Back at the palace after leaving the Grand General's Residence, Daniel Jiang felt especially stifled and frustrated. He couldn't believe that even after becoming King of Qi, Ian Song still dared to scold him.
"Damn it! One day I'll make you kneel before me and beg!"
Daniel slammed the glass cup in his hand onto the floor. With a crack, the cup shattered instantly.
Ever since Ian Song had people start making glass, he'd produced all sorts of glassware.
"Tsk tsk, that's a glass cup worth ten thousand coins. What a waste."
Suddenly, a teasing voice rang out.
Daniel whipped his head around and saw, to his shock, that a black-robed middle-aged man had appeared out of thin air inside the hall. As for the several guards waiting outside, all of them had collapsed to the ground.
"Who are you?" Daniel glared at the man, his expression hostile.
The black-robed man smiled proudly. "I am Lance Ji of the Mountain-Sea Divine Palace."
"You insolent wretch! How dare you barge into my bedchamber—you deserve death!"
With a flash, Daniel launched into Ninefold Dragon Step, turning into a blur as he charged forward. At the same time, he unleashed Whirlwind Thirty-Nine Kicks.
Though Daniel was young, his cultivation had already reached peak Postnatal. With Ninefold Dragon Step and Whirlwind Thirty-Nine Kicks—both Innate-level martial arts—his strength now rivaled most ordinary Innate experts.
His attack was as swift as lightning, fierce as a swimming dragon. In an instant, the black-robed man's body was swallowed up by Daniel's leg-shadows.
"I didn't expect the King of Qi to have such cultivation at such a young age."
The black-robed man commented with an air of leisure, then casually reached out and tapped with a single finger.
That finger looked ordinary, but it struck directly at the flaw in Daniel's attack.
Daniel let out a muffled grunt.
His body staggered backward, landing on the ground. He retreated several steps before finally steadying himself.
Daniel's face hardened instantly. He realized he was no match for this man, and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes. Still, as a royal heir, he quickly suppressed his fear and unease, fixing his gaze on the black-robed man. "Why have you come here? What do you want?"
The black-robed man smiled faintly. "I've come to help the King of Qi."
"How exactly do you plan to help me?" Daniel pressed.
"The Mountain-Sea Divine Palace can help Your Majesty kill Ian Song, so you can truly take control of Qi," the black-robed man's voice was thick with temptation.
Hearing this, Daniel's eyes flickered—he was clearly tempted. But he worried the man might be sent by Ian Song to test him, so he deliberately sneered, "Ridiculous. The Grand General is my teacher. How could I ever commit such a crime as murdering my master?"
Daniel's little tricks couldn't fool the black-robed man's eyes. He replied in a deep voice, "There's no need for Your Majesty to worry. The Mountain-Sea Divine Palace is far stronger than you can imagine. Killing Ian Song would be a trivial matter for us."
Daniel grew even more tempted, continuing to probe, "The Grand General's cultivation is earth-shaking. Are you sure you can beat him?"
The black-robed man scoffed, "Your Majesty gives him far too much credit. He's just a mortal. For the Mountain-Sea Divine Palace, killing him is no harder than slaughtering a chicken or a dog."
Seeing the black-robed man's confidence, Daniel was now mostly convinced. But he hesitated—if Ian Song was killed, fine; but if not, his own throne would be forfeit.
"What are you hesitating for, Your Majesty? The Mountain-Sea Divine Palace taking action against a mere mortal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Miss this chance, and even if you beg us later, we won't give you another!"
"Fine!" Daniel gritted his teeth, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes. "What's your plan?"
The black-robed man smiled. "Simple. Just invite Ian Song into this palace hall. I'll use the Mountain-Sea Divine Palace's secret treasure to trap him. No matter how great his skills, he won't escape death!"
"What secret treasure is that? Can you show me?" Daniel stared at the black-robed man.
"Of course!"
With a casual wave of his hand, the black-robed man summoned a bronze bell the size of a fist, which floated into the air. Then, a beam of golden light shot out, enveloping Daniel.
Bathed in the golden light, Daniel was shocked to find he couldn't even move a single finger.
"Release!"
The black-robed man reached out and caught the bronze bell as it flew back into his hand, and Daniel instantly regained his freedom.
"What an incredible treasure!" Daniel stared greedily at the bronze bell in the black-robed man's hand.
"Does Your Majesty believe me now?"
"Very well. I'll summon him to the palace at once!" Daniel's eyes shone with excitement.
Grand General's Residence.