The Sword Beneath the Smile

Drake empire is a reasonable place. It’s fine as long as it makes sense. If it really doesn’t work, it’s not impossible to fight." Kai smiled and slowly retreated to avoid being accidentally injured.

The moment those words fell, the already tense atmosphere inside the burning Golden Sand Desert became even heavier.

The flames around the battlefield crackled like restless spirits. Heat waves twisted the air, turning distant figures blurry and distorted. The corpses of fallen beasts still smoldered beneath the blackened sand, releasing a suffocating smell of blood and charred flesh into the wind.

Above them, the sky had turned deep crimson from the reflection of the sea of fire.

And in the middle of it all—

Tommy stepped forward.

"Alright, kid. Come out. I’ll fight you one-on-one."

The prince of the Blue Empire gripped the handle of his saber tightly as he stared at Harry Taylor with naked hostility. Veins bulged faintly beneath his temple, and the arrogance in his eyes was no longer hidden.

He had endured enough humiliation today.

First Leon’s terrifying pressure.

Then Harry’s endless mockery.

And now even Kai was standing there watching like this entire thing was some entertaining farce.

Tommy’s pride was already hanging by a thread.

When Harry saw him stepping forward aggressively, he immediately took half a step back on instinct.

Then he quickly straightened his posture again.

Fear?

Impossible.

At least... he couldn’t show it.

"Tsk... Do you think I’m afraid of you?" Harry scoffed loudly, lifting his chin with exaggerated arrogance. "I dare you to touch me. Come on, hit me!"

His voice echoed through the desert.

The nearby cultivators all looked at him strangely.

Even Kai’s lips twitched slightly.

This fellow...

He truly knew how to provoke people.

Tommy’s eyes nearly turned red from rage.

"You bastard..."

His fingers tightened around his saber until cracking sounds rang out from the hilt itself. If not for the terrifying figure in midnight robes standing nearby, he would have already chopped Harry into pieces.

Harry, meanwhile, secretly swallowed saliva.

His back was already soaked with cold sweat.

Teacher Leon... please don’t leave me hanging right now.

He was only acting this fearless because Leon was still here.

Otherwise?

Forget arguing.

He would have run ten miles already.

High above, Leon stood silently in the air, his midnight robes fluttering softly in the burning wind. Thin amethyst embroidery shimmered faintly beneath the firelight like stars hidden in darkness.

His long black hair drifted behind him.

His purple eyes remained calm.

Watching.

Observing.

The moment Tommy’s killing intent surged, a nearly invisible strand of sword intent rippled around Leon again. It was subtle—so subtle most people couldn’t even detect it.

But Tommy could.

The instant he felt it, his body stiffened unconsciously.

That fear returned.

Cold.

Sharp.

Like a sword already pressed against his throat.

Tommy’s breathing became uneven.

He hated this feeling.

The Prince of Blue Empire—noticed his nephew’s unstable emotions and frowned deeply.

Things were spiraling further out of control.

He slowly stepped forward and spoke coldly toward Kai.

"Crown Prince, we’re here to get married in Drake Empire. Is this the etiquette of your Drake Empire? I think... it’s fine not to get married."

The words instantly changed the atmosphere.

This was no longer just a conflict between juniors.

Now it involved diplomacy between two empires.

Several experts behind Kai narrowed their eyes immediately.

Even the burning wind seemed to quiet down for a moment.

Kai looked calmly at the Prince of Blue Empire.

His expression did not change much, but inwardly, his thoughts were turning rapidly.

So he finally decided to use political pressure...

Kai already understood what the Prince of Blue Empire was trying to do.

If this conflict escalated, responsibility would fall onto Drake Empire’s hospitality.

And if the marriage alliance collapsed because of this—

The imperial court would definitely blame him.

But strangely...

Kai did not feel nervous.

Instead, he felt irritated.

Because the more he looked at Tommy, the more disgusted he felt toward this marriage alliance.

Arrogant.

Impulsive.

Unable to distinguish place from status.

This kind of man wanted to marry Rias?

Kai’s fingers curled slightly behind his sleeves.

A faint coldness flashed through his blue eyes.

Mother... is this truly the future you want for her?

Ever since Rias fled the palace, Kai had secretly helped cover her tracks more than once.

Not because he opposed the imperial queen openly—

But because he understood his younger sister.

Rias looked lively and spoiled on the surface, but her heart was proud.

Too proud.

If she were forced into a loveless political marriage...

She would suffocate.

Kai exhaled quietly before speaking again.

"My imperial queen mother only asked me to come out and welcome you," he said calmly. "He didn’t say that he wanted me to solve your problem."

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"I’m the Crown Prince, not a hired thug."

The Prince of Blue Empire’s expression darkened instantly.

Kai continued without backing down.

"This is your own fault. If you don’t even have the ability to resolve this, how can I feel at ease giving my sister to you?"

The words were calm.

But every sentence struck directly at Tommy’s pride.

"You..." Tommy’s face twisted with fury.

Was Kai mocking the Blue Empire?

Questioning his worth?

Even the cultivators around them exchanged subtle glances.

Nobody expected Kai to speak so directly.

The Prince of Blue Empire’s eyes turned colder and colder.

For a brief moment, his aura leaked outward.

The surrounding flames swayed violently.

"Hmph..."

He flung his sleeves heavily.

"Does that mean that Your Highness doesn’t want to interfere in this matter anymore?"

His voice had lost all politeness now.

"Good. Very good. I’ve finally seen Drake Empire’s hospitality today."

Kai’s face darkened slightly.

The experts behind him subtly shifted positions.

Meanwhile, Harry quietly moved backward again.

Damn... this really became serious.

He originally only wanted to act cool for a bit.

Who knew it would escalate into imperial politics?

Harry suddenly regretted opening his mouth earlier.

A little.

Only a little.

Still...

When he glanced upward and saw Leon standing there silently like an immortal sword overlooking the mortal world, his confidence returned again.

Teacher is here.

Nothing can happen.

The desert wind howled softly.

The sea of fire crackled in the distance.

Nobody spoke anymore.

The atmosphere became unbearably heavy.

Even Tommy stopped provoking Harry temporarily because Leon’s presence was simply too oppressive.

From beginning to end—

That mysterious man had spoken barely a few words.

Yet everyone here unconsciously revolved around him.

Even Kai could not help secretly observing Leon again.

The more he looked, the more shocked he became.

He could not sense Leon’s realm at all.

Not even slightly.

But the pressure radiating from him...

It was terrifying.

Like standing before a bottomless abyss hidden beneath calm waters.

Kai’s experienced guards were already sweating slightly from tension.

One old expert beside him transmitted quietly through Mana.

"Your Highness... this person is extremely dangerous."

Kai’s eyes flickered.

"I know."

The old man hesitated before continuing.

"I’m afraid... even if all of us attack together, we may not survive ten exchanges against him."

Kai’s pupils shrank faintly.

That evaluation was horrifying.

Because the old man beside him was already a respected expert within the Drake Empire.

Yet even he spoke with fear.

Kai looked toward Leon again.

Who exactly are you...?

At this moment—

The gracious figure in the sky finally landed.