Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 203 - 204: Zhong Xizhi

On the outskirts of the western city of Sabelius,

Which is also the location of the Black Rose family’s main residence,

In the beautiful garden, the foreign minister Helson, who was sent personally by the emperor from the capital, was trembling and half-kneeling on the ground. After anxiously waiting for several seconds, the oppressive atmosphere around him finally dissipated. Helson then slowly raised his head and looked toward the handsome yet imposing black-haired man sitting in the pavilion, enjoying his afternoon tea,

That was the head of the Black Rose family, Xiao-Black Rose.

At this moment,

Feeling the overwhelmingly strong power force and the icy cold aura surrounding Xiao, Helson finally understood why the emperor was so apprehensive of this man and obeyed him unconditionally. The man before him was too terrifying, too unfathomable.

More importantly,

His strength was too horrifying...

Judging from the aura that had suppressed the royal envoys just now, this duke’s strength had probably reached the peak of the eighth rank. Within the entire Sadik Empire, there was likely no one who could rival him...

After taking a deep breath, Helson reluctantly squeezed out an awkward smile,

"So, Your Grace, what do you plan to do?"

"Hmmm…,"

Looking at the document Helson had brought from the capital, a playful smile gradually emerged on Xiao’s face,

"As expected, the invitation from the Snow Night Empire has arrived."

"Yes, indeed. His Majesty would like to consult with you, Your Grace, on how the royal family should respond this time. Who should they send to the Snow Night Empire to participate in the coronation ceremony?"

"The royal family doesn’t need to worry, they don’t need to go."

"Uh?!... No, not going? The royal family won’t send anyone for such a major diplomatic event?"

"That’s correct."

Xiao smiled faintly, but his tone was filled with an extremely strong force and an unquestionable aura. After giving Helson a piercing glance with his deep black eyes, a ’kind’ smile appeared once again on Xiao’s handsome face:

"However, Mr. Helson, you don’t need to worry either. We will attend the coronation ceremony on behalf of the royal family."

"Does Your Grace mean that the Black Rose family will send representatives?"

"Yes, the royal family has been working hard lately, so they can just take a good rest. As for such arduous long-distance journeys, let us ’subjects’ take care of it, understood, Mr. Helson?"

Xiao squinted his eyes and spoke very politely,

In response,

Helson could only shiver uncontrollably and nod his head without any will to resist:

"I understand, Your Grace. I will convey your intentions to His Majesty right away..."

...

After a black-armored knight dragged the weak-kneed Helson out of the garden, Wanya, the personal secretary standing beside Xiao, couldn’t help but ask with some helplessness:

"Your Grace, some ministers still seem to be quite clueless, even daring to say they want to severely punish the Black Rose family. It looks like they haven’t figured out their position yet. Do we need to send someone from the ’Nightingale’ organization to have a friendly ’communication’ with them?"

Regarding the secretary’s suggestion,

Xiao nonchalantly shook his head,

"There’s no need, Wanya. If everyone follows my instructions, this puppet government would be too obvious. Sometimes, it’s necessary for them to cause a ruckus. Anyway, just keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t cause any serious trouble."

"Understood, Your Grace. I’ll inform the ’Nightingale’ organization right away."

Saying this, Wanya prepared to leave the garden,

However, at this moment, Xiao smiled gently,

"No need, Wanya. The leader of the ’Nightingale’ happens to be back today. You can just speak to her directly later."

"Uh? Lady Zhong Xizhi is back?"

Upon hearing this, Wanya couldn’t help but reveal a surprised expression. After all, the ’Nightingale’ organization, as the strongest assassination and intelligence organization cultivated by the Black Rose family across the continent, had a leader who was almost always on missions outside, only occasionally returning to the Black Rose residence at the beginning of the year. And now? It was obviously a peak work period...

"Yeah, she’s back."

Xiao understood his secretary’s astonishment and smiled helplessly,

Then,

Xiao looked toward the huge fruit tree not far away, and waved his hand in amusement and exasperation,

"Xizhi, if you’re back, just come out and say hello, stop hiding there!"

"..."

As Xiao’s shout rang out,

A figure timidly peeked its head out from behind the tree. After making sure there was no one else around, she cautiously stepped out,

"I’m sorry, Your Grace..."

At this moment,

A young girl dressed in a white dress, wearing a black military coat, slowly emerged from behind the tree, appearing in the sight of Xiao and Wanya.

Her beautiful black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, her curved eyebrows and a pair of orange-red eyes exuded a hint of shyness, but they were still enchanting and captivating. Her straight and delicate nose, blushing cheeks, and cherry-like lips were all exquisite. Her face was as smooth as jade, with snow-white skin exposed outside her military uniform. Her figure was slender and graceful, and she was simply stunning.

More importantly, there were two dark green dragon horns on the girl’s head...

Apparently,

This girl named Zhong Xizhi was not a simple human being, but a rare half-dragon hybrid. It was precisely because of this that she was abandoned by the dragon race and eventually ended up in the Winter Forest...

Growing up with countless disdainful looks seemed to have made the girl somewhat introverted.

Although she was already a peak-level seventh-tier expert about to break through to the eighth tier, she appeared meek and timid.

This couldn’t help but make Xiao shake his head helplessly, sighing:

"Xizhi, you’re the leader of the ’Nightingale’ organization now, someone in charge. Can’t you have a bit of presence? Otherwise, how will those new girls be willing to listen to you?"

By the way,

Most of the basic members of the Nightingale organization were orphans from the Winter Forest. The boys sent from the forest mostly became members of the Black Rose Knights, while the girls mostly joined the ’Nightingale’. These orphans and some people privately cultivated by the Black Rose family together formed this powerful intelligence organization.

If the newcomers saw their leader acting like this, they would undoubtedly be shocked.

However,

In the face of Xiao’s words, Xizhi helplessly twirled her hair with her fingers,

"I can’t help it, it’s broad daylight now, and I hate sunlight. But, Your Grace, you don’t have to worry. I can put on a good act in front of those kids..."

"Fine."

After giving her a brief reminder, Xiao didn’t plan to say much more,

After all, this woman was watertight when it was time to perform.

"Speaking of which, Your Grace..."

Seeing that Xiao didn’t intend to ’lecture’ her further, Xizhi curiously asked, "Did you call me back this time for an urgent mission?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"The Duke family has been raided by the Snowy Night Empire’s royal knights, and Lady Yumo, disguised as the pink-haired girl, has been imprisoned in a carriage and sent to the Imperial Sky Capital. You and Qiu Mingtong are to rescue her when the convoy leaves the Northern Territory."

"Oh, I understand... Wait?! A prison carriage?!"

The moment she heard this, Xizhi instantly lost her composure. The timidity on her face vanished, replaced by an icy, murderous intent. Her orange-red eyes even gradually turned into the dragon race’s unique ’vertical pupils.’

The next moment, Xizhi rushed directly in front of Xiao, rudely grabbing his shoulders,

"Your Grace? You said Lady Yumo is a prisoner under the watch of a bunch of rabbit cubs?! Damn it! I’m going to slaughter those scoundrels! Then throw them all into the forest to feed the abyssal demons! That bunch of bastards! Mo#@#$@#$!#!@, I’ll take care of them as soon as possible..."

Watching the suddenly foul-mouthed Xizhi, who had completely changed in front of him, Xiao gave a bitter smile,

"Alright, I know you’re angry. But kill those who deserve it, and spare those who don’t, understand?"

"Yes..."

Reminded by Xiao, Xizhi calmed down a bit.

However,

In the next moment, the girl’s eyes lit up with excitement, and stars even seemed to sparkle in them,

"Then, are we bringing Lady Yumo to Sabelius?! Can we? Can we?! Please, Your Grace!"

As Xizhi spoke,

Wanya, the secretary standing nearby, couldn’t help but look at her lord with hopeful eyes. Similarly, the knights standing guard not far away also peeked their heads out, looking at their lord.

For others, the Demon Temple was like a flood and ferocious beast.

But for them, those who survived and gained their current status thanks to Lady Yumo, she was like their savior.

They owed her a debt of gratitude they could never repay.

And they would seize any opportunity to express their gratitude!

Unfortunately, due to their busy work, they could hardly ever visit the Winter Forest, let alone express their gratitude.

Therefore,

After learning that Lady Yumo had taken on a human form and could leave the Winter Forest, many in the Black Rose family looked forward to the day when she might visit the Sadiq Empire. At that time, they would make sure she enjoyed the most luxurious life!

At this moment, everyone quietly looked at Xiao, waiting for their lord’s response.

"Sigh..."

After a helpless sigh,

Disappointing everyone, Xiao shook his head with a bitter smile,

"Not now."

"Ah? Please, Your Grace, we really want to see her."

"Sigh…, if you all want to see Lady Yumo so badly, I’ll invite her over once everything is settled."

"What’s the matter?"

"Xizhi, you haven’t forgotten our plan, have you?"

Hearing this, Xizhi paused for a moment, her expression gradually becoming serious. That’s right, compared to indulgence, completely eliminating the threat posed by Lady Yumo was their top priority.

"I remember, Your Grace."

"Good."

Xiao smiled slightly, showing a satisfied expression,

"Remember, don’t mess it up."

"I understand, Your Grace. I will protect Lady Yumo, not letting those vermin get close to her, and I will make sure she gets to know the ’ugliness’ of that Empire..."

Saying this,

Xizhi slowly stood up, and a chilling, unnerving smile gradually appeared on her pretty face,

"Rest assured, I will make sure the plan goes smoothly..."