Little b.u.t.ton's voice was loud and far-reaching. Though he was knocked out by the black-clothed man in no time, people across several yards could hear him clearly. Soon, the entire imperial city was in unrest.

Slightly wrinkled, the black-clothed man glanced at him and murmured, "How troublesome!" Before he flew off like a gust of wind. After several breaths, a group of Palace Guards rushed over, only to find dead bodies all over, causing a flurry of activity.

At this time, the black-clothed man had already snuck to the Princes' Study.

"The Royal Capital is truly a messy place to find someone!" Without scruples, the black-clothed man walked straight inside the Princes' Study.

"Who?"

"Stop!"

"Hurry, stop the a.s.sa.s.sin!"

The guards, eunuchs and maids in charge of the Princes' Study were appalled and alerted by the sudden stranger. What's more, inside the room was some vestiges of a powerful spirit, confronting the black-clothed man in the dark.

"Stand down!" said Yan Yuntian in a deep voice, who was the Jin Emperor. He came to the doorway and waved his hands, giving the others the sign to be not nervous.

The guards all stood down, as Yan Yuntian's face with calm and warning.

"Royal Capitals resembled each other. Compared with the Capital City back then, my West Capital was nothing marvelous!"

Now, they were alone. Yan Yuntian smiled at the black-clothed man and said, "Was it you who made all that noise?"

"Your men are all fuss-makers!"

"My apologies. I could've come to meet you and saved you all the trouble." said Yan Yuntian smiling. He leaned aside, let the black-clothed man in and closed the door. In the meantime, the hidden powerful spirit nearby went away in a flash as if nothing had ever happened.

"It was not appropriate for an Emperor to find me. You are the ruler of the future world. So here, I come!"

"Brother Yu, you are too modest!" replied Yan Yuntian.

"Well, let's cut the big talk! What brought you here in such a hurry?" asked the black-clothed man called Brother Yu of Yan Yuntian, waving his hands.

"The same old thing! Zhou Bao's strength is far beyond our thinking" said Yan Yuntian smiling bitterly.

"Has your plan failed? You told me that he was only a Level Seven expert." replied the black-clothed man with a hint of surprise. "a.s.suming that he had entered Level Eight with the support of a Pure Yang Celestial Device. It was still difficult for him to flee away from the Sumeru Sword Formation. If it had been the truth that he escaped, he would have exceeded Level Nine!"

"He escaped, took away the Pure Yang Celestial Device, and killed four experts of Level Eight!"

"That is impossible!" said the black-clothed man unbelievably, standing up fiercely. An idea struck him for a second and he wondered whether Yan Yuntian was so envious of the Celestial Device that he squirreled it away and claimed he lost the fight?

After a second thought, he denied the possibility. A piece of Pure Yand celestial device is not attractive enough for a man aspiring for the world to commit such wrongdoing. However, it was nothing minor that the failed operation with the loss of four experts of Level Eight and the Celestial Device.

The Pure Yang Celestial Device was listed as a strategic resource for even the great power behind him. Bringing out Red Gourd this time was meant to take Zhou Bao out of the big picture. For he was an unstable p.a.w.n who was high-likely to infringe on their own interests. Unexpectedly, they paid a double penalty.

"I couldn't believe that they lost the battle despite having ten experts of Level Eight supported by a Pure Yang Celestial Device and the Sumeru Sword Formation."

"Based on their information, Zhou Bao was at least an expert at the peak of Level Nine. It was not exaggerated to say that he has reached Mysterious Realm."

"Really? You can not be serious. It is horrifying to imagine his strength entering in Mysterious Realm under the age of 20."

After hearing Yan Yuntian, the black-clothed man said with slight disdain, "If his power reached Mysterious Realm, how could our people come back alive with messages? They would have been long dead." He continued after a pause, "He did inflict heavy losses on us, and it could be a.s.sumed that he has been at the upper level, even the top of Level Nine. However, your information is not accurate!"

Being stricken to a raw nerve somehow, Yan Yuntian replied, "Yeah, I never expected that his strength would be so formidable. How about you talking with the rest of our people? Based on your mature experience and details during the fight, we could have a valid evaluation of Zhou Bao? I believe that it would give us a better chance to win next time!"

The black-clothed man sneered, took a glance at Yan Yuntian and said, "You wish there was even a next time. Upon hearing of your failure, I came here in person trying to get the bottom of the fight. Unexpectedly, a huge defeat was all I realized. You had to understand that the loss of either a Level Eight expert or a piece of Pure Yang Celestial Device was significant to anyone. Let alone to mention that you have lost the four of them and the Celestial Device at once. Though you stood in a unique position, the seniors would not allow for more of your messes. Besides, I had to warn you that it was a total accident that you swallowed Northern Yuan in such a short time. It was beyond everyone's thinking. However, the fact had proved itself that owning it by name was not equal to full control of it. Incapability of dealing with the north would only lead to disasters. Should it happen, the north would only be your weak spot instead of strength."

Yan Yuntian said, "I am totally aware of that, so I am more determined to take the north under my full control. I admitted that it was my fault to grant Zhou Bao a fief in north, but I will correct it!"

"You have to be more decisive!" Shaking his head, the black-clothed man continued, "You should know that you were just gaining some advantages, which is not enough to overwhelm the two guys. What's more, witnessing your strength, the two of them had shown the sign of alliances. When it happens, the new ally would turn your edges to ashes with their highly complementary resources. Your loss this time, the death of four Level Eight experts and the loss of a celestial device combined, has already made it easier to fan the flames to weaken you. Therefore, it is impossible for you to make a big move again by pooling all the resources."

"But, what Zhou Bao stands for is too powerful. In addition, he has the secret support of Tian Long Taoism. He has a chance to develop himself and go beyond the reach of anyone in the north!"

"These are all minor details. Even if he became capable of taking the northwest region, he would not have done it in one or two days. By then, your plan could have worked already. Then his occupation of the north would have meant nothing to you."

"I get your point, but..."

Yan Yuntian flashed a glimmer of anger, slapped fiercely on the low tea table in front of him and said, "I have my resentment. That young boy was just so arrogant in all his doing, showing the minimal amount of awe to our royal family!"

"That's your own business. You're supposed to figure it out! You had been weakened by the huge defeat. You'd better listen to me and focus on how to handle the pressure from the two seniors. You should consider the weight on each end of the scale." said the black-clothed man shaking his head again.

"I will get it done! " said Yan Yuntian seriously, with his clenched fist loosened. "I should have been more cautious. I will deal with the rest. But, in terms of the Pure Yang Celestial Device..."

"You don't have to worry about it. Although it was lost during the fight, it was lost in their useless hands. I would speak for you in this aspect. But for the rest, you must come by by yourself!"

"I understand. Thank you, Brother Yu!"

"You don't have to. We are in the same boat. What is good for you, is also good for me, and vise versa. The stake we placed on you guaranteed that you won't lose severely. Though you took a fall this time, there was nothing disastrous. I would speak for you for what I see fit. But, you ought to stabilize the situation as soon as possible and make no more incidents feeding others' fussy mouths. You hear me?" said the black-clothed man, waving his hands.

Yan Yuntian nodded innocuously and replied, "I understand. I will listen to you and trouble you no more!"

The black-clothed man nodded and said, "Good for you. Now get the rest experts and I will leave with them!"

The emperor nodded and knocked the table a few times. Suddenly, several black shades came out, waiting for instructions.

"Go and get the great a.s.sa.s.sins here!"

They nodded and disappeared like the wind. After several breaths, the rest of the living experts of Level Eight involved in the fight against Zhou Bao were all brought there. All of them except the man who could shuttle through the void. The black-clothed man's expression changed a little after brief talks with the experts. Then, they all left the imperial palace, leaving no words behind.

Being alone in the Princes' Study, Yan Yuntian frowned and sank into deep thought.

"Holy c.r.a.p, a royal granting marriage? The emperor wanted to marry his daughter to me?" asked Zhou Bao abruptly. He was staring at the envoy for the imperial edict announcement with strange looks in his eyes.

The young man who came to announce the royal edict was fine-looking with a Level Five strength, who could be easily categorized as a young hero. He was chosen by the emperor for a reason. The most significant reason was being qualified to arrive at Zhou Bao's fief within ten days from Western Capital. it suggested that his or her strength had to be above Level Five or even Level Six.

Strictly speaking, Zhou Bao's words were pretty rude. But, the young man seemingly ignored the obvious disrespect and smiled back. He added, "Congratulations on being the emperor's son-in-law!"

Zhou Bao squeezed his eyes and sized up the young man named Chi Hengxing. He was handsome and only in his early twenties, three to four years older than Zhou Bao. You would also find incomparable agility and craftiness in his eyes. He could easily be spotted as a resourceful man judging from his appearance and outfit.

"It's unnecessary. It is about time for me to get married!" said Zhou Bao with a few nods. Since he knew that it was Yan Yuntian who was behind the murder plot, Zhou Bao was disgusted by him and his doings in every possible way. He desired to wreck them all. Zhou Bao never expected the next move of the emperor would be granting a royal marriage for him after the violent waterloo.

"Does Yan Yuntian already know that I was aware that it was him who behind the scene?" Zhou Bao had doubts in his head. "It was possible. He knew w.a.n.g She was with me. The real end of a granting marriage may fool me but not w.a.n.g She. The stupid marriage was to appease me. But, am I an easy person to satisfy?" "He would be dumb to a.s.sume that I would marry whoever was offered t me. Yan Yunyan, though Princess Heyang is beautiful, she's not to my liking. If the emperor really wants a relations.h.i.+p with me, I would fully exploit its benefits."

Thinking of that, he could not help but tilt up the corners of his mouth. The smile chilled the young man that had come to announce the imperial edict. Bad feelings sprung up in his head.

Not surprisingly, what Zhou Bao said next almost made him jump up.

"I acquainted with the Princess Heyang one time. I didn't like her, though she was a beauty. What's more, she was too sophisticated a woman for a happy marriage. How about another princess?"

"Another one?" Chi Hengxing said that and almost bit his tongue off. His eyes lost focus and he nearly fell onto the ground with soft limbs.

The granting of a marriage with a royal princess by the emperor was an unprecedented fortune to anyone in the world. There was no room for rejection and everything was arranged down to the smalllest of details. n.o.body would dare to be picky and discuss the terms with the emperor.

"She was too sophisticated to be a good wife?!?"

Those shocking words by Zhou Bao would make the princess the greatest joke of the world once it got out. No matter whether the words themselves were valid or not, everyone would view the princess as a shrew woman.

Therefore, he didn't know how to respond and dare not to say anything.

"I am being honest with you. I have no feelings for Princess Heyang!" Zhou Bao twitched his mouth and added without hesitation, "So, please send my words to the emperor. I am grateful for his offer with the deeper knowledge being taken. But, granting me a royal marriage isn't the fix for everything. However, it would be still negotiable if he is willing to marry Princess Qingyang to me!"

Fix? Negotiable?

Chi Hengxing wobbled a bit with confusion. But, he was a witty guy knowing his position. He was clear of what he should know or not and when he should play an idiot in certain occasions. Since the secret was shared by Zhou Bao, he only needed to be a messenger. The response of the emperor was none of his business.

He might be punished for not completing the task this time. But it didn't concern him.

Strength is all it takes to gain a foothold in the world. Zhou Bao was the living proof of that, who was younger than him, and with a much lower background. Climbing all his way up from a hunter's family, he transformed himself into a world-known martial art expert in less than a decade with incomparable potency and good luck. He became so significant that the emperor of the Jin would marry his own daughter to him for a reason. Blessed with a royal marriage, Zhou Bao was playing picky and even denouncing the princess right in front of the envoy. Zhou Bao also blatantly asked for the the most beloved daughter of the emperor, Princess Qingyang. How dare he?

The absolute power!

He had the absolute strength to bargain with the emperor!

The only reason was the unparalleled strength. Being at the top of the list of the four most powerful teen experts in the world, with a nearly Level Nine power and all shocking records, he has every reason to be arrogant.

If his strength could be anywhere near Zhou Bao's, and with all the astonis.h.i.+ng records of battles, he could easily act like Zhou Bao right now. Zhou Bao rejected the paramount imperial edict with a slightly abhorrent smile while sitting arrogantly in front of the envoy.

He was not as powerful as Zhou Bao was!

Yet, he was no rookie. His strength, though far below Zhou Bao's, has served enough to complete the tough task. Aged 23 and with a strength of Level Five, he could be favored by the any aristocratic families compared with ordinary people. The four greatest ones aside; Zhou Bao, Li Xiu, Ji Yeyue and Yan Fei, he had no fear at all.

"I shall faithfully send your message to the emperor, as you've said!"

"Thank you!" said Zhou Bao, walking him out.

Zhou Bao lifted his eyebrow as Chi Hengxing left and said, "I can't believe that the Emperor would play such move with me. But, I really have no interest in Yan Yunyan at all!"

"Don't you think you were too straightforward back then and left no face to Yan Yuntian?" the voice of w.a.n.g She came from behind.

"Like I said before, I would never be comfortable without retaliating against him. He has to pay for my anger." said Zhou Bao with a chilly smile.

"Your anger? He has offered his daughter. How could that be any more sincere? Though the t.i.tle of two princesses only differs in one character, but the status of them are sky and earth. Do you even know who is the mother of Princess Qingyang?"

Lifting his head lightly, Zhou Bao replied, "Of course. The Empress. I knew what I was saying and I knew plenty about the Princess Qingyang."

w.a.n.g She asked surprisingly, "You knew of her? That's strange!"

"Only one acquaintance. She left me with a better impression than Yan Yunyan. Princess Heyang is pretty, but I don't like her!"

"You have good judgement. Could anyone be good around Shui Hongyan?"

Zhou Bao asked confusedly, "You seems to be pretty biased to Shui Hongyan. What do you know about her?"

"She is a self-righteous woman. But so is Yan Yunyan. Your idea of trying to bottom line the Jin Emperor is excellent. We will see if he is willing to make a concession and offer Princess Qingyang." said w.a.n.g She smiling, avoiding the topic of Shui Hongyan.

Since he did not want to talk more about the woman, Zhou Bao asked no more.

Zhou Bao replied scornfully, "I don't know whether he would make a concession or not, but he would definitely be p.i.s.sed off and probably burn his Princes' Study down in a fury. I wish he could p.i.s.s himself off to death!"

w.a.n.g She said, "You wis.h.!.+ He is a man of huge plans. He would be just fine with your provocation. You would be disappointed!"

"Are you suggesting that he wouldn't trade Princess Qingyang for Princess Heyang after the madness?"

"Why should he? You both knew that he only wanted to appease you by granting marriage. Now, you had make it clear that you would not be in a straight and narrow way even after a royal marriage. Therefore, why should he give you another daughter?" explained w.a.n.g She. "Unless you would push him further. You have to force him to believe that there would be worse consequences if he refused to do so!"

"What do you mean?"

"You have to fight for yourself with actions to meet your end. Waiting is useless. Additionally, Yan Yuntian is not a kind person. You have to work harder and put more pressure on him if you really want Princess Qingyang. Only by doing that, can you get what you want!"

"It seems that you've got some good ideas!"

"Just a piece of advice!"