Republic of China Era: Entering the Dao through Divine Strike.

Once he understood the implications, the prince's grievances and fears completely overwhelmed his pride.

His lips trembled and he couldn't utter a single complete word. In the end, he couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears on the spot.

The cries were shrill and desperate, echoing throughout the main hall.

"Protect the Emperor!"

As the mournful wails began, a sharp shout suddenly rang out from both sides of the steps.

Dozens of elite imperial guards moved instantly, swiftly encircling and surrounding the hall from both sides.

In an instant, they formed a strict guard formation, blocking the path in front of the dragon throne.

Everyone simultaneously drew their swords, their blades gleaming coldly, reflecting the candlelight in the hall, and a chilling killing intent enveloped the entire area.

The atmosphere inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony instantly became extremely tense.

Li Xin raised his eyes, followed the sound, and looked at the man who was giving orders, slowly sizing him up.

This person was not particularly tall, but had distinct facial features.

His movements were fluid and natural, effortless and extremely coordinated; he was clearly a master.

The only problem is that his body proportions are not quite right.

His arms were extremely long, reaching past his knees, and his arm muscles were bulging and thick, which was very disproportionate to his body size.

What's most striking is the high bulge on both sides of his temples, like steamed buns.

This is a sign of refined internal strength, abundant blood and qi, and peak martial arts cultivation.

After careful sensing, it was discovered that the person's blood and qi were surging continuously, and his essence was abundant and radiating outwards, faintly carrying a nimble and agile monkey-style martial arts charm.

In his advances and retreats, his movements subtly concealed the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) pattern, demonstrating remarkable skill.

Li Xin saw through the other party's true nature at a glance and spoke calmly.

"With abundant Qi and blood, and perfect form and intention, he practices the Monkey Form Bagua, moving swiftly and gracefully, with unparalleled agility."

"You must be one of the Six Masters of the Capital, Gong Yutian, Senior Brother Gong the Monkey?"

Upon hearing this, the man dared not be presumptuous in the slightest and immediately returned the greeting with clasped hands.

He stood firmly on the ground, his fist stance was smooth and stable, and his aura locked down the entire arena.

While appearing respectful in their bows, they were actually fully prepared and ready to act at any moment, without the slightest lapse in vigilance.

"Senior Brother Li has a discerning eye. Yesterday, during the martial arts examination, Senior Brother overwhelmed all foreign barbarians with his divine might, quelling the foreign invasion. I, Gong, am far inferior to him and admire him immensely."

Gong Yutian spoke sincerely, his eyes filled with genuine fear and admiration.

He witnessed firsthand Li Xin's invincible figure as he crushed the masters of four kingdoms and broke all evil spells.

Knowing that the difference in their cultivation levels was as vast as an insurmountable chasm, there was no possibility of them contending.

But duty calls, and even if he is no match for the enemy, he will never retreat a single step.

"No problem."

Li Xin waved his hand casually, his expression nonchalant, completely disregarding the other party's strict vigilance.

Compared to Gong Yutian's tense and prepared demeanor, he was as relaxed as if he were taking a leisurely stroll.

Standing in the solemn imperial court, yet feeling as if I were in my own courtyard.

He chuckled softly, his gaze sweeping across the room, and slowly began to speak.

"Just now, the prince questioned me about why I didn't bow before the emperor. I was too lazy to explain unnecessary things to a bunch of common people."

"Since Senior Brother Gong is here, we can be considered to share the same martial arts origin and have some camaraderie as fellow disciples."

Today I'll give you face and explain the reasons behind this clearly.

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned his gaze slightly and swept it over the 142 newly appointed military scholars who were prostrate on the ground below, trembling with fear.

The newly promoted martial artists who had just knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!" all kept their heads down on the ground, not daring to look him in the eye.

I don't know if they were afraid of implicating them.

A hint of undisguised sarcasm and indifference flashed across Li Xin's eyes.

"The other day outside the palace, did the group of foreign experts kneel before the Emperor? Did they shout 'Long live the Emperor' three times?"

No one answered.

Everyone knows the truth.

Foreigners from all over the world came here, and they were all arrogant and haughty, looking down on the court and treating the emperor and his ministers as nothing.

However, the imperial court not only did not hold them accountable, but also treated them well and showed them great leniency.

“Barbarians and foreigners do not kneel or bow.”

"Why should we kneel and worship when it's our turn?"

"Is it because your backs are too flexible, or because your legs are naturally unable to stand straight?"

Every sentence was a rhetorical question, every word sharp and cutting, piercing the hearts of everyone present.

All the civil and military officials in the hall bowed their heads, none daring to utter a single word of rebuttal, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

Just then, a cold, hard snort suddenly rang out.

A burly man, dressed in the uniform of a third-rank imperial bodyguard, with a square face and a stature of eight feet, strode out.

This person has well-defined eyebrows and eyes, a typical Han Chinese face.

He spoke with an air of righteous indignation, each word ringing with conviction.

"Foreigners are foreigners, and their customs are different, so it is reasonable for them not to kneel."

“We, the subjects of this dynasty, are all royal servants and slaves of the emperor.”

Kneeling before one's master is a fundamental principle of rites and etiquette, an ironclad law passed down through the ages; how can it be compared to anything else?

Li Xin was slightly taken aback, opened his mouth, and a look of absurdity and doubt flashed across his eyes.

He carefully examined the guard in front of him, finding the man's self-righteous manner utterly ridiculous.

Born as a human being, yet willingly considering themselves servants, regarding kneeling before the king as a lifelong blessing.

Such thinking has long been ingrained in people's minds.

"Is that really what you think?" Li Xin asked softly.

"Of course it's true!"

The third-rank guard stood tall and spoke with increasing respect and devotion.

"To be able to meet the emperor and serve the king is a blessing I have earned through three lifetimes."

As royal guards, we are, by nature, servants of the emperor.

To share the ruler's burdens and to die for him is my duty..."

Snapped!

Before he could finish speaking, a sudden gust of wind arose.

No one saw how Li Xin moved forward.

They felt a strong wind sweeping around them, making it hard for them to breathe.

The third-rank guard suddenly stopped speaking, his mind went blank, and he completely forgot what he was about to say.

In the critical moment, he instinctively used his waist and hips to sink his strength, raising both arms high to protect his head.

They wanted to take the sudden blow head-on.

All struggles are in vain.

Faced with absolute overwhelming strength, all techniques, defenses, and struggles seem utterly laughable.

Li Xin's palm struck down steadily, gently yet powerfully.

It lacks earth-shattering momentum, yet it possesses an unparalleled and immense power.

Click...

A series of sharp, cracking sounds of bones breaking exploded out.

This imperial guard, whose cultivation was not weak, had his arms instantly crushed into pulverized flesh and blood by immense force, his tendons and bones shattered, and his skin and flesh rotting.

His head was flattened by a single slap, pressed tightly against his neck, turning into a thin layer of flesh and blood.

Only a small amount of scalp was still faintly visible.

He died instantly on the spot.

Blood splattered in all directions, landing on the gleaming gold brick floor, a glaring crimson.

A faint golden pure yang energy lingered in Li Xin's palm, with splashes of blood clinging to it.

In an instant, it evaporated into wisps of blue smoke and vanished without a trace.

He slowly withdrew his hand and returned to his original position, his robes spotless and his posture upright and elegant.

It was as if that extremely bloody scene had never happened.

The entire room was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Li Xin raised his eyes and looked at the young emperor sitting on the dragon throne. His tone was calm, with a hint of nonchalance.

"Young Emperor, I've killed one of your servants, do you have any objections?"

On the dragon throne, the young emperor was stiff all over, his face as pale as paper.

Suddenly, a wave of heaviness and soreness hit his abdomen, and his legs went weak and numb. He almost slid off the dragon throne.

The strong fishy smell hit his nostrils, and he couldn't help but gag a few times. He quickly suppressed the churning in his stomach and used the sleeve of his dragon robe to wipe away the few drops of blood on his forehead.

"No... I have no objection."

After a moment of panic, the young emperor forced himself to calm down and looked at the composed and arrogant youth in the arena, offering a cautious and admonishing tone.

“My dear minister… why resort to killing at the drop of a hat? Lian Gang is ultimately loyal to the emperor and has not committed any major wrongdoing…”

When he met Li Xin's indifferent gaze, he suddenly stiffened, and fear surged in his heart again. He quickly changed his words and hurriedly tried to make amends.

"It was my slip of the tongue! This man dared to offend you, my dear minister, he truly deserves to die!"

"I have observed that your martial arts skills are unparalleled in the world. I suggest that you fill the vacancy of this third-rank imperial bodyguard. What do you think?"

"Take your time."

Li Xin casually interrupted him, a faint sneer curling at the corner of his lips.

"Little Emperor, you don't need to be too afraid."

Furthermore, you appointed me as a royal bodyguard, expecting me to serve by your side like these fellows? You think you're worthy?

The young emperor forced a smile and said, "It's okay if you don't want to."

In just a few words, he had already figured out Li Xin's personality.

This fiend is not a ruthless, bloodthirsty demon. As long as you speak to him according to his wishes and do not provoke or offend him, he will not become angry and harm people without reason.

The fact that Li Xin did not make a move during the entire standoff between Gong Yutian and Gong Yutian without ever offending him is the best proof of this.

Thinking of this, he felt a little more at ease.

Li Xin looked up and said:

"Let's not talk about becoming an official anymore. However, the title of 'Martial Arts Champion' still needs to be decided as soon as possible. If it can't be decided yet, is it because my martial arts skills are insufficient?"

"Enough! Absolutely enough!"

"In the entire palace, and even in the entire capital, there is no one else who can rival you, my dear minister."

"You deserve the title of Martial Arts Champion; no one can match you."

Li Xin nodded slightly, his expression calm.

"Since that's the case, and the official rank is already determined, these cumbersome procedures for granting official positions can be omitted."

"As for this position of third-rank imperial bodyguard, forgive my bluntness, but I wouldn't even accept it as a dog's job. Whoever wants it can have it."

The young emperor's face instantly showed a troubled expression. He secretly glanced at the prince kneeling below, trembling all over, and forced himself to speak.