After these words were spoken, Lik saw a meaningful glance pass between Mo Han and his companions, and they immediately understood, rising in unison to follow Lik away. The white-robed female mage looked back at Mo Han with worry before leaving, as if wanting to say something more, but nothing came out, only a low murmur: "Be careful."

Then she followed her companions out.

At this moment, the Prince of the Fire Cloud Empire spoke coldly, "Boy, I am in a relatively good mood today. If you kneel and apologize to me, I will forgive your offense. Otherwise... hmph, hmph."

Everyone understood what the Prince’s unspoken threat entailed—certain death. Consequently, all eyes turned to Mo Han, waiting to see how he would reply.

"Your Highness the Prince, I know this request of mine is somewhat unreasonable, perhaps excessive, but that is only because I had not seen this person’s face before. Please do not misunderstand, Your Highness. The reason I came to the Fire Cloud Empire was to search for my missing friend. She was ambushed during a previous gang internal conflict and her whereabouts have been unknown. I have been searching until now, and the woman your Highness has currently captured is indeed her. Naturally, I cannot stand idly by, which is why I made this rude request. I hope Your Highness can forgive me."

With that, Mo Han bowed in apology toward the Prince.

He was then heard continuing, "If Your Highness agrees to my request, then I, too, will agree to any one of your requests, provided it does not violate my conscience. I will certainly do my utmost to fulfill it for you. I hope Your Highness can be merciful and release my friend. As for the monetary aspect, I am willing to add another three million gold coins on top of the existing three million to compensate for Your Highness's losses. I wonder what Your Highness thinks of this arrangement?"

Hearing Mo Han’s words, the expressions of everyone present shifted. They were astonished by Mo Han’s generosity, instantly offering six million gold coins—a sum that not just any noble could easily produce. It suggested Mo Han’s identity must be extraordinary. Yet, Mo Han’s composed and dignified demeanor only elicited cold sneers from the Fire Cloud Empire's Prince until he heard the offer of doubled compensation. The Prince could not contain his rising anger and retorted, "Boy! Do you think the Fire Cloud Empire lacks the funds to simply purchase this woman?" Upon hearing this, Mo Han quickly shook his head, saying, "I dare not suggest such a thing. I only wished to express my sincere apologies to Your Highness; I meant nothing else. I hope Your Highness will not misinterpret my intentions."

"Hmph. You think I would agree to your demands? Boy, tell me your true identity immediately, or don't blame me for showing no mercy." The Prince coldly dismissed Mo Han’s offer.

The Prince had noticed Mo Han's wealth and exceptional bearing, suspecting he was no mere noble descendant. Since this was a critical time in his struggle for the throne, he naturally did not wish to invite unnecessary trouble that might benefit his brothers. This was why he managed to suppress his fury; under other circumstances, he would have already ordered Mo Han killed without wasting another word.

Mo Han heard this and knew his demands had been too much. He maintained his smile and said, "I wonder what it would take for Your Highness to grant my request? Please just state your terms." He deliberately avoided answering the Prince’s inquiry about his identity.

Hearing Mo Han’s response, the Prince could no longer contain his rage, bursting into a laugh born of anger. "What arrogance! Today, I shall see exactly what background you possess!"

With those words, the Prince waved his hand. One of the burly men in yellow standing beside him immediately leaped down from the railing and lunged toward Mo Han with frightening speed. The yellow-clad man thrust both palms forward, aiming to seize Mo Han. A faint blue light shimmered around his hands—the Blue Dou Qi characteristic of a High-Rank Sword Master.

Witnessing this, everyone gasped in shock, believing Mo Han was about to suffer greatly. Lik and his mercenary companions also changed expression, realizing how many masters the Prince kept at his side; even a randomly dispatched guard possessed the strength of a High-Rank Sword Master. They were secretly glad they hadn't gotten entangled with Mo Han earlier, or they would be in serious trouble now.

The white-robed female mage watched Mo Han with deep concern, while the blue-robed female mage wore a look of schadenfreude. Mo Han's impending suffering was exactly what she hoped for, as retribution for his earlier rudeness toward her.

Mo Han, standing there, still wore a faint smile and made no move to dodge. It was unclear if he was paralyzed by fear or simply too slow. At that instant, the yellow-clad man’s palms clamped down firmly on Mo Han’s shoulders. Everyone present was utterly stunned, convinced that even if Mo Han survived, several bones would certainly be broken.

The white-robed female mage’s face paled, and she seemed about to intervene, but Lik stopped her, shaking his head in a gesture of disapproval. The white-robed woman knew that with her team’s current strength, they stood no chance against the Prince’s guards. Attempting a rescue would only result in them being a liability. With a sigh of resignation, she pulled her hands back.

Seeing how easily Mo Han was caught, the yellow-clad man revealed a hint of contempt on his face. Intent on showing off his prowess to please his master, he roared, "Go down!"

He suddenly channeled a surge of pale blue light through his palms grasping Mo Han, directing the energy inward.

Just as everyone expected Mo Han’s limbs to be shattered, a fleeting, minute white light flashed across the scene, followed by a thump. A figure suddenly flew backward, but it was not Mo Han as everyone had assumed; it was the yellow-clad man who had attacked him.

Seeing this, nearly everyone present could hardly believe their eyes, as they hadn't clearly perceived how Mo Han had thrown the attacker back. Only Lik’s expression darkened. The white-robed female mage, however, visibly relaxed. Though she didn't know how Mo Han had achieved it, the Prince and his entourage on the second floor all changed color simultaneously. An elder in a golden mage robe cried out in disbelief, "Sword Saint Dou Qi!"

Hearing the Golden Robed Elder’s exclamation, everyone could scarcely trust their ears. A Sword Saint! For ordinary people, that was a goal so distant it was nearly the ultimate peak a martial warrior could reach. Yet, Mo Han looked so young; he shouldn't possess the strength of a Sword Saint. But if he wasn't a Sword Saint, how else could he have so easily defeated the Yellow-Clad Man, who was already a High-Rank Sword Master? Besides Sword Saint, there seemed to be no other plausible explanation.

The Prince, standing there and hearing the Golden Robed Elder’s words, also felt his face shift. He knew exactly what a Sword Saint signified. If he provoked a Sword Saint now, and the latter decided to kill him, even all his personal guards might be unable to prevent an assassination. With this thought, the Prince’s expression turned grim.

The yellow-clad man Mo Han had struck rebounded quickly. He leaped up, took a few staggered steps upon landing, but appeared unharmed. This clearly showed that Mo Han had held back; otherwise, the man would surely have been severely injured, if not killed.

The Prince then spoke, his voice filled with astonishment, "Who exactly are you, sir, and why do you insist on opposing me?" The Prince racked his brain, unable to recall any young Sword Saint appearing on the continent recently, prompting his direct question.

The Golden Robed Mage, however, seemed to recall something, murmuring to himself, "Could it be him? Although, aside from him, no one else could possibly reach the rank of Sword Saint at this age." Judging by the tone of the Golden Robed Mage, he seemed to have deduced Mo Han's identity.

Mo Han was just about to answer when a familiar voice drifted from another private room on the second floor: "He is the most talked-about figure on the continent recently. I believe Your Highness the Prince has heard of the only vassal king bestowed his title by an emperor not of the imperial bloodline in the history of the Sky Dragon Empire—indeed, perhaps in the history of the entire Soaring Dragon Continent. Surely Your Highness can guess his identity?" Hearing this voice, the Golden Robed Elder showed a look of sudden understanding, while the Prince’s face changed slightly. He spoke, "You are Chen Mo Han of the Sky Dragon Empire?" The surrounding nobles were greatly shocked by the Prince’s words, murmuring amongst themselves. As the saying goes, a man’s name—his reputation precedes him. Mo Han was arguably the most famous figure on the Sky Dragon Continent in recent times.