The cheering of the spectators stopped and everyone turned their heads to look at the source of the voice.
"Father?" Song Yue's eyes were widened in surprise as she spotted Song Yun standing on a flying sword with hands on his back. His expression was rather serious.
"Minister Song?" The Emperor stood up from his throne. The Supreme Commander and the Grand Secretariat followed the suit.
"Even if he didn't let go of his grudges, he shouldn't have come now." The third prince twitched his lips. Despite how he didn't get any role in this trial, still, his brother was punished, and his childhood friend Song Yue was served justice. But, then, this man had to crash the celebrations.
The third prince was aware that Song Yun woke up but he kept silent because neither Song Yue nor her father wanted to reveal it yet.
Meanwhile, Mark was stunned for a second, "this man isn't in a coma?" He glanced at Song Yue and wondered whether this is why she didn't hold a grudge against him. "Was my apology unnecessary?"
But then, upon seeing that she appeared to be surprised, he misunderstood that she might have known about it or Song Yun probably woke up, a while ago. He shook his head and mumbled to himself, "It doesn't matter either way."
While the other ministers were just as surprised as everyone for they have been in the dark, the crown prince, who was disgraced earlier, suddenly saw a ray of hope because he was confident that a proud man like Song Yun would never lower his head against a commoner like Mark even if the latter is some Cerberus slayer.
As for Zhang Clan's representatives and Song Chang, their faces darkened.
After reaching the trial platform, Song Yun jumped from the flying sword and landed on the ground.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." He cupped his fists and bowed.
The Emperor nodded with a smile, "You are back, Minister Song. I was worried that you will be in deep sleep for a long time."
"Your Majesty, it's all thanks to Commander Bai." He cupped his fists to his cousin too.
He didn't explain any details. Everyone including the Emperor just thought that he was thanking Bai Xun for giving him a place to stay and looking after him and his family while he was unconscious. Mark felt something amiss but he didn't think too much and focused on him to see what he wants to say.
Song Yun then turned around. His first gaze didn't fall on Mark but was on Zhang Kong's father, the minister of Justice.
"Zhang Lei, this isn't over yet. You can be assured that I will pay back a hundred folds in return. But for now, I have to settle an old case." He didn't bother to hide his animosity even in front of the Emperor. Being very close with him, the Emperor was also silent and let him talk about what he wanted to.
Song Yun then turned towards Mark, "I have been watching you from the stands. You aren't guilty of killing a few of my clansmen or destroying the property. But, this is something personal that is between us. I'm not willing to settle this matter."
"So?" As Mark calmly responded to him, Song Yun turned around and looked at the Emperor, "Your Majesty, I will welcome your judgment. However, the justice will be completely served when I, the victim will get an opportunity to settle the things with him, once in for all."
"How do you wish to do that, Minister Song?" The Emperor asked while hoping that this man will not propose a stupid thing like a life and death battle.
"A one-on-one battle," Song Yun went ahead and did the most foolish thing. "The one who is involved in injuring me, Lu Zhen, and that stoic-faced servant." He pointed at Allen.
"I will erase this debt if the both of them managed to defeat me. If they will be defeated, they will apologize on their knees and Lu Zhen will take an oath with the Heavens as the witness that he will stay away from my daughter." After announcing boldly, he turned around once again and looked at Mark, "do you dare to accept this challenge?"
Some felt that he was brave; some felt that he was foolish; some are excited to see the prowess of Cerberus Slayer; some wishes to see how Lu Zhen will be shown his place while others worried that nobles will be shamed once again.
"Father, please let's not drag this matter and return home." Song Yue stepped forward and pleaded to him with a worried tone. The tears on her cheeks were dried up and her makeup messed a bit.
"Shut up." Song Yun, who was boiling in anger, shouted at his daughter for the time. "Siding with my enemy, I was disappointed in you, the most."
"Father," Another shock hit Song Yue while the crown prince smiled a bit. Her legs suddenly lost their strength and lost her balance.
Mark was quick to catch her. Continuing to support her by grabbing her arm, he stared at Song Yun. His gaze turned cold, "You are the prime example of a noble who looks down on commoners. Perhaps, defeating you once again in front of everyone will make people understand that not every commoner will bow their head. I accept your challenge."
"Your Majesty, we are waiting for your permission." Song Yun cupped his fists and bowed to the Emperor.
The Crown Prince opened his mouth, "Your Majesty, I believe we should let the two of them settle their matter by themselves."
For Shang Zexi, both Mark and Song Yun are enemies. If they want to go ahead and beat each other up, he will encourage them from the bottom of his heart.
Moreover, if Song Yun will suffer a defeat, he can use it to his advantage and make sure Song Chang stays in the position. If Mark gets defeated, then, his humiliation will be avenged.
Either way, he was the winner. So, he supported Song Yun.
The Emperor turned his head towards the Grand Secretariat for the first time, "what do you think?"
The latter nodded in agreement. The Supreme Commander also thinks that it is appropriate.
"Very well," The Emperor gave the permission and also slowly Bai Xun to make sure to protect Song Yun in case he was badly injured.
As everyone dispersed, leaving Allen, Mark, and Song Yun in the middle of Arena, the former clan head of Song clenched his fist and said to his opponent, "the last time, you took me by surprise. But, you won't get such an opportunity. I'm going all out today."
"Try your best to stay alive." Mark calmly replied, trying to provoke him.
The Imperial Guards and Bai Xun stood before the Emperor's tent for the latter's protection. The second prince was on guard to protect the third prince and others.
Amid everyone's gaze, Song Yun proceeded to summon an exquisitely curved staff, stunning the spectators. It was in the shape of a traditional dragon with whiskers and is inscribed with mystic symbols all over it.
"Song Yun has a Semi-Divine weapon?" The Emperor and the other Exalt realm experts recognized it with a single glance. The Grand Elder regretted breaking their alliance with Song Clan.
Mark was clueless about it but he wasn't in a situation where he cares about it, anyway because his opponent released the ether energy, revealing his peak-stage six-circle realm cultivation. Allen was the one that informed him when asked.
"Come on, what you are waiting for," Song Yun pointed the staff at Mark, provoking him.
"Well, then." Mark opened the inventory and clicked on the attack helicopter.
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