Chapter 102 - Bad News (1/2)

”What did you say?” The heavenly emperor regarded Shun Tao with a strange gaze.

The fate's scribe gulped. Damn. Did he just roar at the heavenly emperor? ”This … I …” Shun Tao repressed a sigh. At least he had finally dodged that explosive subject.

He knelt down again between the guards and took out the scroll of fate. ”Your Majesty, I came to inform you that something went wrong with His Highness' fate in his trial as a mortal. Until now, he still hasn't been able to pass even a minor trial.”

The hall that had just been filled with the heavenly emperor's roars and then with the steps of the guards plunged into an eerie silence. Shun Tao winced. Yes, he had expected this reaction.

”What …” The heavenly emperor sat down on his throne again, grabbing the ends of the armrests. ”What did you say?”

”His Highness —”

Hurried footsteps interrupted Shun Tao once again. ”Brother-in-law!” Qiang Yan didn't even remember to speak the polite way to the heavenly emperor while other people were around. He only had one thought: Jing He!

”Brother-in-law, something bad happen—” Qiang Yan stopped dead in his tracks, Leng Jin Yu directly behind him.

Where had all these guards come from? And who was that kneeling on the floor? He tilted his head and tried looking past the guards.

Rong Su waved the heavenly guards away and put a hand to his brow. ”Please tell me you found out about what the fate's scribe said and just wanted to report that. I can't take any more bad news.”

That man was … the fate's scribe? Qiang Yan coughed and stepped further into the hall, glancing at Shun Tao again. So, he probably confessed on his own accord?

No, that wasn't important now! Qiang Yan turned back to his brother-in-law and reminded himself that other people were present. ”God of war Qiang Yan greets His Majesty Tianjun.”

Rong Su waved again. ”What brings you here?”

Qiang Yan hesitated. ”I … came to report.” He gulped and took a deep breath. ”Someone attempted to assassinate His Highness, crown prince Jing He, in the mortal realm.”

The heavenly emperor leaped to his feet again. ”What did you say?!”

Qiang Yan's head drooped. ”Someone tried to assassinate him. His Highness is unhurt, though. Thankfully, Qiang Wei of the dragon race was nearby and managed to thwart the assassin's plan. Unfortunately, we have reason to believe that the weapon used for the attempt was the soul-devouring dagger. There was no time to investigate further but it has been stolen from the god of war's palace sometime in the last week.”

Rong Su staggered.

”Your Majesty!” Qiang Yan rushed forward and caught him, guiding him back to the throne.

”Qiang Yan, be honest with me.” Rong Su grabbed his arm. ”How is Jing He? My son, he … he wasn't hurt with that thing, was he?”

Qiang Yan shook his head. ”He wasn't. Don't worry, brother-in-law. But we were lucky that dragon was there. Else, this might have concluded differently.”

”You have to find out who dared to do something like that. And send guards down to the mortal realm. Jing He can't stay without protection from now on out.”

Qiang Yan nodded. ”I'll do that at once. But … I have been informed something went wrong with his fate anyway?” Qiang Yan glanced at Shun Tao again. The fate's scribe sat on the floor, looking pale. ”It seems he already told you?”

Rong Su nodded. ”Fine, let's talk about that. Ah, where's Bai Fen?”

Qiang Yan lifted his brows. ”I don't know. I haven't seen her today. Shall I send someone to get her?”