He was struck by lightning in the street before he even set off, and the onlookers who lined the road to see him off immediately started discussing it:

"Oh my god! The Ninth Prince has been struck by lightning!"

"I heard that the Ninth Prince went on this expedition to take the blame for that gang of bandits."

"I've heard about it too. Apparently, it was that little bandit from the Ji family who killed the prince of the Di Kingdom, which is why the Ninth Prince had no choice but to launch a western expedition to attack the Di Kingdom. He even signed a military pledge!"

"A bolt from the blue! This is a warning from heaven. The bandits have caused trouble, incurring the wrath of both heaven and man!"

Ji Fengyao and Xique were already used to the heavens striking them with lightning at the drop of a hat, but they were still annoyed to hear the nonsense of these onlookers.

The magpie immediately lashed out with her long red whip and roared, "What nonsense are you spouting? Believe me or not, I'll whip you!"

This long whip was the one Ji Fengyao had just confiscated from Song Huiru. In her anger, Xi Que infused it with three-tenths of her spiritual power, and the fiery red whip tip smashed the bluestone slabs on the street, causing them to crack like spider webs, which frightened everyone into silence.

Good heavens, what kind of superhuman strength do these bandits possess?

A flimsy whip can crack a bluestone slab!

If someone were to be injected with this, would they survive?!

"Those bastards from the enemy country tried to ambush my lord and princess during a hunt, which is why Young Master Ji killed them!" Bai Lu was also furious and loudly defended her master, saying, "You are all people of the Great Zhao, and the capital is our home. Those bastards broke into our home and killed people, and you still speak up for them. Where is your conscience!"

After hearing Bai Lu's words, the onlookers were speechless.

Everyone felt like they'd bitten off more than they could chew, and their faces stung.

On the imperial carriage at the very front of the procession, the Emperor and Empress also noticed the commotion behind them.

The Empress glanced at Bai Lu and whispered to Aunt Song Shan beside her, "That bandit has two capable maids by his side. Tell the people below to be careful."

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Aunt Songshan bowed her head and accepted the order.

The Emperor pondered the matter of the lightning striking the carriages of the Ninth Prince, and countless brilliant thoughts arose in his mind.

Only Shang Beiyu, hidden in the crowd, was moved by this scene.

A thought flashed through his mind like lightning:

That person seemed to have died as divine retribution.

But those who die in the Heavenly Tribulation have always been annihilated, both in body and spirit.

Even if that person were exceptionally beautiful, it would be impossible for them to survive.

Even if that person were incredibly lucky to survive, after the tribulation, his soul would be almost completely destroyed, and he would not have the strength to break through the many barriers of time and space to be reborn in this world abandoned by the gods.

Shang Beiyu found the idea too absurd and immediately dismissed it.

Although the lightning strike was strange, it was also something that could not be found by any means.

Shang Xiye and Ji Fengyao switched carriages, and the procession continued its journey, thus putting the matter aside for the time being.

West Gate.

Ji Fengyao, Shang Xiye, Ji Chenhai, Ji Fengming, and Hei Xiao had red eyes as they reluctantly parted ways.

The people pretended to be as miserable and sorrowful as could be, and many onlookers were moved to tears.

"Waaaaah, the Ninth Prince truly loves this bandit!"

"This bandit really loves the Ninth Prince! Waaaaah!"

"This bandit went on the last Nine Princes' western expedition. Why not let her go this time? She looks so pitiful."

Hu Ji, who was listening in the crowd, suddenly had an idea. He knelt down, covered his face, raised his arms and shouted: "Please allow the bandits to march west, plunder the Di Kingdom, and make Zhao rich and powerful!"