Chapter 21: The Chosen Princess

“The Sixth Princess, Jidi, is present.”

With the exception of the Fourth Princess, who had been absent for the past six months, and the Seventh Princess, who for some unknown reason had also begun her absence, the remaining five princesses were all accounted for.

The Sixth Princess, Jidi.

The Fifth Princess, Yinlang.

The Third Princess, Ganghuo.

The Second Princess, Jiqiao.

The First Princess, Huangren.

““Well, everyone who’s meant to be here has arrived, haven’t they? Let us commence this operational meeting, then.””

Seeing that all the expected attendees had gathered, Huangren declared the meeting open.

However, her announcement was immediately met with an objection from Yinlang.

““Hold on a moment, Big Sister. Hasn’t our youngest sister not arrived yet? Is it truly alright to begin without waiting for her?””

The ‘youngest sister’ Yinlang referred to was, of course, the Seventh Princess.

While both she and the Fourth Princess were absent from this meeting, the Fourth Sister had been missing for half a year, a situation they had long grown accustomed to.

Moreover, given her own strong dislike for the Fourth Sister’s unpleasant disposition, her continued absence was, if anything, a blessing.

The Seventh Sister, however, was a different matter; Yinlang was quite fond of this younger sibling.

Though she had no idea why the Seventh Sister hadn’t yet appeared, Yinlang felt compelled to advocate for her right to participate in the meeting.

““Ah, her. It makes no difference whether she attends or not. This meeting was never truly about her in the first place. Father hasn’t even mentioned her in the directives he issued for us this time.””

Naturally, Huangren, being the true culprit, knew precisely why their youngest sister couldn’t attend this meeting.

After all, she had personally taken care of her; there was no way she could possibly show up.

Thus, even if Father’s current directives hadn’t excluded her, Huangren had already planned to concoct an excuse to account for her absence.

““If she has no part in this, then let us not waste any more time. Let’s begin immediately. What new pronouncements has Father made this time?””

Ganghuo, too, was growing impatient, as she had other pressing matters to attend to and no spare time to squander on waiting.

““Indeed. Father is greatly incensed by the humans who perpetually defy him. However, due to the dimensional通道 (TL Note: A portal or gateway between dimensions) being blocked, a large-scale teleportation like the one thirteen years ago is no longer feasible. Therefore, Father has decreed that we, who have hitherto remained uninvolved, shall venture into their world.””

““What?! Has Father finally decided to unleash us?!””

Upon hearing that Father intended to dispatch them to the human world, all the princesses, save for Jiqiao, were utterly stunned.

It was well known that even during the war with humanity thirteen years ago, Father had never deployed his seven daughters to the battlefield.

This was not because the princesses at the time were weak; quite the opposite.

The seven princesses possessed abilities that placed them among the absolute elite of all异生兽 (TL Note: A term for monstrous, alien, or mutated creatures), beings who transcended all other species.

Given such formidable power, why, then, did Father not send them to the front lines thirteen years prior?

The reason was quite simple.

He simply couldn’t bear to.

After all, these were his beloved daughters, no matter how potent their abilities.

No father would willingly send his children to the front lines of a war.

Even when Ganghuo, then the Third Princess, had actively pleaded to go to battle against humanity, he had refused.

Now, however, their Father had finally relented, prepared to allow his daughters to unleash their might.

““Indeed. However, Father intends to dispatch only one of us to the human…””

““Then let me be the one to go!””

Before Huangren could finish speaking, Ganghuo slammed her hand on the table, rising to her feet and volunteering herself.

Thirteen years ago, she had already yearned to contend with the humans who had managed to repel Father’s legions, and now, that ambition could finally be realized.

““If it were up to me, I would certainly send you, Ganghuo. With your strength, fulfilling this directive would undoubtedly be effortless. Regrettably, however, Father has already chosen his designated candidate for this mission.””

““There’s already another candidate? Let me think… could it be you, Second Sister? Or perhaps you, Big Sister?””

If Father had personally designated this individual, their strength must surely surpass her own.

Among their sisters, only two possessed power greater than Ganghuo’s.

““I wouldn’t know. Let’s hear what Big Sister has to say. If it were me, I would simply execute Father’s directive flawlessly.””

Jiqiao displayed an air of complete indifference.

She had never been particularly invested in the destruction of humanity; if she were truly dispatched, she would simply fulfill the mission diligently to meet Father’s expectations.

““It is with regret that I must inform you, Father’s chosen candidate for this mission is none of us three sisters. It is you, Jidi.””

““Eh? Me? That truly is unexpected. I thought it would be someone else.””

To her astonishment, Father had personally named her.

Amidst her surprise, Jidi also felt a surge of delight.

If Father had specifically chosen her, it must mean she was more favored by him than her other sisters, right?

““Ha? Are you serious? Jidi? Why not me?!””

Ganghuo was visibly unable to accept this reality.

If it had been Jiqiao or Huangren, she would have understood.

But Jidi? Of all people?

What about her was superior to herself?

To think Father would specifically task her with the mission of destroying humanity.

““One can only conclude that Father deems Third Sister’s strength to be inferior to mine, which is why she was not chosen.””

““What utter nonsense are you spouting? Perfect, let us spar right now, and we shall see if my strength truly is beneath yours. If I win, you will cede this mission’s candidacy to me.””

Such a blatant provocation from Jidi, how could Ganghuo’s fiery temper possibly endure it?

She immediately sprang onto the table, brandishing her fists and preparing for battle.

It was clear that Ganghuo desperately wished to usurp Jidi’s place in this mission, even if it meant engaging in a duel with her right then and there.

However, Huangren would not tolerate such insolence from Ganghuo.

Father had personally designated the candidate; to arbitrarily change it would imply a complete disregard for Father’s authority!.

She absolutely had to be taught a lesson.

Yet, even before Huangren could draw her sword, Jiqiao had already made her move.

Rays of energy shot forth from her fingertips, binding Ganghuo tightly and thus restraining her movements.

““Release me! Second Sister! I refuse to believe my strength is inferior to Jidi’s!””

Having just been provoked and mocked, even with her body now restrained, Ganghuo would not easily abandon her desire to thoroughly pummel Jidi.

““No one believes your strength is inferior to Jidi’s. However, Father undoubtedly has his reasons for choosing Jidi this time, and even if you were to defeat Jidi, Father’s decree would not be so easily altered. So for now, calm yourself. And Jidi, you too, why must you needlessly provoke Ganghuo? Apologize at once.””

Following Jiqiao’s words, Jidi dutifully offered her apology to Ganghuo.

““Enough, Ganghuo. Jidi has already admitted her mistake and apologized to you; it’s high time you settled down.””

However, Ganghuo was still seething with rage, and even Jiqiao’s words would not easily quell her fury.

Thus, in the end, more drastic measures were required.

““This truly is hopeless. Yinlang, assist me. No need for excessive power, just enough to stun her unconscious.””

““Alright.””

Raising her hand and aiming, a powerful surge of electricity immediately erupted from Yinlang’s fingertips the next second, causing Ganghuo to tremble uncontrollably, her eyes rolling back into her head.

She instantly lost consciousness.

““Good grief, always so impulsive. It’s a good thing you’re here, Jiqiao. I’ll have to trouble you to clean up this mess as well.””

Seeing how effortlessly Jiqiao had dealt with Ganghuo, Huangren felt a sense of relief.

If she had been forced to intervene herself earlier, the situation would likely not have concluded so simply.

““It’s fine. If you had intervened, Ganghuo would not have merely been stunned unconscious. Is there anything else to discuss? If not, let’s adjourn the meeting.””

In truth, had Jiqiao not intervened, Ganghuo would most likely have perished by Huangren’s blade.

That was why Jiqiao had chosen to act, to minimize the damage from the situation.