"Oh? It seems they realize our presence very quickly."
On the nearby hill, four people were standing there while looking in the direction where Lu Wan and the others went. If Lu Wan was there, he would surely curse them all for tailing after them.
"It takes quite a long time to chase after them, Your Highness," Wei Cheng said from the back.
Chen Zi Quan nodded his head. "They're pretty quick to run. It looks like they're rushing to the deeper place in order to be able to encounter more rank 2 beasts."
"That's why Prince Qi Huan is amazing!" Cao Mei snorted. Her eyes were locked straight to Qi Huan's back as if she wished to be with him right this instant. The people around her looked at the girl with a weird expression.
"Since we have finally managed to catch up, Wei Cheng."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As soon as he got the order, Wei Cheng dashed to the bottom and gave his instruction to Chen Zi Quan's servants who followed after them. There were also his guards, but they were not allowed to help the prince in his mission to collect the beast.
There was, however, no restriction whatsoever about them doing other things in the forest.
"What are you planning to do?" Cao Mei creased her brows. From spending the last several days with him, she came to see that this prince was anything but ordinary. The way he moved and calculated everything seemed strange in her eyes.
Chen Zi Quan gave the young girl a sidelong look without the intention to answer. His gaze was directed to the three people who were running to another direction. Their appearance was hard to see as the forests covered their track.
On the side, Wei Yin stayed quiet and didn't do anything. All this time, she only did what the prince told her to do just like a servant. There was not a single hint of happiness nor unwillingness on her indifferent expression. She looked like a doll.
"Your group seems to exist solely for you, Second Prince Chen," Cao Mei decided to talk about something else.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, they're following your order and protect you every single time. It doesn't look like you're their friends either."
"Friends, huh?" Chen Zi Quan snorted. He never thought of Wei Cheng and Wei Yin as his friends. They only stayed close to him because of his father's order and at the same time, because of his status. There was no way he would treat them as his friend.
"You're a weird prince."
The three of them descended into silence before the earth started to shake. Cao Mei's expression turned solemn. She shifted her line of vision to the other side and got surprised when she saw the large horde of beasts coming to their direction. To be precise, towards where Lu Wan and the others went.
"They're slow," Chen Zi Quan commented.
"You! Are you the one who changed the course of the horde?" Cao Mei immediately turned her head to look at Chen Zi Quan.
Chen Zi Quan arched his eyebrows. "You're slow at the uptake. Hadn't you seen me ordering my servants all this time to keep track of them and make them follow after us slowly?"
"You! Why are you doing this?"
"Why?" Looking at the direction where Lu Wan went, a glint of ruthlessness appeared within his eyes. "Because those that can't be mine shall be destroyed."
Cao Mei could feel a chill crept up on her back. Her eyes caught the sight of the second prince's servant on the bottom of the hill. They didn't manage to catch up because of the horde's speed and got trampled down in the process.
In Chen Zi Quan's eyes, there was not even the slightest bit of emotion seen.
"You're insane! You have never even met Prince Qi Huan before!"
"Ah, you're right," Chen Zi Quan clapped his hand. "That's why, it's just unfortunate for him to get caught up in my feud with my fellow citizens."
From his words and actions, Cao Mei could see that this man cared nothing for human's life. She brandished her sword and charged straight to Chen Zi Quan.
Clang!
"Move! Why are you protecting a man like him?" Cao Mei yelled in desperation.
"Because he's the prince," Wei Yin replied with an indifferent tone. She switched her stance and pushed Cao Mei back using her sword skill.
"I'll finish this," Chen Zi Quan disappeared from his position and reappeared behind Cao Mei. He thrusted his sword from behind straight to the girl's stomach.
Jleb!
"You!" *cough*
Pain like nothing she has ever experienced assaulted the young girl. Her eyes were filled with hatred and unwillingness as she glared at Chen Zi Quan.
"There's no teacher nearby, so you won't be able to call for help," Chen Zi Quan patted his clothes and looked at the direction of Lu Wan. "It's unfortunate. I want to see his downfall, but it doesn't seem to be so wise. The horde is going to reach this place soon."
"Your Highness, everything is done," Wei Cheng returned back from his mission.
"Have you killed everyone who knows?"
"Yes, they all got buried within the horde."
Cao Mei's eyes widened when she heard Wei Cheng's words. This was the first time she realized how ruthless this prince was. He didn't even care for the lives of his servants when he ordered them to die for him.
She struggled to reach her sword again, but she realized that strength has left her body. Soon afterwards, the beasts reached that place and trampled on everything until nothing was left.
Only dust and destruction was what left behind the horde of beast.
"Your Highness, is it alright to kill Princess Cao Mei?" Wei Cheng expressed his uncertainty. He was worried that Cao Kingdom would find trouble with them.
"There's no need to worry. Everything is within my control."
"But…"
"What His Highness meant is he had purposely waited for Cao Mei to attack him. This way, he can say that he did attack her but it was only for defense purposes in case they suspect him," Wei Yin explained solemnly.
"I see," Wei Cheng came to understand that this way, it would be easier for them to blame him. Even if they did, they would also associate it with Cao Mei's temper that was easy to get angry.
Chen Zi Quan assessed the two people behind him as they dashed through the forest to reach the area where the horde wouldn't pass. His mind continued to think of other things while the sound of the horde came closer.
Wei Cheng looked to the back as he pursed his lips. The ability Chen Zi Quan had to calculate everything so thoroughly was rather scary. Even though they didn't run at their highest speed, there was not even the slightest bit of worry in the second prince's eyes. And soon afterwards, the horde's sound no longer sounded near their place.
"It's time to hunt. Each of you continue to hunt rank 1 beast. If there's any rank 2, call me."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The two of them swiftly departed while Chen Zi Quan strolled leisurely.