Bab 44: Chapter 44: The Miserable Man Gang
The imperial throne room was quiet except for Jiang HuanYu, Left Chancellor Zuo Xuanqi, the Archer God, and the unconscious Man Gang.
Jiang HuanYu looked toward the Archer God. "Wake him up."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Archer God sent a surge of energy into Man Gang's body. Slowly, the bearfolk youth stirred, blinking his eyes open.
"How dare you!" Man Gang roared the moment he regained consciousness. "Who are you people? How dare you kidnap me! Do you have any idea who I am?!"
"I am Man Gang! My father is the Bear King, one of the Three Kings of the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest! If you know what's good for you, release me immediately, or you'll suffer consequences you can't imagine!"
SLAP!
Jiang HuanYu's hand swept across the air, landing sharply on Man Gang's cheek. The resounding impact echoed through the hall.
Man Gang's face reddened, a handprint clearly visible as he stumbled, stunned.
Jiang HuanYu's expression was cold. "Are you capable of speaking civilly? If not, I'll have someone teach you some manners."
Man Gang, still reeling, regained his fury. "You insolent wretch! Do you know who my father is? How dare you lay hands on me? Are you tired of living?!"
Jiang HuanYu gave a faint smile, turning to Zuo Xuanqi. "Cut off his… roots and feed them to the dogs."
Zuo Xuanqi immediately stepped forward, his hand radiating power as he suppressed Man Gang to the ground.
"No! What are you doing?!" Man Gang's bravado crumbled as he struggled futilely against the overwhelming force.
Zuo Xuanqi's fingers sharpened, and he crouched beside the bearfolk youth, reaching toward the vital area.
Man Gang's eyes widened in terror. "Stop! Don't! Please don't! I'll talk! I'll behave!"
Jiang HuanYu gestured for Zuo Xuanqi to pause, smiling faintly. "Hold on for now."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Zuo Xuanqi stepped back, though his glare remained fixed on the trembling Man Gang.
Breathing heavily, Man Gang felt relief wash over him. "You lunatics! You almost—"
"Man Gang," Jiang HuanYu interrupted smoothly. "How much does the Bear King care for you?"
Man Gang hesitated, confused by the sudden question.
"A lot! Of course, he cares for me!" he finally blurted. "I'm his only son. If anything happens to me, he'll stop at nothing to avenge me. No price would be too high!"
The underlying threat in his words was clear.
Jiang HuanYu chuckled dismissively. "Good to know."
Turning to Zuo Xuanqi, Jiang HuanYu issued his next order. "Spread the word. Tell the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest that Man Gang is in the hands of the Jiang Dynasty. If the Bear King wants his son back alive, he has fifteen days to bring the Enlightenment Pill they stole from us, the Night Moon Crystal, and the following items…"
He listed over a dozen rare and priceless treasures, each one enough to make even a hegemonic power like the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest feel the pinch.
"If they don't comply within fifteen days," Jiang HuanYu concluded, "they'll find Man Gang's corpse in pieces."
Zuo Xuanqi bowed. "Understood, Your Majesty. I'll see to it immediately."
"Jiang Dynasty…" Man Gang whispered as realization dawned. His bear eyes widened in horror as he looked at Jiang HuanYu. "You're Jiang HuanYu?!"
SLAP!
Another strike landed, this one far more forceful.
The Archer God, whose palm had delivered the blow, glared icily at the bearfolk youth. "How dare you address His Majesty by name?"
Man Gang yelped in pain as his cheek swelled grotesquely, teeth clattering to the ground.
Enraged yet helpless, Man Gang seethed inwardly. "Jiang Dynasty… Just wait. Once my father comes for me, I'll make sure every one of you pays tenfold for this humiliation!"
Jiang HuanYu, unimpressed by the bear's defiance, waved a hand dismissively. "Archer God, take him away."
The Archer God nodded, hauling the defeated Man Gang out of the throne room.
News Spreads Across the Northern Domain
It wasn't long before a shocking announcement sent ripples through the Northern Domain:
The Jiang Dynasty had kidnapped Man Gang, the sole heir of the Bear King of the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest!
The terms for his release were clear and ruthless. The Bear King was given fifteen days to deliver the demanded treasures, or Man Gang would be executed.
The audacity of the Jiang Dynasty left the entire Northern Domain stunned
"What? The Jiang Dynasty actually kidnapped Man Gang? They've gone too far this time!"
"First, they destroyed Blood shadow Tower. Now they're targeting one of the hegemonic powers, the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest?!"
"This Jiang HuanYu is insane! Does he really think he can provoke the Bear King and get away with it?"
"The Ten Thousand Beasts Forest is on a completely different level. They have saintly weapons and a Heaven Realm peak expert in the Bear King. The Jiang Dynasty doesn't stand a chance!"
"Mark my words this will be the end of Jiang HuanYu's arrogance. The Jiang Dynasty is digging its own grave!"
Unfazed by the mounting chatter, Jiang HuanYu sat calmly on his throne, his confidence unwavering. The pieces of his grand strategy were falling into place, and the Northern Domain was beginning to feel the pull of his imperial ambitions.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone