Chapter 104: The Scheme


    Charles and Vivian, the siblings, wept in each other''s arms for a while.


    Maren sat nearby, his heart aching as he watched.


    "Grandpa Maren, don''t be sad. I''m still fine, aren''t I? Even though I might disappear soon, I''m happy to spend my last days with you and my sister. I have no regrets. Besides, I''ve met Brother Han Ming. He''s a good person, and I really like him."


    Hearing this, Maren''s eyes suddenly gleamed with determination. He said gravely, "This time, we''re trying to get the leaf from the Tree of Life to ensure your soul can rest in peace and not be trapped forever in the Wild Ancient Forest. When you died here, I was so enraged that I slaughtered all the creatures in the Wild Ancient Forest. This time, I won''t hold back either. You once risked your life to find dragon bones for me, Grandpa Maren. How could I not risk everything for you now?"


    Vivian, hearing Maren''s words, trembled and exclaimed, "Grandpa Maren, are you... are you planning to...?"


    Maren nodded firmly, "Since Guger is so stubborn and refuses to trade the leaf, I have no choice but to steal it. Even if it costs me my life, I won''t let Charles suffer an eternity of unrest."


    "No!" Charles was the first to object.


    "Grandpa Maren, we''ve always seen you as our real grandfather. Guger is a third-tier Battle King. You''re no match for him. If you try to steal the leaf, not only will you fail, but you''ll also lose your life. I''ve already lost my brother. I can''t lose you too."


    Charles walked up to Maren, forcing a smile as he held Maren''s hand, "Grandpa Maren, I don''t want to see you risk your life for me. If you do, I won''t rest in peace even in death. You and my sister must live well. I''m not afraid. Becoming a tree and guarding our nation''s territory is enough for me. Let me stay here, quietly watching over you and my sister, seeing you live happily. That''s all I need."


    Maren hugged Charles tightly, shaking his head, "No, Grandpa can''t let you end up like this. I will get that leaf for you. It''s a pity that your sister and I miscalculated this time. We thought offering those three treasures would surely convince Guger, but he refused. I might be able to hold him off for a while, but your sister''s strength isn''t enough, and as the ruler of our kingdom, she can''t risk her life. If I had known, I would have brought more experts to steal the leaf while I distracted Guger."


    Vivian''s face darkened. After a moment of thought, she bit her lip and said, "Grandpa Maren, you focus on holding off Guger. Leave the task of stealing the leaf to me. Even if I die, I can''t let my brother..." She couldn''t finish, tears streaming down her face as she thought of Charles''s tragic fate.


    The door creaked open, and Han Ming appeared in the doorway.


    "Brother Han Ming?" Charles exclaimed in surprise.


    Han Ming smiled faintly and quietly entered the room.


    "Let me take on the task of stealing the leaf. I have a better chance of success."


    Vivian looked at Han Ming with gratitude, her eyes filled with appreciation.


    "No! Brother Han Ming, we''ve only known each other for a few days. You can''t..."


    Han Ming raised his hand to stop Charles and turned to Maren.


    Maren hesitated, "Young friend Han, are you sure about this? This is no trivial matter. You''re already under a kill order from the Desert Serpent Clan. If you provoke the lord of the Wild Ancient Forest, it will only make your situation more dangerous. Guger wouldn''t dare attack the royal family of the Monte Empire, but if he''s enraged, he might hunt you down relentlessly. Your life would be in grave danger."


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    Han Ming smiled, "I overheard earlier. You''re the royal family of the Monte Empire, right?"


    With that, he knelt on one knee, placing his right hand on his abdomen, and respectfully addressed Vivian, "Greetings, Your Majesty. I apologize for not recognizing your status earlier."


    Vivian quickly helped Han Ming to his feet, saying gratefully, "Please, don''t be so formal. Charles considers you a good friend, so you''re my friend too. Thank you for being willing to take such a risk. If there''s anything you need, our royal family will do our best to fulfill your requests."


    Han Ming pulled Charles closer, ruffling his hair with a smile, "I''m helping you not for any reward, but because I like Charles. I know how precious the leaf from the Tree of Life is to Guger, since even three priceless treasures couldn''t sway him. This will put me in unprecedented danger. But there''s no other way, is there?"


    He looked at Charles and smiled, "So, let me take the blame for stealing the leaf."


    Charles wanted to say more, but Han Ming gently shook his head.


    "Little one, thank you for the pastries and the wine. I really enjoyed them. Don''t worry, Brother Han Ming has his ways. I won''t die so easily."


    With that, Han Ming gently struck Charles''s neck, rendering him unconscious.


    His expression turned serious, "This matter is of great importance. I knocked him out for his own good. I hope you understand."


    Vivian and Maren, knowing Han Ming''s intentions were pure, nodded in agreement.


    "Grandpa Maren, when do you plan to make your move?" Han Ming asked.


    Maren thought for a moment, "Tomorrow night! During the day, Vivian will leave first and wait in the Wild Ancient Forest. The two of us will use the excuse of wanting to see the leaf to find the right moment. I''ll deal with Guger, and you''ll steal the leaf."


    Han Ming frowned, "Is it safe for Queen Vivian to be alone in the Wild Ancient Forest? If we fail and both die, Guger might harm her. Even if we succeed, he might chase after her. Her safety would still be at risk."


    Vivian, touched by Han Ming''s concern, reassured him, "Don''t worry. Guger may be powerful, but I am still the queen of a nation. He wouldn''t dare harm me. If anything happens to me, the Monte Empire will march here and raze the Wild Ancient Forest to the ground."


    Han Ming felt slightly relieved.


    "Also, young friend Han," Maren said apologetically, "you''re helping us greatly, and we should offer you one of the three treasures as a reward. But I can''t do that. Do you understand?"


    Han Ming nodded, "I understand. We mustn''t push Guger too far. Even though we''re stealing the leaf, we must leave the three treasures with him. If he loses both the treasures and the leaf, he might go mad and do something extreme. Besides, I''m not helping for any reward. I''m doing this for Charles."


    That night, Han Ming and Maren finalized their plans. Early the next morning, Vivian left the castle with the unconscious Charles, heading to a safe spot in the Wild Ancient Forest to wait.


    During breakfast, Guger asked about Vivian''s whereabouts. Maren lied, saying she had urgent matters to attend to in the kingdom and had left early. He added that he wanted to spend more time catching up with Guger.


    Guger nodded, though he had his doubts. It seemed unlikely that Vivian would travel alone through such dangerous terrain. But he didn''t dwell on it, never suspecting that Maren and Han Ming were plotting against him.


    After breakfast, Maren suggested taking a stroll around the castle with Han Ming, using the opportunity to scout the layout and plan their escape route.


    As they walked, Maren and Guger discussed their cultivation experiences in front of Han Ming, who gained valuable insights from these two masters—knowledge he couldn''t have learned from Li Xiaotian.


    As night fell, after dinner, Maren saw that the time was right. He suddenly said, "Brother, my young friend Han here heard us discussing the leaf from the Tree of Life yesterday and became very curious. He''d like to see it for himself. Would you be willing to grant him this favor?"


    Guger looked at Han Ming, the young man with the kill order hovering above his head.


    Han Ming put on an eager expression and nodded repeatedly, "I hope Lord Guger can fulfill my wish."


    Guger thought for a moment, then said apologetically, "Brother Maren, it''s not that I don''t want to oblige, but the leaf is extremely precious. I''m afraid..."


    Maren smiled and casually took out a wooden box, handing it to Guger.


    Guger eagerly accepted it and opened the box, revealing the flying dragon''s claw inside.


    "Brother, I came unprepared this time and didn''t bring any gifts. Consider this claw a token of my appreciation. I hope you can grant my young friend''s wish."


    Guger held the box, his eyes filled with hesitation.


    Han Ming and Maren''s hearts raced as they silently prayed for Guger to agree. They had considered offering the ten-thousand-year cold ginseng, but such a precious gift might arouse suspicion.


    After a long pause, Guger finally gritted his teeth and nodded, "Since you''re so sincere, I''ll grant the young man''s wish."


    Han Ming and Maren exchanged a glance, their hearts finally at ease.


    If Guger had refused, their entire plan would have fallen apart.