Author note: 2 week break :( went on vacation for a week or so and then got sick from something I caught there. Feeling well enough to write! Should have another chapter tomorrow. Not really happy about how this chapter turned out(rewrote it a few times), but I need to move on and I like the ending/direction it's at now. I was specifically having trouble getting from last chapter to events in the near future, but I think this will transition it well. Coincidentally though it gave me a great meta title for this chapter. I'm sure I've mentioned how much I enjoy good chapter titles.

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The name sounded familiar to Sun Jiao, but he was unable to place it. He remembered the fight between Xiaobo and Fang Shi, but mostly when he thought of that time his thoughts went to Sun Qing’s dazzling eyes.

Xiaobo could also remember details of events with crystal clarity, but either because he chose to lie or because he intentionally forgot the person he claimed to not know him.

Seeing she was being ignored again Fang Yuehai’s face began to redden with anger.

“HEY! You listening to me?”

“What? Oh right. Nope never heard of you.”

“You’ve never heard of me? Just who do you think you are?”

“Sun Jiao.”

“SUN? As in the royal clan!?”

Naturally Fang Yuehai had heard of the royal clan that controlled not only a continent on Iset, but also controlled hundreds, if not thousands, of lesser universes and worlds. Their empire was the largest known empire in all of human existence. Even ignoring the empire the fact that they could control a continent on Iset was enough to make them an incredible power. In order to setup a single branch on Iset the Fang clan had to expend countless resources.

Despite knowing this Fang Yuehai never even thought about getting close to him to help improve her clan’s standing; she was just surprised to hear that someone of the Sun clan would wander about alone.

Even if the thought had crossed her mind she had immediately assumed he was a distant relative or someone that wasn’t very influential as all the important Sun clan members wouldn’t have wasted their time saving someone they didn’t know.

He had acted arrogant before, but that was only natural having come from the Sun Family. Despite that she had a favorable impression and thought that he might be able to help find her brother.

“Hey! Does that mean you can find someone in the city for me?”

Realizing where this was going Sun Jiao thought of a way to avoid it, but decided that was a coward's way out. It would be best to show strength instead of weakness.

“Not only could I find him, but I even know who you’re looking for already.”

“Oh?”

“Fang Shi right? He’s dead.”

Fang Yuehai felt as if her body was dropped into an arctic river and froze on the spot. Sun Jiao had continued to walk a ways until she finally replied with a shaky voice.

“Y-you’re joking right? It’s not...not nice to joke like that you know…”

Turning Sun Jiao mustered his courage and looked her right in the eyes.

“I’m not joking. He died fighting...a noble. You should be proud of him though as he was able to shatter the nobles soul before dying.”

It was the truth, but it still left a pour taste in Sun Jiao’s mouth. From the moment Fang Shi yelled for the carriage to stop he had set himself down the path towards his death. The old Sun Jiao would never have let him live and after Fang Shi killed him Sun Qing would have gone on a rampage.

Sun Jiao asked Xiaobo about what happened in Sun Qing’s future after Sun Jiao died and Xiaobo gave him a depressing and horrific tale. After killing Fang Shi and everyone around she slaughtered her way out of the city straight to the Fang clan. There she killed to her heart’s content and turned half the city into undead dolls while the other half was eaten alive by them. After venting her rage she all that remained was insanity. She stayed in the clan killing anyone that came until a Sun clan elder came to put her out of her misery. Had she remained sane she would have been punished, but not killed as revenge for a Sun clan prince is only natural.

All this mattered not to Fang Yuehai as she still in a daze while frantically trying to process her brother’s death. In order to cope she grasped on to the only thing about the situation that wasn’t her brother’s death.

“Was there a girl there? Did she survive?”

This caused Sun Jiao a bit of surprise. After being told about her brother’s death she asked about another person.

“No there wasn’t a girl.”

“I see.”

Sun Jiao waited a bit, but after no more questions followed and seeing Fang Yuehai lost in thought he decided to leave.

As he returned to his slow pace towards the city Fang Yuehai mindlessly followed only a few paces behind.  

Sun Jiao returned to thinking about his next move. He spoke with Xiaobo and they both agreed that the third prince couldn’t be left unpunished.

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As the two approached the city Fang Yuehai came to a decision and with that decision came a yell of frustration.

“AHHHHHHH!!”

It was a yell of anger that had no direction. Like a volcano blasting it’s fury towards the heavens it served no purpose, but to relieve pressure.

The sudden noise startled Sun Jiao, he turned with a curious gaze and watched until she calmed down.

“Better?”

“Much. He may be dead, but like you said he died honorably. Now though I must find his fiance and give her the bad news. I only hope she doesn’t take it too hard as the two were definitely soulmates.”

With that Sun Jiao’s eyebrow twitched, but he wisely said nothing and instead continued on.

“Hey that was your cue to offer help. You should be able to find her right?”

“Why should I help? I only knew about your brother because he killed a noble and shared your last name. How would I be able to find her? Do you even have her name?”

“Yes! It’s Dong Qing! She’s the daughter of a merchant. That should be all you need right?”

“Did you even listen? Why should I help? Besides how many Dong Qings do you think are in this city?”

“A lot, but not many will be daughter of a rich merchant!”

“And what if she isn’t a daughter of a rich merchant? Your clan is pretty famous isn’t it? Maybe she lied about that in order to get her way into your clan?”

“There is no way she would do that! She definitely loved my brother I could tell when I looked in her eyes and when she looked at my brother I could see this look of hunger like she wanted to just eat him up she was so in love!”

“Maybe she wanted to actually eat him? There are people like that you know.”

“You eat people!?”

“I said people eat people. Not me!”

“Why do you look so guilty then huh! Well as long as you help me find her I’ll forgive you.”

Sun Jiao turned to glare at her which caused her to wave her hands in front of her franticly.

“I forgive you! I forgive you! Don’t eat me!”

Her poor acting caused Sun Jiao to smile and rolled his eyes.

“Ahh! You smiled! Now you definitely owe me.”

“I…Fine. If I find anything I’ll let you know, but I won’t make any promises.”

Sun Jiao decided to agree now and if by some chance they came across each other in the future he would just say he hadn’t found anything. They were approaching the gate anyways so he would be able to leave her then.

A small line had formed to enter the city and Fang Yuehai headed to join the queue. Sun Jiao however ignored the line and continued towards the entrance even without prompting from Xiaobo. He was beginning to get comfortable using his status as the second prince.

“Hey the line- oh right you’re part of the Sun family you can get in for free can’t you?”

Hearing this the people in the crowd began to whisper with shock.

“Sun family? Wow he’s probably an incredible warrior.”

“Yeah did you hear about the first prince? He’s already so strong. Shame about the second prince being complete trash though; not only that but he’s twisted and cruel.”

“Shh what if that’s him and he hears you!”

“Nonsense he just came from the mountains. The second prince is a lazy spoiled brat that clings to his sister’s power. Everyone knows that. He’d never go to the mountains.”

The people talking were at the front of the line and as Sun Jiao was towards the end of the line they didn’t think he could hear them as the distance was far enough that a First Layer like Fang Yuehai wouldn’t be able to hear it. When he reached the Second Layer however the power of his body improved in all aspects giving him hearing that surpassed the First Layer.

Everything Xiaobo had said was the truth and he ruthlessly attacked Sun Jiao’s weak point. If it had been before Xu Rong’s death then Sun Jiao would have been able to easily disregard his words, but now they were effective as a hot knife through butter.

With a slight motion Sun Jiao appeared before the man and gripped him by the shirt in order to lift him up.

“So I’m trash huh?”

Sun Jiao reached back and slapped the man who was just a mortal. He had learned to control his strength in the mountains so the slap simply left a large red hand print.

“Lazy?” Slap. “Spoiled?” Slap. “Brat?” Slap!

With each slap Sun Jiao felt like descending a mountain. He felt like his soul had been unsettled and only now was it calming and returning to normal.

With the last slap he threw the man against the wall causing the man to spit up blood as well as few teeth before he slumped over.

Everyone that had heard the man’s words were thinking the same thing.

‘He didn’t say anything about the twisted and cruel part!’