Kulu Capital City…
The city hummed with restless energy as Kent, carrying the weight of countless responsibilities, walked through its winding streets.
Before he could leave with Master Lei Zhen, there was one last task he needed to complete.
At the entrance of Yun Rou’s mansion, the guards immediately bowed upon seeing him, opening the heavy blackwood doors without hesitation.
Inside the luxurious hall, Yun Rou sat with her legs elegantly crossed, a thin book resting in her hand.
Seeing Kent, her face lit up, her sharp, beautiful eyes softening.
Without wasting time, Kent placed a slim figure onto the floor between them — Chi Kai, the daughter of Emperor Kai in Red Silk City.
Her body was trembling slightly, her face pale. Though freed from ties , she was still a prisoner of fate.
Kent’s voice was calm but firm.
“Yun Rou… this girl is named Chi Kai. She’s no ordinary slave. She must be kept alive — for an important reason. I trust you with her life.”
Yun Rou put down the book and stood up, her expression serious.
Without a word, she pulled out a strange black veil from her space ring — threads woven with ancient runes and beast blood essence.
She draped it over Chi Kai’s head, chanting softly.
The black veil melted into Chi Kai’s skin like water, binding her soul.
A soft snap echoed in the air.
The process was complete. Chi Kai’s frightened eyes dulled, then filled with gentle obedience.
She turned to Yun Rou and knelt.
“Mistress…” she whispered.
Kent sighed in relief. His plan for Chi Kai’s future was not something he could leave to chance.
Yun Rou smiled slightly and stood closer to Kent, her fingers lightly brushing his arm.
“You did the right thing. Leave her to me. She won’t come to any harm.”
Gratitude stirred within Kent as he pulled Yun Rou into a tight embrace.
The distance between them melted away — for a while, they forgot everything, the chaos, the responsibilities, the dangerous road ahead.
In the quiet warmth of the mansion, they shared an intimate and tender moment, words no longer needed.
But destiny could not be delayed.
After parting reluctantly from Yun Rou, Kent mounted his spirit beast Jabil and rode toward the Hua Family Residence, the evening sun casting a long shadow ahead of him.
When he reached the mighty estate gates, dozens of Hua family soldiers blocked his path, their spears crossed tightly.
“Halt! State your name and purpose!” barked the captain.
Kent, wearing a simple black robe but exuding a terrifying calmness, spoke clearly.
“Kent King. I have business with your family patriarch. Tell him… I have no patience for waiting.”
The soldiers looked at each other in disbelief.
Kent King?
The same Kent causing waves across the city and forest for months?
The one involved with Princess Kaiya’s disappearance?
Sweat dripped from their foreheads.
One of them hurriedly ran inside, while the others stood stiffly, not daring to provoke the young man any further.
After a short pause…
The giant bronze doors of the Hua Family Residence creaked open after a long, tense silence.
Kent dismounted his beast with steady steps and entered the grand hall.
The Hua family patriarch, a tall, hawk-eyed man with sharp features and a robe embroidered with crimson dragons, sat atop a raised platform.
The atmosphere was cold, filled with subtle killing intent.
To his right stood Hua Jin, his arrogant smirk already plastered across his face like an ugly mask.
The young master whose grudge against Kent burned hotter with every passing day.
The patriarch tapped his jade armrest lazily and chuckled.
“So you are the little boy causing all this fuss. Kent King, was it?”
He narrowed his eyes. “And what brings you here, daring to step inside my Hua residence?”
Kent’s gaze was calm, unmoved by the mockery in the old man’s voice.
He walked forward without bowing, standing proudly at the center of the hall.
“I came to deliver a message. Leave the slave village alone. They are under my protection.”
The moment Kent’s words fell, murmurs erupted among the elders seated around the hall.
The patriarch laughed aloud, his voice booming.
“Protection? From you?” he said mockingly, waving a hand as if brushing away a fly.
“Boy, do you even know where you are standing? You dare threaten the Hua Family? We own a third of this entire city.”
Beside him, Hua Jin stepped forward, his eyes full of venom.
“Kent King! You’re nothing but a rat who got lucky a few times!”
His face twisted into an ugly sneer. “The next time I see you outside, I’ll make sure you disappear from this world!”
The guards and family elders chuckled cruelly, confident in their superiority.
Kent, however, remained utterly composed, as if Hua Jin’s threats were no more than a barking dog.
He smiled faintly and spoke, his voice slow and deliberate, carrying a strange pressure.
“I may not be a threat to the Hua Family today. True.”
He paused, letting the words hang heavily in the air.
“But starting now, I am the personal selection of Master Lei Zhen to participate in the Golden Heir Tournament.”
The entire hall fell silent.
The Golden Heir Tournament…
The path to true power and nobility among the realms.
Even the patriarch’s mocking expression froze for a moment.
Kent continued, his voice steady like a blade.
“In the future, anything could happen. I would not want to become enemies over something as small as a forgotten village. Would you?”
A heavy silence filled the room.
The patriarch’s fingers tapped against the jade armrest again, but this time, it was slower, thoughtful.
He understood the meaning behind Kent’s words.
Today Kent was just a rising seedling.
But one year later, if he truly rose as a top contender, the Hua family would have to bow their heads.
Why make a future enemy now?
After a long pause, the patriarch spoke, voice much softer.
“Very well. The Hua Family will stay away from the slave village. You have my word.”
He waved his hand carelessly.
“Is that all? Leave now.” Patriarch cried out in grim tone.
Kent nodded lightly, not bothering to bow or show any fake courtesy.
Without sparing Hua Jin another glance, he turned and left the hall, his black robe fluttering like a shadow under the giant chandeliers.
Behind him, Hua Jin gritted his teeth so hard blood oozed from his gums.
The humiliation burned in his chest, but the patriarch simply raised a hand, stopping him.
“Let him go.” the patriarch said quietly, a deep, unreadable gleam flashing through his aged eyes.