My Substitute CEO Bride

"Master Nash? Have you had dinner?"

"Mosley? What do you want?" Nash asked guardedly.

"Don't be nervous, Master Nash. I know you're panicking, but let me tell you the truth as it is. You shouldn't be causing Francis any trouble unless you have solid evidence."

"And why is that? You think I can't overpower him?" Nash asked, exasperated.

"No, of course not. You're a prodigy, Master Nash. I'm sure no one else in Drakonia is a match for you anymore. But think about it. Your father is the General of the Northern Territory, but none of the generals other than the General of the Southern Territory has even brought this topic up despite the fact he's been missing for so long. It doesn't make any sense, does it?"

Nash frowned, a doubtful look flashing through his eyes.

Then, he asked quietly, "What do you mean? Does my father's disappearance have anything to do with the generals of the Eastern and Western Territories?"

"It's possible. Besides, I'm sure you've heard that the Northern Territory has been engaging in discreet battles with the Eastern and Western Territories. Think about it, why would all the other three generals suddenly drop by the Northern Territory without any prior notice?" "Well... don't you think you're being a little conspiratorial?" Nash was starting to develop theories, but he was still somewhat in disbelief.

"I have a way of proving whether I'm spouting a conspiracy theory or not," Mosley said in a low voice, his tone suddenly becoming much more solemn.

""What is it?"

"I'm sure the people who kidnapped your father have not done anything to him yet. I'm sure they don't want to throw in the towel on their relationship with you yet, but rather, they want to use your father as a way of restricting the moves you make. "There could only be one reason for why they're doing that, and that's to gain control over the Northern Territory. You're the biggest threat to them right now, so if you vanish..."

"Vanish?" Nash asked, starting to become doubtful of Mosley. "I understand your concerns, but if I do end up leaving the Northern Territory or Drakonia right now, things will end up the way you said. I don't want to place my bets on such situations."

Indeed. If he left the Northern Territory, the people lying low in the dark for now would immediately take action. Nash knew that if things did end up progressing the way they predicted, he would not be able to regain control of the situation. No matter what, this would end up being a lose-lose situation.

"Please don't think I'm manipulating you, Master Nash. It's the only method we have left now. The longer things drag on, the worse things will become for you. The generals of the Eastern and Western Territories have already begun making their moves.

"If you do end up needing to face them in conflict, will you battle them without giving any heed to the safety of your father and the rest of your family?"

Nash said calmly but determinedly, "I'll protect them."

"Master Nash, what level of cultivation have you achieved now?"

"I've reached peak Divine Sojourn Realm and am just about to break into the Tribulation Transcendence Realm."

"Not bad. It's only been a while, and you've already improved so much. I'll share one more thing with you. Have you heard of the Fiends?"

"What?" Nash asked, surprised.

"They're a group of expert cultivators

that the General of the Western Territory is training to becomenoveldrama

assassins. I heard that one of them has achieved the Tribulation Transcendence Realm recently."

sw novel

Nash's eyes widened when he heard the words 'Tribulation Transcendence Realm'.

"Tribulation Transcendence Realm? How's that possible?!"

"I know you don't believe it. I didn't believe it either, so I went to take a look for myself, and it's true. That's where their abilities are now.

"Apparently, that guy has been in seclusion for the past several hundred years, and he seems to have a special sort of ability that allows him to hide his true energy."

"If that's the case, why did he feel

the need to capture my father when he's already that powerful?" Nash asked, confused. "If he's already that powerful, wouldn't it be easier to just attack?"

Mosley chuckled coolly.

"Don't you know that there are some problems that can't be solved just by being the more powerful one? Do you think this is a game?"

Mosley then added, "I'll tell you why. It's because they're seeking approval."

"Approval?"

"That's right, and they want the legit kind because words carry weight. Right now, you're the certified son of the North Warden and commander of the Celestial Dragon Squadron.

"Do you know why they haven't

toppled over these established

systems despite all the power they

have? It' because they'll end up

offending individuals they can't afford to offend if they escalate

things to that extent, and they'll end

up like the Illuminion.

"Thus, what they need is approval from a higher-up. I believe the cultivator who has achieved the Tribulation Transcendence Realm will be their last resort."

"If that's the case, why have you bothered to say so much to me?" Nash asked impatiently.