Chương 11: Chapter 11 : Dai Huo

Either he grants me resources or temporary escape for me to save my life. That was the hidden and open content of my request. It was fair, and I expected it to be granted.

THUCK

THUCK

Dai Weisi's thick boots resounded as he walked towards and stood in front of me. He threw a purple card, making me unable to understand the logic behind the words he uttered. "There is no need for you to leave my side. I can protect you with ease. Here is the reward for the task well done."

What's the use of money? Sure, it was useful but only if you have status or strength. I am sure if I plan to buy the Whale glue in an auction, I would have myself prey to the underground forces. So, I can't even use this money properly until I go back to the Headquarters of blacksmith association. Considering his words, the prince doesn't want that.

"My Prince, You see the -"

AGH

I felt the clawed hand of the prince gripping my should, drawing the blood and pain from me.

GROWL

I saw that prince Dai Weisi was red in eyes with as he looked at me, growling in his martial soul possession with 3 rings rising from him, "It seems you are mistaken something, Zhang Kun. You don't get decide the rewards. I do."

I barely said while the realization set in, "I might die, my prince."

He let out a chuckle as he said, "Yes, as expected of my loyal subject, a talent who made his own soul skill."

What a joke? Loyalty. For all the people that surround him, everyone wants something from him openly. Even me, for the blacksmith association's orders or knowledge and resources.

No, it is purely him satisfying his hurt ego. Soothing his jealously or greed for my self made soul skill.

While many cross-reference the pathways in which their soul power flows while using their soul rings to make an alternative path (self made soul skill), I did it in reverse. I had the knowledge of the human body and most of the accessible knowledge of the Star Luo empire, so I found the optimum path and make rippling wave.

Was it a mistake to reveal it?

No, it is impossible to develop of soul skill without pressure from combat. Not revealing and using it means waiting until I have more soul rings, which make take years.

So, I reaffirmed my loyalty to him, "Thank you, my prince. I am always ready to fulfill your wishes. Thank you for your rewards."

It was While I exited the tent I noticed the looks of satisfaction in Dai Weisi and rest of the noble kids. Not just satisfaction, there was more, Mockery and disdain. A perverted sense of happiness by putting me down.

Dai Weisi made a mistake. If he rewarded me properly, I would have continued to serve him loyalty. Now, he risked my life, leaving me to bait Dai Huo's faction, just to satisfy his pride.

I will give back what I got. For his rewards, I gave my service. For this, I will -

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—-Ju Lian's pov, at the same time—

I bit back my urge to follow Zhang Kun. I know that this day would come. Bur not so soon.

Zhang Kun and I were civilians. The rare find in Prince Dai Weisi's faction.

That's where the similarities end.

While I had impressive talent [Innate soul power], Zhang Kun was average. My background was my parents, who are both soul ancestors. He had none.

But Zhang Kun rose. Rose is like an eagle in the sky.

He seemed to impressive work ethic, knowledge and outlook, like a person a decade older.

Many soul masters cross their 30s before they master the many pathways for soul power [Arteries, veins..] in the human body and decades more to explore their interactions with the body.

Those who do master it before their 20 were spiritual attribute soul masters or healing soul masters. But Zhang Kun had such a mastery already by the age of 10.

[Author ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)": No, He had it from birth since he was a doctor who spent decades studying the mountain of medical text. HEHEHE.]

Insult to the injury, he became the disciple of a talented blacksmith. While blacksmiths are looked down by the royalty and the major sects, they are far above than many individual forces.

Even I felt jealous of him, much less the arrogant prince and the noble kids who can't even process an ant rising to stand before them. Today's defeat of Dai Huo showed Dai Weisi that further growth of Zhang Kun has a chance of challenging of him in strength. Sure, it is a slim chance, considering the cultivation slows down as one progresses.

But such a possibility is enough to ignite the anger. Despite knowing it is not a moral decision, the prince knocked Zhang Kun down a peg, opening the gate for the rest of the nobles, who saw Zhang Kun as an eyesore.

From now on, many insults and oppression will head towards Zhang Kun until Dai Weisi feels he is broken and subdued enough to never surpass him.

Unfair, but this is the reality.

A reality that unfolded the next few days.

BOOM

"Get up, kid."

AGH

BOOM

BANG

"Civilian trash, is that all you can do?"

"*Snort* Enough, let's go. I am bored punching him for the last few days."

DRIP DRIP

I watched as the soup drip down the hair strands from Zhang Kun's head. Dai Li, the grandson of Duke Dai Do, a flaming panther's soul ancestor, just crushed Zhang Kun to show his place.

This has gone for days on until it is time to leave for captain.

NEIGH

As the horse soul beasts dragged the super carriage, I walked into it, leaving Zhang Kun to his master.

I entered the carriage to see the drinks being shared and comments passing, insulting Zhang Kun. Frankly, it is nauseating, and the change came out of nowhere and on a whim.

CLINK

"Finally, the arrogant idiot out what he deserves? He believe he is the prince's equal just because the prince threw a bone."

"Dogs are like that. To properly train them, you need to punish them as well as reward them. Hahaha!"

GULP

"HAHAH, yes."

I frowned as one noble threw out a banana peel onto Zhang Kun, who was left lying on the ground.

NEIGH

As the horse started, I realized the Prince stopped laughing. Soon I understood why. A shadow materialized behind him and uttered something to him.

"It seems Zhang Kun is running out towards the Longhu kingdom."

CRACK CRACK

"Trash, he dares betray Prince Dai Weisi by disobeying his order. My prince, please command us."

This is getting weird and confusing, especially when Prince Dai Weisi said, "Everyone, then I put a bounty on * GROWL* Zhang Kun, the one who brings him back to me, will get his soul skill."

The eyes of everyone in the carriage grew red with greed. Everyone one of them has their own power struggles in their families. A contribution of a soul skill will seal their heirship. Of course, a copy will go to the royal family. But only one other family will have another soul skill extra.

It was while everyone was gearing up for the hunt for, while prince Dai Weisi retreated into the carriage with a few maids. I heard a new command.

"Ju Lian, why don't you go too?"

I was surprised as the command came from Zhu Zhuyun. Her eyes filled with anger as she uttered her wish. "Kill him. I will send Uncle. Zhu Wan with you."

Chills went down my spine. Only now did I realize I underestimated the cruelty and madness of nobles. Till today, Zhu Zhuyun was the one speaking out for Zhang Kun, but now she ordered his death so callously.

"Princess, Why—"

I couldn't say more when I felt the grip on my head. I felt the voice of the soul emperor commanding me, "Don't ask questions you know nothing about?"

Zhu Wan's presence and words made everyone silent as they silently followed him into the forest for hunting Zhang Kun.

I wonder what happened in the last few days for Zhang Kun to suddenly try to escape? No, I wonder if Zhang Kun's decision is the better one?

However, such doubts were crushed as multiple tracker teams and transport soul beasts were brought before us. Soon, a messengers bearing messages from spy came to us bearing the news of Zhang Kun's whereabouts, I realized that this is the power of the empire. No, this is the power of a just the power, the power of empire would be even more.

Zhu Wan shouted, "Set off."