Chapter 19: Coming to Serve as a Retainer? Oh! Is It to Beg for Help?

The sky had already darkened. In early spring in the Northern Ji Kingdom, the weather remained bitterly cold. The streets were sparsely populated; at this hour, many townsfolk had already taken refuge indoors, unwilling to endure the chill.

A man appeared on the street, walking briskly. He was dressed in a black robe and wore a wide-brimmed bamboo hat that obscured his entire face, concealing his true appearance. Judging by his build and attire, he was not a youth but a middle-aged man. Half of his eyes were hidden beneath the brim, yet he remained keenly alert to his surroundings.

He paid no attention to the passersby or the environment, focusing solely on his destination. After about half an hour, he arrived outside the residence of the Crown Prince. The man glanced left and right; seeing no one paying him any heed, he raised his hand and knocked on the grand gate.

“Knock—knock—knock!”

Shortly after the knock, a servant opened the door. The Crown Prince’s attendant stared at the unfamiliar figure outside, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes, followed by a hint of suspicion. He scrutinized the man’s simple attire—it was no different from that of a wandering swordsman or martial artist.

He guessed silently: Could this man be seeking to become a retainer of the Crown Prince? Recently, the Crown Prince had secretly recruited many talents—scholars, swordsmen, and cultivators alike. But he remembered that the recruitment had been closed two weeks ago. This man was late.

“You come at an unfortunate time, sir,” the servant said. “Our residence has already filled its quota of retainers. Please, return whence you came.”

He finished speaking and moved to close the door. Unexpectedly, the man outside extended his hand to block the gap. The servant’s expression changed sharply as he shouted, “What do you think you’re doing?! This is the Crown Prince’s residence, not a place for you to cause trouble. I warn you! Two weeks ago, we welcomed many highly skilled swordsmen and cultivators here. If you dare stir up trouble, you’ll regret it!”

As the servant issued his warning, he signaled to nearby aides to summon reinforcements. Yet the man outside remained unmoved, his face calm and expressionless.

He cast a cold glance at the servant and spoke evenly, “By order of my master, I bear a confidential letter that must be delivered into the Crown Prince’s own hands.”

The servant was about to retort that the Crown Prince’s status was too exalted for just anyone to meet him personally, but before the words left his mouth, the man extended a badge.

The servant’s protest caught in his throat—he recognized the badge. It was the exclusive insignia of the Crown Prince’s residence, the highest level, personally issued by the Crown Prince himself. Holding such a badge, the bearer was indeed authorized to seek an audience.

The servant’s demeanor shifted immediately from arrogance to humility. “Please wait a moment, sir... May I have the badge? I shall inform the Crown Prince at once.”

Bowing deeply, he reached out to receive the badge.

“Here,” the man said.

“Thank you. Please wait a moment while I report this.”

He called another gatekeeper to accompany the man, then took the badge and hurried inside.

In less than half an hour, the servant returned to the gate and respectfully ushered the man inside. “Sir, the Crown Prince requests your presence.”

“Please follow me.”

Moments later, the man was led to the door of a study. The attendant bowed respectfully outside and announced, “Your Highness, the visitor has arrived.”

A brief silence followed, then a refined, pleasant male voice from within: “Enter.”

“Yes.”

The servant gently opened the study door, led the man inside, then bowed and withdrew, closing the door behind him.

Now, only the visitor and the Crown Prince remained in the study. The Crown Prince said nothing, his eyes carefully examining the man before him. The visitor lowered his head slightly, clasping his hands together. “I have come by my master’s command to personally deliver this confidential letter to Your Highness.”

Without movement, he held the letter reverently with both hands.

“Bring it forward.”

“Yes.”

The man stepped forward and placed the letter on the desk before the Crown Prince. As he looked up, he finally saw the Crown Prince’s true face.

This was Ji Hanguo, the Crown Prince of Northern Ji Kingdom.

Ji Hanguo wore a pale blue robe, sitting upright at his desk. Their eyes met.

On Ji Hanguo’s face was a gentle smile, lips slightly curved, yet beneath it lurked a subtle slyness.

Not daring to meet his gaze for long, the man quickly lowered his head again.

Ji Hanguo picked up the letter, tore it open, and withdrew the contents, studying them intently. Silence enveloped the room once more.

The visitor stood motionless in the center of the study, expressionless.

After a while, Ji Hanguo finished reading. He carefully set a corner of the letter alight with a candle flame. The paper caught fire quickly. Ji Hanguo placed the burning letter in the inkstone on the desk. The flames grew until the letter was reduced to ashes.

Only then did Ji Hanguo lift his gaze from the smoldering remnants to the man standing before him.

Though his head remained bowed, the man immediately sensed the penetrating look from Ji Hanguo.

Neither spoke; silence persisted.

In Ji Hanguo’s eyes was a flicker of appreciation.

This man had remarkable patience.

Indeed, a person capable of getting things done.

A faint smile played on Ji Hanguo’s lips, but it did not reach his eyes.

He had underestimated the strength of the man who could nurture such a covert guard.

After a moment, Ji Hanguo broke the silence. “Go back and tell your master that I understand his intentions.”

The man lifted his head to meet Ji Hanguo’s gaze.

“My master says,” he began, “if Your Highness consents, henceforth my master will serve you with unwavering loyalty, dedicating himself fully to your cause. May I ask how Your Highness regards my master’s request?”

“I consent,” Ji Hanguo answered, a faint smile lingering on his lips.

Yet in the subtle lines of his face lay a barely perceptible sharpness that instilled a strange sense of unease in the man.

“But let me be clear,” Ji Hanguo continued, “if your master swears allegiance to me but later betrays me, I shall not let him off lightly.”

“Your Highness need not worry. My master would never betray you!”

“However, the person my master wishes to bring along...”

The man cautiously raised his eyes, watching Ji Hanguo’s expression for any change. “Might Your Highness permit me to accompany him back to the Great Zhao Kingdom?”