Chapter 191: The Slaying of the White Tiger_2

Jing Hongchen also knew that he couldn't just keep striking blows.

He had to offer encouragement and give Qin Xiao hope.

"Forget it, I think any explanation would be superfluous, just see for yourself."

Qin Xiao said, then took out a Spatial Soul Guidance Device.

As Soul Power surged into the space within, the Spatial Soul Guidance Device opened. A large number of items fell from the Spatial Soul Guidance Device onto the desk in front of Jing Hongchen.

"What are these?"

Jing Hongchen was somewhat astonished.

"These are correspondences between Duke Bai Hu and the emperor of the Xingluo Empire, along with some important secret documents.

Oh right, you don't recognize these things, no matter. But you should be able to recognize that seal beside them, right?"

Qin Xiao said while pointing to a metal seal on the table.

A seal?

Jing Hongchen looked over blankly.

Sure enough, he realized he had overlooked an important item earlier.

It was a square seal.

About the size of a fist.

Atop the seal was a meticulously carved white tiger statue.

It looked majestic and awe-inspiring.

"You couldn't possibly have..."

Jing Hongchen hurriedly picked up the seal in his hand.

He turned it over and saw several large characters at the bottom.

Duke Bai Hu's Seal!

"Did you really kill Dai Hao?"

Jing Hongchen asked incredulously.

"What else do you think? Did you think I traveled all the way to the border battlefield just to sightsee?"

"That place is all mountains and wilderness, there's nothing worth seeing at all, is there?"

"Moreover, the feud between Dai Hao and myself should have been settled long ago, shouldn't it?"

Qin Xiao shrugged helplessly.

It seemed in Jing Hongchen's mind, he never believed that Qin Xiao could succeed.

"Alright, alright, I've misunderstood you. Your performance indeed greatly exceeded my expectations. You may go back now. I have an urgent matter that requires entry into the imperial palace, and this time I'll see who dares to stop you from entering Mingde Hall!"

As Jing Hongchen spoke, he had already stood up and hurried out of the office.

Qin Xiao: "..."

...

Elsewhere.

Jing Hongchen hurried into the Imperial Palace Hall.

At this time,

Prince Xu Tianran was addressing the full assembly of courtiers and military officers regarding something.

But Jing Hongchen had no inclination to listen.

And,

when he entered the Imperial Palace Hall, the Crown Prince's gaze also fell upon him.

Unconsciously, he stopped speaking.

Swish swish swish swish.

A pair of sharp and substantial gazes also fell upon Jing Hongchen.

"Dean Hongchen, do you have some important matter to discuss today?"

Xu Tianran asked in a soft tone.

Normally, as the dean of the Imperial Sun Moon Soul Academy, Jing Hongchen held an exalted status.

He didn't need to attend the daily council meetings.

But since he did attend, it implied something of significance.

"Your Highness, I indeed have an important matter,"

Jing Hongchen said, "I wonder if you still remember the matter you agreed to a few days ago? You said you'd have an answer for me in two or three days, but I've been waiting for so long... isn't that a bit hard to justify?"

Hearing this, everyone showed an expression of sudden realization.

It turned out that Jing Hongchen was here for the matter of Qin Xiao joining Mingde Hall.

Upon hearing this, Xu Tianran was momentarily taken aback.

This matter is indeed somewhat difficult to handle.

After the court meeting ended a few days ago, he also gave it careful thought, but he couldn't make up his mind.

His heart was also in turmoil.

He was very optimistic about Qin Xiao's talent.

But Qin Xiao's identity made him very worried.

The son of the Duke Bai Hu, that was too sensitive. What if Qin Xiao really did come into contact with the core secrets of the Sun-Moon Empire and then turned to the Xingluo Empire? What then?

That would be a colossal loss.

He couldn't bear it.

So he wanted to delay and observe further.

"Dean, I think there's no need to ask this question. Since His Highness hasn't said anything, it means the matter is too thorny and he's undecided. There's no need to put His Highness in a difficult position, right?"

At this point, the people opposed to Qin Xiao joining Mingde Hall immediately stood up.

They began to refute Dean Hongchen's words.

And in their view, there was nothing wrong with what the Crown Prince was doing.

Keeping Qin Xiao out of Mingde Hall, they were very supportive of that!

"Exactly, everyone is well aware of Qin Xiao's identity, and there's that saying, if he really learns something, knows something, and defects, the loss to us would be too great. The Empire can't afford that!"

As soon as someone took the lead, others echoed.

"Humph! A bunch of short-sighted fools, then do you know if Qin Xiao has no ulterior motives, preventing him from learning the advanced knowledge of Mingde Hall would be like killing his potential?

It would limit his growth."

Dean Hongchen didn't hesitate to retort the crowd.

"One is a genius with exceptional talent, and on the other hand, there's the Empire's great plan that has taken thousands of years to come to fruition, I'm more inclined to stand on the side of the Empire."

"That's right, we can't afford to lose, we can only win. Losing a genius isn't losing, but failing to compete with the three great empires, that's losing, and we can't afford that either. It's better to wrongfully kill ten thousand than to let one slip."

"Even without Qin Xiao, it's not a loss, at worst it's as if he never existed. This time we may not make a killing, but we won't suffer a loss either."

"..."

"Shut your mouths!" Dean Hongchen couldn't stand these people endlessly arguing and interrupted them directly, "You said before that as long as Qin Xiao meets the conditions you set, his identity can be ignored, right?"

Hmm?

Had Dean Hongchen given up on persuading them and chosen another method?

The people were stunned.

"That's right, I've said before, if he can slay the Duke Bai Hu of the Xingluo Empire, I will believe his identity is beyond doubt."

At this moment, a powerful official stood up.

"Does everyone think what I said is reasonable?"

"I support Lord Wang!"

"Familial betrayal, if he can even do this, then I'll believe he's indeed not a spy."

Dean Hongchen didn't immediately agree, but instead responded, "Qin Xiao has killed the second son of Duke Bai Hu, who's his half-brother from the same father. Isn't that enough?"

"Does the Dean remember the legend of the White Tiger Clan from ten thousand years ago? At that time, they were part of the royal household of the Xingluo Empire, but the way they passed on their legacy was very cruel, brother killing brother, with the victor becoming emperor. So killing one's own brother is child's play to them, it's in their bones."

"Fine, if that's the case, then I'll agree on behalf of Qin Xiao to slay Duke Bai Hu." Dean Hongchen said, "I hope you won't go back on your word later, after all, my patience has its limits. I can indulge you for a moment, but not for a lifetime."

"Haha, what nonsense is the Dean talking about? I, on behalf of my colleagues, can make a vow right now. As long as Qin Xiao can slay Duke Bai Hu, I'll wholeheartedly support his entry into Mingde Hall for study!" Lord Wang said without hesitation.

Although the others didn't speak, they all nodded in agreement.

It was apparent that everyone was very supportive of him.

Dean Hongchen looked at the Crown Prince, "Can His Highness also bear witness?"

"Of course!" Prince Xu Tianran also nodded without hesitation.

"Alright then." Dean Hongchen nodded in satisfaction. He then collected several items in his hands, raised them high, and declared, "Crown Prince, Lords, I hereby announce that Qin Xiao has done it. Just a few days ago, he stormed the Xingluo military camp alone and slew Duke Bai Hu at Ming Dou Mountain Range!"

"What!"

"Dean, are you serious?"

"Duke Bai Hu is dead just like that?"

"I can't believe it!"

The people were frantically discussing, unable to accept the outcome.

The Sun-Moon Empire had sent assassins numerous times without success, and now you're telling me a youth accomplished it?

That's utterly preposterous.

"Do you think I'm lying?"

"But we haven't received any news! Such a big event can't be so quiet."

"Then you must be out of the loop. However, by my estimation, the latest news should arrive today." Dean Hongchen raised an eyebrow and said, "Moreover... what I'm holding in my hand is the evidence. Please, Crown Prince, take a discerning look!"