Chapter 85: Justice Unleashed
When Xu Xiaofeng emerged from the Heroic Spirit Trial Tower, she was greeted by a scene that was the complete opposite of what she expected.
The nobles all wore joyful faces, some even hugging each other in excitement.
People are like that.
It’s like if a classroom takes a big test and everyone flops, hanging around in the 58-59 range, while you manage to snag a 69. Instant jealousy, hatred, and slander! They’d think you just stepped in dog poop and got lucky.
But if you scored a perfect 100? Forget jealousy! They’d pump their chests out in pride, declaring there’s a genius among them, gushing about your brilliance!
Of course, there’s always the chance they’ll accuse you of cheating.
Duke Kreimans was living that life. He had just managed to take care of his son, and upon seeing him wake up peacefully, turned around to see Xu Xiaofeng coming out of the tower, having cleared it flawlessly and suddenly the center of everyone’s attention.
The shame and anger bloomed in him instantly, and he bellowed, “I don’t believe it! She must have cheated!”
Elia just chuckled at this, “Duke Kreimans seems so sure, do you have any evidence?”
“No, I…”
“Hmm?”
“Wait! Yes! I do! Kid! Who was your opponent on the twentieth floor?”
“Eh?” Xu Xiaofeng blinked, “Do I have to say that?”
“Of course! If you can’t name them, then you cheated! How could anyone not know their opponent? You must have slipped past without a fight!”
In truth, there are cases where challengers don’t know their opponents, maybe because the opponent is tight-lipped or the challenger just didn’t ask.
Like Xu Xiaofeng, she had chopped through a bunch of no-names and didn’t even remember them.
Kreimans was at his wit’s end and just decided to throw a line out there. What if, right?
Unfortunately, there was no “what if.”
“Let me think… I think he said he’s the vice-captain of the Radiant Knight Order, named Sean.”
“What?! Him?!!”
The gathered nobles collectively gasped, and even Elia was taken aback.
“Tell me, what’s he like?”
Not that Elia suspected Xu Xiaofeng of lying, but this Sean was a special case.
He had been the vice-captain of the Radiant Knight Order a couple of terms ago and was sent off on a special mission, only to vanish without a trace; no one knew if he was alive or dead.
If he really was in the Heroic Spirit Trial Tower, that would mean he was very much dead.
Xu Xiaofeng caught Elia’s seriousness and described Sean with as many details as she could muster.
Once she finished, the nobles exchanged glances while Elia fell silent.
“Is it really him… did he say anything else to you?”
Xu Xiaofeng shook her head, “No, just introduced himself.”
“How did you manage to defeat him?”
Even Elia, who trusted Xu Xiaofeng, began to have doubts. If her opponent was Sean, it seemed hard to believe she could win.
“I challenged him to a bet, and I won! So, he surrendered.”
“That doesn’t count!” Kreimans jumped in, “That doesn’t count towards actually passing!”
Elia was getting annoyed, frowning, “You think you can just dismiss that? You believe your standards surpass those of the Heroic Spirit Trial Tower?”
She didn’t want to waste any more breath on this fool, “Do you have a high opinion of yourself or what?”
Even the previously neutral nobles had had enough: “Duke Kreimans, having someone so young clear the Heroic Spirit Trial Tower is an honor for our Jade Emperor Kingdom. Why be so pushy?”
“Yeah, that bet means nothing to you compared to the pride of our empire. Duke, it’s time to get your priorities straight.”
Kreimans was momentarily at a loss for words, turning to his peers.
But all he saw were heads buried like ostriches, not daring to utter a single word.
He knew he was done for.
What happened here? How did such a great situation flip upside down?
The culprit was her!
He shot a fierce glare at Xu Xiaofeng, but Elia stepped in front of her, glaring right back.
“Duke Kreimans, it’s time to fulfill your promise. The last two tasks I’ll arrange later, but for this one, please.”
“Princess! No, this isn’t right!”
Kreimans dropped to his knees in front of Elia.
Kneeling before a royal princess? Sure, he could deal with that without a problem. But kneeling before some nobody kid? Where was his dignity?
“We, the Kreimans family, have been a prominent family since the founding of the kingdom! We’ve bled for the empire! We’ve accomplished great deeds for the empire! You can’t do this to me!”
Elia sighed heavily.
Sure, your ancestors might have, but what does that have to do with you?
Still trying to leverage your family’s past? Pathetic.
“Guards, it seems Duke Kreimans needs a little assistance.”
Two soldiers stepped forward, grabbing Kreimans on either side.
“Your Highness! You can’t do this! You can’t!”
Meanwhile, his son Wright was also being escorted over by two soldiers.
He had just woken up and was still a bit dazed.
Then, with a “THUD!” his forehead hit the ground, and suddenly he was wide awake.
“Time to speak up.”
Wright struggled hard but couldn’t escape. After a few seconds of stalemate, he professionally shouted, “I’m sorry! I apologize!”
“Eh?” Xu Xiaofeng peeked out from behind Elia with a little head tilt, “Why are you apologizing?”
Hold up, folks! There’s more to this chapter! Click to the next page to continue reading; it’s about to get even more exciting!
“I’m… I’m sorry for interrupting your meal, miss!”
Well, that hit right home with Xu Xiaofeng.
“Alright, I accept.”
And just like that, Wright was freed. He quickly jumped up and bolted away.
As for Kreimans, he had enough strength to stand up, and the two soldiers really couldn’t do much against him without making a scene.
Seeing this, Elia took action herself—one swift kick sent his face into the ground, and she kept her foot firmly pressed down.
“Duke Kreimans, it’s clearly written in black and white; do you want to breach the contract? If you do, I won’t hesitate to call the Royal Knight Order for help.”
With Elia personally stepping in and even dropping the name of the Royal Knight Order, Kreimans grasped that she was determined to humiliate him further in front of everyone.
But he was powerless to resist.
He shot one last glare at Xu Xiaofeng, then shouted, “I apologize!”
Xu Xiaofeng poked her chin thoughtfully, tilting her head, “No sincerity; I won’t accept that.”
Hearing this, the other nobles gasped.
She was bold!
Even Kreimans was taken aback.
And Elia?
She smirked, pressing down harder, “Where’s the sincerity?”
“I apologize! I sincerely apologize on behalf of my son for bothering you!”
“That’s not right! You are you, and your son is your son.”
“I apologize for my offense!”
“Can’t hear you. Not accepting such a quiet apology.”
“I sincerely apologize for my offense!!”
“Good! Very spirited! Next! Ugh! I accept it.”
This performance left the watching nobles completely dumbfounded.
And it was like throwing Kreimans’s face in the dirt and rubbing it in over and over again.
