Netherworld Mark

"Thirteen, stand down." Just then, an aged voice rang out.

The black-robed man withdrew his greatsword and took a step, freeing Dandan from the tip of Qi Bei's sword. If his hood had been lifted at that moment, one would have seen fine beads of cold sweat breaking out across his forehead.

There was no surprise on Qi Bei's face. He flipped himself upright, baring his teeth as he twisted his aching waist and back, then looked toward the two people who had appeared at some unknown point.

One was the family head, Kodi Nord. He still looked as old and frail as ever, with Qi Bei's father, Raymond Nord, supporting him.

"I say, dear grandfather, Father, you two can't do this. The moment I come back, you put on such a show. What if this old brother had slipped up and made you send a white-haired elder off to bury a black-haired son?" Qi Bei complained with a bitter face as he brushed the dust from his body. He understood that the King Grade Warrior hadn't used his full strength just now. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten off so easily.

"You little brat, you've got no respect for your elders. Just you wait—I'll skin you alive later." Raymond Nord put on a stern face, but the joy in his eyes could not be concealed.

"That's enough." Kodi Nord spoke in a deep voice. Did he really not know that this father and son were putting on an act?

The moment the old man spoke, Raymond Nord immediately fell silent, trembling like a mouse before a cat. Qi Bei, who had once been just as frightened of the old man, however, stared at him fearlessly.

Kodi Nord's murky gaze swept over Qi Bei, revealing a trace of inexplicable emotion. He said, "You two talk. Thirteen, help me back."

The old man had watched a show, exchanged only a few words, and then returned. No one could guess what was truly on his mind.

"You little brat, you're getting bolder by the day. You even dare to be so rude to the old man." Raymond Nord studied this son who seemed somewhat unfamiliar. He had protected him for fifteen years, yet now he discovered that his son had changed so drastically that even he could hardly believe it.

"Respect isn't shown through words. I have absolute respect for the old man. He's the pillar holding up the sky for our Nord Family." Qi Bei spoke seriously.

Raymond Nord looked his son up and down, then suddenly smacked him on the back of the head.

"Old man, I told you not to hit me on the back of the head anymore. Don't you know it'll make me stupid?" Qi Bei shouted without thinking.

Raymond Nord burst into laughter. That trace of unfamiliarity in his heart vanished. This was still his son, wasn't he? No matter how much he changed, he was still his flesh and blood. In the past, whenever Raymond had smacked him on the back of the head, he had shouted just as loudly.

"I'm your old man. So what if I hit you?" Raymond Nord said with a laugh.

Qi Bei rolled his eyes, rendered speechless.

"You little brat, go get yourself ready. In half an hour, you're going with the old man to see His Majesty." Raymond Nord spoke.

"I still have to go see him? Very well, then. I'll go." Qi Bei was somewhat unwilling. In his former memories, Emperor Hanmos was absolutely the sort of person who put immense pressure on others—a man who was, in layman's terms, constantly letting his imperial might run wild.

"He's your future father-in-law. Even if you don't want to see him, you have to." Raymond Nord smiled smugly, though it was unclear whether he was pleased that his son had gotten such a good deal or simply gloating.

Qi Bei furrowed his brows. No way. Could Emperor Hanmos really intend to fulfill his promise?

"Eh? You little brat, shouldn't you be dancing for joy after hearing this news?" Raymond Nord asked, surprised by Qi Bei's expression.

"Old man, your son has grown capable now, and naturally my horizons have risen as well. How could I possibly take a fancy to ordinary vulgar beauties?" Qi Bei said.

"You little brat, don't act smug after getting a bargain. Hurry and get ready. Our Nord Family is determined to have Princess Mingyue as our daughter-in-law." Raymond Nord smacked a palm toward the back of Qi Bei's head again.

The Golden Leaf Hall in the Imperial Palace was where the emperor and his ministers discussed state affairs.

Yet today, inside the vast Golden Leaf Hall, there were only Emperor Hanmos, Kodi Nord, and Qi Bei.

Emperor Hanmos sat high above on the imperial throne. Kodi Nord sat serenely on the soft stool bestowed upon him, his cloudy old eyes half-closed. Only Qi Bei stood behind Kodi Nord, holding a chest like a pillar.

The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive, like the low pressure before a storm was about to break over the sea, making it difficult to breathe.

Qi Bei appeared calm on the surface, but the inner force of his Divine Dragon Art was circulating madly within him, resisting the pressure bearing down on his soul.

It seemed that the so-called imperial might truly wasn't a baseless tale.

"Old Kodi, I hear that after that girl Ruixue secretly slipped out of the Imperial Palace, she went to that fierce tiger of yours." Emperor Hanmos finally spoke, his words stabbing straight at the vital point like a knife.

"This old subject has heard of it as well." Old Kodi nodded.

"Everyone knows that girl Ruixue has fallen for Huai'an. As things stand, Huai'an doesn't seem indifferent to Ruixue either. Old Kodi, don't you think we should arrange their wedding as soon as possible? If she were to become pregnant before marriage, it would disgrace both my imperial family and the Nord Family." Emperor Hanmos did not look at Qi Bei even once, seeming determined to match Huai'an and Princess Ruixue.

"Your Majesty, everything has its proper order. Although this old subject is also very fond of Princess Ruixue, Huai'an has already been betrothed to the eldest daughter of the Feng Family. It would not be too late to have him marry Princess Ruixue after their wedding has been arranged." Kodi Nord's expression did not change as he spoke in a trembling voice.

"Old Kodi, are you suggesting that my imperial princess should serve the same husband as another woman? And take second place behind that girl from the Feng Family?" Emperor Hanmos slammed his palm against the armrest of the imperial throne, his face blazing with fury.

They said that when an emperor raged, blood flowed for a thousand miles. With Emperor Hanmos's blow, Qi Bei's heart gave several violent thuds.

Kodi Nord, however, seemed completely unaffected. He said, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I wonder if Your Majesty knows of a maid named Xiaoqing who serves Princess Ruixue?"

Emperor Hanmos was taken aback, unable to tell what Kodi Nord was plotting. But he knew that the old man would never ask an idle question. There was certainly a deeper meaning behind it.

"I know. Xiaoqing is the personal maid who grew up alongside Ruixue." Emperor Hanmos answered with a gloomy expression.

"Qi Bei, open that chest." Kodi Nord spoke.

Qi Bei placed the chest on the ground, feeling somewhat curious himself. He had no idea what was inside. But since the old man regarded it so highly, there must be something inside that Emperor Hanmos feared.

Qi Bei pressed the hidden lock on the chest, and the lid sprang open at once.

A human head! The chest actually held a human head—the head of Xiaoqing, the maid who served Ruixue.

"Old Kodi, you..." Emperor Hanmos shot to his feet and glared down at Kodi Nord.

"Your Majesty, please look." Kodi Nord extended his cane over Xiaoqing's head. At once, a dark, gloomy mark surfaced at the center of the head's brow.

"The Netherworld Mark!" Emperor Hanmos paled in shock. Only mages who cultivated Dark Magic could have a Netherworld Mark at the center of their brows.