I didn't act. My father is the deputy sect master of Solitary Moon Mountain, so you should think carefully."
"Solitary Moon Mountain, a ninth-tier sect, and yet you dare flaunt it?" Sun Zhongyuan casually cleaned his ears, sneering.
"A ninth-tier immortal sect is still an immortal sect," Leone retorted stiffly. "In the Xia and Zhou Dynasties, where immortals abound, what are you and Northern Wu? I refuse to believe that the Xia and Zhou Dynasties would turn against Solitary Moon Mountain for you!"
Sun Zhongyuan and the resident of Wuju were at a loss for words, and the faces of the other old Masters changed.
Surveying the crowd, Leone's tone grew more forceful. "Look down on a ninth-tier immortal sect? Fine, today I'll tell you: in the Southern Immortal Sects, the highest rank is only the seventh tier, with vast differences between each tier. Do you think many ninth-tier sects can even achieve tiering? Hmph, ninety percent of immortal sects can't even reach the tier!"
"Heh, dare to offend Solitary Moon Mountain, you all better think twice."
The palace fell silent, King Tera and his courtiers, as well as the national champions, looked uneasy.
At that moment, a rushing wind and melodious crane calls came from outside the grand hall, followed by a voice with a clear and faintly ethereal tone, "Is this not the celebration of York Old Lady? I wonder where the esteemed lady is?"