Weapon seller in the world of magic

The next day evening;

"Yue Yue" "Xue Xue"

The two best friends, who lost their respective fathers very recently, reunited after months of separation, but only one was all emotional.

Forget about tears, there wasn't even a shred of emotion in Lin Xue even after she met Song Yue and long escaped house arrest.

Song Yue was quick to spot the change in her and she couldn't help but express her worry, "Xue Xue, what happened to you?" She grabbed her face and looked at her, after taking her to the side to talk privately.

Lin Xue answered truthfully this time, "I learned our clan's forbidden cultivation technique, 'The Heart of Frost', Yue Yue. It will increase my cultivation speed and increase the power of my lightning armor, but in exchange, as I increase my mastery over the technique, I will also lose my emotions one after another. I'm at the third level right now and I can no longer express my feelings.

By the time I reach the tenth level, I probably…"

Lin Xue didn't complete her explanation and stopped talking in the middle.

"What will happen?" As Song Yue asked her, Lin Xue took her hands into hers and patted the back of her hand, "forget about me. Tell me about your situation. When are you going to get married?"

Song Yue could only let out a sigh as she heard the word marriage, "Lu Zhen wants to marry after he settles some business. It is related to Shang Jun and Uncle Shang Fu. I can't tell you all the details, I'm sorry."

"That's alright with me." Lin Xue nodded in understanding. She added, "Unfortunately, I'm not in a situation to worry about other things at the moment. Of all my acquaintances currently alive, you are the closest thing to me. As long as you are fine, I won't have to worry about anything and focus on my goal. Since I'm already here, can I ask you to do a favor for me?

I want to find out the identities of the ones that killed my parents."

Meanwhile, in the royal private study room, Mark was alone with Shang Wei.

After reading it entirely, Mark placed it calmly on the table and looked at his half-brother, "A mine in the Sui province that has atleast 500 tons worth of ether ore in exchange for closing the borders of Western Yan and Western Moon from our side and formally aligning ourselves with the Imperial Palace on just paper.

The Phoenix Empire will not only officially relinquish its claims on Western Yan but even send a royal princess (a relative of the imperial family, not to be confused with the imperial princess) to the royal Feng family for the marriage, which could be used to convince them on the border closures and put an end to enmity.

The plan is impressive, I should say, but there is only one major problem here."

"What is it?" Shang Wei felt like his heart skipped a beat and became a bit nervous.

Mark's gaze changed to that of coldness as he asked, "What do you think it is?"

"Whatever bad blood you have with the imperial family, the source was my father. The current emperor shouldn't have any problems with you, right?" Shang Wei tried to make the other party understand that they weren't enemies.

Mark let out a cold chuckle, "Heh, I thought your intelligence was comparable to that of Princess Shen Ling's but it is a bit disappointing. Well, let me break it to you by stating two simple facts."

As Shang Wei's nervousness increased, Mark continued, "The one behind the death of Song Yun is Shang Jun. And I also know for sure that the behind Lin Xue's parents is also your dear emperor." He picked up the scroll and waved it while leaning to the edge of the seat, "Now, do you still want to give this proposal to me?"

Shang Wei's eyes widened and realization dawned upon him at once as if he solved a great puzzle that had been troubling him for a while, "It's you. You were the one behind my eldest brother, the one who sent that supreme being to assault our Emperor. It has been a while since Uncle Song Yun died and there is no way someone like you wouldn't leave your enemy alone.

Killing him is easy for you but you won't do that as it will be an easy punishment."

*Clap* Clap* Clap*

"Wonderful. Now, that is what I expect from you," Mark didn't bother denying Shang Wei's theory at all. He further added, "As you already figured out the truth, you will stay as a prisoner until I am done punishing your Shang Dynasty. After that, you are free to do whatever you want."

"You cannot imprison me." Shang Wei furrowed his brows and abruptly got up. "I'm the official envoy of Phoenix Empire and I'm entitled to immunity. Imprisoning me will not only declare the war on Phoenix Empire but also challenge the very system of monarchy. The other empires will surely take action on Western Moon."

"And which empire do you think will support you and go against a demigod?" Mark calmly asked him, leaning back to the chair once again. "I just have to send a letter to your emperor, stating that you tried taking Shen Ling hostage to release Lin Xue, and Shang Jun will gladly give his permission to take your head.

Or perhaps, I will even claim that ether mine you earlier offered as a part of compensation."

"You…" Shang Wei felt like he was seeing the real personality of this weapon seller sitting before him. "Yeah, that's right. Whatever you do, you still pursue material profits. This is who you are…" The prince of the foreign land commented with clear displeasure written on his face. "So, what is it that my eldest brother promised you?"

Mark's smile widened, "it doesn't matter. That worthless prince will never sit on that throne. With Shang Wen no longer here, I guess you will be left with no choice but to ascend the throne later on."

"Hmm. That's weird. You are imprisoning me first and then making me ascend the throne?" Wanting to get to the bottom of the matter, Shang Wei sat once again. "Why? Eldest brother will make a fine puppet for you. If it was me, I wouldn't stop looking for ways to deal with you."

"I wonder if you will think the same when you learn that your birth mother was killed by the imperial family, my dear half-brother…"

"Huh? What!"

***

Meanwhile, in the Undying lands of the immortal plane of existence;

Realm of Grima;

In the planet where the Grima Empire's ruling dynasty lives, The Saint realm human-looking mage arrived at the majestic golden palace, only to be stopped by the guards.

The mage got angered, "You dared to stop me?"

The guard with a humanoid naked upper body, animal legs, lion head, and a red mane replied, "Her Majesty currently went to closed-door cultivation and specifically ordered us to send away every visitor."

"Closed-door cultivation? Her?" The mage seemed surprised. "Was she trying to break through to the Elder God realm (15-circle) or something? In that case, she might have got her hands on some divine artifact. But, the task is still pending. Without her approval, I won't be able to get an immortal realm beast for my dungeon boss.

I should look for another way. Hmm… if she is not in a situation to make any move…" Suddenly, something clicked in his head and he spoke to the guards, "Okay, just go and inform His Highness, Prince Aurorafelis that I wish to meet him."