My Will Rules Another World

Chapter 14: I Shall Judge the Princess

Ling Feng wore a solemn expression as he held the golden throwing dagger, his gaze fixed upon the stone lantern. Everyone watched the dagger in his hand intently, not a single person daring to make a sound.

“Just to be clear… I won’t have to pay for it if I break it, right?”

At Ling Feng’s remark, every brow in the room twitched. The Emperor felt caught between laughter and exasperation. “You will not pay for it!”

“Alright, good to know.” Ling Feng gripped the golden dagger once more. Silence fell again, so heavy each man could hear his own heartbeat.

“Are you absolutely certain I don’t have to pay?”

Ling Feng’s second comment nearly made everyone collapse. “I said you don’t have to pay!” Long Jue strode over and rapped Ling Feng on the head. “Hurry up! Even I can afford one measly stone lantern!”

“Why spend money when you don’t have to? I don’t want to become a wastrel. I’m trying to save you money, is that such a crime?” Seeing the dark lines spread across Long Jue’s face, Ling Feng hurled the dagger without further delay.

A streak of golden light shot from his palm. In the blink of an eye, the dagger pierced straight through the stone lantern and embedded itself in the ground beyond.

The onlookers stared in shock at the clean hole punched through the lantern. What kind of martial skill was this? One might block it head‑on, but a surprise strike like this would almost certainly prove fatal.

Before anyone could recover, Ling Feng spoke.

“Impressive, isn’t it? It is simply gathering battle qi in your hand and unleashing your full strength in a single blow. You could all learn it given ten or eight years of practice, no need to envy me.”

Long Jue had been overjoyed witnessing his son’s formidable skill, yet those final words left him unsure whether to laugh or groan. He knocked Ling Feng on the head once again. “You rascal! Ten or eight years? You mastered it in just over one year! Hand over whatever martial arts manual you found!”

Ling Feng rubbed the sore spot on his head, looking aggrieved. “That is because I am different. I am a genius. As for these skills, I comprehended them all myself. There is no secret manual.”

Long Jianxin spoke next. “Long Tian, there are no outsiders here. You may show it to us.”

Ling Feng thought to himself: No one would believe the plain truth. Should I fabricate some tale about discovering a hidden cave left behind by a legendary master? I refuse to lie about this.

He adopted a grave demeanor. “Grandfather, I am telling the truth. Why can none of you accept I worked these out on my own? I told you I am a genius. I know far more besides this, yet you would merely assume I copied it from some ancient text. Elder brother, come outside and cross swords with me. I will prove my words using our Long Family sword art.”

With that, Ling Feng stepped out into the open courtyard outside the Imperial Study. The rest followed. Holding his blade, Long Yang faced him.

“Little brother, come. Let us brothers have a proper bout.” Long Yang clearly loved fighting; he was always ready for a duel whenever the chance arose.

Ling Feng suddenly remembered he only possessed his Blizzard Sword. Its unique properties could not bring out the full power of the Long Family sword style. His old greatsword had long since been melted down. He spoke awkwardly.

“Does anyone have a greatsword I may borrow?”

Long Jue tossed his sword toward him, sounding annoyed. “A swordsman carrying no proper sword, only an unsharpened long dagger. How did you even survive the Magic Beast Forest?” Sheathed, Ling Feng’s Blizzard Sword looked just like a dull long dagger.

Catching the sword, Ling Feng replied. “My own sword art uses that so‑called long dagger. I draw it only when necessary. For demonstrating the Long Family style, this weapon suits me better.” Without waiting for further replies, he unleashed the Long Family sword art.

Ling Feng and Long Yang traded blows for some time, both wielding the Long Family techniques. Rusty from fighting with a greatsword for so long, Ling Feng started at a disadvantage. Gradually he readjusted and began gaining the upper hand.

The spectators were astonished. Ling Feng was holding his own against Long Yang, a Primary‑rank Sword Saint. Neither fought with full power, yet Ling Feng’s strength was at minimum that of a High‑rank Sword Master. To leap three ranks in barely more than a year was staggering. If they knew Ling Feng was still holding back, and that the Blizzard Sword was his true weapon, their minds would surely go blank.

Boom!

Their blades clashed, releasing a thunderous roar amplified by battle qi. After several more collisions, they separated and stared at one another.

“Excellent! I have not enjoyed a fight this much in ages!” Long Yang shouted. “Now I shall unleash my full strength. Watch yourself, little brother.”

“Good. Let me witness the true might of a Sword Saint. And I will show you how the Long Family sword art ought to be wielded.”

They clashed once more. Long Yang poured out his complete power, and the duel became far more intense. Ling Feng began to struggle, so he resorted to the upgraded variant of the Long Family sword style he had developed in the Magic Beast Forest, before he obtained the Blizzard Sword.

Blades crashed violently. The onlookers were even more stunned. Ling Feng displayed power comparable to a Primary‑rank Sword Saint. Most shocked of all were Long Jianxin and Long Jue. His moves bore the roots of the Long Family sword art, yet they were far more refined and advanced. Ling Feng’s claim rang true; these arts really had been conceived by himself. A genuine genius.

Long Yang was gradually pressed onto the defensive. Ling Feng parried his strike and pressed the greatsword to Long Yang’s throat. The duel was over. Ling Feng had won with his improved Long Family sword techniques.

“Elder brother, your Long Family sword art lacks flexibility. Never over‑commit to a form. Always leave room to adapt. Otherwise your opponent will easily find openings against you.”

Long Yang laughed sheepishly. “Understood.”

Ling Feng turned toward the rest of the group. “Now do you believe me? I cannot blame you for doubting. A genius such as I tends to arouse jealousy. Some men would rather die than admit another’s talent. Ah, human nature…”

Long Jue walked over and knocked him on the head again.

“Still not convinced? Very well. Who among you knows the Gale Sword Art? Step forward, and I will thrash you soundly. I need an outlet for the a***e my father keeps inflicting upon my skull.”

Long Jianxin addressed the assembly. “Long Tian truly created these martial arts himself. The sword form he just demonstrated surpasses our original Long Family style in every respect.”

Long Jue added. “Indeed. This rascal’s sword skill far outstrips mine. Even I would lose to him in a pure sword‑fight.”

Hearing this, Ling Feng protested. “Then why do you keep hitting me? A genius’s brain must be protected. Hitting people on the head can make them dim‑witted, you know!”

“I enjoy it. What are you going to do about it?” retorted Long Jue.

Ling Feng grumbled in frustration. “Nothing I can do!”

He thought it best to drop this subject. Otherwise their bickering would drag on endlessly. A phrase from his old world crossed his mind: *A father striking his son is as natural as heaven and earth.*

“Now that it is proven I am alive, these four ought not to die.”

Only after hearing Ling Feng’s words did the Emperor recall the main matter they had gathered to settle.

“Since you survived, their death sentences are lifted. Still, they cannot go unpunished. Each shall receive one hundred strokes of the cane. They are confined within Tianxiang Academy and f*******n to leave until they graduate.”

Relief washed over Princess Xuerou and the others. Caning and confinement were hardships they could endure, far better than execution.

“That will not do.”

Just as everyone breathed easy thinking the matter settled, Ling Feng’s statement cast a heavy gloom over them. No one knew what he intended. He had changed greatly, yet remembering his old conduct, they feared what demands he might make.

“Your Majesty, I am the wronged party in this affair. Therefore, it ought to be mine to decide their punishment. Would you not agree?”

Xuerou’s heart sank into despair. She feared she would become his victim.

Helpless, the Emperor replied. “Very well. You shall decide their penalty.”

Hearing this, Xuerou believed she could not escape him. Yet she begged to spare Xueqing from suffering alongside her. She raised her voice toward Ling Feng.

“I will do anything you ask of me. I will submit to whatever you want, but please spare Xueqing. She has already endured enough misfortune.”

Ling Feng smiled.

“I originally intended to let this whole incident pass for one gold coin apiece. But since you are willing to do absolutely anything for me… ha‑ha…”