Invisible Security Guard
Chapter 639 - 638: Stay Behind

Chapter 639: Chapter 638: Stay Behind

Yusuf Zuck recognized that Higgins King harbored distrust and was hinting at his departure. So, given that the other party had already made their stance clear, Yusuf had no choice but to ask for money. Receiving some funds would at least keep Ruth Wilcox and Ember Vance from going hungry.

However, when he asked for a significant sum, both Higgins King and Skye Torres were momentarily taken aback, but quickly, Higgins King burst into hearty laughter.

"Did I ask for too much?" Yusuf was a bit perplexed by Higgins King’s reaction.

"Not at all, not at all. How could the lives of my wife and child be exchanged for a mere trifle?" Higgins King could not help but laugh as he waved his hand dismissively. He was a prince, after all, and this was the first time someone had brazenly asked him for a reward to his face.

"Then I thank you, Prince," Yusuf said, clasping his fists and bowing in gratitude.

"May I inquire as to where Mr. Zuck’s hometown is?" Higgins King seemed to take an interest in Yusuf and began to question him.

"Merely a mountain commoner from the north," Yusuf replied.

"And where might you be headed next?" Higgins King continued.

"With Gold Coin in hand, where can’t I go?"

"Haha, how interesting. Indeed, with Gold Coin, one can go anywhere. However..." Higgins King glanced again at Ruth Wilcox and Ember Vance and, after a moment of thought, said, "These are chaotic times. Have you considered settling down? It is unwise for you to roam the martial world with two lovely ladies in tow, without considering their safety. My Royal Palace is currently short-staffed, would you be willing to stay?" Higgins King had surprisingly changed his tune, extending an invitation himself.

Yusuf thought for a moment: "If I stay, will I still receive the Gold Coin?"

"Pfft~" Skye Torres couldn’t help but laugh at Yusuf’s comment, and Higgins King too was utterly astounded. This man named Zuck truly had an eye for money!

"Prince and Madam, please do not take offense. To speak frankly, the three of us are penniless. Currently, my two wives are dressed in Madam’s clothes. I intended to purchase some garments for them to change into, hence I shamelessly asked for the reward!"

"There’s nothing wrong with that. It is only right. As a man, you should indeed do so!" Higgins King clapped his hands in agreement.

"Then I thank you, Prince!" Yusuf this time stood up and performed a formal bow.

"Alright, you may go now. Let Skye entertain you on my behalf," Higgins King nodded and said no more. Keeping Yusuf here was also for show – a chance for observation.

Yusuf, accompanied by the two women, took their leave, with Skye Torres personally escorting them out of the hall.

"What do you think? Have you figured out his deal?" Higgins King asked with a smirk suddenly.

The cultivator with the green beard, who had been silent beside Higgins King, shook his head: "A wanderer of the martial world, with a decent Cultivation Level, reaching the latter stage of Innate. However, I am curious, Prince, how you plan to arrange for this man and his two wives?"

"His two wives can join Skye. Skye is quite fond of them and they could assist in managing the inner affairs of the Royal Palace or the business transactions. As for Mr. Zuck... let us first have him join the guard as a freelancer," said Higgins King.

"This man does not remove his sword even indoors – a prideful one indeed!" the green-bearded cultivator remarked faintly.

"A man with talent is entitled to his pride, but it remains to be seen how capable he really is," Higgins King said with a chuckle, then suddenly drew in a deep breath and lowered his voice: "News from the capital has arrived – my elder brother is not faring well!"

"Huh~" The green-bearded cultivator inhaled sharply upon hearing Higgins King’s words.

"You must go to the capital immediately, make contact with and win over the people on the list. Measure your actions carefully, and also gather information from various provinces."

"Prince, we should make multiple contingencies. As you know, the scholars are stubborn. If the Emperor passes, they will certainly endorse the youth of the Crown Prince to succeed him. They will maintain control over authority and may also take action against you and the other princes. Therefore, we must prepare for the ultimate gamble," said the green-bearded cultivator.

"The situation is unclear, and the court officials have remained tight-lipped, so I dare not rashly raise troops!"

The bearded cultivator was startled, then let out a deep sigh. The court officials mentioned by Prince Higgins were the supreme cultivators of the empire, influential enough to sway the state of affairs and even affect the change of dynasties. For if they wished to kill someone, that person’s head would invariably fall overnight.

Therefore, if Prince Higgins were to raise troops, and if the court officials decided to take action against him, even if he had a million-strong army, he would still lose his head!

However, the court officials were only loyal to the Lopez Family, loyal to the Royal Family, and never involved themselves in politics, indifferent to who became Emperor.

But there was fear that they might intervene at this juncture.

"Do this, take my personal letter to ’Luo Hai’ in the palace, and have Luo Hai pass my letter on to the Ninth Elder," Prince Higgins said, and immediately went into his study to write the letter.

After a short while, the letter, only a page long, was written, and Prince Higgins sealed it with wax, and handed it to the bearded cultivator.

"Prince, be mindful of your safety. In these extraordinary times, the Emperor might resort to desperate measures as he gasps his last breaths," the bearded cultivator warned.

"No matter, I have three thousand adherents. Let him come in any number, and I shall kill them all. Moreover, today I intend to test his mettle and see what he can do to me," Prince Higgins said with a cold sneer.

...

Meanwhile, Yusuf Zuck and the others had just returned to the courtyard when a group of maids followed them in with trays. The Prince’s rewards had arrived, including a fortune in Gold Coins, Jade Walls, agate, pearl jewelry, and even the Royal Palace’s tailor personally came to take measurements, making Yusuf’s reward quite substantial.

After sending off Skye Torres, Yusuf Zuck idly played with a large handful of Gold Coins in his hand, his gaze continuously flitting about. Ruth Wilcox and Ember Vance, on the other hand, showed no interest in money or jewels, and were simply fixated on him, wondering what he was planning.

"We’ll stay for now. We have nowhere to go, and it is safer to stay in a Royal Palace, which also facilitates my actions," Yusuf Zuck said indifferently.

"Staying is fine, but it always feels like we’re inferior, without any authority," Ember, the young girl, complained.

"We will have it," Yusuf Zuck replied indifferently, "If we want to quickly integrate into this society, find out where my enemies are, and become more powerful, relying on this Prince is the best option, for no one knows this world better than a Prince."

"Besides, you two must train," Yusuf Zuck said, looking at the two women, "Starting today, I’ll teach you the Harmony Mantra. Try to get familiar with it. Later, I’ll take a look around the city to see if there’s any Elixir that can help with cultivation."

"That works for us. Once we’ve trained, you’ll have less to worry about for us," Ruth Wilcox and Ember Vance said, nodding together.

"Actually, bringing you here was somewhat selfish of me, but there was no other way. Leaving you behind would’ve been even more selfish because I wouldn’t have peace of mind," he admitted.

"We understand," the two women replied, aware that in these extraordinary times, staying in the Royal Palace was the best choice. This way, whatever Yusuf Zuck did, they felt assured that he would feel confident about their safety, knowing that they were in a secure place.

Yusuf Zuck taught the Harmony Mantra to the two women, insisting they memorize it thoroughly, then grabbed his sword and stepped out of the courtyard.

There were guards outside the courtyard, not to watch over them, but because they had always been there. In this large estate of the Royal Palace, guards were stationed at every three paces, sentries at every five, with no fewer than a thousand protectors in plain sight, not to mention more in hiding.

That was also the reason Yusuf Zuck remained here; when going out to handle affairs and meet people, he couldn’t always bring two unarmed women along.

As Yusuf Zuck stepped out of the courtyard, a steward from the Royal Palace hurried over breathlessly: "Mr. Zuck, you’re just in time. The Prince is going hunting in the southern suburbs this afternoon. The Prince says you’ve just arrived and should come along to get familiarized!"

.

PS: Starting with three Chapters to whet your appetite, there will be more updates during the day. This month, as promised, the burst of updates is fulfilled. What I said has been done, and I thank you all. After reading three Chapters, rest early and don’t stay up late.