From the very beginning, Kael had already sensed Mei Lin and Li Wei’s presence. The two were hiding behind the wooden wall of the pavilion, clearly waiting for the right moment to strike.Kael trusted them completely. So he stalled for time, keeping Hou Yi and Hu San distracted so they wouldn’t notice the plan.And just as he expected, the two of them didn’t disappoint.The corner of his lips slowly curled into a thin, satisfied smile. “Good… you did well,” he murmured under his breath.With quick steps, Kael straightened up, his cold eyes now flashing sharply. He seized the brief pause when everyone was stunned by Mei Lin and Li Wei’s sudden attack. His body shot forward like a dark shadow, closing the distance toward Hou Yi in the blink of an eye.Before Hou Yi could even react, Kael’s fist slammed hard into his gut.BUAGHH!The punch broke through Hou Yi’s already weakened defense, making the burly man choke and spit up a mouthful of fresh blood. His body staggered back several met

The sun was dipping low, painting the sky in shades of golden orange. In the pavilion’s courtyard—now cleared of all traces of the earlier battle—Mei Lin and Li Wei crouched by a small firepit they’d built themselves with smooth river stones. The scent of burning wood drifted through the damp evening air, and both their stomachs growled hungrily at the smell.Elder Shen came over carrying a clay pot filled with warm water and the beef they’d bought at the market that morning. “It’s been a long time since we celebrated anything here,” he said with a faint smile, the wrinkles on his face looking softer under the evening light.Kael sat cross-legged near the fire, his eyes lighting up when he noticed a small basket full of dried spices—pepper, cumin seeds, and a green herb whose scent reminded him of cilantro back on Earth. The corner of his lips curled into a slight smile.“Looks like we can make a simple barbecue rub,” he said, starting to grind the spices with a flat stone. “You two

The horse-drawn carriage came to a stop right in front of the old, moss-covered pavilion. The wooden wheels gave a soft, lingering creak while the horses flicked their tails, letting out warm breaths that misted in the cool night air.The dark-green velvet curtain lifted, and a young woman stepped down gracefully. The warm glow of the oil lamps carried by the royal guards lit her delicate features with a pale shimmer. This was Yue Lian—the Second Princess of the kingdom.As soon as her feet touched the ground, the damp scent of wild grass and rotting wood hit her. Yue Lian held her breath for a moment, her sharp eyes sweeping over the rundown pavilion before her—peeling paint on the wooden beams, a crooked door, tiles streaked with moss. Her brows arched slightly, her lips tightening to keep the disgust from showing on her face.“If not for Father’s order to come to this wretched place, I’d never set foot here,” she thought with a silent scoff. “Ugh… damp, dark, and falling apart. Wha

At the same time, a silver-plated carriage rattled over the cobblestone road toward the palace gates. The torchlight lining the tall walls glimmered against the carved crest of a crowned dragon etched on the massive gates. The rhythmic drumming of hooves blended with the creak of wooden wheels, filling the cold night air.When the carriage rolled to a stop inside the palace courtyard, a servant hurried forward and pulled the door open. Yue Lian stepped down in a swift yet graceful motion, her face still clouded with anger that hadn’t cooled since earlier. Her soft lilac-colored silk gown fluttered lightly as she strode with long, purposeful steps toward the main hall.Guards and servants bowed as the princess passed, but none dared greet her—her stormy expression warned them to stay silent.She didn’t slow until she reached the great teak-paneled doors carved with coiling dragons. She paused to take a deep breath, then knocked, the sound quick and sharp.“Enter,” came a deep yet calm

Wu Zhen let out a slow breath, the air around him trembling as he released the pressure of his inner energy. A low, rumbling sound rolled across the courtyard, making some of the soldiers in the back rows tighten their grip on their spears and swords.He hadn’t planned to kill Kael—but he certainly wasn’t going to hold back. He would make this young man learn some respect for the king.Without a signal, Wu Zhen stomped the ground—BAM!—leaving cracks that spread out half an arm’s length. His body shot forward like an arrow, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye.Kael merely tilted his head slightly to the side, angling his shoulder to dodge the first upward slash. The tip of Wu Zhen’s sword cut through empty air, but the wind pressure alone was strong enough to slice the falling leaves behind Kael.CLANG!The second strike came in low, aiming for Kael’s waist. Kael spun his iron staff in one hand, blocking the attack with a solid parry. The metallic clash rang out sh