Weapon seller in the world of magic

<strong>Li Cheng</strong>

Race: Human

Age: 28

Rank: 6-circle (low)

Spirit Path: Mage

Attribute: Water

Affiliation: Eastern Sun Kingdom

Description: Personal disciple of Lan Jing and an Elite of Lan Sect.

*

<strong>Lan Jing</strong>

Race: Human

Age: 83

Rank: 8-circle (peak)

Spirit Path: Mage

Attribute: Water/ Wind

Affiliation: Eastern Sun Kingdom; Heavenly Ocean Empire;

Description: Personal advisor of King Ouyang Zhen and an elder at the Lan Sect of Heavenly Ocean Empire.

**

Mark still remembered the name he once learned because of the notification. Back then, he was at the Southern Division Camp after being invited by the Second Prince.

He knew that this man even had the knowledge about Lu Zhen's unique Eye shaped birthmark behind his neck. He expected his presence sooner or later. So, he was able to keep his calmness on his face and asked, "I'm Lu Zhen. What do you want with me?"

"Can we talk in private?" asked the old man with wrinkles all over his face.

"Sure," Mark nodded and took the both of them upstairs, leaving Song Yue and Shang Jiao in wondering.

After they went to the living room and took their seats, Mark asked them again. If not for the fact that this old man is his maternal grand-uncle, he wouldn't have bothered to take them to his residence. Instead, he would have talked with them in one of the weapon rooms. He doesn't know what they want with him but if they reveal their true identity, then, Mark would bother them to help him with something else along with clearing his suspicion.

After introducing himself and his disciple, Lan Jing then opened up the topic, "before I tell you our real purpose of visit, what do you know about your parents?"

Mark had an inkling of where this topic goes but at the moment, he wants to maintain ignorance.

"I don't think there's special about my parents. My father is a village chief and my mother is a housewife. I also know that before they settled in our village of Houtang, they were working here at the Imperial City. My father was a blacksmith and my mother was a maid to the Empress Dowager (Emperor's mother) and later to Queen Consort Lan," calmly answered Mark. He wanted them to hurry up with the matter.

Little did he expect that the story wasn't as simple as he had expected.

Lan Jing proceeded to speak about the past, "Well, your mother wasn't just a maid of Lan Jingyi. She had an unfortunate but a special relationship with the Emperor."

The last sentence changed Mark's expression. He couldn't keep his face straight after hearing that, "What do you mean by that, Mr. Lan?"

Lan Jing continued with the story, "You know how the kings and Emperors could be. They marry several women but still couldn't hold back their lust when spotting a beautiful woman.

Back then, the Emperor was quite, how should I say, more aggressive and reckless. He was also an alcoholic.

Anyway, as you said earlier… before Yi Zexi was assigned to Lan Jingyi, she used to serve Empress Dowager and looked after her very well. But, Emperor Dowager was not a Spirit Warrior. She couldn't battle her old age. After she passed away, Yi Zexi then served Lan Jingyi.

Back then, the Emperor used to give utmost attention to his first Queen Consort as he was doing for Lan Jingyi. Part of the reason was also because of Second Prince. Shang Wen is the only one who had awakened the Phoenix Bloodline.

Because of that, Lan Jingyi used deliberately ignore him to attract his attention. Sometimes, it worked and other times, it doesn't. Whenever it happens, she gets angry and goes to her maternal house, well, more specifically to her adopted mother.

One such day, when she was absent, a drunken Emperor visited her chamber. She wasn't there. Instead, there was Yi Zexi who was there to change the bed sheets and everything.

Under the influence of alcohol, he forced himself on her. Like other maids, Yi Zexi couldn't resist the Emperor. He has no idea what he had done.

Sometime later, Yi Zexi became pregnant with the child of the Emperor and this news was found out by Lan Jingyi.

Maybe, if it was someone else, they would probably kill her but Lan Jingyi decided to keep her safe. Roughly about a week later, Lan Jingyi also found out that she was also pregnant.

Consider it a blatant coincidence or a design of the God, you and Third prince Shang Wei were born on the same day, just a few hours difference. Both of your birth took place in the Imperial Palace too.

You were born with no ether and Shang Wei was born with a fire attribute.

Maybe, Lan Jingyi became insecure about her position in the heart of her husband or maybe, she felt guilty on behalf of her husband.

No one knows the exact reason but that day, Lan Jingyi and Yi Zexi switched their babies.

That's right. You are the son of Emperor Shang and Queen Consort Lan, an Imperial Prince."

While reciting the first part of the story, Lan Jing kept on observing Mark's expression. At first, there was a frown on his face. Then, it was replaced by disbelief, then, anger, and finally, a big smile.

Once he was done, Mark suddenly broke out into laughter, "hahaha… thank you Mr. Lan for proving that I'm right all along. All this while, I had a small doubt lingered in my heart. Now, I'm clear. You have done a great favor on me." Mark even shook his hands vigorously after that, expressing his joy.

Lan Jing and his disciple Li Cheng were greatly surprised by Mark's behavior. At first, they thought he was excited because he found out that he was an imperial prince but Mark's words made them realize that he knew the truth all along.

But, is there a need to laugh like this? They didn't know the real meaning behind his laugh.

As Mark calmed down, he once again took his seat, "Okay then, since you bothered to dig out the buried truth and revealed it to me, at the very least, I will cooperate with you and listen to the end. Tell me."

Lan Jing stared at him for a brief amount of time and then continued, "After your birth, Lan Jingyi sent away Yi Zexi, although not with empty hands or simple money. After all, Yi Zexi's dignity should also be upheld in the society she will live.

So, she paid a lump sum of money and an offer to become a village chief to a young blacksmith named Lu Yimu to marry Yi Zexi and be your father.

However, how could a mother's heart be at ease?

Lan Jingyi sent her trusted imperial guard, Tan Jian, on a lifelong mission to keep an eye on you. However, what she didn't know is that I was the one who planted him there in the first place as I was worried about her safety. After all, she was my only brother's daughter.

That's how I get to know about you and the whole story.

Because you are born with no ether, I thought that it's better for you to stay there and live in peace. So, I never showed myself.

Little did I expect that someone would also find out about your existence. Well, I suspect it."

Here is where Mark's expression changed once again, although it is only for a moment because he had that suspicion all this time. "Who is it?" he asked.

Lan Jing shook his head, "I don't know. But, I can tell you this. The burglary at your house was a planned one and their aim is only to kill your parents. Considering Tan Jian is in the 6-circle realm, their background must be extraordinary to send an assassin strong enough to kill him.

The extraordinary blade might be any organization, guild, sect, or clan. The blade that was grabbed most likely belongs to someone from the Imperial family. I would suspect the Empress and her Yuan Clan if that is the case."

Mark disagreed with Lan Jing's analysis in his head. More than the Empress, won't his mother benefit the most if Lu Yimu and Yi Zexi die? The truth can be buried forever that way. He suspected her from the start and it only rose further after hearing out the entire story.

But, considering this old man is the uncle of Lan Jingyi, Mark didn't voice his disagreement and asked, "So, why are you telling me this and what do you expect from me? Just so you know that I'm not interested to get back to my family or be some imperial prince either. So, is there anything else you would like to say to me?"

The pair of master and disciple turned their heads and looked at each other.