Imperial Saga (2)

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Pointing at Ja Sun, her eyes flared with equal arrogance and anger, Dai Mu hissed, "Slander! A princess should apologize to you?!"

Her expression was completely twisted at this moment. Ja Sun expected no less. Seeing such a beautiful existence stepping up to his expectations, his heart fluttered in pride as he gently and calmly replied, "Won't you even dare?"

Yong's body trembled. Not only his courage was questioned, but even Princess' dignity was also questioned. Feeling the situation going out of hand, Tang Yuehua's eyes suddenly glinted with gold as a soothing aura with a tint of gold perimeter spread out while her expression paled. Her lack of cultivation and continuous use of Domain was certainly exerting.

"Let us all talk through it—"

"So this is how it works," Ja Sun groaned comfortably when a bloody scent oozed from his body.

"It only calms excitement. Not bloodlust."

Ja Sun glanced at Tang Yuehua and she suddenly stepped back, her body quivering as Ja Sun chuckled, "Sister Tang, you can do better. Better than a princess and a captain."

The slightly calm duo instantly had their veins bulging and Dai Mu whispered coldly, "No need to hold back. Kill him. As for Spirit Hall, they can find an explanation with us all they want."

"Yes, Princess," Yong stepped forward when suddenly Ja Sun shot forward.

"Arrogance—"

Yong's vision suddenly twisted and he knelt on a knee, the veins over his forehead almost bursting as his expression turned dazed with pain.

"You lost."

A soothing voice entered his ears while a hand comfortably patted the top of his head and his body instantly shuddered, making his vision go blank and his body stumble down whole blood leaked through his nose.

The three spectators felt a chill spread in their hearts.

What happened?

Over time, Ja Sun was already building mental needles. Since he decided to humiliate, he was going to do it properly. S-ranked humiliation needed to be a severe one.

Feeling Ja Sun's stare, Dai Mu paled.

"Dagger and an Apology, please."

Ja Sun stated while he crouched and began stripping the guard captain. Even his storage essence tool was stripped off of him.

"What are you doing?!" Dai Mu screamed. Her mind already in pieces.

"Ka-ul, don't go overboard or I won't be able to protect you," Tang Hao stated hastily. He may be able to observe mental energy spread out slowly but his own mental reserves weren't enough to grasp Ja Sun's attack for Ja Sun specifically went through a personal torture to gain his current strength. A willing one, but torturous cultivation nonetheless.

"Protection?" Ja Sun slightly patted himself off and gazed at the stripped Yong in his inner garments.

"Do I need it?" Ja Sun tilted his head back slightly.

When he stepped towards Dai Mu, she hurriedly stepped back as Ja Sun's gaze turned comparable to a venomous spider laying a deep web to entrap the poor prey.

"Princess Dai, the dagger."

Gritting her teeth, Dai Mu suddenly uttered a shrill howl, four spirit rings appearing around her body as her thin arms suddenly grew more muscular with white fur and black furry stripes growing out. Her long blonde hair whipped and turned pure white. A pitch-black king character appeared over her forehead and her hands morphed into wide paws with dangerous dagger-like claws sticking out.

"I'll give you the dagger!" Dai Mu had already forgotten her surroundings. But she hadn't lost the memory of Yong losing within seconds.

"Capture him! How dare he act so impudently in Imperial Palace?" To Dai Mu's scream, seven dark shadows circled the courtyard. Seven pairs of cold eyes following Ja Sun.

Meanwhile, within the Emperor's study, Dai Laohu's and Zhu Yin's expressions had already changed and they left without explanation, prompting others to follow her.

The moment they left, suddenly, everyone felt their visions covered by pure silver light, and Dai Laohu's speed grew by a notch and everyone practically flew behind him.

The moment Tang Xiao realized the direction of the Emperor's path, he gulped. Hao wouldn't have done something stupid, right?

But he could have never expected to see a dazed Dai Mu kneeling in front of a black-masked figure. Her upper body straight but her arms lying to her side, unclenched and powerless. Four rings still floated around her. But the most chilling sight was that of eight individuals in their inner garments. One of them lying next to Dai Mu while the remaining seven placed around the courtyard in a perfect circle. Even Tang Hao and Tang Yuehua looked slightly dazed.

"Protect Ka-ul," Bibi Dong's voice reached Yue Guan and he instantly disappeared before standing next to him.

"What is—" Before Taiyin could even growl, a majestic pressure descended and covered everyone save for Dai Mu and Tang Yuehua. The pressure forced Tang Hao out of his daze and he stared at Ja Sun with a flicker of fear the moment he realized that the seven hidden guards were stripped to their bares.

"Explain," a ruthless set of eyes fell on Ja Sun as his body swayed. Yue Guan wasn't any better under pressure but even he was a Titled Douluo and could prevent excessive aggressiveness as he placed his palm on Ja Sun's shoulder.

"Tang Hao can explain it better," Ja Sun passed the baton. Since the honest fellow did think of protecting him, Ja Sun would regret not giving Tang Hao a chance.

"Hao, what is going on?!" Tang Xiao scowled.

And when facing all the pairs of eyes on him, Tang Hao gulped. Fully knowing that Tang Yuehua was the only one actually pampered by the ruthless old tiger, he patted Tang Yuehua's back, waking her from the shock as his voice entered her ears.

"You're better in talking. Help us out."

He passed the baton, too.

Giving her brother a sidelong glance, Tang Yuehua stepped out. Bowing the entire time, Tang Yuehua relayed the entirety of the event without speaking anybody up this time. She did not hide the strange situation of Yong suddenly collapsing on his knees and all of them entering into a shock due to a bright light. She even explained the bets, how Ja Sun won against Tang Hao and produced the two items. One gem-like Diamond Essence Gold and the other Handkerchief. The handkerchief only gave Tang Xiao and Ning Fengzhi a minor shock.

The major one was still the stripped Spirit Emperors.

To which Tang Yuehua hesitated for a moment before replying— Robbed.

"I see," Laohu slowly walked towards Dai Mu and Yue Guan slightly pulled Ja Sun back alongside himself.

"Wake up, child," Dai Laohu whispered peacefully. His spirit energy rousing Dai Mu from her daze and shock. Waking up, Dai Mu looked around in confusion and a voice entered her ears, explaining everything as her expression turned pale and ugly.

Although Tang Yuehua explained everything calmly and was pulled back by slightly somber Tang Hao, the atmosphere was so tense that a butter knife could cut in half. Chen Xin stood next to Ning Fengzhi protectively and Tang Xiao was already close to his siblings. Without a hint of panic, Bibi Dong walked towards Ja Sun but her expression was slightly cold.

The Imperial Family, meanwhile, covered the entrance of the courtyard, and the moment Dai Mu reached towards her family, she instantly embraced her mother, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Ka-ul, you are talented to defeat Tang Hao in smithing and Yong and other guards in a challenge. You did not harm my little Mu, and I appreciate you for that. Just this once, I will let bygones be bygones."

Just from the pressure that could even make Yue Guan and Chen Xin tense, Ja Sun knew the cultivation of the Emperor in front of him. He looked as young as a thirty-year-old middle-aged man but to reach such a cultivation, he must be at least, fifty, if not sixty.

Bowing, Ja Sun was going to speak up when Bibi Dong's voice surprised him for a moment.

"Don't worry. Complete your bet."

An incomprehensible light flashes through Ja Sun's eyes. He was going to do just that but now he knew that for the moment, Bibi Dong could be trusted.

"Your highness, a bet is still underway. I want the dagger I have earned and the apology Princess Dai owes me."

His voice made the surroundings go cold as Zhu Yin's eyes flashed coldly.

"Oh? Apology? From my daughter?"

Standing straight, Ja Sun's eyes curved a little mockingly, "There only seems to be one Dai Mu, your highness."

"Don't go overboard," Taiyin spoke with a chilly expression.

"I'm afraid that ship long sailed where I earned my coins from your guards. If you wish to compensate me with a prize for not killing them right then and there, I'm more than willing to accept it. But as a man with a passion of bet," Ja Sun's voice turned eerie, "I won't be sleeping peacefully until I collect the debt."

"Yue Guan, you seem like a pauper unable to control even the young ones of your Spirit Hall," Zhu Yin whispered coldly and truly, Yue Guan's expression was twisted but he heard Bibi Dong's instructions and forced a smile, "Your majesty, at the very least, I won't step in the matters of the younger generation."

Zhu Yin's expression changed.

"It is true. Our Clan allowed the younger generation to settle their own troubles," Dai Laohu nodded but his killing intent passed through Ja Sun like a spring breeze, as he continued, "But Dai Mu is not part of that tradition. Do you wish to offend Star Luo Empire for a simple apology? Offend me, the Emperor?"

"Uncle Dai—" Tang Hao hurriedly spoke when the pressure bore onto him and even Tang Xiao glared sharply, firmly placing his hand on top of his brother's shoulder.

"Heh," Ja Sun suddenly snorted a chuckle, "Your highness, may I know your Title?"

"Titled White Tiger, Rank 93 Title Douluo: Dai Laohu."

The Emperor spoke without arrogance this time, but only calm nobility.

"I see. White Tiger Douluo, if you want my life. Go ahead, give it a try," Ja Sun held the mask from the lower half and broke it in half. While keeping the upper half on, he displayed his grin as he removed the lower half of the cracked mask.

The moment Laohu's expression twisted, a cold voice filled with extreme cruelty and killing intent wrapped in a peaceful tone suddenly whispered into Laohu's ear.

"Go ahead. Give it a try."

The words were exactly the same but Laohu paled and his heart shuddered momentarily.

Restraining himself carefully, Dai Laohu stopped in his tracks, shocking Chen Xin and Yue Guan.

"Please complete my bet," Ja Sun had already achieved his goal. The Emperor was humiliated. At least, the optional objective should have reached S-ranked. Now, he needed to strip as many benefits as possible.

"A bet," Dai Laohu's expression turned strict before he snapped his fingers.

Seven more guards appeared, but they were weaker than those who were unconscious.

"Take them away. 20 days of confinement and whipping for being unable to protect Dai Mu."

At this moment, Dai Mu paled. She knew most of the guards so this was a way to punish her for her impetuous actions. Zhu Yin comforted her by keeping her in the embrace.

On the other hand, Dai Laohu looked at Ja Sun with a hint of interest barely veiling his killing intent.

"Then let's continue the bet. You won the first time. Now, do you dare bet against me?" Dai Laohu inquired with a gloomy expression.

"If the stakes are worthy enough to offend a Titled Douluo, why wouldn't I dare?" Ja Sun replied with ease. By now, none dared to take him lightly. Especially Tang Hao, not after going into a shocked daze himself. If given a choice, he would choose to use his greatest strengths to defeat Ja Sun and he would tell the same to his team entering the competition.

Ning Fengzhi wished to speak something but was held by Chen Xin.

"Benefits. If I recall correctly, that is why you chose to not exchange pointers: Not worth your time, was it?

In the cultivation of Spirit Masters, better Spirit Rings and strong Spirit Bones are always sought after.

Will you risk your life for a spirit bone?"

"That depends, your highness. A hundred or thousand-year-old, then no. Not worth it. But anything above 20,000-years-old... I can see myself risking my life for it."

Everybody's expression twitched.

"Taiyin, step forward."

"Yes, Lord Father," Dai Taiyin stepped forward.

"Introduce yourself."

"Dai Taiyin, Assault-type Rank 62 Spirit Emperor. Martial Soul: White Tiger."

"I will give you the same choice as you gave Yong. The bet will be divided into two parts. Taiyin will limit himself to three rings. You both will spar until one of them admits defeat or turns unconscious.

If you lose, then you don't need to give anything except your tongue. If Taiyin loses, aside from Dai Mu's apology and the dagger, I will also grant you an 8000-year-old spirit bone I, fortunately, found for Dai Mu's imperial ascension.

In case you wish to spar Taiyin at full strength, your gains and loss will be greater.

If you admit defeat or turn unconscious, aside from your tongue, I will have your limbs regardless of their status. If you have a spirit bone attached to any of them, it will mean your death. However, if you win, I will present you with a 27,000-year-old left arm spirit bone belonging to Purple Demon Illusion Wolf."

"Your highness, don't insult mine and your intelligence," Ja Sun sneered.

"If I lose in the second option, I'm a cripple. Nothing I truly care about. But the Imperial Prince has at least one spirit bone, that I'm sure of. I have defeated your guards and robbed them. A poor individual like me survived as such.

If Prince Dai loses... do you expect me not to rob him? And when I do, do you expect me not to cut off his limbs to find the spirit bones?"

Ja Sun's smile turned honest, "After all, your highness, there's always someone watching us. We need to be honest in our actions."

The moment Laohu stayed his hand, Ja Sun realized that one of his particular well-wishers was already looking out for him. The benefits of joining Spirit Hall couldn't peak this height of benefit.

Dai Laohu's expression twitched. Ja Sun made a bet that he didn't know that Qian Daoliu wouldn't move against him if Dai Taiyin harmed him of Ja Sun died in the bet itself. And seeing caution flickering over Emperor's side, Ja Sun knew his bet went through.

"Then, what do you think we should do?" Dai Laohu narrowed his eyes.

"The higher bet, first of all, should have every previous benefit. If I win, aside from the dagger, the apology, the 8000-year-old, and the 27,000-year-old spirit bones, I want the compensation for each spirit bone revealed by the Prince. So, if I win and Prince Dai reveals three spirit bones, I want three spirit bones from his body, or somewhere else that has the same quality."

Appetite. Ja Sun bared his teeth for the first time.

He wanted it all!

"Of course, I will also take Prince's essence storage tool. In return, if I lose, don't hold back. Rob me blind, strip me, torture me, or kill me. After all, this is a bet of life... it wouldn't be the least bit interesting without betting my life."

Bibi Dong's expression was severe but she strangely held her hand.

"A bet of life... a good bet of life. Taiyin, think it over."

"I'm willing," Taiyin spoke coldly and stepped out, "Do you want to face me with my full strength or do you want me to go easy?"

Ja Sun smiled, "Listen to his highness, Prince. I will really rob you blind."

"Less nonsense," Taiyin snorted.

Chuckling, Ja Sun's golden pupils flickered and he nodded, "Full strength."

Laohu sighed softly, "Clear out the area. We will commence the sparring in the practice ground."

This match had more stakes than the competition the three powerful factions were making rules about. None of them would miss it!

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