Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 340: Chapter 340. Rewards

Xin Dhaije came to Xin Jingsao’s side. He looked at his disciple’s left arm. ”You are wounded?” He asked with a frown.

”It’s the result of a friendly spar,” Hua Ling said. ”I’m sorry I didn’t stop the fight before he was wounded.”

”I don’t accept your sorry. I want a formal apology from Echos for this incident,” Xin Dhaije demanded.

”If that is the case, Oredolia should also issue a formal apology,” Amon returned.

”What do you mean?” Xin Dhaije asked.

Amon gestured for Hua Ling to answer. She said, ”Your disciple sparred with Prince Huang Zen earlier. He is now in the infirmary due to the spar.”

Xin Dhaije turned and asked his disciple, ”You did?”

”Hmph!” Xin Jingsao harrumphed and gritted his teeth. That’s all Xin Dhaije needed to hear.

”Is Huang Zen all right?” Princess Huang Er asked Hua Ling.

”He is wounded but nothing serious,” Hua Ling reported.

”Well, since both sides have blundered, we can chalk this up to young people’s impulsiveness,” Princess Huang Er said. ”Thankfully, no one suffers a serious wound. I hope the relationship between our two countries can proceed as we have discussed just now.”

Xin Dhaije looked at Princess Huang Er before turning to the mural, Li Shi, and finally Amon. He said, ”We will work together, for now. But make sure to keep your word. If we receive news that thing or anything like it is out in the open, there will be repercussions. We have other matters to deal with. We will take our leave.”

With that, he strolled out with Xin Jingsao in tow. Hua Rong and Hua Ling escorted them. The young deacon turned and glared at Amon before walking out the door.

After they were gone, Princess Huang Zen heaved a long-relieved sigh. She said, ”I originally planned to host them for two days, but I’m glad they decided to leave this early. I can’t say they left with a good impression of us, but at least we got a better diplomatic result than I hoped for.”

She turned to Amon and said, ”This is all thanks to you. I am surprised you made up that bullshit on the spot, but by the Gods, it worked. Now, we just have to ensure they don’t find out we are blackmailing them with something that doesn’t exist.”

”Despite their seeming grasp of power, they are a fearful bunch,” Amon said. ”They rely on the masses for their power. If they lose the faith and support of the masses, they lose that overwhelming power. That’s why they are willing to relent when we threaten them with something that can do that.”

”You are one impressive young man,” Princess Huang Er praised. ”No wonder you are the first-ranked student and my youngest brother’s close friend. I promise I will grant you a good position once you graduate, even better than what I offered you before. If you are willing to support me, you can work directly under me.”

”That is a generous offer. I will consider it. But for now, I wish to concentrate on my study,” Amon replied.

Princess Huang Er nodded. ”Certainly. To thank you for what you have done for the kingdom today, I will grant you this.”

Princess Huang Er handed Amon a small badge. It was similar to the badge Prince Huang San gave him, only more intricate and seemed to be made of gold.

”This badge shows that you are a good friend of the kingdom. You will be given access to all the cities in this kingdom that perform checkpoints. This badge will also help you buy land or things otherwise inaccessible to commoners. It should even get you a discount. Everyone will want to get on the good side with a friend of the kingdom, after all.”

”Thank you, Your Highness,” Amon said.

Princess Huang Er nodded. She then turned to Li Shi, ”As for you, I’m sorry. This mural will remain in a closed exhibit. Only individuals who pass our verification may lay eyes on it.”

Li Shi lowered her head. She was disappointed but had expected this outcome after the incident in the meeting.

”Do you need to go to the infirmary?” Huang Er asked.

LI Shi realized traces of blood were still on her face. She quickly wiped them. ”No, Your Highness. I’m fine. I’ve consumed a recovery pill.”

”Okay. I will check on Huang Zen now,” Princess Huang Er said. She said farewell to Amon before leaving.

”Are you truly okay?” Amon asked Li Shi. Not that he cared. There was just something he wanted to ask her for a favor. He was worried this incident had put him in her bad book.

”I just... I need time to think about this. I’m sorry. I must organize the people to transport this mural. Do you have somewhere you want to be? We will go back to the Royal Academy tomorrow. You can go and enjoy the capital if you wish.”

Amon didn’t try to console her. He took his leave and went to the city. He used his spare time to help Lu Fei and San Guo organize the new Demon Gang in this city. He also asked San Guo if he had anything he needed for the team but couldn’t purchase. He showed San Guo his newly received kingdom badge.

San Guo was amazed because he knew the significance of the badge. He quickly pointed out he had previously eyed a certain residence but could not because it was in a high-end residential complex. If he could get the residence, it would significantly increase his status. This would ease his attempt to expand his network to more high-class communities, which would benefit their organization.

Amon asked him for the place, and they went there to start the purchasing process.

*

The next day, Amon met Li Shi and Hua Ling in the palace’s courtyard. She seemed brighter today. A good night’s sleep was always a good cure for most things, something that was alien to him now. Not that he missed it, though.

”Are you ready to return?” Li Shi asked.

”Yes,” Amon replied.

Li Shi gestured to a palace guard, who ran away. Soon after, the guard returned with someone leading Ha Gild’s great eagle.

”The princess sends her regard,” Hua Ling told Amon. ”She asked you to remember her offer.”

Amon simply nodded in response.

Li Shi and Amon climbed onto the howdah on the great eagle’s back. The great eagle spread his wings and took to the sky.

Li Shi was quiet during the first two hours of the flight. Amon didn’t bother her. He spent his time cultivating. He again sat near the edge to give Lin Li a good view of the outside.

Li Shi finally broke her silence. ”I’m sorry,” she said.

”For what?” Amon asked.

”I know you did what you did to save the situation. If you didn’t, our country might have fallen into bad terms with Oredolia. If war breaks because of me... I won’t be able to forgive myself. Now that I think about it, I am terrified about what might have happened because of what I desire... Although I still believe that everyone deserves to learn the truth, it is not worth losing countless lives to war.”

Amon was tempted to say he didn’t mind war, but he shut his mouth.

”I should thank you instead,” Li Shi continued. ”If not for your action, the princess might have decided to destroy the mural. I can’t show it to the world, but at least it still exists. I guess I should be grateful for that. If there is anything I can do to repay you, please let me know. I will help if I can.”

Amon raised his eyebrows upon hearing that. This was as good an opportunity as any. He immediately seized it. ”There is something that you can help me with.”

”Say it,” Li Shi said.

”Remember when I conveyed my interest in seeing the Spring of Life?”

”That...,” Li Shi was hesitant after hearing the request.

”I just want to see it,” Amon said. ”As I said, I’m very interested in studying the formation of the ley lines. If I can lay eyes on the Spring of Life, I believe I can get a better understanding. I won’t touch the water from the spring. You can stay with me the entire time. I just need ten, no, five minutes to look at the place. That’s all I ask.”

When Li Shi didn’t respond, Amon added, ”I know I will enter the Senior Class in a few months. After that, it is only five years before I can see and use the Spring of Life. However, five years feels like a long time. When you have the desire that prompts you to study something, you can’t help but feel the need to do it as soon as possible. I’m sure you know that kind of desire.”

Li Shi understood the feeling. It was that desire that pushed her to study archeological sites and artifacts. Amon had successfully made him appear like someone with the same interest as her.

She said, ”All right, student Lin Mo. I will talk to Principal Li Niang. I believe I can secure special permission for you if it is only to look at the spring for a short period.

”Thank you, Tutor Li Shi,” Amon said with a wide grin.