Immortal of the Nine Realms

In just a few days, a brutal upheaval had taken place in Southern Immortal Prefecture with more than four hundred officials and a hundred and nine sects implicated.

Those who were aware of what had happened were all shocked, while the commoners were mostly oblivious. They didn’t know what had happened, but they could feel that the troubles that had been weighing down on them had somehow lessened.

The martial artists who used to demand protection fees from them were nowhere to be seen. And even if they encountered any of those martials artists, they didn’t act rudely, but were rather polite.

King Xiang’s Manor was located in the prosperous Feiguang City of Southern Immortal Prefecture, thirty miles away from the Profound Blade Sect.

As the younger brother of the emperor of Grand Xia, King Xiang held the ninth position among the princes. When he was young, he displayed exceptional military talent, and because of that, the emperor, who was then the crown prince, granted him the entire southern region as his fiefdom.

Thirty years had passed since that day.

In the solemn and dignified King Xiang’s Manor, King Xiang was pacing about anxiously, while his charming consort and his seven or eight handsome sons and beautiful daughters watched nervously from the side.

"Your Highness, is there a chance to turn the situation around?” asked King Xiang's consort in a low voice, unable to help herself.

"Turn the situation around?" King Xiang wore a bitter smile on his face. "With a single strike from Fang Chen, he killed thousands of martial artists. Tell me, how do I turn the situation around? His methods have far surpassed my imagination!" After a pause, King Xiang sighed, then continued, "I would have never thought that the Earth Profound Stage experts had such extraordinary means at their disposal.”

King Xiang’s consort furrowed her brows. "But no matter how strong he is, he is just a noble. You are the ninth king, and the entire southern region is your fiefdom. The emperor of Grand Xia is your brother. No matter how bold Fang Chen is, he wouldn’t dare harm you, right?”

"He was personally conferred by my brother with the title of Duke of Grand Xia! It could be said that he’s half a level higher than me!” said King Xiang in a deep voice. "Considering my elder brother’s personality, if it weren't for extreme circumstances, there is absolutely no way he would have granted this title to Fang Chen. That means that he’s unable to handle Fang Chen himself—let alone me."

"Father, so what if he’s the Duke of Grand Xia? He's just an outsider who’s not a member of the imperial family. I don't believe he would dare to cause trouble here," chimed in one of his younger sons, Xia Song.

"Big brother is right. No matter how bold he is, he wouldn't openly rebel, would he? Killing a member of the imperial family is tantamount to treason!"

Regardless of their usual differences, the younger siblings agreed with Xia Song's words at that moment.

King Xiang shook his head gently. "He won't kill me. It’s just that the plans I had over the years have now gone down the drain. I'm afraid that in the future, we will have to live with our tails between our legs in the southern region."

For the esteemed King Xiang, this was even more terrifying than death. He had meticulously planned and schemed for many years, only to lose everything at once. This was a difficult pill to swallow for him, and he seemed disheartened.

"But this can be attributed to bad luck on my end. For hundreds of years, when has Grand Xia produced an Earth Profound Stage expert? Moreover, Fang Chen's methods are even more terrifying than those of Earth Profound Stage experts. If I had known that he defeated the Nightmare Knights and Ji Lengyue of the Frost Water Empire, I wouldn't have taken such a risk."

It was at that moment that a middle-aged man rushed into the hall, stumbling. He came up to King Xiang frantically then fell to his knees. The guards who had been standing outside trailed behind in panic. They had clearly failed to stop him from barging inside.

"Your Highness, save me, Your Highness!" squeaked the middle-aged man.

The expressions of Xia Song and rest were complex. The person in front of them was the magistrate of Southern Immortal Prefecture, a high-ranking official whose rank was equal to that of a minister of the six ministries. He was a bona fide second-rank official!

However, Fang Chen had caused such a dignified figure to forsake his status and bearing; tears streamed down his face, and he resembled an old farmer who had lost his land because he couldn't pay the land tax.

King Xiang's expression was complicated as he calmly said, "Magistrate Li, get up. Don't act like a child."

Magistrate Li continued kneeling and kowtowed as he begged. "Your Highness, please save me!”

King Xiang shook his head slightly. "I can't save you. If you go to Fang Chen now, perhaps he might spare your life considering your rank as a magistrate."

"Your Highness, all of my trusted subordinates have been captured, and my military authority has been seized by Jue Panshi. Duke Fang is determined to reform Southern Immortal Prefecture! I have committed many crimes while serving Your Highness. If they were to hold me accountable, I'm afraid there would be no way out for me. I beg Your Highness to save me with your imperial status. I don’t want anything else, I just want the opportunity to retire in the capital..." cried Magistrate Li.

At that moment, a servant suddenly rushed in with a panic-stricken face. "Your Highness, D-Duke Fang has arrived. General Linghu has stopped him outside, and he has instructed me to consult Your Highness on whether to let him into the manor."

The expressions of King Xiang, his consort, Magistrate Li, Xia Song, and others changed simultaneously.

Fang Chen is here?

Outside the King's Manor.

Fang Chen had brought with him only Jue Panshi and a few of the Valiant Saber Guards. They were currently surrounded by hundreds of soldiers who wore exquisite armor and who were equipped with weapons of superior quality.

The leader among the soldiers was a stalwart young general. He looked at Fang Chen with a complex expression and, with neither humility nor arrogance, said, "Duke Fang, I have already informed His Highness. I can only let you through if His Highness wishes to see you. I hope you won't take offense."

"Linghu Xu, do you even know why Duke Fang is here? Step aside with your men immediately!" snorted Jue Panshi.

"I only take orders from King Xiang. You’re overstepping your authority as a commander," replied Lenghu Xu.

Jue Panshi's expression changed slightly. He whispered to Fang Chen, "Duke Fang, Linghu Xu is from the Carefree Palace. Even though the Carefree Palace hasn’t shown themselves when Xian Wuchang wanted to become the martial emperor, we can't be certain they aren't involved."

"Have some patience. King Xiang will see me," said Fang Chen with a faint smile.

Jue Panshi didn’t say more and waited quietly.

As expected, not long after, someone came out and said to Linghu Xu, "General Linghu, King Xiang invites Duke Fang into the manor."

Lenghu Xu stepped aside, then gestured. "Duke Fang, please."

Under the protection of hundreds of elite soldiers, Fang Chen entered the main hall of King Xiang’s Manor. Immediately, he saw King Xiang approaching him warmly.

"Duke Fang, it's been many years since we’ve last met. Please forgive me for the lack of a proper welcome," said King Xiang enthusiastically.

His consort accompanied him along with Xia Song and the others following behind. Their eyes sized up Fang Chen from head to toe as they had never seen him before.

"He’s as young as the rumors say...." Xia Song's expression was complicated. Even though he was older than Fang Chen and was of imperial blood, his reputation within Grand Xia was incomparable to Fang Chen's.

"King Xiang, you're too polite." Fang Chen smiled and gave a slight bow. He then looked toward Magistrate Li, who had his head hung in some corner of the room, and couldn't help but say, "Magistrate Li, it's been a while."

Magistrate Li looked shocked, his body trembling slightly. He forced a smile, looked at Fang Chen, and said softly, "Duke Fang—"

"Apprehend him," interrupted Fang Chen softly, going straight to the point.

Jue Panshi immediately led his men and bound Magistrate Li tightly. Magistrate Li cried out in a panic, and just as Linghu Xu was about to make a move, King Xiang raised his hand to stop him.

Jue Panshi then brought Magistrate Li in front of Fang Chen.

"I apologize for disturbing Your Highness. I have offended you," Fang Chen said to King Xiang with a smile.