Chapter 286: Forgive!
A voice entered from the other side: "Can you hear me, your highness?"
It was Han Wuji.
"Yes, Wuji. Speak." Ashen spoke clearly.
"Your Highness, Lord Lei Tian Hao is ready to speak with you." Han Wuji reported. "Should I hand him the sphere?"
"Yes, give it to him." Ashen permitted.
Then, a deep voice came from the sphere.
This voice was deep; however, it was still incomparable to Shang Wu.
"Lei Tian Hao greets the ninth royal prince and the nephew of my master—Your Highness Fang Ashen."
He was courteous, and Ashen liked it. "I also feel blessed to finally get to talk to you, Lord Lei Tian Hao." He was polite. "Have you read the scroll from Uncle Shang Wu?!" He inquired.
"Yes, your highness." The voice answered from the sphere, "Would you like me to come to your side right now?" His tone was chivalrous, like a knight from fairy tales.
"No need to hurry, Lord Hao," Ashen replied with a polite smile. "First, I have something to ask you."
"Ask right away, your highness." The voice was quick to reply.
Ashen was pleased as he inquired, "Lord Hao, may I know the color of your lightning?"
"Color of my lightning?" The surprised voice came out of the sphere. It sounded confused; however, it still answered, "It's black, your highness..."
As Ashen heard this, a disappointed expression flashed on his face.
Sigh, it appears I need to find someone else to disguise as Lin Feng...
Ashen thought, shaking his head; however, at this moment, the voice continued:
"But I can change the color of my lightning to any color!"
"What? Really?" Ashen asked to confirm; however, his eyes couldn't hide the joy and relief he received from this news.
"Yes, your highness." The voice replied. "Actually, I initially had blue-colored lightning just like everyone else, but when I saw Master's black lightning, I couldn't help but desire the same color for my lightning as well. It was after I advanced to the emperor realm and raised my attainment to quasi grandmaster in the lightning path that I discovered the technique to change the color of my lightning to not just black but to any color."
Ashen couldn't hide his joy as his eyes shone brightly. He felt like dancing to celebrate; however, containing himself and remaining composed, he let out his excitement just from a comment in his mind.
It appears luck is on my side this time...
"Ahem," Ashen cleared his throat before speaking into the sphere. "Then, Lord Hao, please change your lightning to the red color, then follow Han Wuji and come to my side."
"As you wish, your highness." The voice spoke politely before Han Wuji took over.
"Wuji, bring him with you to the forest of beasts and wait for my next command." Ashen instructed.
"Understood." Wuji said in acknowledgement.
Ashen disconnected the sphere and went back to his cultivation.
The next day, another sphere rang. This was connected to Ji Jun.
Ashen picked up the sphere and spoke, "Speak, Ji Jun."
Ji Jun's voice came from the other side, "Your Highness, I have completed the task you assigned to me. Should I bring the mask to you?"
"Well done, Ji Jun." Ashen praised. "Bring the mask to the forest of beasts. I shall wait for you."
"Understood, your highness."
Ashen disconnected the sphere and went back to cultivate.
Two days later, he received the mask from Ji Jun and sent him back.
Ashen was satisfied with the mask's quality and detailing.
Till now, Ashen had spent 2 million villain points more on the formation he bought from the system, leaving him with 6 million Villain Points.
On the same day, after Ji Jun left, Lei Tian Hao and Han Wuji came to the forest of beasts to Ashen's side.
Ashen ordered them to stay in the forest and handed the mask to Han Wuji. He didn't trust Lei Tian Hao enough right now.
The next day, he returned to the Zhuji tribe for the Conqueror's battlefield and defeated Prince Ming Han's side.
Then the treasure, the eternal life dew, made its appearance to the world.
It was after the long meeting of the Zhuji Tribe regarding the treasure that Ashen changed his original plans.
He decided to make use of this newly originated treasure.
After returning from the meeting, he went to his room and called Han Wuji through the communication sphere.
Fanrong and the others were busy preparing to leave at midnight to go after the treasure.
He had already made the new plan when he was in the meeting. He was getting new ideas along with every bit of information that was shared in the meeting.
The only thing left now was to execute this plan.
As the call connected, Han Wuji's voice came through: "Your Highness, this subordinate is listening."
"Wuji, you know about the treasure that appeared in the forest's center, right?" Ashen inquired.
"Yes, your highness." Han Wuji replied. "We already know about the treasure's appearance. We have hidden our presence and are in the outer region of the forest."
"Good." Ashen said calmly. "Then listen carefully to my plan and convey this to Lord Lei Tian Hao."
Ashen continued, his tone calm and dignified:
"Give the mask to Lord Lei Tian Hao and instruct him to claim the treasure under Lin Feng's guise. He must not show himself until all eight tribes' expedition teams have gathered before the treasure—only then, at the most critical instant, is he to act.
He is to use only red lightning when he strikes, ensuring that no one questions his identity. Have him attack Qin Feng twice—make the strikes appear ruthless and domineering, yet hollow in true force.
Inform him that I will intervene at the 'last moment' to shield Qin Feng and suffer a blow in his stead. That single act will earn their trust and neatly draw the curtain on the role of 'Huan Tian.'"
"Brilliant! You are going to frame Lin Feng for the crime of robbing a treasure of the north!" Han Wuji's impressed voice resounded out of the sphere. "I shall carry out your order without any mistakes."
Han Wuji and Ji Jun were both aware of Ashen hunting protagonists. He had informed both of them that killing people with great luck lets him rise in cultivation.
He also revealed that he was already a king realm cultivator to make them trust his words more.
After knowing this, both of them could see Ashen soaring high in the future.
Han Wuji had a grudge against him; however, after Ashen promised him to take care of his other grandsons, Han Wuji was able to accept Ashen more easily.
He thought that thinking about the future was more beneficial than lingering on the past. Moreover, he didn't have any other choice.
If there was a way for him to better his life, why shouldn't he go for it?
"Wuji, also take Lord Lei Tian Hao to the Eastern region after he acquires the treasure. Plant some evidence that proves it was indeed Lin Feng who robbed the treasure. Lastly, leave the treasure on the same island where Lin Feng is recuperating his wounds." Ashen ordered.
"Don't worry, your highness." Han Wuji replied confidently. "Leave this matter to me."
"Alright, Wuji. I'll cut the call now."
Ashen said before cutting the call. He then went out to help Fanrong and the others before gathering in front of the forest.
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