Chapter 231
The Iron Law of the Year has become a complete joke in your case.
Lin Xia's voice finally broke the silence with a clear hint of mockery.
"Third Prince, you are right. Rules are very important. Especially rules that have been passed down for thousands of years."
Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Dai Mubai's eyes, thinking that Lin Xia had been intimidated by the name of the Imperial Iron Law.
However, Lin Xia's next words made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
"but."
Lin Xia abruptly changed the subject, her tone becoming calm yet sharper, like a peerless divine weapon unsheathed.
"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. The purpose of rules is to maintain order, not to become shackles that bind living people, much less a fig leaf for some people to shirk responsibility and escape reality."
Lin Xia took a step forward, and the oppressive feeling from above made Dai Mubai lower his head even further.
"You say you can't make the decision? You say this marriage is a matter of the very foundation of the empire?"
Lin Xia shook her head slightly, her tone indifferent.
"Dai Mubai, don't you really understand?"
"When you're indulging in debauchery in Soto City, flaunting yourself with women on your left and right, as if you're afraid your big brother won't know you're living a life of debauchery, when you recklessly unleash your martial spirit's pressure to bully the weak and disregard the consequences for a hotel room..."
With each word Lin Xia spoke, Dai Mubai's face turned paler and his body trembled.
Lin Xia's gaze was like a cold probe, starkly exposing his most despicable thoughts and actions to the light of day.
"...At that time, did you ever think even a little bit about this ancient ironclad rule? Did you ever think about Zhu Zhuqing's situation and safety as your fiancée? Did you ever think about your duties and reputation as the Prince of Xingluo?"
Lin Xia's voice suddenly turned cold, carrying a clanging sound like metal clashing against stone.
"You have already trampled on this so-called ironclad rule countless times with your own actions!"
"You don't care about the foundation of the empire that this marriage represents! All you care about is your own pleasure and escapism!"
"Your high-sounding excuses today are nothing but a fig leaf to cover up your cowardly, incompetent, selfish, and despicable nature!"
"You...you're spouting nonsense!"
Dai Mubai's deepest, most hidden shame was exposed, and he roared in anger and embarrassment, but his voice was extremely weak and lacked any confidence.
"Slanderous accusations?"
Lin Xia chuckled softly and stopped looking at him, as if even glancing at him would be considered dirty.
Lin Xia looked at Zhu Zhuqing again, her tone returning to calm, yet carrying a strong sense of confidence.
"What Zhu Qing wants is not excuses or pretexts, but freedom. These shackles must be broken today. As for the so-called iron laws of the empire..."
Lin Xia's gaze returned to Dai Mubai, whose face was deathly pale, and she spoke clearly, word by word:
"It has been able to exist for thousands of years because it was once adapted to the times and aligned with the interests of the strong. But when new forces rise and are able to reshape the rules, even the oldest ironclad laws will eventually be broken."
"I, Lin Xia, will personally visit His Majesty the Emperor of Xingluo and Patriarch Zhu to have a proper 'talk' with them. But before that, I need a document."
Lin Xia leaned forward slightly, and although there was a distance between them, Dai Mubai felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him.
"A statement personally written and signed by you, Dai Mubai, the third prince of the Star Luo Empire."
"I hereby declare that Dai Mubai, due to his improper character, immoral conduct, inability to fulfill his obligations under the marriage contract, and his willingness to relinquish it, his marriage contract with Miss Zhu Zhuqing is hereby officially dissolved, effective immediately."
"The two parties have no further connection, are free to marry, and are completely independent of each other!"
Lin Xia's eyes flashed with an undeniable sharpness.
"This statement is the beginning of your atonement, and the first step you take to face reality." "Write it down, sign your name, and affix your seal. Then you can continue to enjoy your 'carefree' life in Soto City."
"otherwise."
Lin Xia's tone suddenly turned icy, and the temperature in the entire lobby seemed to drop accordingly.
“I don’t mind helping you recall how the ‘rules’ evolved in my own way.”
"For example, record your actions in this hotel today, especially your disheveled appearance just now, as well as the two beautiful 'travel companions' beside you, in their entirety. Send one copy to Xingluo City to present to His Majesty, and another copy to the Zhu family mansion. Also, have all the newspapers under the Continental Blacksmith Association publish a summary of it."
"Tell me, when His Majesty and the Zhu family head see the Third Prince, on whom they have placed such high hopes, so 'adhering to ancestral precepts' and 'safeguarding the foundation of the empire' in Soto City, will they be pleased with your 'understanding of the bigger picture,' or will they feel that this ancient ironclad rule has become a complete joke in your case?"
静！
Deathly silence!
Lin Xia's words were like the sharpest ice pick, not only completely shattering Dai Mubai's pretense and wishful thinking, but also hanging the sword called "death" over his head!
Cold sweat poured out of Dai Mubai's forehead and temples like a waterfall, mixing with the still-dry blood, winding down and dripping onto the expensive but damaged carpet.
His handsome face, now twisted in extreme fear, shame, and utter despair, had lost all color, leaving only a deathly pale ashes.
Looking into Lin Xia's calm yet thunderous gaze, Dai Mubai truly felt for the first time what it meant to be absolutely and irresistibly crushed by power!
Everyone else in the hall, including Tang San and Xiao Wu, held their breath.
They watched as the once arrogant and domineering blond prince lay sprawled on the ground like a lump of mud, trembling before Lin Xia's will. Their eyes were filled with complex and indescribable emotions—shock, relief, and a deep awe of absolute power.
Zhu Zhuqing stood quietly beside Lin Xia, watching Dai Mubai's completely broken state, and the last ripple in her heart subsided completely.
She gripped Lin Xia's hand tightly, feeling the warmth and strength emanating from his palm, and an unprecedented sense of relief and ease swept over her entire body.
Zhu Zhuqing knew that the humiliation she was experiencing was only temporary. When Lin Xia's brother said he would "visit her in person" and "have a good talk," his calm and confident demeanor gave her a glimpse of the dawn of freedom.
Dai Mubai's statement will be the sharpest first blow to sever the past.
Lin Xia remained silent, simply watching Dai Mubai and awaiting his decision.
The invisible pressure felt almost tangible, making Dai Mubai nearly suffocate.
He knew he had no room for negotiation.
To write is to live a humiliating existence.
Not writing is utter destruction.
Time slipped away second by second amidst Dai Mubai's silent cold sweat and despair.
Lin Xia didn't urge him any further, but stood calmly, her deep eyes like a still ancient well, reflecting Dai Mubai's broken image.
The invisible pressure was heavier than any soul skill, crushing Dai Mubai's last will to resist.
Time seemed to stretch out infinitely, and every second was torture for Dai Mubai.
He dared not look up at Lin Xia, much less at Zhu Zhuqing, who stood beside Lin Xia and stared coldly at him—his former fiancée, whose contempt at this moment was like a poisoned ice pick, causing him more pain than any physical injury.
Finally, under the double crushing force of extreme fear and humiliation, Dai Mubai's pitiful self-esteem completely crumbled.
Dai Mubai's Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, and he let out a hoarse, broken sob that was almost inaudible.
"...paper...pen..." (End of Chapter)