Zhelan stared at Tian Ma in surprise and his eyes did not conceal his emotions at that moment. He stood speechless as he took in the old man's expressions in front of him.

'Did he just say that he was waiting for me all these days? But why?' Zhelan frowned and looked at the man suspiciously.

"How did you know I would come here?" He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes when he saw Tian Ma's flustered expression. "Is there something that I should know?"

Zhelan's tone took a dark edge and he threatened the king into giving away what he so desperately wanted to find out. Somehow the man seemed to have the answers to his questions and Zhelan had no intentions of letting him go without getting what he wanted.

"Master, I-I...," Tian Ma bit his lip and lowered his head.

"Do you want to say it yourself or should I force the truth out of your mouth?" Zhelan took a step forward and Tian Ma stepped back instinctively.

"Tian Ma..."

This time, the threat worked and Tian Ma collapsed to the ground immediately. He held Zhelan's legs as he pleaded softly, his eyes quivering in fear. "Master, please forgive me. I cannot reveal the truth to you. I have been warned to not say a word about it to you until the time is right. I am sorry."

Zhelan gave him one look that had Tian Ma trembling in fright and he lowered his head all the more until Zhelan could not see his eyes at all.

"Get up." Zhelan seethed. But Tian Ma stayed in his place, not daring to move. "I am commanding you for the last time. Get up."

Zhelan was at his wits' ends and he did not hide his fury whatsoever, forcing Tian Ma to stumble to his feet and stand straight in front of him. The man still had his eyes lowered which Zhelan did not mind.

"I will not ask you about this matter anymore."

Tian Ma let out a sigh of relief, only for his body to stiffen immediately when he heard Zhelan's next words. "But I want you to answer all my questions. All of them."

Zhelan stepped forward and even though he was younger than the king by a few decades, he was quite tall. He held the man's chin and forced him to look at him. "Otherwise, I cannot promise that you will live to see tomorrow's sun. Do not blame me for being evil."

Although he was smiling lightly, his eyes were filled with malicious intent and Tian Ma gulped in fright. He nodded foolishly and Zhelan patted his cheek, pleased by his response.

"Good. But before that, get me something to eat and drink. I am hungry." Zhelan ordered and instead of taking one of the chairs, he walked up the steps and took the throne much to Tain Ma's stupefaction.

Zhelan raised a brow when he saw the king staring at him stupidly. "Is something the matter, Tian Ma?"

"No, no, Master. Nothing. Nothing at all." Tian Ma shook his head and got to work immediately. He did not dare call the servants to serve Zhelan. Instead, he took it upon himself to serve the young man and seeing him scurry around like a scared mouse, Zhelan's lips arched up slightly.

In no time Tian Ma returned with food for Zhelan and stood beside the throne politely. He did not breathe loudly lest he should irk the young man unknowingly. Already he was terrified of the young man's unbelievable aura. It was impossible to ignore it and even more so after the truth he knew about Zhelan.

Neither man spoke a word until Zhelan filled his stomach. He was starving. He has exhausted a lot of energy after he had woken up and he did not stop until he was utterly satisfied, treating Tian Ma as his slave.

"Now, shall we handle we handle important matters?"

Tian Ma's lips twitched at his words. 'Were you not the one who halted this conversation?' But he did not voice his thoughts and nodded at Zhelan.

"Good. Since you already know a thing or two about me, I shall presume that you also know what I need to do next. Tell me about it."

Zhelan did not beat around the bush and dived straight into his problem.

Tian Ma let out a sigh of relief. This was a question he could answer. He even smiled widely, making Zhelan scold him in his mind for his lunacy.

"Master, I was told to inform you that you will get the answers you seek on Mount Dao."

"Mount Dao?" Zhelan's face scrunched up in disbelief. He had heard about Mount Dao. That was the mountain peak that separated the human world and cultivators' world in the mortal realm. And it was a peak any ordinary human would never dare to climb. Even some of the greatest cultivators feared to even take a step on the mountain.

"Why?" Zhelan's frown deepened. "Why do I need to go there?"

"That..." Tian Ma scratched his head. "I do not know, Master. I was also told to inform you that it would be better if you set out for the place as quickly as possible."

"I see." Zhelan mused and scrutinized Tian Ma, searching for any traces of any deception from him. However, all he found was the man's apprehension. Tian Ma was petrified of him, he could make it out. But he could not comprehend why. What had he done for the man to fear him? This was the first time they were meeting each other. Was there a need for the man to be this careful and respectful?

"Is there anything else that I should know?" Zhelan queried and when Tian Ma shook his head, he nodded lightly and delved into his thoughts.

'Why do I need to go to Mount Dao? And will I be able to climb it considering....' Zhelan's lips thinned into a straight line and he kept his gaze fixed on the floor as he thought about it carefully.

After a long time, Zhelan lifted his eyes and looked at Tian Ma, who stiffened on meeting his gaze. "Prepare for my departure."

"Master?" Confusion filled Tian Ma's face and he bent his back slightly.

"I will be leaving for Mount Dao at dawn the day after tomorrow."