Chapter 396: Traitor

The Emperor was an intelligent man. He was very shrewd and had seen many people who had schemed against him, so he knew that although these princes were saying nothing, he could sense the hostility behind their gazes.

Initially, he knew that many of the princes would be unhappy with Xue Wei being given the task of commanding them, but it proved to have been beneficial as they had managed to keep so many alive.

Even so, even if the princes were going to act on their hatred, he was not going to interfere, much like he would not punish Xue Wei if he returned their attacks.

This was a battle between the younger generation, not something he should, or wanted to, interfere with.

But the thought of the entertainment that might come from seeing the princes clash against Xue Wei was something that made the Emperor smile slightly.

The Emperor was aware that these princes had been hardened and sharpened in the Ascended's Realm, so they were no longer the innocent and naive children that had entered the realm, but he also knew that if they were facing off against Xue Wei, they would suffer tremendously.

It was not that he had any prior interaction with Xue Wei, but due to being that woman's son. He had grown up in a world where both sides of the war were against him, and he had been forced to flee for his life for years on end.

Although these princes had encountered some problems within the Ascended's Realm and had been forced to mature, one had to remember that these Vermilion Birds were all between thirty and fifty.

They had spent thirty years being unable to cultivate, where they had been pampered and spoiled.

Now that they could cultivate, they had been gifted numerous resources and treasures, feeding them until they were at the rank they had now.

They had encountered some hardships within the Ascended's Realm, but they had not understood the reality of life just yet.

The dangerous people were not those who could be ruthless to others, but those who could be equally vicious to themselves.

Xue Wei was such a person.

To reach his goals, he would do anything as long as his friends and family were not harmed, and if someone threatened them, he would turn into a murderous devil that no one could stop.

The Emperor knew his sons well enough that they might try something underhanded against him and his friends, but if he found out what they had done to them, he would make them taste hell on earth.

Many officials and royal family members had gathered to see the return of their younger generation, and while many were happy, there was also much grief around the platform.

While many of them had survived, it was true that there had been losses, and their families were filled with sadness and a sense of loss.

But none of them dared say anything about it. They had all known before sending their youngsters into the Ascended's Realm that it was not an ordinary place. They had to be lucky if just a handful survived, and now so many had survived, it was unsightly if they caused a scene.

The princes noticed these saddened expressions and looked at each other. They had the same idea.

"Royal Father!" the first prince stepped up, his voice sounding magnificent in the morning air.

"We beseech you to punish the traitor!"

His words instantly caused everyone to stop in their tracks. Traitor? What was going on?

Xue Wei crossed his arms over his chest and observed with renewed interest. He had already expected something like this and was not flustered.

"Traitor?" The Emperor observed his oldest son and asked with masked mirth in his voice. He, too, knew what his son was planning, but he was not against following along to see just how far he would go.

"That's right," the first prince said with a nod of his head before he pointed at Xue Wei.

"Royal Father assigned the task of looking after us to this sir Xue, but after entering the Ascended's Realm, he only followed us for a short while, before he ditched us and went treasure hunting on his own!

"We met him a few times, but each time our groups split up again and again. I understand that the Ascended's Realm is made to hunt resources and opportunities, but this young man deserted his comrades, and we suffered heavy casualties because of this!"

Xue Wei snickered slightly, what a waste of brain to give this young man. Although he was not sure about what the nórmal survival rate of the Vermilion Birds was, he could tell for sure that these guys were at the bottom of the food chain within the Ascended's Realm, even though the realm actually belonged to them.

Their environment was simply too peaceful when growing up; they were unable to make proper use of the external dimension they had.

Seeing that Xue Wei held a casual smile on his face as his arms were crossed over his chest in a carefree manner, the first prince was so aggravated that he wished that he could tear him apart.

"Oh, is that so? Then Sir Xue, what do you have to say in your defense?" The Emperor went to look at Xue Wei, curious as to how he would solve this issue.

"A bunch of cowards," was what Xue Wei answered. His voice was light, and a trace of laughter could be heard within.

"Oh? What makes you say this?" The Emperor was amused, but the expressions of all the younger generation vermilion birds turned unsightly.