Vol 4. Chapter 173: The Grand State Preceptor

As the lavishly decorated, extraordinarily expensive carriage slowly came to a stop at the entrance of Yexinlian Royal Academy, the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

An invisible pressure, a terrifying chill, and a suffocating stench of death and decay instantly spread in every direction, with the magnificent carriage at their center.

The red-haired young man who had been waiting at the academy entrance for quite some time couldn't help trembling when he sensed this aura.

For the red-haired young man, who was familiar with this aura, the pressure was still bearable.

However, several of his lackeys had already been forced to one knee under the overwhelming pressure.

Even the Yexinlian teachers who had come out to welcome the distinguished guest couldn't help revealing pained expressions as they desperately resisted the tremendous pressure descending upon them.

However,

As the carriage door opened, the oppressive force of that aura increased dramatically.

Noticing the increasingly distorted expressions on the faces of the teachers and his lackeys, the red-haired young man, Ankeqi, the Third Prince of the Crimson Leaf Empire, couldn't help furrowing his brows.

Enduring the intense discomfort and relying on the enhancement provided by the magical artifacts he carried, Ankeqi took heavy steps forward.

The two powerful guards beside him had no choice but to grit their teeth and follow.

The next moment,

The Third Prince respectfully bowed toward the dark interior of the carriage.

"Welcome, Grand State Preceptor."

...

After a period of eerie silence, a sinister, hoarse voice slowly emerged from within the carriage.

"It's been quite some time, Your Highness the Third Prince."

Along with those words,

A hunched old man dressed in luxurious red-and-black magical robes and holding an enormous staff adorned with a massive gemstone slowly stepped down from the carriage under Ankeqi's apprehensive gaze.

The old man's hair was deathly white, and his body was withered and emaciated.

His back was hunched, and he swayed slightly with every step, looking as though walking required tremendous effort.

He appeared so old and decrepit that he seemed to have one foot already in the grave.

Yet,

The moment this seemingly harmless old man slowly opened his eyes, everyone present felt a chill run down their spines.

Even Ankeqi, who had prepared himself mentally beforehand, was no exception.

Pitch-black sclera and terrifying crimson pupils filled with an aura of death made everyone who fell under his gaze shudder involuntarily.

It was as though the being watching them was not an elderly man at all, but a bloodthirsty monster wearing an old man's skin...

When those bloodshot eyes focused on Ankeqi once more, the Third Prince couldn't help drawing a sharp breath.

For a moment, he felt as though a knife were concealed within the old man's crimson pupils.

And when those shriveled, cracked lips curved into a smile, the expression was so pale and unnatural that it sent another chill down his spine.

After taking several deep breaths to steady his emotions, Ankeqi replied respectfully,

"Yes, Grand State Preceptor. It has been two years since we last met."

That's right.

This frail-looking, skeletal old man who had just stepped down from the carriage was none other than Bolufu-Gronor, the greatest mage of the Crimson Leaf Empire.

Possessing the strength of a High Eighth-Tier powerhouse, he was the Empire's Grand State Preceptor, a figure whose authority stood beneath only one person and above countless others.

He had also once held the position of Third Seat Mage of the Phantom Tower, an extraordinarily powerful existence second only to the Tower Master of the Phantom Tower at the time.

Although Ankeqi was a prince of the Crimson Leaf Empire, when facing someone as powerful and senior as Bolufu, he had no choice but to lower his head and show respect.

After all, throughout the entire Anqieka Continent, the strong would always command respect.

Ankeqi understood this perfectly.

A Fifth-Tier prince like himself, whose strength was insignificant and who had accomplished nothing particularly noteworthy, could only behave with the utmost humility before a pillar of the Empire like Bolufu.

Nevertheless, no matter how humble he had to be, Ankeqi still did his utmost to preserve the dignity of a member of the imperial family.

Seeing his lackeys and the teachers he knew trembling uncontrollably beneath Bolufu's oppressive aura, Ankeqi gathered his courage and spoke.

"Grand State Preceptor, could I trouble you to restrain your aura a little? My companions seem unable to endure it any longer."

"Hm?"

Hearing Ankeqi's request, Bolufu raised his eyebrows slightly.

After confirming that everyone present was completely incapable of posing a threat to him, the ever-cautious Bolufu slowly withdrew the deathly aura radiating from his body.

Then, putting on a benevolent smile, he chuckled.

"Hehehe. Very well, very well. This old man shall restrain himself."

With a soft laugh, Bolufu removed the pressure bearing down on everyone.

In an instant, Ankeqi's lackeys and the teachers who had come out to welcome the guest all let out long sighs of relief.

...

"However, Your Highness the Third Prince."

"Yes, Grand State Preceptor?"

"You are, after all, a prince of the Empire. Your social standing is entirely different from that of ordinary commoners. Taking such people as your followers only disgraces your position."

Casting a sidelong glance at the trio standing not far away, consisting of one fat young man and two thin ones, Bolufu spoke in a sinister tone.

Although Ankeqi was dissatisfied with those words, he could only lower his head silently and acknowledge the old man's opinion.

"Yes."

"Furthermore..."

"Is there something else, Grand State Preceptor?"

"This old man has made a special trip to Yexinlian, yet His Highness the Second Prince, Anmutu, hasn't come to welcome me?"

After slightly expanding the range of his perception and confirming that the familiar figure was nowhere nearby, Bolufu couldn't help revealing a trace of displeasure.

Seeing this,

Ankeqi hurriedly spoke up in defense of his elder brother.

"Please don't be angry, Grand State Preceptor. Recently, Second Brother has been busy investigating several Abyss Demon attacks along the border. He may currently be conducting an investigation outside the academy and might not have received news of your arrival. That's why... he wasn't able to come and welcome you."

"Oh? Abyss Demon attacks? I heard those incidents also had something to do with that little girl from the Black Rose Family... Has he discovered anything?"

"I-I'm sorry. Second Brother has been conducting that investigation in secret. I only learned about it by coincidence myself. As for the specific details of the current situation, I truly don't know."

"I see."

"Um, Grand State Preceptor."

After hesitating for a moment, Ankeqi asked in confusion,

"Grand State Preceptor, did you come all the way to Yexinlian specifically to help Second Brother investigate those Abyss Demon attacks?"

"Hm?"

Hearing those words, Bolufu froze slightly before revealing a gloomy smile.

"Abyss Demons? Those creatures are indeed detestable. However... attacks on that scale are hardly worth this old man's personal intervention. With Prince Anmutu's abilities and General Boan's strength, I believe they can uncover the truth themselves. Still... those attacks all seem to be connected to that young lady from the Black Rose Family, don't they? That is rather interesting."

"Then... have you come to arrest that Teacher Yu?"

"Arrest her? Don't be ridiculous..."

Bolufu cast Ankeqi a cold glance.

"Although those vermin from the Black Rose Family are exceedingly irritating, they are still great nobles of the Sadik Empire. We cannot simply act against them as we please. At the very least, we cannot make a move until your imperial brother obtains evidence. Otherwise, it could cause a serious diplomatic incident."

"However... if that young lady truly has connections to the Abyss Demons, I wouldn't mind taking action personally. I'm also quite curious about where that girl acquired so much knowledge concerning Abyss Demons."

"...I wonder whether she might even know the weaknesses of Demon King-class Abyss Demons..."

"If she does... Hehehe..."

As he spoke,

The enormous shadow of a figure wielding a gigantic sword seemed to appear faintly before Bolufu's eyes.

The sight caused the Grand State Preceptor's expression to suddenly twist with hatred.

Even the surrounding air began to grow increasingly turbulent.

Fortunately, Bolufu still possessed considerable self-control and quickly suppressed the hatred surging within his heart.

"In any case, this old man has not come here to assist the Second Prince, nor do I intend to act against that young lady of the Black Rose Family. After all, relations between the Crimson Leaf Empire and the Sadik Empire are currently so tense. With such a valuable hostage under our control, I imagine the Sadik Empire will not dare to make any reckless moves for the time being."

"Then... why have you suddenly come here?"

"Naturally, because of your academy's Ranking Tournament tomorrow."

"The Ranking Tournament?"

Hearing this answer, Ankeqi couldn't help revealing a puzzled expression.

In previous years, the Empire had indeed dispatched representatives to attend the academy's Ranking Tournament opening ceremony.

However, under normal circumstances, those representatives were merely ordinary ministers.

The Empire's highest-ranking figures would never personally attend what they regarded as a trivial competition among students.

But why was this year different?

Meanwhile,

As though he had seen through the reason for Ankeqi's confusion, Bolufu let out a disdainful snort.

"Hmph. This old man couldn't care less about something like the opening ceremony of a Ranking Tournament."

"His Majesty sent me here for one purpose alone."

"To prevent that Child of Destiny from obtaining the recognition of the Saint Dragon Heart!"

"If that Child of Destiny not only manages to gain the Saint Dragon Heart's recognition but also attempts to take it back to the Asumos Church..."

"Then this old man..."

"I'm afraid I shall have no choice but to... forcibly twist her will."