Chapter 1599: Escape Plan III

Zhao Li Xin watched as Lory laid out her plan to the people gathered around her. She was calm, precise, every word measured, every step deliberate.

There was no hesitation in her voice, no trace of doubt, only quiet certainty. In that moment, she no longer looked like a carefree young woman, nor the graceful princess who moved with effortless elegance. No, she had transformed into something else, a leader, the seasoned general, that weaving strategy as naturally as breathing.

And what was more striking, no one found it strange. The transformation was so seamless, so natural, that it felt as though it had always been there. And so, almost without realizing it, they believed her.

With such a natural ability to attract people around her, Zhao Li Xin can’t imagine how many rulers and emperors would die to covet what she had, yet she never realizes it, even to this day.

Zhao Li Xin leaned comfortably against the wall. He did not comment, nor did he interfere; he simply observed, almost as if he was enjoying it.

There is a certain satisfaction in watching her lead, seeing her brilliance unfold without restraint; it was mesmerizing. Unlike the narrow-minded men in his world, or even some men in this world, Zhao Li Xin never cared that she took the limelight, even overshadowing his existance. It never bothered him in the slightest.

If he had cared, he would never have been content living as nothing more than a renowned painter. He could have built an empire, forged another great power like Hei Shen, and made the world bow to his will once again.

’Been there. Done that.’

Somewhere along the way, perhaps the moment he stepped into this world, his desire for such things had faded. In its place grew something unfamiliar. A quiet curiosity. A question he had never allowed himself to ask before: Was there another way to live?

Lory had given him that answer, no, more than that. She had given him a clean slate to start over, a choice he had never been granted before. Therefore, for the first time, he found himself wanting to follow it.

He wanted to see whether he could exist as something other than the monster people claimed him to be, or the tyrant who brought nothing but calamity.

He wanted to know... if he could live as an ordinary man. Thus, he turned away from the path of conquest. Not because he lacked the power.But because he no longer desired it.

He understood his own value, crown or no crown, name or no name, just as Lory did. Even when cast into the role of a mere servant, she carried herself with the same dignity, untouched by resentment or shame.

For true worth does not fade with circumstance; like gold, it endures, no matter how deeply it is buried.

After finishing explaining her plan, Lory turned to Zhao Li Xin. "What do you think, honey?"

Zhao Li Xin lazily rested his arm on his knee, his fist propping up his head. His gaze fell on her, and a faint smile touched his lips. "En, it’s good."

Lory’s eyes sparkled instantly, bright with joy and quiet satisfaction. She trusted him completely, so if he approved, then it meant her plan was sound. But then, a trace of guilt crept into her expression.

"Still... for this plan to work, I’ll have to rely on you a lot. I hope you don’t mind..."

Zhao Li Xin reached out and gently patted her head, his touch unhurried, almost indulgent. "Of course. This is nothing to me. As long as you want it, I’ll do anything for you."

The two of them spoke as if no one else existed, at least, Zhao Li Xin feel that way. As for Lory, she seemed momentarily lost in him, forgetting entirely where they were.

Meanwhile, people around them turned silent, not knowing what they should do; some men looked away awkwardly, unsure where to put their eyes, while the women wore expressions caught somewhere between admiration and weird excitement, as if they were watching the romantic scene on a cheesy soap opera.

Only Rossberg stood there, utterly perplexed. He wonders how, in a situation like this...they could act so carefree? Didn’t they realize that if the plan failed, they would all die?

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__At the same time, back in Harland, at Cestine Palace___

Lucas and the others grew increasingly concerned when they failed to contact Lory. They couldn’t even pinpoint the location of the car she and Zhao Li Xin had been driving, despite the most sophisticated tracking system installed in it.

Even if the vehicle had been hidden deep within a cave halfway across the world, they should have been able to detect it. Yet all their efforts proved futile.

Worry was written plainly across their faces as they tried every possible method to reach Lory and Zhao Li Xin.

"Fargo, any news from Jay?" Fredhardt asked.

Fargo shook his head, his expression grim. "No. He’s tried everything. It seems they’re using some kind of device to block the signal, so Jay can’t trace their location. But what’s strange is... he can’t track Lory’s car either."

Fredhardt and Fargo’s expressions darkened further.

The high-level security system embedded in the car should have allowed them to track it anywhere, no matter how remote the location. Their satellites alone should have been enough. And yet, the vehicle had seemingly vanished without a trace.

Lucas fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Could it be... Zhao Li Xin stored the car inside his spatial ring?"

Fredhardt and Fargo exchanged a glance.

Then suddenly, Fargo struck his palm with his fist. "That’s right! That’s very possible. Lory mentioned before that Zhao Li Xin’s ring is far more advanced than ours; it is completely on a different level.

It can even hold living beings inside. She once placed you in it when you were unconscious, remember?" Fargo looks at Lucas.

Fredhardt pinched the bridge of his nose, releasing a weary sigh. "Yeah... we all need to calm down. Lory will be fine. She’s even stronger than when she left, she is also well-trained and incredibly resourceful. With her current abilities, there aren’t many who could truly trouble her. And with Zhao Li Xin by her side..."

Lucas nodded slowly. "Yes... We might be worrying too much. We should trust Lory. Zhao Li Xin is with her, after all. Whatever happens, I believe they’ll manage. I think we’ll hear from them soon, so let’s just be patient for now."His voice was steady, composed as ever, even though the tension in his clenched fist had yet to ease.

Fredhardt pinched the bridge of his nose, releasing a weary sigh. "Yeah... we all need to calm down. Lory will be fine. She is even stronger than when she left, and she is also well-trained and very sneaky. We all know that with her ability right now, there aren’t many people who could truly trouble her. And with Zhao Li Xin by her side..."

A low chuckle escaped Fargo. "That’s true. That man is as powerful and as dangerous as Girsha. Worrying about them feels almost unnecessary."

They exchanged glances, and for a fleeting moment, faint, helpless smiles appeared.

"It seems the trauma is catching up to us, huh?" Lucas murmured.

"I suppose so..." Fredhardt exhaled deeply, while Fargo dragged a hand through his hair, his exhaustion plain to see.

After a brief silence, Fargo spoke again, his tone turning more serious. "Jay managed to trace their last location to a small harbor city. Though ’city’ might be too generous, it’s more like a slum. I’ve heard they specialize in smuggling people without proper documents across borders."

Fredhardt’s gaze sharpened instantly. "In other words... human trafficking."

Fargo’s brows lifted slightly, confirming the implication without words.

Leaning back into his chair, Lucas frowned, his thoughts racing. "If Lory ran into something like that... she wouldn’t just walk away. She would stay, help the people being trafficked."

The realization settled heavily between them.

Fredhardt let out a quiet sigh. "That would explain everything."

Without another word, Fargo pulled out his phone. "I’ll notify the King’s Men and Noxcra. If Lory sends any urgent message, we’ll catch it immediately."

"And prepare the team," Lucas added, his tone firm once more. "I want them ready to move at a moment’s notice."

"Yes, sir."

Fargo’s response was immediate as he placed the call, the air around them tightening once more with quiet urgency.

Lucas glanced at their tense expressions, but then, he suddenly covered his mouth and let out a soft chuckle.

Fredhardt and Fargo turned to him, confusion written plainly on their faces.

"You know," Lucas said, amusement flickering in his eyes, "here we are, worrying ourselves sick, but we all know Lory, that girl might actually be enjoying herself right now."

Fredhardt paused, caught off guard for a brief moment—then a slow smile spread across his face."Yeah, I bet she is

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The ship finally began to slow. The change was subtle but enough to be noticed by everyone on the ship. Soon after their faces stiffened, throats bobbed as people swallowed nervously, and the fragile calm they had clung to shattered in an instant.

Lory glanced at them and grinned mischievously. "Everyone, relax," she said brightly, as if they weren’t about to walk straight into danger.

"Just follow the plan, and everything will be fine." Lory threw them a playful wink as if they were about to play a game. "Trust me... it’s going to be fun~."

A heavy silence followed. Every single face turned toward her, and their expressions said the same thing ’No, it will not!’

Then Zhao Li Xin’s casual voice drifted in, utterly at odds with the tension. "Oh? Have we arrived already?"