Chapter 85: Royal Palace
In the Royal Capital of Noir, Chen Yu and Han Defu were currently walking towards the giant black palace, with Royal troops escorting them.
When they reached the palace, the giant gate had a rope attached to a pulley, which was pulled open by a few guards.
Chen Yu followed behind Han Defu and entered the palace.
From the outside, the palace looked black, but from the inside, the marble was white, and giant chandeliers lined up, illuminating the palace.
Then they walked till they reached one of the balconies inside the palace.
"Wait here; I will inform you", Han Defu said. The guards beside the door pushed open the door of the balcony and went out.
After some time, he came back, and said "You can go"
"But be careful what you say".
Chen Yu nodded, and walked onto the balcony.
Immediately, he was greeted by the strong rays of the sun, multiple plants were arranged on the balcony.
And amidst the plants, Royal troops guarded a boy about the age of ten; he wore premium skill clothes as his hands reached out to the pastry held on a plate.
"So you're the hero Chen Yu."
The voice was young but the weight behind it was not.
"I've heard about you."
Chen Yu knelt immediately.
"Commander Chen Yu greets Your Highness"
"Raise your head"
"My grandfather used to say heroes should not bow to anyone."
The word was soft. Unmistakable.
Chen Yu rose. Stood with his hands at his sides, back straight, eyes lowered.
The Prince studied him for a long moment. Then gestured to the empty seat across the table.
"Sit."
Chen Yu sat.
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The Prince tilted his head, chewing thoughtfully.
"I heard you burnt all the enemy grain to every last sack."
Chen Yu's hands tightened beneath the table.
"It wasn't me, Your Highness."
The Prince blinked. Crumbs clung to his lower lip.
"It wasn't?"
"No."
"Then who?"
Chen Yu hesitated. The word felt strange on his tongue even now, months later.
"A mysterious senior cultivator. He appeared during the raid. I don't know his name. I don't know where he came from."
The Prince's eyes opened wide.
"A mysterious senior? Really?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Can I meet him?"
Chen Yu shook his head.
"I don't know how to contact him. He comes and goes as he pleases."
The Prince's face fell for a moment. Then brightened again.
"Mm." He picked at his pastry, suddenly distracted. "Well. I have a sister, actually."
"Don't know why. She just said to tell you something, if you ever came."
Chen Yu waited.
The Prince frowned, trying to remember.
"Something about... an enemy? A name?"
He snapped his fingers.
"Yomi. She said the commander targeting you is named Yomi."
Chen Yu's back straightened.
The Prince noticed none of it. He'd already reached for another pastry.
"Uncle Bern," he called.
A guard stepped forward carrying a blank sheet of paper and an ink brush. He placed them before Chen Yu.
"Can you sign this for me?" the prince asked.
Chen Yu hesitated for only a moment before writing his name.
"Thank you." The prince beamed as he held up the paper, studying the signature with obvious satisfaction.
"That's it. You can go now. If Father summons you, just tell him that I'm behaving well."
Chen Yu bowed.
The doors closed behind him.
The name burned in his chest all the way down the corridor.
Yomi.
As soon as Chen Yu walked out, Han Defu asked, "Is everything well?"
"Yes," Chen replied, but his hands clenched tightly.
"Let's go, " Then they departed to another area of the .
At the same time, a guard of the Prince quietly arrived in the throne room, it was lit by light coming from the giant windows, made of colored curtains.
"What happened?" The king sat on his throne as he looked at Bern.
"Nothing much, but Chen Yu said that it was a mysterious senior, and because of him they succeeded in the mission that day"
"Does not matter", the King replied.
"Keep an eye on Chen Yu, he is a candidate for the retainer of the prince. I want him to support the prince if my brother revolts in future, " the King said.
"Yes, Your Highness, " Bern said.
"Go and summon Chen Yu," the King ordered.
Bern bowed and walked towards the exit of the throne room.
When Bern opened the door and left, another soldier walked in, he carried a letter.
"Greetings! Your Majesty," He bowed.
"There is news from Trade Miller City, apparently, Shin may have breached the truce. They tried to assassinate Chu Feng", the soldier said and walked towards the throne and handed the letter to the King.
The man on the throne pressed his fingers against his thumb as he read the letter and said, "Good."
"Your Majesty, so shall we resume the war now? “
"No"
Hearing the rejection, the soldiers were confused but did not ask any questions.
"What was the attire of Shin when they attacked Chu Feng?"
"The reports say that they wore black clothes, and covered their faces with a white cloth, " the soldier said.
"Prepare more black clothes," the king ordered.
The soldier's mind went blank for a second, and then understanding surfaced in his mind.
"Yes, Your Majesty. "
He bowed and left.
After everyone left, the king stood up from the throne and murmured, "I don't have personal enmity with you, but any threat to the throne should be removed."