Just as San Long was about to cast a Forbidden Spell, Yan Hezi arrived.
"What are you doing, Your Highness? Do you mean to break with the Empire?"
Yan Hezi's voice was chillingly grim.
San Long frowned, then demanded:
"What have you done to His Majesty? If you've harmed so much as a hair on his head, Dragon Island will never let you rest."
San Long assumed Yan Hezi had already gone back and done something unspeakable to Chen Cheng. He saw no reason to keep up any pretense.
"Your Highness, that's the last time I'll call you that. If you keep making wild accusations, you wretched beast, I'll finish you right here today."
With that, Yan Hezi attacked San Long.
Meanwhile, Crimson Ray had carried Chen Cheng to the rim of an active volcano.
The view was wide open here, giving them a clear look at the Southern Barbarian Legion's blockade.
After setting Chen Cheng down, Crimson Ray gave a cold laugh. "Didn't see that coming, did you? You thought they'd really come rushing to bow before their emperor."
Chen Cheng did not grow angry at her mockery. He gave a rueful smile and said, "That's only natural. I'm not gold. I can't expect everyone who sees me to like me. Of course they wouldn't all rush to bow."
"They're hardly that kindhearted. How could they sleep soundly while you're alive? What if you really succeed one day? For what they've done today, having their homes seized and their families wiped out would be getting off lightly."
Crimson Ray continued to sneer.
Chen Cheng sighed. "True. But they could have stood by and watched, or withdrawn into the mountains like the others.
"If they can't let go of their power and still want to kill me, I can hardly