The Medallion

Shirley nodded before taking a seat beside him. "Grandpa, are you thinking about Alston's proposal?" she asked him gently.

"What do you think?" Bryant asked her with another question.

"I'll obey whatever you decide for our clan's future. I don't think my opinion matters." Shirley's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. Her past self would have done whatever she wanted. But now that she was more cognizant of the Ximen Clan's future, she became a more mature woman.

"I would still like to hear your opinion on the matter, my dear. I assure you, it matters to me," Bryant replied lovingly, instructing her to go ahead.

"I used to admire Alston. With his ability, strength, and being heir to the throne, I thought he was perfect. Everyone looked up to him and obeyed his every order. But I was so naive. Ever since he was appointed the acting emperor, the noble prince I once knew has vanished. He wiped out all the clans who refused to bend the knee. His cruel methods still give me goosebumps to this day. Perhaps it's his nature. It doesn't matter. Whether as a husband or as an emperor, he can't be trusted!" Shirley admitted frankly.

"So you don't want to marry him, correct?" Bryant asked her earnestly, his voice carrying no other sentiments.

She hesitated for a moment before nodding and replying, "Whatever you believe is necessary, grandpa. I will support whatever you decide. You might get in trouble if we turn them down. Alston expects the support of our clan. He won't give up so easily!"

"If you don't want to marry him, my dear, then don't. Leave the rest to me. Once Alston arrives, you can find an excuse to turn him down. Don't worry. Everything will be fine," Bryant assured her after thinking over the matter for a while. His words clearly showed how much he adored his granddaughter.

"I see. But what excuse can I give that's convincing enough?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowed.

"You were engaged to Prince Basil. Although the engagement was called off after Prince Basil's death, his father never officially nullified it. Technically, the engagement is still valid. If you're willing to marry a dead man, then Alston can't force you into the marriage." Bryant grinned as he stroked his mustache. He reminded Shirley of a cunning old fox.

never thought my life would benefit from his death. How ironic!" Shirley snorted as she slightly bit her

suitable heir to the throne than Alston. Such a pity that he died so

Rocky was still the rascal

was carried out, some valuable news arrived from Laney. Over the past half year, she established an information network within the imperial

year ago, it became Alston's secret base for gathering forces and training elites. Its walls are heavily guarded by numerous spirit manipulators and tens of thousands of soldiers. Even if we had an

exposed once we found solid evidence against him and would never be able to explain. That's why he sent Flint to his secret base. Even if we could get in and find him down

Clan immediately. I'll ask my father to send over troops to Wal City to rescue my brother. The sooner, the better!" Sabina

City. The Ximen Clan's centennial celebration is tomorrow. If we destroy his plan of pursuing the Ximen Clan by then, Alston will be furious and will surely

a plan figured out?"

enough. Our biggest problem is that we don't know who to trust anymore. Even just sending out a simple signal for help will be too risky. We can't afford to leave with wool on our backs and come home with it shorn. If I team up with General Lance, we'll have a better chance. However, this will certainly alert the enemy and affect our plan,"

out of the question." Rocky nodded his head in

Marcia can't go, then who else will be able to

other choice,"

my younger brother. I'll do it." Sabina

in. Maybe I can help out a little," Lucilla offered. She was worried about

convenient to go on this mission alone. Besides, you have the Ximen Clan to deal with," Rocky