Chapter 680: A Reward of Land

Sensing that Zhang Lie was really growing angry, the ninth prince hurriedly changed the topic. "Master, what did my eldest brother want with you?"

His face turned uneasy.

Zhang Lie rolled his eyes at him. "Are you that insecure?"

The ninth prince shrugged. "You misunderstand me, Master. I just wanted to know if the crown prince was making his move against us, in case you wanted to discuss some sort of strategy."

Zhang Lie coughed. "I'm afraid he would ?squish you within moments if he really wanted to. He mentioned that he was hosting a private banquet and invited us, but I declined."

The ninth prince thought about Zhang Lie's words. "A private banquet—I heard that a few princes would do that regularly after each royal hunt, but I've never been invited."

Zhang Lie nodded.

The ninth prince asked, "Master, do we need to host such a banquet too?"

"Only the weak would need to form packs; the strong can thrive alone."

The ninth prince was speechless. "Surely I need loyal men for when I become king?"

"Now's not the time."

"Why not?"

"No one knows where the Jinghun clan are hiding. Are you certain that whatever men you recruit now will truly be loyal?"

The ninth prince shrugged. "But I'll need men of my own eventually, won't I?"

Zhang Lie rolled his eyes. "Are you dissatisfied with me?"

"No, of course not, Master! I'm just hoping to plan for the future."

"We can worry about the future later—there are trials we'll need to overcome now."

"Trials? What trials?"

"You'll find out in court tomorrow."

After the funeral ended, the various princes all invited Zhang Lie to their private banquets. He became the target of all the princes' attention.

Those who hadn't participated in the royal hunt didn't understand why Zhang Lie had suddenly experienced a meteoric rise in popularity; after all, he was new to this world, and no one had ever heard of him before.

More shockingly, despite receiving invitations from all the princes, he rejected them all and remained entirely focused on the ninth prince. This behavior cast a mysterious veil over Zhang Lie's background and identity.

That night, as the crown prince had promised, the peak-grade carcasses had all been made into a series of delectable dishes for Zhang Lie and the ninth prince, which they consumed with gusto.

Zhang Lie's gene fragments shot up once again.

As a disaster-grade lifeform, Zhang Lie was easily able to handle absorbing so many gene fragments in such a short period of time, but an ordinary hunter might explode from the shock if they tried to emulate his behavior.

Zhang Lie: a disaster-grade lifeform

Framework: Foundation, Lv. MAX; Ninecarp Transformation, Sixth Form: River Dragon Techniques: Rippling Walk (pinnacle), Three-Wave Crescendo (pinnacle), Calm Waters (pinnacle), Fists of the Silent Sea (pinnacle), The Boundless Blade (pinnacle), Eclipse (pinnacle), Syzygy (pinnacle), ?Ninesoul Dragonblade (advanced), Blade of the Heavens (intermediate)

Genes: Basic, 160; Mutated, 150; Superior, 150; Peak, 150; Disaster, 0

Soulshards: White Grub (superior), Blood Ant (superior), Potbellied Toad (mutated), Eternalspring Cocoon (superior), Dragonwolf (superior), Moonlight Wyrm (peak), Golden Roc (peak), Mistmeld Clam (disaster)

Zhang Lie's peak gene fragments had just maxed out overnight, and he could clearly feel the increase in his strength. A simple punch was enough to cause space around him to cavitate; his body was bursting with energy.

Just as in the second realm, he felt as though he was now in control of the space around him.

The ninth prince asked, "Master, if Father decides to award the prizes for the royal hunt tomorrow, what should we ask for?"

"I've decided on my reward for protecting the emperor. As for your victory in the hunt—well, you can think of something suitable yourself."

"Do you have any suggestions, Master?"

Zhang Lie mulled it over for a moment, then said decisively, "Land."

The ninth prince frowned. "Why land?"

"Land gives you the right to raise your own troops—and with those troops, you'll be able to develop that land, incentivize people to settle there, and build wealth and power. You'll need all the resources you can get."

"What for, Master?" the ninth prince asked, cocking his head.

"Within the capital, there's no way you'll be able to defeat the other princes, who have amassed their power steadily for years. As a result, you won't be competitive for events within the capital. Even if someone like the second prince dies all of a sudden, you'll hardly get any of his wealth or resources—they'll only be consumed by the other princes. It would be near-impossible for you to build up a base of operations within the capital."

The ninth prince thought that Zhang Lie's words were very sensible.

"If you try to build a base of operations within the capital, the other princes will surely send their men in as spies. Thus, you have to start by targeting land beyond the reach of the capital."

"Master, do you mean that we should start beyond the capital and then expand inwards later?"

Zhang Lie nodded. "This is your best chance at developing a power of your own."

"But, Master, didn't you object to me trying to do so now?"

"No—I simply object to you doing it in the capital. The capital is far too developed for the likes of you, but you could easily start to amass power beyond the capital and work your way within. Furthermore, that's only an excuse. There's a more important reason to get land right now."

"But wouldn't all the princes be given land after the battle for succession ends?"

"Those are two completely different matters," Zhang Lie replied.

"But why, Master? If I ask for land far away from the capital, where power is concentrated in this kingdom, wouldn't that be equivalent to giving up on the throne?"

"No, it simply gives others the impression that you want to give up on the throne. Whether or not you do, of course, is up to you."

The ninth prince contemplated Zhang Lie's words for a few moments in silence. "Master, I still don't understand. What's the true reason behind this suggestion?"

"I'll let you know after the court session."

The ninth prince pursed his lips.?Court, once again!?Just what did his master think would happen there?

The next morning, the king of the realm specially sent ?messengers to the eight princes, heads of the three large indigenous clans of the capital, and even Zhang Lie requesting their attendance at court.

The ninth prince glanced at Zhang Lie in exasperation. "Master, do you intend to attend court like this?"

"What's the matter? Do you expect me to beautify myself just for a session at court?"

"No, Master, but can't you at least dress more formally? I could prepare a set of formal court attire for you..."

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Formal? What, don't you think this is formal enough? I'm not one of your court officials—we can go as is!"