Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 333: Chapter 333. An Offer to Pick a Side

Amon had no interest in sparring with Huang Zen. Mostly because he didn’t see any benefit from the endeavor. From how Huang Zen acted, he could see that the young man was a typical spoiled royalty. Their age was similar. Hence, their cultivation should not be that much different. Considering this, he was sure he could defeat Huang Zen easily. However, doing that would give more negative outcomes than positive ones. It would be folly to exert effort for no profit.

Huang Zen was annoyed. It was not because of Amon’s refusal. It was his tone.

”What do you mean you are not interested?” He yelled. ”You should be honored that I am willing to spar with you! Do you know how many wishes for this offer?”

”Since there are many candidates, there is no need to spar with me,” Amon replied.

”You...!” Huang Zen was speechless by the reply.

”Well. He certainly has the arrogance of a first rank student,” Hua Rong remarked.

Huang Er laughed. ”All right, Huang Zen. I have said that if he is unwilling, we can’t force him. He is our guest. Forget the spar.”

Huang Zen folded his arms unhappily. He stared hostilely at Amon, who didn’t even glance at him. This pissed him even more.

”Let’s talk about what we are here for,” Huang Er said. ”Li Shi, do you want to take a final look at the mural before we discuss tomorrow’s itinerary?”

”Yes, I do,” Li Shi answered. She walked toward the mural. She gestured for Amon to follow her.

Amon studied the mural. It looked intact. Li Shi’s people did a good job cutting the mural out of the ruins and transporting it here.

Huang Er and Hua Rong talked occasionally to Li Shi as she checked the mural. Amon just watched silently. Huang Zen tried a few more provocations, but Amon ignored him. The prince didn’t dare do anything overboard with his aunt around.

At one point, Princess Huang Er approached Amon and asked, ”How is my little brother?”

Amon turned to her but didn’t answer.

She chuckled. ”I didn’t notice at first, but now I remembered a report about my youngest brother. For some reason, he decided to enroll as a student at the Royal Academy. The report mentioned that he is close to a top student who goes by the name of Lin Mo. That student is you, isn’t it?”

”... He is known as Zhuan San in the Royal Academy,” Amon answered.

”I suspected he would be using a disguise,” Huang Er said. ”It shows how much he trusts you since you know his real identity. So, how is he?”

”He is doing well. He ranks fifth in the junior class,” Amon answered.

”Only fifth? He used to be very competitive when he was little. Well, he is also very good at hiding his intentions. What else can you tell me?”

”Is this an interrogation?” Amon asked.

Huang Er chuckled again. ”Considering you are a top student of the Royal Academy, you should be smart enough to know about this country’s political climate. If our father fails to break through to the next level of his cultivation soon, a successor might need to be decided. In this matter, two sides are vying for control over this kingdom. One is the false crown prince, Huang Zi. He stole the title after causing the death of the original crown prince, Huang Zen’s father.”

”Since he still holds the title, I presume that accusation is unproven?”

Huang Er smiled, but it wasn’t the friendly smile as before.

”He covered his tracks well,” she said. ”But I will not rest until he is brought to justice. That’s why he must not be allowed to win the crown. Unfortunately, many old farts in the military cannot stand a woman as their sovereign. Those old-fashioned geezers are the worst. Thankfully, the ministers from the royal court are more open-minded. However, I still need the support from the other princes and princesses to win this contest. Many of them have thrown their support for me. Unfortunately, my youngest brother, Huang San, doesn’t show any preferences. Considering you are his good friend, how about you give him some advice to help him make the right decision?”

”... From what I heard, the eighth prince has a decent chance for the crown as well, aside from the crown prince and you,” Amon said.

”Huang Zhan...? That battle maniac is unfit to be a ruler. If he gets the crown, our country will be thrown into an unending hell of wars. No, the royal court will never hand over the crown to him.”

Huang Er’s face twisted in disgust when she said that. She seemed aware of it because her graceful expression returned an instant later.

”Anyway, the kingdom will fall into a state of chaos if either of those two ascends to the throne,” she said. ”Only I can bring order and prosperity to this kingdom. Because of that, I hope you are willing to assist me. I am known to be generous to my allies. If you help me, you will not be disappointed. You enrolled in the Royal Academy to get a good position in the kingdom, aren’t you? I promise you the rank of Major when you graduate. That rank is one rank higher than the highest attainable rank for the Royal Academy’s graduates. Help bring Huang San to my side, and it will be yours.”

”Thank you for the offer. I will consider it,” Amon said.

Huang Er stared at Amon for a while, trying to read him. She was amazed Amon’s expression never changed under her gaze.

She laughed. It was the benevolent yet fake laugh. ”I will be depending on you, young man,” she said while patting Amon’s shoulder. She then returned to Li Shi and the others to discuss other things.

After some time, Amon decided to ask Li Shi if he was needed there. Otherwise, he would like to check out the capital since this was his first time here.

Li Shi let him go. He wasn’t involved in the preparation for tomorrow’s meeting. She, however, reminded him to be here tomorrow morning. Princess Huang Er had prepared guest rooms for them to spend the night, but he was free to use them or choose to enjoy the nightlife in the capital.

Hua Ling escorted him out. She told him she had notified the guards about him, so he needed only to show up at the palace gate if he wished to return.

He was not truly interested in the capital. The reason he excused himself was for another matter. He took out a map of the capital, which he had procured before coming here. After studying the path, he moved toward his destination.

His destination was a large storehouse in an industrial complex. The storehouse had several guards guarding its perimeter. Lu Fei was waiting outside this storehouse. He left for the capital one day earlier than Amon but arrived around the same time. This was because Ha Gild’s great eagle was faster compared to the regular great eagle from the sky stable.

Together with Lu Fei, Amon walked toward the entrance to the storehouse. He showed the badge Huang San gave him. After checking the badge, the guards ushered them in.

The inside looked like a regular warehouse. Stacks of crates filled half the warehouse. Workers were busy loading some crates onto large wagons. There were also guards inside, even more than the outside. These guards kept an eye on the workers, making sure they were doing their jobs.

”Boss, you finally pay me a visit,” a voice was heard. Amon turned and saw San Guo there.

”The prince doesn’t provide enough funds to transport the goods using space rings?” Amon asked, referring to the wagons.

San Guo chuckled. ”You know space rings don’t grow on trees. We did use them to transport goods to the other cities. But for distribution within the city, we still use traditional methods to save cost. Plus, space rings might be convenient for transport, but it is also convenient to get stolen.”

Amon didn’t argue. He introduced Lu Fei, ”This is Lu Fei. He will be helping you in the capital from now on. He is a Beginning Mystic Stage cultivator.”

”Great. Having a martial realm cultivator will help get things going,” San Guo said. ”Using the funds from this operation, I’ve bought a few properties in this capital. I’ve also gathered a small group to serve as our foundation here. I just lacked a proper commander to lead this group. I am needed to oversee this facility, after all.”

Amon nodded. ”I will relocate the Demon Gang members, a few men at a time, to this capital. Take it slow. Don’t antagonize any local powers. We stay low and bide our time until I graduate from the Royal Academy. Now, show me the facility.”

San Guo led the two down to the basement, where the production of the Thousand Dream Powders was taking place. Amon was impressed by the scale. The facility here could not be compared to what he had in Qishurg City. Things were truly different if they were backed by real power.

During this visit, Amon taught San Guo about the Serene Tranquilize Powder. He had reached a better agreement with Huang San regarding this new drug. He had also perfected the formula. It could now be used for mass production.

At night, San Guo took Amon and Lu Fei to check out the properties he had bought. Those properties served as ideal hideouts. He also met the underworld people San Guo had assembled. San Guo introduced Lu Fei to them and let them know Lu Fei was in charge from now on.

After finishing all this, Amon returned to the palace the next morning to get ready to meet the delegates from Oredolia.