C126 Ying Zhi Was in Danger! He Was Defeated in One Move Again!!(1)

Ying Zhi watched as Shih Ci vanished once again, his eyes twinkling with intrigue. Outwardly composed, he pondered inwardly, "Master Shih Ci truly lives up to his reputation as the most enigmatic figure at the Mahayana Stage in the Ming Dynasty."

After questioning the pair, Ying Qian allowed a smile to play at the corners of his mouth before addressing Ying Zhi, "Zhi, this Instructor Qin you've befriended is quite the character."

"With a single stroke, he bested an Early Period Tribulation Crossing Stage Senior Instructor from the College of Ming Dynasty."

"Such prowess in battle is unparalleled in our Ming Dynasty."

Ying Zhi, missing the subtext in Ying Qian's words, responded with caution, "Indeed, Mr. Qin is exceptionally gifted."

"Do you know anything about his history?" Ying Qian inquired.

Now grasping the implications of his father's words, Ying Zhi replied, "While I'm not familiar with Mr. Qin's background, I trust that he would never harm me."

"How can you be so certain he poses no threat to you?" Ying Qian probed, his eyes narrowing slightly.

With a bold gaze, Ying Zhi asserted, "I rely on my instincts, and they tell me Mr. Qin harbors no malice towards me."

Then, with a self-deprecating chuckle, he added, "Moreover, there's nothing about me that would be of particular interest to Mr. Qin."

"What if there is?" Ying Qian asked, his tone neutral.

Perplexed, Ying Zhi countered, "How could there be? Does Mr. Qin covet my status as the Third Prince? He's not without his own standing."

"Previously, I might have entertained the possibility. But now, I see no such likelihood."

Undeterred, Ying Qian gently coaxed, "The title of Third Prince is trivial. Consider the bigger picture. For instance, with his assistance, you could ascend to the throne of the Ming Dynasty..."

At these words, Ying Zhi felt a chill run down his spine and quickly responded, "Father, you are overthinking it. I harbor no such ambitions."

Ying Qian's expression hardened, and a glint of lethal intent shone in his eyes as he pressed, "Are you certain of that?"

"This individual possesses exceptional combat prowess, and his cultivation has been advancing with astonishing speed. He's on the verge of breaking through to the Tribulation Crossing Stage at any moment."

"In just a few years, he could even reach the Mahayana Stage. When that time comes, who in the entire imperial court could possibly stand in your way?"

"Could it be that I, too, will be compelled to relinquish my throne?"

Ying Zhi's complexion drained of color as he promptly fell to his knees, declaring, "Father is in the prime of his life. How could Zhi entertain such treacherous thoughts?"

"Zhi has a good rapport with Mr. Qin and certainly harbors no ambitions of leveraging that relationship to claim the throne."

Ying Qian's aura of lethal intent shrouded Ying Zhi. "So what have you been up to these past days? Plotting and planning against your elder brother's influence, is that not so?"

Beads of sweat the size of soybeans cascaded down Ying Zhi's forehead, as if a razor-sharp blade were poised at his throat.

A single misstep in his words could mean instant execution.

A wave of despair washed over Ying Zhi, and with a voice tinged with bitterness, he admitted, "Father's words are just. Zhi is at fault."

Yet, even after Ying Zhi's confession, Ying Qian's murderous intent only intensified, closing in on Ying Zhi from every direction.

Overwhelmed by despair, Ying Zhi realized that Ying Qian intended to eliminate him to clear the path for his elder brother, Ying Ye, to ascend to power.

As death loomed ever closer, Ying Zhi remained composed, his mind sharpening in the face of his fate.

Resolved to his end, Ying Zhi steeled himself and spoke, "Father intends to take Zhi's life, and Zhi lacks the strength to defy you."

"But please, allow Zhi to speak his piece before you act."

Ying Qian's eyes swept over the room.

Wang Chenghai, startled by the abrupt turn of events, was now practicing an air of obliviousness, as if utterly unaware of the unfolding drama.

Feeling Ying Qian's gaze land on him, Wang Chenghai became as still as a statue, frozen in his seat without so much as a blink.

Ying Qian then turned back to Ying Zhi with a piercing look, "Speak!"

Ying Zhi spoke with a heavy heart, "Father, I never imagined you would favor my elder brother so strongly."

"I'm done concealing my intentions, Zhi. I desire the throne."

"Why is it that only my elder brother can ascend to the throne? What disqualifies me?"

"We are both your sons, yet you deem him more fit to rule and are willing to cast me aside?"

"It's common knowledge in the court that if my elder brother takes the crown, I will be the first to fall."

"Should someone attempt my life, am I not permitted to defend myself? I will not stand for this!"

"You seek my death today simply because you believe that upon his awakening, my elder brother will not best me. Now I truly grasp the meaning of the phrase 'There is no cruelty like that of the royal family.'"

With that, Ying Zhi closed his eyes and resignedly said, "I have spoken my piece. Proceed as you will."

"Haha, Zhi, you've finally laid bare the thoughts you've harbored for so many years," Ying Qian roared with laughter.

The murderous aura that had enveloped Ying Zhi instantly vanished, and Ying Qian stepped forward to lift him from the ground.

Soaked to the bone, as though just retrieved from water, Ying Zhi asked in bewilderment, "Father, you're not going to kill me?"

Ying Qian responded, "You are my flesh and blood. Even a tiger does not devour its offspring, let alone my desire to end your life."

"However, you did speak one truth—the royal family is indeed the epitome of heartlessness. Alas~"

Ying Zhi inquired, "Then why the act just now?"

"If I hadn't done so, would you have ever bared your soul to me?" Ying Qian retorted.

"Zhi, do you understand what I see in your elder brother?"

Ying Zhi replied, "His boundless ambition and stubborn self-reliance are what you admire."

Ying Qian clarified, "Indeed, but what I truly value in your elder brother is his straightforwardness—he never conceals his ambitions."

"Your mind is a labyrinth of caution and schemes, adept at plotting, yet you've dulled your own sharpness."

"In this respect, your elder brother surpasses you, making him the better fit for these tumultuous times."

Before Ying Zhi could respond, Ying Qian pressed on, "I wanted to see if you still possessed any sharpness."

"And if you were to deny your true feelings..."

Ying Zhi prompted, "Then what?"

Ying Qian's face was grave as he replied, "What use is a future sovereign who cannot even acknowledge his own heart's desires?"

"Zhi, you've met my challenge. Henceforth, you're free to pursue whatever your heart desires."

"Bring out the Golden Dragon Token I gave you."

With reverence, Ying Zhi produced the Golden Dragon Token and presented it to Ying Qian.

Ying Qian accepted the token.

With a snap, the Golden Dragon Token broke in two. "I bestowed this token upon you so that one day, when Hanyuan ascends the throne, it might save your life," Ying Qian explained.

"You no longer need it. The battle between you and Hanyuan will be decided by your respective merits. I shall not intervene."

Ying Zhi's face lit up with emotion; Ying Qian's words were an unequivocal affirmation of his worth.

Ying Zhi's emotions had been on a tumultuous ride from the start.

He knelt and expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Father."

Ying Qian returned to his seat, "There's no need for such formalities between father and son. Zhi, join me to witness the upcoming battle."

"I'm eager to gauge the true extent of Qin Buyi's capabilities."

Ying Zhi rose and took his place beside Ying Qian, turning his attention to Qin Buyi, who sat with his eyes closed, gathering his strength.

Ying Zhi understood that Ying Qian's decision to withdraw from the conflict between him and his elder brother was largely influenced by Qin Buyi's extraordinary prowess—his unmatched martial skills, swift advancement in cultivation, resolute decisiveness, and formidable lineage.

With such an exceptional ally in his corner, how could Ying Zhi possibly fall to his elder brother? Such was the conviction in Ying Qian's heart.

At the center of the arena, Lan Linglong stepped forward to speak.