Chapter 86: Throw This Woman Out

Song Ke hurried toward the main hall. The individuals reported by the city guard just now were all distinguished personages, especially the Eighth Prince—an eminent figure among eminent figures, at least in Song Ke's eyes.

By the time Song Ke arrived at the front hall, Hao Hu from the Qitian Sect and Steward Sun from the Sun family were already present. Outside the city lord’s residence, armed guards stood in dense formation, their swords at their sides. At the center of the guards was a level-six demon beast—a saber-toothed tiger—upon whose back sat a young nobleman dressed in luxurious attire. This, without doubt, was the legendary Eighth Prince.

“The Eighth Prince has arrived!” a guard by the saber-toothed tiger proclaimed in a loud voice.

In the Wild Martial Empire, commoners were expected to pay their respects to members of the royal family. Upon hearing the proclamation, the city guard of the city lord’s residence all dropped to one knee in unison, as did Hao Hu and Steward Sun.

“We respectfully welcome Your Highness the Eighth Prince. If I have been remiss in my duties, I beg your pardon!” Song Ke also knelt with one knee and cupped his hands toward the Eighth Prince in respectful greeting.

“Rise, all of you. I’m merely here to enjoy myself for a while—there’s no need for such formality,” the Eighth Prince said with a wave of his hand.

Song Ke rose and gazed respectfully at the prince. “Your Highness, your visit brings great honor to my humble residence. Please, come inside. Allow me to order the finest tea prepared for you.”

“No need for that. I’m just passing through Pingyang City for a stroll; I’ll be leaving soon. No need to go to such trouble,” the Eighth Prince replied, waving his hand dismissively.

Then, with a smile, the Eighth Prince added, “By the way, I heard on my way here that there’s a disciple of the Qitian Sect named Wu Tian—apparently, he single-handedly wiped out a family in Pingyang City. He’s said to have reached Martial Spirit cultivation or higher. To achieve such a level in a small place like Pingyang City is no small feat. The royal family and the Qitian Sect have always maintained close ties, and I am quite interested in meeting this disciple. I hear you brought him back to the city lord’s residence, and so I came.”

Hearing the Eighth Prince mention Wu Tian, Song Ke’s heart tightened. He hadn’t expected that the prince’s visit was actually for Wu Tian. Only now did he recall the close relationship between the Qitian Sect’s headquarters and the royal family, but it still surprised him that the prince would take a personal interest in Wu Tian.

“Your Highness, Wu Tian is indeed a guest in my residence. If you wish to meet him, I shall fetch him at once!” Realizing the Eighth Prince’s interest in Wu Tian, Song Ke naturally chose to phrase it as Wu Tian being a guest, rather than someone under arrest.

“Wu Tian! You bastard! You used to be nothing but a useless wretch—what gives you the right to be so arrogant? Your doom is only a matter of time!” At that moment, Song Qianqian’s furious voice rang out.

“I don’t usually hit women, but if you spout one more word of nonsense, you’ll regret it!” Wu Tian’s cold, merciless voice followed.

Wu Tian was the first to emerge from the back, with Song Qianqian trailing behind, her face twisted in anger, as if she wished nothing more than to kill him on the spot.

Song Qianqian was about to resume her tirade against Wu Tian when her eyes fell upon the Eighth Prince seated astride the saber-toothed tiger. Instantly, her demeanor shifted to one of respectful grace. She curtsied elegantly and addressed the prince in a sweet voice, “Your Highness, please forgive this young woman’s offense. I did not see you earlier and beg your pardon for my rudeness.”

“Your Highness, this is my daughter, Song Qianqian. She was unaware of your arrival. I apologize for her earlier behavior,” Song Ke said, sweat beading on his brow. His daughter had been scolding people in the presence of the Eighth Prince—an obvious display of disrespect.

The Eighth Prince cast only a fleeting glance at Song Qianqian before turning his attention to Wu Tian. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, “So you are the Wu Tian of the Qitian Sect I’ve been hearing about?”

“I believe I’m the only Wu Tian in the Qitian Sect,” Wu Tian replied with a faint smile.

“Insolence! How dare you not pay your respects in the presence of His Highness!” the Eighth Prince’s guard shouted sternly, pointing at Wu Tian.

Song Qianqian quickly chimed in, “Your Highness, this man is indeed Wu Tian of the Qitian Sect. He is the one who slaughtered the entire Nie family. His actions have gravely violated the laws of the Wild Martial Empire, and he shows no respect for Your Highness—he hasn’t even greeted you. Such insolence demands punishment, Your Highness!”

No sooner had Song Qianqian finished speaking than a flash of anger appeared in the Eighth Prince’s previously gentle eyes. He roared, “Do I need you to speak on my behalf? You’re just the daughter of a mere city lord—how dare you presume to influence my judgment? Are you courting death?”

Sensing the prince’s wrath, Song Ke hurriedly pulled Song Qianqian to her knees, kowtowing in supplication. “Your Highness, please forgive us! My daughter is young and ignorant. I beg you to punish me instead and spare the foolish child, Your Highness!”

“Hmph! I have no interest in quarreling with a foolish woman. But, City Lord, you’d best keep a closer watch on her tongue—her words reek,” the Eighth Prince said coldly, his tone full of disdain.

“Thank you for sparing our lives, Your Highness! Thank you for your mercy!” Song Qianqian, now completely terrified, kept kowtowing and begging for forgiveness.

“Enough! Her shrill voice is grating—get this annoying woman out of my sight!” the Eighth Prince ordered with a wave of disgust. Immediately, several guards lifted Song Qianqian and threw her out.

Song Ke was trembling from head to toe with fear, but was grateful the prince had shown restraint. Had the Eighth Prince truly wished it, both he and his daughter would be dead.

After Song Qianqian was thrown out, the Eighth Prince looked at Wu Tian with keen interest and asked, “So, you are Wu Tian of the Qitian Sect. Everyone else here kneels and pays respect upon seeing me—why do you remain unmoved?”

Wu Tian smiled faintly and replied, “My respect for Your Highness is heartfelt, not merely a matter of outward display.”

At these words, the Eighth Prince’s eyes lit up. Applauding, he said, “Well said! Truly well said! As I passed through, I heard how you single-handedly exterminated a family in Pingyang City last night, even killing their patriarch, a seventh-level Martial Spirit. Is this true?”

“Your Highness has heard correctly—it is true,” Wu Tian answered frankly, without evasion.

“Impressive! Truly impressive! To think such a formidable young man could be found in a small city like Pingyang. The Qitian Sect is indeed worthy of its reputation as a great sect of the Wild Martial Empire, cultivating such outstanding disciples even in small places,” the Eighth Prince said appreciatively to Wu Tian, showing no anger at the massacre of the Nie family.

Wu Tian found the prince’s reaction peculiar. By rights, as the ruling house of the Wild Martial Empire, the royal family should have enforced the law after Wu Tian’s actions, but the prince showed no inclination to punish him.

“Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. I have only the Qitian Sect’s training to thank for my abilities,” Wu Tian replied, cupping his hands. He had no idea what the prince intended, so he simply followed the prince’s lead.