BXBX NOVEL Chapter 639: 640: Confrontation
Li Xiaobai stood in front of the hall, looking around. Civil and military officials were lined up on both sides, and sitting above on the throne was the Old Dragon King, who had earlier attempted to capture him.
To his left, the cultivators must all be military generals, their auras faintly exuding murderous intent. Leading them was a man in a white robe; beside him stood a figure Li Xiaobai had seen in the dungeon, Long Tian. He realized in an instant that Long Tian and Long Zhan were brothers.
No wonder they possessed such formidable strength and bloodlines, being offspring of the Old Dragon King. He just didn’t know what they did to end up imprisoned in the dungeon.
At this moment, Long Tian, upon seeing Li Xiaobai, also showed a look of surprise, not expecting that the latter would be released and even brought to the grand hall of the Imperial Palace.
“Big brother, who exactly is this person, and why is he here too?”
“Hush, you’re out because of this person’s influence. The main event is yet to come; just watch quietly from the side,” Long Zhan admonished Long Tian, as idle chatter was forbidden inside the grand hall.
On his right hand, the cultivators all held scrolls and exuded an air of scholarly fragrance, clearly scholars and officials. Leading them was none other than the Tortoise Prime Minister, who was also sizing up Li Xiaobai.
Their eyes met, and Li Xiaobai read intentions of murder and anger in the Prime Minister’s aged gaze.
It seemed his presence interfered with the Prime Minister’s agenda, more precisely, with the marriage matters of the Prime Minister’s grandson.
Truthfully, according to his original plan, he wouldn’t have minded giving up Long Xue to them, which might have reduced his own troubles. He might even have been able to get away directly.
But after encountering that mean, rude, and flashy woman, Li Xiaobai changed his mind.
Already full of dissatisfaction, if the Tortoise Prime Minister and his grandson wanted to play games, he was more than willing to join in.
Li Xiaobai no longer needed to act weak and be beaten to gain Attribute Points. As for such small-fry characters, he had only one word for them: kill!
“Tian’er, you’ve suffered these years. Have you ever resented your father?”
From the throne, the Old Dragon King looked down at Long Tian with a trace of sorrow in his eyes, lamenting the wasteful twenty years all because he couldn’t swallow his pride and admit his mistakes, thus wasting them in the dungeon.
“Thank you for your concern, Father. I’ve lived quite well these years. I made many friends in the dungeon, and indeed, the fault was mine back then, causing shame to Father,” Long Tian replied with a bow, speaking respectfully.
“Good, then from now on, follow Zhan’er and help him govern the Eastern Sea together.”
“You’re not young anymore, we shall find a suitable marriage for you when we have the chance.”
The Old Dragon King laughed heartily, seemingly in much better spirits.
“Thank you for Father’s graciousness!”
Long Tian bowed again and then stepped aside, silently observing the unfolding events. He had a vague understanding that the protagonist of the day might well be Li Xiaobai, who had brutally bested him not so long ago.
“Li Xiaobai, have you been well these past days in the Sea Clan?” the Old Dragon King asked kindly from the throne, appearing very amiable.
“Not at all well. Why did you thrust me into that sunless dungeon?”
“That dungeon is simply no place for people. While there, I was bullied and tormented. The prisoners were cruel and evil, bullying me relentlessly, and the warden eyed me like a tiger watches its prey. Every day was like walking through Hell, enduring pains one of my age should never have to endure,” Li Xiaobai shook his head and sighed, as if he had seen a terrifying tiger.
Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials present were all taken aback. Their expressions darkened, as they had not anticipated that even within the grandeur of the Imperial Palace hall, this man would not rein in his impertinent nature.
Such thick-skinned audacity! In the dungeon, it was clearly he who was the real bully. How had it become him being relentlessly bullied?
However, these thoughts could only be entertained in their minds; speaking them out loud would undoubtedly expose their secret spying, which for the royal family would be a stain, something that absolutely could not be divulged.
The Old Dragon King’s forehead throbbed with bulging veins.
“Damn it, previously in the dungeon, every other word was about his royal kinships; bragging through the roof, how come now he’s suddenly become timid?”
He finally understood that shamelessness was also a realm in itself. Being able to say these words so naturally and unpretentiously, in a certain sense, was impressive.
“Cough cough, young man, you need encouragement, but even more, you need to work hard; all this tempering is for a better tomorrow.”
“Li Xiaobai, do you know why I summoned you here today?”
The Old Dragon King coughed twice and went straight to the point.
“On the way here, I heard it’s because of the Tortoise Prime Minister’s grandson’s affair?”
Li Xiaobai said calmly, looking toward the Tortoise Prime Minister.
“Indeed, it seems that Xiu’er has already informed the young master of the full story. In that case, there is no need for this old official to explain any further, I suppose?”
The Tortoise Prime Minister’s gaze was exceptionally chilly. When the maid he’d sent was found, her body had been cut into one hundred and eight pieces. Who the murderer was, needless to say, and he was determined to make Li Xiaobai pay the price.
“Xue’er, what do you think about this?”
The Old Dragon King looked toward a corner of the hall, smiling and inquired.
At that moment, Li Xiaobai noticed the woman standing in the corner of the hall for the first time. Her expression was serene, like an ethereal lotus emerging from the water, standing there quietly, smiling and listening to the conversation. It was none other than Long Xue.
“Everything is up to Grandfather.”
Long Xue’s cheeks were slightly flushed as she spoke softly.
“Haha, good. Li Xiaobai, let me ask you, do you fancy my granddaughter?”
The Old Dragon King burst into laughter, casually asking Li Xiaobai.
“In my heart, there are only concerns for family and country, no room for personal affection.”
Li Xiaobai shrugged his shoulders, saying with an indifferent expression.
“What do you mean?”
The Old Dragon King’s smile stiffened, and his gaze turned somber as he looked at Li Xiaobai.
“It means nothing, the answer is quite clear, isn’t it? Otherwise, you wouldn’t need to personally take action to forcefully bring me here.”
Li Xiaobai said.
“So do you like her, or do you not?”
The Old Dragon King’s eyes were fixed on Li Xiaobai, word by word, he inquired.
“In my eyes, there are only endless journeys and the Universe, women, they only slow down the speed of my sword!”
Li Xiaobai’s expression turned serious as he slowly spoke, these words were intended for Long Xue to hear.
When it comes to feelings, the last thing needed is ambiguity; otherwise, it only leads to deeper hurt.
“So, young master, you have absolutely no feelings for my daughter?”
Before the Old Dragon King could get angry, Long Xue was the first to ask, her complexion somewhat pale, with a shimmer flickering in her eyes.
“In the not too distant future, I will stand on the pinnacle, overlooking all beings below; before that time, I have no desire for romantic entanglements.”