The King Of Warriors novel (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 5896

"Very well. Since you've admitted your mistake, I shall—"

However, before Ignatius could finish his sentence, Gerald interrupted, "Hold on! I will decide Jared's punishment."

Ignatius blinked, surprised that Gerald would personally intervene. He dipped into a respectful bow.

"Go ahead, Great Elder Earthfire. How should we punish Jared?"

Gerald's molten-gold eyes flicked from the young man to the crimson-faced princess, a knowing smile curling at the corners of his flame-lit visage.

"Since Lindsay has claimed him as her man, we should let them marry immediately. As husband and wife, Jared becomes a member of Earthfire Pavilion and ceases to be an outsider. The crime of trespass is thereby nullified."

"What?"

"Marry?"

"Immediately?"

A sudden chorus of shocked voices ricocheted off the lava-glazed walls, swelling through the cavern like a flock of startled birds.

Ignatius—usually so quick to rage—stood rooted to the stone, eyes wide, mouth half-open, as though the heat had welded his jaw shut.

All around him, the elders traded wary looks, their weathered faces illuminated by the glow from the magma, each wondering what on earth they had just witnessed.

Meanwhile, Lindsay's blush blossomed so fiercely it outshone the firelight, her head dipping while one slender hand twisted the corner of her robe until her knuckles whitened.

Jared, too, went perfectly still. He had never imagined that Gerald's notion of punishment would look anything like that.

Ignatius swallowed hard. "Great Elder Earthfire... T-This..."

The words jammed in his throat; nothing followed but the crackle of molten rock below.

"What's the matter?" Gerald asked. "Has my command suddenly lost its power?”

The temperature spiked. Super-heated air rolled across the chamber, and the lava pool frothed like a cauldron brought to a violent boil.

Ignatius bowed so fast his hair whipped forward. "Of course not, Great Elder Earthfire. It's just that marriage is no trifling matter, and Lindsay is Earthfire Pavilion's princess. The ceremony should be grand, with guests invited from all over—"

"Why care about those excessive formalities?" Gerald cut in, flicking the thought away like an ember on his sleeve.

"With Malevolent Path Hall's army pressing down on us, what time do we have to hold a grand wedding? Let them get married at once. We can always host a celebration to make up for it once we've driven the invaders back."

Then, he turned to Jared, the magma's glow dancing in ancient eyes. "Well, young man? Do you accept?"

Jared's mind spun like sparks in a bellows.

Gerald's ploy, ridiculous on its surface, struck him as anything but foolish.

First, it wiped away the crime of trespassing: a son-in-law could hardly be branded an outsider.

Second, it chained Jared to the pavilion's war wagon; family ties demanded full support against Malevolent Path Hall.

Third, his Golden Dragon Bloodline—rare and coveted—would pour fresh strength into the pavilion and aid Gerald's dream of rebuilding a mortal body.

And as for himself...

Jared's gaze slid to Lindsay.

Head lowered, she still worried her robe's hem, crimson flooding her face until it seemed liquid enough to drip.

She was shy, yes—yet in her eyes lingered no refusal, only a shimmer of barely contained anticipation.

By any standard, she was extraordinary: beautiful, noble, brave, and unwavering in her affection for him.

To wed such a woman—especially one so devoted—was a blessing few cultivators dared dream about.

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