Chapter 238 - 116: Yang Mo: The Foolish Demon Monarch is Me?

Chapter 238: Chapter 116: Yang Mo: The Foolish Demon Monarch is Me?

On the Martial Arts Arena.

One person ran ahead, babbling nonsensically.

Another person, carrying a long spear, leisurely gave chase from behind.

In the spectators’ stands, everyone stared wide-eyed at the bizarre scene.

Finally, Zhao Ci estimated that the Imperial Extreme True Qi in Ying Rui’s cheeks was about to dissipate. He tossed aside his spear, lunged forward, and grabbed the back of his collar.

Then...

"BAM!"

A fist hammered into his stomach.

He didn’t use his full strength.

But it was enough to make Ying Rui’s body curl up like a shrimp.

His miserable state was just as bad, if not worse, than Yang Mo’s earlier.

Zhao Ci planted a foot on his face, flashing a wide, brilliant smile. "So it turns out all your output is from your mouth. Without it, you’re not so tough after all!

Here’s your chance!

Concede now, and you can avoid another beating.

Oh, right, I forgot. You can’t speak.

But you can still make sounds.

I’ll understand!"

Ying Rui: "Ngh... ah!"

’Not conceding?’

"BAM!"

Zhao Ci stomped on his hand.

Ying Rui glared furiously, a string of syllables tumbling from his mouth. Though incomprehensible, it was clear he was spewing curses.

Still, he wouldn’t concede.

The beating continued.

Still, he wouldn’t admit defeat.

Zhao Ci’s blows grew heavier and heavier.

Finally, King Qin, Zhao Dezhu, sighed. "Your Majesty! This servant concedes on Ying Rui’s behalf!"

"Oh?"

Everyone turned to look at Zhao Dezhu. They hadn’t expected this Ying Rui to be one of Zhao Dezhu’s men.

"Oh?"

Zhao Ci looked up. "Royal Uncle! This Ying Rui is no relative of yours. Even if someone were to concede for him, it shouldn’t be you!"

Zhao Dezhu did not get angry, merely explaining unhurriedly, "Indeed, this person is no kin of mine. However, he is a Junior Official from my Qin Land.

He came to Lingge this time to enter my son’s service and become a Mansion Official.

His actions today were arrogant, but they stemmed from an eagerness to serve the kingdom.

He is still young and has a sharp tongue. Nephew, please do not take offense."

Zhao Ci had no intention of actually crippling Ying Rui, so he lifted his foot. "Royal Uncle makes a good point. He was also acting for the sake of Great Yu. My hand was a bit heavy. I hope Royal Uncle will not hold it against me."

Zhao Huan stepped in to smooth things over at the right moment, stroking his beard and laughing heartily. "Dezhu, this great gift of yours has truly reached my heart! Although Ying Rui was defeated, it is only because he has just begun his path of cultivation. Once he has built a solid foundation in the Physical Body Realm, Ci might not be able to win!"

At this moment, Ying Rui finally managed to reset his own jaw. He said defiantly, "Your Majesty! Although His Highness is incredibly strong, it’s not as if I had no chance of winning.

Right now, I am merely a Junior Official, so I cannot bear much of the national fortune.

But once I become a Mansion Official and hold an official rank, His Highness will have no chance of victory.

Once I break through the Physical Body Realm and open a few more Divine Treasures, as long as I can become a marquis or a grand chancellor, even the former Marquis Zhonglie, Xiang Tiange, might not be my match!"

"Hiss..."

A series of sharp intakes of breath could be heard from the crowd.

This National Fortune Skill was actually related to one’s official rank.

He was this powerful as a mere Junior Official. If he truly became a marquis or a grand chancellor...

But this country boy really had no filter; he dared to say anything that came to mind.

Zhao Ci just pursed his lips. ’What a braggart. The guy’s speed is indeed fast, but trying to surpass my strength isn’t something a minor official post can compensate for.’

’Besides, his Swordsmanship is average at best. Relying on just strength and speed, he probably couldn’t even beat Yongzi.’

’The only reason he was a threat was because that restraining technique was too strong.’

’However, my Celestial Demon Pattern specializes in countering physical control.’

’Forget becoming a Mansion Official.’

’Even if he got a seventh or eighth-rank position, he still couldn’t beat me.’

’Of course,’

’...if he could refine all his flesh, tendons, and bones to the third rank or higher, then it might be a different story.’

’After all, the power boost from that National Fortune Skill is truly terrifying.’

"Silence!"

Zhao Dezhu rebuked sharply.

Although Ying Rui was still defiant, he had to listen to Zhao Dezhu’s words.

Zhao Huan asked with great interest, "Dezhu, what is this child’s origin? Why does he know the National Fortune Skill?"

Zhao Dezhu took a deep breath. "Your Majesty! This child’s ancestral home is in Qin Land. During Great Yu’s Southward Migration, his ancestors were severely injured in battle and were forced to remain in the Northern Domain. This branch of the family was forced to eke out a living under the rule of the four nations of Longyuan.

After many generations, they finally returned to their ancestral land twenty years ago.

While paying respects at their ancestral home, they accidentally discovered a fragmented family legacy.

The legacy claimed they were a great clan from a former dynasty, and that those with superior bloodlines who held official posts could borrow the national fortune of that previous dynasty to perform skills.

Although several thousand years separate Great Yu and the former dynasty, Great Yu is also a successor to it, so he can borrow Great Yu’s national fortune as well.

When his father first found me, I thought he was some kind of swindler, but I still arranged a livelihood for them.

Later, unexpectedly, the boy actually succeeded.

This servant believes Ying Rui is key to Great Yu’s eternal prosperity, but I cannot figure out the secret behind how he uses the National Fortune Skill.

Therefore, I have specifically brought him to Lingge to present to Your Majesty."

"Good!"

"Good!"

"Excellent!"

Zhao Huan stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "If we can uncover the secret of the National Fortune Skill, how could Great Yu not prosper? Ying Rui, the Northern Domain now eagerly awaits its return. Desperate times call for flexible measures. Whatever official post you desire, the rules of the Ministry of Personnel are not unbreakable!"

Ying Rui raised his head proudly. "Your Majesty! My Ying Family’s legacy states that the prosperity of a Yun Dynasty lies in its officials having the virtue to match their position and the responsibility to match their duties, only then can they bear the national fortune. Since I am to become an official, I will obtain my post openly and honorably. If I were to use back-door connections like some people, wouldn’t that tarnish the great name of the Yun Dynasty?"

Zhao Ci: "..."

’This little punk is taking a jab at me and Lao Mo!’

The others all became pensive. They were quite certain that there was no need for Zhao Dezhu to wait until now to explain the truth to the Emperor.

He had surely said it before.

Now, he was merely saying it for everyone else to hear.