Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 424: Chapter 424. Waiting for the Young Master

”Is this about your brother?” Amon asked.

”Brother?” Huang San turned to Amon.

”His brother was the soldier who oversaw the excavation site where we uncovered the mural that contradicted the Temple of Divinity’s teaching,” Amon explained. ”He was killed when the rebels attacked that site.”

”My brother, Xu Shi, is my only kin,” Xu Bao uttered. ”I will never forgive the rebels. I have used every chance to hunt them down. But as a soldier, I cannot go as I please. That’s why when I heard the broadcast about His Highness Huang San’s intention, I immediately requested the transfer.”

Xu Bao turned to Huang San and asked, ”Your Highness, you are serious about wiping them out, aren’t you?”

”As serious as I am to take the throne,” Huang San answered.

”So, the rumor is true. You swore to take out the rebels for a chance to join the Ancient Ascension Trial.”

”That’s right,” Huang San said. ”You can rest assured that wiping out the rebels is in my best interest because it is the only way for me to join the trial.”

Xu Bao nodded. He didn’t care what secret agenda the prince had in wiping out the rebels as long as they were wiped out.

”Okay, Welcome aboard,” Amon told Xu Bao. ”However, you must remember. I am the commander of this force, so you must listen to my command, even if I am much weaker than you. Will you have a problem with that?”

”I still find it hard to believe a brat I saved less than twenty years ago is now my superior,” Xu Bao said. ”You have nothing to worry about from me. After getting demoted all those years ago, I’m already used to being commanded by weaklings.”

”Heh, good,” Amon uttered.

”I must ask, though. Does this trip to the Xandar Region have anything to do with our objective? I don’t see how this helps us in fighting the rebels.”

”You passed the requirement to join our force but not the requirement to know about our plan,” Amon said.

”Fair enough,” Xu Bao said.

After talking a bit more, Amon went into silent cultivation.

*

The journey to the Xandar Region took six days. The region was located at the Northeastern border of the Echos Kingdom, and it was a mountainous region with a rocky landscape.

At the border, before they entered the region was a huge fort. According to Zong Hua’s intel, the fort was called Fort Trade Way. It was a hub used by Echos representatives who negotiated with the Xei Clan. It was also where the Xei Clan sent the mined Zillium for Echos. The Zillium was stored there before being distributed to the whole country.

An army was stationed there. In exchange for trading Zillium with them, Echos provided protection in case the Xei Clan ever needed it. At least, that was what it appeared to be on the surface. In truth, it was a deterrent against Xei Clan’s two other trading partners, Kazhan and Gyleth Marx.

Both these countries had similar forts bordering the Xandar Region. They also had armies stationed there. If one of them made a move, the other two wouldn’t stay quiet. Hence, the three created an equilibrium with the Xei Clan in the middle.

As the Long-tailed Azure Eagle entered the Xandar region, Amon saw many mines along the mountainous terrains. All those mines were active. People were seen going in and out of the mines. Smokes came out of the smelters outside the mines.

”That is a big operation,” Amon remarked.

”It is,” Huang San agreed. ”That’s why the three countries were content with having the Xei Clan deal with the work. As long as the clan played within the agreed rules, there was no need for a change in management.”

As they headed deeper, they saw a lush patch of greenery. It looked bizarre and oddly out of place, considering the rocky mountains surrounding it. When they got near, they saw lofty structures inside that patch of greenery. Paved roads, gardens, artificial lakes and rivers went around the place. It was like a piece of heaven in an otherwise desolate land.

Their transport vehicle descended to a lower altitude before landing before the largest structure there. The structure looked like a small castle. A group of people were on standby where they landed.

Huang San and Xu Bao jumped out of the howdah first. Amon was right behind them. After everyone descended, the Long-tailed Azure Eagle uttered a farewell shriek before leaving.

”Welcome to Xandar, Prince Huang San,” someone from the group welcomed them. ”My name is Li Mang. I believe you have been through a tiring journey. Please, let me show you our hospitality.”

”Lead the way,” Huang San said.

They followed Li Mang into the castle. The inside was not any less extravagant than its outside. Intricate decorations filled every hallway. Multiple courtyards with exotic trees and plants were spaced out throughout the interior. Amon thought the Xei Clan must be very passionate about vegetation. He suspected all these plants were transported here from outside the region.

Li Mang brought them to a decorated courtyard with chairs and tables at the center. At one corner, a group of musicians were playing different musical instruments. Li Mang gestured for Amon and the others to sit on the chairs. Once they did, maids brought out wines and food and put them on the table.

”Please, enjoy yourselves,” Li Mang said.

”Where is Clan Master Xei Gongzo?” Huang San asked.

”The clan master is currently not around. He asked me to express his apology,” Li Mang replied.

”When will he return?”

”I can’t tell, but it might be weeks from now.”

This drew Huang San’s frown. ”I have sent a message announcing my visit. I believe the clan master received that message directly.”

”That is true. Unfortunately, the clan master already had a planned trip he could not cancel. Do not worry. Our young master, Xei Wujia, will be your host.”

”Where is he?” Huang San asked.

”He is currently handling delicate matters,” Li Mang answered. ”He will be with you once he is available. In the meantime, please, enjoy our hospitality.”

After Li Mang left, Amon said, ”This is not ideal.”

”Yes... It will be difficult to negotiate a deal without the clan master,” Huang San agreed.

”This young master, Xei Wujia. Zong Hua’s intel mentioned that he is not a pleasant man. He is a rough man who enjoys abusing his servants. In recent years, he visited Kazhan many times and developed a liking for their custom.”

”Do you mean slave-owning?” Huang San asked.

Amon nodded. ”He had been seen purchasing slaves at Kazhan and bringing them back to Xandar.”

”Considering his reputation of abusing his servants, I can’t imagine what he is doing with those slaves.”

”His pastime is nothing of our concern. The problem is this information points to him being emotionally unstable. It is difficult to negotiate with such a person. Not to mention, Zong Hua’s intel mentioned that the young master isn’t given much authority, especially when it comes to dealing with outsiders.”

”So... We have wasted our time coming here?” Huang San asked.

”... Let’s meet the young master before we decide,” Amon replied.

Aside from the music, several performers came out to entertain them. They performed dances, acrobatics, and even jokes. Huang San was right at home. He enjoyed the show while drinking the wine.

Amon ignored the festivities and spent his time cultivating.

Hours passed, and night arrived. Li Mang came back and invited them for dinner. They were brought to a luxurious dining hall and served with excessive food. They expected Xei Wujia would join them, but he did not.

”Where is the young master?” Huang San asked.

”I’m deeply sorry, Your Highness. The young master’s matter appears much more difficult than expected. He cannot leave it unattended. Please forgive him. He will meet Your Highness tomorrow. In the meantime, please enjoy the dinner we have prepared. Once you do, you can enjoy a bath at our outdoor hot spring pool. I assure you that you will forget all your troubles after entering the pool.”

Amon and Huang San looked at one another. It was obvious now that they were being stalled. But since there was nothing they could do, they had no choice but to play along.

*

The next day, it was the same. Li Mang made another excuse for the young master’s absence. This went on for several days.

It was on the fourth day when Huang San expressed a strong dissatisfaction.

He slammed the table and yelled, ”What is the meaning of this? Do you look down on the Echos Kingdom so that you dare to disrespect its prince?”

”Please don’t be angry, Your Highness,” Li Mang pleaded. ”The young master doesn’t mean that. He is truly occupied by a pressing matter that he cannot show up.”

”So pressing he ignored me for days? What if I call the Echos army from Fort Trade Way? Would he consider that a pressing matter then?”

A loud laughter echoed through the hall then.

”Hahaha! There is no need to be so upset, Your Highness Prince Huang San. Since you want to meet me that much, I will come out and play with you!”