CHAPTER 546: CHAPTER 546. A PRISONER TRANSFER REQUEST

Echos Palace possessed many open courtyards. One of these courtyards was a beautiful garden filled with a variety of colorful flowers. Whenever Huang San was at the palace, he always made time to visit this garden and ensured that the gardeners continued to tend to the place carefully. Now that he was king, he visited this garden daily.

"Your Majesty, General Amon requested an audience," a guard entered and informed.

"Let him in," Huang San answered.

Not long after, Amon entered. Yang Li tagged along behind him.

Huang San was inside a small gazebo at the center of the garden. Inside was a table with chairs situated around it. Huang San was sitting on one of these chairs, drinking tea while enjoying the beautiful view.

"Welcome, General Amon and Lieutenant General Yang Li. Please, sit," Huang San gestured for the two to join him at the table. He called the maid to prepare two cups for his guests.

Amon made a brief glance at Yang Li, which prompted her to say, "Please call me Yang Li, Your Majesty. I’m not used to such a formality."

"In that case, you should just call me Huang San, like you used to," Huang San said.

"Your Majesty, I don’t dare," Yang Li said.

"Sigh... While acquiring the throne is my dream, I do fear some issues that come with it. I guess we can’t be as casual as when we spent time training to use elemental supports."

"In an orderly society, ranks need to be respected," Amon said. "If the people who possess the ranks don’t respect their own ranks, others will not either. Without respect, contempt will take over. When that happens, you will have trouble commanding those with lower ranks than yours."

Huang San chuckled. "I will keep your words in mind. So, what do you think of this garden?"

"It is very beautiful," Amon answered. "I, however, heard that this garden is your private place. The news was that you rarely let anyone in here. I expected to be told to wait outside until you are done."

"That is true. This place does hold a special meaning to me," Huang San said. "I only let people whom I consider friends enter this place."

"We thank Your Majesty for those kind words," Amon said.

Huang San waved his hand to dismiss Amon’s gratitude. He continued, "My mother built this place. She often brought me here when I was little. After she passed away, father instructed that this place be maintained as it was when she was still alive. I have the same intention."

"She must be a great woman," Yang Li remarked.

"She is. In a way, you reminded me of her," Huang San said. He then laughed awkwardly before quickly saying, "I mean, your determination reminds me of her. Like you, she is a very determined woman."

"I see...," Yang Li responded.

"Anyway, knowing Amon, I’m sure you two aren’t here for a social visit," Huang San said. "Is it about your intention to invade Khode?"

"Your Majesty is wise," Amon confirmed.

"One week has passed, but I still can’t believe you made such a request," Huang San said. "Some ministers still come to me daily asking me to stop the invasion, or as they call it, your mad plan."

"We shouldn’t phrase it as an invasion. It should be called a retaliation to their act of invading us," Amon said.

"If we can confirm the force that holds Bright Rock City was indeed from Khode," Huang San countered. "Jiang Tong’s army should reach that city in less than a week. We should be able to confirm the enemy then. How is the preparation of the First Demon Army? As discussed during the meeting, even if I permit you to proceed, you can only mobilize the First Demon Army."

"The army almost reaches twenty thousand in strength," Amon answered.

Throughout the week, many transfer requests had been made to join the First Demon Army. Amon’s reputation as the man who helped Huang San defeat the rebels and win the trial had made the army incredibly famous. Soldiers flocked to serve under him.

The highest transfer requests came from Huang Zhan’s army. After the army received the news that the Eighth Prince had died during the trial, many of its soldiers were at a loss. A new commander was appointed, but this new commander didn’t command as much authority and charisma as Huang Zhan’s soldiers were used to.

Amon had visited Fort Lion’s Den before and clashed with them. The soldiers still talked about how he faced their ambush and fought Da Niu, who was much stronger than he was then. Learning that Amon was already a Spirit Stage cultivator now, they were even more impressed. This drove them to request transfers en masse.

Aside from transfers from Huang Zhan’s army, a large portion of recruits came from manpower drafted among the Demon Gang. Amon’s underworld organization had grown to a status where they no longer needed to show force to maintain their authority. Hence, a lot of their enforcers were sent to the First Demon Army.

"Although the First Demon Army still has room to grow, this number should be enough to perform an initial invasion, to secure a foothold within Khode," Amon told Huang San.

"Initial invasion? Are you expecting me to mobilize more army after you enter Khode? Considering if you proceed, of course. I’m sorry to say that I must burst your bubble. A retaliation is fine if Khode is proven to be at fault for invading our territory, but I’m not ready to go on a full-scale war with another nation, nor are the ministers."

"Don’t worry, Your Majesty. As long as you provide a steady stream of supply, I will make do with the First Demon Army," Amon said.

Huang San shook his head. Was Amon truly serious about invading another country? Khode might not be well-known about their cultivators, but they had many areas of expertise that covered their cultivation weaknesses. Otherwise, the country wouldn’t have lasted for as long as it had.

Nevertheless, if Amon managed to put a dent in Khode’s defense, this would improve his standing. Other countries wouldn’t be as unconcerned as they otherwise would be if they knew Echos could hit back against an invasion.

Still, he must admit, he didn’t see much prospect in Amon’s army despite their growing number.

"Are you sure?" Huang San asked Amon. "You should be aware that the First Demon Legion was formidable despite its small size because it had many ex-teachers from the Royal Academy who had high cultivation levels. Most of those teachers have followed Lao Zen and joined the civil court. You don’t have that many high-level cultivators in your army now."

"I will manage," Amon replied without going into details.

Huang San didn’t push the issue. He had known Amon’s personality when they worked together against the rebels. Amon was an extremely secretive man.

"I, however, require a favor. This is my main reason for visiting Your Majesty," Amon said.

"Oh? What do you need?" Huang San asked.

"I want custody of Zhong Yuan," Amon said.

"Zhong Yuan?" Huang San was at first at a loss as to who that was, but he soon remembered. "Huang Zhan’s spy who manipulated the trial artifact? What do you need him for?"

"He is from Khode. His knowledge of the country will be vital for me to plan my invasion," Amon said.

"Hm... I don’t disagree. However, he was involved in the death of Brother Huang Zi. My father has his eyes on him. It will be difficult to request his release."

"He was only following Huang Zhan’s order," Amon argued.

"Maybe, but there is no other person my father can blame for losing his sons. My father needs someone to vent his frustration on. Zhong Yuan is, unfortunately, as close to a scapegoat as one can be. I dislike it if someone is punished not for their sin, but Zhong Yuan is not exactly innocent."

When Amon responded with silence, Huang San interpreted it as disappointment. He said, "Look, I will try to talk to my father, but I can’t promise anything."

"Perhaps this can help change his mind," Amon placed a fruit on the table.

"This is..."

"Longevity Fruit," Amon answered before Huang san completed his sentence.

"I thought you had given this fruit to the Xei Clan?" Huang San asked.

Amon never told Huang San the details of his agreement with the Xei Clan. Huang San assumed Amon had only acquired one Longevity Fruit and used it to negotiate with the Xei Clan. Amon lied to him because Amon knew he would want one fruit for his father, who was close to the end of his lifespan.

"I kept a spare," Amon replied.

"And you only let me know now?"

"I plan to give it to your father as a present for my appointment as the new Prime Minister. Things didn’t go as I expected," Amon shrugged as he spoke.

"Ouch! Now you turn this into my fault. I must hand it to you. There is no winning you in a debate." Huang San picked up the Longevity Fruit. "With this fruit, I think I can persuade my father to hand Zhong Yuan to you."