Stranger Danger

"Alright, the inconsequential people are gone. Can we continue our discussion, Master Feng?"

"What discussion?" Yu Hongfeng looked confused until he recalled their conversation. "Oh, you mean dealing with Yu Hongluan."

"No, it's too risky. You simply do not have the numbers. Forget that Yu Hongluan is an incredibly powerful Half-Sage, she is accompanied by six Truemen and Grandmasters as well, each one is extraordinary in their own right. Combined with a couple thousand Floating Guards, and they'll crush you without even getting blood on their hands."

"You humans have a saying called, 'Quality beats quantity'. Sometimes, quantity is not necessarily sufficient."

The man said calmly, "Besides, our only goal is Yu Hongluan. We do not need to head to head against the others."

"But..." Yu Hongfeng was still worried.

"No buts," The man cut off Yu Hongfeng coldly and domineeringly. "Maybe you don't trust them, but surely you trust me?"

"You? Who are you?" Yu Hongfeng asked belatedly.

"I am Jewel Tree."

As he spoke, his figure and countenance began changing slowly. His thin, petite figure became tall and muscular, his coarse, dark face turned handsome and cold, and bluish green light began flowing inside his pitch black pupils. At the same time, a tree-shaped mark shone mysteriously from his forehead. He looked like a deity right now.

It wasn't just the man. The two women accompanying him had transformed into gorgeous beauties in their own right. One of them looked like an ice queen, and the other a devilish temptress.

"Jewel Tree? Jewel Tree Prince?" If this was any other time, Yu Hongfeng's attention would have been completely stolen by the two beauties. But now, he was so surprised that he jumped to his feet and cried out, "You're the Jewel Tree Prince?"

"It is I."

The Jewel Tree Prince said smilingly, "I have personally come to see things through. You can relax now, right?"

The Jewel Tree Prince's voice was as soft and effeminate as a woman's, but his tone was domineering and commanding.

It's really you?"

Yu Hongfeng still could not quite believe his ears, however. Staring blankly at Jewel Tree Prince, he asked, "How... How do you dare come to Floating Island?"

Jewel Tree Prince returned to his seat, and the woman beside him immediately poured him a cup of wine. He elegantly sipped from the cup before countering, "Why wouldn't I dare?"

Yu Hongfeng sucked in a few deep breaths to control his shock. "This is Floating Island and Yu Hongluan's domain! Aren't you afraid that I would tell her about your existence? You will die a million times over if I did!"

"I believe you won't," Jewel Tree Prince said calmly.

Yu Hongfeng sneered, "What makes you think that?"

"Because I can give you what you want."

Jewel Tree Prince said calmly, "Don't you want to become a hero? Don't you want to surpass Yu Hongfeng? Don't you want to become the lord of Floating Island? Don't you want to make those who look down on you grovel before your feet and look up to you?"

"You can't do this yourself. Yu Hongluan can't do it for you either. But I can. I can fulfill all of your wishes."

Eyes bloodshot and panting heavily, Yu Hongfeng said nothing and simply glared at Jewel Tree Prince for a time. The latter did not react though. He simply drank his wine at leisure and waited for Yu Hongfeng to respond.

"Hahaha! As expected of the Jewel Tree Prince, the one they call the wisest and most courageous of the Rakshasa Kingdom!"

A moment later, Yu Hongfeng barked out in laughter. "You have my approval!"

That's right. This man was not, in fact, a human. He was a Stranger belonging to the Rakshasa Kingdom, sworn enemy of the human race. Not only that, he was one of the thirteen princes of the Rakshasa Kingdom.

The thirteen princes of the Rakshasa King formed the central pillar of the Rakshasa Kingdom. The Jewel Tree Prince in particular was among the best of the best.

Most of the princes were famed for their martial strength and brutality, but the Jewel Tree Prince was famed for his cunning and wisdom. His conspiracies had dealt many a terrible blow to the Profound Alliance.

This was why the Jewel Tree Prince was famous even though he hadn't become prince for more than two decades. Internally, his prestige was not inferior to anyone of the twelve princes.

Compared to the simpletons that made up the large majority of the Rakshasa Kingdom, the Profound Alliance clearly feared and loathed the Jewel Tree Prince more. He was ranked third on their Profound Alliance Rakshasa Extermination List. The top person on the list was the Rakshasa King who founded the Rakshasa Kingdom himself, and the second person was the White Robe Demon Master who created their culture and institution. This should show just how highly the Profound Alliance rated Jewel Tree Prince.

The Rakshasa Kingdom's view of aesthetics was the opposite that of a human. The uglier someone was, the more attractive they were considered to be. This was why most of the Strangers living in the Rakshasa Kingdom boasted ugly appearances in their human form. Jewel Tree Prince was the only one who possessed a devilishly handsome appearance. He often dressed like a human and indulged in the luxuries like a human as well. He was distinctively different from the other Strangers.

It was worth noting that the Jewel Tree Prince was the son of a prince Yu Hongluan had killed over a decade ago, Jewel Tree Prince.

That's right. The prince Yu Hongluan had killed was also named Jewel Tree Prince.

Barring exceptional circumstances, the number, status, and title of the thirteen princes of the Rakshasa Kingdom never changed. When the father died, the son would inherit. When an older brother passed away, the younger brother would succeed. After the former Jewel Tree Prince died, his son inherited his status and title. That was the person sitting before Yu Hongfeng now.

Yu Hongfeng never imagined that the infamous, noble, and most promising Jewel Tree Prince would risk his own life to infiltrate the heart of Floating Island—the very land that had once gotten his father killed—and appear before him.

Was he fearless and ignorant? Or was he that confident that he would become the ultimate victor?

"You flatter me, Master Feng," Jewel Tree Prince replied, though it was clear he accepted Yu Hongfeng's praise as what it was.

"There is also a human saying called, 'A virtuous man does not stand next to a wall about to collapse'. You are a Rakshasa prince, and yet you came here alone? What if an accident happens?" Yu Hongfeng asked.

"As long as the plan is suitable and flawless, then an accident simply won't happen." Jewel Tree Prince said softly but confidently.

"You're that confident, huh?"

Yu Hongfeng grunted. "You're not afraid of repeating the previous Jewel Tree Prince's mistake?"

"You dare!" The cold woman sitting next to Jewel Tree Prince exploded.

"Calm." Jewel Tree Prince stopped her though. He did not seem to be angry at all as he replied gently, "I am not like my father. My father was impetuous and risk-loving. He also prefers to solve problems with his brawns. I am the opposite of him. I prefer to think before I act; plan before I execute. I never do something that I am not confident about."

"Do you know why I've chosen to come here personally? To take matters into my own hands?"

He wasn't just asking Yu Hongfeng. He was talking to his two female companions as well.

"Because I want to prove to my king, the princes, and all the citizens of the Rakshasa Kingdom that I am better than my father and my peers. What they can do, I can do. What they cannot do, I can do as well."

"I, Jewel Tree Prince, am the key to the rejuvenation of the Rakshasa Kingdom. I am the minister who will guide my king in fulfilling his grand ambitions."

"You are a master strategist of unparalleled wisdom and courage, Your Highness. We servants are all in awe of you."

The two women bowed to Jewel Tree Prince with zeal and fervor.

Even Yu Hongfeng was intimidated by his presence for a time.