I became a prince in a martial arts world.

Chapter 329 Stepping Stones for Xiao Ruoying's Training

As the saying goes, if one's virtue is not commensurate with one's position, disaster will surely follow. Anyone with a modicum of reason should understand this principle.

If Xiao Fusheng were to achieve a great victory over Lu Wanduan after raising his army, seize the imperial navy's warships, blockade the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, march south and defeat the Prince of Zhennan, then sail downstream to annihilate the southeastern army and unify Jiangnan, being invincible in every battle, then it would mean that he truly has the countenance of a king, and perhaps even Yu Qinghou would take action.

But reality is not as expected. Although Xiao Fusheng has entered the Innate Realm, that is all. As a puppet pushed out by others, his abilities are really limited.

The Yu Qinghou couple had counted all the emperors throughout history, and none had been in such a predicament as Xiao Fusheng. Therefore, rather than letting Xiao Fusheng sink deeper and deeper, it was better to cut their losses as soon as possible, so that fewer people would die.

Leaving aside the fact that the Zhenxi Army annihilated the Zhennan King's 80,000-strong army in half a month, just considering the interactions between Yu Qinghou and his wife with Wang Yu and Li Yunxiu, it is clear that their abilities far surpassed those of Xiao Fusheng.

To dominate the world, you have to fight with real strength!

But having said all that, Xiao Fumeng sighed, "Does Your Highness not intend to lead the army eastward?"

Although the Zhennan Army was severely weakened, the Changsheng Army was barely surviving, the Southeast Army lacked reinforcements, and the Four Seas lacked ambition, the Zhenxi Army made no further moves after sweeping through the two Sichuan regions, instead sitting on the Baiyun and Jiuqu Passes watching these weaklings fight amongst themselves.

Wang Yu nodded. The threat from the Zhenxi Army never came from Jiangnan.

He now controls both Sichuan and Chongqing. Li Yunxiu has ordered the construction of warships and the recruitment of a navy at Yashui Prefecture. They are stationed along the Yangtze River.

With strong military forces upstream, unifying the Jiangnan region shouldn't be a problem as long as we sail straight down the river.

If I stay in Sichuan, the four forces of Jianghan Road, Guangnan Road, and Jiangnan Road will continue to fight each other. If I leave Sichuan, it might provoke them to unite, which would be troublesome.

If that's the case, why is he in such a hurry?

The threat from the Zhenxi Army has always been in the north.

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Although the imperial court has been unable to deal with the Red Lotus Sect and the Shuntian Army, they have never actually posed a threat to the core of the imperial court.

However, the imperial court has been on guard against the three regional princes and has not mobilized the northern border troops. In addition, the two wars in the Northeast and Southwest in previous years have consumed too much resources, which is why the court has been performing poorly.

But this does not mean that the imperial court lacks strength.

If the imperial court were to transfer the northern border troops to Hexi and use these elite soldiers to occupy Linchuan Prefecture, cutting off the passage between the northwest and the two Sichuan regions, it would be a very fatal thing for the Zhenxi Army.

Moreover, there is an even greater threat on the grasslands.

The Xiongnu had been building up their strength for forty years and had produced a master like Huyan Chi, so they were already eager to make a move. Meanwhile, the Xianbei's strength had not been greatly diminished in the northern expedition.

How could Wang Yu possibly divert troops to attack Jiangnan now, revealing his intentions and forcing the court to transfer border troops to the Yellow River?

Isn't this giving the Xiongnu and Xianbei an opportunity?

Xiao Fumeng was unaware of the situation in the north. She was a kind person. "If the world is bound to change hands, I hope it can happen quickly, with less chaos and fewer deaths."

Wang Yu said calmly, "How much trouble can a bunch of weaklings cause by pecking at each other?"

Xiao Fumeng was speechless for a moment. Although her older brother was indeed not very capable, the comment "chickens fighting each other" was really too hurtful.

But it's funny.

Xiao Ruoying couldn't help but laugh out loud, but when she saw Xiao Fumeng's eyes, she quickly shut up and changed the subject.

"Did Qi Yunjiang just give up and run away like that?" Xiao Ruoying asked. "I heard that Luoxia Manor has always been quite domineering, and the three Qi brothers have done a lot of bullying and harassing."

Xiao Fumeng shook her head; she didn't know much about it.

Yu Qinghou smiled and concluded, "Of course Qi Yunjiang wouldn't admit defeat and run away. The fact that he's heading downstream so quickly means he's going to find help."

Wang Yu also laughed and said, "The Flying Fish Gang members were driven away, so let's bring in a group of people from Sunset Villa to practice with you. They'll be of higher quality."

Xiao Ruoying immediately smiled, her eyes bright and her spirits high, "Okay!"

After half a day's journey, the passenger ship soon approached a dock on the eastern border of Ren'an Prefecture.

Xiao Ruoying had sharp eyes and spotted the large ship docked at the pier at a glance, but Qi Yunjiang was nowhere to be seen.

But the next moment, a fast boat emerged from behind the large ship, speeding across the river and hurtling towards the passenger ship.

At the bow of the speedboat stood two people. Qi Yunjiang was one of them, and the other was about thirty-four or thirty-five years old. He looked somewhat like Qi Yunjiang, but he was tall and had sharp eyes, clearly a martial arts master.

Qi Yunjiang pointed at the small boat and said fiercely, "It's them! That woman doesn't know what's good for her; I'm going to have my way with her for half a month!"

Qi Yuntian nodded, looked at Wang Yu and his group at the bow of the passenger ship, and immediately spotted the young woman his third brother had specifically mentioned.

She was indeed beautiful and radiant, with a dignified demeanor; she was a rare beauty, far surpassing any of the chivalrous women my third brother had previously associated with.

My younger brother is good in every way, except he's a bit of a womanizer.

But what can you do when it's your own brother?

Moreover, the other side was indeed at fault. My third brother helped them repel the enemy, and instead of expressing gratitude, they turned on me.

报？

Even if they're unreasonable, they can still take advantage of the situation at Luoxia Manor, let alone now that they're in the right.

Since that's the case, sleeping with that woman will be your way of repaying a debt of gratitude!

Qi Yuntian snorted coldly. Just when the speedboat was still a full five zhang away from the passenger ship, he leaped up like a lithe dragon, lightly tapping the river twice and creating two ripples. He was already at the bow of the passenger ship.

A faint dragon's roar echoed, a manifestation of his martial arts intent.

"Luoxia Villa, Qiyuntian".

Qi Yuntian has already revealed his innate realm, so these people probably don't dare to resist anymore. He's too lazy to reason with them, so he just points at Xiao Ruoying and says, "Spend half a month with my third brother, or I'll throw you all into the river to feed the turtles."

His answer was a knife.

With a swift movement, Xiao Ruoying drew her longsword, pushing it forward with both hands towards Qi Yuntian's chest. A flawless and sharp edge accompanied the blade, a manifestation of the martial arts essence of the Xiao family's "Cutting Gold and Severing Jade".

Qi Yuntian's pupils constricted sharply, utterly horrified. "Slicing through gold and jade! The Jade-Slicing Blade Technique! You're from the Xiao family!"

More importantly, the woman before him was no more than twenty years old, yet she was already a master of the Innate Realm, clearly a member of the Xiao family of Yaocai Manor.

Important person!

Despite the fact that Yaocai Manor is currently besieged by the Zhennan Army and the Changsheng Army of the Baiyang Xiao branch is being suppressed, even a weakened camel is bigger than a horse. As the first force to stand out in the struggle for supremacy, the Xiao family's strength is definitely among the top of the nine great families.

"Wait!" Qi Yuntian hurriedly said, "Hold your hand, this is a misunderstanding!"

Xiao Ruoying sneered, "There's no misunderstanding! Qi Yunjiang at least knows how to put on an act, but you're too lazy to even pretend. It's clear how domineering you are. Today, I'll rid the people of this scourge!"

Qi Yuntian suddenly drew his sword and blocked Xiao Ruoying's knife.

After receiving several blows from Xiao Ruoying, Qi Yuntian realized that Xiao Ruoying had only just reached the Innate Realm and was no match for him. He breathed a sigh of relief and regained his momentum. "Miss Xiao, our Luoxia Manor is not a place where just anyone can kill you."

Qi Yuntian thought for a moment and began to reason, "Although Miss Xiao doesn't care, it was my brother who helped you drive away the Flying Fish Gang and kindly invited you to board the ship."

Xiao Ruoying scoffed, "So what?"

Qi Yuntian suppressed his anger, "We brothers are willing to host a banquet to apologize. We hope Miss Xiao will forgive our rudeness and let's forgive and forget."

Grudges and debts.

In Qi Yuntian's view, Qi Yunjiang had wanted to maintain a facade of civility and therefore hadn't revealed his true intentions, so they were in the right. This fight was entirely caused by Xiao Ruoying's side refusing to thank him or register.

Why do people in the martial arts world exchange names when they meet?

That's to avoid this kind of misunderstanding!

Qi Yuntian felt very upset when he said these words. When had the Qi family ever been in the right and apologized?

Isn't this just how others treated the Qi family in the past?

But there was nothing they could do; circumstances were beyond their control. Yaocai Manor was a behemoth to Luoxia Manor, and Xiao Ruoying was clearly an important figure in Yaocai Manor.

Even though she was spoiled and didn't follow the rules of the martial arts world, he had no choice but to put up with it.

Xiao Ruoying: ? ? ?

Qi Yuntian wanted to endure it, but Xiao Ruoying had no intention of enduring it at all.

Qi Yunjiang's burning gaze was undisguised, and Qi Yuntian even demanded that she sleep with him right away. If she tolerated such an insult, what right would she have to pursue Wang Yu?

Therefore, Xiao Ruoying's knife became faster and faster.

Qi Yuntian was both shocked and furious. "Miss Xiao, you are no match for me. Please sheathe your sword and stop fighting, or else—"

Xiao Ruoying sneered, "Otherwise what?"

Seeing Xiao Ruoying's gaze, Qi Yuntian knew this matter couldn't be resolved peacefully. His sword grew increasingly sharp, "Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Xiao Ruoying did not answer, but her Jade-Breaking Blade Technique became more and more proficient, and her innate intent became more and more concentrated.

Qi Yuntian snorted angrily, his attacks becoming increasingly brutal. He coldly shouted, "Yaocai Manor is besieged, and the Changsheng Army is barely clinging to life. You've been too busy taking care of yourselves for a long time. Today, I'll kill you, and no one will know!"

Seeing that Xiao Ruoying was unyielding, Qi Yuntian's eyes were filled with murderous intent. He decided to go all the way and kill Xiao Ruoying and her companions.

The greater the pressure Qi Yuntian exerted on Xiao Ruoying, the faster Xiao Ruoying consolidated her foundation and comprehended her realm.

So even though Qi Yuntian had the upper hand and nearly stabbed Xiao Ruoying several times, the three people beside him remained silent, watching as Xiao Ruoying became increasingly dangerous.

Although Luoxia Manor is also part of Baiyang Prefecture and the two families are neighbors, Luoxia Manor has a terrible reputation, and Yu Qinghou and his wife obviously don't mind using them as stepping stones for Xiao Ruoying's progress.

Needless to say, Wang Yu had killed many martial arts masters, so what was a mere innate master who wasn't even that strong?

Seeing that Xiao Ruoying was in increasing danger and could not make any further progress in the short term.

Qi Yuntian's eyes grew increasingly fierce, as if his next sword strike was about to pierce Xiao Ruoying.

Just as Xiao Fumeng was about to make a move, she saw Wang Yu point his finger, and Qi Yuntian, who had just raised his sword, screamed and fell to the ground.

Silent and invisible, formless and without appearance.

Xiao Fumeng didn't notice anything, but Yu Qinghou certainly noticed the fleeting, invisible needle of energy.

He immediately looked at Qi Yuntian, who was lying on the bow of the boat. Qi Yuntian's eyes were wide open, filled with surprise and confusion, as if he was thinking about how he died.

His cause of death was obvious: a tiny wound the size of a pinprick between his eyebrows, from which a drop of blood oozed.

Yu Qinghou raised an eyebrow. "Invisible Qi Needle! Excellent acupuncture technique!"

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