CHAPTER 828 REMINISCE

"Are you surprised to see me again?" Rocky asked with a smile as he walked toward Woods.

"How are you still alive?" Once he saw Rocky at the Cao Clan's mansion, Woods felt as though he was

in a dream. He never thought he would see Rocky standing in front of him again.

"Lucky, I guess," Rocky answered nonchalantly as he approached Woods who stood with his hands

behind his back, appreciating the beautiful scenery that lay before him.

"What are you doing in the Timber Deity Empire? And why were you disguised as part of the Cao

Clan?" Woods was finding it difficult to understand everything. He had a feeling that Rocky would have owns this text.

a lot to tell him.

"It's a long story. Perhaps the heavens meant for our paths to cross once more," Rocky sighed and

turned to look at Woods. He was quite astonished with everything that happened, as well—dying and

then being reborn within the Timber Deity Empire. Without knowing it, he had managed to enter the

Xiao Clan. He got lucky establishing relations with Lucas and Queenie because now he was able to

connect with the Cao Clan and could meet with Woods to carry out his plans. Perhaps it truly was

destiny.

"Then don't say anything." Woods quickly rushed over with a big stride to lock Rocky in a strong,

friendly embrace that caught the latter completely off guard.

With his cunning smile, Rocky replied, "Are you happy now? You're lucky we're the only two people

here. Otherwise, people might get the wrong idea about us."

Woods quickly released him and said, "Sorry! I'm just happy you're still alive and kicking! Alyssa will

surely be surprised and pleased when she hears about this."

"Alyssa? Didn't she always want me to die? She'll want to murder me the moment she locks eyes with

me!" Rocky spat and rolled his eyes. He didn't want to risk it with Alyssa unless he wanted to wind up

where he was the last time with her. She was someone he didn't want to mess with at all.

"Really? Well then, why would she rush to the Holy Dragon Empire to mourn your death if she hated

you so much?" Woods shook his head in disbelief upon hearing this.

"She mourned for me?" Rocky narrowed his eyes at Woods' words. He knew a lot had happened in the

Holy Dragon Empire, but this was definitely news to him. Alyssa going to the mourning hall to honor his

death was quite odd.

"Where have you been exactly? Why would the people of the Holy Dragon Empire think that you were

dead?" Woods asked curiously. He couldn't wait to know what had happened to Rocky.

"Again, really long story," Rocky replied with yet another roll of his eyes.

"We've got time. Come on, let's talk about it over a drink or two." As Woods spoke, he walked to a tea

table and sat down, pouring two cups for both of them. He beckoned Rocky to join him.

"Alright. We might as well kill some time with a good story." Rocky smiled and nodded his head in

agreement as he took his seat beside the prince.

As he sat, Rocky told Woods his story of appearing at the Cao Clan's mansion.

"What a coincidence!" Woods exclaimed. He was quite fascinated with Rocky's tales.

Of course, no one would've expected Rocky to suddenly appear at a border city of the Timber Deity

Empire. After all, he was the Crimson Dragon Army's commander in chief who led his men in a battle

against the same empire more than a month ago. By chance and luck, he managed to get involved with

the Cao Clan upon Lucas' recommendation. And to add to his luck, he managed to meet Woods at the

Timber Deity Empire's capital.

"It seems Master Lucas has got a good eye. He could tell you were special even with just a glance. If

he knew that you are both Rocky and Prince Basil of the Holy Dragon Empire, he would be astounded,"

Woods revealed with great interest.

"The real reason I came here is to see you," Rocky informed him directly.

"Well, you were never the type to reminisce about the old days. I'm sure you have some important

reason to go through all that trouble to visit me. What is it then?" Woods asked, although his

intelligence and intuition made it easy to guess what exactly it was on Rocky's mind.

"I need to ask a favor from you. After all, I saved you," Rocky said bluntly.

"What is it? As long as no harm befalls the Timber Deity Empire, I won't refuse," Wood said without a

moment's hesitation. Rocky had taken a great risk to save him. They weren't enemies. Perhaps in the

future, they would learn to become good friends and even brothers if all went well.

"It's really simple, but I can only tell you after the Beast Master Contest. I wanted to inform you first but

I changed my mind because a lot of things have happened quicker than I expected. I decide to take

advantage of this opportunity to deal with something. Then I'll leave the rest for you to do once I return

to the Holy Dragon Empire," Rocky said with certainty.

"After the Beast Master Contest? Do you want to help the Cao Clan win the Beast Master Contest? If

that's the case, it'll be impossible. The Cao Clan doesn't have a good chance of winning. The Qi Clan is

better off since Master Samson from the clan has worked for my sister Alyssa and won her support.

They'll surely win this competition, if everything goes well," Woods uttered convincingly. Although he

looked forward to the Cao Clan's performance at this year's Beast Master Contest, he knew that the

clan winning the contest would be nearly impossible. The Qi Clan held a high position in the Timber

Deity Empire due to the numerous powerful Beast Masters that joined their ranks. With Alyssa's

support, their win would be a certain one.

As Woods gazed at Rocky, he suddenly remembered something that could possibly change his mind.

Rocky was a disciple of Sheridan, the strongest beast curer in the Wild Spirit Land. If Rocky fought for

the Cao Clan, then they surely had a chance at winning. But then there was another thing at stake—

Rocky's secret identity.