Chapter 227: Imperial Court (III)

"D-Don't you know it's a capital offense for killing an imperial guard," Konner stuttered as sweat continued trickling down his forehead.

Konner was frightened by Zen's ruthless and decisive action as he hoped to stall for a bit more time.

Even if he knows the word he just utter has no effect on Zen, any little bit of time he stalled, is a time he saved enough to save his pathetic life.

Thus, he decided to risk it all and explain something for Zen to stall longer.

"Hmph, just wait till the other imperial guard sees this barrier you cast. You're an ignorant and impulsive young man. By casting that barrier, you have already alerted everyone about your entry," Konner sneered loudly, hoping to make Zen rethink his decision on attacking any further.

Meanwhile, Zen was slightly surprised by the information and decided to ask Cecilia if his words were true.

"Indeed, Konner's words are truthful because normally the barrier that some ordinary people cast without authority or permission will be detected by the formation. However, don't forget this fact, the barrier you cast is based on your true qi and not on mana." Cecilia said.

Zen curved his lips upward when he realized her meaning. His barrier was based on true qi and the formation did not have a function to detect the true qi because this world doesn't know much about the true qi cultivator.

'I love my goddamn advantage… shattering these people's hopes left and right is the best feeling.' 

Zen exclaimed inwardly as he glared at Konner who was still busy acting confident to try and scare him off.

"Konner, since you're so confident… why not have a bet?" Zen said.

Konner was dumbfounded by his suggestion but still nodded his head. "What kind of bet are we talking about?"

"Let's bet if the so-called reinforcement will show up because of my barrier," Zen chuckled softly as he leaned closer to a wall nearby.

Konner narrowed his eyes as he found it suspicious for Zen to be this calm when numerous imperial guards with many intermediate mages showed up to apprehend him.

'Does he have another hidden trump card?' Konner pondered inwardly as he glared at Zen, hoping to find some clues for bringing up this suggestion to bet on something that could possibly end up with him getting killed.

Konner swallowed nervously as he started stuttering, "What happens if the imperial guards do show up to capture you?"

"Then I will gladly comply with the imperial guards and let you hand-cuff me for interrogation or even bring me to the empress," Zen replied swiftly.

Konner held a disbelief expression as he found it doubtful for Zen to be willing to get captured by them. 

After all, their handcuff was specifically created to restrict any mana flowing inside their body, essentially making them a mere mortal without any strength.

"Then what happens if the imperial guards never show up. What will you do?" Konner said with some sweat on his back. 

He was afraid of jinxing himself because if this scenario was to happen then their entire Jade Kingdom would most likely fall if a person can ignore their formation in the imperial court.

Zen smirked when he could feel Konner's emotion wavering, most likely because he believed his words were to come true.

'Sigh, what a sad man Konner.' Zen pitied him for having such terrible luck to encounter him.

Meanwhile, the other imperial guards who were overhearing their conversation while keeping themselves warm with some fire magic because the Ice Castle was still active were shocked with their jaws wide open.

"Konner, are you crazy to actually try to make a bet with him?" An imperial guard shouted in fury despite his hand starting to get some frostbite as he pointed his finger at Konner.

"If the empress were to find out about this then you can kiss your life goodbye and join the rest in hell." Another imperial guard shouted.

Konner was irritated by their attitude and behavior since he was trying his best to stall Zen out to keep them alive.

'Fucking bastards…' Konner cursed them inwardly as he clenched his fist tightly before staring at Zen.

"You still haven't told me what you will do to us if you win the bet," Konner said with a solemn expression.

"Simple, you will act like you have never seen me before and that imperial guard death has nothing to do with me." Zen chuckled softly as he didn't need another spy in the imperial guard.

He already got Curtis and Dorian in the imperial guard to gather intel regarding the empress's action so Konner has no use for him at all.

'Having more spies at hand would be ideal but considering the empress's meticulous action, I doubt having more spies would work.' Zen exclaimed inwardly as he waited for Konner's decision.

Konner struggled for a while before showing a solemn expression. "This bet… I shall accept it on behalf of the imperial guards. I believed in my people."

Zen started laughing loudly when he heard his last word.

He believed in his people… is the biggest joke he heard today. If Konner really believed in his people then he wouldn't have fallen this much into his trap.

"Cecilia, can we use the technique you taught me on these imperial guards now?" Zen sent a mental transmission to Cecilia as he asked for permission.

Cecilia ponders for a while before replying, "I believe this is the best time for the technique you just learned to showcase its power. However, make sure they don't notice anything unusual."

Zen nodded his head as he slowly seeped out some of his true qi secretly before planting it in the imperial guards' neck, including Konner.

Afterward, Zen activated his true qi and without anyone realizing it, the true qi seeped inside their body as it lay intact without any other movement.

"It's done Cecilia… now we have many free human bombs for us to trigger anytime if we ever need to deal some heavy damage." Zen relayed his success to Cecilia with a blissful expression.