The Weak Prince Is A Cultivation God
Chapter 27: A Partnership

Chapter 27: A Partnership

Lan was back in the guest chambers of the palace, standing at the dark wooden sink, cold water dripping from his face and onto the marble floor beneath.

He exhaled.

Again, he splashed the water onto his skin—then leaned in, letting it trail down past his chin, into his shirt. His fingers slid back his soaked bangs as he stared at the mirror.

Grey eyes stared back through the dripping strands.

Unblinking. Tired. Cold.

He didn’t stay long at the banquet after the trial. Not when Corvin was reduced to ash.

He had no more to prove. No words to offer.

The warriors and nobles who came hoping to humiliate the forgotten prince now sat with hushed mouths and humbled egos. Their designated weapon had shattered in front of them.

The princess?

He wasn’t sure what she felt.

Anger? Satisfaction? Disappointment?

He couldn’t tell. Her face had remained unreadable. But her envoy’s words returned to him—about the Mad Scholar’s story, the tale of two sheep... the one that ruled wolves.

She thought him the second.

Perhaps this had been what she wanted all along.

Lan sighed. Then—

Knock. Knock.

The sound wasn’t from the door.

He turned, narrowing his eyes at the window tucked behind pale silk curtains. The wind stirred them gently, and beneath the sound of the breeze, he heard it—

Click. Slide.

The window was being opened from the outside. Lan didn’t wait.

[Dark Step]

He vanished.

The figure slipped in—a blur of black and silver landing silently on the polished floor.

And felt cold glass kiss their throat a breath later.

"Move again," Lan whispered behind them, "if you want to die."

The voice that returned was not afraid. It was furious.

"Get that damn thing off my neck."

Lan blinked. The voice clicked in his head like a lock snapping open.

"...Princess?"

He pulled the glass shard away, confused.

The intruder turned, brushing her cloak aside with a sweep of her arm. She stood in the dim torchlight, eyes burning hotter than any flame.

"Threatening to kill an imperial princess," she said. "You must be really tired of living."

"What? Are you crazy?" Lan snapped. "How the hell was I supposed to know it was you?"

"I don’t know—your eyes?" she threw back, sarcasm thick in her voice.

"It’s the middle of the night and these damn torches don’t illuminate anything! Why are you sneaking into my room anyway?!"

"Ah... ahem." Iris cleared her throat, her posture straightening. "Apologies for coming so late through such a method. Your performance at the banquet stirred up more chaos than I bargained for."

Lan raised a brow. "What does that mean?"

"It means," she said, stepping further into the room, "you’re currently being heavily watched."

He stared. "Watched for what purpose?"

She gave a half-smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Because you’re a wild card. And nobody likes those. Especially not the imperial court."

Lan watched her walk slowly across the room, her fingers brushing the edge of the desk.

"Why are you here, Iris?"

She turned, looking him directly in the eye. "Because I’ve been thinking. About us."

Lan raised an eyebrow.

"Oh," he said, rubbing his temple with a sigh. "I know I looked very cool back there. But I have to decline your romantic advance. I’m too focused on my ambitions and—"

"Can you shut the hell up and let me talk?" Iris snapped.

Lan raised both hands in mock surrender. "By all means."

"I came with an offer," she said. "A partnership."

Lan’s brow lifted. "A partnership?"

"One where I scratch your back," she continued, "and you scratch mine. When the worst of our problems come to itch."

Lan blinked.

Then, without a moment’s hesitation: "No."

Iris paused, her head tilting. "What?"

Lan turned, walking to the window, brushing the curtain aside and peering into the dark city beyond.

"I said no," he repeated. "I decline your offer. Because a partnership requires trust. And I know better than to trust you."

Iris crossed her arms. "You’re not wrong."

That surprised him. He looked back.

"You’d be a fool to trust me," she said, softly. "Because trust isn’t declared. It’s earned. And built. And for all we know, we may never get there. All we can have for now are uninsured expectations. You’ll expect me to hold up my end. I’ll expect the same from you. And if either of us doesn’t..."

"...mild disappointment," Lan muttered.

She nodded. "Exactly. No trust. No betrayal. Just mutual gains."

Lan was quiet for a while. The wind outside whistled faintly against the windowpanes.

He finally spoke. "What would you ask of me?"

Iris shrugged. "Who knows? For now—probably nothing. Most of my problems are... beyond you."

Lan snorted. "Is that a second challenge?"

"It’s an observation," she said. "But eventually, you’ll face opponents too great for me to shoulder alone. Figures of immeasurable strength. When that happens, I want allies who can carry their weight."

Lan smirked faintly. "Sounds like good fun."

"It is," she replied.

They stood in silence for a moment. The fire from the wall torch flickered behind Iris, casting her silhouette long across the floor.

Then she sighed, walking to the desk and leaning one hand on it.

"Anyway. You killed a duke’s son...again, but this duke son is a renowned general. And you did it In front of imperial witnesses...in the most flashy way possible."

"Well you said it yourself, I’m quite the entertainer," Lan said, deadpan.

"Now," she continued, "even though it was done through legal combat, don’t expect to just walk out of the Imperial City free."

Lan raised a brow. "Is that a threat?"

"No. It’s my first show of honesty." She turned to him again, her voice sincere. "They have no intention to let you leave, that’s why I’m here."

He didn’t speak. He waited.

"I’m going to help you escape," she said.

Lan narrowed his eyes.

"I meant what I said," Iris stated. "A partnership. And this is the first step, so start climbing through that window...we have one hour."

Just then a screen flashed in front of Lan.

[New Quest Issued]

[Escape The Imperial City]

"Of course," Lan sighed.