While Aile was thinking about a way out, he replied to the assassin in an annoyed tone, "I do not like it when people speak for me? What does that have to do with you? Is he your man?"

The assassin had an angry expression on his face, he knew that he could not divulge that the man was indeed their comrade in front of the princess. As they had made it look like he was definitely Aile's subordinate. What he did was, in fact, acceptable, and they did not have a right to interfere.

The assassin replied, "It does not matter, we do not like fighting here!"

Aile then replied nonchalantly, "You should have said that from the beginning. Well, in that case, there is no need for these swords. Like you said no fighting." Aile smirked while pointing at the swords in the hands of the assassin and this three comrades.

He was planning to buy time, he finally came up with a plan.

The assassin was getting annoyed, his plan had failed. This would be his second failed attempt, and it would not bode well for him. Thus he replied, "Sure, just give us back the book." As he said this, there was a murderous aura that he was giving off.

It was clear to Aile that as soon as they get the book, they will attack him. They would not care anymore, as he would lose his only leverage. After all, if they got rid of Aile, it would still be their victory.

Aile too knew this, he knew that he no longer had a use to be kept alive from their point of view. The only reason they had not attacked yet was the book in his hand, they did not want to damage it.

Aile smiled back and said in a calm tone, "Ok, let's stay calm! You guys should put your weapons down, and we can continue the deal. What do you say?"

The assassin looked around at the other three people and nodded.

Slowly they all lowered their weapons, but did not sheathe them.

Aile looked at them and then said confidently in a loud voice, "Well, are you sure this is really a high-level Ruin book?"

The assassin was confused at his question. However, he thought that the pressure had gotten to him. He replied in a clear and loud voice, "Yes, now return it to us, so that we can have a bid for it."

Aile smiled and said, "You should let me talk with my guard first, then I will hand it back to you!"

The assassin nodded as he really did not have another choice. He did not want to damage the book. He was also sure that they could not escape as they were clearly outnumbered, so he did not mind Aile talking with his guard. If it meant that he could get back the Ruin book safely.

Aile then gestured Jake to come close.

At this moment, Jake was sweating all over, he did not expect his action would result in turning the situation so tense. He knew that his impulsive action was the cause of all of this and he was blaming himself for acting heavy handed.

Aile leaned close and whispered to Jake, "In 1 minute, something will happen, and you should only try to delay and do not fight. DO NOT FIGHT. JUST DELAY!"

Aile did not have enough time to explain his plan to him, he just wanted to make sure he does not do something stupid like sacrificing himself in a stupid-brave way.

Aile then leaned back and said, "Ok, I will give you the high-level ruin book. Here you go!"

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Then, Aile tossed the book to the side away from him and the assassin near some trees and greenery.

Everyone had a confused expression.

The assassin shouted, "What are you doing?" As he slowly took a step towards the book.

Jake mimicked him.

Aile ignored it and mentally counted down "Three... Two... One."

Then a person jumped from the bush near where the book dropped and made a sprint to the book.

He picked it up and ran back.

The eyes of everyone were wide open in surprise. No one had expected someone to steal the book in such a remote location. Jake wanted to go after them and redeem himself from his earlier behaviour. But Aile quickly held him back.

This was his plan, he had been delaying the process so that at least one of the groups that wanted to steal the high-level ruin book could come to their location. He was happy a few seconds ago, before tossing the book, a group had reached them.

He then asked the assassin in a loud voice about the value of the book to entice them.

Once he enticed them with the book's value, he threw it near them, giving them an opportunity to steal it and create chaos. However, his plan had reaped even more benefit as another group had also reached.

Then a loud voice came from the other side close to the princess's location, "Halt! That is the property of Alchemy Union, and it must be returned. Anyone who does not will become our enemy."

The voice scared the princess, and she took a few steps closer to Aile's group.

Then came the voice of the young master that was hiding behind the assassin and the three 3rd level practitioners, "Get back that book! And kill that bastard." As he pointed towards Aile.

The assassin nudged the three practitioners behind him, and they ran in the direction of the book. At the same time from where the voice of the Alchemy union's people came, many masked individuals too ran towards the bush.

No one had paid attention to the alchemy union's threats.

The assassin jumped towards Aile, planning to take his life. Aile repeated himself to Jake, "Delay! Do Not Fight."

Then Jake dashed towards the assassin blocking him from hurting Aile.

Swish

Bam

Ttt-ching

Seeing that Jake was holding his own against the assassin, Aile ran towards the bush that the people of Alchemy Unions came out from, this was the closest way out of the northern garden.

As soon as he took 2 steps, he heard the young master that had been hiding shout, "You bastard will not escape from me."

Aile turned around and noticed a talisman in the hand of the young master who was wearing a mask. Slowly it was gathering the fire element from the air, concentrating it into a projectile ball.

Aile wanted to shout, "Are you crazy?" This is because behind him was the princess if he activates it, he would end up hurting her, and no one will be spared from the king's wrath if she gets hurt. After all, everyone knew that she was his favourite even if she gets grazed by the attack there would be hell to pay.

Aile did not expect the young master who he believed was his opponent to be this stupid.

No matter what, he had to deal with what was coming up. He could not let the princess get hurt. It would raise too many questions, and a lot of investigation would definitely bring him into the spotlight in the best-case scenario. In the worst case, the king could take out his anger on him.

He then had no choice but to grab the princess's hand and pull her with him. Her hand was very soft and smooth.

She had an annoyed tone and immediately said, "let me go," as Aile pulled her with him. Aile did not listen to her and used his cultivation on his feet and jumped horizontally.

Shewooooo

Then a sizzling hot sensation came from the location where they were a few minutes ago. The heat waves assaulted their backs, and everything behind them was charred. There was only the smell of burning leaves and the sounds fighting between Jake and the assassin. Making the whole area in utter disorder.

The princess was confused and scared.

Aile then no longer held her hand and released his grip, expecting the princess to let go of his hand. As she was holding it very tightly now.

Aile tried to struggle free from her grip. However, the princess did not let go of his hand and had a very strong grip.

Aile did not have time to argue with her or deal with the impulsive young master, and while holding the princess's hand, they ran.

Aile had not paid too much attention to his surroundings after the young master's fire talisman attack.

As they were running a person popped up in front of them saying, "The Alchemy Union has blocked this path...."

Aile did not bother listening to him, he quickly ducked and picked up sand, soil, branches and any other thing that could fit into his hand. He aimed and threw them with the increased strength and speed that he got from his cultivation. He had launched everything into the eyes of the person.