Chapter 441: The General’s Desperate Plea

The General’s Desperate Plea

Leon remained silent.

His long black hair rested against his midnight robes, the thin amethyst embroidery catching the faint light whenever the wind moved the fabric.

His purple eyes were calm.

Too calm.

There was no arrogance in them.

No excitement.

Not even the slightest trace of satisfaction at hearing his own reputation announced.

He simply stood there.

That was what frightened the crowd the most.

A truly powerful person did not need to prove anything.

The surrounding cultivators swallowed nervously.

Some lowered their heads.

Others quietly moved farther away.

Nobody wanted to become an innocent casualty if the situation suddenly erupted into battle.

After all, the person standing before them was a pinnacle expert.

One thought kept appearing in everyone’s mind.

How could anyone possibly survive if such an existence truly decided to act?

James was the first to completely lose his composure.

His face turned pale.

The blood seemed to drain from his cheeks in an instant.

"No... How is that possible? He’s Leon?"

His voice cracked.

He stared at Leon as if hoping that someone would suddenly tell him this was all a misunderstanding.

But no one did.

There was nothing left to misunderstand.

Leon was the legendary Purple Sword Monarch.

The very person he had just dared to confront.

The realization struck James so hard that his mind went blank for several breaths.

His previous confidence collapsed completely.

Only regret remained.

A deep, bitter regret that seemed to crawl through every bone in his body.

At this moment, his intestines were green with regret.

He had originally thought Leon was merely a young master from some powerful household.

Someone with a strong background.

Someone who could perhaps be pressured through his own royal status.

Who would have thought that the young man standing before him was actually a legendary pinnacle expert?

James’s fingers trembled.

His lips moved, but no words came out.

He suddenly understood something terrifying.

The reason Cavir Walton had been so respectful.

The reason Kai had rushed here personally.

The reason everyone had treated Leon with such caution.

None of it had been an act.

They were afraid of Leon.

And now he had personally walked into his path.

The General of Ashford City was no better.

His face had become completely pale.

For a brief moment, he simply stood there in stunned silence.

Then his expression twisted.

He suddenly had the urge to beat James to death.

"F*ck, I’m only at the King Realm. I shouldn’t have listened to your nonsense and tried to show off here. Damn it, you didn’t tell me that the other party was a pinnacle."

The General of Ashford City cursed inwardly.

He had been dragged into this mess because of James.

He had thought this was nothing more than a minor confrontation.

At worst, perhaps a dispute with a powerful young cultivator.

He had never imagined that he would be standing before a pinnacle expert.

A person of that level was completely beyond his ability to resist.

The difference between them was not something that could be overcome through courage.

It was an absolute gulf.

One side was the sky.

The other was the earth.

The General of Ashford City swallowed hard.

His forehead was already covered in cold sweat.

He clenched his fists.

Then loosened them.

There was no point pretending to be brave anymore.

He had to survive.

That was all that mattered.

"Fuck..."

He cursed again silently.

In his eyes, weren’t the King Realm experts like ants on the ground that could drown with a mouthful of water?

Like hell I believe you.

The General of Ashford City’s face turned even paler.

He had finally realized how ridiculous his earlier confidence had been.

He had thought his cultivation was enough to stand proudly in Ashford City.

He had thought that with the backing of the Drake Empire, he could afford to act boldly.

But before a pinnacle expert, all of that meant almost nothing.

A single thought filled his mind.

I don’t want to die.

He immediately stepped forward.

Then, without hesitation, he dropped to his knees before Kai.

The sound of his knees striking the hard stone pavement echoed through the silent street.

Several people nearby flinched.

The General of Ashford City did not care.

His pride was worthless now.

His reputation was worthless.

Even his dignity could be thrown away.

As long as he survived.

He raised his head toward Kai, his voice trembling as he hurriedly said, "Your Highness, save me... I’m innocent. Lord James asked me to come. I don’t know anything about this. I hope that Your Highness can save my life on account of my many years of service to the Drake Empire, my noble career, and my years of guarding the borders. The General of Ashford City is extremely grateful."

His voice became increasingly desperate toward the end.

He bowed deeply.

His forehead nearly touched the cold stone.

The surrounding soldiers watched silently.

Some felt pity.

Others simply shook their heads.

Everyone understood why he had chosen to kneel.

The man had finally realized what kind of existence he had offended.

And now he was trying desperately to escape the consequences.

Kai looked down at him.

His blue eyes remained cold.

There was no immediate response.

The General of Ashford City remained kneeling, his body tense.

He did not dare raise his head.

He had served the Drake Empire for many years.

He had guarded its borders.

He had earned his position through blood and effort.

But at this moment, none of those achievements gave him the slightest sense of security.

Because the person standing behind this entire matter was Leon.

The Purple Sword Monarch.

A pinnacle expert.

And the General of Ashford City knew very well that if Leon truly wanted him dead, his position would not save him.

Neither would his years of service.

Neither would his military achievements.

Neither would his connections.

The street remained deathly quiet.

Even the wind seemed to have slowed.

Everyone waited for Kai’s judgment.

And everyone knew that whatever happened next would determine whether the General of Ashford City walked away alive—or remained forever beneath the shadow of the mistake he had made today.