Tyrant Sky Martial Soul

Chapter 1318: Chapter 1318: Kill One as a Warning to a Hundred

”Let me handle it.”

Ling Xiao sighed softly. He truly hadn’t anticipated that his ordinary actions would garner such reverence.

This old man, even in the face of death, refused to utter a single bad word about him. If he were to turn a blind eye today, he truly would not deserve to be the Heavenly Emperor of the Heavenly Dynasty Empire.

From Tianfeng City to Yunkong City, then to Moon Hua Sect, and finally to the Phoenix God Empire, only to return to the Heavenly Dragon Continent.

For the first time, Ling Xiao was idolized by complete strangers, leaving him with a surreal sensation.

As if he had already lived many lifetimes.

However, in truth, it had only been a little over two years since he left the Ling Family at the age of fifteen and became the Heavenly Emperor of the Heavenly Dynasty at seventeen.

He had written an extraordinary and awe-inspiring legend through his own efforts.

And this legend was only the beginning.

”If Ji Mingxing does not harm Ji Mingkong, I may not move against him. But now, he must pay the price.”

A cold smile appeared on Ling Xiao’s lips. He hadn’t been to the Imperial Capital for over half a year, but it seemed the people here had begun to disregard him.

At that moment, the force from the martial artist in luxurious attire grew more severe, and the elderly merchant’s complexion shifted from red to blue.

His hands were desperately struggling, trying to pry off the martial artist’s grip.

”Spare others when you can. He’s just an ordinary merchant; there’s no need to be so angry, is there?”

Ling Xiao suddenly spoke up.

”Who the hell are you to meddle in my business?”

The martial artist in luxurious attire turned furious upon realizing the speaker was Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao had beautiful women accompanying him and now wanted to interfere in his affairs too. How could he feel pleased?

”Smack!”

A resounding slap echoed through the marketplace, causing the nearby crowd to freeze momentarily.

The well-dressed martial artist who had been clutching the old merchant’s throat was sent flying, crashing into the crowd, dazed and unable to recover for a long time.

”When you’re away from home, you better watch your mouth!”

After striking, Ling Xiao calmly remarked, ”Earlier, I overheard that even if Ling Xiao were present, you’d make sure he dies? I am Ling Xiao. Go ahead, try it!”

Pointing at himself, Ling Xiao smiled faintly.

What!

Upon hearing that name, the face of the martial artist sprawled on the ground turned pale.

His earlier claims of not fearing Ling Xiao were mere bravado, only because Ling Xiao wasn’t present. Now, seeing the man in person, how could he possibly act recklessly?

Especially after that slap; it was agonizingly painful. How could he not understand that he was no match for Ling Xiao?

The entire marketplace fell into a momentary silence at the mention of that name.

He’s back!

The man who once upheaved the Divine Phoenix Imperial City had returned!

He hadn’t died in Crime City but was now even stronger than before.

The news began to spread among the marketplace.

”Elder, are you alright?”

Ling Xiao crouched down and carefully checked the old merchant’s pulse. Confirming that there were no major issues, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

”You are His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor! You truly are His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor!”

Although the old merchant had never seen Ling Xiao in person, he had seen the statue erected in his honor.

The resemblance was striking.

He trembled with excitement, never imagining that His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor would be so approachable, willing to confront a martial artist for his sake as a humble merchant.

”That’s right. I am Ling Xiao, the Heavenly Emperor of the Heavenly Dynasty. I regret the suffering you’ve endured, elder. From now on, all merchants from the Heavenly Dynasty doing business here must remember—should anything arise, seek out the Heavenly Dynasty Chamber of Commerce here directly. If they cannot resolve the issue, I will personally intervene.”

Ling Xiao intended to establish authority and make it known to everyone that the Heavenly Dynasty Empire was no pushover.

If merchants couldn’t even engage in trade abroad, the empire’s economy might as well cease to exist.

”Brother Ling, my deepest apologies. I wasn’t aware you were here.”

The martial artist in luxurious attire, who had been slapped away by Ling Xiao, picked himself up and approached, now bowing respectfully.

Gone was his earlier arrogance; it had been replaced entirely by humility and fear.

He had long heard of Ling Xiao’s terrifying reputation—someone not just talented, but also vengeful to the extreme.

At this moment, all he could think about was the tragic end of those martial artists who had crossed paths with Ling Xiao.

The recollection made him tremble from head to toe.

How had he been so unlucky as to encounter Ling Xiao?

”Apologies?”

Ling Xiao sneered coldly. ”If apologies were sufficient, why would martial artists of the Mysterious World even need to cultivate?”

As he spoke, a murderous intent had already surfaced in his eyes.

Kill one to warn a hundred!

Kill the chicken to scare the monkeys!

This was the most straightforward thought in his mind at that moment.

If he didn’t intimidate these people now, Heavenly Dynasty merchants would surely continue to face harassment while conducting business here.

Just as he was about to act, a patrol squad arrived.

”Stop it, all of you! This is a marketplace, not a place for causing trouble!”

The leading captain shouted loudly.

Ling Xiao withdrew his hand and said calmly, ”Earlier, when this man was bullying Heavenly Dynasty merchants, where were you?”

”Where we were is none of your business! I know you’re Ling Xiao. You might be powerful, but this here is my turf. Even if you’re a dragon, you’d better crawl for me. Here, I am the law! Heavenly Dynasty merchants? What do they have to do with the Phoenix God Empire? If they were beaten to death, they’d probably deserve it.”

The captain tilted his head arrogantly, like a rooster flaunting its feathers.

Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao’s initial thought wasn’t anger but amusement.

Had half a year been enough for such a buffoon to emerge in the Divine Phoenix Imperial City?

Such a clown didn’t even measure up to Fengming Yu.

”Interesting. If the safety of Heavenly Dynasty merchants means nothing to you, don’t blame me for overstepping authority!”

Ling Xiao’s expression hardened. No one saw clearly how he acted; all they perceived was a fleeting sword shadow.

Then, the martial artist in luxurious attire collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

Dead!

”You killed him?”

The captain froze.

”Indeed, I killed him.”

”You bastard! Do you even know who he is?”

The captain roared in rage.

”I only know that he was about to kill my people, and as the Heavenly Emperor of the Heavenly Dynasty, I must kill him.”

Ling Xiao replied coldly.

”You’re finished—done for! The so-called Heavenly Emperor of a humble dynasty dared to harm someone under Mingxing Crown Prince’s name? You must have a death wish.”

”Mingxing Crown Prince?”

Ling Xiao paused for a moment. Among the Ten Phoenix Sons, it seemed this name had never appeared.

”Young Master Ling, you may not be aware, but half a year ago, the Peacock Princess had her cultivation ruined and hence was stripped of her title, retreating into closed-door training. Mingxing Crown Prince is Ji Mingxing, personally bestowed the title by the Emperor himself—there’s no mistake.”

A bystander martial artist added.

Clearly, this was one of Ling Xiao’s admirers.

”Ah, I see now. For all I’ve done for the Phoenix God Empire, the Emperor has yet to reward me with anything. Meanwhile, Ji Mingxing has accomplished absolutely nothing—what gives him the right to be one of the Ten Phoenix Sons? Fengming Immeasurable really has shown his favoritism too blatantly this time.”