Before the council hall.
The Northern Azure King stood there in silence for a long time. The sense of a volcano poised to erupt that Jiang Ning had felt from him gradually subsided, finally giving way to an utterly bitter smile.
"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you for letting me learn the truth, for letting me know whose hands my son truly died at."
A trace of shame surfaced in the Northern Azure King's eyes as he looked at Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning shook his head mildly. "You already knew, didn't you?"
At that, the Northern Azure King fell silent for a moment before slowly nodding.
"You're right, Your Highness. I had already guessed! I simply couldn't be completely certain. Now I can!"
"Aren't you worried I'm lying to you?" Jiang Ning asked.
The Northern Azure King shook his head. "With your current strength, Your Highness, why would you need to deceive me? If you wanted to act against me, the cowardly words you just heard from me would have been reason enough to seize me. Why waste your breath talking to me?"
Jiang Ning nodded. "That much is true!"
The Northern Azure King's heart abruptly tightened.
Then he cupped his fist and bowed to Jiang Ning. "I misunderstood you on many occasions and harbored resentment toward you, Your Highness. I am deeply ashamed. From this day onward, whatever you command, I will carry out without hesitation, even if my brains and blood must spill upon the ground! As for the heavenly treasures you require, I will personally negotiate with the city's great clans and merchant associations. Even if I must turn all of Heavenly Gate City upside down, I will bring every plant and every piece that can serve you before you!"
"With that assurance from you, Northern Azure