The banquet continued without a problem and Cale was able to get to know more about Duke Shutra Ignius.
After talking with him for quite some time, he felt that the man was worth befriending. Thus, Cale and Duke Shutra talked about cultivation as if they were equals. The more they talked, the more alarmed Duke Shutra became.
Cale actually had more in-depth knowledge about cultivation than him! It was truly inconceivable since he was many times older than Cale.
Of course, Cale did not really know more about cultivation than the duke, but he had the Law Fragment, Asteria who was there to explain things thoroughly for him.
"Little brother Cale, I didn"t know you had such profound knowledge about cultivation. Sigh! It is truly very disappointing to compare myself with a genius like you." Duke Shutra shook his head with a wry smile.
Cale smiled at his words and said after shaking his head. "Duke Shutra, you overestimate me. I don"t dare say that I am a genius, it"s just luck."
The two talked without end as if they were the best of friends, and only when the crown prince announced the end of the banquet did they stopped talking.
Duke Shutra reluctantly bid farewell as he still had matters to do in his dukedom.
As for the crown prince, he gave the itinerant cultivators one imperial token each. This token represents that the Doomblade Imperial Family acknowledges them as their direct subordinates.
The itinerant cultivators were pleasantly surprised since the token that the crown prince gave them was of great value. Aside from becoming the Doomblade Imperial Family"s direct subordinates, they will also receive monthly resources from the imperial palace. So for the itinerant cultivators to receive this kind of treatment was truly hard to decline.
"I know you guys are very surprised to receive this token, but I hope you won"t decline. I only want you guys to promise me one thing." Elyon said solemnly.
The itinerant cultivators glanced at each other and nodded their heads firmly as if they had reached a tacit agreement.
"Your highness, as long as it is something that we can do, then we will accomplish it wholeheartedly."
Elyon nodded his head in appreciation. "Good! As of the moment, the empire"s strength is partially weakened after the war a few days ago. Almost half of the n.o.bles betrayed the empire, thus our military might could be said to have downgraded by quite a margin. In order to compensate for the loss of soldiers and n.o.bles, imperial father did a thorough investigation on who to give the vacant positions to. But I know that you guys prefer to roam freely. That"s why I only hope that when the empire faces danger in the future, you guys will lend a helping hand."
The itinerant cultivators were somewhat surprised that the crown prince was actually willing to share such a piece of important news to them. This was a gamble on his side, whether his bet was right will have to depend on his sincerity and trust towards these itinerant cultivators. But how could the crown prince just randomly invite itinerant cultivators? Obviously, he only asked the righteous ones to join the banquet. Otherwise, if he had randomly invited everyone, then it might bring a catastrophic effect on the empire in the future.
Wenren Wushuang admired the crown prince"s foresight and courage. He then resolutely kneeled down and said decisively.
"Your highness, I am willing to protect the empire to death."
The other itinerant cultivators were silent for a moment before similarly kneeling down solemnly.
"Your highness, I am willing to protect the empire to death."
"Your highness, I am willing to protect the empire to death."
"Your highness, I am willing to protect the empire to death."
Elyon smiled warmly and said. "All of you, please rise. This prince is more than happy to get your promises. You may leave now. Remember to get your resources every first week of the month."
The itinerant cultivators excitedly nodded their heads before they left.
Right outside the imperial palace stood several people. Leading them was an elegant-looking young n.o.ble. He was the one who asked to dance with Aurora but was blatantly ignored by her.
As a young genius and son of a marquess, it was the first time he experienced that kind of treatment. Hence, he harbored deep resentment in his heart and vowed to toy Aurora to death and slap that masked young man until he was satisfied.
"They dare humiliate me in front of many people. Hmph! They should be prepared to face my wrath!" His handsome face darkened at the thought of the events earlier.
"Young lord! Young lord!"
The young n.o.ble frowned after seeing some of his men running in his direction with faces full of sweat. He felt a sense of foreboding for no apparent reason.
"What is it? Speak!"
His subordinates glanced at each other with faces filled with fear. "The young... The young man earlier. They... They..."
"Don"t waste my time and say it carefully!" The young n.o.ble shouted angrily.
His subordinates fearfully glanced at their young lord. They knew that after he will hear the news, he would surely blame them for being useless, but they still decided to bite the bullet. "That young man earlier... His group... They disappeared out of thin air..."
The young n.o.ble"s countenance darkened after hearing their words. His guess was right, those people should not be someone ordinary. But even with that being the case, he was still adamant about giving them punishment for humiliating him earlier in the banquet.
"Useless b.a.s.t.a.r.ds! Find them for me! Scram now! F.u.c.k!"
Wenren Wushuang walked out of the banquet hall and clenched his fists tightly in excitement. "With the imperial family"s support, I can finally have the chance to improve my sword skills."
After walking far away from the palace, he stopped in his tracks and placed his hands on the hilt of his sword.
"Friends, you have been following me for quite some time. Show yourselves!" He said calmly. The invisible sword intent in his body gushed out unbridledly.
"Hahaha! You"ve got guts, boy! To actually dare oppose this young lord, you must be tired of living! I don"t care whether the crown prince protects you or not, as long he does not know, then I can leave without a problem. Hahaha!" More than ten silhouettes appeared. They surrounded Wenren Wushuang, not giving him a room for retreat. Behind them was Pu Ta, he was wearing a mocking smile on his face.
Wenren Wushuang frowned after seeing Pu Ta"s figure. "It"s actually you!"
Pu Ta smugly glanced at Wenren Wushuang. "Commoner, are you surprised? Hahaha! You shouldn"t have provoked this young lord. Now, you are going to die. Hahaha!"
Wenren Wushuang chuckled and fished out the token given to them by the crown prince. He then flashed it towards Pu Ta with a hint of disdain. "Do you know what this is?"
Pu Ta frowned after seeing the token in Wenren Wushuang"s hands. How could he not know the imperial family"s seal? That flashy sword engraving, who else other than the Doomblade Imperial Family uses that seal? But Pu Ta was already consumed by anger and his sense of reason was currently non-existent. "Do you really think that I won"t dare kill you just because you have become the imperial family"s dog? Foolis.h.!.+ Kill that lowly dog for me!"
Wenren Wushuang"s face fell. He thought that Pu Ta would consider after seeing the imperial family"s seal, but who knew that this brat did not even give their seal face? "If I escape here, your Pu Family will face the Doomblade Imperial Family"s wrath!"
Wenren Wushuang unsheathed his sword and fought bitterly with Pu Ta"s men. His dazzling sword skills surprised them. And moments later, their surprise turned into shock.
Wenren Wushuang fought with them and even after exchanging hundreds of blows with him, they were still unable to kill him.
"Such a tenacious life! This commoner is like a G.o.dd.a.m.n c.o.c.kroach!" Pu Ta gnashed his teeth in anger.
Although Pu Ta was able to fight against more than ten men, he still received a substantial amount of damage. His strength was also weakening by the second.
"s.h.i.+t! Would I really die under this snotty brat"s ploy? No! I must find a way to escape!"
Wenren Wushuang brandished his sword with a calm expression, but he was inwardly in disarray. It won"t be long before his strength would dwindle, and by that time, he will be at the mercy of Pu Ta.
Wenren Wushuang broke through the encirclement of Pu Ta"s men, but he was struck by a sword from behind.
"Slas.h.!.+ Puchi!"
"Cras.h.!.+" Wenren Wushuang"s injured body dropped on the ground after tumbling many times.
"Hahaha! Lowly dog of the imperial family, did you not think that you will die under the masterful plan of this young lord?! Hahaha! Kill him for me! Make sure to burn his body and remove all the traces of our involvement here!" Pu Ta smirk condescendingly while watching the bloodied figure of Wenren Wushuang.
Although he was strong, even someone like him still succ.u.mbed against ten peak Saint-Cla.s.s level experts" combined strength.
When the ten figures were about to strike the killing blow, a few silhouettes suddenly emerged from the shadows. Leading them was a man with long silver hair wearing a silver wolf mask that covered half his face. He was looking grimly at Pu Ta.
"It appears that I have to do the cleansing on the imperial family"s behalf," Cale said with a chilly voice.