Chapter 107: This Prince-Consort-to-be is Quite Handsome. What a Pity.

By evening, Xu Ming had finished helping Fang Ling with the farm work.

The elder invited Xu Ming to his home for dinner, and Xu Ming, unable to decline, accepted the invitation.

Madam Fang slaughtered an old hen and made a pot of soup for Xu Ming, adding wild mushrooms from the mountains, resulting in a rich and savory flavor. She also collected a few fresh eggs from the coop, frying them in lard to make sunny-side-up eggs, which she then stir-fried with chili peppers, creating a dish that was both appetizing and aromatic. Accompanied by a plate of garland chrysanthemum and a dish of braised pork, the dinner was exceptionally sumptuous.

After dinner, Fang Ling invited Xu Ming to play chess. As they played, they chatted casually.

"Xu Ming," Fang Ling began, "the issue of powerful clans and aristocratic families is the most difficult to address. You know that Wu Kingdom was founded on martial strength. Back then, there were over a dozen forces in this region. The allegiance of aristocratic families was critical.

"Every time a faction pledged loyalty, did you have to offer them benefits? And that was how the unchecked power of these families began to take root.

"Thankfully, we adopted Qi Kingdom's imperial examination system, which provided opportunities for the children of commoners and ordinary families. Combined with the reforms of several previous monarchs, the influence of these clans has been significantly curtailed.

"However, in many places—especially in remote towns like this one—the influence of powerful clans remains overwhelming. On one hand, the court doesn't pay much attention to these areas. On the other, these small towns are weak in governance, while nearby sects have entrenched themselves for centuries. When a family sends one of its members to become a disciple of a sect, the family uses the sect's influence to expand its power rapidly.

"The sects often tolerate or even encourage this behavior because it benefits them as well.

"The four powerful families of Baihe County, for instance, are all supported by four nearby sects.

"Does the court want to intervene? Of course. But how?

"The local connections in these places are deeply intertwined. Officials, clerks, and constables are all locals. Can you expect them not to accept bribes? Then add a corrupt magistrate into the mix—do you think the magistrate would refuse bribes?

"When the magistrate becomes complicit, the entire county descends into chaos.

"In my opinion, compared to feudal lords, the powerful clans and aristocratic families are an even bigger problem for Wu Kingdom.

"Feudal lords are like tigers, but the aristocratic families in every locality are like termites. You can't afford not to deal with tigers, but neither can you ignore the termites. Left unchecked, these termites could undermine the very foundations of Wu Kingdom.

"So if Xu Pangda wants to solve these cases, it's going to be extremely difficult. I doubt you'll even find any evidence."

Xu Ming took a sip of wine and said, "I think so too. That's why I've been considering not bothering with evidence at all."

"Oh?" Fang Ling looked at Xu Ming curiously.

Xu Ming didn't hold back. "Since Yu Ping'an has his concerns, it's not appropriate for us to report this to the Emperor and make it a big issue. But if we handle these cases the usual way, who knows how many years it'll take to resolve them?

"Before I left the capital, His Majesty gave me a jade token."

Xu Ming took out the jade token and placed it on the table. Carved on the token was a sword entwined with a dragon.

"His Majesty told me this token has two uses: one, to mobilize the local military, and two, to exercise the right to act first and report later when dealing with officials below the fifth rank or ordinary citizens.

"Mobilizing the military isn't necessary—it would cause too much trouble in the court. But the right to act first and report later should be fine."

Fang Ling stared at Xu Ming solemnly. "Xu Ming, have you thought this through?"

Fang Ling understood what Xu Ming intended to do.

Since there was no evidence, Xu Ming didn't plan to look for any. His strategy was simple: eliminate the four powerful clans in Baihe County first. Without their leaders, their influence would crumble, fear would spread, and resistance would diminish. Then Xu Pangda could take over and properly investigate the situation.

But Fang Ling had his reservations.

He advised, "Xu Ming, you're just a martial artist at the Heroic Soul Realm. That's not enough for you to act with impunity in Baihe County.

"Even if you manage to find evidence that proves the four clans deserve death, what then? There will still be people in the court who will criticize you.

"The more favor you gain from His Majesty, the more dangerous it becomes for you. Many would love to see you fall.

"You may not want to marry into the royal family, but others certainly do. Besides, you'd risk offending four sects!

"These four clans are the local representatives of their respective sects. Those sects will undoubtedly ensure their disciples remain untouched. Even if you purge the clans, finding solid evidence against their crimes will be nearly impossible.

"And according to the laws of Wu Kingdom, if you kill them without just cause, their sects have the right to send cultivators of equal strength to seek revenge against you. They won't care that you're the Kingdom's top scholar."

Xu Ming listened to Fang Ling's words and smiled. "I understand, Senior Fang. That's exactly why I welcome it. Let them come. I could use the practice."

"You… sigh. Forget it," Fang Ling shook his head. "I should've known you wouldn't be the type to play it safe. If you were, you wouldn't have joined the Blood Asura Battalion nor would you have called off your engagement.

"When you can't hold out any longer, return to the capital. Settle down as the prince-consort. No one would dare touch you then."

Xu Ming placed another chess piece on the board. "We'll see when the time comes."

After playing a few more rounds of chess with Fang Ling, Xu Ming bid farewell and left.

Walking through the streets of Baihe County, the houses were dark, their lights extinguished for the night. The silence of the evening was broken only by the gentle glow of moonlight casting its silver sheen over the town.

As he walked, Xu Ming suddenly felt a subtle shift in his surroundings. His brows furrowed slightly, but he continued onward.

It wasn't long before he turned a corner and came to an abrupt stop.

Beneath him was a glowing formation, its lines blood-red as if painted with fresh blood.

The formation began to spread, like red ink dissolving in water, pooling into a crimson stain. From the bloody pool, spectral hands began clawing their way toward Xu Ming's feet.

"Heh."

Xu Ming sneered and stomped his foot down hard.

A surge of martial energy burst forth, shattering the ground within a two-meter radius around him. The cobblestones crumbled under the force, sending a cloud of dust into the air.

As the dust cleared, a figure emerged—a man with an effeminate appearance, utterly devoid of masculinity, as if he had cultivated techniques that sapped him of vitality.

Looking at the man, Xu Ming smirked. "Let me guess, you're here to take my life?"

"Correct."

The man, Li Hui, waved his hand, scattering several ghostly talismans into the air. From each talisman, ghastly apparitions emerged, shrieking as they rushed toward Xu Ming.

Meanwhile, atop a nearby roof, a girl in a black dress sat with one leg crossed over the other, lightly tapping her jade foot against the tiles. Resting her chin on her hand, she watched the scene below with a faint smile.

"This prince-consort-to-be," she mused, "is actually quite handsome. What a pity—he's going to die tonight."