Free Web NovelChapter 190: Chapter 172: Who Is the Hunter, and Who Is the Prey?
While Yu Lan was putting on a false front with Belina and Louisa.
「Meanwhile」
At the security checkpoint for the National Day celebration.
Qi Jingshen swaggered in front of Huo Zhanting, his chin lifted in a display of arrogance and pride.
"Marshal Huo, please have your men stand down."
"Her Majesty has given me full authority over all security matters for National Day."
"This is now the Second Legion’s territory."
"If you continue to be obstinate and cause trouble, you will be charged with treason."
"Marshal Huo, I suggest you think it over carefully."
As he spoke, Qi Jingshen arrogantly pressed an energy gun to Huo Zhanting’s chest, blocking the other man from moving forward.
Qi Jingshen was making it clear that he was in charge and would not back down.
’If Huo Zhanting really dares to take another step, I definitely won’t go easy on him.’
The air crackled with explosive tension.
Furious golden eyes met wicked, dark green ones.
A strange, thrilling impulse, a scalp-tingling sense of tense excitement, surged through Qi Jingshen.
’If I really pulled this trigger, even someone as tough as Huo Zhanting would be laid up in a hospital for a good long while.’
’Once Huo Zhanting is out of the way, I have plenty of ways to deal with Su Xingye and the others.’
’Wouldn’t it be easy to take Yu Lan away then?!’
At this thought, Qi Jingshen’s breathing quickened. He looked up again, his gaze clashing unapologetically with Huo Zhanting’s.
"Qi Jingshen, don’t push things too far."
"My men are only going in to ensure Lanlan’s safety. They won’t interfere with your arrangements in any way."
In other words, these were men he had specially prepared to protect Yu Lan exclusively.
’According to long-standing tradition, security for the National Day celebration banquet had always been the full responsibility of the First Legion.’
’He could have just picked a few of his best men and stationed them near Yu Lan.’
’No matter what accident or conspiracy might occur, he could guarantee it wouldn’t amount to anything.’
But this year, just a few days before National Day, Belina had suddenly ordered that the Second Legion, under Qi Jingshen’s command, be responsible for security.
Qi Jingshen and Belina were now, for all intents and purposes, on the same side.
The feeling of a storm brewing, of an undisguised conspiracy, was palpable.
How could Huo Zhanting possibly take this lightly?
The man’s gaze was heavy as he stared at Qi Jingshen. His hands, hanging at his sides, were clenched into fists, the veins on their backs bulging. He looked like a lion pushed to the brink of fury.
But why would Qi Jingshen fear him? As a fellow 3S-level male, he met the glare without flinching.
The terrifying pressure of two 3S-level beings was fully unleashed, enveloping them. The men of the First and Second Legions, who were facing off with guns drawn, all turned pale, struggling to suppress their trembling.
Watching this from the side, Shen Zueran’s expression grew more and more solemn.
’At this point, he was almost certain that something was going to happen during National Day.’
’But Qi Jingshen wasn’t giving an inch, and continuing this standoff was pointless.’
Shen Zueran took a step forward, his cool voice cutting through the tension.
"Huo Zhanting, let it go."
"The National Day celebration has already begun. If we don’t enter soon, it will be a breach of etiquette to walk in during the performance."
’Continuing this pointless standoff with Qi Jingshen here... who knew what was happening at the celebration venue. What if Belina decided to make her move early and unconventionally?’
Huo Zhanting understood Shen Zueran’s unspoken warning.
His eyes darkened. His gaze swept heavily over Qi Jingshen’s face before he suddenly reached out and jabbed a finger hard against the man’s chest. His voice was vicious.
"Qi Jingshen, I suggest you act worthy of that uniform you’re wearing."
The standard uniform of the Empire’s Second Legion.
Every year, new recruits would swear an oath led by their Marshal.
Qi Jingshen sneered. ’Sometimes, if you repeat an oath enough, you start to fool even yourself.’
’They swore loyalty to the Empire and the Royal Family, but what about the Royal Family?’
’Qi Jingshen would never forget the day his family was destroyed.’
’Never!’
At this thought, Qi Jingshen’s lips curled into a thoroughly malicious smile aimed at Huo Zhanting.
"Relax, Marshal Huo."
"Even if there’s a small incident today, I’m sure the outcome will be a good one."
’As for who it would be good for, well, that was another story.’
This was a barely concealed declaration that this National Day would be anything but ordinary.
Huo Zhanting’s and Shen Zueran’s hearts both pounded hard.
"Let’s go!"
*
Unable to get his men from the First Legion inside to act as protection, Huo Zhanting had no choice but to enter the venue with Shen Zueran and the others. Filled with anxiety, they went to their seats and waited for Yu Lan to appear.
As they waited, their gazes periodically swept over the faces of the common people held back by the Guard Team.
Everyone looked nervous and excited; nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
’But then again, would an assassin who had truly prepared for this be so easily spotted?’
When Su Xingye, Li Yucheng, Jun Lin Yuan, Pei Shiyi, and Sheng Yiqing learned that Qi Jingshen hadn’t yielded an inch and had forbidden Huo Zhanting from placing his men inside, their expressions changed simultaneously.
They appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly, they were all deeply uneasy.
There was a considerable distance between where the Royal Family stood and the area for the nobles.
This meant that if something were to happen, they wouldn’t be able to get in front of Yu Lan to protect her immediately.
But as the men exchanged glances, they quickly plotted their routes, their bodies tensed and ready to charge out at a moment’s notice.
Just as their anxiety peaked, a sudden cry of excitement rose from the crowd.
"Her Majesty and the others are here!"
"Princess Yu Lan! Princess Yu Lan, we’re over here! Princess Yu Lan!"
"Louisa! Louisa! Louisa!"
The arrival of the three members of the Royal Family brought the joyous, celebratory atmosphere of National Day to its peak.
On this day, everyone set aside their differences to cheer and sing for the birth of the Empire thousands of years ago.
The moment Yu Lan, Louisa, and Belina slowly came to a stop in their designated royal positions, joyful and stirring music began to play.
The Royal Song and Dance Troupe slowly took the stage.
The grand, traditional music and the exquisitely graceful dancing instantly captivated everyone present.
Everyone, that is, except for the scheming Belina, who was slowly counting down the time; the ever-vigilant Huo Zhanting and his group; and the assassins in the shadows, their cold blades at the ready.
This time, who was the hunter, and who was the prey?
With everyone nursing their own secret plans, it all came down to who would emerge victorious—who would win, and who would lose.
*
When Shen Zueran saw the intricate, heavy ceremonial dress Yu Lan was wearing—weighing over a hundred pounds—his pupils contracted. His already tense heart leaped into his throat.
’If someone were to suddenly attack her with a knife right now, she wouldn’t even be able to run.’
He wasn’t the only one who had this thought.
Su Xingye, Li Yucheng, and the others felt the same.
"Damn it."
Jun Lin Yuan couldn’t stop a curse from escaping his lips.
’They were really going all out to ensure Yu Lan’s death.’
