CHAPTER 8
Later that evening, in their bedchamber at the mansion, Helan Li Qiang and Shangguan Ning sat together, discussing the events that had transpired at the banquet.
"Ning'er, are you sure you'll be able to duel in three days? You've already used a lot of your power recently," Helan Li Qiang asked with a hint of concern, glancing at his consort.
Shangguan Ning smiled softly, reassuring him. "Don't worry, Li Qiang. I'll be ready." He paused for a moment before his curiosity took over. "By the way, who exactly is Li Qinqing to you?" he asked, wanting to understand the woman's connection.
Helan Li Qiang seemed to relax at the question. "Oh, her?" he said, a faint smile on his lips. "She's just the sister of an old friend, nothing more. We've known each other for years, but there's no deeper connection than that."
Shangguan Ning nodded thoughtfully, though he could still sense some tension in the air. "She seemed rather possessive of you," he remarked.
"She's always been like that," Helan Li Qiang admitted with a sigh. "But now that you're here, none of that matters anymore."
Shangguan Ning gazed at him with a quiet intensity. "I hope she understands that soon."
That night, they shared a bed, lying side by side under the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the windows. The room was quiet, the only sound being their soft breaths as they lay close together. Despite the calm, Shangguan Ning's thoughts were restless.
Before drifting off to sleep, he couldn't help but wonder about Helan Li Qiang's behavior. Why is he so gentle to me? Shangguan Ning questioned silently. Was there something deeper behind the prince's kindness? His heart stirred with uncertainty.
Could there be feelings involved? he mused. Helan Li Qiang had always treated him with respect and care, but Shangguan Ning couldn't help but wonder if it was out of duty because they were now married—or if, perhaps, there was something more. He couldn't decipher the prince's emotions just yet.
With these thoughts swirling in his mind, sleep finally claimed him. But even in the quiet of the night, the unanswered question lingered in the shadows of his dreams.
____
Three days passed in the blink of an eye, like the wind rushing through the palace gardens. The day of the duel had finally arrived, and with it, the weight of the gamble that would decide not just honor, but the very fate of one of them.
The courtyard was alive with anticipation as nobles, officials, and members of the royal family gathered to witness the clash between Shangguan Ning and Li Qinqing. Whispers spread like wildfire, some doubting Shangguan Ning's ability, others marveling at his composed elegance. Li Qinqing, with a fierce determination in her eyes, stood ready, her pride and position on the line.
Shangguan Ning, draped in his regal robes, exuded a calm confidence. His noble heritage was unmistakable, and as he stepped forward, his every movement reminded the crowd of his royal blood and superior standing. The tension in the air was palpable as both participants faced each other.
For Shangguan Ning, this wasn't just a duel—it was a test of his place in the Demon Empire, a reminder that his power and status were not to be trifled with. But for Li Qinqing, it was personal, a desperate attempt to reclaim what she believed was hers.
The stakes were high. Should Shangguan Ning win, Li Qinqing would be barred from ever approaching Helan Li Qiang and would relinquish her noble title, her status forever diminished. And so, with the crowd watching, the fate of one's future teetered on the edge, about to be decided by skill, strength, and wit.
"The rules of the duel are simple," the eunuch's voice rang out, cutting through the murmurs of the gathered crowd. "Whoever forces their opponent out of the arena first will be declared the winner." His gaze swept across the spectators before landing on the two challengers. "The duel starts now!" he announced, raising his hand.
Li Qinqing stepped forward, her eyes blazing with fierce determination. "Hmph! Shangguan Ning, do you really think you can defeat me?" she taunted, her voice dripping with disdain.
Shangguan Ning met her gaze, his expression calm and unbothered. He didn't respond immediately, his focus steady as the atmosphere crackled with tension. Unlike Li Qinqing, whose impatience was palpable, Shangguan Ning's noble demeanor reminded everyone of the confidence that came from his status, training, and abilities.
Without waiting for a reply, Li Qinqing lunged forward, her power surging as she unleashed a swift attack. Her movements were fast, but Shangguan Ning gracefully sidestepped, his robes fluttering like the wind. He remained poised, not wasting any energy on unnecessary motions.
"You talk a lot, but words won't save you," Shangguan Ning finally said, his voice calm, but the authority in his tone undeniable. His posture was as regal as ever, standing tall and in control.
Li Qinqing clenched her teeth, visibly frustrated that her first strike missed. She quickly recovered and launched into another flurry of attacks, each more desperate than the last. Shangguan Ning dodged them effortlessly, as though dancing around her fury, his movements precise and almost leisurely.
He was waiting, calculating, allowing her to expend her energy.
"Aiya, this Shangguan Ning is truly elegant and noble," the emperor remarked, his eyes gleaming with approval as he observed the effortless grace in Shangguan Ning's movements. "He truly lives up to his noble bloodline."
Hearing the emperor's praise, some of the officers and clan leaders nodded in agreement, acknowledging Shangguan Ning's poise and skill. There was no mistaking his superiority, and the silent respect from the crowd only solidified his standing further.
As Li Qinqing struggled to regain her footing, Shangguan Ning drew out his flute—a rare, ancient instrument gifted to him by the emperor himself. The moment it touched his lips, a dark, ominous note rang through the air, reverberating across the arena. It was not just a sound—it was a spell, woven through the music, carrying immense power.
The low-cultivation demons in the audience immediately clutched their heads, groaning in pain as the sound assaulted their minds. Some began to tremble uncontrollably, their bodies weakening under the weight of Shangguan Ning's power. Blood trickled from their mouths as the pressure became too much to bear.
Li Qinqing was no exception. Her legs wobbled as she fought to stay upright, her face paling with each passing second. She gritted her teeth, determined not to give in, but it was clear that Shangguan Ning's overwhelming strength was suffocating her.
"You see, Lady Qinqing," Shangguan Ning said softly between the notes, his voice carrying across the arena despite the haunting melody, "strength is not merely about brute force. Sometimes, it's about control and knowing how to wield power."
The crowd watched in awe, captivated by his unmatched elegance and the sheer command he had over the battlefield. His noble presence was undeniable, and with every note he played, Shangguan Ning was sending a clear message: he was not to be underestimated.
Some of the high-level cultivation demons in the audience stiffened as the gravity of the note played by Shangguan Ning washed over them. Though they were not the intended targets, they could feel its immense weight and dark power. Their faces grew solemn as they exchanged glances, knowing full well that if that note had been directed at beings of their caliber, the consequences would have been devastating.
One of the older demons, a clan leader with years of experience in cultivation, muttered under his breath, "That flute... its power is no ordinary magic. If it were turned against us, even we would not escape unscathed."
Helan Li Qiang's right hand man, who stood by his side watching the duel, turned to his master with wide eyes. "Your Highness… this level of power… it's frightening. If Shangguan Ning had chosen to direct that note towards any of us… it would've been catastrophic."
Helan Li Qiang's gaze was fixed on Shangguan Ning, a mix of surprise and admiration in his eyes. "I knew Ning'er was powerful," he murmured, "but I never realized the full extent of it until now."
The entire arena seemed to hold its breath as the duel continued, the oppressive aura of Shangguan Ning's music still lingering in the air. Even the strongest cultivators present could not deny the chilling realization—Shangguan Ning, with his noble bloodline and unmatched mastery of the flute, was someone to be reckoned with.
____
In the grand study of the Wu dynasty's emperor, the soft rustling of silk robes and the delicate fragrance of incense filled the air. The emperor sat by his desk, a letter from the Demon Empire held lightly in his hand. His expression was calm, but a gleam of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
"Aiya… whoever dares offend Ning'er will not meet a favorable end," the emperor remarked, his voice filled with a certain pride. "The demons will soon learn that humans are not to be trifled with. Offending Shangguan Ning is as good as offending us. They will come to realize that Ning'er alone has the strength to face their entire empire."
The grand eunuch, standing by his side, raised an eyebrow. "Your Majesty, has someone in the Demon Empire dared to insult the Grand Prince, Shangguan Ning?"
The emperor let out a sigh, leaning back in his chair. "Yes. Though my nephew may appear gentle, unassuming, and far from a warrior, he is by far the strongest among my sons. It's a pity he is not my own by blood but a nephew—and even more that he chose to relinquish his right to inherit the throne." He shook his head, his tone tinged with regret.
The grand eunuch, ever perceptive, nodded knowingly. "The Grand Prince is very much like his mother, the Grand Princess. A formidable force in her own right."
The emperor waved his hand dismissively. "Let the matter rest for now. What has transpired in the Demon Empire will serve as a stern warning. They will remember that challenging Shangguan Ning is to challenge the might of our empire."
The emperor's words carried weight, not just for the grand eunuch but for all those within earshot. The Demon Empire, for all its power, was beginning to understand that the Wu dynasty had a formidable ally in the Grand Prince, Shangguan Ning—one whose strength rivaled entire armies.
____
Back in the arena, Li Qinqing struggled to maintain her footing, but the fierce determination in her eyes hadn't waned. Her hands trembled slightly from the force of Shangguan Ning's dark, resonant flute notes, yet she stood tall, defiant.
"Do you think you can last, Shangguan Ning?" she called out, her voice strained but unyielding. "I am the daughter of the Wolf Clan—never underestimate me!"
Despite the pressure, she summoned a surge of strength from deep within, her aura intensifying as the feral energy of her clan coursed through her veins. The audience, though mostly captivated by Shangguan Ning's elegant prowess, couldn't help but admire Li Qinqing's sheer tenacity.
Shangguan Ning, his expression calm and composed, lowered his flute slightly and glanced at her. His graceful, almost effortless posture contrasted starkly with Li Qinqing's fierce struggle. "Underestimating you was never my intention," he replied coolly, his voice carrying across the arena with authority. "But remember, bloodline alone does not determine victory. True strength lies in one's mastery over it."
With that, he resumed playing his flute, the melody darkening, its intensity increasing. The pressure on Li Qinqing grew heavier, and she staggered, her resolve visibly wavering. The high-level cultivators in the audience felt the weight of Shangguan Ning's power, realizing the gravity of his words. The duel wasn't just a contest of skill but of status, power, and the noble legacy that Shangguan Ning carried effortlessly.
The arena was filled with tension as everyone watched, knowing that this duel was not merely between two individuals but also a reminder of Shangguan Ning's unmatched nobility and strength—something even the strongest demons were starting to respect.
Li Qinqing, with trembling hands, pulled out a small, ominous bottle and quickly drank its contents. The liquid surged through her, and in an instant, her aura exploded with immense power. It was as if an unstoppable storm had been unleashed, filling the arena with a wild, chaotic energy.
Shangguan Ning, still composed but keenly aware of the sudden shift, narrowed his eyes. He could feel the unnatural surge within her—dangerous and volatile. This was not the result of mere cultivation, but something far more reckless.
The audience erupted into murmurs, some standing in shock. Even Li Qinqing's father, the leader of the Wolf Clan, stood abruptly, his face pale with worry.
"No... she actually used it," he muttered, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and disbelief.
"Aiya... she has done it," the Fox Clan leader exclaimed from his seat, his fox-like eyes narrowing in concern. "That pill… it's a forbidden one. It forces a breakthrough in cultivation but at a severe cost."
Whispers of anxiety swept through the crowd. Everyone knew the consequences of using such a dangerous item. It could give the user a temporary boost in strength, pushing them through multiple levels of cultivation in moments, but the aftermath was devastating—crippling damage to one's body and even the risk of death.
Li Qinqing, now bursting with newfound energy, seemed to be in a trance. Her eyes glowed with a dangerous intensity, and her stance straightened as the power overwhelmed her senses.
"You cannot win now, Shangguan Ning!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the arena. The ground beneath her cracked as the energy radiated outward.
Shangguan Ning, however, remained calm. He knew the dangers of what Li Qinqing had done, and though her strength had increased dramatically, it was unstable. A look of quiet determination settled over his face. He would not underestimate her newfound power, but neither would he be reckless.
"Power without control is chaos, Li Qinqing," he said softly, his voice barely audible over the roaring energy surrounding her. He raised his flute to his lips once again, ready to face the storm head-on. The tension in the arena thickened as the two prepared for the final clash, one side burning with reckless desperation, the other standing as a paragon of nobility and control.