Chapter 51: Renowned Throughout the Imperial Capital

Jun Wushuang had become famous!

The news of the entrance examination spread through the imperial capital like wildfire. Everyone now remembered the name Jun Wushuang.

In an instant, the entire city was in an uproar, and tens of thousands discussed the matter.

"Have you heard? Someone named Jun Wushuang, bearing the Order of the Prince of Zhen Nan, actually slapped the heir of the Nangong family and Mentor Zhao Qiming in public."

"Of course I heard! Such a big event—how could I not? From what I know, even Vice Dean Xu Wuya tried to salvage the situation, but then Mo Xingyun from Qingyun Martial Academy appeared, stood up for Jun Wushuang, and in the end, Jun Wushuang joined Qingyun Martial Academy!"

"Qingyun Martial Academy? Has he lost his mind? Of all places, he shouldn't have gone there—it's a pit where everyone who falls in dies."

"Who knows? But his maid is terrifying. The celestial phenomena that day were said to be her doing, and rumor has it she’s a prodigy with the Sacred Body!"

"What? His maid is a Sacred Body prodigy? How is that possible?"

Throughout the imperial capital, this event was the sole topic of conversation.

The reputation of the Royal Martial Academy was immense. Not only did this incident involve the Order of the Prince of Zhen Nan, but also the appearance of both Xu Wuya and Mo Xingyun. Added to that was Lin Mengyao, the Sacred Body prodigy.

All of this instantly made the affair the hottest topic in the capital, discussed by countless people.

And Jun Wushuang was the central figure. Though he had never once revealed his talent or true strength from start to finish, every act he committed was enough to cause a sensation.

This time, the name Jun Wushuang spread throughout the imperial capital.

Meanwhile, the Royal Martial Academy, because of this incident, became infamous.

First, the heir of the Nangong family and Zhao Qiming were slapped in public, utterly losing face.

Second, Xu Wuya was gravely injured by a single strike from Mo Xingyun and forced to his knees in humiliation.

Third, not only did the Royal Martial Academy lose Jun Wushuang, they also lost a Sacred Body prodigy, essentially pushing both toward Qingyun Martial Academy.

These three points became irremovable stains on the Royal Martial Academy, causing them to be mocked by countless people.

Within the Royal Martial Academy, the atmosphere was tense to the extreme.

“A mere country bumpkin dares to insult our Royal Martial Academy? In the life-and-death duel three months from now, I will personally behead him, so he’ll learn the price of dishonoring us!”

“That’s right! If he didn’t have the Order of the Prince of Zhen Nan, he’d be a nobody. How dare he use borrowed power against us! His death alone will not appease our anger!”

“In three months, I’ll make him wish for death yet be unable to die!”

The students of the Royal Martial Academy were incensed, brimming with hatred and murderous intent toward Jun Wushuang. To insult the Royal Martial Academy was to insult each and every one of them.

Being called “trash” drove them to the point of rage.

Jun Wushuang had become the sworn enemy of the Royal Martial Academy!

Suddenly, a rainbow streaked down from the heavens and landed in the Royal Martial Academy.

“Xu Wuya, get out here this instant!” roared a voice that shook the sky and the earth.

The students felt as though thunder had struck on a clear day, their ears ringing from the force.

They looked up in terror. Within the rainbow stood an elderly man in magnificent robes.

“It’s the Prince of Zhen Nan!”

At once, everyone recognized the old man’s identity.

The Prince of Zhen Nan! The foremost prince of the Great Qian Empire—not only holding great power and authority, but also a formidable cultivator at the ninth level of the Heavenly King realm. In all the Great Qian Empire, only the emperor surpassed him; he stood truly above all but one.

He was also the emperor’s own uncle, and even the emperor treated him with the highest respect.

Compared to before, Jiang Hongru, at this moment, was no longer gaunt, but had regained his tall and imposing stature. The removal of the baleful energy had restored him, making his vitality even more formidable.

His Heavenly King’s aura instantly enveloped the entire academy, silencing every soul; no one dared utter a word.

It was clear to all—the Prince of Zhen Nan was enraged!

A white rainbow shot out—Xu Wuya appeared, his hair and beard both white.

“Your Highness, I beg your pardon for not greeting you sooner—” Xu Wuya bowed in respect.

But before he could finish, the Prince of Zhen Nan struck him across the face.

A sharp crack. Xu Wuya was sent sprawling, his head smashing into the ground, blood streaming from his orifices—a miserable sight.

“Please, Your Highness, restrain your anger!” cried an elderly woman in gray who flew forward to plead for Xu Wuya.

It was Dongfang Lan, the Royal Martial Academy’s second vice dean, and likewise a Heavenly King realm expert.

“If you dare plead for him, I’ll strike you as well!” Jiang Hongru glared coldly at Dongfang Lan.

“I wouldn’t dare!” Dongfang Lan’s heart was bitter; she cast a glance at Xu Wuya, wishing him good luck. Not even Jiang Taixu would dare defy Jiang Hongru in this moment.

“Zhao Qiming! Nangong Tianxuan! Get over here now!” Jiang Hongru barked again.

At once, Zhao Qiming and Nangong Tianxuan hurried over and knelt.

“Master Jun is my honored guest, personally invited to the capital by me. Not only did you fail to treat him properly, you even sought to find fault with him at every turn. Tell me—how do you wish to die?” Jiang Hongru’s voice was icy.

His words made everyone’s scalp tingle.

Master Jun?

For the Prince of Zhen Nan—the highest prince of the Great Qian Empire—to address someone as “Master”? Jun Wushuang was nothing but a country bumpkin from Jiangning City. What had he done to deserve such importance?

Terror spread among them, and they all felt Jiang Hongru’s murderous intent. With his status and power, killing them would be all too easy.

“Your Highness, please calm your anger. This was indeed our fault!” Dongfang Lan hastened to speak.

“We are willing to make amends. Please, Your Highness, spare their lives!”

Before the Prince of Zhen Nan’s fury, admitting fault was the only way.

“We have erred. Please punish us as you see fit, Your Highness!” The three, Xu Wuya included, knew Jiang Hongru’s temper and dared not utter a word in protest, bowing and begging forgiveness.

“Xu Wuya, as vice dean, you failed to distinguish right from wrong. Sever your own arm and reflect in the forbidden grounds behind the mountain!” ordered Jiang Hongru.

The forbidden grounds were fraught with danger, but Xu Wuya dared not object.

“Yes!” Xu Wuya gritted his teeth, severed one arm, and departed for the forbidden grounds.

“Zhao Qiming, as a mentor you are unqualified; as the chief examiner for admissions, you are even less so. From this moment, you are expelled from the Royal Martial Academy and never to be employed again!” Jiang Hongru declared, leaving Zhao Qiming pale as death.

Stripped of his title, he would fall from grace, but before Jiang Hongru, he dared not utter a word of protest.

“Nangong Tianxuan, you are spared death, but not punishment. You are to be confined for three months and must never trouble Master Jun again. Otherwise, I shall destroy you myself!” Jiang Hongru glanced at Nangong Tianxuan, giving the Nangong family head some face by not imposing a harsher penalty.

Nangong Tianxuan trembled inwardly, but knew this was already the lightest sentence.

“The four great cultivation sanctuaries of the Royal Martial Academy are to be opened to Master Jun as compensation!” Jiang Hongru finally said to Dongfang Lan.

The Royal Martial Academy was rich in resources, and its four great sanctuaries were invaluable.

“As Your Highness commands,” Dongfang Lan replied with a bitter smile, not daring to refuse.

This time, the Royal Martial Academy had truly suffered a double loss!