The White-Clad Groom

At this moment, within the halls of Azure Cloud Palace, guests filled the space to capacity.

Azure Cloud Palace, vast in its expanse, could easily accommodate several hundred individuals even when arranged with the highest standards of single-person tables.

The grand engagement ceremony of the Princess Royal had attracted nearly all the high-ranking officials of the Mo Nation, affluent merchants capable of rivaling nations, and renowned practitioners of the martial arts world.

It could be said that everyone with certain status had been invited.

Those invited naturally attended with enthusiasm.

With the Myth Sky Sect's protection, Mo Nation had firmly secured its stability for the next century.

For a secular nation like Mo Nation, the significance of the Myth Sky Sect was crystal clear; it was a giant that loomed over the entire Yun State.

Mo Nation and Myth Sky Sect, one on the ground and the other in the heavens stood in comparison.

Beginning at the main entrance, Azure Cloud Palace took on a stepped structure, with a gilded dragon throne at the very top. Only one person in Mo Nation could occupy this position—the Emperor of Mo Nation, Zhao Qingyun.

The stepped architecture served to distinguish hierarchy and status, descending in importance from top to bottom.

At this moment, Azure Cloud Palace was nearly filled with people.

Seated upon the dragon throne, Zhao Qingyun, adorned in royal robes and crown, aged around forty, possessed a visage that exuded an imposing aura.

His brows carried an air of unquestionable authority, and his murky dragon-like eyes gleamed, dissuading anyone from meeting his gaze.

Beside Zhao Qingyun, adorned with a phoenix coronet and rosy attire that dazzled, a long gown trailing gracefully on the ground, radiated an aristocratic air.

There sat the protagonist of the day, Zhao Qing'er.

Beside Zhao Qing'er was a young man, dressed in white.

Appearing to be eighteen or nineteen, he crossed his arms, eyes closed in meditation.

With a fair complexion, lips slightly pursed, and disheveled black hair, this handsome young man, if described in one word, would be charming.

The gazes of everyone in Azure Cloud Palace almost unanimously focused on this young man in white, sparking hushed conversations.

"He's Yu Shuai, isn't he? Look at him, so composed and indifferent, as if he doesn't care about us at all. From the beginning, he's been meditating, paying no attention to anyone."

"No surprise there. He's the genius of Myth Sky Sect, rumored to have a talent rating of eight stars. Do you even know what eight stars mean? He's the darling of the Myth Sky Sect. In his eyes, Mo Nation is just a speck, and not to mention us, even the Emperor has to show him with some respects."

"Even so, Yu Shuai has gone too far this time. Haven't you noticed? He came dressed in white. Today is his engagement ceremony, and Princess Royal is in festive red attire. What does he mean by wearing white?"

"It's indeed infuriating, but neither the Emperor nor Princess Royal have said anything. Let's not make trouble for ourselves here. He's from the prestigious martial sect and doesn't conform to worldly customs. It's normal."

Below, discussions buzzed, with most feeling Yu Shuai was being disrespectful.

While the genius of Myth Sky Sect was naturally arrogant, on the day of the engagement, a moment so crucial to an individual, he should take it seriously.

"Why does it matter if he wears white? I'm also dressed in white. If I may say, in terms of charms, Yu Shuai falls short by two levels compared to me."

A booming voice suddenly erupted, showing no restraint.

The speaker was a corpulent man with a shiny face, seated in the middle of the steps.

Weighing over three hundred pounds, his stature required a larger chair than the others.

Also clad in white, the bulky attire made him appear bloated.

With a gleaming bald head and nearly squinted eyes, he actually compared himself to Yu Shuai.

Laughter erupted among the onlookers, wondering where this confidence in the corpulent man came from.

Above, Yu Shuai, who had been meditating, slowly opened his eyes, casting a glance at the corpulent man.

A faint smile appeared on his lips before he closed his eyes once again.

"Even my laughter sounds louder than Yu Shuai's. I believe Princess Royal should be engaged to me."

The overweight man, brimming with self-satisfaction, spoke insolently.

At Princess Royal's engagement ceremony, uttering such disrespectful words, the Emperor remained expressionless and refrained from reproaching him.

The other nobles and ministers merely smiled, knowing well they couldn't afford to offend this corpulent man.

Indeed, his identity was exceptionally significant.

He was the chairman of the newly risen Bai Zhan Chamber of Commerce in Mo Nation over the past two years, known as Bai Zhan.

Despite his young age, under his leadership, the Bai Zhan Chamber of Commerce ascended rapidly and became the foremost chamber of commerce in Mo Nation.

From taverns and auction houses to real estate, it permeated every industry.

One could say that a considerable portion of Mo Nation's economic lifelines rested in his hands.

Not exaggerating, with a single word from Bai Zhan, the entire livelihood of Mo Nation's populace could collapse.

"Fatass, show some respect at Princess Royal's engagement ceremony."

Opposite Bai Zhan, a youth in a black robe, his face indifferent, seemingly born without the ability to smile, spoke up.

While others might be concerned about Bai Zhan's status, he cared little because he also possessed a unique identity.

Ji Mo, the leader of Mo Nation's Black Dragon Society, a Ninth-Rank Master at a young age.

Members of the Black Dragon Society, representing various factions in Mo Nation, were all formidable individuals.

As long as the Black Dragon Society remained stable, the commoners of Mo Nation would enjoy peace.

Hence, whether Bai Zhan or Ji Mo, they were figures that even the Emperor had to show respect to.

In harsh terms, they held sway over whether Mo Nation would be in turmoil or not.

"Your Majesty, it seems everyone has arrived. Let's begin the engagement ceremony."

Worried that Bai Zhan and Ji Mo might quarrel openly, the Fifth Prince hastily stood and shifted the attention back to the main event.

Bai Zhan and Ji Mo exuded a strong martial world aura, and even in Azure Cloud Palace, there were no formalities.

If they were to cause a commotion, it would be disgraceful.

"Wait a moment, someone hasn't arrived yet."

Princess Royal spoke coldly.

"Who?"

"Fang Xiu."

Princess Royal uttered a name that resonated like thunder in the ears of everyone present.

Everyone exchanged glances.

They were no fools, knowing why Princess Royal would invite Fang Xiu crystal clear.

"Do you think Fang Xiu dares to come?"

"He probably doesn't. Princess Royal clearly wants to use Yu Shuai to humiliate Fang Xiu, washing away the disgrace Fang Xiu brought upon her."

"I guess so. If he comes, Yu Shuai will slap him to death with a single palm."

...

Fang Xiu, the least likely person to be mentioned in such a context, suddenly became the center of attention.

Just as people speculated whether Fang Xiu dared to attend, a guard hurriedly entered from outside the hall.

"Reporting to the Emperor, the four young masters of the capital, who came to the banquet, had their legs broken outside the palace gate. Among them, Young Master Qin... has been crippled."

"What?"

At these words, four esteemed middle-aged men stood up from their seats, fury blazing in their eyes.

Without saying, the only ones who could make these middle-aged men so anxious were the fathers of the four masters—the Fifth Prince, the Sixth Prince, Qin Jian, Minister of War, and Li Huai, the Grand Tutor.

"Who did this?"

Li Huai roared on the spot, his anger beyond containment.

The four masters of the capital represented something significant in the capital.

Anyone who dared to touch them, especially outside the imperial palace, blatantly disregarded the royal dignity.

Who could be so audacious?

"I did."

The voice echoed from outside the hall.

All eyes turned to see a figure in resplendent purple attire, having crossed the entrance and entered the hall.