The Princess And The Lord-Chapter 1424: Heartfelt Reunion

In the mystique realm, the restrictions of time had been lifted, allowing everything within it to flow more naturally now. As Zhao Li Xin’s power continued to grow, the mystique realm itself had expanded once again.

Where there had once been only the manor and its immediate surroundings, there now stretched a vast and ethereal white bamboo forest and a serene lake that shimmered like glass under the pale light.

The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful—almost otherworldly in its perfection. Yet, to any observer who looked more closely, a subtle, unsettling strangeness lingered. The air was still and unnervingly silent, devoid of the usual sounds of life: no chirping birds, no buzzing insects, no rustle of creatures moving through the underbrush. It was as if the realm, for all its beauty, existed in a state of lifeless suspension.

Seated in the pavilion by the tranquil lake, Zhao Li Xin’s expression was unreadable, though his exquisitely arched brows were furrowed in deep concentration. Resting in his palm was a grotesque object—a small, black seed no larger than his hand, its surface laced with glowing greenish veins that pulsed faintly like a beating heart. The sight of it was enough to make one’s skin crawl.

[What a disgusting creature, master...] a voice spoke suddenly. A flicker of flame materialized at Zhao Li Xin’s side—the fire spirit, its form wreathed in dancing embers. [How could you touch something so vile?] the spirit’s tone carried both revulsion and worry.

Without replying, Zhao Li Xin drew out a small silver box, its surface engraved with intricate symbols of array. With practiced precision, he placed the pulsing seed inside and slid the lid shut. As soon as it closed, the carvings on the lid came alive, glowing faintly as they shifted and spiraled, locking the box with a tight formation.

This was no ordinary container—it was a specially crafted vessel designed to seal away dangerous or precious items. Only Zhao Li Xin himself possessed the ability to unravel the formation and open it again.

[This thing... more interesting than I thought,] he smirk, but his sharp eyes flickering with a trace of hidden disgust.

Rising to his feet, he strode to the edge of the lake. Kneeling slightly, he dipped his hands into the cool, pristine water, washing them carefully as though to cleanse the lingering taint of the seed’s foul energy. Ripples spread across the still surface, warping his reflection before it settled once more into glassy stillness.

[Master, is it part of that thing they call Zalchana?] the fire spirit asked curiously, its voice crackling like embers.

[It is,] Zhao Li Xin replied, his tone low and measured. [I sensed the same strange power when I fought the Paladin. I was certain it comes from the same source...but this one is different.]

[Different how, Master?] the fire spirit asked, trotting behind him. Its fiery form wavered with restless energy, the tips of its flames snapping like impatient tongues.

Zhao Li Xin’s eyes fell on the metallic box resting quietly on the pavilion table. The faint glint of its surface reflected in his black, but his expression darkened, layered with a profound solemnity.

[The one that belonged to the Paladin felt weak...] Zhao Li Xin began, his voice low and even.

[ though, it’s understandable. According to the information Lory obtained about Project Resurgence, the seed had to be diluted first before it could be absorbed by humans. Perhaps that explains the lack of strength. But this one...] His eyes narrowed, watching as a faint, almost imperceptible pulse throbbed from within the box.

[We know this creature—this ’Scion’—is part of the progenitor Zalchana. At first, I thought it was nothing more than a fragment, a mindless piece of the progenitor, existing only to serve its will. But when I tried to kill it...]

His voice grew quieter, edged with a rare hint of intrigue. [I could feel it resisting me. It fought back. And for the briefest moment... it felt almost like resentment.]

The fire spirit gasped sharply, its flames flaring higher in surprise. [So you’re saying this thing isn’t controlled by Zalchana? Does it have its own mind? Its own... sentience?] The words came out in a mix of awe and unease.

Zhao Li Xin elegantly tilted his head, his expression unreadable as his thoughts deepened. [I can’t be certain—not until I meet the creature called Zalchana face-to-face,] he admitted calmly.

Zhao Li Xin then drew his gaze away from the box. he exhaled slowly, a faint sigh escaping his lips. [Regardless, this Scion is still a part of Zalchana. And through it, we may uncover more of what the progenitor truly is...perhaps it’s weakness.]

[Well, that’s good and all, Master,] the fire spirit murmured, its voice softer now but tinged with uneasiness.

Its flames flickered and dimmed slightly as it pondered aloud. [But... if this creature is truly part of Zalchana, wouldn’t the progenitor sense if something happened to it? And if it does... how do you think it would react?]

A cold, devilish smile curved across Zhao Li Xin’s handsome face, his beautiful onyx eyes glinting with a dangerous edge. [It wouldn’t be good.]

___________________________________________

Somewhere deep underground, a shrill, inhuman wail echoed through the cavernous facility. The sound vibrated violently, rattling metal beams and sending tremors that cracked the floor.

Dust rained down from the ceiling as thick tree roots erupted from beneath, twisting and clawing their way into the concrete like hungry serpents.

The guards began to shove the heavy steel door shut, their faces set with cold determination. Behind them, chaos reigned. The paladin in white robes surged forward, desperate to escape as alarms wailed and the ground quaked beneath their feet.

"Wait! Don’t close it yet!" one man shouted, his glasses slipping down his nose as he clawed at the narrowing gap.

Some managed to squeeze through just in time, stumbling into the corridor beyond with wide, terrified eyes. But others weren’t so lucky.

"No! Please!" a woman screamed, slamming her palms against the door as it inched shut.

"Don’t leave us in here! Let us out!" another voice cried, raw with terror.

Their horror-filled faces were the last thing the guards saw before the steel door slammed shut with a deafening clang. Heavy bolts slid into place, sealing their fate.

On the other side, muffled pounding and bloodcurdling screams echoed through the thick metal as those left behind realized their doom.

"Get on positions! Hold the line!" the captain barked, his voice tight with fear. The men leveled their rifles at the denting steel, fingers twitching on triggers as the deafening pounding continued—each blow warping the thick iron until it bulged inward like tin foil.

"Captain! What do we do?!" one soldier shouted, his voice cracking.

The captain’s pale face glistened with sweat, his hands gripping the stock of his heavy assault weapon. "Call Mr. Chawtorn!" he snapped. "Now! Tell him—it’s breaking loose!"

A soldier fumbled for his satellite phone, thumbs shaking as he punched in the emergency code. A curt voice answered almost instantly on the other end.

"Mr. Chawtorn! Zalchana’s gone berserk!" the soldier blurted out, panic choking his words. "What are your orders?!"

Before a reply could come, a deafening crash silenced the room. The giant iron doors were hurled inward like paper, slamming against the walls with a metallic scream. From the gaping breach, hundreds of tree branches shot out like waves, thick vines writhing in a frenzy.

"OPEN FIRE!" the captain roared.

Gunfire erupted, muzzle flashes strobing the dark corridor as bullets tore into the advancing foliage. But it was no use. The living branches snatched soldiers midair, crushing ribs and piercing flesh with ruthless precision. Screams filled the chamber as vines coiled around throats and limbs, dragging men into the shadows.

The few survivors staggered backward, weapons clattering to the floor as terror took hold. But Zalchana did not relent. It was insatiable, unstoppable—a force of nature unleashed.

"HELP US!"

"AAAHHKK!"

Hysterical screams and sporadic gunfire crackled through the phone’s speaker, sharp and jarring. Arlo Chawtorn frowned, pulling the device away from his ear with a look of irritation. He let out a slow breath, composing himself before glancing at Theodore Navaro, who sat at a massive table, casually leafing through a stack of reports.

"Sir, Zalchana has gone berserk," Arlo reported flatly. "It’s killed all personnel at the facility. What are your orders?"

Theodore leaned back in his leather chair, fingers drumming idly on the armrest. He appeared to ponder for a moment, then waved a hand dismissively. "Lock down the facility. And call Alexander—tell him to send a few healers to calm the creature."

His eyes dropped back to the documents before him, his tone detached, as if sacrificing dozens of lives was nothing more than an administrative inconvenience.

Arlo hesitated. "Sir... Mr.Behrenn may not take kindly to us sending more healers. He mentioned it’s getting harder to cover this up."

Theodore snorted softly, his gaze never leaving the pages. "That’s his problem. If he can’t manage something as minor as this, how can he hope to achieve our ultimate goal?"

"Yes, Sir." Arlo gave a crisp nod and turned on his heel, already dialing another number as he strode toward the door. But before he could leave, Theodore’s cold voice cut through the room like a sharp blade.

"Arlo."

Theodore set his documents aside, his piercing gaze fixed on his subordinate. "Check on King Lucas. Something must have happened to the Scion."

Arlo straightened, his face hardening with resolve. "Right away, Sir!" He stepped out briskly, the door clicking shut behind him with a soft finality.

The room fell into an uneasy silence. Theodore’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he turned toward the massive glass window behind his desk. Outside, the city lights flickered like dying embers under a stormy sky. His fist clenched until his knuckles whitened.

"Lucients..." he muttered under his breath, the name dripping with venom and malice.

________________________________

When Zhao Li Xin returned from the Mystique Realm, the first thing he heard was the cheerful chatter of people announcing, "The King has regained consciousness!"

A rare warmth flickered across Zhao Li Xin’s expression. He felt relief, not for the king per se, but for Lory. He could only imagine how overjoyed she must be right now. Still, he hesitated. Should he tell her what he’d discovered in the Mystique Realm? No... not yet. He didn’t want to ruin their heartfelt reunion.

Besides, he had something far more important to focus on: meeting Lucas in person. He didn’t know what Lucas would think of him. In this world, Zhao Li Xin had no background, no authority, no family name, and none of the vast wealth he once possessed.

Meanwhile, Lory was a princess of the most powerful country on the continent. Would Lucas accept an ’ordinary’ man like him? For the first time in his life, Zhao Li Xin felt his confidence waver.

If Lory and the others knew about this, they’d probably scream on top of their lungs: which part of you is ’ordinary’?!

Still, anxiety pricked at him. He understood how important her brother’s approval was to Lory. And now, for the first time since reaching adulthood, Zhao Li Xin found himself feeling self-conscious.

Did he look presentable enough? Should he change his clothes? Tidy his hair? But what even counted as appropriate when meeting the in-laws for the first time? He didn’t know. And there was no one he could ask, not without losing precious time.

And he cannot delay their meeting any longer, or it might only leave a bad impression on Lory’s one and only biological family.

With a quiet sigh, Zhao Li Xin straightened his clothes, ran a hand through his hair, and steeled himself.

Standing outside the door, Zhao Li Xin cleared his throat and straightened his clothes, smoothing invisible wrinkles. He raised his hand to knock—then froze as loud voices and laughter erupted from inside.

Frowning in confusion, he pushed the door open slightly and peeked in, and what he saw made him pause.

Lucas was holding Lory’s wrist in a battle of wills. She had a spoon poised near his mouth, her expression fierce.

"Eat it! You need to eat!" Lory barked, her patience wearing thin.

"No! There’s broccoli in there!" Lucas protested, turning his head away like a stubborn child. "You’re thirty-six! How can you still be this picky?!" Lory growled.

Lucas shot her a smug look. "Ha! That’s rich—coming from you."

Across the room, Jay laughed while eating a chip without care. "You’re so old and still can’t eat broccoli?!"

Clift feels sorry for Lucas and then says, "Just let him eat something else. It doesn’t have to be broccoli, right?"

"This is why I told you not to spoil him, look what happened!" Lory snapped back, then glared at everyone in the room.

On the couch, Fredhardt sipped his tea and then spoke with an indifferent tone. "Eat your veggies, Your Majesty. If you faint again...Fargo’s going to give you CPR."

Fargo blowing Lucas a kiss, then winked playfully, "Ready anytime.~"

Lucas froze. Goosebumps shot up his arms. "D-don’t you dare, Fargy! My first kiss won’t be stolen by you!" he blurted out without thinking.

The room went silent for half a second. freёwebnoѵel.com

Then—

"You’ve never been kissed?!" Lory’s eyes went wide, then narrowed into a teasing grin.

"Yes! Our King is a virgin who can’t eat veggies," Fredhardt sighed heavily, the realization bringing disappointment to his heart.

"Luckily, he didn’t die a virgin," Jay muttered under his breath.

"That would’ve been a tragedy," Clift shook his head with genuine relief.

"SHUT UP!" Lucas bellowed, his entire face turning crimson. He looked so mortified that he looked about to faint again. But Lucas somehow held on, knowing full well that, dam* man, Fargo wouldn’t hesitate to swoop in with CPR.

No matter what, he needed to protect the sanctity of his lips!

"Aww... my big brother’s an old virgin~" Lory teased mercilessly.

From the doorway, Zhao Li Xin watched the scene unfold, unsure whether to step in or quietly retreat. For the first time in his life, he felt genuine sympathy for his brother-in-law.

’Poor man, he just recovered, but he is already surrounded by enemies even more, he was outnumbered.

Read 𝓁atest chapters at fr(e)ewebnov𝒆l.com Only