Commanding Wind and Cloud

"My dear, oh no, stupid little brother, you regret it now, don’t you? Unfortunately, it is too late..."

"I don’t regret anything," Zence Matten interrupted, and the atmosphere became a little silent.

"No regret? Are you trying to go to the end with this? Or you are just trying to bicker? Now, I will tell you two good pieces of news. First news is that Second Brother led a troop to the outside of Ancient Desert Sea. If you can get there, he will protect you."

"Another news is that the spy that you placed beside me when you returned to the empire not long ago is already running around and spreading the information that you are in danger. Therefore, you can stay where you are and wait for reinforcements. I believe that the Second Brother will get the news soon and come and save you, but it will be slower."

"However, you don’t have to worry too much. By using the terrain advantage of the mountain and the people around you, you will have a 30% chance of survival if everyone around you died in battle. By then, the Second Brother would probably have gotten to you, and I can reduce his strength and number of soldiers under command. This is all thanks to you."

"Therefore, you still have a chance to survive. If you ditch the useless emotions and tell the people around you that as long as you survive, their families will get the best treatment from the Roya Family. I believe that they know if they survive, but you die, their families will be in trouble."

"You said that people’s biggest weakness is their relationships with loved ones. Now, you can use this weakness to let them..."

Bam!

Zence Matten destroyed the magic conductor on Iron’s belt, and the Third Prince’s voice also instantly stopped.

The hot winds in the Ancient Desert Sea were still blowing, but Qian Jin and Zence Matten didn’t feel the heat. Those merciless words seemed to point out the coldness and darkness in human nature.

"Are his words real? Or fake? Is there really a troop out there? Is he lying and trying to make me commit suicide that way?"

While Zence Matten looked at Qian Jin’s eyes quietly, he thought to himself, "I really changed. If it were before, I wouldn’t have hesitated. I can tell by my spiritual energy that Third Brother isn’t lying, and Second Brother is really at the edge of Ancient Desert Sea. Now, I only need to control these people using their weaknesses, and I will have a greater chance of surviving."

"But..." Zence Matten frowned and lost his composure a little. "But now, I somehow can’t do that. Damn! These important future officials! Forcing me into such a corner..."

"Qian Jin, don’t look at me like that. My third brother lied," Zence Matten patted Qian Jin’s shoulder and sighed. "He is just trying to get us to fight the undead creatures head-on."

"Yeah, that man is too cunning." Qian Jin laughed while slowly backing away, observing Zence Matten’s movements. After spending many days together, Qian Jin could tell that this young man was lying.

"You should to and rest for a bit. I will think it over." Zence Matten smiled and said to Qian Jin, "I read many military strategy books since I was little, and I should be able to come up with a plan. Then, I will go and find you..."

"Come and find me? Or are you going to seek death?" Qian Jin looked at Zence Matten and didn’t move. He said quietly, "The Third Prince’s words are true, right? You want Iron to bring you to try to get out of here to inform the Second Prince, right?"

"What are you saying?"

"You are a confident person, so you believe that you can get out. However, I don’t." Qian Jin shook his head and analyzed with a smile. "Of course, you are also blaming yourself. You think that if you die, your third brother won’t come after us. Therefore, even if you can’t get out, your death will resolve this crisis."

"Qian Jin!" Zence Matten’s eyes suddenly got sharp, and he said, "I’m a prince, and you are my subordinate! I’m ordering you! Listen to my edict!"

"Edict?"

"Yeah! Edict!" Zence Matten stared at Qian Jin and said, "Don’t tell this to anyone. If we all try to break out, we will probably all die. The chance of succeeding is higher if it is only Iron and I. Even if I die during the process, my third brother’s goal would be achieved, and you will..."

"Edict..." Qian Jin laughed as he slowly walked toward Zence Matten, and his figure enlarged in Zence Matten’s eyes.

"Qian Jin, what are you trying to do? Do you dare to go against an edict?"

"F*ck your edict. I won’t tell them, but don’t even think about trying to break through the undead creatures yourself," Qian Jin said with conviction, "In terms of stealth ability and strength, I’m better at you. This time, I knew that there was a trap, but I still came to the Ancient Desert Sea to seek treasures. I’m doing it for my father and Uncle Fabreidis. I didn’t know that people in the Royal Family know about undead, and they can even use undead creatures. Perhaps your third brother has become an undead creature himself."

"Stop! I’m a f*cking prince! What are you trying to do?"

"Honorable Sixth Prince, I think you are too tired and need to rest. I brought us into the trap when I know it existed; I’m too greedy. Your third brother knows the weakness of people too well. Since your second brother is around, I will take the job of breaking out. If I didn’t come here, you guys probably wouldn’t have come. Since it is my fault, I will shoulder the responsibility."

"Qian Jin!" Zence Matten suddenly shouted, and his spiritual energy instantly dashed toward Qian Jin’s head, trying to disturb Qian Jin’s mind. At the same time, he signaled at Iron with his eyes, asking him to tie down Qian Jin.

"Why are you calling out to me?" The warrior power around Qian Jin suddenly resonated the played the Tune of Souls’ Repose, and the surging sounds instantly woke him up.

Seeing this, Zence Matten used [Freedom Steps] that Qian Jin taught him and tried to dodge.

"What to dodge?" Qian Jin sneered and used [Innumerable Shadow], instantly appearing behind the prince.

"Qian Jin, what are you doing?" Zence Matten twisted his body, but his face was already pressed onto the ground. He tried to fight back, but his strength was too weak to fight back. "Qian Jin! Let me go!"

"In your dreams."

"I’m a prince!" Zence Matten tried his best to turn around. The chance of successfully breaking out was close to none. He only wanted to see if he could find the mage formation and destroy it. That way, he could create loud noises and hope to attract his second brother’s attention.

"F*ck that! You are only Little Six in my eyes!" Qian Jin pressed down Zence Matten’s arms and legs, and he said, "I’m a little older than you. As your big brother and friend, I can’t let you die, especially when I’m at fault."

"Iron, why are you only standing there? Take this crazy Qian Jin off me!"

"Iron! What are you standing there for? Come here and help me press down Little Six!"

"F*ck! Iron, who is your master? What the f*cking are you doing? Why are you pressing me down? I f*cking saved your life before! I’m your master! I’m..."

"Master... I..." Iron pressed down on Zence Matten with a troubled expression, but he didn’t go easy on his force.

"You don’t think I can deal with you, Little Six? You always act like a prince. I always want to beat your *ss. Today, I finally got the chance." With Iron’s help, Qian Jin relaxed and stretched his arms and shoulders.

"Qian Jin, what the f*ck do you want to do? If you dare to knock me out, I won’t see you as a friend anymore! Do you f*cking hear me?" Zence Matten’s voice became hoarse due to his screams. Although his body shook as he tried to break free, he couldn’t get out of Iron’s control.

"Breaking out, battle, and stealth; I’m better at you in all areas." Qian Jin patted Zence Matten’s face and said, "For so long, this is my first time hearing you say that I’m your friend. Kid, just sleep for a bit. When you wake up, the troops of Zence will be here to save you."

"Qian Jin, f*ck you!"

"Shut up!" Qian Jin punched at the back of Zence Matten’s head. Zence Matten looked angry and wanted to get up, but he instantly lost consciousness.

Qian Jin smiled and said, "I have to knock you out. I know your plan, and I can do it as well. If you are awake, you will try to notify Duren Burg and others. They... if we all die together, it will be a big loss."

"I will try to stay alive." Qian Jin looked at the troop of undead creatures and said, "I still need to take care of my father. Also, I’m the person who is most likely going to survive. Since I’m the one who brought you here, I will bear all responsibility."

"Iron, tie this kid up! I’m good at knocking people out, but even the ultimate bloodline warriors can’t control how long someone is going to faint for. It is easier to break out with fewer people. When this kid wakes up, he will try to talk to Duren Burg and others. Don’t let him go."

Qian Jin took out a thin metal thread from his warrior dimension. It looked weak, but it was more resilient than any ordinary rope. Furthermore, since it was so small, if the person who was tied by it tried to struggle, the metal thread would cut into their body and create intense pain.

"Alright, hold him down."

Qian Jin dashed down the mountain and quickly traveled in the Ancient Desert Sea. After looking around at the peak of the hill, he noticed where the enemy formations were the weakest, and he already formed a plan of how to dodge the attacks.

As time passed by, Qian Jin got close to the troops of undead creatures who seemed to be waiting for something and didn’t move.

"F*ck Qian Jin..." Zence Matten shook his head in pain and woke up. His powerful spiritual energy allowed him to wake up much earlier than Qian Jin expected.

"What is going on?" Zence Matten looked down on the thread around him and then glanced at Iron. "Iron, I’m going to f*cking kill you!"

"Master, you can kill me if you want after we get back. But please be patient for a while. Qian Jin is breaking out..."

"Break out of what? Untie me right now! Or I’m going to chop your head off! Qian Jin can’t disturb the enemies with spiritual energy! His chances of success are lower than mine."

"Master, I will accept it if you want to chop my head off, but I can’t untie you. Qian Jin told me to keep an eye on you."

"You..." Zence Matten breathed heavily as his chest moved up and down, and he stared at Iron and thought, "This dull guard of mine... I saved him from the execution platform when he was little, and he never went against my will. If I tell him to kill himself, he will do it without hesitating. Now..."

"Qian Jin and I; who is your master?"

"You are."

"Then untie me."

"No..."

"Qian Jin is already breaking out, so I won’t do it. Just untie me." Zence Matten sighed and looked uncomfortable. His body wriggled a little as he said, "I don’t feel comfortable being tied like this. I won’t do anything."

"Master, don’t try to fool me. Qian Jin told me that if you are untied, you will go find Duren Burg and others and dash out."

"Qian Jin! F*ck your ancestors!" Zence Matten cursed with his eyes wide open. He ignored all etiquettes and composure, and he shouted, "Damn it! You are good! You are really good! Even my f*cking servant isn’t listening to me. You... f*ck you..."

Tears rolled down Zence Matten’s face even though he didn’t want it to happen.

Growing up in the Royal Family, Zence Matten was taught that emperors needed to be cruel and cold-hearted. This was the first time that Zence Matten couldn’t control his tears. He tried to view Qian Jin as a future official and subordinate, but he subconsciously saw him as a friend.

Friends were a luxury to members of the Royal Family. Zence Matten never thought that he could have such a friendship.

"Do you want to be a hero? Do you? Do you know the f*cking sacrifice for being a hero?" Zence Matten shouted at Iron, "Are you going to untie me or not?"

"No."

"No? I will f*cking do it myself!" Zence Matten unleashed the warrior power in his body, and the explosive force shot in all directions. His muscles bulged, but the metal thread didn’t move. Instead, it sunk deeper into his muscles and caused intense pain.

"Master, don’t do this. The more you struggle, the tighter it will get! You are only hurting yourself! Qian Jin said that..."

"F*ck off! Go away! I will..." Zence Matten curled up on the ground, and he breathed heavily due to exhaustion and the intense pain. His body was twitching uncontrollably due to the pain, and red blood vessels became visible in his eyes. "Even if you don’t untie me, I will break this open myself! Open!!!!"

Zence Matten’s eyes became all red.

Bam! The thread didn’t break; it only cut deeper into Zence Matten’s body. Blood spilled, and it felt like hundreds of sabers were cutting into his body at the same time.

Blood started to flow out of the injuries and drip down the metal thread.

"Master..."

"F*ck off! F*ck off!" Zence Matten’s eyes were redder than that of a rabbit, and his heavy breathing sounded bestial. He roared with his hoarse voice, "Open! Open! F*cking open!"

Struggling... more struggling...

Zence Matten’s body curled and shivered, and he sobbed in desperation, "Please, open..."

"Master, it is useless... this..."

Thud!

Iron froze. Since forever, it had been him kneeling before Zence Matten. However, his master kneeled before him today.

Zence Matten kneeled before Iron as blood flowed down the metal thread. No pain could be seen on his face.

"Iron, I beg you. Please, untie me." With blood and tear on his face, Zence Matten sobbed with snot falling out of his nose. "I never had any friends before. Qian Jin and others are my only friends. In my life, I might not have another group of friends like them again. Please, I beg you... I really.... Now I realize that I don’t want to lose them. I... really... Even if I have to die, I want to die with them... Please... I beg you..."

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

The prestige of a prince? The composure of a gentleman? The honor of the Royal Family?

At this moment, Zence Matten ignored all that. His forehead hit the solid ground again and again. Without the protection of warrior power, his forehead quickly became bloody and made loud noises.

"I beg you! I’m kowtowing! Please untie me... Let me go! Damn it! This damn thread! Untie me! I’m kowtowing at you..."

Kowtow!

Iron stared at Zence Matten and thought, "The Sixth Prince looks modest but is really proud. Now, he is kneeling before me and kowtowing? His forehead is all bloody, and he is still doing it?"

"Master, don’t do this. Don’t... I will untie you. I will untie you right now..." Iron untied Zence Matten with his shaking hands.

The metal thread was already deep into Zence Matten’s flesh. Although it was untied, it was still inside Zence Matten’s body.

Whoosh! The ear-piercing noise of the metal-thread grinding against flesh sounded, and streaks of blood spilled out.

Bam! Iron got kicked in the stomach, and Zence Matten’s angry roar sounded by his ear, "I will come back and kill you!"

Iron looked at Zence Matten who was dashing away and the blood that was spilling out of his body. Iron’s heart twitched as he thought, "How much pain is that? It is worse than getting cut by sabers. Master never experienced this kind of pain since he was little. How did he bear it? How come a haughty figure like him kowtowed to me? Is he really still that master of mine? When did he turn like this?"