Chapter 374 - Negotiating the Terms (1/2)

Qiu Ling felt an alarm go off in his head. Shit! This guy … was trying to trap him.

Indeed. Xin Lan looked over his shoulder at Qiu Ling's slightly pale face and the corner of his mouth that wasn't covered by the mask curled up where Qiu Ling couldn't see it. ”You don't know?”

”Well … We know each other. You could do it for the sake of our old feelings.”

”Mn. I could. Unfortunately, I've never liked you. In fact, rather than helping you to get your beloved out I might as well add another array on top to make sure he stays in there forever.”

Qiu Ling shut up before the words he had prepared could get out. Alright. He shouldn't try to negotiate with him that way. He looked at the floor and pondered before clearing his throat.

”Well, you don't like me but … the old geezer wanted me to follow in his footsteps, didn't he? So, shouldn't you want to help me?”

Xin Lan finally completely turned back around. ”Now you're starting to consider how I think. Unfortunately, you running after your beloved doesn't have anything to do with you being king. I don't see any reason to help.”

”I can only be king as long as I live. And you know … how dragons work.”

”Mn, Heaven's curse. Without your beloved …” Xin Lan slowly paced up and down. ”At least that's what's being said.”

”That's how it is.”

”Is that so? Then I really wonder how your father managed to survive all those years after betraying His Majesty.”

Qiu Ling wanted to retort but he had no words. Yes, honestly, how had his father done that? He couldn't imagine it at all. If it was him … ”You'd have to ask my father about that. I certainly can't imagine. So please. Help me get him out of there.”

Xin Lan didn't answer and just continued slowly walk up and down.

”What do you want me to do? Beg you? I'll do that. I'll even get down on my knees if you want that.”

Xin Lan stopped. ”That would certainly be nice to see.”

Qiu Ling instantly moved to do what he promised but Xin Lan's next words froze him in place.

”Unfortunately, it won't be enough. What use is there in you kneeling down? The short pleasure I might derive from that … it's so fleeting. That's not something I pursue.”

Qiu Ling straightened up again. ”Then what do you want? I'd do anything as long as I can get my beloved back.”

Xin Lan looked at him. Ah, hearing him say that he actually felt that this boy wasn't so detestable. At least he was better than his father. He would actually try to stay with the one he claimed to love even if the circumstances were adverse.