424: Loyalty

"Father!" Xiao Jingyan roared. "If loyalty and righteousness only lead to the destruction of our clan, what good are they?!"

Those Southern Barbarians were likely contacted secretly by the King of Chu! Even if they massacre the city, the sin is his!

We can use this incident to announce to the world—it's not the Xiao Clan rebelling against Chu, but the King of Chu who is insane, willing to invite foreign enemies to slaughter his own people just to eliminate loyal officials!

By then, which righteous hero under Heaven wouldn't assist me?!"

"Impudence!" Xiong Heng flew into a rage. "How dare you slander Father King! Guards! Seize this fiend and execute him immediately!"

"Clang—!"

Three thousand private soldiers of the Xiao Family simultaneously drew their battle sabers. The gleam of the blades reflected the sun, and Killing Intent surged to the heavens!

These young soldiers, bound by Bloodline, live and die together, recognizing only the Family Head, not the royal decree!

A cold, stern smile finally curled upon the corner of Xiao Jingyan's mouth—

He intended to push the conflict to an irreconcilable point, forcing his father to personally sever the shackles named "Loyalty and Fidelity."

However—

"Stop!" Xiao Yuanshan roared, his voice like a clap of thunder.

He dismounted and, under the gaze of the crowd, bowed deeply to Xiong Heng. His back was bent like a bow, and his voice was low yet clear:

"My worthless son has gone mad and offended the Crown Prince. He deserves ten thousand deaths.

Since the Great King has decreed it, Young Miss Shen will be escorted north by the Crown Prince. This old man... will punish this son himself and will absolutely not allow him to violate the national law again."

Xiong Heng was startled at first, then gave a triumphant, sinister laugh. "Too late! The Royal Decree is set. Xiao Jingyan must be personally escorted to the Northern Border by this Prince! Do you... intend to defy the decree?"

The air solidified once more.

Just at this Critical Moment—

"There is no need."

A voice, clear and cold as an icy spring, slowly emerged from the carriage.

Everyone turned their heads.

Shen Zhao slowly stepped down. Her plain white dress fluttered lightly in the wind. Her left foot was slightly lame, yet she stood straight as a pine. Her gaze swept over Xiong Heng, then past Xiao Jingyan, finally resting on Xiao Yuanshan, her eyes filled with complex, inscrutable emotions.

Then, she turned to Xiong Heng, speaking clearly, word by word:

"A person like this is unworthy to travel with me.

The sight of him makes me sick."

Xiong Heng was taken aback, then forced a smile. "Young Miss Shen, this man has insulted you deeply. How can he be let off lightly? Father King's intention is precisely to make him apologize in front of the Northern Border soldiers..."

Xiao Jingyan looked at Shen Zhao in surprise. This woman truly hadn't disappointed him; she actually understood his intentions!!

However, the words that followed made Xiao Jingyan's heart clench.

"In that case, kill him right here! I want to personally watch you kill Xiao Jingyan!!" Shen Zhao's voice was devoid of emotion.

Xiong Heng's expression drastically changed. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he stammered, "This... this... Young Miss Shen, this matter... requires careful consideration..."

He was inwardly groaning in distress—why wouldn't he want to execute Xiao Jingyan on the spot? But facing him were three thousand Xiao Family Private Soldiers, all practicing Qi, with Battle Intent surging like a tide. He had brought less than two hundred Imperial Guards, not enough to withstand a single charge! If he truly made a move, he would likely be chopped into meat paste first.

But Shen Zhao pressed closer, her gaze like a knife:

"I don't care! He publicly humiliated me, making it known throughout the world!

If I don't see his blood spilled five paces today, I would rather die than return to the Northern Border!

Immediately! Right now!"

Wind swept up the yellow sand, and Killing Intent permeated the air.

Two hundred Imperial Guards slowly drew their swords, and three thousand Xiao Family Army soldiers stepped forward in unison, shaking the earth.

Blade against blade, Spiritual Power against Spiritual Power, the air was practically solidifying.

Xiao Jingyan stood in the eye of the storm, his heart nearly boiling with ecstasy—

It's done!

Shen Zhao's coercion had completely pushed the conflict to a dead end!

If Xiong Heng ordered the killing, the Xiao Family would surely rebel;

Once they fought, the crime of the Xiao Family rebelling would be confirmed.

If he dared not move, the King of Chu's prestige would be utterly ruined.

Now, only one path lay before his father, Xiao Yuanshan: taking the Xiao Family Army and leaving the State of Chu!!

This was Xiao Jingyan's childhood dream. He had no desire to be a loyal official of the State of Chu, serving Chu like an ox or a horse, only to be suspected by the Monarch once the Xiao Family grew powerful.

Since childhood, he had been plotting how to make the Xiao Family leave the State of Chu, carve out territory, and declare themselves king! To build a city belonging to the Xiao Clan, establish a law belonging to the Xiao Clan, and raise an army loyal only to the Xiao Family, not the monarch!

Today, it was finally going to be realized!! Hahaha!

Xiao Jingyan almost couldn't stop himself from laughing aloud.

However—

Just as the tension was high and war was imminent,

Xiao Yuanshan suddenly let out a long sigh toward the sky, his voice tearing like silk:

"Beast! My Xiao Family's century of reputation is ruined by your hands!

From this day forth—you, Xiao Jingyan, are no longer a descendant of my Xiao Clan!"

Before his voice faded, he took a step forward, and the Spiritual Pressure of the first level of Foundation Establishment erupted!

Heaven and earth changed color; wind and clouds rolled backward!

Xiao Jingyan's Pupils Constricted—he never expected his father to choose the absolute worst course of action!

Father, oh Father!! Why are you so foolish!!

Xiao Jingyan was furious!!

Unfortunately, no matter how angry Xiao Jingyan was now, it was useless.

In front of the common people of City Name, Xiao Yuanshan's palm transformed into a Dragon shape, every move vicious, aiming directly for Xiao Jingyan's vital points;

Although Xiao Jingyan had the cultivation of the ninth level of Qi Practice, due to the severe shock to his mind, he was continuously forced back.

"Bang!" A palm struck his chest, and he spat blood, flying backward like a kite with a broken string.

"Get out! From now on, you and I have absolutely no relationship!!" Xiao Yuanshan roared, though his eyes were filled with hot tears. "If you dare step foot in City Name again—

I will personally take your life!"

Xiao Jingyan staggered to his feet, his lapel stained with blood. He looked at his father's face, twisted and distorted by anger and grief, and the last flicker of hope in his heart was finally extinguished.

He understood—

His father would rather see the Xiao Family destroyed than allow the Xiao Clan's thousand-year reputation to be sullied.

The two words, Loyalty and Fidelity, were already carved into his bones, heavier than life itself.

Xiao Jingyan gave a miserable laugh, covered his wound, and turned to leave, like a lone wolf expelled from its pack, yet still refusing to bow his head.

However—

"Family Head!!"

A mournful cry suddenly exploded!

In the formation of the Xiao Family Army, hundreds of elite soldiers simultaneously knelt down, their armor clanking, tears in their eyes.

Leading them was Xiao Lie, a collateral descendant of the Xiao Clan, at the eighth level of Qi Practice, who had grown up with Xiao Jingyan like a brother.

He violently tore off his helmet, his voice hoarse and tearing like silk:

"Family Head! We respect your loyalty and righteousness!

But we support Young Master's ambition even more!"

Before his voice fell, a hundred men shouted in unison:

"We are willing to follow Young Master through fire and water, even if it means dying ten thousand times!"

They turned and, without hesitation, chased after that receding figure, their steps firm, like a rushing river.

This scene shocked the entire audience.

Xiong Heng had originally secretly signaled two Assassins to follow Xiao Jingyan and take his life while he was severely injured.

But at this moment, looking at the hundred-plus Xiao Family elites whose Killing Intent had not subsided and whose loyalty was unwavering, his expression changed drastically, and he quickly whispered:

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!"

...The common people of City Name who witnessed this scene all shed tears.

Everyone shouted, "The City Lord is truly righteous! He is a sage of antiquity!"

Chen Yan, who had previously written the Petition of Grievance for Shen Zhao, wrote a new piece—*Righteousness Over Family*:

"In the world, there are fathers and sons whose affection is deep as the sea; yet there is Marquis Xiao, who cuts off love like a blade.

He would rather sever flesh and blood than damage the national framework; he would rather fail his own son than fail the common people!

This is not heartlessness, but great affection; not lack of love, but great love!"

This essay was copied a thousand times via the "Myriad Manifestation Printing Platform" of the Hundred Schools Workshop, spreading throughout Central State within a day.

Even more shocking was—

The *Records of the Hundred Schools* recorded Xiao Yuanshan in the "Chapter of Famous People: Scroll of Loyalty and Righteousness."

The *Records of the Hundred Schools* is the foremost historical classic of the current era, compiled by the Hundred Schools Workshop from a neutral standpoint. All those recorded within it leave their names in history, immortal for ten thousand generations. Its standards are extremely strict: only those with great merit, great virtue, or great righteousness are allowed entry.

The book commented:

"Xiao Yuanshan is the Pillar of Chu.

Facing the evil of his own son, he painfully severed their bond;

Against the suspicions of the Monarch, he maintained his integrity unwaveringly;

Protecting the peace of the common people, he would rather die than rebel.

His actions are close to those of a sage; his ambition reaches Heaven."

For a time, throughout the State of Chu, no one failed to praise the name of Marquis Xiao.

However, ten thousand miles away, deep within the Chu Palace.

King Wei of Chu held the rubbing of the *Records of the Hundred Schools*, his face livid. "Good... good job, Xiao Yuanshan! He actually chose to sever ties with his own son rather than rebel. Now, I can't touch him! Brilliant, truly brilliant move!!"