The atmosphere turned silent...
Sen Yan and Feng Jun stood off against each other, creating a tense and confrontational air in the palace.
Sen Lei, observing from below, scrutinized the King of the Feng Kingdom. In Sen Lei's eyes, the Feng Kingdom's ruler lacked the commanding and imposing presence of the Emperor of the Sen Luo Kingdom. Instead, he had a demeanor that reminded Sen Lei of the gentle warmth he had seen in the national teacher.
From the attempted assassination until now, Sen Lei had somewhat pieced together the mastermind behind the attack. This person, who appeared so amiable, was the same one who had wanted the previous "Sen Lei" dead.
Feng Jun suddenly laughed heartily, "Haha... Sen Luo Kingdom's Emperor, you're quite the joker. It's just a minor character; is it really worth such a life-and-death struggle? It's not worth it at all. To maintain peace between our kingdoms, avoid great conflict and needless suffering. It's said that the Emperor of Sen Luo always thinks of the people and would not wish to start a war that burdens the populace. Am I right?" Feng Jun stepped forward, patting Sen Yan on the shoulder like an old friend.
Then, Feng Jun whispered in Sen Yan's ear, "Let's talk."
Sen Yan pretended not to hear and turned to the crowd, announcing loudly, "Everyone, go home. The spots have been decided, and it's the prince who has won with his strength. I believe the prince will not disappoint us or Sen Luo. Let's disperse."
"Long live the Emperor! The prince is mighty! Sen Luo will prevail!"
The palace echoed with the cheers of the people, moving Feng Jun.
"Let's go!" At Sen Yan's signal, the guards began to disperse the crowd.
As the commoners gradually left, the once-crowded palace became empty again. Only a few guards, the national teacher, Wei Xiaoxiao, and Wen Wan remained. Most had quickly departed, as many didn't usually get the chance to see the palace and the Emperor up close. Sen Lei handed Feng San to a guard, instructing him to treat Feng San's injuries and keep him alive.
Then Sen Lei turned to the remaining people, walking towards Wen Wan, "I didn't expect to see you here."
The lady in question was none other than Wen Wan.
Wen Wan smiled sweetly, "Yes, I'm here to watch the prince's battles. I wonder how many ladies in Sen Luo you've charmed."
Sen Lei, embarrassed, cleared his throat twice, not expecting her to say that.
Wei Xiaoxiao jumped up, linking arms with Wen Wan, "Is sister jealous?"
"Oh, Xiaoxiao, what are you saying? Look, I'll teach you a lesson!" Wen Wan's face turned red, and she moved to grab Xiaoxiao. But Xiaoxiao, anticipating this, let go and hid behind Sen Lei, sticking out her tongue at Wen Wan.
"You—"
"Alright, stop teasing your sister. Behave!" Sen Lei raised his fist to scare Xiaoxiao.
Wei Xiaoxiao quickly returned to Wen Wan's side.
Wen Wan, exasperated, patted Xiaoxiao's braids.
"How's your left hand? I saw it turn even redder today during the fight," Wen Wan asked Sen Lei with concern.
Xiaoxiao also looked worriedly at Sen Lei.
Feeling warmed by their concern, Sen Lei thought of his previous life on Earth, where he was always alone, from night till dawn, accustomed to solitude. He had believed that besides games, he needed no companionship.
But since arriving here, he had a father who constantly looked out for him, a mother who worried and stayed by his side when he was weak, the lively and cute Xiaoxiao, and the kind and gentle Wen Wan, who he had only recently met. They made him feel he was no longer alone.
It was a wonderful feeling.
Sen Lei patted himself, "Don't worry about me. I'm fine. So far, I can control this power. If I can't, you'll be the first to know!" Sen Lei reassured them.
Wen Wan nodded, "If anything happens, tell me. I can also contact my teacher directly."
"Relax!" Sen Lei ruffled Wen Wan's hair. Wen Wan instinctively closed her eyes.
"I want that too! Prince, I want a head pat too!" Wei Xiaoxiao exclaimed.
"Alright, alright!"
Meanwhile, Sen Yan pointed to the seats on the platform, "Let's talk there."
Feng Jun nodded. Now that he had been caught, he had no choice. If a war broke out, it would all be his fault. With the last opening of the Rad Academy approaching, any interference would prompt questions: why start a war now? Sen Yan could justify it, but Feng Jun couldn't explain trying to kill the rival prince.
"Tell me, what are your conditions!" Feng Jun asked angrily, sitting where General Su Tao had previously been.
Sen Yan, however, didn't speak immediately.
"Speak!" Feng Jun was furious. Did Sen Yan think he was easy to bully?
Sen Yan raised a hand.
"What?" Feng Jun paused, about to lose his temper.
"I want a person!"
"Who?"
"Feng Jingsheng!"
"No!" Feng Jun leaped up.
"Absolutely not! Don't even think about it." Feng Jun turned away, visibly agitated.
"Why?" Sen Yan pressed.
"No reason. Why would you want a sickly girl?" Feng Jun couldn't believe that Sen Yan would ask for her.
Sen Yan continued, "Don't think I don't know about your plot to harm my son! Where did Feng Wuyuan's spiritual roots come from? I've held back long enough. Don't make me lose my patience now!"
"You!" Feng Jun trembled with rage.
"And you! To nurture this so-called spiritual body, you fed your wife strange herbal concoctions during pregnancy, causing your daughter's meridians to be clogged with medicinal residues. You crippled her legs and made her suffer daily. What a great father you are."
"Shut up!" Feng Jun's aura surged, shattering a nearby wooden table. This matter had always been a sore spot for him. Every time he saw his intelligent daughter suffering, he felt as if knives were twisting in his heart.
He had consulted many famous doctors, even the immortal physician Sun Hongru, to no avail. The congenital damage was irreversible. The reversed qi and blood were incurable unless he wanted her dead. When he heard about the Sen Luo prince's natural spiritual body, he was infuriated.
Many kingdoms were wary but didn't take action. Feng Jun, however, planned the theft of Sen Lei's spiritual roots upon hearing the news.
Sen Yan knew some of the reasons and demanded the girl as leverage, as Sen Lei was still too weak. His spiritual roots were ruined, and he couldn't always stay in the palace. The safest way was to hold Feng Jingsheng as a hostage, ensuring Feng Jun wouldn't harm Sen Lei and would even protect him.
For Sen Yan, Feng Jingsheng was crucial. If Feng Jun disagreed, they'd go to war. Before Feng Wuyuan grew strong, he wouldn't dare make a move!
Sen Yan sat leisurely on the throne, waiting for Feng Jun's decision.