Chapter 12: Reunion at the Execution Ground
2217 Words
Princess Xuerou had already steeled herself for death. The sudden dragon’s roar kindled a glimmer of hope within her.
The roar stirred different reactions across the entire arena. Ordinary folk ignorant of battle qi and magic stared about in confusion, wondering where the sound originated. Those who cultivated power instantly realized a formidable expert was drawing near.
Yet none were more astounded than the three members of the Long Family. They traded glances, each reading bewilderment in one another’s eyes.
Ding‑ding‑ding‑ding!
Four sharp metallic rings rang out in quick succession. Four execution axes were sent flying away by streaks of golden light and crashed onto the ground. Four gleaming golden throwing daggers lay where the axes had fallen.
A figure descended from the sky toward the arena’s center. His black swordsman’s robe accentuated his tall, well‑proportioned frame. Strands of hair streamed freely in the wind. A slender sword hung at his waist, and a small cat perched upon his shoulder. Though he moved at great speed, every onlooker had the strange illusion that he drifted down slowly.
A wave of awe swept over the crowd. No one had ever witnessed such flight. Neither battle qi nor magic could achieve such effortless grace.
Before the spectators could fully process the spectacle, the figure landed before the execution platform. It was Ling Feng.
The moment Ling Feng descended, imperial city guards poured in through every arena entrance and surrounded the platform. They were no match for Ling Feng’s speed, yet they moved with considerable haste.
When Ling Feng had reached the arena outer perimeter, every gate was heavily guarded. Forcing his way through would cost precious time. Had he taken a normal entrance, the princess and her companions would already have lost their heads. Thus he had chosen a method no one in this world would anticipate — flying straight over all defenses.
The captain of the city guard stepped forward.
“Who are you? What brings you here?”
He had watched the stranger breach their defensive perimeter. Though stunned by Ling Feng’s extraordinary movement skill, he rushed in with his men without delay.
Ling Feng ignored the question. He strode over and untied the four prisoners, motioning for them to stand.
Every guard raised their weapons toward Ling Feng, ready to strike. The captain called out once more.
“What are you doing? State your purpose!”
“My purpose?” Ling Feng waved a hand dismissively. “My actions speak for themselves. Why ask pointless questions?”
The captain kept his weapon aimed. “Whatever your motive, you have broken imperial law by trespassing into this restricted ground. Surrender at once.”
Princess Xuerou spoke at that moment, her voice soft yet resolute. “I do not know why you have come. I thank you for your intervention, but I will not flee. I accept my punishment.”
“I never intended to take you away. I only came to save your lives,” Ling Feng replied. He turned to the captain. “Once the Emperor sees me, this whole affair can be resolved. I merely offer the men who ordered this execution a chance to reverse their decision.”
“That is impossible. You cannot demand an audience with His Majesty. Surrender, and I will pass your words along.” The captain rejected his request.
Ling Feng sighed inwardly. Peaceful access to the emperor was out of the question. He turned toward the four prisoners. “Cover your ears for the next moment.”
Bewildered, they obeyed at once.
A dragon roar, far louder and more resounding than the first, burst from Ling Feng’s throat. While many still wondered at the noise, three more distinct dragon roars answered his call, echoing in perfect harmony.
The three Long Family members upon the viewing stand had unleashed their clan’s unique roar. Overwhelmed with emotion, they leaped from their positions and darted toward Ling Feng in the center.
The Emperor and Bai Yun exchanged a look and hurried after them. It was plain this mysterious man shared a deep bond with the Long Family. He might be the prisoners’ only chance at survival.
Ling Feng watched five figures approach. The foremost three were Long Tian’s kin, followed by the Emperor and Bai Yun, head of the Bai clan. Ling Feng ceased his roar and waited for them to arrive.
Seeing the newcomers, the guard captain understood this matter was no longer his to handle. The Long Family, the Bai Family, and even the Emperor himself stood before him; he was insignificant beside such power.
Behind Ling Feng, Princess Xuerou was astonished. It was clear this stranger was closely tied to the Long Family, and hope flickered that the four of them might yet live.
Ling Feng glanced back at the captives. Something about Xueqing struck him as odd. Since he had rescued her, she had remained blank and vacant. Even the cunning princess had shown shifting emotions, yet Xueqing’s expression never changed. Curious as he was, there was no time to inquire now.
The city guards stepped aside as the three Long Family members reached Ling Feng.
Long Jianxin spoke. “Young man, who are you? How do you know our Long Family’s exclusive dragon roar?”
Ling Feng smiled. “Do not call me young man. You are my grandfather. A grandfather ought not address his own grandson as a stranger.”
Everyone present thought him rude and tactless for speaking to the respected old master in such fashion. Even the Emperor shared that impression. No one foresaw the shock that would follow his next words.
Long Jue blurted out in utter shock after hearing Ling Feng’s words.
“Father! When did you get another grandson? That would mean I have another brother. It cannot be my mother’s child — so whose son is he?”
This revelation caught Long Jue completely off‑guard.
Long Jianxin delivered a sharp knock on Long Jue’s head.
“I have never taken another woman, nor do I have any other sons. If I had, he would never be kept outside the Long Manor!”
Rubbing his aching head, Long Jue looked aggrieved.
“If that is not the case, how can he be your grandson? Father, you must have some forgotten romantic debt from your past.”
Long Jianxin was so infuriated he could barely get his words out.
“You… you fool!”
“Ha‑ha… Grandfather has secret romantic debts?” Long Yang could not help chuckling. “Father, perhaps it was you who left behind that debt.”
“Shut up!”
Long Jue and Long Jianxin shouted in unison.
The Emperor massaged his temples, exasperated. They stood at a life‑or‑death execution, yet the Long Family bickered over trivial gossip. He stepped forward and asked directly.
“Who exactly are you? Why do you interfere with this imperial execution?”
“This execution should never happen,” Ling Feng replied plainly. “I wish to understand how such a verdict was passed.”
The Emperor noticed Ling Feng offered no formal bow, and his tone remained calm and unceremonious. He guessed the young man might be the disciple of some reclusive hermit, unfamiliar with court etiquette. Ling Feng’s astonishing entrance and unparalleled martial skill spoke volumes. As a mid‑rank Sword Saint himself, the Emperor chose to converse with Ling Feng as one warrior to another.
Ling Feng knew this was only the public excuse for outsiders.
“That act is indeed unforgivable, yet death is too harsh a punishment for them.”
The Emperor let out a heavy sigh.
“Truth be told, my daughter plotted to kill Long Tian by using magical beasts. It was cold‑blooded murder.”
Ling Feng’s heart sank. So they already knew the full conspiracy. He was glad he had rushed straight to the arena. Had he gone anywhere else first, these four would already be dead.
“How could you be so certain Long Tian was doomed? Did you ever see his corpse? What if Long Tian stayed behind to shield the four of them?”
The Emperor grew displeased. Few people dared to question him since he had ascended the throne.
“Hmph. We knew Long Tian’s character. He would never sacrifice himself for others. Given the circumstances back then, his strength left him no chance of escaping the Magic Beast Forest alive.”
Ling Feng silently agreed. The original Long Tian truly would not have survived on his own. Now he worried they would doubt his identity. He had hoped the truth would remain hidden and he could resolve everything smoothly. He would need to come up with an explanation for his survival. He could use the idea of hidden human potential — it was vague enough to serve his purpose.
Ling Feng smiled.
“Your Majesty, you are in for a surprise. Long Tian is not dead. He stands right here before you.”
“What?” “What did you say?”
Shock rippled through every person present.
Long Jue grabbed Ling Feng by both arms, his grip tight.
“You say Long Tian lives? Where is he?”
Ling Feng winced from the painful hold. It was clear how deeply Long Jue cared for his son. There was no way around it; he had to take up Long Tian’s identity.
“Father, there is no need to squeeze me so hard. We can talk calmly.”
Hearing Ling Feng call him Father, Long Yang burst out.
“Father?! See! This must be your secret romantic debt, he is calling you father!”
Though Ling Feng’s words had planted faint suspicion in everyone’s minds, his appearance and temperament differed so drastically from the old Long Tian that no one truly dared to believe it.
Long Jue voiced the question weighing on every heart.
“You call me Father. I only have two sons. Could you be Xiao Tian?”
Ling Feng smiled in reply.
“I am Long Tian. It seems Father has always been loyal to Mother, I can confirm — Mmph! Loosen your hold, I cannot breathe.”
“This is the official judgment of the Tianxiang Empire. My daughter and her three companions brought Long Tian into the Magic Beast Forest. When beasts attacked, they abandoned him and refused to lend aid, leaving him to die. They violated the most sacred code for comrades‑in‑arms.”
Ling Feng knew this was only the public excuse for outsiders.
“That act is indeed unforgivable, yet death is too harsh a punishment for them.”
The Emperor let out a heavy sigh.
“Truth be told, my daughter plotted to kill Long Tian by using magical beasts. It was cold‑blooded murder.”
Ling Feng’s heart sank. So they already knew the full conspiracy. He was glad he had rushed straight to the arena. Had he gone anywhere else first, these four would already be dead.
“How could you be so certain Long Tian was doomed? Did you ever see his corpse? What if Long Tian stayed behind to shield the four of them?”
The Emperor grew displeased. Few people dared to question him since he had ascended the throne.
“Hmph. We knew Long Tian’s character. He would never sacrifice himself for others. Given the circumstances back then, his strength left him no chance of escaping the Magic Beast Forest alive.”
Ling Feng silently agreed. The original Long Tian truly would not have survived on his own. Now he worried they would doubt his identity. He had hoped the truth would remain hidden and he could resolve everything smoothly. He would need to come up with an explanation for his survival. He could use the idea of hidden human potential — it was vague enough to serve his purpose.
Ling Feng smiled.
“Your Majesty, you are in for a surprise. Long Tian is not dead. He stands right here before you.”
“What?” “What did you say?”
Shock rippled through every person present.
Long Jue grabbed Ling Feng by both arms, his grip tight.
“You say Long Tian lives? Where is he?”
Ling Feng winced from the painful hold. It was clear how deeply Long Jue cared for his son. There was no way around it; he had to take up Long Tian’s identity.
“Father, there is no need to squeeze me so hard. We can talk calmly.”
Hearing Ling Feng call him Father, Long Yang burst out.
“Father?! See! This must be your secret romantic debt, he is calling you father!”
Though Ling Feng’s words had planted faint suspicion in everyone’s minds, his appearance and temperament differed so drastically from the old Long Tian that no one truly dared to believe it.
Long Jue voiced the question weighing on every heart.
“You call me Father. I only have two sons. Could you be Xiao Tian?”
Ling Feng smiled in reply.
“I am Long Tian. It seems Father has always been loyal to Mother, I can confirm — Mmph! Loosen your hold, I cannot breathe.”
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