Chapter 5 Audience with the King (I)

"Um, I am already awake. Who are you? Where is this? How did I end up here?" Li Jiawang replied, pretending to be confused. In fact, he had already recognized that this was the imperial palace based on his memories from the previous day as soon as he woke up; he was just pretending to be ignorant to avoid revealing that fact.

The sound of knocking, "bang bang bang...", pulled Li Jiawang's thoughts out of his daydream. He cursed under his breath with a displeased expression, "Who is so clueless as to disturb me while I'm having a beautiful dream! Truly ungrateful; be careful or your son will be born without a butt! I was just dreaming of becoming the emperor, preparing to enjoy a century of happiness with my beloved concubine! And now I've been woken up, isn't that just against me? Is someone dead at home or has my wife run off with someone? What terrible luck!"

Oh, I understand. Please wait outside for a moment while I tidy up my clothes and then I will come out said Li Jiawang somewhat anxiously to the guard outside the door

Even if a few individuals manage to traverse the Red Mist Zone due to their own strength or possession of special treasures, countless unknown and powerful magical beasts await them inside. It seems as if there is an unspoken rule; once an outsider crosses into the Red Mist Zone, the magical beasts within somehow become aware of the intrusion and instinctively cease their fighting, uniting to hunt down the intruder.

On the morning of the second day, a large number of nobles dressed in luxurious silk garments, yet with expressions of despair, quietly brought their families and servants, boarding lavish carriages. Amidst the astonished and disdainful gazes of the capital's residents, they left the place they had long called home, seeking an unknown tomorrow in an uncertain destination. If one were to carefully observe their identities, it would become apparent that most of them were supporters of the Second Prince, and notably, those who had a close personal relationship with him had all vanished.

Under the guidance of the guard, Li Jiawang traversed through more than a dozen garden-style courtyards. Just as he felt dizzy from all the turns, he finally heard the guard speak in a voice that was like heavenly music to Li Jiawang, saying, "Young Master, we have arrived at His Majesty's conference hall. Please wait here for a moment while I go in to make the announcement." Without waiting for Li Jiawang's response, he entered the conference hall to make the announcement.

After a cup of tea and some effort, the guard walked out of the council chamber and said to Li Jiawang: "Young Master, His Majesty requests your presence; you may enter now"

He can also greatly extend his lifespan by consuming certain rare treasures and breaking through to the ninth level to advance into the Sacred Realm. Unfortunately, all of this is a fabrication of Li Jiawang's lies, and he is destined to be left with nothing but empty hopes

After hearing this, Cage felt somewhat disappointed, but he still did not give up and asked, "Can you tell me about the matters within the barrier of your life?"

After a considerable amount of time, Kaiji finally managed to control his emotions and said calmly, "Tonight, all the family heads and key personnel involved in the assassination incident will be executed. Inform their family elders to lead their family members and ensure they all leave the capital before nightfall tomorrow. Anyone remaining in the capital after tomorrow will be executed. Additionally, the second prince will be placed under house arrest and will not be allowed to meet anyone. It seems that Kaiji still harbors concerns about the father-son bond and cannot bring himself to decisively eliminate this rebellious son."

Cage said to the shadow, "You know who is responsible for this matter, right"

Young master, are you awake?" A respectful inquiry came from outside from the guards

The Starry Continent is vast and boundless, its surface area being ten times larger than that of Earth. It contains many remote and perilous regions, among which the Wilderness is the most extensive and dangerous forbidden area. Within five hundred kilometers from the outer edge of the Wilderness lies a thick band of red mist. This red mist is laden with toxins; anyone who comes into contact with it will find their consciousness becoming hazy, while their strength will suddenly increase by thirty percent. Simultaneously, a violent urge to annihilate everything will arise in their minds, driving them to attack any living creature nearby. Within five hundred kilometers from the outer edge of the Wilderness lies a thick band of red mist. This red mist is laden with toxins; anyone who comes into contact with it will find their consciousness becoming hazy, while their strength will suddenly increase by thirty percent. Simultaneously, a violent urge to annihilate everything will arise in their minds, driving them to attack any living creature nearby

Li Jiawang sensed something was amiss upon seeing Kaiji so agitated, and with a flushed face, he said, "Your Majesty, we who possess little strength live within a vast barrier and rarely receive information about the wilderness. Only the skilled members of our clan can venture into the wilderness and hunt in the books. I have just come of age and lack the ability to hunt, so I can only remain within the barrier to learn some life skills and basic martial techniques. Therefore, my understanding of the wilderness is virtually nonexistent."

A quarter of an hour later, just as the guard was becoming impatient, Li Jiawang opened the door, adjusted his clothes, walked out of the room, and softly said to the guard at the door, "Let us go."

Upon hearing Cage's words, filled with anger and helplessness, the shadowy figure trembled slightly, not daring to breathe, standing there like a stone statue, awaiting Cage's command

Cage wished to infer some information about the depths of the wilderness through Li Jiawang's living conditions. He truly did not want to give up, for the wilderness was a forbidden land for humanity, as well as a vast treasure trove. It contained countless rare materials and abundant resources. If he could find the key to enter the wilderness, the strength of the Holy Dragon Empire would be greatly enhanced, allowing it to truly rank among the powerful nations of the continent

Li Jiawang, upon seeing Kaiji seated in the main position, immediately knelt on one knee, raised his head to look at Kaiji, and said: "I, Li Jiawang, have met Your Majesty the King. May the great King enjoy blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and a longevity that surpasses the Southern Mountain"

"Young Master, this is the bedroom located on the west side of the palace, which is generally inhabited by noble ladies who come to visit the Queen and the Imperial Concubine. Because you fainted after taking an arrow for His Majesty the King yesterday, His Majesty has made an exception to bring you here. I am a guard in the palace, and I have been ordered by His Majesty to escort you to meet him," the guard said respectfully, bowing.

As soon as the voice fell, a figure wrapped entirely in black, with only a pair of cold, snake-like eyes visible, appeared in the palace hall, responding, "Yes, Your Majesty, what are your orders"

"Damn it," Cage said through clenched teeth, his fists tightly balled. He truly did not expect that his usually humble second son would commit such an outrageous act. Is there really no sense of familial affection in a royal household? Does he want me to kill him?

When Li Jiawang entered the assembly hall, Kaiji and Mage Sean were engaged in a casual conversation.

Kej heard that Li Jiawang came from the depths of the wilderness and was momentarily taken aback. Beside Kej, the mage Sean, who had been resting with his eyes closed, also opened his eyes in surprise and looked at Li Jiawang. With a look of longing, Kej eagerly said, "Can you tell me about the situation in the depths of the wilderness?" Sean also perked up his ears, clearly showing that he was very interested in the wilderness as well.

Li Jiawang turned his eyes and said with a serious expression, "In response to Your Majesty, I am not a demon. I am originally a person of the Huazu tribe living in the depths of the wilderness. While playing in the back mountain and chasing a small rabbit, I accidentally wandered into my family's forbidden area and was unexpectedly transported here."

Thus, although there are countless rare materials and treasures in the depths of the wilderness, no one dares to venture deep inside; they can only search for some inferior rare materials on the outskirts. It can be said that humanity's understanding of the depths of the wilderness is virtually nonexistent, yet the interest in the wilderness has never waned, and the desire for the abundant treasures within has never been abandoned. Therefore, on the way here, Li Jiawang prepared a lie, waiting for Kaiqi's inquiry.

On the way to meet Kaige, Li Jiawang managed to gather some information about this continent from the guard, learning that it is called the Starry Continent. It is said that this continent was once a vast ocean long ago, and later, for unknown reasons, a gigantic star fell from the sky, forming this expansive and boundless land, which is why it was named the Starry Continent

Kaidji looked at Li Jiawang, who had black short hair and black eyes. Upon hearing his unique blessing, which Kaidji had never heard before, he couldn't help but smile and said: "Li Jiawang, could you tell me about your origins? As far as I know, there seem to be no people with black hair and black eyes on the mainland; only the legendary demons are said to possess black eyes and black hair. I wonder where you come from?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," the shadow replied, and then vanished once more within the palace.

After the Chancellor Chierman, Marshal Thomas, and the wizard Sean left the palace, Kaige lowered his head in thought for a moment and called out in a gentle tone, "Shadow."

"Your Majesty, it was the Second Prince in collusion with certain nobles of the Empire who orchestrated this."