Protect Our Clan Leader

Whether neutral or those more inclined towards the Wang family, everyone was just as shocked as Commandant Liu, feeling that it was simply unbelievable.

Impressive! The Wang family's move was indeed impressive~

Even the King of Zhennan was dumbstruck for a long while before suddenly bursting into hearty laughter: "Hahaha~ Good, good, good! No wonder this is the partner I personally selected. The quality of this Black Armor is exactly what I expected. Princess Su Yun, now you must understand how loyal and diligent I've been, right?!"

What expectations? He never imagined the Wang family could be this impressive.

Princess Su Yun felt deeply ashamed and promptly stood up to apologize to the King of Zhennan: "Old Ancestor Summer Sun, I indeed should not have secretly criticized your decision to cooperate with the Wang family. I will host a banquet to personally apologize to Old Ancestor Summer Sun."

"No need for a banquet." The King of Zhennan laughed heartily, looking very approachable, "Princess, it's just part of your duty, after all~"

Then, he turned his gaze to Commandant Liu, his expression turning cold as he laughed coldly: "Liu Zhide, do you admit your guilt?"

Commandant Liu, with cold sweat all over his face, hastily bowed and defended himself: "Your Highness, my actions might have been harsh, but I did it for the sake of the quality of the Black Armor~"

"I wasn't asking about that issue." The King of Zhennan produced a stack of papers, coldly smiling, "Since you took charge of the Sky Artisan Division, you've received quite a bit of 'tributes'. As for those stubborn artifact refiners unwilling to bribe, you have neglected, ostracized, or even marginalized them."

"The result has been disastrous~~ Nowadays, quite a portion of the ostracized artifact refiners have been forced to abandon their stable jobs, preferring to work in Dongqian. This has led to a severe talent drain in our Immortal Soldier Department."

"I can testify to this." Pei Xin'an stepped forward, "Regarding whether Commandant Liu has engaged in corruption, I have no evidence, so I dare not say. But he did marginalize me and used his authority to exile me to Dongqian. Fortunately, the Dongqian Wang Clan is excellent beyond my expectations and values skilled technical personnel greatly."

"To put it this way, my basic salary plus performance bonuses, along with bonuses for technical breakthroughs, all combined, average earnings of a year are fifteen times that in the Immortal Soldier Department!"

"Ten, fifteen times!?"

Upon hearing this, those examiners who were artifact refiners instantly stiffened on the spot.

Are you kidding?

"Ahem!" The King of Zhennan quickly coughed to stop, "Old Pei, stop spouting nonsense! Especially don't say it here!"

If he keeps talking, many more people might be poached.

"Why can't I speak? Just because you're the King of Zhennan, you can stop people from speaking the truth?" Pei Xin'an showed the attitude of a straightforward provocateur, defiantly retorting, "Every penny of my income is clear and straightforward. Why can't I talk about the money I've earned with my own skills?"

"Can you respect the leader a little?" The King of Zhennan was speechless.

"You, a leader who knows nothing about artifact refining, purely an outsider misdirecting insiders." Pei Xin'an scoffed disdainfully, "You're not even as good as that Wang Shouzhe. Although Wang Shouzhe also knows nothing about artifact refining and often likes to misdirect, at least he's sharp enough to occasionally offer constructive advice."

The King of Zhennan's face turned black with anger.

Pei Xin'an, a foul-mouthed old thing, who wouldn't want to ostracize you?

For a moment, he almost understood Liu Zhde.

"Princess Su Yun, could you please offer some suggestions to the Immortal Emperor?" Pei Xin'an continued passionately, "All these years, we've been quietly contributing to the Human race. We deserve either money or respect, don't we?"

This remark resonated with many artifact refiners on site.

Artifact refiners suffer the most; despite tirelessly crafting weapons and armor day and night, they still endure various criticisms and even have to accept leadership from outsiders. Who can understand their struggles?

"Elder Pei, I've already been informed about this." Princess Su Yun sincerely said, "Let me first apologize to you. I will discuss the matter with His Majesty, including improving the treatment of artifact refiners and allowing more of them into the management ranks. You shouldn't resign... and certainly should not poach people casually, or His Majesty will be furious."

"No, I must resign anyway. I'm not a slave of the Immortal Soldier Department, nor am I a slave of the Immortal Emperor. What does it mean that the Immortal Emperor is furious? Before I caused a stir, why did no one pay attention to us?" Pei Xin'an sneered coldly, feeling somewhat disdainful.

As they say, "spilled water is hard to retrieve". Now that the drawbacks have resulted in bitter consequences, they realize the need for change, but why didn't they act sooner?

He got more emboldened: "The Immortal Emperor has been up high for so many years, never glancing at us. Had she cared a bit more, or supported us a tad more, the situation wouldn't have evolved into this. In my view, her vision isn't even as broad as that Wang Shouzhe, and certainly can't compare to Ningxi."

Everyone was stunned by his boldness, even Wang Ningxi had cold sweat on his forehead.

Pei Xin'an's audacity knew no bounds; spraying his own ancestor in the Wang family was fine, but at this moment, he actually dared to spray the Immortal Emperor!

Wang Ningxi considered himself quite audacious, yet compared to Elder Pei, the gap was still too wide.

Suddenly!

A powerful energy fluctuation erupted in the sky.

In an instant, the heavens transformed.

The entire world seemed to become silent at that moment.

Silver rays like moonlight gathered from the void, at first just specks and dots, quickly evolving into silk-like silver glows, emitting a terrifyingly strong energy wave.

In merely a few breaths, these rays condensed in the sky into a graceful silhouette.

Her hair was styled high, wearing a golden diadem, a complex and solemn imperial robe fluttered lightly in the wind, she was akin to a deity seated high above, exuding unparalleled nobility and universal majesty.

And it was indeed Immortal Emperor Muyun!

Her eyes cast down, surveying below, she calmly spoke: "Who is it, that's insulting this emperor?"

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Immortal Emperor."

Everyone hurriedly bowed in salute.

Even Wang Ningxi pressed his head low, obediently mingling among the crowd to greet, hoping the Immortal Emperor wouldn't notice him.

But the Immortal Emperor, however, discerned Wang Ningxi immediately amongst the crowd, a smile of mixed indignation appeared on her lips: "Are you Wang Ningxi?"

"Well... hehe, I am indeed Ningxi of the Changning Wang Clan," Wang Ningxi chuckled awkwardly twice.

"Good, very good. Your Wang family truly is full of talents." Immortal Emperor Muyun smiled more amiably, "I've heard all about what you've been up to lately. You've really impressed me; even while deep within the palace, I've been alerted."

"Thank, thank you for the praise, your Majesty."

Wang Ningxi felt insecure inside, but he dared not remain silent, so he responded boldly.

"Get!!" The Immortal Emperor stared at his classy face, suppressing her temper once more; finally unable to restrain it, she angrily commanded, "You'd better hurry up and get out of the Frost Moon Immortal Dynasty, and for a hundred years, don't set foot in the Immortal Dynasty!"

"Ah?"

Wang Ningxi, taken off guard by the rebuke, was suddenly bewildered.

Was this... was he being personally punished by the Immortal Emperor?

...