General Didastimon panicked, his heart racing like a galloping stallion. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead as he faced Prince Eyrin, the imposing figure seated on his majestic black horse. His piercing gaze is capable of freezing blood.
The general's thoughts swirled in chaos. Where was Pherna? Why hadn't she returned? He knew the prince's reputation for ruthlessness; a single misstep could seal his family's fate.
With a deep breath, General Didastimon turned to face the prince, forcing a respectful smile onto his lips. He bowed low, his voice trembling.
"Replying to Your Highness, my daughter Phera is... indisposed. However, my second daughter, Dera, is seventeen and possesses unparalleled beauty, rivaling her sister's. If I may—"
Prince Eyrin's sharp interruption cut him off, his voice like a whip crack.
"If I may, what?" The prince's eyebrow arched, his gaze slicing through the general like a dagger.
General Didastimon's words caught in his throat. He swallowed hard, attempting to regain composure.
"IF I may, Your Highness, I wished to offer Dera as a humble substitute, worthy of your consideration."
But Prince Eyrin's stern expression halted him once more.
"General Didastimon, what do you think I've come for? Your fawning words and hastily offered substitutes only confirm my suspicions. You think I'm here for marriage arrangements, isn't that right?" The prince's tone dripped with disdain.
The general was confused and embarrassed that he had misunderstood the prince's intentions. He immediately went to his knees and kowtowed, his forehead pressed to the ground.
"Forgive me, Your Highness, for my lack of understanding!" he pleaded, his voice shaking.
Prince Eyrin's lips played into sneer, and then he laughed mockingly. "You really think I'll come here to see your daughter for marriage? I, Prince Eyrin Vexar, will leave my palace to come here to see the ugly person you refer to as unmatched beauty."
He paused, his eyes flashing with anger.
"I already met her, and she has offended me. That's why I seek her. The next time I see her, I'll kill her! She lied to my face and made a fool out of me. She knew I'd come for her, so she ran away."
The general's fear turned to dread. His worst fears had come to pass; the prince was offended.
"Forgive my family, Your Highness," he begged, desperation creeping into his voice. "I am truly ashamed. I deserve death!"
Prince Eyrin's eyes darkened as he looked at the general.
"Raise your head up," he commanded, his voice cold and detached.
The general obeyed, lifting his head to meet Prince Eyrin's piercing gaze.
"Where is the second daughter you mentioned, Dera, is it?" Prince Eyrin asked, his voice laced with malice.
The general's confusion deepened. What did the prince intend for Dera?
Before he could speak, Prince Eyrin's expression twisted into a snarl.
"Where is she, so I can slay her to quench my anger!" he spat, his voice cold.
The general's eyes widened in horror. "Your Highness, please forgive me!" he begged, desperation creeping into his voice. "You can take my life instead. I deserve death!"
He bowed repeatedly, his forehead pressed to the ground.
"Stop!" Prince Eyrin commanded, his voice cold and detached.
The general ceased bowing and lifted his head, meeting the prince's gaze.
"Go ahead," Prince Eyrin said, a cruel smile spreading across his face.
"Your Highness?" the general asked, confusion etched on his face.
"Is it that hard to understand?" Prince Eyrin sneered. "Go ahead and kill yourself, as you said. After all, you deserve death. Are those not your words?"
The general froze, but he wasn't surprised by the prince's words. He knew Prince Eyrin's reputation for ruthlessness.
As Prince Eyrin saw that the general didn't move to kill himself, his anger boiled over. He jumped down from his horse and unsheathed his sword.
"Your Highness," Palov intervened, rushing to the prince's side.
Prince Eyrin turned to Palov, annoyance flashing in his eyes.
"What? Do you want to die in his place?" he snapped.
"Your Highness, His Majesty will dislike this," Palov cautioned, his eyes locked on the prince. "Who knows what he will do to you when he finds out that you killed General Didastimon? He was one of the generals who assisted His Majesty during the rebellion."
Prince Eyrin's gaze pierced Palov, as if staring into his very soul. "Are you trying to remind me that my father is a tyrant and I don't deserve to be prince?"
Palov's eyes widened in surprise. That wasn't what he meant. He hadn't intended to provoke the prince's insecurities.
"Forgive me, Your Highness," Palov bowed hastily. "This servant did not mean that."
Prince Eyrin sheathed his sword. "Are you trying to say I lack understanding?"
Palov's mind was racing; he struggled to find the right words. After a hesitant pause, he managed:
"Forgive me, Your Highness. I am at fault."
Prince Eyrin's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained icy.
"Careful, Palov. Or I might cut your tongue one day. You can still be a dumb guard. Let's return to the state governor's manor and discuss the demon situation in Talim."
With that, Prince Eyrin mounted his horse.
Palov breathed a silent sigh of relief as he followed the prince.
************************************
The prince sat on the state governor's seat, his authoritative presence commanding attention. Across the table, the state governor and the cultivators from the Hall of Talents waited with bated breath.
"So... what you mean is, there haven't been any attacks for the last few days. The water demon was defeated." Prince Eyrin asked.
The state governor nodded hastily. "Yes, Your Highness."
"And a fisherman who was drunk and slept in his boat witnessed the battle?" Prince Eyrin continued.
The state governor nodded again. "Yes, Your Highness. We asked him to describe the people he saw at the scene, and our artists sketched them."
A guard approached, handing the state governor papers with four distinct sketches. Then the governor handed it to the prince.
Prince Eyrin's eyes scanned the first sketch, his expression unreadable.
"We used these to search for the youths, intending to reward them," the state governor explained, "but they seem to have vanished."
Prince Eyrin's gaze lingered on the sketch before he spoke.
"The first sketch resembles General Didastimon's daughter, Pherna. But I haven't confirmed it," the state governor ventured.
Prince Eyrin's eyes flashed with recognition.
"It is her. So, she's a cultivator? looking for ways to seek importance. ugly little thing."
He dropped the paper on the table, his attention shifting to the second sketch.
"Arnin," Prince Eyrin said as he recognized him, a smirk spreading across his face. "We'll have a fight again."
He dropped the second sketch and turned his attention to the third. His eyes narrowed as he recognized the face.
He knew it was Prince Khane, but he remained silent, his thoughts racing. "So, he lied about his meridians being destroyed and his martial arts being crippled. The memory loss might be a lie too."
His face contorted in anger, but he kept his emotions in check.
The state governor continued,"Ah, this one... The person said this one just watched. Maybe he wasn't a cultivator, but he knew the others."
Palov leaned in to whisper to Prince Eyrin.
"Your Highness, we can sketch more of Prince Khane's likenesses and use them to search for him. Anyone who brings him in, alive or dead, will be rewarded."
Prince Eyrin's gaze snapped to Palov, his eyes narrowing.
"When did I say he was that person? What did I say about your tongue earlier?"
Palov's eyes widened, realizing his mistake.
"Forgive me, Your Highness," Palov said, standing upright, his eyes cast downward.
Prince Eyrin's gaze lingered on Palov for a moment before shifting to the state governor.
"If you have more of his sketches, destroy them."
The state governor's expression hinted at confusion, but he dared not question the prince.
"I will, Your Highness."
Prince Eyrin dropped the sketch and turned his attention to the next one. His eyes widened as he took in every detail of the woman's face and body and the lute she held.
"Now, this is a beauty unmatched. However, I have no idea who this is."
He handed Palov the sketch.
"Palov, keep this for me."
Palov collected the sketch, his expression curious.
The state governor spoke up.
"Your Highness, these people might not be here, but I can guess where they'll go. It's that time of year. Young cultivators, like yourself, often seek adventure."
Prince Eyrin's interest piqued.
"What do you mean?"
The state governor leaned forward.
"At this time of year, youngsters journey to a place rumored to hold the secrets of the most powerful martial art techniques and immortality or go to Essed for the martial arts tournament."
Prince Eyrin's eyes locked onto the state governor.
"Go on."
"As for the first thought,Some claim it's a myth, while others swear it's real. Many have attempted to find it, but few return."
The state governor's voice dropped to a whisper.
"I don't know the exact place. It's said to be located in Alsan Peak."