"Xue Beng. So it's that fake-idiot Fourth Prince from the novel," Yun Chuan mused after hearing the noble youth's identity. No wonder he sensed this was an act—if it was Xue Beng, all that arrogance made sense.
It had ties to Spirit Hall: after Qian Renxue assassinated Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, she used her soul bone's transformation power to take his place. To consolidate the crown prince's succession, she began eliminating rival princes. Eventually, only 'Xue Qinghe' and Fourth Prince Xue Beng remained.
Seeing his brothers murdered one by one, Xue Beng realized he was next. To save himself, he pretended to be an idle playboy—drinking, womanizing, causing trouble—making it clear he was no threat. He survived for now not through skillful acting, but because his father, Emperor Xue Ye, asked the 'crown prince' to spare at least him as a show of mercy, just as his own ascension had left one brother alive.
Qian Renxue, aware Xue Beng was only pretending, honored Xue Ye's wishes—for now. Once she inherited the throne, taking care of Xue Beng would be easy.
So, Xue Beng's survival wasn't because he fooled anyone—it was imperial order that kept him alive. He was, essentially, a pig by decree.
Yun Chuan's mind whirred; a plan formed. Outwardly, he smiled calmly at Xue Beng and his followers:
"I've never met anyone brave enough to speak to me this way. Very courageous…"
He summoned a simple Blue Silver Grass, and circles of soul rings appeared:
—Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black.
"A Soul King?!"
The noble youths paled. It wasn't that they feared mere power, but such mastery at a young age suggested deep backing—no ordinary, wild soul master.
They realized they might have kicked a steel plate this time.
"What are you trying to do? This is the Fourth Prince!" a lackey warned, hiding behind Xue Beng, posturing with borrowed dignity.
Xue Beng, seeing Yun Chuan poised to act, also grew nervous. A real troublemaker—someone who knew his royal status and dared lay a hand on him! He barked bravely:
"I'm the Fourth Prince! If you so much as touch me, there's nowhere to hide in Tiandou!"
"Oh? Prince?" Yun Chuan sneered. His voice turned icy. "Even if the emperor himself came, I'd still give him a beating!"
With those words, Yun Chuan's Blue Silver Grass elongated into a whip—one bristling with thorns, though, with some restraint, he dismissed the barbs to prevent real injury.
Ever since whipping Tang San, Yun Chuan found using the vine whip oddly satisfying—loud, humiliating, not truly harmful if he held back, but great for teaching lessons.
Next:
CRACK!
A whip snapped the air.
"Kneel? Lick shoes?"
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
"Ow! Ow! I'm the Fourth Prince, you dare—" Xue Beng wailed.
CRACK!
"Stop!!"
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK…
The echoing whip reverberated down the corridor—followed by loud, desperate screams.
Yun Chuan whipped away with obvious enjoyment, as if teaching unruly grandchildren, until the group of noble brats tumbled to the ground, rolling and howling in pain.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!!!
After hundreds of lashes, the "aristocrats" were groaning, half-conscious from pain.
Yun Chuan stopped before truly hurting them—no need to escalate and incur noble vengeance. He let the vine vanish and ignored the gawking guests peeking from behind doors, strolling off unbothered.
Soon after, curious patrons emerged, seeing the whipped nobles sprawled shamefully. Many laughed, having suffered these brats' bullying before.
Shortly after, healing soul masters arrived to treat the wounded—especially Xue Beng, whose status would shut down the restaurant if he were seriously harmed.
With diligent effort, the group recovered physically, but mental scars remained.
Xue Beng, teeth clenched, commanded, "Someone dares beat me in Tiandou—find the Blue Silver Soul King and arrest him!"
News quickly spread:
Fourth Prince Xue Beng, beaten unconscious by a Blue Silver Soul King!
When 'Crown Prince' Xue Qinghe (Qian Renxue) heard, she was stunned. "A Blue Silver Soul King? Could that little rascal be here? Making such a stir—trying to tell me he's arrived?"
Her face softened with indulgence, as if seeing a mischievous brother.
And indeed, Yun Chuan had caused such trouble as a signal—he was here!
(End of Chapter 113)