Chapter 96

"Ah Man, it's your mother who has wronged you."

Long Furen felt a pang of sorrow. Ah Man was a good child. Even at this moment, he had not a single word of complaint, but instead comforted her, which made her even more distressed.

If it weren't for her falling for her natal family's scheme, she wouldn't have implicated everyone. Seeing Ah Man, who was on the verge of death, still pretending to be fine, her heart ached as if it were being cut by a knife.

"Mother, don't be afraid. Brother Long will definitely come to save us," Ah Man consoled, trying to sit up. This way, he could avoid the bone-eroding nails pressing against his bones, making him slightly "more comfortable."

"Child, you've suffered so much," Long Furen said, tears streaming down her face as she looked at the densely packed, soul-eroding nails on Ah Man's body. How much pain has this child endured?

"Mother, it's fine. That bastard Ying Hou forced me to reveal some things, but I didn't know what he was talking about. Anyway, I didn't say a single word, and it just made him furious," Ah Man said boldly.

It turned out that after Ying Hou's injuries had recovered to a certain extent, he was overjoyed to hear that Ah Man had also been captured. He immediately had Ah Man brought out for personal interrogation.

He was extremely curious about Ah Man's physical body. A boy who hadn't even reached the Blood Coagulation stage could withstand a strike from a Muscle Transformation realm expert, which was simply unbelievable.

Ying Hou was very eager to know how Ah Man had cultivated, but he didn't have the powerful soul energy of Long Chen to see the situation inside Ah Man's cells.

Although he noticed the peculiarities in Ah Man's body, with only four meridians, he assumed it was due to some miraculous cultivation technique practiced from a young age.

Ying Hou wouldn't let go of this miraculous technique. Even if he couldn't practice it himself, just possessing it would make it a priceless treasure.

However, he didn't expect Ah Man to be so stubborn, not uttering a single word no matter how much he was beaten. No matter what torture he endured, Ah Man remained silent.

After countless tortures, even the most brutal bone-eroding nails were inserted all over Ah Man's body, but he still refused to speak.

Later, Ying Hou gradually realized that Ah Man's peculiarities were likely due to his physical constitution.

Regardless of whether Ah Man had practiced any cultivation technique, if he had, normal people would absolutely be unable to practice it, and attempting to do so would be fatal.

Who could withstand the pain of bone-eroding nails? Even if one could withstand one, who could withstand ten without dying? Even a Muscle Transformation realm expert would likely go mad from the pain of ten bone-eroding nails.

Understanding this, Ying Hou lost interest in the cultivation technique and became more interested in Ah Man's physical body. He wanted to see how much a person could endure.

So, Ah Man became a human porcupine, but what shocked Ying Hou was that Ah Man, despite being covered in bone-eroding nails, still didn't die. His physical body was too terrifying.

At this moment, he received an order to send Ah Man to the execution ground, so he stopped torturing him.

"Hmph, you're quite tough, able to withstand so many bone-eroding nails. I wonder if your neck can withstand my steel blade. I'm looking forward to it," Li Feng said coldly, looking at Ah Man.

"You bastard, Brother Long will definitely come to save us," Ah Man said angrily.

"Go to hell. No one can save you, not even the heavens. Just prepare to become ghosts," Li Feng sneered, not looking at them again.

Suddenly, there was a commotion on both sides. The Phoenix Empire and the Great Xia Empire each sent a group of people. On the Phoenix Empire side, the Empress Dowager led all the princes, palace masters, and ministers, slowly appearing.

On the Great Xia Empire side, a tall, imposing man in a yellow robe stepped forward, followed by three men carrying weapons.

These four people exuded a terrifying aura, their eyes sharp and their demeanor deep, like volcanoes ready to erupt with terrifying energy at any moment.

The leader was none other than the Emperor of the Great Xia Empire, Xia Youyu, a true powerhouse. The three men behind him were the greatest experts of the Great Xia Empire, and this time, Xia Youyu had brought out the best of the nation.

The two groups met, and the Fourth Prince stepped forward. Behind him were two men, one being Ying Hou, and the other a shorter man with a steel beard and a war hammer on his back, known as Wu Hou—Wu Yi.

After the First Prince was deposed, the Empress Dowager immediately issued an edict making the Fourth Prince the Crown Prince. As soon as he became the Crown Prince, he swiftly took action, capturing the First Prince and his allies.

He also rapidly recalled Wu Hou and ordered the army to return to the capital. By the time the army returned, the Great Xia forces had already reached the capital.

In front of the capital, the Fourth Prince faced hundreds of thousands of elite Great Xia soldiers, remaining calm and negotiating, stopping the Great Xia army at the city gates to avoid a bloodbath.

The Phoenix Empire's citizens, seeing the Fourth Prince's demeanor, were all impressed by his ability, recognizing the qualities of a true ruler.

"I deeply regret the unfortunate fate of Brother Changfeng. However, thanks to the heavens, the culprits have been captured. I hope their blood can comfort Brother Changfeng's soul," the Fourth Prince said apologetically to Xia Youyu.

Xia Youyu looked at the man who should be his nephew, feeling a mix of emotions. He knew his son was actually innocent and had died at the hands of the Fourth Prince, but he couldn't seek revenge.

Someone had ordered him not to touch a single hair on the Fourth Prince, and his military campaign was also under that person's command, a performance for the Fourth Prince.

"It seems Emperor Youyu still hasn't recovered from the pain of losing your son. This makes me even more aware of your deep love for Brother Changfeng. Thinking of Brother Changfeng, who died young, is truly heartbreaking," the Fourth Prince sighed.

Xia Youyu's eyes narrowed. He wanted to slap this hypocrite who had killed his son and was now putting on a show in front of him. It was too much.

But he didn't dare act. He knew that if he killed the Fourth Prince, he would not have a good end. He could only endure.

"Prince Chuxia, you are too polite. As long as the murderer of my son is killed, I believe Changfeng can rest in peace," Xia Youyu said, his eyes flashing with a cold light when he mentioned the "murderer."

The Fourth Prince ignored Xia Youyu's gaze and said calmly, "Emperor Youyu, rest assured. The murderer is here and cannot escape.

However, for the great friendship between our two nations, some sacrifices are inevitable. Only by setting aside our prejudices and misunderstandings can our people enjoy peace. I believe the marriage alliance between the Great Xia and the Phoenix Empire years ago proved your foresight, don't you think?"

Xia Youyu was taken aback. He finally understood that the chess piece he had placed years ago had now taken control of its own destiny. The Fourth Prince's killing of Xia Changfeng was a message that Chuxia was no longer the same Chuxia.

If he still wanted to control him, he would be making a grave mistake, and he might even lose his own life.

The Fourth Prince's words snapped Xia Youyu out of his grief. He nodded, "Yes, peace is the greatest blessing for the people of both nations."

"Exactly. But peace must be built on equality and trust. Anyone who tries to disrupt the peace between our two nations and plunge our people into suffering—must be executed."

With the Fourth Prince's command, the executioners raised their swords.

"Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud..."

Blood splattered, and over twenty heads rolled, staining the ground red. The stench of blood rose, and more than half of the Long family members fainted from shock.

Many citizens in the distance closed their eyes, not because they hadn't seen executions before, but because those being executed were high-ranking officials of the empire, evoking a mix of pity and fear.

Seeing the executions, the Fourth Prince took a deep breath. He was too excited. He loved the feeling of control, where his thoughts could determine the life and death of others. This was the charm of power.

Looking at the pale faces of the princes, palace masters, and ministers, he saw the fear in their eyes, which was exactly what he wanted.

He wanted to use this opportunity to eliminate all opposition, making everyone submit and not dare to rebel. He wanted to be the most powerful emperor, where those who followed him would prosper and those who opposed him would perish.

"This is the fate of those who harbor treacherous thoughts."

The Fourth Prince looked coldly at the bodies, then raised his head to look at Long Furen, who was staring in shock.

Long Furen was trembling, filled with fear, but she didn't faint. She just stared blankly.

"Long Furen, I'm sorry. Long Chen has committed a heinous crime, and even I cannot protect you. So, don't blame me."

The Fourth Prince said this with a look of regret and waved his hand. Immediately, several executioners raised their swords, aiming at the necks of the crowd.

"Damn it, stop!"

Suddenly, a loud shout echoed, and a group of people rushed toward the execution ground.