When Shen Tang woke up, it was still early dawn.
She was awakened by the chaotic noises outside the courtyard.
Shen Tang got dressed, got out of bed, walked to the window, and saw many guards rushing in one direction. After thinking for a moment, she realized it seemed to be the Emperorâs sleeping quarters.
Xue Yinzhou was nowhere to be found either.
It was only after Shen Tang asked the system that she learned Xue Yinzhou had gone to fight Shen Li in the middle of the night!
God, this is someone elseâs territory, he truly isnât afraid of dying!
Shen Tang was both angry and amused but also knew Xue Yinzhou was venting her anger for her. Actually, there was no need to do so, after all, they were leaving today anyway.
Shen Tang was really worried the two might fight to the death, so she wanted to stop them. Just as she stepped out the door, she saw the entire house was shrouded in a faint black fog.
The black fog, upon seeing her wake up, condensed into a fierce, terrifying black snake. When it flew to her, it transformed into a thumb-sized little snake, wrapped around her finger, and affectionately nuzzled her fingertip.
"..." Shen Tang lightly laughed and stroked the little black snakeâs head.
When she wanted to head out, the little snake suddenly bit her finger!
It was a very light bite, not even drawing blood.
Shen Tang knew Xue Yinzhou didnât want her to interfere in this matter.
Soon, it started raining heavily outside, and she couldnât get out either.
Luckily, she didnât have to worry for long before Xue Yinzhou returned.
Shen Tang quickly stepped forward to examine him, "Youâre not hurt, are you?"
"Just a minor injury, itâs nothing." Xue Yinzhou didnât want her to worry, so he spoke truthfully, "Shen Li is still badly injured, heâs no match for me."
Shen Tang angrily said, "Why did you go and duel him for no reason?"
"He made you sad and upset." Xue Yinzhou hugged her in his arms, his chin resting on her forehead, and said softly, "I always want to vent your anger."
Shen Tang smelled the faint dampness and blood on the man, sighed, and couldnât bring herself to blame him further.
Her palm gathered healing ability to help heal his wounds.
The storm came quickly and left just as fast.
By morning, the rain had stopped.
The caravan packed up their things, it was time to leave the Imperial Palace.
However, the palace sent someone to report, "His Majesty specially invites the Night Glow Empire envoys to dine with him, you can leave after breakfast!"
The boss and everyone were terrified. When was their identity exposed? This! Could this be a last meal?
Fortunately, the otherâs attitude was gentle, and it seemed they werenât here to make things difficult for them. Besides, if that Emperor really wanted to execute them, there wouldnât be any need for such roundabout ways.
It was heard that the Emperor previously even wanted to send troops to aid the Night Glow Empire, indicating a wish to befriend the Empire.
Shen Tang didnât refuse. After all, since even the core had been stolen, why not have this meal?
The caravan group went to the banquet hall.
From afar, Shen Tang immediately spotted the striking red figure on the high seat, still as handsome and noble as she remembered, peerless in grace.
Itâs just that this moment of seeing him again, her heart stirred no waves at all, calm as a dead pond.
She and Xue Yinzhou quietly sat on the seats to the right, no different from ordinary guests. The two silently ate their meal, without any extra actions.
Shen Liâs gaze unconsciously fell on Shen Tang. When his eyes swept over the faint red marks on her neck, his pupils slightly shrank, and then he nonchalantly looked away.
However, the fingers holding the wine cup unconsciously tightened in force.
After the wine had been served for three rounds, Shen Li couldnât help but let his gaze fall on Shen Tang again. In fact, coming today, he wanted to hear what she might say.
Whether she had any questions for him?
But unexpectedly, Shen Tang was unusually calm.
More accurately, she was indifferent.
From beginning to end, her gaze never lingered on him, simply eating quietly, occasionally exchanging a few words with Xue Yinzhou and the caravan companions, no different from other guests.
Shen Li frowned, instinctively feeling something was off, but quickly reconsidered.
His words last night must have hurt her too deeply, a trace of guilt surfaced in his heart.
As the banquet was nearing its end, Shen Li finally spoke, "The banquet today, aside from seeing everyone off, there is one more thing to explain." He looked solemn, "The assassination attempt on the Night Glow Monarch the other day was indeed carried out by my Yiyuan Empire Beastmen, my lack of proper supervision is to blame, and today I specially apologize."
Only then did Shen Tang look up at him, her tone calm, "Whatâs the use of a verbal apology? You ought to show some sincerity."
Shen Li looked at her calm expression, pursed his lips, "The Yiyuan Empire is willing to make a promise: as long as it is within our power, we will spare no effort!"
At the same time, he clapped his hands to bring someone up, "The mastermind behind the assassination will also be handed over to the Night Glow Empire for processing."
Shen Tang saw the unconscious Qiu Yang being brought in, a flash of surprise in her eyes, but upon reflection, it was within expectations. This Beastman must really hate her!
The Beastmanâs hatred for her seemed strange to Shen Tang; after all, they hadnât had such irreconcilable enmity as life and death, had they?
As the saying goes, the onlooker sees more clearly than the involved person, and after clearing her feelings, Shen Tangâs mind was clearer.
Shen Li shouldnât have needed to kill her; otherwise, back at the volcano, he wouldnât have needed to save her life, letting her die in the sea of fire would have been much easier.
It seems all this was Qiu Yang acting alone, presumptuously.
Shen Li looked at Shen Tang, "The criminal has been handed over to you for handling, if you want revenge, you can kill him directly. If youâre afraid of dirtying your hands, I can personally do it."
Shen Tang, "A loyal confidant following for years, and you suggest killing just like that, are you truly so heartless, Your Majesty?"
"A foolish minister acting on his own, thereâs no need to keep him."
Seeing Shen Liâs cold and heartless demeanor, made him look even more unfamiliar. Of course, she also understood that Shen Li, as the Emperor of the Yiyuan Empire, this was his true nature.
"Then thereâs no need, after all, a Tenth Rank Beastman, it would be such a waste to kill him directly!" Shen Tang said without reservation, "Since Your Majesty has said so, then Iâll personally deal with him!"
Shen Li watched her with a smiling face; after a moment of hesitation, he nodded in agreement.
After the banquet ended.
He dispatched a troop to personally escort the caravan away.
...
Inside the shipâs cabin.
A basin of cold water was poured down, and Qiu Yang abruptly awoke.
When he saw Shen Tangâs face and attire, it suddenly struck him, his pupils contracted, "That female was you! Youâre not dead, and youâve come here personally?!"
In his fury, he instantly broke the chains, intending to lunge at Shen Tang.
"Arghâ!"
Suddenly, a strong current of electricity exploded from his heart, causing Qiu Yang to heavily fall to the ground, convulsing uncontrollably.
He incredulously clutched his chest.
A Slave Chip?!
Shen Tang lightly slapped his cheek with a whip, smirking, "Your majesty has already handed you over to me, from now on, you belong to me."
"You better work diligently for a lifetime to repay for the foolish things youâve done."
"This trip wasnât a loss, I even got a Tenth Rank Beastman."
Qiu Yangâs vision went black, almost spitting blood and fainting!
Qiu Yang angrily said, "I am a Death Warrior appointed by the late Emperor, donât expect me to work for a foreign monarch like you!"
Feeling humiliated, he wished he could find a place to crash himself to death.
Shen Tang lazily yawned, not stopping him, "Sure, if you feel that serving me tarnishes your reputation, you can always choose to commit suicide!"
"Anyway, you only have two paths to choose from now."
"Either be my slave."
"Or,"
"Die!"