Hua Yufan moved quickly, aware that the situation needed immediate defusing. His younger brother, Hua Xuan, had once again overstepped, and it was up to him to mitigate the consequences.
"Ghost Alchemist, I beg your pardon for my brother's rashness," Hua Yufan said, his tone steady despite the tension. "He has always admired the strength of our Hua Empire and intended no disrespect."
The Ghost Alchemist remained silent, but a wave of his aura washed over the gathering, pressing down on everyone with an almost tangible force. The air grew even colder, and the oppressive energy forced all to their knees. Even Nan Wang, who had faced countless battles, found himself subdued by the Ghost Alchemist's overwhelming power.
The Second Elder Jiang, struggling to remain composed, thought, *This power... He must be at the early Nascent Soul or perhaps even the late stage of Soul Wandering to suppress us so effortlessly. What is the true extent of this Ghost Alchemist's cultivation?*
As the aura eased, a collective sigh of relief was almost audible, though fear lingered in the hearts of many. The question hung heavy in the air: *What rank does the Ghost Alchemist truly hold to be able to suppress even Nan Wang?*
Hua Xuan, who had initially hoped to intimidate the Ghost Alchemist into respecting the Hua Empire, now looked as pale as the snow-covered ground. Realization dawned on him-a miscalculation had awakened a sleeping dragon. His eyes darted to Hua Yufan, silently pleading for his older brother's intervention.
The biting cold persisted, a cruel reminder of the Ghost Alchemist's displeasure. Though dressed for winter, the icy chill felt unnatural, penetrating deeper than any mere weather could. Hua Yufan, knowing the Ghost Alchemist's temper all too well, feared the worst. He had witnessed this wrath before, back when the Ghost Alchemist's reputation was still in its infancy. The memory of that past encounter resurfaced, and the current cold, though severe, felt like a shadow of the icy dread he once experienced. He can still remember that coldness.
Flashback:
It was one of the most unexpected events in Prince Hua Yufan's life that he found himself seated across from Prince Shang Tianming of the Shang Empire. The proposal for his sister's hand in marriage had come from the fourth-ranked country, the Shang Empire, no less, and he was still grappling with the implications. Shang Tianming, an inner disciple of the Holy Sword Sect's leader, was widely recognized as a rare genius, gifted with Sword Intent-an extraordinary power capable of manifesting into a sword. Such talent was scarce; even the Holy Sword Sect's leader was one of the few who possessed it. The Holy Sword Sect was one of the great Sect along with Huang Pavilion, Blood Moon Palace, and Heavenly Sky Sect.
The Empress had dispatched Hua Yufan and his younger brother, Hua Qingyang, to meet Shang Tianming and discuss the marriage arrangement. When they finally met him, Shang Tianming's virtuous and gentlemanly demeanor reassured them. He seemed the perfect match for their sister. The Marquis was nothing short of an embarrassment-a stark contrast to the poised and polished Prince Shang Tianming. Overweight, with greasy hair, tiny eyes that didn't quite fit his face, and the pervasive stench of alcohol, he carried himself with none of the dignity expected of his rank. Hua Qingyang could barely contain his curiosity.
"Who is Marquis Li to you, Tianming?" Hua Qingyang asked, his voice low yet pointed, as they left the Marquis to feast alone in the adjoining room. The informal use of names was a sign of the camaraderie they had developed over the past few days.
Shang Tianming sighed, a trace of frustration evident in his usually calm eyes. "He's my uncle," he replied, the words laced with a mixture of resignation and disgust. "Born to a village woman who, upon learning of our family's status, forced her way into our lives. She threatened to ruin the reputation of our Duke Heng House unless we took her and this... this creature in. My Imperial Grandmother never liked my mother, so she supported this woman's claim."
YOU ARE READING
Pampered Consort:
FantasyWang Lanying dies and is reborn as Wei Lanying. She will avenge Wei Lanying and her family. By destroying all those responsible for Her family's downfall.
