After a brief silence, Grand Duke Kelin forcibly suppressed the towering waves stirred in his heart by Shiheng's talent. The crisis threatening the duchy's very survival was far more urgent than recruiting an unparalleled genius. He slowly settled back into the seat behind his desk, his fingertips tapping its surface again, though this time the rhythm had grown heavy and restless. Then he withdrew his oppressive aura and turned toward Kelin Xiaoman beside him, his tone deepening as he abruptly changed the subject.
"Xiaoman, I previously sent you to the Feng Lai Kingdom as the duchy's envoy to discuss joining forces against the Shadow Alliance. Did the Feng Lai royal family ultimately give you a definite answer?"
As his words fell, the atmosphere in the study instantly shifted from probing Shiheng to a heavy, oppressive gloom.
Kelin Xiaoman's formerly gentle expression instantly dimmed, worry clouding her delicate face and desolation tinging her once-bright eyes. She lowered her gaze and replied softly, "Father, the King of Feng Lai didn't refuse outright, but neither did he readily agree to send troops. He said... if the Feng Lai Kingdom is to dispatch its army to stand alongside our Principality of Klan against the Shadow Alliance, one condition must be met-a marriage alliance between the two countries. Only then could we forge an alliance of life and death, and only then would Feng Lai commit fully to our aid."
"A marriage alliance?!"
Grand Duke Kelin slammed his hand on the desk, making the books and brush stand jump. The fury of a Warrior of the Ninth Rank Peak erupted without restraint, stirring the air around him. His expression darkened like a gathering storm, his voice filled with displeasure and anger.
"Absurd! Our Principality of Klan is a grand duchy whose strength ranks firmly among