At these words, Nathan Young, King Easton, and King Virūḍhaka's expressions all changed.
So Marshal Silver really knows!
But since he knows, why didn't he report to the High Sky Throne Hall? Why did he arrange to meet us here?
Nathan's face flushed red. He couldn't care about anything else and immediately shouted, "Where did Marshal Silver hear such rumors? The campaign has only met with some setbacks, that's all. My father is firmly commanding the army, and given time, he will surely lead our forces to wipe out the demons of South Jambu and Eastrealm. How could you turn that into him being captured?"
His round eyes glared at Marshal Silver, and he slammed the Flame Spear on the ground, shouting, "If you keep spouting nonsense, don't blame Nathan Young for being rude!"
Fiery spiritual power instantly gathered, and sparks danced visibly in the surrounding air.
Such a fierce display—if it were anyone else, their souls would surely be scared out of their bodies.
But who is Marshal Silver? He commands six hundred thousand troops, the supreme commander of the Heavenly Fleet, feared by demons everywhere. How could such a petty threat intimidate him?
Marshal Silver merely looked at Nathan Young with an emotionless face, saying nothing.
At that moment, Marshal Silver clearly wasn't smiling, but to Nathan Young, it felt like he was—as if an adult were tolerating a child's tantrum. It was a look of mockery!
It was like a child caught red-handed in mischief—Nathan Young's face turned red and then pale. He gripped the Flame Spear and took a step forward, looking ready to strike.
At that moment, King Easton grabbed Nathan Young's arm from behind.
With that pull, Nathan Young, who had been furious and embarrassed, suddenly calmed down. He let his spiritual power dissipate and turned to look at King Easton.
But King Easton didn't look at Nathan Young. Instead, he turned to Marshal Silver and said respectfully, "Marshal, we have important matters to discuss. Please wait a moment."
"Go ahead," Marshal Silver nodded lightly.
King Easton glanced at Nathan Young, and the three of them stepped aside. King Northmore casually cast a sound-blocking spell.
Once the spell was in place, the three stood awkwardly in the center, six eyes meeting, each looking at the others—no one knew what to say.
After a long silence, Nathan Young said, "It seems he really knows something. What should we do?"
As he spoke, Nathan Young slammed the Flame Spear on the ground in frustration, cracking the rock beneath his feet.
Before coming, the three had considered that Marshal Silver might know something, but none expected him to state it so bluntly. This move caught them completely off guard—no wonder Nathan Young reacted so strongly just now.
King Easton looked at Nathan Young and said slowly, "In my view, we should just admit it."
"Admit it?" Nathan Young's eyes widened. He flung his arm and said, "Are you kidding? How can we admit to this? Marshal Silver and my father have never gotten along. If he finds out my father was captured... what then?"
"If we don't admit it, does that mean he doesn't know?" King Easton retorted immediately.
"That's right, Third Prince. Things aren't as simple as you think," King Northmore advised. "Marshal Silver is always cautious—he wouldn't say anything unless he was absolutely certain. Since he's brought it up, what difference does it make whether we admit it or not?"
"Even if he's one hundred percent certain, so what?" Nathan Young snapped. "As long as we stubbornly refuse to admit it! If he wants to investigate, let him!"
"Third Prince!" King Easton's voice rose sharply. "He's absolutely certain. By inviting us here and asking in this way, he's already giving us a way out!"
At King Easton's rebuke, Nathan Young finally calmed his breathing, but his eyes still locked onto Marshal Silver in the distance, saying nothing.
Exchanging a glance with King Northmore, King Easton looked at Nathan Young and said slowly, "Third Prince, listen to me. You're right—we could stubbornly refuse to admit it, and he couldn't do anything to us. But even if we admit it, he still can't do anything to us. Times have changed. After the Marshal Silver Love Case, Marshal Silver can't appear in the High Sky Throne Hall. If he tries, he'll likely be arrested on the spot. Even if all the immortals want to list charges and kill him, not even the Jade Emperor could save him. So what if General Lee's capture is confirmed? Would Marshal Silver dare go straight to the High Sky Throne Hall and confront us?"
After a brief pause, King Easton continued, "If he really dares, he'll probably get himself thrown in the Heavenly Prison before he can make his case. At most, he'll submit a memorial to the High Sky Throne Hall. Then, with our South Heaven Gate connections and the excuse of wartime operations, we can use other immortals to mediate. One day in Heaven is a year on earth—dragging things out for ten years would be no problem. At worst, our reputation might suffer a bit. If General Lee can be rescued in ten years, he'll be back by then anyway."
After this explanation, Nathan Young was left speechless.
After a moment, Nathan Young still huffed angrily, "If it doesn't matter whether we admit it or not, why bother admitting it? I just can't stand Marshal Silver's arrogant attitude!"
King Easton hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.
Seeing this, Nathan Young looked at him coldly and said, "Just say it. No need to beat around the bush."
King Easton pursed his lips and coughed twice, then spoke quietly, "Third Prince, let me ask you—does that demon monkey have contacts among the immortals in Heaven? Can he learn about the Heavenly Court's movements?"
At these words, Nathan Young's face turned red and then pale again.
Was he referring to Nathan himself?
There had been contact before, but now Nathan was determined never to provide information again. Still, just because he wouldn't, didn't mean Monkey had no other sources.
Did Erik Yang and Anna Yang not have any private friends left in the Heavenly Court? Anna Yang had already joined Blossom Mountain; if she used her old connections, getting intelligence would be easy.
Seeing Nathan Young's silence, King Easton was almost certain of his suspicions. He said softly, "Third Prince, you trust that demon monkey will release General Lee, but... if he really has contacts among the immortals, Marshal Silver might not confront us in the High Sky Throne Hall, but he could spread rumors everywhere. If those reach Monkey's ears, things could change for General Lee. Whether we admit it or not, he can still do this!"
"He wouldn't dare!" Nathan Young shouted angrily.
"Why wouldn't he dare?" King Easton retorted.
Faced with this question, Nathan Young was left speechless.
Indeed, when had Marshal Silver ever hesitated? There were countless things the immortals thought impossible, but he always dared.
In some ways, he was no different from a mortal.
It was a reasonable point. Nathan Young didn't want to expose Erik and Anna Yang's secrets, but with his father's life at stake, he couldn't deny it either.
Seeing Nathan Young remain silent, King Easton continued, "So, Marshal Silver must be appeased. Since he invited us here, he likely isn't out to make enemies. Let me speak with him and hear his intentions. Third Prince, do you agree?"
Nathan Young knew that, when it came to handling such situations, King Easton and King Northmore were far more skilled than he was.
With things at this point, how could Nathan Young refuse?
After a long silence, Nathan Young could only nod quietly.
Turning around, King Easton dispelled the sound-blocking spell and walked step by step toward Marshal Silver. Then, in front of Nathan Young, he cast another sound-blocking spell to enclose just himself and Marshal Silver, and said with a bow, "Thank you for your concern, Marshal. General Lee was unfortunately captured a few days ago. All our men owe him a great debt and are doing everything possible to rescue him. This concerns his life—please, Marshal, do not let this news spread under any circumstances."
With that, King Easton watched Marshal Silver warily.
The next words would be crucial. If Marshal Silver invoked the Heavenly Army's regulations, there would be no room for negotiation—they would have to prepare for the worst.
But if Marshal Silver didn't mention the regulations...
Marshal Silver glanced at the anxious Nathan Young from afar, sighed helplessly, and said softly, "I've heard the demon monkey of Blossom Mountain is vicious. If that's true, General Lee's situation is truly worrying. Does anyone at South Heaven Gate have a plan to rescue him?"
Hearing this and seeing Marshal Silver's concerned expression, King Easton finally relaxed.
It seemed he was appealing to sentiment, not military regulation—hopefully he wouldn't cause trouble.
After a brief thought, King Easton replied, "There is no good plan. For now, we can only follow the demon monkey's lead and take things one step at a time."
"Oh?" Marshal Silver nodded quietly and asked, "What demands has the demon monkey made?"
"No specific demands yet. He only wants us to stand against him and promises to return General Lee once the armies withdraw."
Marshal Silver glanced at Nathan Young, thought for a moment, then said to King Easton, "The demon monkey is cunning—how can we trust him? What if, after the armies withdraw, he doesn't return General Lee?"
This casual remark struck right at King Easton's heart.
Wasn't this exactly what they'd been worried about all along? As long as General Lee was present, any crisis at South Heaven Gate could be resolved. But if General Lee was gone...
If only General Lee could return, King Easton would do anything to conceal the truth and meet the demon monkey's demands. But what if the demon monkey never intended to honor the agreement? Or, like with King Broadgaze before, even if he was returned, he might be so tortured as to be unrecognizable.
In the end, the only one at South Heaven Gate who trusted Monkey was Nathan Young.
Thinking this over, King Easton bowed and said, "That's exactly what worries us. Does Marshal Silver have any plan to help us? If so, please share it. Everyone at South Heaven Gate would be deeply grateful!"
Marshal Silver lowered his head, seeming to think for a moment, and said, "I have a plan. It can't directly rescue General Lee, but it can ease your burden and increase the chances of saving him."
"Oh?" King Easton's eyes widened. "Please, Marshal, tell us."
"The plan is for our Heavenly River Navy to attack Blossom Mountain," Marshal Silver said.