World of Terra

Jin Empire’s Capital - Gold Capital

Fourth Prince’s Residence

The fourth prince comfortably sat on his chair as he waited for his servant to finish pouring tea in his cup. After the servant was done, he retreated to the side, waiting for any further orders from the fourth prince. The fourth prince slowly lifted the cup from the table and took a sip on it, then he placed it back in its place when he was done. His eyes then traveled towards the vacant chair right across from him.

That certain seat was reserved for someone else. Someone who he had been waiting for a while already.

“Your Highness, he’s here,” one of the fourth prince’s servant came and informed him.

The fourth prince merely smiled.

“Took him long enough. Let him in.”

“Understood.”

The servant bowed and quickly left, heeding his command.

Not long after, a frail-looking guy walked in through the door. His gaze fell towards the fourth prince as he paused for a second before he continued walking, heading straight towards him.

“You’re finally here,” the fourth prince said upon seeing him.

“I didn’t mean to keep you waiting, Fourth Prince.”

“No matter. Sit,” the fourth prince gestured to the chair across from him.

The newcomer didn’t shy away and unhesitatingly sat on the chair. He no longer uttered any word as he stared the fourth prince straight in the eye fearlessly, as though they were equals. Normal people would’ve long since lowered their gaze the moment they saw the fourth prince. Even though he was supposed to be the least capable one among the princes, they didn’t dare to face him directly. However, it would seem that the newcomer didn’t have this kind of reservation towards him.

The fourth prince was in a good mood due to his arrival so he didn't mind all this.

“I’m glad you’re able to come here, Yun Yi. Does someone else know of our meeting?”

The newcomer was no other than Yun Ling’s cousin and aide, Yun Yi.

“You don’t have to worry. No one knows,” Yun Yi replied.

A few days ago, the fourth prince ordered one of his men to secretly send a letter to Yun Yi, inviting him over to his residence to discuss some things. Normally, Yun Yi would have ignored such a vague and suspicious letter but there was a certain line in the letter that caught his interest.

Aren’t you tired of always being overshadowed by Yun Ling? I have the means to take him down.

It was because of that line that Yun Yi decided to take up the fourth prince’s invitation.

Yun Yi didn’t break his eye contact with the fourth prince as he said, “Fourth Prince, let’s not beat around the bush. Taking my young master down is by no means an easy feat. Many had tried and failed. What makes you confident that you can take him down whereas many people failed to do so?”

The fourth prince nodded at him, understanding his concerns. It was only natural that Yun Yi was doubtful of his claims. With Yun Ling’s behavior in the past, he had made too many enemies who wanted to end his life. None of them were successful in their endeavor of course which only goes to show how strong Yun Ling was and the people protecting him. Not only did his enemies fail to take his life but they were also the ones who lost their lives instead. If the fourth prince wasn’t careful, he might have suffered the same fate as those who tried to take Yun Ling’s life before.

The fourth prince sighed.

“People seem to believe that I’m the weakest prince whether it comes to power or authority. That isn’t false but that isn’t exactly true either.”

Yun Yi frowned at him.

“The thing is, I have a few cards hidden up my sleeve. Those are enough to compensate for the things I lack which the other princes don’t. Of course, I won’t tell you what it is. I don’t trust you enough for that,” the fourth prince paused as he gestured to his servant to serve some tea to Yun Yi, “but I can tell you one thing. I’ve already sent five experts at the Four Transformation Realm to ambush Yun Ling at the border of the empire during his task.”

Yun Yi’s eyebrows jumped in shock.

“Five experts at the Four Transformation Realm?”

The fourth prince directed a smile at him.

Yun Yi immediately regained his composure as he regarded the fourth prince more seriously now, his opinion of him going up a notch.

“Five experts at the Four Transformation Realm… Fourth Prince, where did you get this much manpower?”

“That’s a secret,” the fourth prince refused to answer.

“Looks like I have to change my opinion of you.”

The fourth prince was pleased with that remark.

“Even for a supreme genius like Yun Ling, five Four Transformation Realm experts working together is overkill. However, I don’t care if it's overkill or not. I have to make sure he dies,” the fourth prince finished off with a sinister face.

“Have you taken into consideration that my young master might have some people from the Yun Clan secretly protecting him from the shadows?” Yun Yi asked.

The fourth prince looked sharply at him, “Are you saying he does?”

“That, I do not know. Even I have no idea myself,” Yun Yi shrugged, sighing.

“It doesn’t really matter. I’ve had my men kept the Yun Clan under surveillance ever since the banquet ended. I’d know who left and entered your clan compounds at all times. You know what that meant right?”

Of course, Yun Yi knew what the fourth prince was implying. If the Yun Clan suddenly decided to send some people after Yun Ling, that would only mean one thing. Yun Yi told on him.

There’s also the matter that the fourth prince already set this up since the banquet ended. Since Yun Ling left for his task the day after the banquet, that means the fourth prince knew who left the clan after Yun Ling departed. If there was someone who left the clan after Yun Ling but didn’t return, they’d most likely be Yun Ling’s protector. Even if they weren’t, the fourth prince would have to assume they were to be safe and not caught off guard.

“You’ve surely thought this through,” Yun Yi said.

“That goes without saying.”

“Fourth Prince, the fact that you called me here can only mean one thing. That is, you want me on your side. Therefore, what can you give me in exchange for my cooperation?” Yun Yi looked at the fourth prince seriously.

The fourth prince wasn’t the first one among the princes to approach him. In fact, the other princes who knew a little of his capabilities tried to recruit him to their side many times in the past.

Needless to say, Yun Yi refused them all.

It was because their offers weren’t able to move Yun Yi at all. If the fourth prince’s offer wasn’t to his liking, then he should just forget thinking about getting his cooperation. However, Yun Yi’s situation was far from good at that moment. If Yun Yi openly refused him after being told all that, his life might be put in jeopardy. That was why on the surface, Yun Yi would pretend to agree to cooperate with the fourth prince but after getting into the safety of the clan’s compounds, he’d no longer go along with him.

The fourth prince nodded towards his servant who quickly left upon seeing the fourth prince’s gesture. A few seconds later, the servant came back bringing an open ring box with him. Inside the ring box was a golden ring.

“That is...” Yun Yi narrowed his eyes at the ring.

“A custom made storage ring meant for the royalty. It’s yours now,” the fourth prince said. “Take a look inside.”

The servant gave the ring to Yun Yi who slowly checked its contents upon receiving it.

Yun Yi’s eyes widened when he saw what was stored inside the ring.

“These many resources… Fourth Prince, do you mean to give all of these to me?”

The fourth prince smiled.

“To get someone like you on my side, these are nothing. So, what do you think? Is this enough to convince you to be on my side?”

Yun Yi took a deep breath.

“It’s more than enough.”