Zhelan looked at the people around him as he masked his wicked expression behind his innocent face. He had successfully fooled all of them and now, they had become his puppets, one he could use whenever he wanted, how ever he wanted.

The route to Mount Dao was filled with danger and Zhelan had long discerned that he could not climb it with just the meager tools he had with him. However, with the group of fools as his shields, he was not that concerned about his safety.

With so many people around, protecting him from all sides, he did not have to worry about being prey to danger. He could as well push someone else when the situation arose and save himself.

Even though the group of people had introduced themselves one by one, Zhelan only remembered the group leader's name. He was all he needed and with him around, Zhelan did not need to remember other unnecessary people. The man could as well job the conveying orders between them.

"Yi Meng." Zhelan looked at the man beside him as they meandered along the curvy path, looking out for any danger in the meanwhile. "Where are you from?"

Zhelan was bored out of his mind. They were still close to human habitation and it would take them a long time to reach the base of the mountain peak. He might as well learn a thing or two about the people around him.

"Master, we are from Tunao."

"Ohh.." That was all Zhelan managed to say. He had no idea where Tunao was nor had he ever heard about it.

Previously, all his focus had been on reaching the peak of cultivation and attaining immortality. So, he had never looked into the human world. Anyway, it was of no use to him. However, that could not be said the same right now.

"And I am Minister Yi Guanyu's son." Yi Meng uttered with pride and Zhelan took a glimpse at him.

'Nevertheless, the man is arrogant.' He thought.

"I see." Zhelan nodded even though he did not know who Yi Guanyu was. "You must be quite powerful in Tunao then."

"Yes, Master." Yi Meng replied quickly, his tone turning condescending slightly. "After the king, His Majesty, it is my father who holds the highest authority."

Zhelan's brows shot up in appreciation and this time, his gaze lingered on him for a long time, flattering Yi Meng greatly.

"What about you, Master? Where are you from?"

Zhelan had made sure to not give away anything about himself, not even his name. He had maintained an air of secrecy around him, allowing the people to believe his lies easily. Zhelan was a brilliant trickster and the people around him were easy to deceive.

"Let us just say I am from kingdom Idora."

As soon as he finished, the people around him stopped walking, forcing Zhelan too to halt in his place. He gave them a questioning look before he raised his brows at Yi Meng, who was staring at him with admiration and respect.

"Master, are you really from Idora?" He queried, his voice not hiding his excitement and Zhelan nodded at him in return.

It was the truth though. He was actually from Idora and Zhelan did not hide the truth from them.

"Master." Yi Meng kowtowed in front of Zhelan, startling him and the others followed suit immediately. He could not make out what had happened for the group to behave this abnormally all of a sudden. But he did not loathe their actions.

Instead, Zhelan stood at the center and looked around him, marveling at the admiration the people had for him.

"Master, we have heard about Idora, the greatest kingdom ever and it is our honor that we were able to meet someone who belongs to that kingdom." Yi Meng stated and raised his head.

"But Master, are the people of Idora already not powerful? Why are you..."

"Yi Meng...." Zhelan's jaw ticked his fury and his gaze hardened. He understood what the young man was trying to ask him. "Looks like you do not need me anymore. You and I will go separate...."

"No, no, Master." Yi Meng stopped him before he could finish his words. "Please do not abandon us, Master. I was not in my sane mind and spoke nonsense. Please forgive me."

Yi Meng kowtowed again and Zhelan stood still for a long time as he pretended to think about it. It was only when he was sure that he had intimidated the group and had instilled fear in their minds that he reluctantly gave in.

"I will forgive you this once." He declared as though he was doing a great favor to them. "If this repeats, do not blame me for my actions."

"Yes, Master. Thank you for being benevolent. We are blessed to have you with us." Yi Meng was about to cry tears of joy.

"Thank you, Master." The remaining people too expressed and Zhelan nodded lightly.

"Rise. We cannot delay time like this. We need to reach ur destination soon if we wish to gain what we want."

"Yes, Master. We are right. We should not delay time anymore."

The group set out on their journey once again, not knowing how they were being manipulated and used by the man they were trusting the most. To them, he was the king, the emperor, the God and every word of his was an order.

Zhelan stayed silent as he observed his surroundings. They had walked quite a distance. But what surprised him was that he did not see any human behind him or ahead of him.

'Something is wrong.' He thought and his brows furrowed in worry. 'This place is eerily silent. Something is definitely wrong.'

With his lips pursed, he clutched the dagger he had received from the king of Utira in the treasure box tight. Although that was not the only weapon he had with him, it was the only one he could use at that moment.

Barely had he prepared himself for danger when the leaves on the trees near them rustled and men clad in black attires and faces covered jumped down as they pointed their swords at Zhelan and the others.

Zhelan's eyes widened in horror on seeing the sharp weapons. They were now surrounded by bandits and considering their number, he realized that it would not be easy for him to escape.