Chapter 5: The Pact of Blood and the Mad Emperor's Blade.

The Ninth Prince, Prince Ren, froze instantly as Lian’s freezing words cut through the ambient noise of the crowded tavern. His eyes narrowed with a sudden, sharp suspicion. Without moving his head a single inch, he glanced sideways through the shadows and made a swift, calculated hand sign to his secret bodyguards stationed near the dancing girls.

In a sudden flash of silver steel, Prince Ren drew his hidden blade and pressed the razor-sharp edge directly against Lian’s throat.Lian did not even flinch. She sat perfectly still beneath the cold, threatening weapon, her obsidian eyes locking onto his strikingly handsome face without a trace of fear."Prince Ren," Lian whispered, her voice carrying a calm that felt like winter frost. "The proud ninth son of the mighty Huxia Empire—the greatest cultivation kingdom in the known world. You are the grandson whom the old Emperor loved above all others. Your own flesh and blood wants to slaughter you because you are the rightful heir to the throne. Even tonight, your enemies have successfully tracked your footsteps.

Their vanguard has completely surrounded this building. You have nowhere left to run."Prince Ren’s hand shook slightly against the hilt of his sword. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice dropping into a dangerous, low frequency. "And why should I trust a ragged, masked girl from the mud?""Because I am the only force that can keep you alive tonight," Lian replied smoothly. "I will save your neck from the blade, but on one absolute condition: when the time comes, you will utilize your royal status and power to help me exact my vengeance."

Before the Prince could offer an answer, the front walls of the tavern exploded inward. Heavy iron shields smashed through the wooden doors as armored imperial assassins rushed into the room, blades drawn. The customers and dancing girls screamed in pure terror, scattering in every direction to escape a sudden hail of flying arrows. Prince Ren spun around, his eyes scanning for an exit, but rows of sharp spears already blocked every window. He was completely cornered.

Realizing he had no alternative, he looked back at Lian and shouted through the growing chaos, "I accept your deal! Save me!"Lian did not waste a single second. She reached into her silken sleeve, pulled out the tiny green snake, and tossed it calmly onto the wooden floor. The small creature expanded at a terrifying, supernatural speed. Within seconds, it transformed into the colossal, sky-tearing emerald dragon. Its giant wings smashed through the heavy support beams of the tavern, and its massive scales shattered the oak tables into splinters.

Lian leaped onto the dragon’s massive head, grabbing Prince Ren by his collar and pulling him up beside her. The remaining loyal royal guards scrambled to jump onto the beast's back to act as protectors. With a deafening roar, the dragon smashed straight through the roof of the tavern, bursting into the stormy midnight sky and leaving the burning village far behind.The giant beast flew through the heavy rain, cutting through the thick clouds until it finally descended near a dark, hidden mountain ridge. The dragon landed softly outside the mouth of a secluded stone cave. Lian and Prince Ren stepped down onto the wet dirt, catching their breath.

With a simple wave of Lian's hand, the colossal emerald dragon shrank back down, turning into the tiny, harmless green snake. It slithered up her fingers and disappeared safely back into her robes. Prince Ren stood at the cave entrance, completely speechless, his eyes wide with awe and profound shock as he stared at the mysterious masked princess.

Meanwhile, back at the ruined tavern, the lead assassin stared up at the giant hole in the roof with murderous rage. "Search every corner!" he roared at his bleeding men. "They could not have fled far on foot! Find the Prince and bring me his head!"One of the soldiers turned his head, looking up toward the high wooden rafters above the swirling smoke. Through the deep shadows, his eyes caught a dark silhouette wearing a terrifying mask, staring down at them like an vengeful ghost."Up there!" the soldier screamed in pure terror, pointing his shaking, dirty finger. "Look at the roof! The masked demon is watching us!"Deep inside the heart of the wealthy Huxia Imperial Palace, the grand rooms were constructed from pure gold and precious jade.

It was a kingdom of unimaginable, crushing riches. Yet, tucked away from the glowing paper lanterns, a hidden chamber sat in total, suffocating darkness.An old man stood by the dark window, his long white hair flowing in the cold draft. He was the former Emperor, the grandfather who loved Prince Ren more than life itself."Did the assassins locate him?" the old man whispered into the empty room, his voice shaking with age and anxiety. "Tell me my grandson is safe."A hidden bodyguard stepped out from the black shadows of the corner, bowing deeply. "The imperial vanguard surrounded the tavern, Your Highness. But Prince Ren escaped into the stormy sky.

He is hidden where no mortal soldier can trace him."The old man let out a long sigh of relief. With a sudden shimmer of spiritual magic, the bodyguard vanished into thin air, leaving no trace behind. He possessed the legendary power of The Ghost-Shift—the rare ability to dissolve into pure mist.Suddenly, the heavy iron doors creaked open with a loud groan.The current sitting Emperor walked into the room, his eyes burning with a manic, unstable light. Seeing his son enter, the old grandfather quickly sat down in his wooden wheelchair, pulling a thick blanket over his legs to appear weak and helpless."Father," the Mad Emperor said, his voice dropping into a low, terrifying tone. "Tonight, I want us to speak alone. Entirely alone."The Emperor waved his hand, and his rows of heavily armed royal guards stepped backward into the hallway, shutting the heavy iron doors tight.

The room fell into a deathly silence. The Mad Emperor walked slowly behind his father's wheelchair. He leaned down closely, his breath hot against the old man's ear. He let out a sudden, wild laugh that sounded like a lunatic."Do you really think I don't know your secret plans, old man?" the Emperor whispered, his fingers gripping the back of the wheelchair with brutal, crushing force. "You sit here pretending to be sick and fragile, but you are secretly sending your ghost guards to protect Ren! You built this mighty empire, father, but I am the one ruling it now!"

The Emperor’s voice turned into a venomous hiss as his hand reached for his waist."How dare you try to give my throne away?" the Mad Emperor roared, his mind completely broken by jealousy and paranoia. "I broke my back for this kingdom! You are my father, yet you want to skip over me and hand the crown to my foolish son Ren? I will never allow it!"With a terrifying, screeching sound of steel, the Mad Emperor drew a gleaming, sharp sword from beneath his royal robes, pressing the cold blade directly against his own father's neck.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***