Published: February 12, 2025
“Your Highness!” “Your Highness!” “Congratulations, Your Highness!” “The harvest this time is too much!” “It’s all thanks to Your Highness, leading everyone to a victorious start, a good omen indeed.”
On top of Black Book Summit, the cold temperature seemed to have no impact on the enthusiasm of the Hall People. As they faced the returning Prince Zimu, they did not hold back on their praises. Since they were able to participate in this large-scale hunting event at the planet hunting grounds, they formed a community of interests; the more harvest they amassed, the more each person would gain. Although within the Hall People, a super clan with countless clansmen, everyone had their own inclinations, who cared about that here?
Moreover, this Prince Zimu had a low status in the line of succession, with no chance of becoming the future leader. It was more beneficial to establish a good relationship with him, potentially gaining great benefits without any harm.
Everyone understood tacitly that this hunt was meant to flatter Prince Zimu; the final results would surely be recorded under his name. Since that was the case, giving each other a few compliments was inconsequential. A few insincere praises and a disingenuous smile might win a prince's favor, so why not?
A big smile remained on Zimu's face as he walked back from outside the camp, never fading until he returned to his tent, where the muscles in his face began to stiffen.
As soon as he closed the tent, Zimu's face immediately darkened, completely different from the warm demeanor just moments ago.
By his side was his guard officer, Oplis, who had protected Zimu since childhood and was his most trusted confidant within the clan.
“Oplis, is the information you sent me true? Did the Star Eye Clan and Su Clan really acquire the Armor Pressure Sky Cover?”
The guard officer Oplis nodded, “Yes, here are the images.”
He tapped on his terminal, and some images were transmitted to Zimu's device.
After viewing them, Zimu's expression became even gloomier.
“Also, while our team was scouting around Layered Water Desolation, we discovered some rather... unpleasant things.”
“Hmm?” Zimu frowned and looked at his guard officer.
This guard officer was already a skilled fighter. Although he remained loyal to Zimu, he couldn't help but carry the arrogance of a top expert. Sometimes, he lacked caution in his words. Normally, Zimu didn’t mind, but today he was particularly displeased, showing a hint of discontent.
The guard officer awkwardly smiled but didn’t offer any explanations, continuing, “We originally wanted to choose Layered Water Desolation; at least, it was one of our backup locations. But later, the Su Clan and Star Eye Clan chose that spot and were attacked upon landing. In the end, they had to rely on the risky deployment of Armor Pressure Sky Cover to fend off the beast horde. During our investigation, we found that someone had previously scattered substances around the hunting grounds that made the prey irritable and prone to aggression.”
Zimu raised an eyebrow, “Who did this? Was it aimed at us?”
Oplis nodded, “It should be. Another very likely spot we were considering was also targeted with this slow-release drug. The intention is quite clear.”
Zimu fell silent for a moment before saying, “We have a spy among us.”
Oplis sighed, “That’s likely the case, but it’s hard to find them because there are too many who knew our preliminary hunting locations. We have no way to narrow it down.”
“But there aren’t many who dare to act against us, are there?”
Zimu’s eyes lit up as he stared at the ground, lost in thought.
“Hmm, there are only a few.”
“What a pity. If it weren’t for the Su Clan being over there, perhaps we could have tried to make them take the blame. Now, if we were to push it on them, it would just make fools of others.”
Zimu said with regret.
Oplis knew in his heart that His Highness harbored resentment against the Star Eye Clan and, by extension, the Su Clan who allied with them.