Free Web NovelChapter 124: Chapter 124: Pressure from the Land Empire
The courtyard went silent.
"She will return with us," the Second Prince declared. "The Land Empire will grant her the highest possible status, second only to the Queen herself."
Han Soi finally lifted his eyes fully.
Before he could speak, a loud scoff was heard.
It was Feng Yansheng. The sound was quiet, but it was like a bucket of cold water for the prince and his men.
"Second only to the Queen?" Feng Yansheng repeated lazily.
His gaze lowered, sharp and mocking. "Does your Queen even have a position in front of a dual S+++ ability?"
The Second Prince froze.
Feng Yansheng stepped forward slightly, his robes whispering against the stone. "Why do I feel," he continued calmly, "that you are diminishing her value rather than honoring it?"
The pressure in the air intensified.
The Second Prince’s jaw tightened. After a pause, he replied smoothly, though his knuckles had gone white.
"Of course not. The Queen is merely an elder figure."
His eyes flickered with ambition as he added, "When the precious female marries me, she will naturally become the next Queen."
The words fell with confidence, as if everything had already been arranged.
This time, even Han Soi could not help it. He scoffed loudly, the sound full of disdain.
Feng Yansheng turned his head slightly, clearly amused.
"Marry you?" he asked coldly.
His eyes locked onto the Second Prince. "Why do you think the precious female would marry you?"
The Second Prince’s expression stiffened.
"You are nothing more than a weak S rank orc," Feng Yansheng continued mercilessly. "There are countless SS and SSS ranked orcs in this world."
His voice dropped. "Why do you believe it is your turn?"
The courtyard fell into stunned silence.
The Second Prince’s face flushed. His greatest sore point had been ripped open in front of everyone.
Feng Yansheng did not stop.
"I have also heard," he said casually, "that your elder brother is an SSS ranked orc."
The Second Prince’s teeth clenched.
"He is already mated," Feng Yansheng went on. "The female was groomed for him from a young age."
A pause.
"She is the next Queen."
His gaze sharpened. "So tell me, where did you get this ridiculous idea?"
The Second Prince was grinding his teeth now.
Every word was true. This was the very reason he had rushed here.
If he could marry a precious female,
If she bore him top tier offspring,
He could crush his elder brother’s merits completely.
But now, all of it was being exposed.
Beside Feng Yansheng, Han Soi finally relaxed slightly.
For the first time since meeting this arrogant High Priest, he found him pleasant and not so detestable.
Han Soi cast the Second Prince a cold glance.
He respected the Eldest Prince.
But this one?
A good for nothing ambitious man. If he had the ability to challenge his brother, why was he dragging an innocent female into this?
Han Soi thought grimly. If anyone understood how dangerous this man was, it was him.
The Second Prince took a slow breath.
He straightened his back and spoke again, his voice steady despite the tension clinging to the air.
"High Priest," he said, "this prince is Hu Lieyuan."
The name carried weight. He was of royal blood, from the Leaping Tiger Clan. He had resources and authority that no ordinary orc could provide for his female, and he was undoubtedly smug about his royal lineage.
"Our Land Empire is ruled by the Tiger Clan," Hu Lieyuan continued calmly. "And as its Second Prince, my intentions are sincere."
Feng Yansheng listened without expression.
After a brief pause, he finally spoke.
"Very well."
Everyone stiffened.
"I will allow the Land Empire delegation to stay within the temple," Feng Yansheng said evenly.
Hu Lieyuan’s eyes lit up.
"However," Feng Yansheng added, lifting a finger slightly, "you will be assigned to the Carved Way Courtyard."
The name sounded pleasant, but anyone familiar with the temple knew the truth.
The Carved Way Courtyard was isolated, far from the inner sanctum, far from the High Priest’s residence, where Yue Yue was currently staying.
Feng Yansheng smiled faintly. It was polite and completely fake.
The mockery in his eyes was unmistakable. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
Hu Lieyuan noticed it, but he did not care.
At least he had secured a foothold.
"This prince thanks the High Priest for his generosity," Hu Lieyuan said with a bow, forcing down his irritation.
Feng Yansheng inclined his head slightly.
Then he turned to leave.
Just before stepping away, he paused and spoke without looking back.
"As for whether the precious female wishes to return to the Land Empire..."
His voice was calm, taking on a colder tone.
"That decision belongs to her."
A brief pause.
"And her lovers."
The word lingered.
Han Soi felt it.
So did Hu Lieyuan.
Feng Yansheng’s lips curved faintly as he continued inwardly.
As long as I live, she will never leave.
The word lovers was not plural in his mind.
It was him. He would be the one to decide whether she would go or not.
With that, Feng Yansheng walked away, his robes trailing behind him like a closing curtain.
The pressure vanished.
Hu Lieyuan exhaled slowly and motioned for his men to follow. "Escort us to the courtyard."
As the delegation moved off, Han Soi remained standing alone at the temple gate.
He still felt something suffocating him. Something was wrong. Very wrong. His heart would not stop beating rapidly.
He frowned and slowly lifted his head. And just as he feared, he saw it hovering high above the outer perimeter.
A massive battleship hovered silently in the sky.
Its dark hull was carved with ancient silver patterns, wings spread wide like a celestial beast frozen mid flight.
Han Soi’s pupils shrank.
"That’s..."
His heart dropped.
The Winged Serpent Clan.
That ship.
Only two people had the authority to use it. His father.
Or...
Han Soi clenched his jaw. His useless younger brother.
Neither possibility brought him any comfort. Cold dread crept up his spine.
Why were they here?
Had they found out something, or more importantly, had they actually discovered his son?
Was there a traitor among his men?
No. That was impossible. His men were loyal. He had picked them personally, and they had no connection with the Winged Serpent Clan at all.
