Chapter 1267: You Need to Have Confidence in Your Son
Chapter 1267: You Need to Have Confidence in Your Son
Several Imperial Nether Clan members had come to Xiang Shaoyun's palace. One of them was tall and sturdy. He was clad in the Imperial Nether Clan's unique armor and was wearing a golden crown and a golden belt, showcasing his extraordinary status in the clan.
This person was none other than the previous seventh prince. Due to his age, he was now an imperial uncle. His name was Ming Abi, a late-stage Devil Saint. He wasn't weak even when compared with the many royal family members. His strength gave him a rather high prestige. Ming Fu had once defeated him, and since then, he had harbored hard feelings for her.
Back during Ming Fu's fall, this Ming Abi was the one who had tried his best to add oil to the fire and had caused her punishment to be more severe. With Ming Fu free and her son being appointed a new prince, Ming Abi couldn't stay calm.
He would not allow Ming Fu and her son to gain a foothold in the clan, or trouble would come looking for him. Therefore, he had come to create trouble for Ming Fu and her son, trying to drive them out of the clan.
"My imperial sister, are you not ashamed of returning to this palace? Also, your mongrel son dares to sneak into the clan? You really are gutsy," berated Ming Abi.
He would never have dared to speak like this to Ming Fu in the past. But after years of not cultivating, Ming Fu was now much weaker than him, which was why he had the courage to speak such words to her.
Ming Fu knew that Ming Abi harbored deep hostility for her, but she was no longer the same willful princess. She replied, "We're only here by the Nether Monarch's decree. Are you questioning his decision?"
Ming Fu was no idiot. She no longer had the clan's favor, but she still knew how to borrow someone else's influence to suppress Ming Abi. With the Nether Monarch personally making the decree, who would dare make things difficult for her and her son?
Sure enough, Ming Abi was momentarily speechless. He felt incredibly uncomfortable, but despite his rage, he couldn't find a retort.
At this time, Xiang Shaoyun entered the room and said, "Mother, which dog is barking non-stop here?"
He had heard everything Ming Abi had said and could sense Ming Abi's clear hostility toward his mother. He naturally wouldn't let it slide.
"Impudent, you dare talk to me like this?" The first person Ming Abi saw after turning around was Xiang Shaoyun. Without a doubt, this was the mongrel kid he was speaking of earlier.
Xiang Shaoyun ignored him and swept his gaze at everyone present. He said, "You're at this prince's palace. Leave immediately, or don't blame me for being impolite."
In the Imperial Nether Clan, one's personal palace was akin to one's personal territory. Nobody could lightly intrude upon one. Thus, Xiang Shaoyun did not bother showing courtesy and did not fear that they would go overboard in his palace.
"You're only the nineteenth prince. Don't get too cocky, or you'll find it hard to survive in the royal family," said the person standing beside Ming Abi.
He was the fifteenth prince, Ming Pan. He was Ming Abi's nephew and had been stronger than Xiang Shaoyun when Xiang Shaoyun had first arrived.
"If you're done talking, piss off," said Xiang Shaoyun with no trace of politeness.
"Looks like he really thinks he's a big shot. Ming Pan, issue him a challenge. Spars between princes are not against the rules. Not even the Nether Monarch will blame you for it," said Ming Abi.
"Heh, I was thinking of the same. Nineteenth prince, I, Ming Pan, hereby challenge you to a spar. Do you dare to accept?" said Ming Pan with a sneer.
In the Imperial Nether Clan, those of the same generation were allowed to freely challenge each other. Shrinking from a challenge would reduce one into a laughing stock. This was a world for the strong. Only the strong would be respected.
Both Ming Pan and Xiang Shaoyun were princes, but Ming Pan had a higher cultivation level. Someone like him challenging Xiang Shaoyun could essentially be viewed as bullying one's junior. However, Xiang Shaoyun was someone who had defeated even Ming He, so in a way, this challenge was acceptable.
"You're shameless!" Ming Fu could sense that Xiang Shaoyun was only a ninth-stage Devil Sovereign. How would he be a match for Ming Pan, a third-stage Devil Saint?
"Looks like you have gone stupid from being locked up all these years. If your son doesn't have the courage to accept a challenge, you may get out of this palace," said Ming Abi.
He wanted to first kick them out of the royal family before thinking of a way to kick them out of the clan entirely.
"You sure you want to challenge me?" asked Xiang Shaoyun indifferently.
"Of course. Do you dare accept my challenge?" asked Ming Pan provocatively.
"Haha, what is there to fear? We might as well have a fight to the death. Do you dare?" challenged Xiang Shaoyun as he roared with laughter.
"Son, have you gone mad? Do not accept the challenge!" said Ming Fu worriedly.
She grabbed Xiang Shaoyun's hand and tried to hide him behind her. This was the instinctive reaction of a mother. She wanted to protect her son.
However, she couldn't move Xiang Shaoyun. He signaled to her with his eyes and said, "Mother, you need to have confidence in your son."
Ming Fu disagreed, "No, absolutely no! The gap between the two of you is too big!"
"Concede if you won't accept the challenge. Don't worry. You'll only suffer some humiliation. It's not like you're a stranger to being humiliated," said Ming Pan.
"That's right. Concede and move out. You're no longer qualified to stay in an imperial palace," said Ming Abi.
"You're too arrogant. Let's fight to the death," said Xiang Shaoyun as he pointed at Ming Pan.
"No!" Ming Fu stopped the fight again.
"Mother, this concerns my honor. Just believe in me," said Xiang Shaoyun solemnly as he gripped Ming Fu's hands.
Ming Fu's heart softened when she saw the confidence in Xiang Shaoyun's eyes. She said, "Be careful. Concede if you're not a match. Your cultivation is lower, anyway, so it doesn't matter if you lose."
"Rest assured. I won't lose," said Xiang Shaoyun.
It was time he established his dominance among the royal family, making it known to others that he was not one to be trifled with.
"Excellent. Let's go to the colosseum," said Ming Pan.
He knew what abilities Xiang Shaoyun had, but because Ming Pan was stronger than Ming He, he was still confident he could defeat and easily kill Xiang Shaoyun. Therefore, Ming Pan had dared to challenge Xiang Shaoyun.
Ming Abi wore a smug smile as he said, "Let's go. I believe everyone in the clan will remember your name after this fight, nineteenth prince."
"Hehe, yes, that's my hope as well," said Xiang Shaoyun with a laugh. "If I'm lucky enough to win, would you dare to accept my challenge next?"
Everyone found his question so stupid it almost sounded cute. They howled with laughter.
"Haha, if you can defeat Ming Pan, you will indeed be qualified to challenge me," said Ming Abi, roaring with laughter.