"Swapping the Crown Prince with a Civet Cat?"
A trace of disdain flashed through Chen Yi's eyes behind the black iron mask.
"That phrase isn't used correctly."
"It should be 'the golden cicada shedding its shell.'"
"Unfortunately, now that I'm here, Asutai, this 'golden cicada,' is destined to remain trapped in its shell."
Arriving early was no match for arriving at the right moment.
Since he had happened upon this, there was no way he would let Liu Hong get his wish.
Chen Yi concentrated as he gathered Qi, probing the movements around him while monitoring the situation inside that residence.
After a string of muffled, unintelligible shouts in the barbarian tongue, the only sound left in the residence was Asutai's uncontrollable, choked sobs and growls.
"I... I won't... won't let you go..."
"I'll... kill you, kill..."
"Taierge, Luliyi, Bahe... I, Asutai, swear upon the Barbarian God that I will kill you!!"
The person who had spoken earlier remained scornful.
"Your Highness Asutai, even your father, the Left King, personally led an army and was defeated at Mengshui Pass. Once you inherit his position and return in force, how much chance do you really have?"
"Besides, you are merely the Left King's youngest son, not the Left King of the Barbarian Tribe."
"When you become the Left King of the Barbarian Tribe someday, it won't be too late to say such things to me."
"Ah—I'll kill you!"
Asutai seemed to have had his mouth covered, managing only a muffled roar.
Yet it was swiftly drowned out by the laughter of the person who had spoken earlier.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness Asutai. You will have to suffer the indignity of staying here alone for a while."
"But rest assured, I'll instruct them to prepare the strongest liquor and the tastiest