The guard was nervous the entire time as he wanted to be the one to go and inform the patriarch.
After all, he felt a dreadful aura emitting from Zen and Krista Dragoon as they continued to wait outside.
'Can't he fucking hurry up. I feel like dying each second,' The guard cursed his companion inwardly as he wished to get out of this situation quickly.
Sometime later, when the guard who went inside to inform the patriarch finally came out, the guard who had been waiting for what felt like a century brightened quickly.
"Haha, Princess Krista Dragoon and this gentleman here, the guard came back," He said slowly.
"Finally, I thought the Camellia family is really powerful enough to neglect the princess in the Jade Kingdom," Zen sneered, causing the guard to pale.
"Laren, quickly let the prestigious guest in," The guard shouted at his slow movement as he quickly showed the way inside as he believed the patriarch would let them in.
However, Laren shook his head and looked at Krista Dragoon, "Apologies Princess Krista Dragoon, but our patriarch has fallen ill and is unavailable to meet with you."
Afterward, Laren glared at the guard and said, "Also, the young master has asked for you, Ken, to meet him inside now."
Ken was dumbfounded as he didn't know why the young master would ask for his appearance when there were two people asking for an audience.
'This is bad,' Ken exclaimed inwardly as he decided to head inside and leave this mess for Laren to handle.
Meanwhile, Zen's expression darkened as he asked, "What do you mean by the patriarch has fallen ill and won't meet with us?"
At the same time, Zen released some of his aura to pressure Laren to gain momentum at him.
Laren paled as he swallowed nervously upon feeling the dreadful aura and cursed at the patriarch secretly.
'Fucking patriarch, if you don't want to see them then just say so. Why are you pushing us lowly guard to be a dog for you in blocking them?' Laren cursed them inwardly and finally understood why Ken left the area as quickly as possible.
Ken was feeling this same pressure but didn't even inform him and left him alone to deal with Zen and Krista Dragoon.
Zen narrowed his gaze as he felt Laren was sweating a lot. 'This patriarch from the Camellia family is really gutsy. He even dared to fake his illness to not meet with us huh.'
Zen wasn't an idiot to believe such a coincidence exist and decided to act a play to barge inside.
"Yo, what's your name again? Laren, right?" Zen asked Laren with a solemn expression.
Laren nodded his head unconsciously and said, "Y-Yes? My name is Laren and I worked as a guard for the Camellia for 15 years already."
"Okay, I didn't ask that but whatever. I want to say that I'm proficient in alchemy and know a thing or two about medicine so allow me to check on your patriarch," Zen said in a gentle tone but Laren can feel a murderous intent locking onto him.
Laren was trembling as he didn't expect Zen to be this shameless.
'Why aren't you leaving already? Don't you know it's proper etiquette to bid farewell when you know our patriarch is ill?' Laren cried inwardly as he tried to sneak a glance at Krista Dragoon.
After all, she is the princess of the Jade Kingdom and knows basic etiquette, unlike Zen who couldn't care less.
Alas, Krista Dragoon pretends to be ignorant as she glances around without trying to stop Zen from going maniac.
Laren twitched his mouth slightly as he became envious of Ken now. 'Damn it, fuck this Camellia family.'
"Since this gentleman here is knowledgeable in the medical field and is accompanied by Princess Krista Dragoon then I have a reason to believe your skills are capable enough to cure our patriarch," Laren said and continued.
"Hence, please allow me to guide you to our patriarch and as the guard for the Camellia family, I wished this gentleman can cure him."
Laren started walking ahead and waited for Zen to follow me.
Zen smiled wickedly and nodded his head in approval.
Afterward, Zen walked inside and patted Laren's shoulder. "Smart men always live the longest because they are not impulsive and know when to change their attitude."
Laren made an awkward smile but he didn't care anymore. He wasn't going to be a tank for the Camellia family when he was only a lowly guard without much future.
Why should he give his life for them then? Only a fool would do that and he was most definitely not a fool.
"Gentleman sure loves to joke but here's the direction for the patriarch room," Laren started whispering softly to Zen about the location.
Afterward, he went back to guarding the entrance, almost like he didn't partake any part in this farce.
Zen glanced at his back and smiled. 'Ai, how I wished everyone could be like Laren and save me some troubles.'
Zen sighed inwardly as he retrieved his BloodJade Flame that was secretly attaching itself from Laren's back.
Meanwhile, Krista Dragoon walked forward to him and said, "Well, who wouldn't be smart when their life is just inches away from dying?"
Krista Dragoon saw everything from the side and although they might offend the Camellia family now by barging in, she could care less about them anymore.
After all, they dared to give them a half-baked excuse on refusing to meet with them was akin to putting dirt in her pride and prestigious identity.
"Zen, make sure to treat him real carefully. Do you understand my meaning?" Krista Dragoon tilted her head slightly and asked Zen.
Zen made an evil grin as he nodded his head, "Rest assured Krista Dragoon, I promise you that my healing ability would satisfy not only you but the patriarch himself."
Krista Dragoon smiled briefly as she gladly walked inside the Camellia family while Zen acted as an escort.