Volume One, Chapter Sixteen: No Kneeling Allowed

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Gesa suddenly shifted his tone, “However... there might be a way to bring him back from the brink of death.”

As the words fell, everyone quickly turned to look at Gesa.

...

Kedash ripped the “jade ornament” from his waist and threw it to the ground.

Damn it, today someone told him that it wasn’t a mere jade pendant at all, but an object used for intimacy between men and women!

Furious, he stormed to the market and overturned the vendor’s stall.

The vendor pitifully defended himself and ended up giving away his best treasures just to appease this nobleman.

Now, Kedash looked at the strange assortment of items on the bed and grew even angrier.

As if that wasn’t enough, someone was pushing him to the brink.

Lilan knelt at his feet, begging him to save her rival in love.

Veins bulged on Kedash’s forehead; his chest ached from anger, and he almost wished he could strangle this little woman.

“Get up. No more kneeling!” He grabbed her roughly and pulled her to her feet.

Lilan stood before him, tears streaming endlessly.

“Please, can you save him...” Her voice choked with emotion.

“No.” Kedash’s voice was cold as ice.

Lilan’s delicate hand poked at his hard back, her sobs pouring out, “I beg you... He’s severely injured. Gesa said only the Snow Lotus Pill can save him, and only you, the Great King, have it...”

Kedash turned his back to her, clenching his fists. He had always thought she was just stubborn, but for that man, she was willing to repeatedly humble herself.

“If you ever lower yourself for that man again, I’ll make sure he dies a worse death.”

Lilan fell silent instantly.

Scalding tears continued to flow as she gazed at his broad back. Even in her cries, she dared not utter a sound.

Gesa had said there were only twelve hours left. After that, even with the Snow Lotus Pill, it would be too late.

Yet despite her soft and hard pleas, this cold man would not budge an inch. His heart was like a towering wall, without the slightest crack, offering no hope.

Lilan had never felt so helpless.

Kedash listened to the stifled sobbing behind him, irritation growing.

He had never been a gentle man.

At his limit, he shook off the ropes swiftly and expertly bound her to the bed.

Yet the faint sound of her sobbing still pierced his ears.

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He could only roughly stuff something into her mouth to silence the crying.

The atmosphere in the tent was eerie—though quieter, Kedash remained full of anger.

Afraid he might lose control and strangle her, he lifted his foot to step outside for fresh air.

Suddenly, a faint sound of wetness came from the bed behind him.

A chill ran down his spine. Turning to look, he saw the little woman tied to the bed, her face flushed red, mouth gagged, leaving only her large, glistening eyes visible.

She looked as if she had been bullied.

So pitiful.

“Please...” she mumbled unclearly, tears shining like crystals in her eyes.

Her petite body was tangled amidst the scattered objects on the bed.

Kedash felt his chest struck softly by something tender, and his anger instantly extinguished.

After a long moment, he untied her. His eyes darkened gradually.

Like a beast long dormant suddenly spotting a feast.

His voice was hoarse: “I never make a bad bargain.”

Lilan understood immediately.

With so many exquisite items on the bed, he wanted her to try each one on for him.

...

The campfire blazed fiercely. Bahu and Baoqin sat among the barbarians, animatedly telling stories of the Central Plains.

Baozhu came running, out of breath.

“Sister, you should hurry and see— that little vixen has been in the Great King’s tent for so long and hasn’t come out!”

Baoqin’s eyes darkened. She stood up swiftly.

Baozhu continued, “I told you, that little fox spirit has all sorts of tricks. She might have charmed the Great King completely. Then forget the Snow Lotus Pill— even the immortal pills from the Supreme Lord’s alchemy furnace, the Great King would bring them to her!”

“The Great King is not so foolish,” Baoqin warned coldly.

Baozhu paced anxiously. “Though the Great King is rational and wise, he won’t withstand that little vixen’s endless charms!”

Bahu rose leisurely, handing Baozhu a roasted pigeon, crisp outside and tender inside. “The Snow Lotus Pill is a divine treasure granted by the grasslands, extremely rare. It takes decades to create one, and only the Great King deserves to use it. Even if that Central Plains woman begged on her knees, the Great King wouldn’t give it to her. Baozhu, don’t be so alarmed.”

Seeing their casual attitudes, Baozhu stomped her foot in frustration.

“You were far away in the Central Plains back then, so you don’t understand the situation. I see it clearly—the Great King is very protective of that little vixen!”

Baoqin replied, “Even if he protects her, she’s just a plaything for his desires. Kedash doesn’t truly like her.”

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Bahu agreed, “Yeah, that Central Plains woman may be beautiful. It’s normal for the Great King to be infatuated for a few days. The Snow Lotus Pill is a divine treasure—he knows what matters most.”

Others among the barbarians chimed in, “Indeed, Lady Baozhu, the Great King’s favorite is still our Baoqin. Don’t overthink it. Sit down and listen to the story with us.”

Faced with these people, Baozhu was speechless—no one was willing to believe her!

Fuming, she stomped twice more and left in a huff.

In her opinion, the Great King might have already given the Snow Lotus Pill to that little vixen.

No matter how anxious she was, it was useless!

The scent of roasted meat wafted across the grasslands. Inside the large tent, Kedash’s bare arms were exposed, the little woman sleeping on his sturdy arm.

He watched her sleeping face, and the gloom on his handsome visage vanished completely.

After a whole night of turmoil, he realized his little woman was truly talented in many ways.

He greatly enjoyed it.

Rising, he did not move quietly, yet the little woman on the bed did not stir at all, still sleeping soundly, clearly exhausted.

Gesa was also asleep, but Kedash mercilessly yanked him awake.

“Make another Snow Lotus Pill,” he ordered.

Gesa blinked sleepily, thinking the Great King was joking.

The herbs required for the Snow Lotus Pill were rare and difficult to obtain. Even if all ingredients were gathered, it required dozens of master alchemists working together, taking seven to eight years at the shortest, or decades at the longest, to produce a single pill.

The seven tribes of the grasslands had often fought fiercely over just one Snow Lotus Pill.

It was not something he could make casually.

“Great King, you flatter me too much.”

Kedash’s face was grim. “She asked me for it, so I have no choice but to give it.”

Gesa laughed angrily.

“She asked you, and you come to bother me? If he really cared about her, why would I need to make another? Just give her the one you have.”

Kedash replied, “If I had it, would I come to you?”

Hearing this, Gesa’s smile vanished, his expression serious.

“What do you mean? The only remaining pill in the world, I entrusted you to carry it for protection. You lost it?”

Kedash’s tone was calm. “When I dragged her out of the cave, she looked half dead. I fed it to her.”

Gesa looked at him, his casual demeanor almost making him spit blood in anger.