Ultragene Warlord

agree to such meetings on the seventh prince ’s whims?

Heijie Niu commented, ”The ninth prince is finally safe now that he ’s within the capital.
No prince would be so foolish as to make a move within.
If a prince were to do so, the other princes would immediately react. ” 

That the capital was neutral territory was an implicit agreement between the princes.
If any of them were to break that agreement, the capital would immediately descend into chaos.

Outside the capital, of course, it was another matter entirely.

Heijie Niu continued, ”The Heijie clan have a manor in the capital.
Lord, if you need a place to stay… ”

”I ’m not interested. ” Zhang Lie did not want to live with these bug-like aliens.

Suddenly, however, he thought of something.
He was running out of money.
He turned to Heijie Niu.
”How were the effects of the healing potion? ”

Heijie Niu ’s eyes brightened.
”It was the best potion I ’ve ever consumed! ”

”Do you want to buy some for the future? ”

”You ’re interested in selling your stock? ”

Zhang Lie nodded.

Heijie Niu bought twenty vials at an extremely high price, using the currency native to this world. 

With that money, Zhang Lie found a comfortable inn in which to reside.
The inn was clean and spacious, though he had to pay extra for hot water.

Furthermore, White and Whiter couldn ’t be brought inside the inn and had to remain out in the stables.
As Zhang Lie was finishing up a nice, long bath, however, he found a panicked stablehand waiting for him.

White and Whiter ’s presence in the stables were causing all the horses and animals present to panic.
Their legs were shaking, their bodies trembling.

As a result, Zhang Lie had no choice but to pay for a neighboring room in which White and Whiter could be temporarily installed.

The next day, the ninth prince got up bright and early, dressed himself, and attended that morning ’s court.

Not every prince had the right to participate in court, especially not a powerless prince like him.
However, the reason he had left his palace was to survey a particular territory on the king ’s orders, and he had received special dispensation to report to court.
His intention was to display Wang Jian ’s sword and describe what had happened to him, laying the blame at the other princes ’ feet and reminding them of his continued existence.

The ninth prince marched into court.
The crown, second, and third princes were all present.
Only they had a standing invitation to morning court; they were the three princes most favored by the king.

This was why the other princes had tried to trap the third prince and tarnish his reputation—so they could replace him.

The crown prince asked, ”Ninth brother, are you hale? I received news that your guards perished on your way back to the capital. ”

The crown prince was over a hundred years of age, but he still seemed as strong as a hunter in his prime.
He had been in the army and had even suppressed a rebellion.
Killing intent radiated from his body, which was lithe and muscular.
Two long scars marred his face.

The ninth prince bowed.
”Thank you for your concern, eldest brother.
Unfortunately, I encountered a pack of third-level beasts, though I managed to escape unscathed. ”

The second prince remarked, ”A pack of third-level beasts! You must have suffered greatly, ninth brother. ”

The second prince ’s stature was far less intimidating than the crown prince ’s.
Just like the crown prince, he was over a hundred.
He looked like a scholar, demure and staid—but the ninth prince knew precisely what kind of cunning man lay behind that cultivated exterior.
He was barely weaker than the crown prince himself.

”By a chance encounter, I met a man who saved my life, second brother. ”

The third prince ’s eyes flashed upon hearing this recounting.
”Oh? What man is this? I must meet him myself to thank him for saving my ninth brother! ”