Chapter 35: The Serpent of the Golden Tower (3)

"Naturally!" one of the consecrators sneered.

"Please, all of you, accompany me at once. In the course of conversation, we shall seize the three of them with utmost speed—capture the leader first, and victory is ours!" The Grand Marshal immediately urged.

"Chief Consecrator?" The Grand Marshal looked toward the Chief Consecrator.

"Me? I won't be going. I need to watch over Blackie!" The Chief Consecrator shook his head with a smile.

Instinctively, the Chief Consecrator sensed something amiss. Yet with the meeting so open and aboveboard, what could possibly be wrong? Still, out of caution, he decided to stay behind.

"We'll go—each take one!" The other three consecrators agreed at once.

"Very well," the Chief Consecrator nodded.

The Grand Marshal, as if victory was already within his grasp, led the three consecrators toward the table at the center with measured steps.

The great serpent, having just devoured a bear, slithered over lazily, as if digesting its meal, and fixed its gaze on the distance along with the Chief Consecrator.

At the center of the two armies, Yan Chuan sat upon a chair, while Huo Guang and Liu Jin stood respectfully behind him. Neither seemed overly nervous, but both instinctively cast occasional glances at the incense burner on the table.

From the burner, smoke curled upward—a sign of certain victory. One Drunken Essence Fruit could bring down a host of Essence Masters; with a second, how hard could it be to subdue this group of experts at the peak of Strength?

Yet Yan Chuan's gaze was fixed on the distant great serpent.

As he regarded the serpent, a hint of satisfaction appeared in Yan Chuan's eyes—truly a monster beast.

Sensing Yan Chuan's scrutiny, the serpent returned a cold, displeased glare.

Unperturbed, Yan Chuan shifted his attention to the four men approaching.

"Grand Marshal? Your reputation precedes you. Today, I speak on behalf of the Kingdom of Yan, and wish to discuss matters of state. Please, be seated," Yan Chuan said with a smile.

He remained seated, facing the Grand Marshal directly.

The Grand Marshal looked at Yan Chuan, his expression shifting slightly. He'd intended to act immediately, but Yan Chuan's words—"on behalf of the Kingdom of Yan"—piqued his interest.

"King of Equal Rank, to see you in person is to understand the legend—a true young hero," the Grand Marshal replied with feigned courtesy, taking a seat.

The three consecrators frowned but also sat down.

Liu Jin quickly poured tea for all.

The Grand Marshal looked at the tea and gave a cold laugh, declining to touch it.

"May I ask, King of Equal Rank, what matters do you wish to discuss?" the Grand Marshal inquired.

"You are within the borders of Great Yan. How is it you lead troops here?" Yan Chuan asked, sipping his tea.

"My arrival was with Yan's permission, naturally," the Grand Marshal replied coolly.

"These past two days—have you seen any of my subordinates?" he asked in a low voice.

"What subordinates?" Yan Chuan feigned ignorance.

The Grand Marshal narrowed his eyes, dropping the subject.

"Very well, you claim to represent Yan. What affairs of state do you wish to discuss?" the Grand Marshal pressed, his tone growing cold.

"I'd like to borrow something from you all," Yan Chuan replied with a smile.

He raised his cup and took another sip.

"What is it you wish to borrow?" the Grand Marshal asked icily.

Setting his cup down, Yan Chuan met their eyes and said calmly, "May I borrow your heads for a while?"

"What?!" "Scoundrel!"

The four erupted in fury and sprang to their feet—only to collapse back into their seats at once.

Thud. Thud. Thud...

They stared at Yan Chuan, eyes filled with terror.