"I'm talking about the enslaved tiger queen. Since she is an enslaved beast, I think you can let her please Kui Long and gain his fav--"

"WHAT- DID- YOU- JUST- SAY??!!" Ashen's aura leaked with his angered words.

Lang Zhen instantly apologized, explaining himself: "I apologize, Lord Huan Tian. I didn't know my suggestion would offend you. I assumed that you could make a small sacrifice for Kui Long's support!"

"Hehehe... hahaha!" Ashen bursted into a maddening laughter at his words before suddenly coming to a stop.

In that silence, he looked directly into Lang Zhen's eyes, speaking coldly:

"You want me to make a sacrifice to gain a puny elder's support? Who do you think planned for this Conqueror's Battlefield? Do you think I would lose a game that I created? Even if your whole tribe attacked me together, I'd still defeat all of you!! You all are pawns in my game, understand!!"

Silence——!

The awkward silence remained for a few seconds before Ashen announced his leave:

"I will be taking my leave since we are done here. Fanrong, I'll not return until the Conqueror's Battlefield takes place. Till then, farewell!"

Rising from his seat, Ashen looked at Lang Zhen and said indifferently:

"You can join the Prince's side if you want, but do remember, you will be the first to die if you do!"

Saying that, Ashen left with Hu Shui.

Why did he react like that?... Hu Shui wondered while walking behind Ashen.

I was honestly afraid when that old human cultivator suggested offering me... It's my luck that my master isn't so heartless as I imagined him to be.

Hu Shui felt protected after a long time, and this made her feel a sense of relief. She hadn't interacted with Ashen much; hence, she didn't know him that much. However, now she atleast knew that he would not abandon or use her for his benefit.

Hu Shui was misunderstanding Ashen's intentions when he flew into rage at Lang Zhen's suggestion.

Ashen didn't act like that for her; it was for himself!

He would never share something that was his because that made him feel weak.

Only weak sacrifices, the strong do not!

On the other hand, Lang Zhen was sweating profusely in front of Fanrong, and noticing this, Fanrong tried to calm him down.

"Elder Lang Zhen, please calm down. I'm sure lord Huan Tian didn't mean it like that. There is no need to be so serious."

However, Lang Zhen didn't agree with her reasoning, refuting:

"No, Princess Fanrong. I don't think he was jesting. From my years of experience, I can discern when a person means what he speaks, and whatever it may be, I can say this without any doubt that Lord Huan Tian was completely serious when he warned me."

"H-How can that be?" Fanrong couldn't believe that Ashen was capable of everything he just said: "Elder Lang Zhen, do you really believe him when he said that he alone can defeat the whole Zhuji tribe?"

Though Fanrong knew Ashen was no ordinary person, even for him, it would be impossible to beat a tribe like the Zhuji Tribe on his own.

However, Lang Zhen believed otherwise: "Princess, I know this seems ridiculous, but sometimes you believe in your instinct rather than logic, and this is such a case. My Instincts tell me that I will die if I go against him."

Taking a pause, Lang Zhen rose from his seat with newfound determination, announcing his decision:

"Your Highness, I, Lang Zhen, request to be your advisor until Lord Huan Tian returns to your side. I promise to give my all to prove my worth. Please accept me!" He requested with a respectful bow.

Fanrong was delighted to hear his request as she readily agreed: "It would be my honor to have you as my advisor, lord Lang Zhen."

Then, in the room began a long discussion; however, before that, Fanrong asked:

"Lord Lang Zhen, why didn't you join my brother's side?"

Fanrong wanted to know just what could entice the elder to join her side. There must be something he wants to gain, right?

Everybody was looking to gain some benefits, or atleast had some motivation to join a side in this Conqueror's Battlefield. She wanted to understand Lang Zhen's motivation.

Moreover, this could serve as a test to determine whether Lang Zhen was as wise as he was rumored to be.

Lang Zhen didn't need to think about his answer as he replied calmly:

"Your Highness, my reason is the most humble one. I simply analyzed where I would be more respected and appreciated. The Prince already has three prefecture lords by his side, and you only had lord Huan Tian's support."

"It was clear that the prince would treat me rather loosely since my status would be rather low in his faction. This became clearer when Huan Shou and Kui Long decided to join the prince's side. I then decided to join your side because you will value me more."

"This was my initial reason; however, after Lord Huan Tian's threat, my instincts screamed at me not to go against him."

Fanrong nodded in understanding: "I understand!"

The discussion then went to plan their steps ahead on who to meet next to make them join their faction, and how to increase their chances of winning.

Neither Fanrong nor Lang Zhen knew Ashen's full strength, and thus, they could not estimate how many prefecture lords they'd need to bring to their side to ensure victory; however, they believed that Ashen must have some sort of plan since he was so confident earlier.

Ashen, on the other hand, was stopped by a female disciple of the Beast King Sect, looking at him in disbelief.

"Huan Tian... It is you..." She muttered with a soft gaze, approaching him with small steps.

Ashen remained silent, trying to understand the situation. This disciple had suddenly approached him when he was about to take his leave from the sect.

It appeared she knew the original Huan Tian; therefore, Ashen couldn't act recklessly here. She might find out he wasn't the original Huan Tian.

"I thought you died when our village was massacred two years ago..." She gently held his hand, feeling relieved as she continued: "Thank the heavens, you are alright!"

"Huan Tian, you remember me, right?" She asked, looking at him with an expectant gaze.

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(A/N - Thanks for reading. ^..^)