In the Divine Martial Hall, interlocking dougong structures, yellow tiles covering the top, ten stone columns carved with dragons and phoenixes, exuding grandeur and majesty, a square platform painted in vermilion about two meters high stands at the center as you enter, with three towering coiled dragon and gold columns on each side, each column entwined with a vigorous golden dragon.

In the center of the dome on the ceiling, there is a giant carved coiled dragon, with a silver-white large round pearl hanging down from its mouth, surrounded by six small pearls, the dragon’s head and the treasure are both facing the Divine Martial Throne below.

At this moment, the Divine Martial Emperor majestically sits on the dragon chair on the platform; behind him, the carved dragon screen depicts two golden dragons, scales and claws dancing, double whiskers flying, as if they would soar into the sky. His figure is majestic, wearing a light maroon robe embroidered with nine golden dragons, his head adorned with a high crown, broad forehead, wide face, naturally exuding a sovereign’s intimidating aura.

Opposite him, at the place where civil and military officials pay homage, Jiang Dali and Nie Renwang, as guests of honor, are both seated in their places, engaging in a candid conversation with the Divine Martial Emperor.

Both could sense that outside the Divine Martial Hall, the Divine Martial Guards were encircling, with a large number of Inner Palace Experts and eunuchs already guarding on both sides. Should the two dare to show any disrespect towards the Divine Martial Emperor, these experts would immediately rush in.

However, even the Divine Martial Emperor himself knew very well that at the level of Returning to Truth, unless faced with a strong opponent of the same level or a top-tier expert who has condensed Three Flowers and wields a Divine Weapon, bringing more people would be meaningless; these guards were merely performing their duties to demonstrate their stance.

At this moment, both parties were discussing that Wan Family member, Wan Zhongchen, who came from the Holy Dynasty. When the Divine Martial Emperor saw that Nie Renwang was safely following Jiang Dali, he knew that the special envoy from the Holy Dynasty had failed to succeed, so he frankly and truthfully stated,

"When that Special Envoy Wan visited the Imperial Palace and sought out this Emperor, he inquired about recent developments within our realm. Master Jiang, as a prince of both Da Song and Great Ming, you should know that our vassal states are all under the surveillance of the Holy Dynasty, and that Special Envoy Wan, being a steward of Lingyun Pavilion, indeed holds the authority to inquire about our country’s development.

Therefore, this Emperor truthfully conveyed the recent domestic developments. At that time, Nie Renwang had already gone berserk in the Martial World, instigating an unprecedented massacre, blood washing the Martial World. This Emperor was originally planning to dispatch Inner Palace Experts to unite with the sects in the Martial Arts to stop and subdue Nie Renwang.

Unexpectedly, the Special Envoy Wan volunteered to capture Nie Renwang upon hearing this. Naturally, this Emperor could not refuse, and so agreed. To say that it was this Emperor who actively entrusted that Special Envoy to handle this matter, would not be quite accurate, as this Emperor lacks the authority to command the Holy Dynasty’s envoy to do anything, but this matter did originate because of this Emperor."

Saying this, the Divine Martial Emperor’s eyes shone, raising his hand towards Nie Renwang, saying, "Nie Renwang, your Nie Family has been a line of loyal and courageous individuals for generations. In the past, your ancestor Nie Ying created the Snow Drink Mad Saber to resist the Fire Qilin disaster, whom this Emperor greatly admired and revered.

Sadly, Nie Ying also succumbed to the Mad Blood of the Fire Qilin, becoming crazed and frenzied, slaughtering the Martial World, later disappearing within Lingyun Cave.

Your Nie Family, from that point, to your father Nie Feng and now you, Nie Renwang, have all carried the Mad Blood in your veins. This Emperor asks you, when your Mad Blood erupts, for the sake of countless innocents, should this Emperor capture you and stop you? If you say it should not be done, this Emperor will apologize to you right here and now and offer compensation."

Nie Renwang took a deep breath, recalling the loyalty and righteousness of his forebears, said in a deep voice, "Divine Martial Emperor, you need not say more; we have not blamed you. We have not come this time to seek justice, only to inquire about that Wan Family member, because that Wan Family member is already nearly half-dead."

"What?"

The Divine Martial Emperor was thoroughly shocked, his dragon countenance showed great alarm, "How dare you? You actually dared to gravely injure the special envoy from the Holy Dynasty?"

"Hahaha..."

Jiang Dali laughed aloud, speaking coldly and nonchalantly, "Divine Martial Emperor, why such alarm? It’s merely a special envoy from the Holy Dynasty. According to what you said, he didn’t even come on an official mission from the Holy Dynasty’s government, a person without official standing. Since he dared to act recklessly in a vassal state, what harm is there in me, the village chief, teaching him a lesson?"

"Master Jiang... you truly do not understand the horrific power of the top families of the Holy Dynasty..."

The Divine Martial Emperor gazed at the arrogantly composed Jiang Dali, and, despite internally smiling bitterly, did not know how to further admonish him, and could only curse his bad luck internally.

For him to remain securely on the throne, how deep must his scheming mind be?

After only a little contemplation, he clearly understood, that if he were in the same position as the Black Wind Village Chief, he too might unabashedly strike down the special envoy from the Holy Dynasty.

None other, for being desireless is to be firm, and having nothing to seek is to be strong.

As an emperor, regulated by the Holy Dynasty, many affairs and resources require nurturing influence and connections in the Holy Dynasty to execute, and hence he cannot afford to offend the influential sons of the top families of the Holy Dynasty, but must rather seek their acquaintance.

Yet, the Black Wind Village Chief is not an emperor, with no such entanglements or concerns, his connections with the Holy Dynasty’s government virtually nonexistent, naturally making him fearless of any retribution, with nothing to lose offending the Holy Dynasty’s special envoy.

"Now that the matter has occurred, this Emperor won’t further chastise you two for rashness, but this Emperor must remind you two that the six top families of the Holy Dynasty are not ordinary; each family has at least one peerless expert of the 9th or 8th Returning to Truth realm in every generation, surrounded by followers. You two have harmed a direct descendant of the Wan Family, you must prepare for the Wan Family’s retaliation."