Qing Country, the National Capital.
As the capital, this city was the anchor of the entire Qing Country. One could gauge the nation's stability simply by the atmosphere within its walls.
Early this morning, the city was still at peace. But when news arrived that Dragon-Crushing Pass on the front lines had fallen, panic erupted. From the highest officials to the common folk, everyone was thrown into disarray. All sorts of rumors began to spread, each more outrageous than the last. Some even claimed to have seen Demon Sect Cultivators hundreds of miles away...
"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!"
Inside the Golden Hall, Prince Qing had lost all of his regal bearing. His face was twisted with rage, a clear sign of his extreme fury.
Below the dais, a young man was kneeling.
It was the current Champion Scholar, Zhong Xin.
The Champion Scholar was stained with blood, his aura weak, yet he remained silent, seemingly awaiting whatever punishment Prince Qing would mete out.
