Chapter 649: Emerald Mystery City (Part 2)

When night fell and Thales and Zayen stepped into the resplendent banquet hall, the Strife Banquet had only begun an hour earlier. But the guests were already exchanging cups and talking warmly. Some were even flushed with wine, staggering about, and several more unrestrained foreign guests were wildly swaying, singing, and dancing in the Iris Garden, howling like ghosts as they competed in song.

This gave Thales a new impression of South Coast banquet customs: fine food and wine never stopped, bard songs and music continued without pause, and the guests did not need to wait for the host to arrive. They could begin an all-night revel on their own.

"Our... guests come from the Seven Seas and all directions," was Zayen's pale and powerless explanation, his face ashen, especially when he saw two drunk guests from the Ligudan city-states wrestling in his garden for entertainment, attracting countless people to trample the lawn. "This, hm, demonstrates Jade City's inclusive breadth of mind that embraces all rivers."

Duke Thales cautiously expressed appreciation for this.

After all, Northlanders merely ate, drank, and wrestled.

But precisely because of this, when the two dukes took their seats, Thales did not encounter the mountain-roaring sea-crashing reception of the royal banquet, nor the feeling of wolves surrounding him in Dragon Clouds City's feast hall. Along the way, guests who recognized them naturally smiled respectfully and bowed in greeting, while those who did not recognize them remained immersed in the banquet's celebratory atmosphere. This gave the youth a long-lost sense of ease.

"Thanks to you," Zayen's expression was poor, "there are more guests this year than in previous years, and of higher level as well. Look at this banquet. Many figures I did not expect have come. Everyone thinks there is an opportunity to seize."

Thales's eyes lit up.

"And that means..."

Zayen nodded, his expression grave.

"If your father intends to act, tonight would be a good time. In front of these honored guests, I have too many restraints and very little room to adapt."

The atmosphere between the two instantly cooled.

"Then over these few days, did you discover anything in Jade City?"

Zayen glanced at Thales.

"Of course. Commercial disputes in the Gilding District, drunken trouble in the Canal District, playwrights reporting each other in the Goddess District, the Blood Bottle Gang and Brotherhood using the celebration as cover for smuggling. But all of these happen every year. Not one involves Emerald Palace."

Thales's gaze moved slightly.

"That is interesting. Where would he, or the Secret Intelligence Department, start?"

Zayen's eyes sharpened. He looked toward the guests at the banquet.

"We will know."

"Ah, Lord Zayen! Hahaha!"

A rough voice rang out, interrupting the two.

"I originally wanted to talk to you about which merchant associations should receive permits next quarter." A fierce man reeking of alcohol came before Zayen while holding a seductive foreign beauty around the waist, grinning ferociously. "But as you can see, tonight is unfortunately inconvenient. This impatient new female companion of mine cannot wait!"

"No hurry, Shipmaster Tanganga. After all, there are still six days of celebration," Zayen smiled faintly.

Tanganga laughed loudly, the scar on his face twisting.

"Well said! Six days left! Haha! We had better hurry and find a room before your husband sobers up and comes to his senses... Banquets are short, time waits for no one!"

Thales narrowed his eyes as he watched Tanganga and his new companion leave in a hurry, then looked back at Zayen.

"Do not look at me," Zayen was unsurprised. "'Sea Wolf' Tanganga is a Kessel man. This is the style of the Children of the Maiden."

"Kessel man? Children of the Maiden? But isn't that..."

"Pirates," Zayen confirmed. "Yes. At least his maternal grandfather and mother both were."

Thales frowned.

"Their tribe was once famous on the End Sea, rampant for a time, burning, killing, looting, and committing every evil," the Duke of the South Coast snorted coldly. "But several decades ago, in the Battle of Radiant Bay, they were beaten to pieces by the Radiant Harbor navy and suffered countless casualties. By the time it passed down to Tanganga's generation, his mind had become more flexible."

"Flexible?"

Zayen nodded disdainfully.

"Now they are no longer pirates, but the 'Sea Wolf Fleet.' Their business scope includes legally and properly transporting, escorting, patrolling, scouting, and peacekeeping at sea, as well as legally and properly doing the opposite."

Legally and properly?

"The opposite..." Thales's expression was strange. "You mean robbery, robbery, robbery, robbery, and... robbery?"

"No, then you underestimate them."

Zayen shook his head and lowered his voice.

"You should know, Tanganga also does kidnapping and extortion."

Thales froze.

"And you cooperate with people like this?"

"Cooperate?" Zayen found it laughable. "Then you underestimate me. Who do you think gave them the motivation for legal reemployment?"

With complicated feelings, the two took their seats together.

"I am thinking," Thales said as he examined the guests, "could the Secret Intelligence Department start with these foreign guests? For example, Tanganga just now. Would he betray you?"

Zayen smiled contemptuously.

"He is not qualified enough."

As the banquet host and Duke of the South Coast, Zayen was quite busy this night. He had to rise often to socialize or accept greetings at his seat.

Aside from that Kessel shipmaster Tanganga, the son of the head of the Ligudan city-states brought greetings from across the ocean to the two dukes and hinted that he might be the next head of state. He waited eagerly for their reactions, but the two dukes were clearly preoccupied and had no time to pay attention to him. The guest finally turned away unhappily and left in disappointment.

Several noble ladies from the Kingdom of Tuoluo boldly requested that Lord Zayen honor them with a dance. After being politely refused, their faces full of resentment, they turned toward Thales. But just as Thales prepared to smile and decline, they gestured at the prince's height and left disappointed, stating that custom did not allow them to dance with men shorter than themselves.

The prince angrily ate the next plate of food, while Duke Zayen cheerfully and kindly reminded him that perhaps he should add two more plates.

Two guests from the Eastern Continent belonged to two families among the seven great surnames of the Hanbul dynasty. They represented Diyeva of Lyelden, Doro-Sincerity-Hanbul, and Talar of Throng City, Dusuan-Life-Godaran, respectively, coming to offer blessings to Duke Zayen and Prince Thales.

"Remember, Hanbul is both their royal surname and the name of their dynasty. Although when 'Great Kadile' Ama Mimo Hanbul founded the country, those under him were practically a stew of peoples, Neda people, Barren Mountain people, Red Earth people, Salt Land people, Flame Sea people..." Zayen accepted the guests' greetings while quietly reminding Thales. "But today, we are all used to calling them Hanbul people, just as they call us Stars people, not Ludor people."

"I know," Thales quietly answered without changing expression.

"There are seven great surnames in the Hanbul court, each controlling one of the seven powers: Tubar chants scripture, Azad holds the sword, Godaran bears the lamp, Uhelaya wields the whip, Mairiye offers the plate, Takambu controls the horses, and Nifat manages the scales. Now the seven great surnames also absorb new blood and accept outsiders, effectively becoming seven great power groups that co-rule the dynasty with the Hanbul royal family residing in Sunhope City, that is, the leader's house where the Kadile belongs."

"I know!"

"Aside from respectfully calling the monarch Kadile, Hanbul people call princes and dukes Diyeva, while city heads are called Talar. Do not mix them up later, or either he will suffer, you will suffer, or I will suffer."

"I kno... truly, you would suffer?"

"It has happened in history. It is known as the 'Cousin Mistake.' The result was the seven great surnames killing until rivers of blood flowed, replacing one archpastor of the Sunlight Temple and one Kadile. Another time, the Nightfall Dynasty wrote the wrong title in diplomatic correspondence with them, and the war between the two countries lasted a full twenty... forget it. For world peace, you should remain silent later."

As time passed, the atmosphere of the Strife Banquet grew increasingly heated. Thales, dividing his attention, soon found familiar figures.

Doyle held a wine cup, hooked arms with several local young noblemen, laughed without restraint, and sang an extremely unpleasant song with them. Glover sat alone in a corner, staring back and forth with Ralf in the opposite corner. Mallos politely conversed with several older guests, occasionally sending razor-sharp death glances toward his subordinates around the hall. Paul stood by the viewing platform, enjoying the scenery and getting along harmoniously with several steady nobles whose family crests alone marked them as important. Nessie mixed into a lively crowd, wildly cheering around a troupe performing acrobatics. Wya was dragged by Komuto, surrounded by guests who were clearly officials and bureaucrats, wearing a polite smile. Logistics Wing's Stour and Piloga walked past tables full of food, pointing and arguing about... what, how many types of poultry were on the table?

Chicken, duck, goose, skylark, quail, pigeon, partridge, peacock, turtledove, ostrich, snipe... Thales, bored, had only counted to the twelfth kind of poultry dish on the table when he was interrupted, because the musicians at the other end of the hall were about to begin playing.

So fucking extravagant.

Thales thought resentfully.

The extravagance and waste of South Coast nobles at banquets could be clearly seen, especially a noble family whose emblem was a flower decorated with three colors, above earls and below kings, whose main city was one of the top towns in a certain kingdom, and whose current head was quite young and wealthy. To avoid unnecessary disputes, Duke Thales chose not to name them here.

As revenge, Thales chose to continue eating their food in large mouthfuls.

"That browless one just now was Hasha, the special envoy of the Tyron Trade Federation." Zayen, having gone out to socialize again, returned to his seat and immediately cooled his face, no longer approachable as before. "He actually dared to mention tariffs to me and hinted at his relationships with several royal chartered merchants... Does he think he can threaten me with that, or does he think the Jadestar royal family is something good?"

"Uh... I am sitting right here?" Thales frowned and reminded him.

"I know," Zayen said unhappily. "Otherwise how would it show that our relationship is cold and we are hostile to each other?"

"Hm, that does... seem to make some sense?" Thales was temporarily speechless.

But Zayen's gaze moved.

"In fact, I am thinking about something." The Duke of the South Coast turned to Thales. "That wine merchant, Moss. How did you determine that he had been bought by the Secret Intelligence Department?"

I saw him with my own eyes inside the Secret Intelligence Department.

"Inferred it," Thales put down his utensils, his face normal. "What is wrong?"

Zayen stared at him for quite a while before nodding.

"When it comes to earning money, Moss has his ways. But when it comes to being a spy... why would the Secret Intelligence Department choose this man full of flaws, someone who showed his tail on the first day?"

"To stir up conflict between us," Thales said naturally. "Of course, on the surface, they succeeded."

Zayen narrowed his eyes.

"Is that truly all?"

"Then release Dagori?" Thales shrugged. "See who he goes to find, and who comes to find him?"

Zayen shook his head in denial.

"Too late. Releasing him now would only be more suspicious. Wait, am I seeing... is that Arunde standing there? Lady Miranda Arunde?"

Thales hurriedly focused his gaze.

Beside a sofa across from them, a group of differently dressed guests were enjoying themselves, singing an exotic song together. Miranda was surrounded at the center by a group of noble ladies, swaying left and right with the rhythm, opening and closing her lips, her face full of lifeless despair.

A flash of amazement passed through Zayen's eyes as he looked at Miranda.

"No." Thales spat out a bone and shook his head calmly, deliberately using an unfathomable tone. "Standing there is my sharpest weapon."

Zayen looked at him as though looking at an idiot.

Several seconds later, the Duke of the South Coast sighed.

"Are you certain His Majesty will act here? That his target is Jade City?"

Hearing this, Thales's mood sank.

"He will."

Zayen glanced at him.

"Trust me," Thales sighed softly and turned his attention back to his seat. "Whether it is a council, a banquet, an audience, even some losers' mutual aid meeting in a small tavern, whenever I am in a crowded place, under everyone's eyes, something will definitely happen around me, and it will definitely be a major event..."

Zayen did not speak. Only his gaze flickered.

"Then," Thales felt uncomfortable under his stare and hurriedly changed the subject, "do you have preparations, contingency plans, guesses about where the king will start and how he will deal with you?"

Zayen looked at him for a long time before snorting softly.

"Shouldn't you know that best and tell me?"

Thales's heart skipped.

Fortunately, the Duke of Iris clicked his tongue.

"Over these few days, your subordinates have been probing up and down Jade City like mice digging holes, while you yourself have relied on my hospitality funds to wander around the whole city. Were you not looking for weaknesses, thinking of ways to bring down House Covendier?"

Only then did Thales relax.

"Yes, because that is what I should do."

The prince adjusted his mood and made himself sound righteous.

"Since according to our plan, we need everyone, especially my father, to see us as irreconcilable and hostile to each other... then I send people to investigate and scout, thinking of how to topple you. Is that not very normal, even necessary?"

Zayen raised his brows.

"Very right. Too right."

The Duke of the South Coast's gaze shot directly into Thales's eyes.

"Then, did you and your people find anything in Jade City?"

Thales's expression changed slightly. Just as he was about to answer, a small commotion arose at the banquet.

The two dukes looked together and saw a man from the Far East, dressed in gorgeous old imperial-style clothes, entering the brightly lit banquet hall accompanied by attendants.

The man's age could not be seen from his appearance, but his face was pale, his gaze cold, and long hair fell over his shoulders. His steps and etiquette were flawless. Yet those who recognized him often changed expression greatly and stepped back, as though desperate to avoid him.

"Finally."

Strangely, when Zayen saw this man, he seemed to let out a breath, as though a heavy stone had fallen from his chest.

"As far as I know, they arrived in Jade City early, but they have been lying low and waiting, rarely going out," the Duke of the South Coast made his face solemn and sat upright. "Now, they have finally come."

The banquet continued. Many guests remained immersed in the joyful atmosphere, but in the distance, Mallos hurriedly made hand signs. The Star Lake Guards struggled free from the wine-and-lights atmosphere and moved closer to Thales.

The Far Eastern guest advanced expressionlessly. Every step landed on the ground, yet was silent. Not even his shoulders swayed.

Thales looked at the man and vaguely felt something was wrong, but for a moment, he could not say what.

"That Far Easterner is from Nightfall?"

"Yes," Zayen's gaze was strange. "But also no."

"What?"

Zayen snorted softly.

"Because he is already dead."

Thales froze.

In an instant, the Far Eastern guest had arrived before the two dukes. He faintly raised a hand and declined the wine tray offered by Ashford.

Zayen revealed a smile and was about to speak, but the guest slowly turned his head. His cold gaze swept past Zayen and landed on Thales.

"It is an honor to meet you in person, Your Highness Thales, Duke of Star Lake."

He spoke standard Western Common. His voice was calm and without waves, like the operation of machinery.

"As a descendant of Jadestar, your features do not resemble the Renaissance King, yet are somewhat close to Black Eye."

The Sin of Hell's River burned restlessly, and Thales's expression changed slightly.

Now that the man was close, he finally discovered what was wrong.

The response given to him by his hell senses was both unfamiliar and familiar. Within the other party's body, from head to toe, the feedback was a strange dark red, quiet and ominous. Not even the vibration caused by breathing appeared.

"Li Corleone, from the Night Kingdom across the End Sea."

The Far Eastern guest bowed respectfully, but his pale face had no expression.

Hm? Corleone, Night...

Thales frowned.

"As regent to Her Majesty Katerina, I bring you greetings and a gift from the Blood Sea Throne."

Ka, Kater...

Thales widened his eyes. He endured the faint phantom pain on his neck and reacted.

"You mean Crybaby... hm, Kater... uh, the Night Queen?"

The vampire with a Far Eastern appearance, Li Corleone, raised his head. His pupils were muddy.

"Precisely."

"Her Majesty's original words are as follows: May Your Highness Thales remain as full of blood as ever, your blood boiling, your blood vigorous."

------

That night, the two sides who had originally stood with swords drawn gathered in Emerald Palace, feasted and drank until dawn, and both host and guests were delighted.

King Horace and Duke Cork not only set aside their former grudges, but also agreed to become in-laws, arranging the marriage between Prince Hayman and Miss Regina.

Originally, a palace painter who had drunk too much wanted to paint the prince and the young lady on the spot as witness, but was driven away by the duke's eldest son: "Wait until his nose is straight again."

It is said that Hayman and Regina's wedding was grand in scale, solemn, and luxurious. King Horace and Duke Cork both attended, arm in arm in celebration. Whether nobles of the six territories or guests from eight directions, the Jadestar royal family and House Covendier refused no one. The whole city held banquets, and everyone had a seat.

Jade City reveled for a ten-day period. Guests from afar came and went, left and returned. Countless bards rushed to sing of Prince Hayman's courage and wisdom, Princess Consort Regina's icy intelligence, and their deeply moving love, composing the story of the nine-pointed star and the iris turning enemies into friends and proclaiming the kingdom's strength and unity.

To commemorate this rare grand wedding of the century, as well as the great meaning behind turning war into jade and silk, "Regina Festival" became an annual traditional festival for Jade City's citizens. In the days afterward, Hayman and his wife loved each other and supported each other. Many celebrated stories of outwitting treacherous ministers, petitioning for the people, and helping fulfill others' wishes took place between them. Their good names spread throughout the kingdom, and their virtuous reputations were recorded forever in history, so much so that a sarcastic remark from Duke Arunde accidentally gave Hayman a title that would be passed down for ages: the Southerner.

When the Eight-Fingered King and Duke Cork both passed away in later years, and Hayman ascended the throne as Hayman the First while Regina became the first Queen of Stars surnamed Covendier, the South Coasters became even prouder. Whenever they met people, they boasted of "our queen," and when introducing themselves, they always mentioned "the Queen's City."

This was the origin of Queen's Day and the Queen of Cities five hundred and fifty years ago.

Time flew. Seas turned to mulberry fields. The story of Hayman and Regina saving the kingdom from the edge of war gradually faded, becoming works of art by bards and playwrights to win smiles from listeners and audiences. The meaning of the first Covendier queen and the "Southerner" king also slowly yellowed and faded, settling into the gaps of history and pages, only occasionally reappearing between the spectacles, paper, and pens of a few scholars.

But from "Regina Festival" to "Queen's Day," and then to the later, more widely known "Emerald Celebration," Jade City's festival customs during this week were passed down for a long time. Even the forms of celebration corresponded one by one to the steps of the royal wedding from back then, beginning with the Strife Banquet and ending with the Praise Banquet.

As for the meaningful history behind the festival, time ground it into the sand of civilization, letting it seep into the lives of every Jade City citizen today.

End of Chapter Six, Records of Emerald Mystery City.