Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

Four Directions Tavern.

Xiao Yi and his companions were seated in the bedroom.

Da Heng and Erha stood to the side, not daring to make a sound.

Jin Yi and Little Lin stood with their heads low, looking like children awaiting punishment for doing something wrong.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Xiao Yi sighed and said, "Why are you all just standing there like fools? Do I need to personally invite you to sit down?"

Little Lin grinned, plopping down next to Xiao Yi and chuckling, "Boss, I knew you wouldn't be mad!"

Jin Yi also let out a sigh of relief.

Having witnessed Xiao Yi's formidable methods firsthand, and without the life-and-death bond that Little Lin shared with Xiao Yi, he didn't dare to push his luck. Only now, realizing that Xiao Yi wasn't angry, did he take a seat.

Xiao Yi cast a glance at Little Lin and said, "This matter, after all, was my fault for dragging you into it. Why would I be angry at you? Or do you think I'm such an unreasonable person?"

"Absolutely not! My boss is the very embodiment of justice, the spokesperson for truth…" Little Lin flattered shamelessly.

Xiao Yi flicked Little Lin's forehead with mock exasperation, then turned to Jin Yi and asked, "Were you hurt in the Heavenly Prison?"

"Not at all!"

Jin Yi shook his head. The punishments of mere mortals could not harm him in the slightest. After a moment of silence, Jin Yi continued, "Big brother, while I was in the Heavenly Prison, I overheard the guards mentioning that there might be something more behind the Baiyu Holy Maiden's marriage competition."

"Oh?"

Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and asked, "What do you mean?"

Jin Yi explained, "According to the guards, it seems Baiyu Holy Master's direct disciple, Chen Longxiang, obtained an extraordinary inheritance in Baiyu's forbidden grounds. His strength has surged rapidly, garnering significant support from powerful figures. While vying to become the Sacred Master's heir, he publicly proposed to the Baiyu Holy Master."

Little Lin added, "Qingzhu refused to accept this marriage proposal, but faced with Chen Longxiang and other powerful supporters in Baiyu, the Holy Master had no choice but to resort to a marriage competition to determine Qingzhu's husband!"

Xiao Yi suddenly understood.

He had always firmly believed that Fang Qingzhu would never suggest such a method as a marriage competition.

Nor would she betray him and choose to marry someone else.

Now it seemed...

All of this was Chen Longxiang's doing behind the scenes!

"Chen Longxiang…"

In Xiao Yi's mind emerged the image of that peerless prodigy from Baiyu.

Back in the Southern State.

When Chen Longxiang had traveled from Baiyu to take Fang Qingzhu back to the sanctum, Xiao Yi had had a brief encounter with him.

He was an awe-inspiring genius, arrogant and unmatched in talent.

At the time, Chen Longxiang had wanted to kill Xiao Yi to sever Fang Qingzhu's mortal attachments.

If Fang Qingzhu had not threatened to sacrifice her life...

Xiao Yi would likely have perished at Chen Longxiang's hand long ago.

Unexpectedly...

Chen Longxiang's sinister ambition had not been extinguished.

Now, he was forcing Fang Qingzhu into using a marriage competition to choose a husband.

"Big brother, from the information we've gathered, it is highly likely that Chen Longxiang has already stepped into the Sacred Venerate Realm. Otherwise, Baiyu Holy Master would never have compromised…" Jin Yi said gravely.

Having sworn brotherhood with Xiao Yi, he empathized deeply with him.

Seeing Xiao Yi's wife being coerced into such a predicament, Jin Yi held nothing but disdain for Chen Longxiang.

"Sacred Venerate Realm?"

Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, his expression turning serious.

He agreed with Jin Yi's assessment.

Given Fang Qingzhu's personality, if Chen Longxiang had not reached the Sacred Venerate Realm, even if she couldn't prevent the marriage competition, she would have found a way to notify Xiao Yi immediately, asking him to participate. But now, there were only half a month left before the marriage competition began.

And yet...

Xiao Yi had received no news at all.

If he hadn't come to Beizhou in person, he wouldn't even have known about the marriage competition.

This could only mean one thing.

Chen Longxiang had indeed broken through to the Sacred Venerate Realm.

Even Fang Qingzhu believed that Xiao Yi stood no chance against Chen Longxiang.

She didn't want to see Xiao Yi coming to his death.

So she had chosen not to alert him.

Understanding this,

Xiao Yi clenched his fists tightly, took a deep breath, and his eyes gleamed with unyielding determination. "Sacred Venerate? So what? Even if it were the Heavenly King himself, no one will take Qingzhu away from me!"

At that moment,

a rapid knock at the door interrupted them.

"Who is it?"

Jin Yi asked coldly.

A chilling voice answered from outside, "I am Zheng Dong'an, commander of the trusted aides serving the Third Prince. Upon hearing that Lord Xiao is here, I have come on the Third Prince's orders to invite Lord Xiao to his residence for a banquet!"

The Ice and Snow Empire's Crown Prince had yet to be decided.

The First Prince and the Third Prince were the frontrunners in the struggle for the position.

Thus far,

The two princes had always been evenly matched, with neither able to gain a clear upper hand over the other.

But now...

With the First Prince choosing to participate in the marriage competition, more and more people in court were siding with him.

After all,

If he became Baiyu's Saint Heir,

not to mention the Crown Prince seat, becoming emperor wouldn't be out of reach!

For this reason,

when the Third Prince learned that Xiao Yi and his sworn brothers had broken into the Heavenly Prison and killed supporters of the First Prince's faction, he decided to invite Xiao Yi to forge an alliance.

"The Third Prince invites me?"

"I heard the Third Prince and the First Prince are rivals for the Crown Prince position. He's not on the same side as that Hou Zhen…"

"Boss, shall we go?"

The group turned to Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi shook his head. With his status and strength, he had no need to concern himself with the mundane struggle for the throne. He said indifferently, "Tell him to leave!"

Little Lin nodded and was about to respond when another voice rang out from the doorway: "Hahaha, isn't this Zheng Dong'an? What's this? Your Third Highness wants to recruit Xiao Yi now?"

"Ah, if it isn't Liu Chun, the Grand Steward from the First Prince's residence!"

Zheng Dong'an retorted mockingly before sneering, "Grand Steward Liu, are you here to recruit Lord Xiao as well?"

"Recruit? Hahaha! My prince has countless powerful martial artists and geniuses under his command. Who could possibly deserve to be recruited?"

Liu Chun responded arrogantly, "I am merely here on official business, delivering a decree on behalf of the First Prince to summon Xiao Yi to meet him at the royal residence!"

"..."

Zheng Dong'an was momentarily stunned.

Liu Chun promptly kicked the door open with a loud bang. Eyeing the startled expressions of those inside, he cleared his throat and allowed his gaze to settle loftily on Xiao Yi. Finally, he sneered, "So, you're Xiao Yi? I am Liu Chun, Grand Steward of the First Prince's household. I am here under orders to summon you to present yourself before the First Prince!"

Xiao Yi: "..."

Little Lin and the others: "..."

Seeing no reaction from anyone, Liu Chun's expression darkened. He snorted, "What are you standing around for? Bow your heads in gratitude and come with me to pay homage to the First Prince!"

"Get lost!"

"What nonsense First Prince? Even your emperor isn't qualified to summon my boss…" Jin Yi and Little Lin shouted coldly.

"How dare you…!"

Liu Chun's face turned red with anger. How could the Ice and Snow Empire's First Prince possibly tolerate this level of insolence?

Furious, he glared at Xiao Yi's group, gnashing his teeth. "You worthless peasants! How dare you insult the Prince! You will all die for this. I'll give you one last chance: kneel before me and execute the full kowtow ritual. Then follow me to beg forgiveness from the Prince. Otherwise, your entire families and clans will all perish…"

Before he could finish,

A sharp pain exploded across his face with a loud slap, sending him flying backward.

A cold, unrelenting hand descended from above.

With a resounding crash,

Liu Chun was forcibly slammed to the ground, pinned in a kneeling position, unable to move.

In his ears, Xiao Yi's icy voice sounded: "Go back and tell your master: he has one hour to crawl to see me. If he dares not come, I will take his head instead…"