The Medallion novel Chapter 1076

Shirley nodded before taking a seat beside him. "Grandpa, are you thinking about Alston's proposal?" she asked him gently.

"What do you think?" Bryant asked her with another question.

"I'll obey whatever you decide for our clan's future. I don't think my opinion matters." Shirley's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. Her past self would have done whatever she wanted. But now that she was more cognizant of the Ximen Clan's future, she became a more mature woman.

"I would still like to hear your opinion on the matter, my dear. I assure you, it matters to me," Bryant replied lovingly, instructing her to go ahead.

"I used to admire Alston. With his ability, strength, and being heir to the throne, I thought he was perfect. Everyone looked up to him and obeyed his every order. But I was so naive. Ever since he was appointed the acting emperor, the noble prince I once knew has vanished. He wiped out all the clans who refused to bend the knee. His cruel methods still give me goosebumps to this day. Perhaps it's his nature. It doesn't matter. Whether as a husband or as an emperor, he can't be trusted!" Shirley admitted frankly.

"So you don't want to marry him, correct?" Bryant asked her earnestly, his voice carrying no other sentiments.

She hesitated for a moment before nodding and replying, "Whatever you believe is necessary, grandpa. I will support whatever you decide. You might get in trouble if we turn them down. Alston expects the support of our clan. He won't give up so easily!"

"If you don't want to marry him, my dear, then don't. Leave the rest to me. Once Alston arrives, you can find an excuse to turn him down. Don't worry. Everything will be fine," Bryant assured her after thinking over the matter for a while. His words clearly showed how much he adored his granddaughter.

"I see. But what excuse can I give that's convincing enough?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowed.

"You were engaged to Prince Basil. Although the engagement was called off after Prince Basil's death, his father never officially nullified it. Technically, the engagement is still valid. If you're willing to marry a dead man, then Alston can't force you into the marriage." Bryant grinned as he stroked his mustache. He reminded Shirley of a cunning old fox.

"I never thought my life would benefit from his death. How ironic!" Shirley snorted as she slightly bit her lips.

"Looking back, Prince Basil's great accomplishments at the Gehenna Border proved him to be a more suitable heir to the throne than Alston. Such a pity that he died so young," Bryant added regretfully.

"Him? Forget it! It's not happening!" Shirley exclaimed with disdain. To her, Rocky was still the rascal that robbed her of her first kiss.

Meanwhile, before the plot against Alston was carried out, some valuable news arrived from Laney. Over the past half year, she established an information network within the imperial city. Together with Marcia's precise analysis, they were able to make progress on Flint's whereabouts.

"According to Laney, your younger brother was most likely taken to Wal City. It's a tiny, lonesome, castle-like city located within the mountains. It's said that half a year ago, it became Alston's secret base for gathering forces and training elites. Its walls are heavily guarded by numerous spirit manipulators and tens of thousands of soldiers. Even if we had an army of the same size, we still may not be able to break through," Marcia informed, gazing at the others.

"Alston must have foreseen this. He knows that we'll use every means possible to find and rescue Flint. That's why he didn't bring him to the Palace City. If he did, he would've been exposed once we found solid evidence against him and would never be able to explain. That's why he sent Flint to his secret base. Even if we could get in and find him down there, it would be quite a challenge getting him out. This buys him time to persuade the Ximen Clan. He's really outdone himself now," Rocky commented, his eyebrows deeply furrowed.

"It doesn't matter what he's planning. I'll relay the news to the Ji Clan immediately. I'll ask my father to send over troops to Wal City to rescue my brother. The sooner, the better!" Sabina exclaimed, the impatience clear in her voice.

"I'm afraid it's too late for that. It'll take at least two days to travel from the Ji Mansion to Wal City. The Ximen Clan's centennial celebration is tomorrow. If we destroy his plan of pursuing the Ximen Clan by then, Alston will be furious and will surely threaten your father by hurting Flint. That's why our top priority must be to get him out of that city tomorrow," Rocky insisted as he shook his head.

"So what do we do? Have you got a plan figured out?" Sabina asked hastily, like a cat on hot bricks.

"Wal City's defenses are as strong as iron. I'm afraid all of us banding together to rescue Flint won't be enough. Our biggest problem is that we don't know who to trust anymore. Even just sending out a simple signal for help will be too risky. We can't afford to leave with wool on our backs and come home with it shorn. If I team up with General Lance, we'll have a better chance. However, this will certainly alert the enemy and affect our plan," Marcia added, her thoughts racing.

"So you and my father going there is out of the question." Rocky nodded his head in approval.

"If I and General Marcia can't go, then who else will be able to rescue him?" Lance asked with his eyebrows raised.

"I'll go. We've got no other choice," Rocky replied firmly.

"You mean alone? No, it's too dangerous. Besides, Flint is my younger brother. I'll do it." Sabina understood what he was trying to do. His words left her slightly overwhelmed.

"It's too risky for you to go alone. Count me in. Maybe I can help out a little," Lucilla offered. She was worried about Rocky, too.

"It'll be more convenient to go on this mission alone. Besides, you have the Ximen Clan to deal with," Rocky reminded Sabina with a subtle nod.

"Why?" a confused Sabina asked.

"Because if I can get there tonight, it will be possible to rescue him by dawn. I need you to buy some time for me. Neither General Marcia nor General Lance can do it. Only you can," Rocky replied. It seemed he had finally come up with a plan. However, one small mistake could lead to a huge consequence. He needed to get to the Ximen Clan before Alston could convince them. He needed more time in case anything unexpected occurred. What he asked of Sabina was of utmost importance.

"But..." Sabina wanted to add something but was cut short by Marcia. "Basil is right. With our current situation, he's our best bet at rescuing Flint."

Sabina turned her gaze towards Marcia and then to Rocky. She found herself at a loss for words. On one hand, she knew her master was right. On the other, she didn't want Rocky to risk his life.

"I'll leave the rest to you," Rocky said, gesturing towards Marcia and Lance.

"Be careful," Marcia reminded him.

"Do you want to say goodbye to Isis?" Lance asked.

"No. I don't want her to worry about me. I'm leaving now," Rocky uttered with a straight face before turning away.

"Lucilla, I'm going to write a letter. Have it sent out for me immediately," Marcia ordered once Rocky left the room. An idea suddenly sprung up.

Lucilla nodded quickly.

Once Rocky was out of Lance's study, he summoned Ken and mounted its back as they flew towards Wal City.