Chapter 1 Li Zhiping

Li Zhiping wore an arrogant expression, looking at Jia Yao with disdain. "Jia, you great talent, seeing as you're not long for this world, I won't hide it from you."

"I, Li Zhiping, am the direct son of Prince Pingcheng. Even the current Emperor has to call my father 'Uncle'!"

His tone was extremely complacent, his head held high, feeling superior to everyone else.

Although there were many powerful figures in the Imperial Capital, only a few could claim kinship with the Imperial family.

The mere Jia family was not worthy to carry his shoes!

He figured Jia Yao must be in despair now, knowing that he had provoked such a big shot, and his heart must be filled with regret!

Perhaps he would soon be weeping and begging him for forgiveness... the thought alone was exhilarating!

Just as Li Zhiping revealed a triumphant sneer,

Jiang Chen arrived.

A dignified and chilling voice echoed in the courtyard, "What audacity! Prince Pingcheng has truly raised a fine son!"

Li Zhiping suddenly froze, the smile on his lips still lingering, but doubt arose in his eyes.

That voice, it was that pretty boy!

But how did he get in? What about the men stationed outside?

Li Zhiping abruptly turned his head, intending to call for his men, but saw Jiang Chen and his group approaching menacingly, each with a frosty expression and a murderous aura, as if they were about to start a massacre!

The overwhelming aura made his heart leap, his arrogant flames inexplicably diminished, and he was momentarily speechless.

Seeing this, the corners of Jiang Chen's tightly pursed lips suddenly curved into a mocking arc.

The gaze he cast on Li Zhiping was increasingly devoid of warmth, as if looking at a dead man, causing him to tremble.

He thought this dog had great courage?

He couldn't even withstand this little bit of murderous intent, yet he dared to kidnap his people?

Giving Jia Yao, who was struggling on the ground, a reassuring look, Jiang Chen tilted his head and said with a playful tone:

"Li Zhiping, is it? Weren't you just very arrogant? Why are you afraid to say a word now that you see me?"

His face flushed with mockery, Li Zhiping raised his head in shame and indignation. "Pretty boy, don't be too arrogant!"

"You heard what Grandpa said just now. Grandpa is the son of Prince Pingcheng. If you know what's good for you, kneel down and beg for mercy right now."

"Then Grandpa might have a soft heart and leave you with a whole corpse!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole place fell silent.

Everyone looked at Li Zhiping as if he were a dead man.

This guy was truly insane, daring to offend His Majesty like that. Not only would he die, but Prince Pingcheng would also be implicated. Wasn't this digging his own grave?

Jiang Chen wasn't angry, but found it amusing, and raised an eyebrow. "You really don't have any discerning judgment!"

"Considering that you have some Imperial blood in you, I advise you to ask Jia Yao who I am, or else Prince Pingcheng's line will be ended by you."

"Pretty boy, Grandpa isn't someone who can be scared easily."

"Your little tricks can't fool me!"

After scoffing a couple of times, Li Zhiping suddenly erupted, pouncing on Jiang Chen like a tiger descending the mountain.

His entire body was circulating with true energy, and his sturdy frame emitted a 'crackling' sound, concentrating all his strength in his palms.

He intended to kill Jiang Chen with one blow.

'Bang!'

A loud noise echoed in the courtyard.

Jiang Chen, the intended target, was still standing in place, while Li Zhiping, who had come aggressively, was the one who flew out!

He was kicked away by a member of the Imperial Guard surrounding Jiang Chen, and fell heavily on the bluestone brick surface without any resistance, raising a cloud of dust.

"Cough cough... puff..."

Li Zhiping lay prostrate on the ground like a dead dog, coughing up large mouthfuls of blood, breathing heavily.

The ferocious expression on his face had been replaced by disbelief!

The guard beside this pretty boy was actually so capable... who, who exactly was he?

Anxiety rose again in Li Zhiping's heart for no reason.

But the experience of lording over others in the past, as well as his desire to survive, made him ignore this uneasiness, and he feigned composure as he threatened:

"Bastards, you know my identity, yet you dare to attack me? Aren't you afraid that my father, Prince Pingcheng, will cause trouble for you?"

"I warn you, this is the Imperial Capital. Anyone who dares to provoke our Imperial family will only end up dead without a burial place!"

Jiang Chen wouldn't take a loser's ravings to heart. He squatted down and said leisurely:

"You keep mentioning the Imperial family, you're good at pulling rank... but aren't you curious about my identity?"

"You were able to eliminate your subordinates in such a short amount of time, and any of my guards can cripple you. Don't you find it strange?"

Li Zhiping was stunned by the question, and subconsciously looked up, scrutinizing Jiang Chen's face.

Unexpectedly, he met those deep and chilling black eyes, which frightened him so much that his whole body trembled, and an absurd thought surfaced in his mind.

Jia Yao was a disciple of the Emperor… and this pretty boy was Jia Yao’s teacher… could it be!

Li Zhiping’s eyelids twitched violently, and his legs began to weaken.

No, how was this possible?

That kid named Jia Yao had many teachers. Those who enlightened him, those who taught him music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He wouldn't be so unlucky as to run into the Emperor!

Just as Li Zhiping was frantically trying to reassure himself, Jia Yao, with the help of the Imperial Guards, had been untied and freed.

He didn't hear the details of their conversation, but Jiang Chen's identity was special, and he had specially returned to save him. It was only right to thank him.

After tidying up his clothes, Jia Yao stepped forward nervously and gave Jiang Chen a solemn bow. "Disciple thanks Your Majesty!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for Li Zhiping to hear clearly.

His face turned ashen in an instant, his lips trembled, and his fierce eyes looked at the ground in horror, his fear reaching its peak.

This pretty boy was actually the Emperor!

He couldn't believe it and wanted to struggle one last time, his voice trembling as he said, "You, you are Your, Your Majesty?"

Jiang Chen hooked his lips, smiling as he nodded. "That's right, Li Zhiping, I am the current Emperor."

"I thought Prince Pingcheng was an honest and law-abiding person, but I didn't expect him to behave like this behind the scenes. It seems I need to find some time to have a good chat with him!"

Hearing this, Li Zhiping's eyes went dark, and the place where he had been kicked by the Imperial Guard suddenly throbbed with pain. He wanted to say something, but when he opened his mouth, he spat out another mouthful of blood, looking extremely miserable.

Jiang Chen was disappointed by his cowardly appearance and stood up, preparing to leave.

This kind of small character wasn't worthy of his personal attention; it would only demean his status.

Giving Jia Yao a look, Jiang Chen wanted to send his cheap disciple back first.

After all, he was someone he had acknowledged, so he should take extra care of him.

Just as he had arranged everything and was about to leave, the originally weak Li Zhiping suddenly turned over and knelt on the ground, begging for mercy.

'Slap slap slap!'

He slapped himself a dozen times, then cried and wailed, "Your Majesty, it's this servant's fault!"

"This lowly person's eyes failed to recognize Mount Tai and offended Your Majesty's presence..."