Chapter 95: Blind dates
Despite all the reasons he had listed, he knew it was all coming from an emotional place. His son was being logical. They couldn’t sit in their bubble forever. They would have to be involved eventually, but he hoped it wouldn’t get to that.
He had already contacted his spies in Helion to find out exactly who this seer was. Once he got the information he needed, he would have to assassinate them. That was the only way Li Jun would be able to live peacefully. As for the war, he would only intervene if they couldn’t handle it.
Thus, he replied, "We will only intervene when necessary. Just have everyone ready."
Damian understood his father’s thoughts. He had already lost so much dealing with Aurelia. He didn’t want to risk losing anything more. He didn’t argue. He said, "Alright."
Li Jun, on the other hand, had no idea what they were talking about. He had been sparring with Yan Jia, not even taking things seriously. He had been feeling restless lately, and there was a reason for that. He had given Lu Anu a way to contact and update him on Yu Wen’s condition.
The last time she sent him a message, she had stated that Yu Wen was awake, but they were going to examine him and make sure everything was okay. Because of that, he was quite distracted.
Yan Jia also noticed, so she asked, "What’s on your mind, your highness. You seem here, but not here."
Li Jun checked his phone and saw that there was nothing yet. He was about to say it was nothing when someone slightly taller than him with a great physique and a very handsome face approached him, saying, "Your Highness, would you like to spar with me?"
He looked him up and down before saying, "I am not in the mood, maybe next time." There was something about this man that seemed so familiar, but he just couldn’t pinpoint what exactly. His eye twitched, scrutinizing him, but before he could think much about it, Yan Jia said, "Your highness, he is the best hand-to-hand combat trainer. Maybe he can teach you a thing or two."
She said it with a serious expression on her face. Li Jun just thought that something was odd, but he did ask her to find someone who could challenge him. He hadn’t taken his training seriously in the past few years. Now that he had all the time in the world and didn’t have to play a weak person, he thought he could catch up. Thus, he had been training a lot.
What he didn’t realize was that his hunch was correct. There was something fishy going on. Draco had looked for the most loyal men in Blue Sapphire who were interested in Li Jun. He did extensive screening on each and every one of them. He made sure to pick ones that were somewhat similar to Yu Wen, be it personality or appearance.
This left him with only six men, and for the past few days, he had been putting them around Li Jun’s vicinity. Draco was hoping that at least one of them would catch Li Jun’s eye, but Li Jun had no idea that this was a blind date, and Yan Jia was pushing the boat along the river.
Since she said it, there was no point in refusing his offer. Li Jun asked, "What’s your name?"
Hearing him ask this, the man almost jumped in excitement. He said, "My name is Ryne Lee, your highness."
Li Jun said, "No need to call me that. Just call me Li Jun... Don’t hold back, I am really in need of training." Rayne nodded and suddenly took off his t-shirt.
Li Jun immediately said, "Whoa whoa whoa, no need to take off your-." But he stopped when he saw those abs. He suddenly had a change of heart. Since he wanted to fight shirtless, why should he stop him? It was like watching those thirst traps on StarNet. The only difference was that this was a live show.
Well, Li Jun didn’t mind as long as he didn’t mind. At least that’s what he thought. Rayne tossed the t-shirt aside, and his pecks twitched as though inviting to cop a feel. Li Jun, "..." Would he fondle the pecks of a strange man? No! That would open him up to a legal lawsuit.
He could enjoy this eye candy with no consequence, but he just felt uncomfortable. "Can you put your shirt back on, please?" he said. Rayne didn’t want to upset Li Jun, so he put his shirt back on, feeling quite apologetic.
He had been so enthusiastic just now and didn’t restrain himself. Li Jun was just too mesmerizing, so much so that he wanted to leave a good impression.
Li Jun got into a ready stance and said, "Ready when you are." The two of them sparred for a very long time. Li Jun gave Rayne the best fight of his life, but in the end, he was panting underneath Rayne, who was pinning him down with a look of fascination in his eyes.
Yu Wen’s image suddenly flashed in Li Jun’s eyes, merging with the man’s face. Now he realized what he thought seemed familiar. It was the man’s striking eyes. Before he could push him off of him, the man got up and stretched out his hand to help him up.
Li Jun accepted his help and he said, "Thanks." It was then that he realized the past few days weren’t a coincidence. He found himself thinking about Yu Wen constantly. It was because the people around him appeared to look like him or had the same personality and mannerisms. Li Jun left without saying a word and walked towards where his grandpa was sitting.
He picked up the bottle of water and said, "I know what you are doing. It’s not going to work." Draco looked at his grandson and denied it. There was no way he was going to admit anything.
"What do you mean you know what I am doing?" he said, and Damian laughed. This was just like the time his father tried to set up his sister with blind dates. The only difference was that his sister left the blind dates with black eyes to send a message to his father.
Draco glared at his son and asked, "What are you laughing at?"
Damian replied, saying, "Nothing, it’s just nice to see you stumbling over your words."
Draco, "???"
"You unfilial son," he said, his voice trembling with rage. Li Jun didn’t stay for the drama. He walked to his room while refreshing the app for any messages. He sat on the bed, and suddenly he got a notification. Thinking that it was Lu Anu, he swiped down, but it was a message from his informants in the imperial capital.
Xiu Ying was making a speech on the recent activities in Aurelia. He knew he shouldn’t watch it, but he did. Xiu Ying was sitting in a wheelchair, looking even more sickly than the last time he saw her. She looked like she was on death’s door, but her eyes were fiery, and the way she stared through the camera, it was as though she was looking at him directly.
She mentioned how Helion had caused such a tragedy to Aurelia and how they had to employ the full force of the imperial army and all the other mercenary groups loyal to the people. She called them all to arms, and any sign of refusal would be considered treasonous.
In other words, what he was saying was that if Blue Sapphire didn’t defend Aurelia, it would mean they were working with the enemy, and she would see to it that they were prosecuted.
Hearing this, Li Jun almost laughed his head off. He found it fascinating that she thought she could threaten his family. He was also so disappointed in the Li family. He realized that none of them had balls left. He thought they would be able to put up a fight, but just like his father, they bowed before Xiu Ying.
Xiu Ying didn’t stop there. She happened to mention how the video of her smashing the memorial hall was the work of Helion. She claimed that they had made this fake video of her with the intention of destabilizing the imperial capital. She also insisted that the spies and traitors who published the video would be prosecuted.
Li Jun did not doubt that while she was making her speech, someone somewhere was getting arrested. He gritted his teeth suddenly, having the urge to go back and knock her off the throne.
The only reason why he left her in charge was because he had faith in the Li family. All in all, Xiu Ying wouldn’t be a problem. He was tired. After dealing with his father’s erratic behavior for years after his mother died and all the hatred that followed, he just needed a break.
He wanted to escape all the problems that came with the position of heir, but now he was realizing there would be no peace for him unless he sat firmly on that seat.
