David Wood entered the Qin Zun Hall with a sullen face, then swept his sleeve to send out a gust of force, and the two doors immediately slammed shut. The dim lights on the wall continued to flicker, but Henry Linton seemed completely unfazed by the heavy pressure behind him, walking to his seat as if nothing was amiss. He knew that a storm-like onslaught was about to erupt, but no matter what, he had to make his heart incomparably strong—for his parents, and for himself!

"Your Highness, what exactly do you mean? Have you forgotten your own status?" David Wood signaled the other seven to guard the doors behind him, then stepped into the center of the hall, speaking coldly, "Your Highness, we are your envoys, the people closest to you. No matter how urgent the matter, we must not leave your side. Yet you had us wait outside the Xin Pavilion in front of outsiders—are you deliberately trying to reveal something? Don't forget, the Central State royal army is entirely under our control. Even the Son of Heaven, without military power, cannot have his decrees or royal commands spread beyond Huadu!"

Each intimidating word surged toward Henry Linton like a tidal wave, but could not force him back even half a step. He had experienced the feeling of being manipulated for many years; at this moment, his heart was filled only with blazing anger, without a trace of fear. He suddenly turned around, still wearing a gentle smile, but the expression was completely at odds with his words.

"David Wood, you keep calling me 'Your Highness the Envoy,' yet in front of others you don't give me the slightest bit of freedom. Do you think everyone else is blind? If I hadn't covered things up just now, I'm afraid His Majesty would have already noticed something. Yes, you control the Central State army, but if you really dare to make a move, can Central State, caught in crisis, withstand the full assault of the other nations? His Majesty only wants me to become familiar with the affairs of the world, so that I can deal with envoys or lords from the four kingdoms in the future—is there anything wrong with that? Tomorrow, His Majesty will send a worthy scholar to instruct me. If you disagree, I can't be bothered with these trivial matters. What does the survival of Central State have to do with an outsider like me?" As he spoke, he sat down at his leisure, the challenge in his gaze unmistakable.

These seemingly casual words were in fact weighty as a thousand pounds, leaving David Wood momentarily stunned. However, he was no fool, and quickly caught the true meaning behind Henry Linton's words. Unexpectedly, in just half a day, this youth who had once resisted so fiercely had already understood his mission. He gazed deeply into Henry Linton's eyes, and after a long moment, a faint smile appeared. Indeed, he admitted he had underestimated the other—whether it was the improvisation before the Qin Zun Hall or the secret meeting with King Hua Jiang Li, all revealed the youth's extraordinary nature. Yet, if he wanted to oppose him, he was still no match.

"So that's how it is. Your Highness is indeed thoughtful. Perhaps I should reflect on myself," David Wood bowed slightly, as if apologizing for his rashness. "However, please remember, Your Highness, that the eight envoys are truly the ones who protect you at all times. Now, you are powerless to defend yourself. If anything were to happen, you should know the consequences. Both your honored parents are getting old—you wouldn't want them to outlive their own child, would you?" These words from David Wood, when heard by the other seven envoys, immediately took on another meaning. They had worked with this elder-brother-like figure for many years, but had never heard him speak in such a threatening tone, and it left them feeling uneasy.

After his reincarnation, what Henry Linton hated most was others using his parents to threaten him. That was his greatest weakness, his only reverse scale. He forcefully suppressed his anger and said, word by word, "David Wood, you don't need to remind me of this at every moment. I know you just want to use me, to spread the news of the Envoy's emergence throughout the world. But don't forget, why have you never used this tactic before? If I'm not mistaken, even faking an impostor isn't so easy. If I hadn't, by some fluke, possessed the soul power you mentioned, all your scheming would have been for nothing, right? As you said before, our fates are tied together—if one prospers, all prosper; if one falls, all fall. That's all there is to it!"

The seven behind David Wood looked at each other in confusion. Even now, they still didn't understand why this elder brother, always steady, loving the people as his own children, and worrying for the nation, had suddenly become so unfamiliar. First, after bringing Henry Linton's family back to Huadu, he personally went back and slaughtered the entire Zhao Village, then relentlessly forced Henry Linton to submit—every word and action overturned everything they had known about David Wood. The man before them now was dangerous and terrifying; even just standing behind him, they could feel the immense storm hidden within.

David Wood finally smiled, but his expression was even more chilling. "Very good, Your Highness. I am glad you understand these things. In that case, I need not trouble myself to make you understand anything else. Since His Majesty has agreed to send a worthy scholar to instruct you on the affairs of the world, you will soon understand my intentions. The world has been in chaos for a long time; one family's grief is better than the grief of all. Since I have chosen a path into the abyss, I have long been prepared for disaster—and so have they."