NOVEL NEXT Chapter 40: Scape-Goat
After a series of pleas and apologies, Spark was released to his greatest shock. No queries, no investigation—nothing. He was just let go. He felt he could be hallucinating, but he could swear they even seemed to be trying to curry favor with him.
Who was he? Right now, in this world, he was practically a nobody. In fact, his total stay in this world was barely a week. Not that he cared—he remained stoic, not daring to betray his shock.
The tight chain cuffs were taken away from his wrists, and he was told that a prince wanted to meet with him.
"It seems my brother made a move earlier…" The moment Prince Jian saw Spark's limping figure, he frowned, his expression betraying anger.
Getting to his feet, the prince introduced himself to the confused Spark while offering an apology. "I am Yang Jian, second prince of the Yang Empire… I am here to offer apologies for my brother's insolence, and to clarify—though he might be the crown prince, his actions don't speak for our empire."
Spark frowned. Honestly, he didn't need any of this. All he wanted was to get home and have a nap in peace.
His body felt sore, his limbs were numb, and he could barely walk. He didn't even have the energy to hold a grudge in this state… not to say he wouldn't be getting revenge on the bastards that caused this when he was well.
Unfortunately, Prince Jian misinterpreted his frown as a sign of displeasure. "Senior, we really didn't have anything to do with his plans… To show sincere apologies, my father sent this gift. He said to apologize—we couldn't do more, but our nation is in a precarious situation and we can't afford any more."
The prince offered a small relic box with a slight bow.
Spark's lips twitched. It seemed it was as he thought—these guys had helped themselves to their imaginations. They probably thought him to be some great figure. Technically, I am a great being—just not in this world… so accepting this offering should be okay, right?
He reached for the box and quickly opened it slightly to sneak a peek. It was an artifact—a gauntlet. Well, more like a glove, but through its metallic weaving and metal embroideries, it was clear that it was a gauntlet.
Such intense energy! This is just what I need… he exclaimed inwardly. The energy of the artifact dwarfed that of the others he had seen by far, including the bronze bracelet.
After the brutal encounter with the assassins, he had started seriously rethinking if he should still face this so-called Slade and his crew. But he came to the conclusion that he needed those healing pills—he couldn't continue living like this.
So adding another artifact to the equation only helped bolster his confidence in completing the upcoming mission.
Seeing Spark's satisfaction with the token, the prince finally felt relief. Since that is out of the way now… I wouldn't want to waste any more of your time, senior.
Spark nodded. He was about to limp out when he stopped. He felt that if he didn't say something, his attitude might seem suspicious. Whoever they thought him to be, he had to play the part until he left the empire.
His voice, hoarse but still sounding vengeful, said, "Make sure to punish those responsible for this… if not, I'll act myself."
The prince, who had been feeling relief, couldn't help but tense up. This request was bigger than him—even his father couldn't punish the crown prince severely. After all, they wouldn't want to anger his backers.
But he had no choice but to answer positively. It was unknown what his expression would be if he found out that Spark had just stated this for the sake of keeping up appearances. "Yes, we will."
After that, Spark left. Thankfully, Cai'er was waiting for him outside with a carriage, which he quickly boarded and left. For now, he had no plans of leaving that inn until a week's time, when he could finally leave this place.
He was already hungry for the opportunities and wonders this world had to offer. Once I get myself healed, I will begin to pursue the essence weaving path, he concluded absentmindedly, while giving half-hearted replies to Cai'er's questions.
Meanwhile, back on Prince Jian's end, he found himself in a pickle. He couldn't punish his brother, and he couldn't turn his gaze to his brother's personal guards either, so he had to find a scapegoat.
He frowned in contemplation until a name suddenly popped up in his mind. On the note Merchant Wei wrote him, it mentioned a Viscount Ji who was responsible for passing Spark's information to the crown prince.
His eyes glistened ruthlessly. You started a fire—it's only natural you get burned… you can't blame anyone.
…
Poor Viscount Ji, not aware his death sentence had already been given, was sitting beside the crown prince, trying to console him. "My lord, you shouldn't bother yourself with all this. Give me an imperial edict and I will go retrieve that man right away. He is destined to be your slave and no one can stop it."
Prince Ji shook his head and spoke, "It won't be that easy. I just got information that Merchant Wei's people and my brother have gone there… I'm afraid I have lost this round."
Though he spoke calmly, his forceful grip on his armrest betrayed his anger. Just because of a slight misjudgment, I let such a rare good slip from my hands. No—I can't accept this. I have to obtain him.
Fatty Ji's fingers caressed his cheeks while he brainstormed. Thinking of something, he gritted his teeth and was about to make a suggestion—one that he knew would cost him, but regardless, as long as it guaranteed nothing could come between his plan of obtaining Cai'er.
You see, others thought that he was a lustful fool, aiming to obtain such a beauty because of her looks. But in truth, he knew a secret about Cai'er—her condition, though terminal, wasn't ordinary, and the man that deflowered her would obtain unthinkable strength.
Remembering his goal to shed his mortality, he gritted his teeth with reluctance and was about to speak when…
Bang!
The doors of the pavilion were opened forcefully, and barging in—escorted by a troop of royal soldiers—was Prince Jian, his domineering presence giving him the vibes of a general.
"HOW DARE YOU BARGE INTO MY—" The crown prince roared furiously, but he choked on his words when he saw a glowing token on his brother's waist.
"Jian, explain what is the meaning of this," he questioned with a wary frown.
Prince Jian didn't bother to reply. He just took out a royal edict from his sleeves and began reading, his voice loud enough for all within miles to hear. "CROWN PRINCE JI'S ACTION HAS PUT THE INTEREST OF THE EMPIRE INTO JEOPARDY. AS PUNISHMENT, I HEREBY FORWARD THE DEADLINE FOR HIS ROYAL CONQUEST TO THREE DAYS. THERE SHALL BE NO DELAY!"
This was definitely an imperial order from the emperor himself, and he couldn't refuse it. Crown Prince Ji's face turned ugly. He knew full well that his brother and his father had long been looking for an excuse to strip him of his position—the only reason they couldn't act was because of his foreign backers.
But now they had enough excuse to send him to his death. After all, what was it if not death? The three empires that had devoured their lands were each as strong as theirs during their peak.
And now they wanted to send him to face such behemoths with little to no preparation. He had been scheduled to embark on this conquest three years from now, but now…
Prince Jian, in the meantime, was enjoying every moment of his brother's demise. Then he caught a glance of a pudgy figure trembling silently beside the crown prince, and he smiled.
"Guards, apprehend that corrupt official. He conspired against an honored guest of the emperor. Take him, behead him, and deliver his head to the senior," Prince Jian ordered with a cold smile.
Fatty Ji, who had been holding his breath, praying no one would notice him, broke into a heavy sweat. "Wait, this isn't right! I did nothing… Prince Ji, help me!" he screamed as the guards took him away forcefully. Unfortunately, Prince Ji couldn't care less about him now—after all, his own life too was in danger…
Looking at this display, Prince Jian couldn't help but feel glee. No scheming can get you out of this, brother.