Weapon seller in the world of magic

Mark studied the young prince for a while, feeling pity for this one. Zetian may have looked composed and polite, but underneath, he was the kind of youth who had been forced to grow up cautiously, quietly, and with constant restraint. ”I see,” Mark finally said, leaning back slightly. ”It must not have been easy.”

A soft, self-deprecating smile formed on Zetian’s lips. ”Compared to many others, I have lived comfortably, Patriarch Lan. I was raised in the palace, fed well, and taught well. But... I will not pretend that I didn’t grow up wondering whether I should exist at all. My mother died because she loved a man she shouldn’t have. My father spared me but avoided me. The Emperor treats me better than my own father, ironically. And the nobles pretend to respect me while whispering behind my back. So, yes... I’m familiar with layers of masks.”

Mark could relate, far more than Zetian realized. Everyone believed he was simply Lu Zhen, a prodigy with monstrous talent.

No one knew the truth that he was a man who had lived an entire different life on another world, died, reincarnated, and now walked with the weight of two identities. No one knew he was the founder himself, the very ancestor whose name shaped the entire Lan Clan legacy. He didn’t wear a mask on his face like Zetian, but he wore a mask in his heart every day.

”In any case,” Zetian continued, interrupting Mark’s thoughts, ”I didn’t tell you this seeking sympathy, Patriarch Lan. It’s because it is not just the wish of the Palace. I myself am willing to join the sect. You are the patriarch of the dominion. And you deserve to know who is staying in your sect.”

Mark nodded slowly. The prince’s honesty was refreshing. ”Thank you for telling me. And don’t worry. I don’t have any prejudice against hybrids. Monsters or humans. I don’t care about it. The only thing I care about is whether they stand in my way or not. You are my friend if you stay beside me, and you are my enemy if you stay opposite. That’s it.”

Zetian blinked, stunned for a moment, then laughed softly. ”You say such things plainly, Patriarch Lan. I seldom encounter such people who could be honest in their words.”

Mark didn’t reply. He simply met the prince’s eyes and spoke again in a calm tone, ”As for the treaty conditions... I will think on them thoroughly. The Emperor’s sincerity is clear. But I need time to decide. There are things only I can handle, and things I cannot accept, no matter the reason.”

Zetian bowed politely. ”I understand. And I have no intention of rushing you. His Majesty fully expected that you would need time. Until then, I will stay here and observe. Perhaps I’ll grow to understand the Lan Sect more.”

Mark nodded. ”You are welcome to stay. Just avoid causing trouble or going alone elsewhere. You are a special guest, after all. And if something happens to you, the peace treaty will fall before it even gets signed.”

Lei Zetian chuckled. ”I’m not as important as you think, Patriarch Lan. But then again, you can never know the heart of a Monarch. Who knows what my grandfather was planning? But yes, if something happens to me, it depends on the will of His Majesty. If he were looking forward to forming a relationship with the Patriarch, then he wouldn’t care. But if he were merely looking forward to damage control, then he would really use the opportunity to attack the Dominion. Either way, I’m nothing but a pawn.”

Mark shrugged. ”Well, it doesn’t matter what he thinks. From my side, I don’t want to be on the wrong side. Anyway, you may leave now.”

Zetian got up and turned to leave, but before he stepped out of the chamber, Mark called out one more time. ”Prince Zetian.”

Zetian paused, turning back. ”Yes?”

This time, Mark approached him instead of calling him back to sit. He then spoke quietly, ”Prince Zetian, you want to join the Lan Sect. That means you’re willing to follow my authority and have trust in me, right?”

”Yes?” Zetian nodded with polite calm, unsure where the conversation was heading. Mark lowered his voice further and asked, ”Then can I trust you with something important? Something you need to do in secret?”

Zetian straightened at the seriousness in Mark’s tone. ”If it does not betray the empire, then yes.”

”Good then...” Mark nodded in satisfaction before explaining, ”I need the imperial palace to arrange a large-scale private feast. A gathering for top powers, sect leaders, influential families, major clans, and even scholars, if needed. Nothing too grand for the public eye. It just needs to last at least five days. The important part is that no one must know I requested this. It should appear like the Emperor is willing to do this. Only the Emperor, the fifth prince, and maybe Lord Hei can be allowed to know the truth, and none of you can ask what my intentions are. Can you make this happen?”

Zetian’s brows furrowed deeply. It was a strange demand, political, risky, and unclear in purpose. But Mark’s voice was collected, and his eyes full of confidence.

Zetian eventually bowed and said he would relay the message exactly to his uncle.

Heavenly Ocean Empire, Imperial City;

Several hours later, at the courtyard of a Prince Manor, the fifth prince was seen with a deep frown, reading the instructions sent by Zetian. His mind immediately began analyzing the purpose behind such a request. Why five days? Why did an event require the presence of top powers? Why secrecy?

From the political standpoint, it made him wonder whether Lu Zhen wanted to talk with other powers. But as far as he made an inquiry about Lu Zhen, in the eyes of the fifth prince, it didn’t fit with Lu Zhen’s actions so far.

Regardless, since this is an invitation to the palace where they had absolute control, the fifth prince decided to cooperate.

While he pondered, footsteps were heard nearby. Two figures approached him leisurely.

The first was dressed in blue royal robes with a calm, almost lazy expression. The second followed a step behind, wearing the armor of a personal guard. The fifth prince lifted his gaze to see the Fourth Prince, Lei Wujie, smiling faintly as he stepped into the hall.

”Thinking about the welfare of the empire even during your leisure time, Tianho?” Wujie joked lightly, though his eyes were sharp behind the gentle tone.

Lei Tianho, the fifth prince, folded the message scroll carefully and returned the bow. ”Fourth Brother.” His tone was respectful but guarded, as always. Lei Wujie walked closer and sat down casually, resting one hand on the polished table. ”You look troubled,” he said. ”Something regarding the dominion? Or perhaps something to do with the new Patriarch Lan?”

Tianho’s expression didn’t change, but his heartbeat quickened just slightly. He knew Wujie was sharp, too sharp sometimes. The fourth prince was known for his neutral stance in imperial politics, yet his mind was keen enough to read through conversations without hearing a single word.

”Just some matters to review,” Tianho replied calmly. ”Nothing urgent.”

Wujie chuckled softly. ”When you say ’nothing urgent,’ and yet seem worried, it usually means something important that you don’t want others to know.” He leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. ”Let me guess. That Lan Zhen send his counterproposal? So, did he accept my daughter?”

Tianho’s heart skipped a beat at once.

The silence in the garden grew heavier as Lei Wujie stepped closer and closer with a polite smile outward, but Tianho felt nervous when he saw that smile.

When he sat down in front of his younger brother, the air shifted subtly, as though the temperature dropped a few degrees.

He then calmly added, ”A little bird told me that you changed Father’s marriage terms for the Lan Sect... and used my daughter as a bargaining chip, instead.” His calm tone contrasted sharply with the blaze hidden in his gaze, the kind that only soldiers and warlords carried, the calm before a general goes into a conquest.

Lei Tianho’s shoulders stiffened for a brief moment, even though he tried to act unfazed.

He turned his face slightly away, pretending to examine the scroll on the table, and replied with a steadiness he didn’t feel, ”I don’t know what you are talking about, Fourth Brother.”

Wujie’s hand slowly reached forward and pressed flat on the table, his fingers spread, tapping once against the polished wood. At once, the entire table vibrated and smashed into powder, making Wujie step away, and his bodyguard hurriedly appeared before him in defense.