NOVEL NEXT Chapter 38: Second Prince Jian
Back at the Yang illustrious royal castle, within one of the vast upper chambers…
A luxuriously designed room came into sight. Everything in said room—ranging from desks, rugs, chairs, and even the massive king-sized mattress—was sculpted from gold, imbued with various exotic gems and ancient inscriptions.
And right now, a robust figure could be seen sitting at his desk facing the window, dressed in regal robes and humble sandals, his hair silky black and his eyes a familiar royal green.
Though his features were more defined, the young man still bore an uncanny resemblance to Crown Prince Yang Li.
This man in question was none other than the second prince of the Yang Empire, Yang Jian—the first runner-up in the race for the throne, and the only other cultivator apart from the emperor in the royal family.
He was known as a genius in martial arts. In fact, he had just begun cultivating barely a year ago and was already half-step into the Meridian Opening Realm.
In his hands was an ancient-looking scroll—a message sent to him by Merchant Wei. The old man was one of his allies supporting him in the race for the throne.
Unlike the other princes, Prince Jian was the most favored son of the emperor. In fact, if not for his elder brother's mysterious backing, Prince Jian might already be the crowned successor…
"Bastard!!" Prince Jian fumed upon reading the contents of the message. Wisps of smoke drifted from his palms as the scroll quickly caught fire, reducing it to ashes.
"That fool clearly disregards me and Father. To think he dares set his sights on a martial artist…" Prince Jian condemned.
Going after a martial artist like this was a blatant insult to both himself and their father, the emperor—after all, they were both martial artists themselves.
Prince Jian's face darkened. "Who the hell is backing eldest brother? For him to make such an unrestrained move, and for Father to keep overlooking and tolerating his repeated hubris…
Anyway, with this, I have the opportunity to send him on his mission prematurely."
Unlike a martial artist like him and his father, Merchant Wei and his elder brother would never understand the significance of a martial artist who battled an immortal and lived to tell the tale.
They might know it was an outstanding feat, but they couldn't comprehend how outstanding.
One had to know: if a martial artist and a Qi cultivator of the same level were to battle, nine out of ten times the cultivator would win. So for this mysterious man to have battled what he estimated to be a Tribulation Realm expert and still survived—he must be an expert beyond imagination.
Getting to his feet, he headed toward the emperor's court. He had to see his father quickly. "Let's see if Father will still let you act unrestrained on this matter… Elder brother, you can't blame me. You can only blame yourself," he muttered, a cunning glint flickering in his eyes.
…
At the Prosecutors' Quarters…
"What do you mean the prince sent you to retrieve him?" Haoran questioned while overseeing his subordinates escort Spark into the waiting cells.
Bo frowned. "The prince said to tell you that the man is of utmost importance to him and must be handed over immediately."
Haoran glanced at Bo, his expression hidden beneath his golden visor, but his voice remained as stoic as ever. "Well then, I'll need you to go back to the prince and tell him that, though I do appreciate his help in pointing out a suspected criminal…
He should also be aware that I am a man of justice, and I will never do something such as handing over a captive of my brigade."
Bo was just about to retort when the captain added:
"I thought His Highness was aware of this before he came to me. After all, it's well known that I don't play such games," the captain's voice betrayed a frown.
Tch… the prince was well aware of this. Sending you there was all a ploy to make you guys engage and wear the bastard out. We didn't expect him to be that injured—or for you guys to make such an easy arrest, Bo thought angrily, though he couldn't voice his mind.
Just as he stood there thinking of what next to say, he heard a voice that changed his expression. Ahh, goddammit—they reacted so fast.
"Okay, Captain Haoran, I'll relay your words to the prince," leaving these words, he vanished quickly. He couldn't let anyone see him.
Immediately after he left, the door burst open as a veiled figure escorted by guards stepped in.
Captain Haoran stood unmoved. "Welcome, young miss of the Merchant Express. I was just about to send for your father."
Cai'er, taking brisk elegant steps toward the captain, questioned, "Good. Then you know why I'm here—saves me the trouble. Where is he?"
The captain shook his head. "I'm afraid we can't let you see him just yet. We have to interrogate him first before anything, as per procedure. And as the person involved in bringing him into the empire, your father must be questioned also."
Cai'er spoke, "You can question me in place of my father. I can speak on his behalf."
The captain tilted his head in confusion. "Miss, are you sure of this? From what I've been told, you weren't around when he was brought in… If your story and his don't match, you might incriminate your father."
Cai'er just waved dismissively. "What are you saying? My father found him unconscious. He only came to two days ago—at the same time I arrived. So you shouldn't worry yourself." Then she paused, staring straight into the eye slits of his visor and meeting his gaze, she added:
"I only request you release him as soon as the questioning is over."
The captain immediately shook his head and stated coldly, "I'm sorry, but I can't do that. I know it's unreasonable, but I can't risk letting a possible mass slaughterer go free."
Saying his piece, he turned around, ready to lead her to the questioning chamber—when she said something that stopped him dead in his tracks.
"He's a martial artist, you know? A man who faced a being of at least the Tribulation Realm and escaped. Now he's injured. Though martial artists are known for their honor, they're also known for keeping grudges…
Now ask yourself this: will offending him do this empire any good?"