Hunter x Hunter: From Obtaining the World to Beyond Heaven

"King Sly has contracted some strange illness and is on the verge of death. We have come to save him. Please let us in."

This information, which should have been highly confidential, was casually mentioned by him.

If it weren't for the martial law in effect during this period, and the area outside the palace being extremely clean and deserted, it would probably have caused a huge uproar.

"On the verge of death..."

The princess's surging anger vanished instantly, replaced by an incredulous murmur.

Tread-tap-

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from behind the palace gate, and with a creak, the gate was pulled open.

A man dressed as a guard with a tense expression emerged from the doorway. He glanced at the group of people gathered outside in surprise, then quickly leaned close to Qiqi Ke's ear and whispered a few words.

After a long silence, Chichiko nodded, put away his gun, and said seriously to Jin and Dia:

"I apologize for my rudeness earlier, gentlemen hunters. You may enter the palace now... Also, regardless of the outcome of your treatment, I thank you for your efforts on behalf of the Royal Guard."

After saying this, he bowed deeply and gestured for everyone to make way.

'The palace must have received the news...'

Jin gave Dia a look, indicating that they could go in, then nodded to the bowing Chichiko, and the two strode towards the door.

Suddenly, the princess, who had just been looking at him with disbelief, also moved and silently followed behind Dia, trying to use his broad back to block her way and sneak in.

"Your Highness, His Majesty only said to let Mr. Jin bring his men in..."

The annoying Kiki stopped her again and said softly.

Even though he longed for the princess to meet the king, his duty and principles were unshakeable.

The princess, who had been stopped, angrily said:

"Why can they go in but I can't? I want to see my father!"

Qiqi and Bubula stood silently in front of the door, without saying a word, like statues.

The head maid, who had been silently following behind her, also tugged at her hand and whispered:

"Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for them. His Majesty must have a reason for not letting us in. Let's go back first..."

Wang Nu gritted her teeth, clenched her fists, and stood motionless in place.

Suddenly, she looked up, as if she had thought of something, and called out to the backs of Dia and the other person:

"You're hunters, aren't you? I need your services! Take me in, and I'll pay you whatever it takes!"

Kikiko frowned, but remained silent, instead glancing expectantly at Dia and the other person who had stopped.

Dia and Jin exchanged a glance; they had clearly heard everything that was happening behind them.

So, should I say yes?

Chapter 326 The Death of the King × Curse (Two-in-One)

"Go with him. It's only natural for a child to want to see his father."

Dia turned to the girl and spoke calmly.

Jin glanced at him, suspecting that Dia was implying something.

Seeing this, Dia assumed Jin was asking why he had brought the princess along, so he quietly covered his fingers with his body, letting his spiritual energy flow from his fingertips to form two words—

【hostage】

Jin was very clever; upon seeing those two words, he immediately understood what Diya was thinking.

Before they even arrived, they had already concluded that conflict was inevitable on this trip.

It's important to understand that in this world, an individual's fighting ability is actually quite ineffective against state-level weapons.

Sometimes you'll see assassin families like the Zoldyck family walking around openly, and other times you'll see the unparalleled Chairman Netero forced into a corner by powerful forces.

Sometimes, we see characters like Don Freecss who single-handedly accomplish feats that even the entire nation's resources couldn't overcome, while at other times, we see the ridiculously powerful Ant King die from a cheap bomb.

For many, the highest levels of this world seem to be shrouded in some kind of fog, adhering to a kind of inaction that is neither wise nor humble.

That's probably just how politics is.

In short, even if Jin Shen is one of the top five Nen users in the world, he would not gain any advantage if he really fought to the death with the royal family of Gu Ganyu.

Therefore, fleeing immediately upon the occurrence of conflict is the best option.

Considering all this, having a hostage in hand might be the optimal solution.

This has nothing to do with moral standards, because if we don't do this and let the intensity of the conflict escalate uncontrollably, the casualties will only be greater.

So Jin gave him a knowing look without saying a word.

Upon hearing Dia's voice, the guard Chichiko seemed to show a barely perceptible expression of gratitude, and then silently stepped aside from blocking the doorway.

"..."

The princess tentatively took two steps forward, and seeing that no one was stopping her, she immediately ran up behind Dia with delight, looking at Qiqi Ke and the others with a smug expression.

"Let's go."

Dia glanced at her neck discreetly, then walked forward.

The palace of Gu Ganyu was even more magnificent than that of Kajin, and Dia was overwhelmed by the sights as she toured it.

It would be even better if there wasn't that chattering noise nearby...

"Hey, hey, are you really a hunter? How old are you...? What's your name?"

"Introduce yourself before asking someone's name!"

Dia couldn't stand noisy women, and when he couldn't stand it anymore, he blurted out a sarcastic remark.

To everyone's surprise, the princess's amethyst eyes widened instantly, and she exclaimed in astonishment as if she had seen a monster:

"You don't even know my name? Didn't I tell you I'm a princess of this country?"

Is there any necessary connection between these two things...?

Dia silently gave Jin a pleading look, which was then completely ignored.

Upon seeing this, the princess immediately realized that the person in front of her truly did not recognize her.

It's alright though...

She chuckled, proudly puffed out her chest, and laughed loudly three times, saying:

"It's alright. Today I'll introduce myself to you. I am the future king of this country, and the people call me the great Princess Xiangpu!"

“Oh, is it the cattail? My name is Dia, I’m 21, and I’m a hunter. He’s Jin, and he’s also a hunter.”

As Diya watched the palace approaching, sensing the faint aura of danger and being watched, she narrowed her eyes and replied casually.

The girl, who called herself Princess Cattail, pouted in dissatisfaction:

"What kind of attitude is that? You think you're different from Qiqi and the others..."

"Weren't you just worried about your father's condition? How come you suddenly have energy?"

Seeing that she seemed determined to go on and on, Diya quickly said something.

Ah, yes, Father's illness...

Upon hearing this, Xiangpu's eyes flashed with panic and worry. She stopped worrying about the details and quickly lowered her head to quicken her pace.

'Thick-skinned, easily overconfident, and impatient...'

Diya felt a sudden silence around her and breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced at the purple-haired princess with her head down and gave her some comments.

Such people are also easier to kidnap...

-----------------

Presumably having been notified in advance, Diya and her two companions entered the main hall without any hindrance, and the guards they encountered along the way simply ignored them.

Upon entering the main hall, the feeling of being spied on and the atmosphere of danger suddenly disappeared.

What came into view was a magnificent main hall, and—the king sitting on the throne!

"Ahem... Mr. Jin, you've arrived. And the person next to you is the expert you strongly recommended earlier, the only one capable of completing this task, right?"

Contrary to the imagined image of a cunning and treacherous king.

The King Slay before him looked weary, his hair was gray, and he was emaciated; his every move lacked any semblance of majesty.

"Father!"

With an anxious cry, a purple shadow flashed through the hall and headed straight for the king on the throne!

Xiangpu rushed to the throne and looked at the old king in disbelief:

"What's wrong with you? Why did you become like this?"

Not far from the throne, King frowned upon seeing Sly's appearance.

A month ago, when he saw Sly, he was still in his prime. Although there was always some resentment and frustration between his brows, it was impossible for his body to be in such a state.

That strange illness could torment him to this extent...

"It seems we are not too late."

Jin calmly took the cloth-wrapped box from his pocket and handed it to a soldier next to the throne.

Upon seeing this, King Slay's previously weary eyes flashed with a sharp light. He took the box from the soldier's hand and gestured for the cattail beside him to be quiet.

Then, as if remembering something, he casually waved his large hand:

"All soldiers, retreat!"

"Yes!"

The soldiers responded in unison.

The entire room fell silent.

With trembling hands, he carefully stroked the box in his hands, but did not open it. He just touched it as if he was sensing something.