Chapter Bonanza (1/5)

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Inside Golden Rock Fortress, a grand banquet was underway.

Gorod was drunk out of his mind, surrounded by his favorite courtiers and beauties, with flattery and sycophancy ringing in his ears, intoxicating him until he soon became giddy with pride.

Alcohol clouded his mind, and the exaggerated praise filling his ears made him forget to see his son off.

Perhaps he knew, but chose to ignore it.

Sending Cen Qing to the Snow Domain, banishing Zhu Yin’s sole bloodline—there would be no more black-haired royals within Golden Rock City.

His wish had finally been granted, and he laughed heartily.

Even though the threat of Cen Qing remained ever-present, at least in this moment, he was happy, able to drink freely and celebrate the fulfillment of his long-cherished wish.

Queen Zuona appeared in the banquet hall and sat quietly beside Gorod.

She paid no heed to the beauties vying for his favor, coldly lifting her wine glass to take a sip. She cast a seemingly casual glance toward the throne, her narrow eyes narrowing slightly, her lashes trembling ever so slightly, obscuring a peculiar, icy glint.

Gorod, no one remains triumphant forever.

Not even you, nor I.

Just as Gorod embraced a beauty and sank his fangs into her neck, Zuona abruptly rose from her seat.

Without a word, she stood tall and walked out of the banquet hall, away from this celebration that was nothing but a fool’s game, and away from her husband, never looking back.

Darkness enveloped the land, and a cold wind suddenly swept across the wasteland.

The howling gale swept through, scattering the remnants of snow across the ground.

Snowflakes and shards of ice swirled wildly, swept upward by the cold wind, resembling a white waterfall hanging upside down, forming vast curtains across the vast sea of snow.

The vampire clan’s procession headed north, passing through the estates of many nobles along the way without stopping.

In accordance with the date agreed upon with the wraiths, they had to ride day and night at full speed. Otherwise, they risked being trapped by a blizzard, which would delay the meeting.

The pact was of vital importance to the vampire clan, as it determined whether they could cut off the rebel army’s retreat and eradicate the kingdom’s greatest threat.

Zax did indeed have his own motives, but like Bashir, he believed the rebel army must be eradicated. Since such a heavy price had been paid, they must eradicate the problem at its roots and ensure it could never rise again.

On the tenth day of their journey, they were suddenly caught in a blizzard.

Feather-like snowflakes swirled thick and fast, forming an endless curtain of white.

Gale-force winds battered the convoy; rocks and shards of ice swirled wildly, clattering against the carriages with a relentless, agonizing clatter.

The flags were torn by the wind; the knights could not hold on and were forced to lower them temporarily.

One by one, the wagons at the rear were overturned, their wheels sinking knee-deep into the snow, leaving them momentarily immobilized. The convoy split apart, as if a long dragon had been severed.

Several wagons lay upside down in the snow; the ropes binding them snapped, and boxes of all sizes were scattered across the ground, piled beneath bulging sacks. Some of the sacks had burst open, spilling out hulled barley and wheat.

The wind continued to grow stronger, its howling exceptionally piercing, like the shrill wails of vengeful spirits.

Warhorses and draft horses neighed, rearing up one after another, their necks and backs coated in a layer of white frost.

The slave drivers were flung from their seats by the reins and struggled to crawl out of the snow, their bodies caked in powdery snow.

Several slaves were unable to dodge in time; their calves were pinned under the wheels, leaving them unable to move from the knees down. By the time they were rescued, their leg bones were shattered into pieces, their feet had turned limp, and they were doomed to a life of disability.

Accidents kept happening one after another; the morale of the column was low, panic was spreading, and the situation was turning dire.

“We can’t go any further!”

“We’ll be buried here!”

“We need to find shelter from the snow!”

Robert and Lai Li rode their horses through the ranks, their cloaks billowing behind them, revealing belts studded with brass buckles and the swords at their waists.

They gripped the reins with both hands; as they spoke, white mist swirled before their noses, and crystalline frost clung to their eyebrows.

Since setting out, the two had spent most of their time on horseback. Even with warm linings and thick cloaks, they could not withstand the biting cold.

Though the vampire clan possessed formidable physiques, they were not truly immortal.

If the blizzard did not let up, they would be lost in the white, never to escape this snowy expanse.

Click.

With a soft click, a carriage door opened.

Zax leaned out, clad in a thick cloak just like the other two, with a hat pulled down over his head.

He surveyed the entire procession, witnessed the disheveled state of the group, and realized the gravity of the situation.

“Pass the word: find shelter to set up camp. We’ll resume our journey once the wind and snow subside.”

He couldn’t count on the snow stopping.

Robert and Lai Li knew this as well.

The delegation’s leadership held a brief meeting, then immediately dispatched a servant as a messenger.

The order was conveyed with precision and spread rapidly through the ranks.

The vehicles shifted positions as they moved, breaking the winding convoy into several sections. These sections drew closer together, forming a tight formation to provide maximum protection against the howling wind and blizzard and minimize casualties.

“Send out scouts.” Zax stepped out of the carriage to personally direct the operations.

The Deputy Envoys in the convoy also sprang into action.

Faced with the crisis, they did not stand idly by; setting aside their differences, they demonstrated considerable initiative.

Cen Qing did not participate in the decision-making, nor was the Black Knight ordered to go out. The prince’s attendants were idle, their inactivity jarring against the tense atmosphere.

“Zax doesn’t trust me, so naturally he wouldn’t deploy my knights.”

Inside the spacious, warm carriage, a delicate fragrance lingered, dispelling the winter chill.

Sea pearls the size of fists hung overhead, while the floor and seats were covered with thick blankets, and soft pillows were piled high—it was arranged to be equally comfortable for sitting or lying down.

A square table hung inside the carriage.

The tabletop was woven from thorns, and hot drinks and pastries were arranged upon it.

As the carriage swayed along, the cups and plates remained perfectly still. It turned out the tabletop had recessed grooves, and the vessels fit perfectly into them, forming a seamless whole.

Cen Qing leaned back against the table, his black coat neat and tailored. Subtle patterns were embroidered on the collar and cuffs, and the buttons on the lapel were inlaid with gemstones—a blood-red hue that complemented the fabric of the coat perfectly.

He held a book in his hands, occasionally turning a page, his fingers lightly tracing the paper as he marked passages of interest.

A snow leopard cub lay at his feet, its large paws pawing at the blanket, one after another, its endearing, clumsy manner making it utterly charming.

The book was written in the Wraith script; Cen Qing could understand most of it, demonstrating a remarkable aptitude for learning.

While reading, he multitasked, frequently chatting with Moli to stay updated on the situation within the group.

“A despicable little man, a petty and narrow-minded fellow.” Moli had a terrible impression of Zax, and her opinion of him grew increasingly low. “He climbed the ranks through nepotism; one day, he’ll reap what he’s sown.”

“That’s only natural,” Cen Qing chuckled lightly, but suddenly began coughing again. He gestured to Moli not to worry, suppressed the tickle in his throat himself, and continued, “My father, His Majesty the Great King, has nine wives, not to mention a multitude of mistresses. Their families all hope to be favored, but only a few get their wish. They must also guard against the king’s sword, which could be raised at any moment. ”

Reality is extremely cruel—utterly brutal.

Gorod was not only ruthless but also a master of the art of balance.

He frequently changed wives, always elevating a few families, allowing them to be consumed by greed, and then replacing them with newcomers.

This tactic was easy to see through, yet the nobles were powerless to stop it. They were like a swarm of bloodthirsty mosquitoes, flocking to the trap even though they knew it was a trap.

“Power, wealth, and status—even if the ground is strewn with blades, there will always be those willing to risk their lives. As long as one survives to the end, the rewards far exceed the risks.”

Cen Qing looked up from the pages, a fleeting, inexplicable emotion crossing his eyes.

Moli unfolded a blanket and carefully draped it over his legs. She was more concerned about Cen Qing’s health than her analysis of Gorod.

“Your Highness, you have already left Golden Rock City and will not return for some time. All of this has nothing to do with you for now; you should take care of yourself,” she said.

With Cen Qing out of the picture, more conflicts will surface.

The king and the nobility, the great houses and the imperial in-laws, the established families and the rising powers—even the king and his queen.

With so many factions tearing at one another, Golden Rock City is destined to be engulfed in a storm.

For Cen Qing, such chaos was actually advantageous.

“I understand.” Cen Qing was fully aware of what Moli was implying.

If possible, he didn’t want to overtax his mind either.

However…

Suddenly, the carriage shook violently, interrupting his train of thought.

Moli quickly pushed open the window. Outside, chaos reigned: the draft horses neighed and reared up, while the warhorses, as if trying to break free from their reins.

Only the porcupines in Cen Qing’s group showed no signs of distress. Under the goblins’ command, they gathered together, their long quills bristling on their backs as if on alert for some danger, collectively standing ready for battle.

“What’s going on?”

“The earth is splitting open!”

“An enemy attack?”

“There’s something underground!”

The sudden turn of events caught the caravan off guard.

In the blink of an eye, the earth split open, jagged fissures extending vertically directly beneath the convoy. As the cracking intensified, chunks of snow collapsed and plummeted down the fissures.

A rumbling sound came from beneath the ground, like a muffled roar.

One snowdrift after another swelled up along the fissure, growing like small mountains until they soon towered ten, twenty, and eventually over a hundred meters high.

“Snow giants!”

“Damn it, how did they end up here?!”

“We’re under attack by the Barbarian Tribe!”

“It has to be them!”

Suddenly surrounded, the caravan fell into panic and chaos.

Cen Qing’s carriage was trapped, on the verge of falling into the pit.

The thorn maids reacted in time; thick thorns shot up from beneath her feet, twisting and coiling to brace against the edge of the fissure, lifting the carriage high into the air—instantly raising it dozens of meters off the ground.

The Black Knights quickly assembled.

Thirty of them leaped from their warhorses simultaneously, stepping on the thorns to form a protective ring around the carriage.

“On guard!”

Mino drew his sword and shouted the order.

The Black Knights drew their bows simultaneously, knocking sharp arrows and aiming at the snow giants closing in.

Led by Tiemu, the slaves grabbed their weapons and firmly protected Cen Qing’s carriage.

To facilitate combat, everyone shifted their forms—treants, beastmen, longhair persons, bigfoot persons, and all manner of strange and wondrous races, numbering no fewer than several dozen.

The ironwood treants, led by Tiemu, played a crucial role.

Gnarled roots spanned the fissures in the ground, allowing their comrades to move back and forth with ease. Their canopies expanded to their limits, making them appear even more towering, capable of standing toe-to-toe with the snow giants.

“Protect His Highness!”

They feared death, yet they were not afraid of it.

For Cen Qing, they were willing to sacrifice everything, including their own lives.

Goblins were not skilled in combat, but they could command porcupines.

They blew their whistles, and the strange whistling sound carried through the air. The docile porcupines raised their quills, thrust their heads forward, sinking their four claws into the snow, their claws dripping venom capable of corroding the hard permafrost.

In just a few minutes, Cen Qing’s party had formed a protective perimeter: maids, knights, slaves, goblins, and porcupines formed layer upon layer, creating an impenetrable protective circle.

Having just witnessed the entire process, Zax had no time to be surprised before he came under attack from the snow giants.

He had no choice but to steel himself for battle.

“Knights, assemble! charge!”

More than a hundred snow giants attacked the convoy.

They had no coordinated strategy, used no weapons, and preferred to fight individually, relying on brute force to break through from different directions.

Their massive bodies bore down on the convoy; their huge feet stomped the ground, whipping up a terrifying cold wind. Their giant hands grabbed chunks of snow and hurled them at their targets one after another, instantly sending people and horses tumbling.

Vehicles were struck one after another struck one after another; servants were buried beneath the carriages, splattering the ground with crimson blood.

Charging knights couldn’t dodge in time; they and their warhorses were buried in snow, turning into ice sculptures in the biting wind.

The snow giants closed in while attacking; they searched through the ranks, quickly zeroing in on their target, and began to encircle Cen Qing’s carriage.

“No!”

Realizing the snow giants’ intent, Zax’s face paled.

At this critical moment, he cast aside all hesitation, unfurling black bat-like wings from his shoulder blades. His fangs pierced his gums as he shot through the snow giant’s back like a black gust of wind, emerging from its chest.

“Their target is His Highness!”

“Protect His Royal Highness!”

Zax spread his wings and hovered in midair.

Behind him, the snow giant stood frozen, a gaping hole torn open in its chest. Its massive body creaked as it climbed up the fissure, the sound of cracking echoing incessantly.

Finally, the snow giant fell to its knees, its body collapsing with a thunderous roar and shattering into pieces in the howling cold wind.

Robert and Lai Li led the knights in a charge, each wielding a longsword to hack at the snow giant’s legs.

Lai Li was a master of the two-handed sword; he spurred his warhorse into a mad dash, charging through the ranks of several snow giants, the blade flashing silver wherever it struck, causing the snow giants to topple one after another.

Ruskin joined the fray midway, and Seccombe and the others were not to be outdone.

The Chief Envoy and Deputy Envoy led the charge, and the knights, summoning all their courage, surged forward. Blades flashed in every direction as the snow giants crumbled one after another, reduced to piles of shards.

The nobles rushed desperately toward Cen Qing’s carriage, fearing the snow giants might get their hands on him.

If anything were to happen to Cen Qing, the alliance might fall apart, and all their plans would come to naught!

“Kill!”

Zax was in a bloodthirsty frenzy.

He used his body as a weapon, piercing through one target after another.

Snow giants fell behind him, their shattered torsos covered in cracks, disintegrating in an instant.

As they drew closer to the carriage, another turn of events occurred.

A roar echoed once more, causing the vampire clans to stiffen simultaneously.

They looked toward the source of the sound, fearing it was enemy reinforcements, and their hearts filled with anxiety. An ominous shadow loomed over them, making them even more agitated, their faces paler than the snow.

The rumbling continued unabated, radiating outward from the center of Cen Qing’s carriage.

The ground cracked more severely. Unlike the destruction caused by the snow giants, these fissures were perfectly regular, radiating outward in concentric circles.

The snow collapsed in swirling patterns; viewed from above, it looked as though a transparent engraving tool were gliding across the snow, leaving behind an eerie design.

Not only had the vampire clan not anticipated this, but even the Snow Giants were frozen in place.

The battle was abruptly interrupted by this unforeseen turn of events. Both sides were frozen in place, watching in horror as the pattern took shape, the ground shattered, and layers of earth began to rise upward.

“Your Highness, hold on to me!”

The thorns surrounding the fissure shattered completely. The thorn maids acted decisively, transforming half their bodies into thorn branches to cling tightly to the ground.

Using their own bodies as a shield to shield Cen Qing as she exited the carriage.

Almost simultaneously, the ground began to crack at an accelerated pace; the fissures continued to widen, one side rising upward while the other sank downward.

Beneath the fissure, a massive tree canopy emerged, iron-gray in color, with a luster like bluestone.

The branches and leaves had all turned to stone, and the hard trunks emerged from the earth in segments, while gnarled roots swelled upward, forming a dense forest in just a few short minutes.

This wondrous spectacle left everyone speechless.

Both the vampire clan and the Snow Giants were so stunned that they stood frozen for a long time.

Tiemu stared blankly at the trees. For some reason, he suddenly felt a sense of kinship, as if he were looking at his own ancestors.

Cen Qing, closely guarded by his maids, found himself unexpectedly in the center of the forest.

He sensed not a trace of hostility.

The forest was reviving. The stony bark on the outer layer of the trunks began to peel away, revealing the trees’ true forms. Branches and leaves changed color simultaneously, blooming with fresh green amidst the snow-white landscape and igniting vast swathes of crimson gold—vibrant with life yet strangely eerie.

Most people were baffled, but Deputy Envoy Seccombe felt a sudden pang of foreboding.

He was the eldest son of Chancellor Bashir, upon whom the family had pinned high hopes, and he had been carefully groomed since his youth.

Before his rift with his father, he had often visited the family library, where he had once seen a painting—ancient and tattered, passed down for tens of thousands of years and always carefully preserved.

It depicted a goldwood.

An ancient and mysterious species, whose seeds required blood to sprout—the blood of pure royal lineage.

Is this the Goldwood Forest?

They vanished over a century ago!

The Goldwood Forest appeared abruptly, isolating Cen Qing from the others—including the Snow Giants attacking him.

The massive trees grew relentlessly; their roots arched up from the ground, pushing aside the vampire clan members blocking their path and strangling the Snow Giants at an astonishing speed.

The giants offered no resistance; one after another, they were impaled and shredded, becoming nourishment for the trees.

As the last snow giant vanished, the forest began to retreat.

Vitality was as fleeting as a morning glory; the canopy swiftly withered and turned gray, the trunks shriveled and collapsed, and the roots shrank inward, curling into fist-sized seeds that rolled toward Cen Qing, gathering around him.

The battle ended, and the alarm was lifted.

With the snow giants annihilated, the vampire clan stood dazed in their tracks, gazing in awe at Cen Qing and the seeds surrounding him.

The earth bore a massive scar; the swirling fissure would remain for a long time, until it was buried by snow and shards of ice.

“Goldwood Forest.”

It wasn’t just Seccombe who recognized the tree species; Zax did as well, and he couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions.

Pure royal bloodline.

He recognized this with crystal clarity.

Yet, there was no turning back.

Zax suppressed the complex emotions churning within him, turned, and ordered his men to tend to the wounded and gather the bodies. While the carriages were being repaired, he ordered heightened vigilance to guard against another ambush.

“Send men to patrol the surroundings; do not overlook anything suspicious.”

“As you command, Your Lordship.”

The thorn maids were extremely cautious.

Only after confirming the danger had completely passed did they set Cen Qing down and summon goblins to repair the carriage.

Cen Qing stepped out of the carriage onto the scarred earth and bent down to pick up a seed. A warm sensation flowed into his palm—the life force contained within the seed.

“Moli.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Gather them up.” Cen Qing decided to take these tree seeds with him. If the opportunity arose, he would plant them again and let them grow within his own domain.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The thorn maids faithfully carried out the order.

They released a vast number of thorns and carefully gathered every seed, ensuring not a single one was left behind.

Seeing their actions, Zax frowned and stepped forward to object: “They’re dangerous.”

“Those are His Highness’s orders,” Moli retorted bluntly, giving him no quarter. “Rather than worrying about these seeds, I suggest you prioritize the safety of the party. After all, accidents can happen at any moment—we won’t always be this lucky.”

Zax’s face turned ashen, but he was powerless to argue.

Moli paid him no further attention and continued with her work.

Cen Qing’s orders took precedence above all else; as for Zax, no matter how much dissatisfaction he harbored, he had to swallow it and deal with it himself.

With the snow giants vanquished, the blizzard subsided.

The wind remained cold, though far less biting than before. The curtain of snow gradually thinned, and through the gaps in the silver-white haze, the undulating mountain ranges came into view.

The expedition set off once more; they were not far from their destination.

“I suggest we pick up the pace.”

“We don’t know when the blizzard will return; we should make the most of our time.”

“I agree.”

During a rest stop, the delegation’s leadership gathered to discuss the route ahead.

Knights rode through the convoy, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

The craftsmen were unable to repair all the wagons, so the servants had to carry the chests and sacks on foot through the snow. Whenever a sack’s opening came loose, they had to bend down to pick up the spilled barley. Not a single grain would be wasted.

Unfortunately, they still weren’t moving fast enough.

Hidden beneath the snow lay secret, narrow passages—the underground burrows of the wasteland grey rats.

They were small in stature but incredibly swift. The rats formed vast colonies, numbering in the thousands. The burrows they dug were interconnected, resembling an underground labyrinth.

Even through the permafrost and snow, they could still smell the grain.

Before the servants could straighten up, the ground beneath their feet suddenly collapsed. Narrow pits dotted the landscape, and the gray mice poked their whiskers out of the ground, snatching grain after grain with such speed they left only afterimages.

“It’s the wasteland grey rat!”

“Stop them!”

“Sticks won’t work—use nets! Catching nets!”

The number of wasteland grey rats kept growing; their burrows formed concentric circles, closing in rapidly on the grain-laden wagon.

Everyone in the caravan immediately realized the situation was dire.

“There are too many of them!”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a thunderous crash echoed from behind.

It turned out the wasteland grey rats had burrowed beneath the snow, attempting to drag away a wagon.

The wagon’s body was half-buried in the snow; the horses pulling it were jerked backward, their front legs raised, letting out a series of whinnies.

The surrounding slaves grabbed the wagon body with their bare hands; two of them leaped up to restrain the horses, engaging in a tug-of-war with the wasteland grey rats, resulting in a temporary stalemate.

Crash!

A vast expanse of snow collapsed, releasing bursts of striking gray. Hundreds upon hundreds of wasteland grey rats swarmed, intent on devouring the convoy.

With food scarce in winter, they were ravenous, not only snatching grain but also attacking the slaves and the nag.

They weren’t even afraid of the vampire clan!

“Ah, it’s biting me!”

“Help!”

“Someone, help me!”

“I don’t want to die!”

Several slaves stumbled and fell, immediately surrounded by the swarm of rats. The gray tide spread rapidly, engulfing them in the blink of an eye.

The slaves let out heart-wrenching screams; within mere moments, their bodies were riddled with hundreds of bloody holes.

The attack occurred on the outskirts of the convoy, some distance from Cen Qing’s carriage.

Hearing the screams, he held down the restless snow leopard cub, tapped his fingers against the carriage, and said to the man outside, “Mino, send someone to check it out.”

“As you command, Your Highness.”

The Black Knight acknowledged the order, and two riders broke away from the column, galloping toward the scene of the chaos.

On the way, they encountered several other knights, each loyal to different families; their warhorses, armor, and weapons bore distinctive marks, making them easily identifiable at a glance.

The individual wasteland grey rats are unremarkable, prey to most birds of prey and wild beasts, and have long occupied the bottom of the food chain.

Once they gather in large numbers, however, they become a terrifying force, posing a certain threat of death.

“It’s a swarm of rats.”

“They’re starving and will devour anything.”

“We must leave.”

The knights ascertained the truth and reined in their horses from a safe distance.

No one would risk coming to their aid; to escape the rat swarm, the slaves had to fend for themselves.

“Return!”

One by one, the knights turned their horses around and rode off to deliver their messages.

Behind them, screams were drowned out by the gnawing sounds of the rat swarm, and a mist of blood erupted from the gray sea, signaling the slaves’ tragic fate.

Shortly after the knights returned, Zax and the others stopped arguing.

“Let’s leave immediately!”

They realized this was no place to stay; even if it meant braving the wind and snow, they had to leave at once.

Woo—

A desolate bugle call rang out, signaling their departure.

The caravans began to move; attendants frantically pulled on the reins, knights galloping on either side of the column. The slaves had to run on foot, chasing after the column at the fastest pace of their lives, or they would be left behind.

The swarm of wasteland grey rats pursued relentlessly, rolling like thick smoke across the snowy ground, closing in with fierce momentum.

Cen Qing’s carriage was in the middle of the column, with Black Knights clearing the way ahead and goblins driving mighty boars guarding the flanks.

Though the slaves were on foot, the thick thicket of thorns behind them served as a barrier, reducing the danger. Clad in shoes and warm clothing, with wheat cakes tucked into their bosoms, their stamina was assured, and they were able to keep pace with the wagons.

The convoy was once again shortened; the unfortunate vehicles and people trapped behind could not escape.

The wasteland grey rat feasted to its heart’s content until the sound of birdsong filled the sky and a vast flock of ravens descended, finally curbing its rampage.

The ravens took turns diving down, tearing gaps in the swarm of rats and carrying off their prey.

It took only a moment for them to go from hunters to prey.

With the unexpected arrival of their natural enemies, the wasteland grey rats panicked. The swarm instantly descended into chaos, trampling one another and slowing their pursuit of the caravan.

This gave the group a chance to catch their breath.

Zax ordered everyone to speed up and break out of this dangerous area.

He could certainly have ordered the extermination of the rat swarm, but there was no need. Rather than wasting energy here, it was better to make the most of the time and press on.

“We’re near the border; this is indeed an ominous place.”

“God knows what else might happen.”

Robert and Lai Li rode side by side, with Ruskin catching up to them and riding alongside.

The sound of flapping wings came from above. The three looked up at the sky and saw a flock of circling ravens. Far from feeling relieved, a shadow of foreboding settled over their hearts.

“Birds of ill omen.”

“What a bad omen.”

In the middle of the convoy, inside Cen Qing’s carriage, Moli lowered the carriage window and looked at Cen Qing across from her: “Your Highness, why are we helping them?”

Her eyesight was exceptional; she recognized the lead raven at a glance.

The ring on that bird’s leg was one of a kind—there were no replicas, unless a craftsman from tens of thousands of years ago had crawled out of his grave.

“Help?” Cen Qing cradled the snow leopard cub on his lap, running his fingers through its fluffy fur, and looked at the thorn maids with a puzzled expression. “Why would you think that?”

“Isn’t that the case?” Moli asked, a look of confusion on her face.

Had the flock of ravens not arrived, the convoy would have suffered even greater losses.

In fact, the casualties would have been even greater.

“No, I’m just cutting down on trouble.” Cen Qing coughed twice and leaned back against the wall of the carriage. He casually pushed open the window, letting the wind rush into the carriage.

Moli was always worried about his health; the temperature inside the carriage was high—or rather, too high—making him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

“If the diplomatic mission suffers too many losses, that’s a problem for me as well.” The cool breeze carried away the heat; Cen Qing closed his eyes in comfort, set down the snow leopard figurine, and picked up a bookmark to slip between the pages.

This bookmark featured exquisite patterns, shifting colors as the light moved across it. It had come from his mother and had been discovered in the diary of Empress Yin.

Moli pondered for a moment, concluding that Cen Qing’s words made sense.

“I’ll go find Juandan and have her sprinkle some powder to keep these underground field mice at bay,” she said.

“That won’t be necessary.” Cen Qing shook his head, stopping the maid from stepping down from the carriage. “This is sufficient .”

He merely wanted to avoid trouble; he had no real intention of helping Zax. With the number of knights in the party, dealing with the rats wouldn’t be difficult—it would just waste more time.

Since Zax didn’t plan to do it himself, why should he go out of his way?

The swarm of rats was held back by the flock of ravens, and the diplomatic convoy managed to escape safely.

Several collapsed houses appeared ahead of the group, standing starkly against the snow.

This had once been a village, but it had been ransacked by marauding troops, leaving the villagers with heavy casualties.

After the incident, the survivors gradually moved away, fleeing this place of sorrow.

Now, the village lay completely desolate, its remaining structures with collapsed roofs and crumbling walls. The fences that once held livestock had all fallen, the feeding troughs vanished, leaving only sunken pits frozen in the biting wind.

“Oak Village. Once we pass this, we’ll soon reach the border dock-fortress.” Robert sent men to search the village and confirm they were on the right path.

Cheers erupted from the group.

“Wonderful!”

Once they reached the border dock-fortress, they would be able to join up with the wraith’s party and then continue northward to the mysterious Snow Domain to visit the city of the Wraith King.

As the sky grew darker, the group pressed on, leaving the ruined village behind.

When night fell, they picked up the pace once more, following the glow of lights toward the border dock-fortresses.

Under the cover of night, the uniform-looking dock-fortresses stood facing each other across the snow; they were garrisoned by border knights, specifically to defend the kingdom’s northern border against the growing rebel forces.

Some of the dock-fortresses were ancient; others were still quite new.

One near Oak Village covered a vast area; after dark, it was ablaze with light, resembling a torch planted in the ground.

This dock-fortress belonged to Buyette; it could accommodate thousands of people. Now, not only were Border Knights stationed there, but skeleton knights also came and went, and the place was bustling with noise day and night.

Not long ago, skeleton knights from the Royal Capital had accidentally strayed into the Forbidden Forest, where they had a run-in with the fallen treants and suffered a humiliating defeat.

They swore to redeem themselves.

In recent days, they have engaged in constant skirmishes with fallen treants, using brute force to cut through the forest and clear a path northward.

The wraiths appeared at the border and witnessed the entire affair from start to finish.

Their assessment of this group of knights was that while their courage was commendable, they lacked brains and their abilities were somewhat lacking.

The vampire clan delegation arrived at the dock-fortress under cover of night; the sound of trumpets echoed, and the dock-fortress immediately sprang into action.

Origin and Buyette climbed the city walls together, gazing out at the south.

Numerous banners flew within the procession, symbolizing the Nine Great Houses.

A carriage was flanked by the noble banners; its design was simple and unadorned, a stark contrast to Gorod’s penchant for luxury, and more in keeping with the style of the Kingdom’s founder.

“Could it be…” Origin and Buyette exchanged glances, recalling the mission borne by the skeleton knight, and their expressions shifted slightly.

“His Royal Highness the First Prince?!”

Before the exclamation had even died down, the procession appeared before the dock-fortress.

Knights sent by Zax to announce their arrival first encountered the skeleton knights camped outside the dock-fortress. Able to verify the visitors’ identity, they immediately signaled toward the ramparts, demanding the dock-fortress open its gates.

“It’s Count Zax.”

Origin and Buyette frowned simultaneously.

Having garrisoned the border for many years, they naturally clashed with the nobles of the Royal Capital.

They held particular contempt for those who had risen to power through nepotism. While one couldn’t say they were all good-for-nothings, their conduct was certainly distasteful.

“How repulsive.”

“We can’t keep them out, especially since His Royal Highness the Prince is here.”

Buyette furrowed his brow, then raised his right arm, ordering the gates of the dock-fortress to be opened.

The procession filed into the dock-fortress, with a long line of fully loaded wagons stretching out behind them.

Due to the dock-fortress’s limited capacity, essential supplies were brought inside, while the rest remained outside, guarded by slaves throughout the night, ready to sound the alarm at the first sign of trouble.

Zax’s wagon was the first to enter the dock-fortress.

Seccombe was supposed to follow behind him, but he deliberately slowed down and pulled over to the side, making way for Cen Qing.

He did this not out of any particular deference to Cen Qing, but because he knew full well how much these border nobles valued the bloodline of Queen Yin.

If it weren’t for the fear of their power, Queen Yin’s bloodline would not have survived.

Nowadays, the border nobles are dwindling in number and are gradually falling out of the king’s favor. Yet this remains their sphere of influence, and a moment’s carelessness on Zax’s part could very well invite dire consequences.

Perhaps he knew this and was doing it on purpose.

Intimidation?

A show of force?

“A suicidal move.”

Seccombe rolled down the window, revealing half of his handsome face.

His keen eyes confirmed his suspicion. Seeing Zax’s carriage leading the procession, the border nobles—led by Buyette and Origin—looked grim, their expressions so dark they seemed ready to rain.

They made no rash moves.

The crowd stood rooted to the spot, ignoring Zax as he stepped out of the carriage and focusing instead on the vehicle passing through the dock-fortress gates.

The carriage was dark red, its surface shimmering with a gem-like luster against the snow.

A goblin drove it, porcupines pulled it, and black knights stood guard on either side.

Thorn maids followed close behind; they were easily recognizable as the companion race born specifically for the royal family.

As the carriage entered the dock-fortress, Origin and Buyette stepped forward side by side, just as the carriage door swung open and the figure inside stepped out, bending at the waist.

Black hair, black eyes, a tall and slender figure—utterly different from the fiery figure in their memories, yet so strikingly similar.

With just one glance, they confirmed Cen Qing’s identity.

The son of Queen Yin, the rightful heir to the vampire clan!

Against the black sky, the giant owl spread its wings, making no sound as it blended into the night.

As if sensing something, Cen Qing suddenly raised his head, his jet-black eyes gazing toward the sky. His handsome features were illuminated by the firelight, and a halo seemed to surround him.

Upon the giant owl’s back, a slender figure stood facing the wind.

His magnificent cloak billowed in the breeze. The Witch King gazed down at the figure below; though his forehead ornament shimmered with colorful light, it could not conceal the rippling brilliance in his eyes.

Recalling the crest on the letter, he couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, my Golden Rose.”