NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30: The Conspiracy
"In your current state you might not be able to take them, but if you had help—" once more, Cai'er was cut off mid-speech.
"Ha! Help me? If you guys had the help, you wouldn't need me," Spark spat scornfully. Putting his hands on her cheeks, he pushed her away from him. "And next time, it would be in your best interest not to get that close."
Wearing an enchanting smile, she teased, "Why? You afraid you can't restrain yourself?"
The smile on Spark's face widened as his eyes flashed crimson. "You have no idea."
Before she could continue speaking, he got up, walked past her, and headed for the door. "Tell me the rest on our way to your home."
Rolling her eyes, Cai'er had no choice but to follow. And just like that, Guo and the two made their way back to Elder Wei's mansion—and this time, they took a carriage.
On their way, Cai'er fully briefed him on the help they would be rendering. It turned out that she meant bestowing him an Essence Artifact.
Apparently, these were magical tools created by Essence Weavers—tools, weapons, and items with powers that went beyond understanding.
In a battle between two cultivators of the same level, if one of them were to use an Essence Artifact, the battle would tilt massively in their favor. It was said that some could even help someone challenge above their level.
These artifacts were divided into four known levels: Black, Earth, Spirit, and Legendary. It was said that a Legendary Artifact was so rare that only a very high-level Essence Weaver could create one.
"So the artifact you'll be getting is an armor type. Though we don't really know the level of this artifact, we can be sure that it's at least above Black.
Meaning that taking them and breaking them would be possible," she finalized.
Spark, who was lying down lazily opposite her in the carriage, asked, "Hmm. Let me guess—you guys want half of the loot."
Cai'er just smiled at the question. "Seventy! We provide the location, the equipment, and the transport... I'm sure you know you can't move all the treasures alone.
These guys didn't steal from only us, and neither is this their first time."
"So where does our deal come into play? So far, all you've told me is about a deal where it's win-win. I don't see why I would still owe you a trip to Nightmare Paradise."
Her smile grew wider, as though she had been waiting for the question. "First of all, this pill I told you about is invaluable. It's not something you can buy with money." Then she paused, and her expression grew somber all of a sudden.
"The pill is worth more than all the treasures combined… And remember when I told you I have a terminal condition? That pill would be able to extend my life. Though it might not completely cure me, it's the same as a second life. For me, it's invaluable."
Gazing straight into Spark's eyes, she continued, "And I'm ready to forfeit all the other seven pills in it that are just as valuable… And also, without me, no one can open the safe where they dwell."
Immediately after she finished talking, the carriage came to a stop. They had finally arrived at Elder Wei's place.
…
Meanwhile, somewhere else at the empire's center—where the royal palace resided…
One had to give it to the Yang Empire. Though they were on their last legs, their palace was as majestic as could be.
And right at this moment, within one of the luxurious halls of the palace—a place tiled with crystalline marble-like material—it was as though each square contained a variety of stars.
Pillars cast from sun-kissed crystals emitted a glorious illumination like the sun itself. Each had a pair of dragons crafted with jade, intertwining each other. These divine pillars were so huge and so tall they supported the ceiling of the castle like Mount Buzou supports the sky.
At the center of this illustrious hall, littered with armed guards, were two men.
One was dressed in luxurious garments embroidered with the finest gems. His neck was heavy with jade necklaces, and each finger was fitted with a void-stone-crafted ring.
His hair was silky black, and his eyes shone with domineering green. He wore a charming smile as he greeted, "Viscount Ji, to what do I owe this delightful visit?"
The man's eyes shone with expectation as he pressed, "Is it good news on the goods I asked for?"
And the second, as you might have guessed, was much lackluster in comparison to this dashing and luxurious man.
It was fat, no-neck, beady-eyed Viscount Ji. He quickly replied with a flattering expression, "Your Majesty Prince Li, this servant is just here to give some information."
Viscount Ji had thought long and hard about his next move in getting rid of the so-called martial artist that Cai'er seemed to be interested in.
He knew the martial artist would also have an interest in her—what man wouldn't?
And if they did get some ideas, and the martial artist took her to his martial school, or used some of his martial connections to cure her, that would make Ji's leverage over her null.
And Viscount Ji couldn't accept that.
But the thing was—he was fat, not stupid. The resources and men it would take to capture a martial artist, injured or not, weren't something he could afford.
So he had an idea. Since he couldn't get the job done, why not point a bigger dog to this wounded prey? This way, he would both gain Prince Li's favor and get rid of this pest of a martial artist.
Two deep dimples appeared on his face as he spoke to Prince Li slowly, "I heard your request about needing a martial artist slave, and I have the location of one. No worries, my Prince—I've done my research. He's badly injured… In simple terms, he's easy prey."
Prince Li's face lit up with excitement. "You don't know how long I've sought one. The last one I auctioned from our neighbor, the Zhuo Empire, perished not too long ago. But I need another—they're more resilient than regular slaves.
I need any level—even one at Body Refinement would do."
Fatty Ji's dimples deepened. "Well, my lord, look no more. From my reports, this is a man of at least the peak of Bone Forging Realm. Added with his injury, a Body Refinement master could make quick work of him."
As the fatty was speaking, a messenger rushed in, bowed to the prince, then whispered something in his ear.
Viscount Ji, on learning this new information, had his eyes blaze with cunning light. "My Prince, I just got new information—he has just arrived at Merchant Wei's place...
So what do you say we start planning the ambush?"
The prince responded with an eerie smile…