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The large mahogany doors clicked shut, leaving a stifling silence to fill the grand chamber. Feng shifted uncomfortably on his plush sofa while glancing nervously at the armored guards lining the walls. He actively avoided making eye contact with Lord Jian, but the tension eventually forced him to turn his head toward the older royal.

"We will simply find someone better and vastly more experienced," Feng muttered, forcing a scoff to mask his embarrassment. "She is merely twenty-one years old. She clearly just got lucky claiming her title at the Azure Dragon Sect. She lacks the real battlefield experience required to handle a kingdom-level crisis."

He adjusted his silver collar to regain his lost composure, desperately attempting to put her down so he would not look incompetent in front of his superior.

Lord Jian kept his eyes half-closed and rested his chin on his knuckles. "The Tenth Pavilion Master was not summoned here by random selection. Princess Syra specifically requested her presence. The princess personally asked for the Pavilion master to act as her royal protector during the sermon."

Feng waved a dismissive hand. "That is precisely because Princess Syra is of a similar age. The princess knows absolutely nothing about actual security protocols, so her recommendation should not even factor into our tactical considerations. If our closest personal servants and anointed knights are willing to betray the crown, an outsider friend should never be allowed anywhere near Her Highness."

Lord Jian finally opened his eyes fully to pin the commander to the cushions with a freezing glare. "You seem to have forgotten your proper station, Feng. You are a commander of the guard. You are a hired sword. Your personal opinions do not sit above the decrees of the royal bloodline. Do not mistake the steel armor on your chest for a gold crown on your head."

Feng swallowed hard as the color drained from his face instantly. "I sincerely apologize, My Lord," he scrambled to correct his mistake. "I only spoke out of deep concern for the safety of the royal family. I was merely being thoughtful regarding the risks."

"Do whatever you must to bring the pavilion master back to this room," Jian commanded.

Feng widened his eyes in absolute baffle. "She clearly rejected the mission just a minute ago. She walked out on her own accord."

"She rejected the mission because you openly insulted her students and treated her guests like vagrants," Jian pointed out. "They must still be walking through the palace grounds right now. You better hurry. If you fail to convince her to return and accept this contract, I will hold you personally responsible and liable for every single casualty that occurs during the royal sermon."

Feng sat completely frozen on the cushions, staring at the patterned rug under his boots.

"Furthermore," Jian added, lowering his voice to a ṣlethal whisper. "If the princess suffers even a single scratch, I will officially brand you as a traitor. I will declare that you intentionally jeopardized her safety under the guise of incompetence. You must also remember that your own noble family resides within these walls. They are equally targeted by the Crimson Bone Sect."

Feng remained seated while conflict tore across his face. The weight of the royal threat crushed his previous arrogance entirely, forcing him to contemplate his rapidly shrinking options.

"Use whatever means necessary to bring her back," Jian delivered the final ultimatum. "Go."

Feng scrambled up from the sofa. He signaled his armored guards and rushed frantically out of the grand discussion chamber.

Commander Feng sprinted down the polished marble corridors with his armored guards trailing closely behind. His metal boots clicked loudly against the stone tiles. Reaching a wide intersection, he pointed his gauntlet in multiple directions, ordering his men to split up and search every single guest wing of the palace.

A breathless sentry jogged up to him a few moments later. "Commander, we located the Pavilion Master and the students. They are currently inside the inner palace garden."

Feng gritted his teeth and scowled. He muttered a string of angry curses, questioning who gave a group of vagrants the authority to wander into the royal sanctuary.

He marched directly toward the ornate garden entrance. Feng moved to push the golden doors open, but two elite palace guards wearing pristine white armor crossed their gilded halberds to block the path. These were the Moon-Shadow Sentinels, answering only to the royal bloodline.

"Step aside," Feng demanded, glaring at the elite guards.

"Princess Syra requested zero disturbances," the right sentry replied, keeping his weapon locked in place.

"This is an urgent security matter," Feng argued, puffing his chest out to assert his rank.

The sentries exchanged a brief glance. They relented slightly, lowering their halberds just enough to clear a narrow path. "You may enter alone, Commander. Your men stay here."

Feng growled and stepped past the gilded weapons, leaving his squad waiting in the hallway.

He walked into the lush garden. Colorful flora bloomed brightly under the afternoon sun, surrounding a carved stone fountain.

He spotted the group instantly.

Princess Syra sat on a marble bench, chatting cheerfully with Yue. Nearby, Princess Lune stood under a cherry blossom tree, engaging in a quiet conversation with Solomon.

Syra shared striking similarities with Lune. She possessed flowing pale golden hair and emerald eyes. Her royal features appeared slightly diluted compared to her distant cousin, yet she carried a captivating, undeniable beauty.

Arthur, Maximus, and Marco stood a few paces away, keeping their distance from the royal interaction. Elizabeth stood rigidly beside them. She gripped the hilt of her steel rapier, her red eyes narrowing as she observed Solomon chatting so casually with the golden-haired princess.

She tapped her boot against the grass, a visible frown creasing her forehead.

[Mezz_3861: BROOOO! Take a hint.]

[OldTimer: Reminds me of my old days as an adventurer. It was fun.]

[Newbhunter: having affairs without any relations.]

[BloodKnight: A warrior must know when to attack and defend. But he must also focus on one target before moving to another.]

Feng marched across the manicured lawn with a frown on his face.

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