16 Chapter 16. Intruder

After paying their respects to the King, they then reported on the happenings at all the borders. And all the reports are the same.

All the borders were attacked at night and looted the people living around the borders.

The king clenched his fists. "Who dares to invade my territory?"

The warlord immediately took a few steps forward and crouched in front of the throne, "Give your orders, Your Majesty," he said in a loud voice.

"Use the soldiers to explore all areas in this kingdom, the rest are on guard at the border, tighten security at the royal border and this palace, and also temporarily, close all access in and out of the kingdom until the intruder is found," said the King.

"Okay Your Highness, I'll do it immediately," he said then took a few steps back and left there.

The atmosphere in the Hall was not as calm as before, whispers were heard from the royal officials, making the King clench his fists again in anger.

Seeing his father's expression which was very unpleasant to look at, Zhang Jiangwu gave up his intention and turned away from there. Slowly he turned and stepped out of the Hall.

"Crown Prince…" Zhang Jiangwu's steps were stopped when the King called out to him.

"I greet you, Your Majesty," said Zhang Jiangwu turning his body, crouching in respect with one leg forming a ninety degree. The men who were with him did the same.

Immediately the man changed his facial expression to a calmer one, "Since when did you come back?"

"Just now, Your Majesty," Zhang Jiangwu replied. His gaze remained lowered as if ignoring the status of Father and Son between them.

"Good, I did plan to call you, but you have returned. Everything will become easier," said the King.

"Do you have any orders for me?" Zhang Jiangwu asked.

"I think you've heard the matter that some of the sky armies said earlier. I want you to finish this quickly, find the intruders and kill them."

"Very well, Your Majesty. I as the crown prince will carry out your orders," said Zhang Jiangwu then rose from his position, and left the Hall.

The King just nodded, a harsh sigh could be heard from between his lips. The meeting of palace officials resumed after a few minutes delay.

While on the other hand, Zhang Jiangwu and six other men walked a bit away from the Palace Hall.

"Could that woman earlier be one of those intruders?" said Bai Jun suddenly turning to his left and right.

Zhang Jiangwu who was walking in the front slowed down when he heard that.

"Oh, that's impossible. It happened last night, and the female slaves had been selected three days earlier, they were also guarded by many bodyguards and soldiers," replied Yua Ahn with a shake of his head.

"Nothing is impossible, Yue Ahn. Were you able to see her abilities at the hunting ground earlier? Do you think a woman like her is from this kingdom? The noble ladies in this kingdom only know how to dress up and embroider. Never once were they given archery lessons or anything like that. Don't you think this is strange? I believe she is not a slave, nor is she a resident of this kingdom," said Bai Jun again. He's been holding this in mind since earlier.

"Hmm, I thought of this too. We should ask the woman directly," now Feng Ming joined in. The others nodded in agreement.

"Huh? Where is Your Majesty?" Hao Chu asked when he couldn't find Zhang Jiangwu's whereabouts. Hearing that, everyone immediately looked forward, and it turned out to be true. No one knows since when the crown prince left them.

"We'd better find his whereabouts and tell him this," Feng Ming suggested.

"Alright," They all said almost at the same time, then went to look for the whereabouts of the Crown Prince separately. Neither of them knew that the man they were looking for was now in front of the royal prison.

"Where are they?" Zhang Jiangwu asked the bodyguard who was with him. They were currently walking down the corridor inside the prison.

"They are at the very end of the room, the last prison, Your Majesty."

Zhang Jiangwu didn't answer, the man just nodded. Shaking the cloak he was wearing without slowing his pace.

Ara who was sitting leaning against the prison wall immediately straightened her back when she heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

The women who were with her panicked, some again crying in fear.

"Shh… shut up," Ara said as she put her index finger to her lips, signaling them not to make any noise.

"It turned out to be you," said Ara again when she saw who was now standing in front of the prison door.

"Presumptuous!" shouted the guard who was with the crown prince, brandishing a spear in his hand into the prison. Pointing at Ara.

Zhang Jiangwu stared coldly, "Take him to the interrogation room," he ordered, then walked away.

"Alright, Your Majesty."

Hearing that, one of Ara's eyebrows raised, "Who do you mean?" she shouted.

"Watch your words, you lowly human. Don't you know who you're dealing with right now?" Said a guard as she unlocked the prison door.

Ara squeaked, "He's a liar," Ara said with a snort.

"Ahhhh…." All the women in the prison screamed hysterically when the guard suddenly raised the tip of his spear right in front of Ara's face.

"Watch your words!!! If His Majesty hadn't ordered us to take you to the interrogation room, your life would have been lost in my hands, Damn it," said the guard full of emotion.

"Come on, don't take too long. His Majesty is waiting, let's take her," said another guard while holding the man's arm.

Ara snorted disapprovingly of hearing that. She was then dragged away by the two bodyguards very roughly.

"I can walk alone, you don't have to treat me like this," said Ara, but unfortunately the two bodyguards didn't pay attention to her words.