Chapter 670: Nethergrass City

After Lilith spoke her mind openly and truthfully, Uncle Jorn understood that he had been giving the Little Princess too much credit simply because she was the Little Princess. 

He had forgotten that it was not long ago that she was still the little girl who ran away from home to escape an arranged marriage. 

The amount of pressure and resolve needed for the little princess to assume leadership and lead the clan was something no one can understand clearer than herself. 

"Your Highness, feel free to rely on others if the burden is too great," Uncle Jorn said before mentioning, "I understand that being a leader is not easy. There are a lot of things to consider, and each decision carries consequences and responsibilities that you would have to bear." 

"Even the Clan Leader, your father, had sleepless nights on separate occasions due to clan matters. But I will say to you the same thing I have said to the Clan Leader in the past; don't overwork yourself." 

"Body Cultivators may have great endurance and tolerance to stress, but the body will still collapse without adequate rest from time to time. Nothing is more important than your health, Your Highness," Uncle Jorn stated. 

"Un, I understand. Thank you, Uncle Jorn," Lilith nodded with appreciation and said, "I will keep your words in mind. But right now, we have people that need saving. So let us go over the plan again." 

"Yes, Your Highness," Uncle Jorn nodded. 

In front of them, a map was laid out on the table with clear indications of the Desolate Crow Clan's location in the center and several neighboring tribes and clans beyond its borders, including the Desolate Netherbird Tribe. 

"According to what Uncle Jorn previously mentioned, the Desolate Netherbird Second Prince is residing in Nethergrass City, located right here on the border."

Lilith shortly pointed at a single point where the borders of the Desolate Crow Clan and Desolate Netherbird Tribe are connected. 

"That's right," Uncle Jorn nodded and said, "Lord Balzacs would regularly send a messenger back to the Desolate Netherbird Second Prince in Nethergrass City to keep him updated on the Desolate Crow Clan's matters. That time is not far from now."

"So, our plan would be to infiltrate the city as messengers accompanied by our warriors openly under the disguise that we have submitted and was sent over to aid the Desolate Netherbird Second Prince's cause," Lilith stated. 

"That's right. You remembered it well, Your Highness. That is indeed the first step of the plan," Uncle Jorn nodded before he said solemnly, "However, we need to remember that we are going to save the Clan Leader and elders, not to wage war." 

"After we cause chaos in the city as a distraction and get our people, we will escape immediately and not entangle ourselves with the Desolate Netherbird Second Prince's forces."

"I can understand that much, Uncle Jorn." Lilith nodded seriously. 

If the Desolate Netherbird Second Prince was harmed by them, there was a possibility of the Desolate Netherbird Tribe's Paragon making a move against them.

Sometime later, a clansman arrived before them and reported, "Your Highness, the preparations are complete. Our warriors are ready to sortie." 

"Good!" Lilith nodded and ordered, "Inform the clansmen that we will set out immediately."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Wait a minute, Your Highness," Uncle Jorn suddenly stopped Lilith before asking with surprise, "You're not planning to come with us, right?" 

"Of course, I am. Why else am I here?" Lilith responded with knitted brows. 

"You mustn't! It's too dangerous for you, Your Highness!" Uncle Jorn strongly opposed Lilith's decision to join the mission. 

"Although your bloodline awakening has allowed your strength to grow more quickly than anyone else due to your royal bloodline, your combat experience is weak. But more importantly, the clansmen here still need you to lead them while we are gone, Your Highness."

"I…" Lilith had no words to refute before she sighed, "Fine, I will listen to you this time, Uncle Jorn. I hope you can bring my parents and the elders back safely."

"I swear I will do everything in my power to make it a success, Your Highness," Uncle Jorn swore before turning to the gathered group of elite clansmen and barked, "Let's move out!" 

"Yes, Lord Jorn!"

"Then, we will be on our way, Your Highness!"

The elite clansmen quickly complied and followed Uncle Jorn's lead, but before bidding farewell to their princess with respect. 

While the clansmen held some disgruntled feelings with their princess's previous abandonment, they respected her return to assume the leadership role in the clan even more. 

A leader who leads them in peaceful times can indeed earn their respect, but only a leader who does not abandon them in difficult times can earn their undying loyalty.

As Lilith watched Uncle Jorn and the elite clansmen depart the clan, she gave another sigh of despondence and disappointment for not being able to take part.

Shortly after mulling for a moment, Lilith took some servants to accompany her on a trip around the clan and oversee the reconstruction.

…

…

…

Desolate Netherbird Tribe's border city, Nethergrass Palace

A young man, adorned in a high-quality black silk robe with gold linings, stood on the balcony of his study room and gazed at the direction of the Desolate Netherbird Tribe's capital home with narrowed eyes.

Shortly after, a servant entered the room. 

But before the servant could even speak, the young man casually asked without looking back, "Has the Desolate Crow Clan's princess been found yet?" 

"Not yet, Your Highness." The servant shook his head and said, "The Desolate Crow Clan's leader and elders have been tortured for days, but their lips are sealed tightly. This servant is beginning to think that they, themselves, do not know where the little princess had run off to."

Shortly after, the servant hesitated and said, "If we want the Desolate Crow Clan to serve you in your fight for the throne, this is not the way to buy their loyalty, Your Highness."

"Oh, we don't need their loyalty. We're way past that already," the Desolate Netherbird Second Prince nonchalantly said before adding, "I only need their power. I don't care about their loyalty."