Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

Four Directions Tavern.

The tavern was completely empty at the moment, with the owner and all the patrons having fled long ago.

Ever since they witnessed Xiao Yi kicking the steward of the First Prince's mansion out of the room and punishing him to kneel at the tavern's entrance, everyone hurried to pack their belongings and leave.

Afraid of being mistakenly associated with Xiao Yi and his group.

Caught in the crossfire.

Everyone avoided it like the plague.

The tavern owner was the first to evacuate the Imperial Capital, taking his family and everything he held dear.

In the vast Ice and Snow Empire, who didn't know of the First Prince's arrogant and tyrannical personality, his insistence on revenge for even the smallest offense?

Who would dare to provoke the First Prince? At best, they'd lose their head; at worst, their family would be torn apart!

Xiao Yi dared not only to throw Liu Chun out of the room but made him kneel at the tavern's entrance. He even brazenly demanded the First Prince come pay him respect within an hour—an act everyone viewed as suicidal.

The vicinity around the deserted Four Directions Tavern.

The roofs and eaves of nearby buildings, however, were crowded with heads.

Though the tavern patrons and its owner had fled.

Local residents and mighty warriors all flocked over upon hearing the news, eager to witness the spectacle: "That hour is almost up—why hasn't the First Prince shown up yet?"

"The First Prince must be mobilizing his troops. With his stature and position, how could he possibly tolerate being provoked without responding?"

"Who would dare provoke the First Prince in the Imperial Capital? It's unfathomable…"

"This is like an old man seeking death by eating arsenic!"

"Hahaha…"

Amid the chatter.

A rumbling sound grew louder and louder, shaking the ground violently.

Pebbles on the ground began to bounce lightly.

As the hurried cadence of hoofbeats and marching footsteps neared, the pebbles bounced faster, higher.

Everyone followed the sound with their eyes.

At the end of the street, a disciplined array of black-clad figures advanced with heads held high.

The City Guard in jet-black armor.

Like a black torrent surging forth, imposing and oppressive, exuding murderous intent.

The whole street was plunged into dead silence.

Nearly ten thousand City Guard soldiers.

A thousand elite Dragon Guard.

Each one clad in golden battle armor, armed with long spears, and mounted on Monster Beast Dragon Head Leopards.

These Dragon Head Leopards were unique monstrous beasts native to Beizhou.

Extremely fierce, they thrived in ice and snow, experts in coordinated hunting. Savage beyond measure. These thousand Dragon Head Leopards, each as strong as those at Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, coupled with a thousand Dragon Guard warriors above Tao Tribulation Realm, constituted the most elite force of the Ice and Snow Empire.

Unrivaled!

Tens of thousands of warriors in perfect formation.

Encircling the entire street, rendering it impenetrable. The icy killing aura thickened, causing the street's temperature to drop by dozens of degrees, making the already bone-chilling wind sharper than blades.

"The Dragon Guards have mobilized?"

"The First Prince seems intent on slaughtering Xiao Yi and his party!"

"This means no retreat, no reprieve…"

In the shadows.

Third Prince Tang Hao narrowed his eyes imperceptibly, while Zheng Dong'an, seated beside him, said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, with the Dragon Guard fully deployed, it's clear the First Prince intends to engage Xiao Yi with no quarter, no reserve!"

"The more ferocious he is, the better—what's truly feared is a lack of ferocity!"

Tang Hao burst into laughter, swirling his wine cup, a cold glint flashing through his squinted eyes, "How are the Shadow operatives' preparations coming along?"

Zheng Dong'an nodded and said, "Everything is proceeding per your command!"

"Excellent!"

Tang Hao nodded, his gaze icy with a hint of malice, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, you cannot blame me! Becoming a pawn in my game is the greatest honor you could dream of achieving in eight lifetimes..."

Meanwhile.

The vast ranks of City Guard and Dragon Guard had already surrounded the Four Directions Tavern, leaving not even a crack for escape.

Outside the Four Directions Tavern.

Liu Chun remained kneeling on the ground, his leg bones long shattered, his body bound by Jin Yi's innate force, utterly immobilized.

Like a statue, motionless.

Upon seeing Tang Long arrive with the City Guard, a look of ecstatic joy surged across his pale face, and he shouted loudly, "Your Highness, save me, save me…"

Tang Long's expression was cold as he rode atop a Nirvana Realm Dragon Head Leopard.

The Dragon Head Leopard was entirely golden, faint black patterns adorning its body. Its dragon-like head boasted two solitary horns, and its whiskers lashed through the air, generating sharp, piercing sounds. The white breath spilling from its nostrils burned fiercely, instantly melting the falling snowflakes.

Tang Long glanced at the kneeling Liu Chun, his expression growing exceedingly grim.

Everybody in the Imperial Capital knew Liu Chun was his trusted confidant.

Yet Xiao Yi made Liu Chun kneel in front of a crowd, a blatant castigation meant to humiliate him!

Add to this the reports from Hou Zhen and others—Xiao Yi had come to the Ice and Snow Empire for the Baiyu Saintess marriage competition.

Not only a rival vying for his love!

But also someone who had thoroughly disgraced him.

How could Tang Long, proud and domineering, ever tolerate such an affront?

A poisonous glint flashed in Tang Long's eyes as he looked toward the Four Directions Tavern. Without hesitation, he waved his hand: "Demolish the Four Directions Tavern!"

"Leave it to me!"

A broad-chested, barrel-waisted, physically imposing middle-aged man stepped forward.

He wielded a massive hammer shaped like an ox's head, incredibly heavy, the air-whipping sound of its sweeps akin to tiger roars and dragon cries.

Leaping into the air, he swung the massive hammer down upon the Four Directions Tavern.

Golden light swirled around the hammer, heavy and oppressive, descending like a peak a hundred meters tall.

The sheer force emanating from the hammer alone was enough to crush a mountain.

Not to mention the Four Directions Tavern standing before it.

As the hammer descended, poised to shatter the Four Directions Tavern entirely.

At that moment...

A chilled voice suddenly erupted from inside the tavern: "Scram!"

Buzz!

The soundwave rolled outward, rippling through the air like water.

Boom!

The golden hammer instantly burst apart.

Countless fragments flew backward, and amid anguished screams, the Nirvana Realm Peak warrior who wielded the hammer was pierced through by flying shards. His body turned into a bloody sieve, plummeting from the sky, smashing into a heap of flesh and gore.

Hiss...

A myriad of gasps rose from the surroundings.

A mere shout.

Instantly killed a Nirvana Realm Peak expert.

This level of power could only belong to the Longevity Secret Realm!

Tang Long squinted his eyes, his expression growing darker: "Impressive indeed. No wonder you dare challenge me for the Saintess! However, aside from the Saint Heir of the Changsheng Sect, as well as the two contenders from Tianya Ocean Pavilion and Baiyu, no one else is worthy of my regard!"

"Dragon Guard, assemble!"

Tang Long lowered his voice coldly.

"Yes!"

A thousand Dragon Guard warriors stepped forth uniformly, their killing intent towering.

This was the most elite military force of the Ice and Snow Empire.

A thousand warriors paired with a thousand Dragon Head Leopards.

Together.

Even against Earth Venerate Realm experts, they could put up a fight!

Tang Long abruptly waved the battle saber in his hand, pointing it toward the Four Directions Tavern, and commanded coldly: "Flatten the Four Directions Tavern. Anyone who obstructs—kill without mercy…"