CHAPTER 639: CHAPTER 96: THE RISE OF FA XIAOYI

The visitor came in with swollen eyes, dressed in a pink battle helmet, eyes filled with anger and annoyance, it was Long Rui.

Long Rui, on the drill ground, had a misunderstanding with Yue Minzhi, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed, she stormed off the drill ground in a huff.

Just as she was brooding in secret within the Imperial City, a strange praying mantis appeared before her, informing her that her grandfather Long Ao was about to make things difficult for Yue Minzhi.

Long Rui, still skeptical about the identity of the mother mantis, looked up only to see the direction of the drill ground indeed enveloped by a strange light and shadow.

She knew her grandfather’s character well; he must have come today after listening to Long Jiuzun’s words, misunderstanding the Duke Mansion.

Seeing this, Long Rui panicked and no longer cared about her irritation or embarrassment; she rushed back immediately.

It was precisely when Yue Jinghua had taken out the Parrot Snail, and Long Jiuzun was furiously storming.

The situation at the drill ground made Long Rui feel even more troubled; she did not expect her big brother’s prejudice against the Yue Residence to be so deep.

All that had happened before was related to her big brother.

Though she knew her brother was at fault, she was after all a member of the National Guardian General Residence; private feelings seemed insignificant in front of family honor.

If today’s events were spread, it would not only ruin Long Jiuzun’s reputation but also damage the prestige of the General Mansion.

Long Rui felt incredibly conflicted, but just as she was hesitating and unsure of what to do, she suddenly saw that Grandfather Long Ao had launched an attack.

Despite not understanding why her grandfather had changed so drastically, Long Rui keenly perceived that Long Ao had murderous intent.

Seeing this, Long Rui had no choice but to rush in, standing in front of Yue Jinghua and Long Ao.

"Grandfather, please spare them. The whole thing was my fault, I’ve brought shame upon our family," Long Rui’s voice choked up.

Looking at Long Rui’s eyes swollen to the size of walnuts, Long Ao was both heartbroken and furious.

But facing his dearly loved granddaughter, Long Ao had no choice but to withdraw his hand.

"Yue... Young Master Yue, please stop being so aggressive, my big brother only acted to protect my dignity, framing the Duke Mansion out of concern for me. In the end, the whole thing is my fault," Long Rui turned her head, giving Yue Minzhi a deep look.

Seeing Yue Minzhi’s pale and gaunt face, her heart ached even more.

Long Rui took a deep breath, calming the bitterness in her heart, "Tonight’s events were all caused by me alone. Young Master Yue, I want to make a deal with you; I am willing to dissolve the engagement with... Dragon Battle Young Duke, in exchange for the Parrot Snail in your hands."

Such a statement, spoken from Long Rui’s mouth, felt like it had spanned a hundred years.

Yue Jinghua frowned; she had never expected Long Rui to make such a request.

Break off the engagement?

Yue Minzhi felt as if he had been struck by lightning, lowering his eyelids which seemed to carry a layer of mist, his emotions hidden in the shadows: "Huahua, agree to her request."

Long Rui’s body trembled uncontrollably, her mind a blank.

He indeed couldn’t wait to dissolve the marriage with her.

His heart is so cruel.

Long Rui’s frail shoulders shook without stopping.

"Ruru," Long Ao, seeing the state of his granddaughter, felt heart-wrenched and wished to crush Yue Minzhi with one slap.

"Very well, then it shall be decreed by this palace: from now onwards, all grudges between Duke Mansion and General Mansion shall be erased," Princess Long Xue pondered for a moment, taking the Parrot Snail from Yue Jinghua and handing it to Long Jiuzun.

When Long Jiuzun received the Parrot Snail, his expression was dark, his eyes sharp like a dagger, scanning over Yue Jinghua’s body repeatedly.

Just then, an Imperial City Guard hurried over, "Report to the Princess, His Majesty has urgent matters and requests you to immediately go to the Jiuhua Hall for a discussion."

The Jiuhua Hall is where Long Teng the 72nd resided.

The Dragon Pulling Test was taking place around midnight, at this hour, Long Teng the 72nd would have usually taken Elixir Pills and gone to bed; how could he suddenly summon Princess Long Xue.

Princess Long Xue also looked puzzled, then the guard added, "His Majesty also mentioned that he knows General Long Ao has returned to court and invites the General as well."

By now, Long Ao and Princess Long Xue knew something major must have happened in the Empire, or Long Teng the 72nd wouldn’t have hastily summoned them.

"Cheng Ying, accompany me to the palace for an audience; the rest of you, please retire first," Princess Long Xue said, and immediately took Pill Master Cheng Ying and General Long Ao with her as they hurried to Jiuhua Hall.

Although Long Jiuzun hated Yue Jinghua to the bone, he dared not be too presumptuous within the Imperial City, casting a warning glare at Yue Jinghua before leaving the field with a grunt.

Yue Jinghua breathed a sigh of relief, and the siblings also left the field.

Leaving the field and heading towards the western gate of the Imperial City, Yue Jinghua heard a dragon’s roar in the sky.

A massive black creature descended from the sky, and Little Jinuo leapt down from the back of the Black Dragon.

Under normal circumstances, flying dragons at night was prohibited in the Imperial City; for Little Jinuo to disregard such etiquette and fly at night must mean that an extremely urgent matter had arisen.

With keen eyes, Little Jinuo spotted Yue Jinghua and his sister from high above in the Imperial City.

Earlier, he had been sent away by Zhan Tian halfway through the Dragon Pulling Test, not even knowing the final result.

Being naturally curious, Little Jinuo certainly did not want to miss the opportunity to learn the outcome.

"Became a Double Dragon Knight? Tsk tsk, you’re doing quite well, kid. Having two Sub-Asian Dragons is much more comfortable than being caught between two boats," Little Jinuo expressed his envy, "But you also have your challenges ahead. Controlling two giant dragons consumes a lot of Dark Power; you must work on conserving your Dark Power."

"And you, kid, even dared to scheme against Long Jiuzun? Tsk tsk, Duke Mansion will not have easy days ahead," Little Jinuo rubbed his chin, "But don’t be scared, if that guy bullies you too much, remember to come find me."

Seeing him enthusiastically chatting, Yue Jinghua quickly took the opportunity to inquire, "You entered the palace in the middle of the night, even riding a dragon? Has something major happened in the Military Department?"

Little Jinuo exclaimed, "Ah, I almost forgot about the urgent matter. Tonight, I enter the palace due to an extremely pressing issue. I recall you’re from Shang Kingdom; do you know Prince Fa?"

Prince Fa? Could it be that Fa Xiaoyi is not dead?

Yue Jinghua suddenly felt a twinge of pain on his neck where Fa Xiaoyi, the Demon Summoner, had left a mark.

"Which Prince Fa are you referring to?" Yue Minzhi knew of Yue Jinghua’s previous dealings with Fa Xiaoyi, and worried his sister might be distressed, quickly followed up with a question.

"The former Prince Fa Xiaoyi from Shang Kingdom. That guy rebelled; as of last night, during the final moments of the Dragon Pulling Test, he killed the former Imperial Concubine and the Crown Prince of Shang Kingdom, proclaimed himself king, and took over Shang Kingdom," Little Jinuo said with a headache. This guy couldn’t have picked a worse time to rebel, stirring up such trouble.

"You entered the palace in the middle of the night just for this?" Yue Jinghua felt an ominous premonition. Something eerie seemed to embroil Fa Xiaoyi’s resurgence.

"When it rains, it pours; there’s another matter. Enough, I won’t keep you longer, let’s head to the palace. Young Master Yue, remember to prepare several dozen jars of fine wine; your Brother Jin Nuo might be out of the Imperial City for a while," he said, then flipped back onto the dragon’s back and flew directly towards Jiuhua Hall.