His hand discreetly went to the side of his neck, touching the unresponsive scent glands that rested beneath his skin. Since he was born, he had never released pheromones and could never perceive them. Due to the unparalleled strength he had showed since he was young, everyone just believed that he was also an Alpha. One that was adept at controlling his pheromones. They all thought he was so good that not once has his pheromones been leaked.
It wasn't true though. He just didn't have them. Hua Ren didn't know what it was like to release pheromones.
But seven months ago, he experienced what it was like to perceive them. It was just for a fleeting moment but he did.
And that was when he set his eyes on the enemy. The Celestial Kingdom's enemy. The leader of the rebels.
He knew immediately their eyes met. He could feel in in his bones, deep inside his heart.
Sheng Fei was his Alpha.
But he refused to accept it. He could never be with a Rebel. He could never be with someone that wanted his beloved Emperor dead.
So that day, he had drawn out his swords and charged at the Rebel leader, ready to cut off his head and present it to the Emperor.
Unfortunately, Sheng Fei noticed that his side was losing and their numbers were quickly dwindling so he retreated with the rest of his people before Hua Ren could even get to him.
Hua Ren wished for the day he would meet Sheng Fei again. He didn't care that he was his Alpha. He would kill him, cut off his head and take it to the Emperor. He would lay waste to all the Rebel scum that dared challenge the Emperor's reign.
"Those darned Rebels!" General Hei Long growled, gritting his teeth. "Your Majesty, give the order. I shall slay everyone who opposes you!"
The General's outburst drew Hua Ren out of his thoughts. He blinked, trying to understand what they were talking about. He was thinking about Sheng Fei and didn't listen to the report.
"Calm down, Hei Long," another General said. General Zhen Shu, also known as the Iron Strategist. He came from a family of blacksmiths that could create any kind of weapon in the world and lay traps that could capture any man or beast. Once the enemy is caught in Zhen Shu's trap, they were done for. "The villagers are our people. There has to be a reason they are refusing to move. We can go there and calmly negotiate with them."
"Negotiate?!" General Hei Long spat. "Haven't you heard the rumours? They are supplying the rebels with food instead of sending them here to the Capital. They are traitors!"
"So what you're suggesting is that we wipe out the entire village." General Yin Mei stated with a smirk. As long as she gets to spill blood, she was in.
"We can't!" General Zhen Shu exclaimed. He couldn't deal with such bloodthirsty unreasonable people so he turned to the Ivory Warlord. "General Hua Ren, please, speak some sense into them!"
Hua Ren gazed at them all with a straight face. He didn't listen to the report but he had to give an answer fast. Based on their argument, he could already guess some things about the report.
"I suggest we investigate." He said. "We cannot slay an entire village over some rumours. If we investigate and find out that they are indeed rebels, we shall dispose of them."
"Well said." The Emperor praised, smiling at Hua Ren. "Then tomorrow, you and General Hei Long shall depart for the Eternal Grain Valley and investigate. If the rumours are true, you know what to do but make sure you bring the village head back alive. He should be able to tell us the whereabouts of their leader or at least, where they deilver the food."
The image of Sheng Fei flashed in Hua Ren's mind and he balled his fists, hatred filling his heart. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"What about the rebels you brought back?" The Emperor asked Hua Ren.
"They have been imprisoned by my subordinates, Your Majesty." Hua Ren replied. "I wanted to interrogate them myself but since I am to go to Eternal Grain Valley tomorrow, I would request that His Majesty assign someone else to do it so that we can quickly find out where their leader is."
The Emperor rubbed his chin, thinking about who he should give the task. "Should Yin Mei interrogate them?"
The General bowed, about to accept the task when Hua Ren quickly spoke. "If His Majesty is asking my opinion, I'd say His Majesty should assign the Iron Strategist, Zhen Shu."
Yin Mei glared at Hua Ren. "What is the meaning of this, General?!"
"Why did you suggest General Zhen Shu?" The Emperor asked, amused.
Hua Ren proceeded to explain. "Replying to His Majesty, it is not that General Yin Mei is not capable. It is just that she lacks patience and is too aggressive. She'll kill the prisoners before getting any answers. As for General Zhen Shu, he is patient and is more likely to get His Majesty the answers he needs. Please, consider General Zhen Shu, Your Majesty."
General Yin Mei knew what Hua Ren spoke was the truth so she didn't say anything. She only glared at him.
The personal advisor whispered something to the Emperor and he nodded. "Fine. General Zhen Shu will interrogate the prisoners. General Hua Ren and General Hei Long will go to the Eternal Grain Valley. That is all for today. You may all leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" All four Generals chorused.
They were almost out of the Celestial Dragon Hall when they heard the Emperor call back General Hei Long.
General Hei Long went back in and Hua Ren watched at the doors to the Hall closed, indicating that the Emperor didn't want to be disturbed.
A pang of jealousy flashed in Hua Ren's heart but he turned, keeping his face straight as he left the palace.
The sprawling Hua Estate, a vast expanse of land, served as the ancestral home for the illustrious Hua family. Within its expansive grounds, each member of the Hua lineage finds residence.
General Hua Ren, distinguished in his own right, possesses a substantial section of the estate, a realm larger than the average household. Amidst this grandeur, Hua Ren had erected a stately manor, specially crafted to accommodate the Omega beauties bestowed upon him by the Emperor.