Chapter 1 Into the Night

As night fell, the warm light from the burning brazier illuminated the outer walls of Golden Fortress, casting an orange-red glow upon the cyan-grey bricks.

Most people had already retired for the night, and the castle was quiet. Only the occasional sound of armor plates rubbing together could be heard as the guards patrolled.

In the privy councilor’s bedroom, Roman was poring over intelligence reports late into the night.

“Tap, tap, tap…”

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Roman looked up in confusion. He had not arranged for any confidants to report to him tonight, so he immediately became alert.

“Who is it?”

As he spoke, he rose and tossed the intelligence into the fireplace, activating his witchcraft to quietly connect with the flames.

*Whoosh!* The fire suddenly blazed up, quickly consuming the paper into ashes.

At that moment, Bill’s slurred voice came from outside the door: “Councilor Roman, it’s Bill, here to chat with you.”

Coming over this late? Roman was somewhat surprised and cautiously opened the door.

Bill stood outside, swaying unsteadily, his face flushed red, smelling strongly of alcohol, and carrying a wine bottle. Two squads of guards followed behind him.

“What’s wrong? Why are you drinking so much?”

Roman was taken aback, remembering that Bill did not seem to have a drinking problem.

“Hic, today… happy!”

Zhou Jing staggered into the room, leaving Roman utterly bewildered as he welcomed him inside.

The two squads of guards also wanted to follow him in, but Zhou Jing suddenly turned around and shouted:

“I’m here to have a few drinks with my friend. Do you have to follow me? Does anyone think Councilor Roman would do anything bad to me? This is someone else’s room; it’s disrespectful for so many of you to come in. Stay away!”

The witless Hader and the disgruntled Leike exchanged glances, then helplessly led the guards away, deciding not to argue with a drunkard.

Although they were ostensibly there to protect him, they also served as guards, but they couldn’t be too intrusive, lest they provoke Bill’s displeasure. Besides, things had been peaceful for the past few months, and the guards were no longer as tense as they had been at first.

“It’s alright. You don’t need to worry about Master Bill’s safety. I have my own guards here.”

Roman smiled at the two squads of guards, instructing his men to guard the door and prevent the guards from getting close. Only then did he close the door.

Only he and Bill were left in the room.

“Master Bill, what brings you here so late?” Roman turned to look at him, his voice full of curiosity.

Zhou Jing staggered to a seat and plopped down, taking a swig of wine. He slurred, “I’m happy today! I wanted to come chat with you! Here, drink!”

*Are you out of your mind?*

Roman thought to himself, sensing that Zhou Jing was not acting normally. He casually took a bottle of wine from the cabinet, clinked glasses with Zhou Jing, and tentatively asked, “So, what makes you so happy today?”

Zhou Jing slammed the wine bottle on the table and thumped his chest with his thumb:

“Today, His Majesty the King bestowed a marriage upon me, betrothing me to the princess. We’ll be married in two months! Tell me, isn’t that something to be happy about?!”

Roman’s eyes narrowed. He had not yet received the news and was hearing it for the first time.

So they’re arranging the marriage so quickly… Is Becky getting impatient?

There’s not much time left…

Many thoughts flashed through Roman’s mind, but his face remained impassive as he raised his glass and smiled:

“To be able to marry the princess is indeed a cause for celebration. Congratulations.”

“Yes, to have the honor of marrying into the royal family, what else can I do but be happy?”

Zhou Jing took another gulp, his voice sounding somewhat dejected.

*What does he mean by that…?* A thought struck Roman.

“Princess Shuni is very beautiful. Are you not satisfied?”

“The King tells me who to marry, and I have to marry them. Does it matter if she’s beautiful or not?”

Zhou Jing spoke with a slur, his face flushed with drunkenness. The content of his words was gradually becoming sensitive.

Was he expressing dissatisfaction with the King’s bestowal of marriage?

Roman subconsciously began to analyze the situation.

But why come to him to vent his emotions? Was he not afraid that he would report him to the King?

Roman secretly suspected, but seeing Zhou Jing’s drunken appearance, and recalling the results of his test from a few months ago, he felt that it could be explained.

*Bill must have been suppressing himself for too long, and now, after drinking, he can’t help but reveal his true feelings.*

Noticing the subtle change in Roman’s expression, Zhou Jing maintained his drunken facade, his mind perfectly clear.

He had deliberately drunk a lot of wine before coming to Roman, precisely to feign a drunken outpouring of his true feelings.

Alcohol was an excellent disguise. If he had come sober, Roman would surely have become suspicious, wondering why he wasn’t “venting his emotions” about the King to someone else, or suspecting that Bill had seen through his charade.

But a drunken person was emotional, and even if he said some extreme things, Roman’s suspicions would be lessened, and he would be more willing to test him.

Bill was not an Hetero-blood warrior, but his initial physical qualities were superior to ordinary people, and his resistance to alcohol was not bad. He smelled strongly of alcohol, but was actually still sober.

“Alright, I’ll drink with you tonight.”

Realizing that this might be a good opportunity, Roman simply sat down and chatted and drank with Zhou Jing.

Zhou Jing gulped down wine, saying he was happy, but his face showed no sign of joy. He looked like he was swallowing bitter medicine.

The two chatted casually, mostly Zhou Jing talking and Roman chiming in.

“Councilor Roman, you’re the only friend I have in Golden Fortress. It’s so good to have someone to talk to.”

Zhou Jing pretended to reveal his true feelings.

Roman smiled: “It’s my honor to be friends with Master Bill… But you know so many people in Golden Fortress. Aren’t they your friends?”

He was indeed curious. He always felt that Bill’s attitude towards him was different from others, a little too enthusiastic. It was as if the two had become friends without even trying.

Zhou Jing thumped his chest with feigned excitement: “Bah, what friends are the others? Just worms trying to curry favor with me! I can feel that you’re different from them!”

Hearing this, Roman couldn’t help but fall into deep reflection.

*What exactly did I do wrong to make you think I wasn’t trying to curry favor with you?*

*I’m clearly trying to please you too. How am I different?*

Before Roman could respond, Zhou Jing suddenly sighed and added:

“And I don’t know why, but I feel a sense of closeness as soon as I see you. Maybe it’s because of our appearance. I’ve always thought we look alike.”

Roman couldn’t help but glance down at his potbelly, then at Bill, who was also on the chubby side.

*Looks aside, we are indeed quite similar…*

Roman resisted the urge to roll his eyes and decided not to argue with a drunkard, so he agreed: “I actually felt a sense of closeness when I first met you too. I was thinking, I wish I had a brother as capable as you. I’m happy to be friends with someone as compatible as you.”

“Haha, talking with you makes my heart feel lighter!”

Zhou Jing gave a thumbs up.

At this point, he suddenly sighed: “It’s a pity that when you get old and stop being privy councilor, we won’t be able to see each other anymore.”

“…Why do you say that?” Roman asked in surprise.

On Zhou Jing’s drunken face, a look of indignation appeared, as if he couldn’t control his emotions. He poured out his grievances:

“When you get old and step down as privy councilor, you won’t be able to live in Golden Fortress anymore, and I’ll be stuck in Golden Fortress for the rest of my life. Even if there’s only an inner wall separating us, we won’t be able to see each other.

The royal family is locking me up in the castle and forcing me to marry into their family. In the end, they just want to deprive me of my freedom. I’m not even allowed to leave the city alone. Who knows if they’ll go even further in the future? They have to make me marry a member of the royal family. Who knows if the wife I marry will be monitoring me like those squads of guards? Don’t think the King is saying nice things. In reality, I’m still an outsider!

They even say they want me to carry on the family line, but they just want to tie me down here and use my children as hostages. The King promises these benefits, thinking he can buy my freedom and make me willingly be ‘imprisoned’… Yes, I love money and fame, but I don’t want to be a tool for the rest of my life.

But now, even if I’m unwilling, even if I regret it, I can only be a puppet, obediently accepting their arrangements and being manipulated into any shape they want. I can’t even control my own marriage! Maybe I’ll only regain my freedom when I’m too old to walk, but what’s the point then?”

In Bill’s voice, Zhou Jing spewed out his “inner thoughts,” indicating that he was actually well aware of his situation.

Roman’s expression changed, and he snapped, “Bill, you’re drunk!”

Zhou Jing immediately shuddered, half of his drunkenness instantly fading away, as if waking from a dream. He had just realized what sacrilegious things he had said.

He deliberately panicked, stammering:

“I was just saying… Don’t tell the King… I’m just an ordinary person, powerless to resist. I’ll be a tool if I have to. At least I won’t have to worry about food and clothing. Anyway, after the marriage, I’ll accept my fate. This is how it’ll be for the rest of my life. I have no other hope.”

“Don’t worry, we’re friends. I won’t tell anyone… But don’t say such things to anyone else!”

Roman stood up and sternly warned him.

*Buddy, that’s enough. Do you really think you’re a loyal subject…?* Zhou Jing secretly rolled his eyes.

Roman had been slow to act for the past few months, which showed his inner hesitation and his concern for risk.

Zhou Jing deliberately said these words to give Roman a clearer, firmer signal, to make him truly feel comfortable fighting for him and to urge Roman to act quickly.

Seeing Roman’s uncertain expression, Zhou Jing secretly pursed his lips, but he acted regretful and helpless, struggling to stand up, as if feeling guilty:

“Sorry, I’ve bothered you for so long. I should go.”

As he spoke, he patted his face, making it look like he was trying to sober up, and then moved towards the door.

Roman watched Zhou Jing’s back, his mind in turmoil.

During this period, he had been having people investigate Bill’s credibility, and there were no problems. It was basically ruled out that Bill was a pawn in the King’s fishing scheme.

Now, Bill had revealed his innermost thoughts to him, expressing his resentment and helplessness towards the royal family’s restrictions on his freedom… The conditions for winning this person over were completely met!

The only uncertainty was whether Bill was just talking or if he really had the guts to change his situation and was willing to pay the price.

Many thoughts flashed through his mind, and just as Zhou Jing was about to touch the door knocker, Roman finally made up his mind and spoke:

“Master Bill, if you’re really unwilling, I might be able to help you.”

Zhou Jing turned around, looking completely confused: “Help me with what?”

Roman slowly said, “Not be someone else’s tool, not be manipulated like a puppet, and regain your freedom.”

Zhou Jing deliberately froze, stunned in place.

At this time, Roman lowered his voice: “But it depends on what you’re willing to give up for freedom. If you break free from the royal family’s control, the wealth, power, and status you have now will all disappear and turn into the royal family’s hostility towards you.”

“What… What are you talking about?” Zhou Jing feigned shock.

“You’ve already heard it.” Roman put away his amiable smile and calmly nodded. “I have the ability to help you, but if you don’t dare to accept such a price, you should just live your current life obediently. It’s more suitable for you.”

“What do I have to be afraid of? Compared to everything the royal family has promised, I want freedom more. Give me liberty, or give me death!”

Zhou Jing’s tone was decisive.

But he immediately expressed strong suspicion towards Roman, throwing out a series of questions:

“But why should I trust you? You’re the privy councilor, a person of high position and great power. Why would you undermine the royal family’s plan to help me? Aren’t you afraid of being discovered by the King? Aren’t you afraid that I’ll tell the King what you’re saying now? Do you trust me that much?”

Roman smiled. The more uneasy Zhou Jing seemed, the more relieved he became.

“I have my own purposes for helping you. You just need to know that I’m nominally the privy councilor, but I’m not on the same side as the royal family.”

Hearing this, Zhou Jing’s expression changed, as if he had calmed down. He suddenly said:

“Since you’re not on the same side as the royal family, then your help is because you don’t want the royal family to exclusively control a potion master like me, as well as the new Hetero-blood potion formula in my hands… So your need is also my potion.”

“I don’t deny that, but I also truly regard you as a friend. I understand what you’re worried about. I won’t control your freedom like the royal family.” Roman nodded.

“Why should I believe you?” Zhou Jing frowned.

“I’m different from the King. He wants to keep everything in his hands, but I’ve never wanted to control everything.”

As he spoke, Roman suddenly smiled:

“Besides, I’m confident that you won’t leave me.”

“Is it because you think that after I escape the royal family’s control, I’ll have nowhere to go and no choice but to stay by your side?” Zhou Jing deliberately responded coldly.

Roman chuckled: “No, it’s because I can provide you with things that the royal family can’t, and fulfill your dreams.”

“What dreams do I have?” Zhou Jing feigned confusion.

Roman slowly walked to the fireplace, casually stroking the bricks, and slowly said:

“Do you remember a few months ago, when we talked about what constitutes wealth and power? You said that strength is the greatest power, but you didn’t dare to risk obtaining power through Hetero-blood warriors.

The royal family’s offer is indeed very high, but they’re all superficial things, given to you by others and can be taken back at any time. They never truly belong to you. And I can give you something more valuable, something far more important than money and status, something that can control your own destiny, and that is… risk-free power!”

As soon as he finished speaking,

*Whoosh—*

The flames in the fireplace turned into three fire pythons, rising into the air and emitting an astonishing heat. The temperature in the room instantly soared.

A scorching aura swept over them.

Zhou Jing’s heart skipped a beat. He pretended to be shocked and pressed himself tightly against the wall, exclaiming in surprise, “What is this?!”

“In this world, Hetero-blood warriors aren’t the only source of power. What I control… is called witchcraft!”

Roman smiled and raised his palm. The three fire pythons rapidly shrunk, turning into three well-behaved small fireballs, floating in the palm of his hand.

Illuminated by the firelight, he looked at Bill and said slowly:

“If I wanted to, I could kill the two squads of Hetero-blood warrior guards monitoring you in a few breaths.

Witchcraft doesn’t require risking your life like Hetero-blood warriors, Master Bill. This is the power you’ve been dreaming of, power that can be cultivated without taking life-threatening risks!”

Roman waved his hand casually, and the fireballs fell into the fireplace, turning back into a warm fire.

After displaying all of this, he looked at Zhou Jing with burning eyes:

“If you want to learn, I’ll teach you!”

*—So this guy is really a witch!*

Zhou Jing’s eyes gleamed with excitement, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

*You bastard, you finally revealed your hand!*