Fang Xing carried Qin Luo toward the capital on a flying demonic beast, barely stopping along the way.
In less than ten days, they had already entered the capital's territory.
"Your Highness, the capital lies just ahead," Fang Xing said. "I've already sent a message ahead. Officials from the Imperial Clan Court will be here shortly to escort Your Highness into the city."
"Marquis of Sifang isn't going into the capital?" Qin Luo asked.
Fang Xing shook his head. "I still have military duties to see to."
"Very well. Thank you for your care along the way, Marquis of Sifang."
"Your Highness is too polite."
Although Fang Xing had urged Zheng Tuo to pledge himself to Qin Luo, he himself kept a careful distance.
At the capital's gates, a large group had already gathered, including officials of the Imperial Clan Court.
Inside a carriage parked among the waiting retinues, Gu Qingxue leaned into Lin Xuan's arms, her face flushed with a faint glow.
The carriage was a birthday gift from Lin Xuan. After his refinement, even a Saint would find it hard to probe inside.
Between the two of them, they had done everything short of "that final step."
Having crawled up from poverty, Lin Xuan knew all too well that women were to be seized, not politely pursued. Acting like some upright gentleman? Heh… in his eyes, that was pure idiocy.
"They're here." Lin Xuan's sharp senses caught the change in the sky first. A piercing eagle cry rang out.
Fang Xing descended with Qin Luo.
An official from the Imperial Clan Court stepped forward. "Greetings, Marquis of Sifang. You must have had a hard journey."
Fang Xing nodded slightly and pointed at Qin Luo. "This is His Highness, the Ninth Prince."
The official bowed toward Qin Luo. "Ninth Prince, we will need to bring you to the Imperial Clan Court to verify your identity."
"Of course," Qin Luo replied calmly.
His gaze slipped past the man and landed almost immediately on a certain carriage not far away.
A small smile tugged at his lips. "Interesting."
[Child of Destiny and Daughter of Destiny detected]
[The capital of Great Qin teems with hidden dragons and crouching tigers; Chosen Ones are everywhere.]
[Name: Lin Xuan]
[Age: 25]
[Luck Rank: Fourth Rank]
[Luck Value: 488,000]
[Physique: Five Elements Spiritual Body]
[A supreme talent that fuses the sharpness of metal, the vitality of wood, the softness of water, the ferocity of fire, and the solidity of earth. Cultivation speed is extremely fast, combat power overwhelming, with ease in fighting above one's realm. The five elements circulate in balance in the dantian, granting astonishing stamina.]
[Realm: Peak Divine Power Realm]
[Profile: Father dead at three, mother at five, elder sister at seven, entire clan annihilated at nine. As a Child of Destiny, his childhood was destined to be tragic. He rose from the lowest gutter, carving out his current status in blood. Decisive and ruthless, he crushes crises while they are still sprouting. Having inherited a Great Emperor's legacy, he is arrogant and looks down on all.]
[Name: Gu Qingxue]
[Age: 20]
[Luck Rank: First Rank]
[Luck Value: 13,800]
[Physique: Mystic Ice Spirit Body]
[Cold yet refreshing. Want to experience what it means to be both ice and fire? She's perfect for that… though whose head is getting a faint shade of green seems a bit unclear.]
[Realm: Ninth Layer of the Sea Opening Realm]
[Profile: A noble daughter of a great clan and one of this era's destined heroines—though fate seems to be veering a little off script. You'll see why soon.]
Qin Luo frowned slightly. So there was some thread tying Gu Qingxue to him?
As Fang Xing prepared to leave, he bowed toward Qin Luo. "Your Highness, this is where we part."
"You've worked hard," Qin Luo answered.
The Imperial Clan official gave Fang Xing a surprised glance, then looked at Qin Luo, muttering inwardly, So this Ninth Prince is not simple.
If he were just some stray brought in from outside, a Sifang Marquis would never treat him like this.
After all, the Four Marquises were all Saint Realm powerhouses.
In the carriage, Lin Xuan, still holding Gu Qingxue, frowned slightly. "That kid just now seemed to be looking at me."
"Who is Brother Lin Xuan talking about? That person?" Gu Qingxue asked, pointing at Qin Luo.
Her carriage was fitted with a special mirror; those inside could see out clearly, while those outside saw nothing.
"Him. He should be a prince of Great Qin." A hint of jealousy flickered in Lin Xuan's eyes as he watched Qin Luo.
From childhood, the tragedies that took his family one by one had left him with a deep resentment toward the powerful.
Qin Luo was clearly born lucky, and that alone made him a target of envy.
Gu Qingxue studied Qin Luo for a moment, then looked back up at Lin Xuan. "He isn't as handsome as Brother Lin Xuan."
Lin Xuan's grin was harder to suppress than a stuck machine gun. He lifted Gu Qingxue and kissed her deeply, a twisted sense of satisfaction surging in his heart.
"Your Highness, let us enter the city," the Imperial Clan official said, his tone far more respectful now.
Just as Qin Luo was about to board the carriage, someone jumped out in front of him.
"You're the Ninth Prince who just arrived?" the newcomer asked, looking Qin Luo up and down.
Qin Luo ignored him and instead asked the official, "Is he with the Imperial Clan Court?"
The official, Li Yuan, replied at once, "Your Highness, this is the young marquis of the Marquis of Yingwu's residence."
Chen Mo puffed out his chest at just the right moment, wearing an air of smug arrogance.
"Oh? Young Marquis, what do you want?" Qin Luo asked.
Chen Mo casually pulled out a sheet of paper. "Considering you're a prince, I, Chen Mo, won't make things too hard for you. Once you sign this agreement, I'll be your friend."
Qin Luo took the paper and glanced over it. A faint, amused smile appeared on his lips.
So this was what the System meant.
It was an annulment document—nullifying the engagement between Qin Luo and Gu Qingxue.
Qin Luo had no idea when the engagement was arranged, but he knew one thing:
Today, the entire capital would remember the name Qin Luo.
He's here.
He looked at Chen Mo, and a strange light flashed in his eyes. If he wasn't mistaken, this clown was nothing more than a sacrificial pawn.
A fattened sheep waiting to be butchered.
"What if I refuse to sign?" Qin Luo asked.
Chen Mo's face turned cold. "So this is the Ninth Prince's first time in the capital? Did you know the capital is full of hidden experts? You can bump into a Saint just turning a corner."
"If you don't give *me*, Chen Mo, face, then I'll make sure you learn that in this city, status alone is useless. If no one gives you face, you won't be able to move a single step."
Qin Luo ignored him and asked Li Yuan instead, "Tell me—who holds the higher status in Great Qin: me, a prince, or him, a so-called young marquis?"
Li Yuan was stunned, then quickly replied, "In the Great Qin Dynasty, the princes' status is incomparably noble, far above any marquis."
"Oh? Is that so?" Qin Luo said blandly.
His gaze shifted back to Chen Mo, turning razor sharp.
"In that case, who gave you the guts to threaten *this* prince?"
"Do you think Great Qin belongs to your Chen family?"
Boom.
A powerful aura erupted from Qin Luo as he stepped forward and slapped Chen Mo across the face.