caught

Prince Eyrin, Palov, and the cultivators from the Hall of Talents gathered outside the state governor's residence. Prince Eyrin, now clothed and mounted on his horse, looked ready to depart.

Earlier, they had left General Didastimon's residence, where Phera's absence sparked concern. The general initially thought her missing, but upon discovering her personal bodyguard's absence and her removal of funds, clothes, spear, and sword, he realized she had fled. He cursed under his breath.

After learning about Alsan Peak from the state governor, Prince Eyrin decided to embark on a journey. Not because of Prince Khane and the others, but because he was thirsty for adventure and wanted to uncover the secrets of immortality.

He informed the Hall of Talents cultivators and Palov, his personal bodyguard, that they would part ways and return to the imperial palace. However, he didn't tell them where he was going. He only said that he would take one person from the Hall of Talents - Lourix.

"Safe journey, Your Highness," the state governor bowed, flanked by his guards.

As they departed, Prince Eyrin noted the diverging roads: Haven State from Tamil State and Essed lay in opposite directions.

"Your Highness, should we depart now or divert upon reaching the gate?" the leader inquired.

"Let's divert outside the gate," Prince Eyrin replied, spurring his horse forward with a resounding "Hyah!" The others followed suit.

After a prolonged ride, they halted outside the gates. Prince Eyrin nodded at the leader before parting ways, their paths diverging in opposite directions.

As Prince Eyrin rode on, he abruptly yelled, "Halt!" Palov and Lourix stopped in unison, perplexed by the prince's sudden command.

"Wait for me here," Prince Eyrin instructed, turning his horse toward Haven State. He urged the horse onward, driven by urgency.

He rode the horse fast because he had to do something.

The memory of Palov's skepticism lingered, stemming from his earlier omission about Khailian's true identity as Prince Khane.

Earlier that day, Prince Eyrin had caught a glimpse of Palov and the leader conversing in hushed tones within the state governor's residence. However, the state governor's timely intervention foiled his attempt to uncover their intentions.

As the scorching sun beat down, sweat dripping from his brow, Prince Eyrin rode faster. Ahead, he spotted the cultivators from the Hall of Talents. One of them noticed the prince's pursuit and alerted the others to halt.

They did, and the prince reached them. The horse neighed as he stopped, then he looked at each of them, wondering if Palov had given anyone anything important.

He looked at the leader, then he opened his hand, to collect something. The leader was confused as to what the Prince wanted.

"Replying to his highness, what do you seek?" he asked.

Prince Eyrin did not say anything. He only stared at him with a serious expression while his hand was open.

The leader's eyes were unsteady. But in his mind, he asked how he could understand what Prince Eyrin wanted without saying anything.

A thought struck him, and he removed his money pouch, dropping it onto Prince Eyrin's hand. The prince's expression remained impassive as he slanted his hand, letting the pouch fall to the ground. He once again extended his open hand.

The cultivators from the Hall of Talents exchanged confused glances, unsure of the prince's intentions.

Prince Eyrin's lips curled into a smirk. His voice was measured, each word deliberate and clear. "How can you not know what I want? Should I undress you to get what I want?"

The leader began to speak, "Your Highness, I—"

Prince Eyrin cut him off. "You know who to address as 'Your Highness,' but you don't respect me."

"Replying to Your Highness," the leader said, bowing while on horseback, "I respect you with all my heart, soul, and body."

Prince Eyrin sneered. "Is that right?"

"Replying to His Highness, that is right!" The leader bowed again.

"Then why would you deliver a message from Palov to the imperial palace without telling me?" Prince Eyrin's gaze turned icy, his eyes boring into the leader.

The leader's eyes widened in fear as he dismounted and kowtowed on the ground. "Your Highness, please forgive me. It was your personal guard, Palov," he pleaded, raising his head to meet the prince.

The leader continued, his voice laced with remorse, "Palov insisted I deliver the letter directly to the Emperor, stressing that Your Highness must not know. Initially, I refused, but ultimately, I acquiesced. This servant deeply regrets!" He bowed again, his forehead touching the ground.

"Give me the letter," Prince Eyrin commanded, his expression unyielding.

The leader retrieved the letter from his clothing and presented it to the prince with both hands, bowing as he stood. Prince Eyrin seized the letter, ripping open the envelope.

"Your Highness, I swear I don't know the letter's contents. This servant is not lying," the leader protested.

Prince Eyrin ignored the leader's pleas, his focus solely on the letter. He unfolded the parchment, scanning the concise message:

Palov wrote that Prince Khane, believed dead, still lived. Moreover, Prince Eyrin had discovered the truth. The letter revealed Prince Khane's destination: Alsan. Most damning, Palov exposed Prince Eyrin's own plans to follow, unbeknownst to the King.

Prince Eyrin smirked, and with a subtle flick of his wrist, flames erupted from his palm, consuming the letter. He mounted his horse and rode back toward Palov and Lourix.

Upon reaching them, he fixed Palov with an intense stare. "Palov," he called out, his voice low and even.

"Yes, Your Highness?" Palov replied, his eyes locked on the prince.

"Who appointed you as my bodyguard?" Prince Eyrin asked, his gaze unwavering.

"Replying to Your Highness, it was you," Palov responded.

"Good that you remember," Prince Eyrin said, his tone dripping with warning. "If you betray my trust by reporting my affairs to the Emperor behind my back, I'll kill you. Our years of acquaintance won't spare you.

The Emperor will do noting to me but he will replace you. Do you understand?"

Palov's heart pounded as he nodded hastily. "Yes, Your Highness." He wondered if the prince had already discovered his deceit.

Prince Eyrin turned his horse around and rode away, Palov and Lourix following closely behind.