Chapter (7)

Location: Yueliang Palace, Chenshi capital

King Li Zinxin was sitting on his throne, his eyes bulging when he saw his son's pale face. He was a strict man who would not bear any mistakes. Especially, if it was committed by his very own beloved ones.

Even after aging and having wrinkles yet he looked handsome. The number of his gray hairs had increased. It came across that he was nervous lately.

"Haven't I warned you about the mountains? Why are you so greedy to cultivate there?"

He took a deep breath in and punched the throne arm with his fist, "You even lied to me!"

Prince Li Bai already knelt before his father's throne. He couldn't tell the truth that he was after ascension!

"Father, the witch queen has been getting stronger. Her forces brought chaos to all seven territories. Everywhere is unrest including the Spirit Forest. If we don't stop them, soon they will leave no trace of humankind!"

The King closed his eyes, trying to suppress the blowing steam in his head. How arrogant this haughty son of his was! Putting his life in danger couldn't bring peace!

King Li Zinxin, the majestic King of Chenshi in his black robe, stood up and descended the throne's steps.

The golden threaded patterns on his robe glimmered.

Stars twinkled in his eyes, "To rank up in refinement and grow your cultivation, I allowed you to skip your obligations in the palace but after a year you came back and I realized you were looking for the Divine Jade."

His voice was intense.

"You will be eighteen years old next week and I expected to see a grown wise man! But what I see is a greedy child who's going after a bite more than he can chew!"

The prince looked up and his eyes met his father's then rolled on concubine Xiang. He was plainly lowering him in front of many eyes and he loathed it.

'You poisoned his mindset about me and my mother in my absence.' Li Bai believed and a fierce light flickered in his sharp stellar brown gaze.

It should be his mother sitting next to the King, not her, certainly.

His father was a kind-hearted man, although sometimes revealed strictness but never came to this state.

'Father has changed a lot, Hao Yu was right. I should have been more prudent.'

King Li Zinxin summoned his spirit animal, a giant gray wolf appeared beside him, and his golden aura emitted.

Prince Li Bai clenched his fists when his eyes caught the divine whip that appeared in his father's palm. He was going to punish him? With the weapon which was meant to kill demons?

'Father, you had never hit me before! What occurred to you!'

This was definitely a conspiracy by his concubine.

"Take your robe off!"

All the guards exchanged glances with each other! The King was going to scourge their proud genius crown prince.

Right in front of many eyes? This was disdainful!

The air in the throne hall turned heavier and the only person who was wearing a delightful sneer was concubine Li Xiang.

She had schemed this to make the king against Li Bai. She feared his power and it came across that she had a spy to watch over his every single move. The best way to diminish his popularity in people's hearts was to scorn him. To make people believe that he wasn't as splendid as the words that came into poems and illustrated the drawings to portray him.

Reluctantly, Li Bai drew his robe away, ignoring words that were whispered around his head.

'It won't remain unanswered!'

Li Bai had no intention to descend and live like a worthless heir. He wanted to be the immortal white wolf and nothing could stop him. He had suffered rough training and cultivation advancements since he was three years old and his divine aptitude was found by the Queen mother. He would not let it be wasted.

He had sacrificed a lot to save his people and he would not give in right now when he was only ten levels away to rank up and join the immortal realm.

The lash swooshed in the air, making a golden arc, and slipped down as if a hungry snake.

Exactly, when he expected a brutal pain tearing his pale skin, a warm breath kissed his back and a faint groan escaped a mouth behind him.

Two hands wrapped over his shoulders tightly.

Turning back, Li Bai quickly discovered his younger brother.

The second prince Li Jinhai, this idiot kid, shielded himself and suffered a hard chop.

Li Bai's eyes ran wide, Li Xiang was tempted to cheapen him but her son came to save him. This boy truly loved his older brother. Although they were born from different wombs.

"You fool, this is my punishment!"

Li Jinhai was only sixteen, and with the meager rage of his cultivation, this hit could make him bedridden.

'I won't let them hurt you because of me!' Li Jinhai started, his eyes glistening with beads of tears that were amassed from the brutal pain.

Blood swirled between Li Jinhai's teeth. He was striving to answer his brother to say that he was sorry. To confess that it was his fault that his brother had to bear such hardship caused by his mother.

If he had never been born, then Li Bai had lesser adversaries and rivals.

A bitter heartbreaking smile stretched upon his sweaty face and then he ran unconscious.

The festive light in concubine Li Xiang's eyes deemed and the sneer on her face no longer existed but she did not even make a small move. She did not implore the King to stop him from any further lash. She just watched her son bleeding, silently!

Heartless!

'If you don't want the throne, then why are you alive, my silly son? Soon, you will admit that your loving older brother won't refrain from shoving you out of his way!'

She thought when the remaining light in her eyes darkened and her face ran gloomy.