Alfred was on the streets of Beifei City when he saw several young men and women walking along with angry expressions, as if they had just been provoked by some "heinous criminal."
"He's just a city lord's son. We clearly saw that divine artifact first, yet when I told him to hand it over, he actually dared to refuse! I'm going to report him to Elder Emmanuel as soon as we get back," a young man of the Azure Dragon Clan complained.
"Enough complaining. That fellow will be dead soon anyway. He's not worth getting angry over." The white-haired youth beside him patted his shoulder consolingly.
Alfred didn't approach them rashly. He quietly followed them until they entered a magnificent palace.
"Did they just say Elder Emmanuel? I think I've heard of him. He's an elder of the Azure Dragon Clan, one of the Four Divine Beasts Clan. A Seven-Star Demon—and more importantly, a fourth-generation member of the Four Divine Beasts Clan. They say he may even have met an Overgod."
Alfred stroked his chin as he thought. Memories of what he knew about Emmanuel surfaced rapidly, and his spirits lifted.
He had been worried that only a few ordinary clan members from the Four Divine Beasts Clan had come here. It would have been difficult to speak with anyone high-ranking, let alone offer them a treasure. But with a Seven-Star Demon elder here, things would be much easier.
Emmanuel reportedly had a poor reputation. Even among the Four Divine Beasts Clan, he was known to be arrogant and overbearing. If Alfred could pique his interest, Ren would be as good as dead. With that in mind, Alfred made up his mind and headed straight for the palace entrance.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
Alfred tapped lightly on the door, then waited quietly outside, careful not to show the slightest disrespect. He knew that even as a mere Six-Star Demon, he had to be deferential to a Seven-Star Demon elder of the Four Divine Beasts Clan. Even if he were still an Asura, he would have to mind his manners. With their unreasonable tempers, they could offend people at any moment.
"Creak!"
As the doors slowly opened, two blue-haired young men came out. They looked at the "big-bearded man" before them with some confusion.
"Who are you? How dare you come to the Four Divine Beasts Clan's estate!" one of the youths demanded, looking displeased.
"Please announce me. Tell him that Alfred, Prefect of Liang'an, requests an audience with Elder Emmanuel."
Alfred smiled warmly, his tone calm. But the fist he unconsciously clenched betrayed the hatred in his heart.
"Alfred? The former Prefect of Liang'an who was killed by Ren?" the other youth blurted out in surprise.
Alfred's expression stiffened slightly, but he forced a smile. "That's right. I'm Alfred, the former Prefect of Liang'an, defeated by Ren. Sorry for the trouble, but please inform him. I have something important to discuss with Elder Emmanuel."
The two Azure Dragon Clan youths exchanged glances, surprised. Then one of them said, "All right. I'll report to the elder, but I can't say whether he'll agree to see you."
"That's all right. I came without an invitation, after all." Alfred said no more, doing his best to appear harmless.
On the third floor of the main hall, a bald man reclined in a lounge chair, his eyes closed and a hint of indecision on his brow.
"Elder, someone outside claiming to be Alfred, the former Prefect of Liang'an, has come to see you. He specifically requested an audience. What should I tell him?"
A clear voice came from outside the door, asking cautiously.
"Whoosh!"
Emmanuel abruptly sat up and opened his eyes. Shock flashed across his face, then confusion, before he finally looked as though he understood.
He had been annoyed at first to hear that someone was disturbing him. But Alfred's name surprised him. He couldn't understand why Alfred had come to him. Then he realized that Alfred had probably come to seek protection.
The new prefect, Ren, would surely send people to hunt Alfred down to eliminate any future trouble. If Alfred wanted to stay alive, seeking protection was only natural. He might have run into members of the Four Divine Beasts Clan here and, in desperation, decided to ask them for help. At that thought, Emmanuel instinctively waved his hand.
"Send him awa—Hmm? Wait. Let him in."
Emmanuel had been about to order the visitor thrown out, but then something occurred to him, and he immediately changed his mind.
"He was the former prefect, so his Spatial Ring might still contain Sovereign's Might. His clone is still alive, so Ren can't open the ring. In other words, I can kill Ren and take his Sovereign's Might for Kolofiel."
A satisfied smile crossed Emmanuel's face. He settled back into his chair and waited.
A while later, an Azure Dragon Clan youth led the brown-haired Alfred into the room.
"You may leave," Emmanuel said casually with a wave of his hand.
"Yes, Elder." The youth replied with a fist salute, then left without another word.
After the Azure Dragon Clan youth had gone, only the two of them remained in the room. Emmanuel lounged in his chair, eyes half-closed, seemingly unaware of Alfred standing there.
"Alfred pays his respects to Elder Emmanuel." Alfred stepped forward, bowed his head, and spoke with complete humility.
Emmanuel seemed not to have heard him. He simply kept his eyes closed, leaving Alfred standing there.
"What brings you here?" Emmanuel asked casually without even looking at him.
Alfred cursed inwardly. If he were still an Asura, Emmanuel wouldn't dare ignore him so completely, powerful as the Four Divine Beasts Clan was.
Though he was furious, Alfred didn't let it show. He spoke respectfully instead. "Elder Emmanuel, I came to ask for your help. Ren, the current Prefect of Liang'an, killed my clone. I'd like to ask you to have the Four Divine Beasts Clan step in and kill him."
A mocking smile tugged at Emmanuel's lips. He gave a scornful laugh but didn't answer. Of course he wanted Ren dead, but that was his own business. Who was Alfred to think he deserved help? It would have been one thing if he were still prefect. But now he was nothing more than a disgraced Six-Star Demon.
"Elder Emmanuel, I wouldn't dare ask for your help for nothing. My Spatial Ring still contains two drops of Thunder Sovereign Power, as well as a Heaven and Earth Treasure I happened upon years ago. I'm willing to offer them all to you."
Alfred knew there was no chance Emmanuel would help him for free. Gritting his teeth, he made his offer. He was putting all his chips on the table.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Emmanuel finally opened his eyes and looked at Alfred with an inscrutable smile, showing just the faintest hint of interest.
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