21 Wang Ling

As the Emperor and the National Division are discussing the sudden change of the Second Imperial Prince.

In a certain military barrack, a young man with a cold expression on his face is kneeling down on one knee with a respectful attitude towards a younger man who is silently gazing at a bright star shining in the dark sky.

"Your Royal Highness, just as you predicted, someone really tried to secretly infiltrate the military barracks."

"Oh? Is the person's goal the hidden room?"

"Yes, Your Royal Highness. When we let the person slip in, we observe that their goal is the hidden room instead of the disturbance in the army."

Yusheng nods his head before tapping his finger upon his thigh as countless thoughts flash in his mind. It was just a moment of thought, but he didn't really think that they would really send someone.

And there is only one person who would bother to investigate what happened to the captured person despite the chaos in the military barrack, completely impatient to wait for the situation to calm down.

"It seems that Kang has been feeling uneasy. It also means that there has been constant communication between the person who captured you. When the letter was cut off, Kang had grown suspicious."

There is also a fact that Kang is nearby, so he was able to quickly learn about the unrest in the military barracks.

It's so great… the chances of killing him have risen.

Yusheng couldn't help but take a glance at the pale-faced young man standing a few distance away, who was feeling uncomfortable with what he was hearing.

"Did he check the body?"

"Yes your Royal Highness, I had instantly gone inside to investigate as soon as the person left the hidden room, and also made sure that he was completely gone."

Qi, who has been reporting, can't help but take a glance at the young man who was unable to firmly stand straight, before he continues with his gaze lowering down onto the ground.

"...in the dead body, there is a trace of examination where the red mark had been located."

"I see… Qi, you are doing a great job. Keep it up and I will count on you more in the future."

"...! As long as I will be of use to Your Royal Highness!"

Ding! Loyalty to the Host increased by 1%!

Yusheng smiles towards the loyal and faithful Qi who was unable to hide the flash of surprise and joy that appeared in his eyes despite the paralyzed expression on his face.

Well, it's understandable to get such a reaction from the young man, since in Yusheng's memories, he had never given Qi a single important task to perform after becoming a Master Protector, which was fought with hardship over the spot and being chosen among the other candidates.

After all, Yusheng had only focused on always giving the most important task to perform to his oldest Master Protector, while the others were mostly ignored.

Huh… now that I think about it… I am quite curious about what my other Protectors feel after how most of my attention was focused on Guang, especially the show of favoritism.

Will their loyalties be low? Or the same as Qi?

After all, unlike the hidden guards who can't think for themselves, and are already unable to care about anything else aside from their Master, being a Master Protector of a member of the Royal Family is highly valued as an honorable title.

The Master Protectors still retain their own personality and identities, unlike the hidden guards who have been trained harshly in their younger years.

Every single person has different values, goals and ambitions in their life, and to the Master Protector, not only is their duty to protect the life and well being of the Royalty family members, but being trusted and given important tasks to perform is something that they can be proud of.

Of course, there are also other people who only do it for power, and not for the duty that the title holds.

And it appears that Qi being able to be trusted and count on important tasks is what he has always dreamt about.

"... Your Royal Highness, would you like me to finish him off?"

"No, let him go."

Yusheng can't help but smile widely, even letting out a pleasant hum after trying to calculate and predict the next action that person would do after getting the report that Xing Gen is dead.

The best course of action is to make himself an innocent person, or at least, arrange it in a way that he wouldn't be the first person they suspected when they learn that there seems to be a traitor in their midst.

The word 'Impossible' will first emerge in their mind, completely crossing him out of the list of suspicious people.

And lastly, to push all the blame on others, which is even better if there is forged evidence left behind, while the victim is unable to give an explanation.

"If he really does that then… heh… it's really going to be amusing."

Come on… keep digging yourself in a pit... 

Contrary to the previous life, Kang will not be able to completely deceive Wang Ling because of Xing Gen's existence that would block him and reveal all his lies.

"Send the letter to Wang Ling after a few days."

Soon, a few days have passed by.

In a simple pavilion, a frail looking person can be seen gazing upon a game board which has pieces of black and white stones placed on it.

And when someone peers at the young man's face to clearly see his appearance, the individual  instantly doubts if they have mistakenly assumed that the young man should have a captivating appearance after seeing the average-looking face.

Before once again, they turn doubtful after noticing the unusual temperament and air that the young man carried, especially the perfect elegance one can witness every single time he makes a movement.

Just a simple glance, a twitch of the pale lip, and the way he sits with a straight back despite having a fragile body is simply pleasing to the eye.

Despite the average appearance of the young man, the longer a person looks, the more confused they feel because the thought of 'This person shouldn't be as normal and average as he looks would instantly flash in their mind, putting them in another round of uncertainty.

There seems to be a misty haze covering the young man's entire being, constantly and firmly hiding the mystery that makes a person want to dig deeper.

Nonetheless, despite the mysterious air the young man carries, as soon as they lay their eyes on the normal wheelchair made out of wood that the young man is sitting on, it instantly causes their thoughts to become uncertain.

And when they are unable to detect any Qi in the young man, well, most of them would instantly lose their interest towards him. Of course, there are still people who won't care even after learning that the young man is handicapped.

In a world of martial arts with internal Qi along with unusual power that can't be explained, there is still a bias regarding the people that are unable to contain internal Qi in their body.

Even though there are important high ranking officials and influential people who can't do martials arts, still, having Qi is extremely important in everyone's opinion because it's the same as a common sense in their world.

It doesn't matter if one isn't skilled and talented in the art of martial arts, as long as a person has Qi, they can easily take a person out. Although, it becomes a bit understandable if the person's origin is of a commoner.

Their world basically operates on The Law of the Jungle.

Of course, a person's identity, status, and rank in the hierarchy of power is extremely important too. Even without Qi, they can also cause a person skilled in martial arts to be put to death by their mere words alone.

"... Is Gen still not found?"

Suddenly, the young man's soothing and gentle voice echoes out in the simple pavilion, before it is followed by the sound of a small black object hitting the game board as it lands on it.

Despite the fragile and unhealthy appearance of the young man, his voice carries an extraordinary strength, and composed bearing.

"Your Royal Highness Ling, we still can't track him down."

"Do not call me that, as long as I am not in the Wang Capital, I am just an ordinary handicapped merchant with a bit of wealth."

There isn't any change in the young man's face despite mentioning the word 'handicapped' which simply explains the situation of his unhealthy body, at the same time, which has been usually used to insult him every time he meets his siblings.

"...! Yes, Young Master."

After calmly placing another black stone on the game board, Wang Ling raises his long sleeves to cover his mouth after sensing the familiar uncomfortable feeling in his chest.

Cough… Cough...  Cough…!

"Young Master!"

"There is no need to be worried, it's just the usual effect of my unknown illness."

When Wang Ling mentions his sickness, a certain emotion can't help but quickly flash in his eyes before it quickly disappears as fast as it appeared. Because of which, the worried woman standing by his side is unable to catch the rare flash of different emotions on the usual calm and gentleness.

"More than that, you can speak out what has been bothering your mind lately."

Wang Ling has already noticed how his people tried to hide their unease, performing more in a careful manner than usual in the past few days. Which was caused by the certain news that they had received a few days ago.

"..." 

"... Can't say it? Don't be afraid. I won't fault you for speaking your mind."

… But Master, the calmer and considerate you appear, the scarier you are!

Nonetheless, the woman serving the fifth prince of the Wang Empire was finally unable to hold it in after a deep consideration of their situation.

"Young Master! Forgive me for saying this, but I don't believe that Gen has betrayed us!"

"So, are you implying that Kang is lying?"

"...!"

Wang Ling doesn't mind the fact he only received silence from the woman, before he continues to put his attention on the game board. He is completely showing the appearance of being unbothered at the fact that one of his trusted aides, or even his closest cousin can turn into a traitor.

Master… Please don't be silent… We won't be deceived by your calm appearance… 

As one of the people who have stayed by their Master's side for an extremely long time, she had already learned that one shouldn't believe what their Master usually shows from the outside.

And what matters them most is what their Master is thinking in that crazy intelligent mind of his, especially when they sometimes hear him unconsciously speak out his inner monologue.

… Please don't think of something crazy again...