Liuli was a smart woman and she already knew that the crown prince was up to no good, but she was confident that Prince Reinhardt couldn't do anything to Jiu Shen, so after a moment of hesitation, she nodded her head at the crown prince. "Since Prince Reinhardt wants to know this gentleman here, then how could I refuse?" She smiled charmingly.

Liuli then took a glance at the poker-faced Jiu Shen and she almost laughed after seeing his disinterested look. "Lord Jiu Shen, let me introduce this man to you. He is a great personage here in our Silver Wing Empire. He is the crown prince, Prince Reinhardt Silveria."

Reinhardt raised his head slightly after her introduction. He was obviously pleased with it, but when he saw that Jiu Shen didn't even bother to greet him, the crown prince's face darkened. This fellow didn't even bat an eye after Liuli told him his identity.

He actually dared to embarrass him in front of his woman? What a cocky bastard!

Looking at Jiu Shen's calm look, Liuli coughed lightly to get his attention.

Cough. Cough.

Jiu Shen decided to give her some face since she was already his subordinate, so he nodded his head at the crown as he said with an apathetic look. "I've heard a lot about you."

Prince Reinhardt's anger almost burst out, but Liuli hurriedly spoke to pacify the tensed atmosphere. "Hahah! Don't mind him too much, Your Highness. His name is Jiu Shen, a very strong expert, and I am one of his people." She decided to tell her relationship with Jiu Shen to prevent things from escalating further. She didn't want the reputation of her Green Wood Pavilion to be tarnished, so she could only do this. Furthermore, with the crown prince's power, it wouldn't take long for him to know the relationship between him and Jiu Shen.

After hearing her words, the crown prince was a bit surprised and he couldn't help but take a doubtful look at Liuli before glancing at the calm Jiu Shen. Although he couldn't read the exact strength of Liuli, he was certain that she was at least at the 8th-rank Divine realm. However, she emphasized that Jiu Shen was a very strong expert and she was also working under him. Does that mean that he was the true owner of the Green Wood Pavilion? Thinking about that, Prince Reinhardt thought that things were becoming a bit complicated, but still, he didn't want to give up on getting this seductress Liuli for himself no matter how strong Jiu Shen was. 'After I inherit the throne and awaken the slumbering ancestor, who would dare disobey me!?'

In only an instant, the crown prince's expression returned to normal as he cupped his fists at Jiu Shen. His bright smile masked the towering wrath in his heart. "So it's Lord Jiu Shen. What a great hero to actually have the ability to take Proprietress Liuli as your subordinate. I admire you!"

Admire my ass! I can't wait to tear that fucking boytoy face of yours. I will also let you watch how I fuck this little bitch Liuli in front of you! Hmph!

Jiu Shen didn't know what Reinhardt was thinking, but he could sense the rage that he tried so hard to suppress. And if not for his friendship with Elyk, he would have already punished this fickle and conceited prince. Having lost his mood to stay here, Jiu Shen ignored the crown prince as he stood up. He then took a sidelong glance at Liuli and said in a cold voice. "Don't delay our matters and pack up right away."

After hearing his cold voice, Liuli shivered and she hurriedly bowed at him with the utmost respect. "Yes, Lord Jiu Shen."

After that, Jiu Shen left the scene without even taking one last look at them. The disdain and contempt in his actions almost made Prince Reinhardt lose his control, but he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists tightly as he suppressed his anger.

"Prince Reinhardt, I advise you not to act impulsively. Lord Jiu Shen isn't someone you want to mess with. I'm only saying this to you on account of your father. Farewell." Liuli left after speaking in a slightly annoyed tone. It was the first time Reinhardt heard her talk to him that way, so he felt incomparably incensed.

"Jiu Shen is it? I remember you." He muttered with dense killing intent.

He then left the Green Wood Pavilion, leaving behind the middle-aged mercenaries with blank looks.

"What happened to the crown prince? Why did he leave in such a hurry?"

"I don't know, but it seems like our work has to be put on hold. What a pity!"

* * *

Night arrived, and the moon illuminated the night sky with a dim white light. It was a tranquil dark sky, but for how long could this tranquility remain?

There were still quite a number of people within the streets of Green Wood City, and most of them were still talking about the fantastical event that happened yesterday morning.

Looking above, eight figures could be vaguely seen on top of the Green Wood Pavilion's building, but because it was night time, it was difficult to see their facial features.

"Let's go back home." Jiu Shen muttered as he glanced at the sky.

Liuli who was standing behind him nodded her head as she took out something from her space ring.

It was a huge flying boat with an intricate design. It was a precious treasure that could fly through the skies, and its flight speed was even comparable to that of a 9th-rank cultivator. Although this flying boat is such a valuable and rare treasure, using it also burned a lot of True Crystals. However, True Crystals meant nothing to the rich Liuli.

She then glanced at Jiu Shen and Xia Xinyue before taking a glance at the five subordinates that she chose to bring with her. All five of them were men, and the strongest among them had the strength of a peak stage 7th-rank Emperor realm expert, while the remaining four were at the early stage of the 7th-rank Emperor realm. "Hop in, everyone."

Swoosh. Swoosh. Swoosh. Swoosh.

Swoosh. Swoosh. Swoosh.

After everyone hopped inside the flying boat, Liuli grabbed a handful of True Crystals and placed it inside the core of the boat, causing it to produce a bright luster.

Swoosh!

The huge flying boat streaked through the skies under Liuli's commands. She then asked one of her subordinates to control the flying boat.

* * *

Beltran City, Xue Family Estate.

"Is Elder Ming not out of seclusion yet?" Xue Yangkai muttered with an impatient tone. He was already dying to create chaos within Beltran City to avenge the death of his son, but they still had to wait for Elder Ming before making a move.

Xue Yangkun glared at him and snorted. "Patriarch, I've already told you that Elder Ming's retreat might take a few months or more. Just wait patiently, okay? The moment he comes out, you can do whatever you want."

Actually, Xue Yangkun was also becoming tensed especially after they had entered Jiu Shen's store. They discovered that the store wasn't as simple as it seemed to be, and it was even protected by an unfathomable expert. Recalling that man with long wavy black hair who stood like a stone statue outside of the store's second floor, Xue Yangkun felt his heart turning cold.

That being said, this idiot patriarch in front of him might also spoil the grand plans of Elder Ming, so he had to keep an eye on him to prevent him from destroying the plan that they had brewed for dozens of years. 'I hope that Yangkai this idiotic old man can remain patient during this time that Elder Ming is still absent. This is an opportunity for our Xue Family to rise, and after Elder Ming's breakthrough, we would be able to gain sufficient authority to control a part of the Alliance. However, things might be complicated if that store intervenes in our matters...'