The air in the private room was heavy.
The effeminate man holding a sword sheath by his left hand had a look of deep amusement in his eyes.
What a preposterous joke.
Everyone in the entire Free Town knew that the four military commanders stationed in the town's sub-cities were Chen Yu's most trusted confidantes. The man before him was none other than Chen Yu's appointed Lion Rou Si.
After transforming into human form, he seemed to have retained his lion-like state.
He was as delicate and fluid as water.
Several months ago, he had suddenly received an invitation to meet at a villa.
He knew that villa.
After splitting from the city, the several Divine Generals had each developed accordingly. For the development of their camps, he would also lead his troops to explore for resources outside.
During one treasure hunt, he had discovered that villa in the wilderness.
Nestled against mountains and beside water.
A truly idyllic scene.
At the time, he had merely sighed and led his troops away. Although the villa looked good, he knew in his heart that the power behind such a villa in the desolate underground was not to be underestimated.
Though his troops were not weak, they could not act rashly.
He had not expected, however, to receive an invitation from that villa a few days after returning to the sub-city. Already filled with curiosity about the place, he had gone alone without much hesitation.
Upon arriving at the villa, he learned that it was the residence of the Royal Highness.
And it was during their first meeting that this Seventh Prince showed his desire to invite Rou Si to cooperate in dealing with Free Town.
Upon hearing this idea, Rou Si's first thought was shock.
Attack the city?
He was surprised by the Seventh Prince's frankness, and even more shocked by how he had managed to find him. He had even specifically asked if he had contacted the other generals, and upon receiving a negative answer, he had nearly dropped his jaw.
What were these people thinking?
Did they not conduct background checks before contacting people? He had been with Chen Yu from the beginning, and yet he was being asked to attack Chen Yu.
After being appointed and merging with the soul of a Divine General, his loyalty and reverence towards Chen Yu were indeed less than before.
Was this a result of the early stages of the merge?
At that time, his cultivation realm was still very low, and the divine soul had a greater influence on him. The Divine General he merged with was a bit rebellious and treacherous.
Once his cultivation realm increased, Rou Si's own soul gradually gained the upper hand.
Treacherous?
Absolutely not!
Despite his effeminate appearance that made him seem like a bad person, his heart was definitely that of a loyal Chen Yu supporter, with no ulterior motives.
At most, he had a competitive desire towards Ku Ka and the others.
And it wasn't strong either!
The most heartbreaking thing for him was that the shameless Jack had changed his heart and married the daughter of a wealthy merchant from a small city-state, which had saddened him for quite some time.
He could hardly find a reason for the Seventh Prince to contact him about rebellion.
And yet—
This dear Highness had indeed sought him out, and his words were filled with strong confidence, as if he had calculated that Rou Si would definitely follow him.
Rou Si despised this kind of mystifying confidence from the bottom of his heart.
He had intended to refuse directly, but before he could speak, this dear Highness had thrown out several bombshells.
Providing resources, supporting food.
???
Was there such a good thing in the world?
Rou Si felt that their boss was quite conscientious, having given them a starting capital of a hundred thousand gold coins, with seventy percent of subsequent resources for their own use and thirty percent to be handed over.
He had not expected this dear Highness to start gifting them without a word.
If he didn't accept, it would feel like he was letting down this Highness.
For a full six months, he had received millions in funds and tens of thousands of tons of grain from Old Seven. He had handed over three-tenths of these resources, as discovered through exploration, to Kailin. The remaining seven-tenths he used to expand military preparedness and improve the welfare of the members of his troops.
That was pretty much the gist of it.
He had come back this time to ponder that he had eaten enough and did not want to continue eating, so he came to inform them, and also to annoy them a bit.
What kind of brain did they have, asking him to fight Chen Yu.
"Honestly, I have quite a good impression of you. You have a good face, the type I like," Rou Si said with a smile, looking at the Seventh Prince, and continued softly, "It's a pity that your brain isn't very sharp. I always feel that Your Highness acts based on personal fantasies, as if everyone in the world revolves around you, and you are the light of this world. You seem to have grand aspirations, but lack achievements in your heart. Your Highness, why don't you take my advice and surrender."
"Surrender?"
The Seventh Prince, clenching his fists, shot him a look of displeasure, and Rou Si simply smiled noncommittally.
"Between you and our boss, there is a chasm. Compared to our boss, your only advantage is your good background as royalty of the Tatu Kingdom. If you had brought your mighty army to bear before Chen Yu had even started, we might not have been your match."
"Unfortunately, you are too late."
"Have you studied the sub-cities around Free Town? How much military strength do they possess, what kind of equipment and cultivation realms do they have?"
"Do you know that the northern territories of the Tatu Kingdom are already within our grasp?"
"As long as Chen Yu wishes, we can instantly crown him king and conquer your entire Tatu Kingdom with lightning speed. Do not doubt it, we have the strength."
"If you ask me, surrendering early and living a comfortable life as a wealthy person is not a bad thing."
"I believe our camp leader will also give you such treatment. If that doesn't work out, considering our past cooperation, I will put in a good word for you."
Rou Si smiled warmly, then looked at the Imperial Tutor behind Old Seven.
"This elder gentleman, I can see that you are a capable person, but unfortunately... allow me to say, you have chosen the wrong person to support. The Highness by your side, he does not possess the aura of a king."
"You're looking for death!"
The Seventh Prince, clenching his fists, could no longer suppress his anger. Instantly, over a dozen heavily armed experts with cultivation realms of at least the Colored Realm appeared from behind the screen.
Seeing this, Rou Si's expression remained unchanged.
"Alas, why must it be so?"
"General Rou, I know your strength is formidable, possessing the Five-Colored Realm." Old Seven glared and reprimanded, "But unfortunately, I did not come empty-handed. I have provided you with money and food for half a year, and now you tell me this, which truly disappoints me, deeply disappoints me."
"Is this the foundation of the kingdom?"
Rou Si gazed at the people surrounding him, observing the auras they exuded.
"It seems the Tatu Kingdom is not as bad as imagined, and they do have some foundation to show. But do you think I came empty-handed?"
Bang!
The door of the private room was instantly smashed open. Hundreds of orcs, wielding blades and clad in Vibranium battle suits, stood behind Rou Si. A sharp, killing aura instantly overwhelmed those brought by Old Seven.
"Your Highness, give up."