The Prodigies War
chapter-1380

“But…”

Chi Lingxiao’s tone changed, and his eyes flashed, “Before we decide to compensate the Lin Clan, we have to check one thing first.”

“What is it?”

Everyone was taken aback.

“The Third Prince’s response.”

Chi Lingxiao’s voice was low. “In these years, would the Zuo and Qin Clans have dared to target the Lin Clan so unscrupulously without the silent approval of the third prince?

“Don’t forget that before the kid Lin Xun traveled to the Ancient Wasteland Domain, he received a promise from Zhao Tailai, the Blood Kill King, that the imperial family will protect the Lin Clan. But clearly, the third prince did not do so!”

A thought struck everyone.

Chi Lingxiao smiled coldly. “Now that the Zuo and Qin Clans have met with disaster, the third prince also likely can’t sit still. I’m curious to know what the third prince will do in response to everything that happened tonight.”

An old monster of the king stage nodded. “That’s right, Lin Xun is very strong, and he has proved that he can kill king stage cultivators with ease. But if the third prince mobilizes the power of the entire empire to deal with him, there’s a high chance he won’t be able to survive.”

Chi Lingxiao added, “Even if Lin Xun can survive, what about his clan and clansmen? Where can they run to?

“The third prince is only supervising the empire. He might have the power to take charge of the imperial court, but he is not the true ruler of the empire. Given his identity, it will be difficult for him to do that, right?”

Someone frowned.

Lin Xun was too strong. His terrifying presence and power were enough to make an empire cower!

Anyone going against him would have to weigh whether they could bear the consequences first.

“So, we just need to wait to see the reaction of the third prince, and then look at the imperial family’s view on this matter.”

Chi Lingxiao had completely regained his composure. “Of course, we should still do what must be done. Issue the order: From today on, everyone of the Chi Clan must not be hostile to anyone in the Lin Clan. I would rather suffer losses and tolerate them than to offend them!”

Everyone nodded.

Tonight, Lin Xun had proven his strength. From today on, no matter who they were, they had to change their treatment towards the Lin Clan again!

……

That night, not only the Chi Clan had an emergency meeting.

All patriarchs of the aristocratic clans and major clans in the Forbidden City were alarmed and had to stop everything in their hands to deal with the sudden event.

As more and more news spread, the entire Forbidden City was shaken.

The young man whose brilliance swept the capital back then had returned!

Tonight, he single-handedly broke into two high clans, the Zuo Clan and the Qin Clan, and slaughtered the patriarchs of nineteen different aristocratic clans!

What did this mean?

Anyone with a brain would know!

The power and foundation of a high clan was absolutely unquestionable given that they could stand in the Forbidden City without being shaken.

But that night, one man destroyed and trampled two high clans.

This only proved that, in the eyes of Lin Xun, the power of the superior high clans was nothing special!

As for the nineteen patriarchs killed, they were not worth mentioning. Even two high clans could not hinder Lin Xun at all, so how could they stop him?

“We haven’t seen him for more than ten years but now he has become so powerful and capable. Even old monsters at the king stage were slaughtered like chickens at his hands. Who can believe it?”

Countless people were shocked, trembling, and in disbelief.

It was absurd that a man could behead powerful and influential figures one after another and cause a bloodbath in the high clans. How terrifying was his strength?

“How lucky is the Lin Clan to have such a fierce man in their clan?” someone sighed.

Lin Xun might have made quite a name for himself in the imperial city back then, but he was ultimately just a talented youth of the young generation. He might have been remarkable, but he was of no threat to the major clans.

But now, who would still think the same?

It was no exaggeration to say that after learning about tonight’s series of events, the old monsters of the king stage flinched at the mere mention of Lin Xun’s name!

The other high clans, the Hua, Song, Xie and Qi Clans, were also distressed by tonight’s events and struggled to sleep.

A long time ago, the younger generation of their clan were also caught in a conflict with Lin Xun.

But those were all minor disputes, which, under the mediation of the principal of Qinglu Academy, had been resolved.

When they learned about the tragic state of the Zuo and Qin clans, they felt an indescribable feeling of gratitude and luck.

Yes, it was luck!

They were lucky that they were not involved in any operations in oppressing the Lin Clan over the years.

“Let’s see how the third prince will view tonight’s matter.”

Many clans shifted their gazes to the imperial palace.

As Chi Lingxiao analyzed earlier, the Zuo Clan and the Qin Clan would have never dared to oppress the Lin Clan so unscrupulously without the approval of the third prince Zhao Jingwen.

And tonight, after Lin Xun caused such chaos and carnage, what sort of decision would the third prince make in response?

Would he stand up for the Zuo and Qin Clans?

His decision might not represent the will of the entire empire.

But everyone knew that in the face of such an important matter, his decision would very likely determine the fate of the Lin Clan!

……

It was deep into the night, not far from dawn.

In the depths of the imperial palace.

An ear-piercing, frantic voice sounded—

“Master, an urgent matter!”

On the gorgeous dragon couch, Zhao Jingwen sprang up with a frown, “What’s the matter?”

“Master, it’s a long story. Please come to Qianyuan Hall. Many core ministers are waiting for you there.”

The sharp voice rang again.

Zhao Jingwen’s heart thumped. I need to head to Qianyuan Hall for a meeting. Could it be that the monster-beasts within the borders of the empire are causing trouble again?

Or perhaps, the imperial army in the frontier region is struggling against the attack of the brute army?

Zhao Jingwen felt a headache coming on.

Over the years, although he had been supervising the empire on behalf of the emperor and took over the control of the power of the imperial court, he lived with anxiety and worry.

This was because the empire had been faced with internal troubles and external threats, which had made Zhao Jingwen exhausted and miserable.

“I understand.” Zhao Jingwen inhaled deeply and changed his clothes.

“What’s going on?”

On the bed, a stunning beauty woke up, her eyelids heavy. As she yawned and stretched, her creamy soft and fair skin peeked out from the blanket. Her lazy and charming posture was particularly alluring.

She was Princess Qin Ruyue, the young daughter of the patriarch of the Qin Clan.

“You don’t need to know. Go back to sleep!” Zhao Jingwen said coldly, dusted his clothes, and stormed out of the room.

Qin Ruyue’s expression froze for a moment, but she then scoffed coldly. “Hmph! Without the help of my Qin Clan, would you, the third prince, have what you do today?”

Qianyuan Hall.

The resplendent and magnificent hall was brightly lit in the middle of the night.

Zhao Jingwen was surprised as he stepped into the hall. He glanced around and saw many figures had assembled there.

Each one was an influential figure of the imperial court.

Some were princes of the imperial family, marquises and lords. Old geezers who had not been seen on the court for a long time had also appeared tonight.

Something huge must have happened!

Zhao Jingwen’s chest tensed up, but he maintained a calm outward appearance. He sat down on the throne that represented the emperor of an empire and asked with a frown, “In the dead of the night, what could have happened that brought you all here?”

A minister stepped forward and answered in a trembling voice, “Your Highness, just now, the Zuo Clan and the Qin Clan met with disasters…”

The minister’s voice echoed in the hall.

Meanwhile, Zhao Jingwen was frozen on the throne, his head almost exploding. Lin Xun? That guy actually came back?

Especially after learning about Lin Xun’s doings tonight, the third prince went stiff and his expression morphed indefinitely. He squeezed the arms of the dragon throne tight and gritted his teeth to not lose his composure too much.

But in the end, he still lost control. He slammed the desk and roared, “Lin Xun is simply...a crazy maniac!”

His voice echoed in the hall, and all the ministers fell silent.

Zhao Jingwen panted, his chest heaving up and down and his face terribly dark.

He had a very close relationship with the Zuo and Qin Clans, sharing wealth and woe together.

But they both met with disaster on the same night!

And the culprit was someone unimaginable!

That impact of the tragic news felt like a giant hammer pounding the third prince’s heart. He had never acted so out of sorts even when he encountered something difficult in the past.

But this time, he could not control his anger.

“The empire is constantly worrying about internal troubles and external threats yet Lin Xun not only did not serve the empire but also willfully slaughtered the clansmen of two important clans of the empire! This is lawless and unforgivable!” Zhao Jingwen fumed through gritted teeth.

He swept a cold look around the hall. “Why are you all not saying anything? Don’t tell me you are all scared witless.”

Everyone became more and more silent, and no one uttered a sound.

Tonight’s events were so unusual that no one dared to show their stance.

They only came to check the stance and decision of the third prince. They had no intention of being swept into the unpredictable storm.

The continued silence in the hall infuriated Zhao Jingwen more and more. He gnashed his teeth and commanded, “Issue a decree!”

The words were like a boulder shattering before them!

The ministers shuffled restlessly. They did not expect Zhao Jingwen to make a decision so quickly. Has he considered it carefully?

Or perhaps, in his rage, he hadn’t truly considered the seriousness of the matter.

At this moment, Zhao Jingwen took a deep breath and said each word with a noticeable pause, “Lin Xun is rebellious, vicious, and murderous. The crime of murdering loyal ministers of the empire is unforgivable...”

The hall was deathly silent.

The ministers all trembled. They knew that once the decree was issued, both Lin Xun and the Lin Clan would become criminals of the empire.

They would be arrested and suppressed!

Would Lin Xun allow this to happen?

Absolutely not!

But how could he fight against the whole empire by himself?

Some people were happy and excited with the third prince’s decision.

Some people frowned and thought that Zhao Jingwen was acting out of anger and had completely disregarded the overall situation of the empire. His decision was completely irrational.

Immediately, many people came forward to stop him, but—

Bang!

The door of Qianyuan Hall was slammed open by a tremendous force, and a blast of cold air along with the night breeze swept into the hall, sending a chill down everyone.

Zhao Jingwen’s furious voice ceased abruptly.