“Lian, what do you think he’s reading?” I asked her as I sat on my bed to cultivate.
“I’m not sure,” Lian said with a shrug as she sat by the side.
“Maybe it might be the same letter you received from an unknown source that revealed the assassination plot of the Sword Divine Kingdom against you and Young Master Zaitian,” she said calmly.
I pondered for a moment before saying doubtfully, “I don’t think it’s that.
He obviously cherishes the letter.
Who would cherish a letter that talks about their assassination?”
ZAITIAN’S POV
I stood at the center of my training field while practicing the Heaven Freedom Sword Art, using my mind to simulate my battle with Princess Xue and those demonic beasts.
I stood alone in the training area, swinging my wooden sword while pondering my current situation.
Relax, Host.
One at a time.
“I think we should explore the city under the clan’s control,” I suddenly said.
At least I can learn her hidden agendas.
The Next Day
“Mei, have you passed my suggestion to Princess Xue?” I asked while putting on my grand outfit.
“I’ve done as you suggested,” Mei said while looking at my back.
“Do you know any interesting places down in the city?
So that she won’t find the Long Clan boring?” I asked with a helpless sigh.
Maintaining the clan’s reputation is really stressful.
After I was done dressing up, I went outside and sat inside the carriage.
It was the size of a room, already prepared for us, with two white griffins waiting to carry it.
After a few breaths—
“Mei.
Are you sure she received my message?” I asked impatiently.
“I did as you instructed.”
When the sun reached its zenith, I was already angry.
“Did she think that this Young Master doesn’t have a temper?” I said coldly.
“Young Master, I’ve gone there for the umpteenth time, and Lian said that Her Highness is still dressing up,” she said calmly, though there was a bit of tiredness in her voice.
“Sorry for making you all wait,” Princess Xue said as she gracefully walked into the carriage with Lian by her side.
I didn’t say a word.
My face was cold and emotionless, the result of barely suppressed fury.
“Xue.
Don’t.
You.
Dare.
Make.
Me.
Wait.
Again,” I said, each word as cold as the depth of an abyss.
My reaction surprised everyone, because I had been keeping myself in check since she arrived.
Perfect, Host.
At least she will know her limits.
If not, you will be manipulated and schemed against gradually.
I don’t know, System.
But it feels like my bloodline is also gradually affecting my emotions.
Whether it’s a good thing or bad, time will tell.
The procession to Long City was quiet.
Everyone kept to themselves.
The procession eventually stopped, but not inside the city—some miles away from the city entrance.
Through the window, I could already see a black mass of people lined up to enter.
“We are here, Young Master,” one of the six guards accompanying us said.
I stepped out first, followed by Princess Xue and the rest.
“Why did we stop here, Young Master?
Are you trying to punish me so that I will stand in line together with these people?” Princess Xue suddenly asked, alarmed.
“What if that’s what I had in mind?” I said evenly while heading toward the entrance on foot.
She sighed and brought out a veil to hide her face before hurriedly following me, together with the rest of them.
“Young Master.
Take this mask.
Your identity is still not yet public, and it will also help us avoid unnecessary attention,” Mei said as she brought out an onyx-black obsidian mask.
I looked at it for a while before taking it and masking my face.
It will be a shame to hide my heavenly face.
Do you want to cheat on her this early?
the System said with a tease.
I ignored it.
As we approached the city entrance, the heavy, bloody presence emitted by the six guards made those in line instinctively move aside.
Everyone held their breath, as though trying to avoid attracting the Yama King’s wrath.
This attitude angered some people who had been waiting heaven knows how long.
“I hate all these rich, spoiled, arrogant young fellows of the sects.
Thinking that the whole world is their backyard,” a voice suddenly echoed amidst the crowd.
I paused, then turned toward the direction of the voice.
“What are you looking at?
Do you think I’m afraid of you?”
A man dressed in a green robe stood there, surrounded by several others wearing the same attire.
He’s from a sect or some organized group.
If I kill him now, will the entire ancestry of his sect hunt me to death because he’s the favored son of a powerful elder?
“Young Master.
His is from a low rank sect” Mei said through voice transmission.
A little smirk appeared on my face.
Then I continued walking toward the entrance.
“Will you all just stand there and let him pass?” the man continued while clenching his teeth.
Everyone remained quiet and pretended they hadn’t heard him.
This is the cultivation world for you.
One’s strength matters.
“He looks rich.
What if we split the spoils of war together after taking him down?
Just imagine the huge chunk of resources they’re currently carrying,” he continued after seeing the crowd’s silence, trying to agitate their greed.
Some people’s eyes flickered briefly before they quietly shifted their posture.
Resources?
When I’m broke?
Maybe from others.
But this man is seeking his own death.
I turned to one of the guards, then continued walking away with the rest of the group.
The guard I had turned to was dressed in purple, with a heavy sword strapped to his back.
A malevolent aura leaked from him, making the temperature at the entrance decrease rapidly.