Chapter 548 - Prestige of a Prominent Family

How could Zhongxuan Chuliang, a figure of such stature, fail to detect the residual traces of the “Silent Beheading Order” at the scene?Not to mention, the shards of the defeated armor were not far away, and his deceased brother’s only son lay on the ground, gravely injured!

Even Tongtian Palace was showing signs of collapse, chaotic and disordered.

Everything was abundantly clear, how could he possibly turn a blind eye?

His second brother, Zhongxuan Futu, had been dead for a long time.

He would never allow anyone to threaten Zhongxuan Sheng’s safety, not even Jiang Mengxiong!

An explanation…

Jiang Mengxiong had not been asked for an explanation in a long time, but the one who spoke was Zhongxuan Chuliang, who fought to the death for Qi Country and had established countless great achievements.

Once he had broken Xia, and now he had broken Yang, ennobled for his merits!

Indeed, he could have been ennobled as far back as the battle where he broke Xia!

Even if Jiang Mengxiong personally led the heavens, commanding nine ranks as the military’s foremost, he could not ignore this “fierce butcher.”

An explanation…

How could one justify this incident?

To what extent was the butcher willing to go for the son of Futu?

Jiang Mengxiong thought for a moment, just about to speak.

Another voice spoke up first.

“Wang Yiwu has lost his mind and in the midst of the marketplace, he sought to trap and kill the legitimate heir of the Zhong Xuan Family!”

The speaker was the heavily injured stout young man, whose wounds were clearly caused by the Traceless Fist technique.

“He even used the army’s heavy weapon, the ‘Silent Beheading Order,’ a magic artifact meant for enemy generals, against me!

My Zhong Xuan Family has been loyal to Qi Country for generations, expanding the nation’s territory, and the previous Emperors have honored us greatly, allowing my Zhong Xuan Family to share in the country’s glory!

I, Zhongxuan Sheng, am the direct heir of the Zhong Xuan Family.

I have been wounded and bled for Qi Country, cut down generals and captured flags!

On the Qi Yang battlefield, I fought with disregard for my own life, and His Majesty bestowed the Purple Robe upon me!

Who gave him the right to kill me!

Who gave him the right to commit such violence in Linzi!”

Struggling to his feet, he shouted with a great voice, almost roaring, “Great Marshal of the Nation!

Are you the Great Marshal for Wang Yiwu alone, or the Great Marshal for our great Qi?!

Wang Yiwu has lost his mind, showing blatant disregard for the law.

The facts are clear, heaven and earth bear witness!

Will you abandon a Qi citizen and soldier like Zhongxuan Sheng, focusing solely on protecting a traitor?!”

Although Zhongxuan Sheng was emotional, his words laid out the situation clearly.

Not only was it clear to Jiang Mengxiong, but also to everyone who had rushed to the scene—all were made aware of what had happened.

Take for example the silent Capital Commandant Zheng Shi of Beiyaduwei.

Naturally, he could only keep silent, as the Capital Commandant responsible for Linyi’s public security, he had no ability to intervene in this situation.

Take for example a eunuch in a crimson robe with hands tucked into his sleeves.

Take for example those whose presence had not yet arrived but whose gazes had already been cast this way…

Moreover, he directly defined the situation and made his stance clear without ambiguity, practically amounting to a challenge to the throne.

Having the guts to speak out against Jiang Mengxiong like this, it wasn’t excessive to say he had courage and insight.

Jiang Mengxiong could, of course, discern the truth in Zhongxuan Sheng’s words, as the traces of the battle couldn’t deceive anyone.

He was displeased with Wang Yiwu’s recklessness and intended to teach him a lesson, but he could not simply let the matter go.

Should he let go now, the nearly mad butcher could turn Wang Yiwu into mincemeat.

After a moment of silence, he looked at Zhongxuan Chuliang and said, “Chu Liang, let’s talk about this matter later.”

He hoped to settle the matter privately, willing to offer substantial compensation for it.

Zhongxuan Sheng remained silent.

He was always measured; he couldn’t speak for Zhongxuan Chuliang, regardless of how much Zhongxuan Chuliang cherished him.

And Jiang Mengxiong needed only to care about the butcher’s thoughts.

A junior like Zhongxuan Sheng, even if he was the direct heir of a top aristocratic family, had no significance in his presence.

“Great Marshal.” Zhongxuan Chuliang on any ordinary day seemed just a gentle and somewhat overweight elder, but with just a stern look now, he made others realize what “fierce butcher” truly meant.

He looked directly at Jiang Mengxiong and said, “You know very well how my second brother died.

He entrusted his only blood to me, and I beat my chest and promised him I would protect him.”

“Today!

Here in Linzi!

Right under my nose, someone tried to kill him!

What the hell kind of butcher am I, if my reputation seems like a joke.”

He bared a grin, but laughter was laced with deadly intent.

“How do you want to talk?”

He was not willing to talk!

Here in the capital city of Linzi, the butcher Zhongxuan Chuliang stood defiantly against Qi’s war god, Jiang Mengxiong!

Jiang Mengxiong’s figure slowly drifted down, landing in front of Wang Yiwu, both to prevent Zhongxuan Chuliang from going mad and to avoid appearing too superior and provoking further aggression.

He softened his voice and said, “Chu Liang.

Yi Wu is my final disciple, and I have vowed not to take another in this lifetime.”

This was already a plea for clemency and a request for understanding from Zhongxuan Chuliang.

But Zhongxuan Chuliang only responded, “Wang Yiwu can die, and so can Chen Zeqing, the Great Marshal has many disciples.

If Zhongxuan Sheng dies, my second brother’s lineage ends.

A door that closes can perhaps be opened again, but can my second brother come back to life and have another child?”

Receiving repeated defiance, Jiang Mengxiong also began to sound displeased, “You don’t need to keep mentioning your second brother.

Nobody wants this sort of incident to happen.

The younger generation is impulsive, are you too?

Calm down and let’s find a solution, that’s the proper way.

As a famous general and a high official of the court, you should understand the larger situation.

Do you insist on escalating the issue, to become the laughingstock of other nations?”

Quite the indictment!

His protection of his disciple was deemed natural.

Zhongxuan Chuliang’s demand for justice for his nephew was labeled as disregard for the bigger picture.

Yet even if he understood this, Zhongxuan Chuliang couldn’t directly use these words to confront him.

Just because he is the Grand Marshal of the Nation!

He is the God of War of Daqi!

At this moment, an elderly voice rang out.

“What, when a person is dead, no matter how ignoble their death, we can’t even mention them?

Does his name not deserve to be mentioned?”

Everyone in the room cast sidelong glances as an old man with white hair flew in angrily, glaring at Jiang Mengxiong.

It was the old master of the Zhong Xuan Family, Zhongxuan Yunbo, the contemporary Marquis of Bowang!

His cultivation was only at the peak of the Outer Building, but relying on the secret heritage of the Zhong Xuan Family, he still possessed the combat strength of the God Descending Realm.

Of course, if talking about strength, such God-Comes Power Level was not much to Jiang Mengxiong.

However, Zhongxuan Yunbo had fought wars all his life, and his seniority was eminent.

When he was leading armies in his early years, Jiang Mengxiong had even fought under his command.

Even if today’s Jiang Mengxiong was the foremost figure in the military, in the face of Zhongxuan Yunbo, he was obliged to speak up and clarify his position, “Old Master, that was not what I meant.”

Zhongxuan Yunbo, however, paid him no attention and turned to look at the silent red-robed eunuch that stood like a stone statue, “Eunuch Han!”

In the event of such a major incident in Linzi City, it was impossible for Emperor Qi not to be informed.

Yet at this time, he could not show up in person.

If the God of War Jiang Mengxiong appeared out of thin air, and Emperor Qi showed up in person, would it not be improper concerning their ranks?

Therefore, his “eyes” came instead.

This “Eunuch Han” represented Emperor Qi himself to a certain degree.

Indeed, he had brought nothing but his pair of eyes, remaining silent from beginning to end, taking no action.

But since Zhongxuan Yunbo directly spoke to him, he couldn’t pretend to be deaf.

He could only bow slightly, a gesture of respect, “Lord Marquis.”

“You are close to His Majesty and understand his intentions.

Please bother to ask His Majesty on my behalf.

Should my hereditary Marquis of Bowang title, which has never been repudiated, be stripped off?!”

Zhongxuan Yunbo’s words were shocking, making everyone’s heart skip a beat.

The old man’s beard and hair trembled with rage, “How come I don’t feel like a hereditary marquis at all?!

Someone in Linzi dares to kill my grandson!

Who does he think he is?!

Whose power is he relying on?!

What does he want to do!”

“This…” The great eunuch Han Ling of the Ministry of Rites was momentarily at a loss for words.

No matter what he said, it would be wrong, and any stance he took could be problematic, so he could only keep stammering…

Jiang Mengxiong’s headache worsened.

Although he was unparalleled in military strategy, even godlike in his command, in such a situation, he had nowhere to apply his skills.

In the face of Zhongxuan Chuliang, he might try to exert some pressure, but towards Zhongxuan Yunbo, the old master and military senior, he really couldn’t do much.

Furthermore, Zhongxuan Yunbo’s words were a direct accusation.

These hereditary noble titles of the great houses were awarded in recognition of their ancestors who had fought and died for the country, promising their honor intertwined with that of Qi Country.

After years of development, these great houses had become the backbone of the empire.

Although they had disputes among each other on normal days, to challenge hereditary nobility was to provoke the fundamental interests of all the great houses.

Who would sit idly by?

To put it more severely…

it was shaking the very foundation of Jiang’s rule!

How could he not take these words seriously, how could he not show a stance?

After a brief internal deliberation, he turned to Zheng Shi and said, “Capital Commandant Zheng, first control the surroundings and temporarily keep the commoners and others at bay.”

Some words that followed were not meant for too many ears.

No sooner had he given the order than Zheng Shi remained motionless.

Meeting Jiang Mengxiong’s puzzled gaze, he simply said, “I report to the Grand Marshal, I only take orders from His Majesty.”

Jiang Mengxiong didn’t understand.

Did he have any conflict with you, Zheng Shi?

A mere Capital Commandant of Beiyaduwei, showing defiance here?

In such circumstances, non-cooperation was a snub to his dignity.

Since when had the God of War’s face counted for so little?

If the ruthless one protecting his offspring dared to confront him, did you, the Capital Commandant of Beiyaduwei, dare as well?

But in actual fact, the position of Capital Commandant of Beiyaduwei was indeed responsible only to Emperor Qi, and there was nothing wrong with what Zheng Shi said.

Even the God of War wasn’t in a position to lash out at this moment.

His thick eyebrows furrowed, he was about to directly issue an order to the Forbidden Army.

It was then that Han Ling no longer stuttered and quickly spoke up, addressing Zheng Shi, “Would you please, Capital Commandant Zheng.”

Zheng Shi then responded and left to command the troops of Beiyaduwei to temporarily clear the surroundings.

Privately, he, of course, hoped that the bigger the commotion, the better, ideally to execute Wang Yiwu in accordance with the law.

But Han Ling’s interjection indicated that Emperor Qi also did not want the incident to escalate too severely.

His power and reliance came from Emperor Qi, and on his own, he had little say in the presence of the God of War.

That was also why Wen Lianmu and Wang Yiwu, these two juniors, dared to set up his son.

“The God of War’s prestige in Qi Territory is indeed too high, and even the actions of the people from the Grand Marshal’s Mansion have become recklessly brazen.

Wang Yiwu today dared to publicly kill the direct descendant of the Zhong Xuan Family; how is his behavior any different from that madman of the Tian family?

Just like what Zhongxuan Yunbo asked, whose power is he relying on?

The power of the God of War…

is too great.

I wonder if His Majesty shares this view.”

Zheng Shi stood guard on the perimeter, thinking silently to himself.