Weapon seller in the world of magic

That single tap echoed like a war drum inside Tianho’s mind as Wujie leaned closer and said, ”Really now? Should I drag Zetian here and let him confess himself? I don’t mind torturing that half-baihu nephew of ours. You know very well that I never failed to extract truth from someone.”

The fifth prince inhaled sharply but could not hold the act for long. He also motioned his bodyguard to step away.

A long sigh spilled from his lips as he pinched the bridge of his nose. ”Fine... fine,” he muttered, lowering the scroll. ”I proposed a betrothal between our little Mei and Lan Yichen. He is the grandson of Lan Yuxuan. You know Yuxuan’s history. She descends from the Imperial Prince line. Her father married into a duke’s family. Even if that house fell later, the blood remains noble. The boy is young, talented, and tied to multiple strong branches. And now that Lu Zhen is the dominion lord, the child’s status will naturally rise. I felt it was a strong match.”

Tianho continued before Wujie could interrupt. ”Also, Yuxuan herself is at the edge of breaking through to the second stage of transcendence. Everyone knows she will reach the third stage in the coming decades. Her influence in both clan and sect is immense, especially now that Lan Zhen is her disciple’s husband. If we must form a marriage pact, her lineage is the most politically valuable to bind. This is why I suggested her grandson. And before you accuse me again, I didn’t tie the marriage only to our side. I asked for someone from their side in exchange, too.”

Wujie’s voice dropped. ”Who?” His eyes did not blink, and for the first time, Tianho felt sweat begin to gather at the back of his neck. He shook his head firmly and said, ”I can’t say it. Not until Father approves it. I’m sorry, Fourth Brother.”

The fourth prince rose from his seat slowly. He stood tall, looking down at Tianho with a cold expression that carried none of his earlier calmness. ”Listen carefully, my dear brother,” he said, his tone dangerously soft, ”if Father himself wishes a marriage involving my daughter, then I will hear it from his own mouth. I won’t agree or disagree until he speaks to me. But if you are scheming behind my back and using my daughter like a sacrificial pawn for your chess board...” His voice lowered until it was almost a growl. ”I will bring my entire army from the borders. I will drag out whatever rats you have and execute them personally. I may be forced to sit here during this era of peace, but don’t ever forget what these hands have done on the battlefield.”

He lifted one scarred hand, letting it rest near Tianho’s cheek.

The fifth prince swallowed, feeling the faint lingering murderous intent radiating from those fingers, fingers that had strangled beasts, beheaded traitorous officials, and shattered sects. In fact, decades ago, he was the main force who crushed the rebellion that rose against the throne.

Wujie slowly lowered his hand, but his voice never softened as he further said. ”You can touch my patience, but don’t dare to touch my bottom line, Tianho. I am warning you not as a prince... but as a father.”

As Prince Wujie’s footsteps faded away, Tianho remained seated for a long moment, staring blankly at the powdered table.

He muttered under his breath, voice barely a whisper, ”This brother of mine... I really forgot what kind of wild monster he is.”

Wujie was unlike the other princes, unpredictable, terrifyingly straightforward, a general who didn’t like politics. He might be one of the generals of many generals that serve the Empire and only a 12-circle realm expert, but the ones who were loyal to him were numerous.

If Wujie said he would raze half the capital for his daughter’s sake, he meant every word. Tianho rubbed his forehead, trying to calm the thrum of nerves running up his spine. ”But no matter,” he whispered more firmly, pushing aside the fear. ”Once Lu Zhen agrees to my proposal, I will convince Father. And if Lu Zhen is not interested in Second Brother’s unborn son, then I will arrange a better match for his daughter, someone with the highest potential rather than a fragile political future.”

His eyes drifted toward the window, where the moonlight spilled faintly across the tiled floor.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he recalled the masked youth who stood beside him at the wedding banquet.

Zetian had grown sharper and more refined than he expected; the boy’s quiet demeanor hid a talent that could climb very high in the imperial hierarchy. ”If Zetian and Shang Jiao truly fall in love,” Tianho mused, tapping the table lightly, ”that would be even better. A marriage formed by affection is ten times more stable than any political pact. Moreover, Lu Zhen’s sister is also a chain for him.”

The thoughts continued to build and intertwine, forming an elaborate web in his mind. ”But whatever the case,” he muttered, leaning back in his chair, ”this must be resolved quickly. Father is already losing interest in ruling. Give or take a decade, he will step down and appoint the crown prince as the new Emperor.” His voice darkened softly. ”And Eldest Brother... as incompetent, distrustful, and vulnerable as he is, the Empire will break into factions the moment he takes the throne. Ministers, clan lords, generals... everyone will grab for power. Civil strife will rise. The balance of the entire plane will shift.”

Tianho’s fingers curled into a fist as he stared into the distance, imagining the chaos. ”In that chaos... Lu Zhen will have a perfect opportunity to become an independent sovereign. With his strength, his terrifying growth rate, and the mysterious companions he keeps...” He thought of Frost, of Pyro, of the two 14-circle experts who stood by Lu Zhen, now along with their former Patriarch, another 14-circle. ”He will not choose to bow to anyone if the Empire collapses. And if he wins the support of the Fire Clans as well... the situation will slip entirely from our hands.”

The prince inhaled deeply, steadying himself once more. His eyes regained their resolve, sharp and calculating. ”So fine,” he murmured at last, pushing away from the table. ”If Lu Zhen wants a banquet, then there will be a banquet. A grand one. Five days... ten if needed. Let the entire elite of the plane gather.” He smiled slowly, the expression calm but filled with ambition. ”If I must tie him to the palace before war and politics scatter everything, then I will do it. One way or another.”

*

Two days later, soft moans echoed within Mark’s residence, muted completely by the noise-canceling barrier Frost had set up outside the room.

The newlyweds were tightly entwined with their skin flushed, breath warm and heavy between them. Yet even as Lan Xia lay on his chest, her heartbeat still racing against his, she could feel something off.

Mark’s hands caressed her back gently, lovingly, but his eyes were distant. She raised her face, brushing her lips against his collarbone before whispering, half-teasing, half-worried, ”You weren’t that focused... what’s going on?”

Mark let out a long, weary sigh and threaded his fingers through her soft hair. ”I have to leave the clan for a while,” he said quietly, ”I need to get home.”

Lan Xia’s expression froze, the surprise in her eyes sharp and immediate.

Before she could speak, he slowly explained everything: the conditions proposed by the palace, the threat hidden behind their politeness, and the most unsettling part: that the Imperial Court somehow knew his daughter’s name even though Mark had never spoken of her publicly. Lan Xia listened without blinking, her playful warmth quickly replaced by seriousness.

The moment he finished, she lifted herself slightly and asked, ”Then why did you wait two days to tell me? You should have gone right away to check on them.”

Mark smiled helplessly. ”Because I can’t just disappear right after our wedding.”

Lan Xia stared at him for a second before speaking the obvious. ”Why would you leave me? I’ll come with you either way.”

”No,” Mark said instantly, firmly. ”You can’t come with me this time.” His fingers tightened around her arm gently, his gaze steady but filled with worry. ”There are still people here who don’t like me. Some elders barely tolerate my authority. Some... want me dead. I was worried about what they might plot while I’m away. If you’re here, I’ll feel more at ease.” Lan Xia’s brows knitted in concern, but she nodded slowly, understanding the weight behind his decision even if she hated the idea of being apart.

”So,” she murmured, lying fully on his chest again, ”when are you planning to go?”