Now that the contract and key to the Golden Pavilion from the central part of Irricester Kingdom—the most coveted building in the Kingdom—is in the hand of the Royal Family's top clan, the iJo Clan, the people in the room felt like cheering in the celebration.

Forget stealing the pavilion key, this child pulled off a grand feat.

Now that Ijohen, the young master of the Royal family, holds this key, the entire kingdom will be affected.

Rihan smirks, strolling past Ijohen's side, "Go take care of the rest, I'll wait till everything is settled on your side." Then stares straight at Sung Li.

Sung Li stares back at Rihan with confusion as his friend leaves. "Young Master Ijo—" Sung Li stops halfway, turning his head towards his friend's direction before stopping dead still when his eyes locked with Ijohen's.

"Sure bring back memories," Sung Li said slowly.

Silver Beard sighs. "But now we should get moving to the main gate."

He pushes ahead to leave the room first followed by Ijohen, Sir Wennen, and the other Royal Soldiers who quickly push through the door into the hallway where more soldiers are already waiting for them.

"Hey!" Sung Li stares wide-eyed in Rihan's direction, his mouth hanging open in awe.

A huge grin spreads across his lips, unable to contain his excitement.

Thumbs pressed together in triumph while stabbing himself in the chest repeatedly for emphasis; as if declaring victory before everyone in the room, proving that the kid really did steal their golden key!

Ijohen sweated profusely and stared wide-eyed as his mind swirled between thoughts.

We might make it if we can bring the contracts and the key to the Royal Roundtable; then they will have no choice but to negotiate peacefully or otherwise—

He pauses for a second, trying to grasp what exactly happened right now. It felt so real—so surreal at the same time.

"Damn you Rihan! You could've told me this earlier!" Ijohen shouted after him.

The young master of the Royal Family doesn't even spare a glance behind him. He just puffs out his chest arrogantly.

"Is this what you mean by earning big bucks!? A worthless brat like you wouldn't have a chance of taking anything from here without me anyway!"

He could feel an impending headache coming from this ordeal, but one thing that pleased him is that the Blackwell Union will be stopped from doing any harm to the city anymore, saving its citizens from further danger.

If not, the entire Kingdom will suffer immeasurable consequences in the near future.

He could feel an impending headache coming from this ordeal, but one thing that pleased him is that the Blackwell Union will be stopped from doing any harm to the city anymore, saving its citizens from further danger.

If not, the entire Kingdom will suffer immeasurable consequences in the near future.

Silver Beard and the Royal Soldiers hurried forward immediately, escorting Sir Wennen and the rest of the guards out from Sir Wennen's office.

As soon as they reach the hallway outside, Sir Wennen pauses suddenly—he pales and clutches at his heart suddenly—he stares hard at a black figure standing nearby.

His face pale with fear, stares straight into those cold eyes—a blood-red shadow hovering behind the silhouette of an armoured soldier.

The shadowed one smirk, making eye contact with him—then disappears instantly when Sir Wennen stares back at it. The air around him shudders slightly like an invisible wave passing over him.

The surrounding soldiers stare warily, ready to draw their weapons, waiting for instructions.

Silver Beard gulps heavily, reeling inside after seeing that chilling image clearly—something just strolled through this building which was supposed to be heavily guarded by the Royal Soldiers and Hall Guard.

An Arch Cultivator! And a very high-ranked one too.

Without hesitating, he quickly escorted Sir Wennen along with Ijohen towards the safety of the Royal Soldier deployed outside the Hall.

"We need to hurry and prepare before the news of Golden Pavilion reaches 'Him'," his voice quivers as if someone else were speaking his words. "It might be too late—"

That brief glimpse stares so vividly, imprinted in his memory, "That must be Lord Raukaku!"

***

Grand Marketplace, The Great Hall Main Entrance

A group of Royal Soldiers with the Royal Families emblem stares at Silver Beard's sudden appearance with Sir Wennen, a high-ranking Hall Officer and part of the leader of the Blackwell Union himself.

One of their numbers immediately calls the main gate while others head to alert the Commander in-charge about what happened inside.

While they paced anxiously on either side of the main gate; suddenly they found a semblance of order and quickly retreated from the scene.

A dark figure slowly emerges from between the towering trees a distance away; staring deeply at the Royal Soldiers from across the distance before disappearing without a trace.

A blood-red shadow had followed behind him—but disappeared seconds later.

A few moments later, just behind The Great Hall compound, a hidden door opens in the backyard garden, revealing two figures standing close together.

The figure stares at his surroundings, looking around cautiously for anyone who might be watching them, his gaze stopping upon the army leaving in the distance.

They wait for several minutes until finally no one is left outside anymore; then quickly step out of the backdoor of The Great Hall's compound. Finally, it's time to go!

"You can go back to the dorm first," Rihan whispers quietly as he walks by Sung Li's side. "We'll catch up when I'm done here,".

"No, don't worry about me!" he pats Rihan's hand reassuringly. "I can't wait to see what you are going to do next."

Then, he turns towards the Grand Marketplace walkway heading southward in front of The Great Hall, heading into town where most people have set up their shops.

Rihan stares at the retreating soldiers before turning towards the City's Central Plaza ahead of him—and looks up and down each street leading to the plaza.