Chapter 753: Tea

The old merchants of South Coast Territory often said that Jade City had no secrets. All news grew wings.

Some even grew more than one pair.

It was said that on the day of the Sleepless Banquet, Prince Thales, who held Emerald Palace in the name of regency, planned with masterful strategy, dispatched troops and generals, cleverly laid a trap, and forced the Supreme-class peak killer who had recently stirred storms through the city, committing countless serial blood cases, drawing out the iris family's shocking old grievances, implicating Duke Zayen so he lost power overnight, and throwing Jade City into upheaval, into nowhere to hide. He was trapped at North Gate Bridge, and with capture imminent, he could not escape even with wings.

As for the true identity of this unprecedented murderer, and who stood behind him, both the public officials who moved that night and the official peace notices posted afterward spoke vaguely. For a time, among the streets and alleys, every sort of rumor spread.

Some said he was the surviving descendant of the "fourth mercenary force" outside the Jade Legion, which refused reorganization in the past and was exterminated by the old duke. Many years later, he returned to take revenge on Jade City, intending to make the ungrateful Covendier family pay.

Others said he was a terrifying killer adopted by successive iris dukes from youth and cultivated at enormous cost. Hidden overseas and summoned back at a command, he specialized in doing Emerald Palace's shameful work in the dark, such as "wrapping up" the old duke's assassination case back then by killing witnesses, and perhaps even having his shadow in the Bloody Year.

Some said he was a descendant of the old Archsea City faction, loyal to Viscount Sonar Covendier. After his master died unjustly in prison, he escaped pursuit, hid for many years, accumulated strength, and when the time arrived, took revenge against the participants in the old case and cleared his master's grievance.

Others said he was a wandering knight full of chivalrous spirit, trained at the Tower of Eradication. Overseas, he met "Scarlet Iris" Federico Covendier, and after hearing of the latter's experiences, shed tears and swore to stand forth for a stranger he had never known, to uphold justice even if that meant opposing those in power, fighting evil law, and saying farewell to life.

There were even foolish believers who said that murderer was the king of water ghouls, an expert in undead evil arts. Because he once spread superstition and bewitched the world, the old duke had firmly suppressed him with the sacred proper law bestowed by the Sunset Goddess. He had hidden beneath Jade City for many years, bearing hatred, cursing the Covendier family day and night. Once Prince Thales visited, he immediately acted, committing murder in order to accumulate blood sacrifices and resentful spirits, so as to break free of the suppression and destroy the world.

Of course, the most convincing version was that this person's identity was suspicious. He was a senior spy from Quintana, the mysterious agency of the Hanbol Dynasty, and also a high disciple under the sinister and cunning White Chief Priest. Years ago, he single-handedly planned the old duke's death and framed Viscount Sonar, intending to plunge the South Coast into chaos and overthrow the kingdom. Even the deaths of wealthy merchants today, the disappearance of the defense attorney, the killing of security officers, and the sudden death of the judge were part of his plan to deceive and bewitch the brothers Zayen and Federico and stir up internal conflict. Of course, his conspiracy was ultimately foiled in the most heroic manner by the loyal unnamed guards of the kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department. Only then did the present tale of "Star Lake heroes seize the villain, wise prince's regency brings a new heaven" leak out in fragments among the people.

As for the story's continuation, it was said that when Prince Thales heard the news, he was furious. In Emerald Palace, he waved his small hand and shut down South Coast maritime trade for thirty days, detaining more than three hundred Hanbol ships in response.

The city's public officials and Jade Legion soldiers were filled with righteous anger, submitting letters and donations one after another. They voluntarily stopped salaries and holidays for three months to share the prince's burden and reduce losses, but His Highness refused and instead issued salaries and rewards in advance, not missing a single copper. From then on, all officials and soldiers in the city were moved to tears and worked even harder.

Patriotic merchants would not fall behind. Among them, some shipowners voluntarily stopped selling Hanbol goods, even dumping cargo into the Sea of Eradication. Others set towering fires on Ruhsan Street, burning goods in protest and smashing Hanbol imports, declaring that even if they starved to death, they would not use imported Hanbol goods.

On the streets, the Blood Bottle Gang and the Brotherhood, which had originally fought to the death and were incompatible as water and fire, actually ceased fighting at the same time upon hearing of this. United in hatred of the enemy, they pledged allegiance to the prince. No small number of criminals rushed to surrender themselves, seeking only one battle against Hanbol's mountain barbarians. This perfectly answered the old saying: the righteous are often found among dog-slaughtering folk, and patriots are often men of associations.

The local nobles were even more indignant. It was said that old Madam Toriel of the Boipon family gave all her wealth to Emerald Palace, declaring that what did small people fear of dying in one battle? She swore to live and die with the Stars.

When the news reached Renaissance Palace, His Majesty the King did not care at all. Only the Black Prophet smiled faintly, turned his palm, and mobilized three thousand elite secret agents, slaughtering thirty thousand Quintana spies in one wild night. Another version said three hundred thousand, depending on whether you heard the continuation on a rickshaw or at a wine banquet.

As for Prime Minister Cullen, who wholeheartedly wanted to marry his granddaughter to the prince, he gave a single order, boldness soaring to the clouds. The Extreme Sun Fleet's three thousand three hundred and thirty-three warships, do not ask whether the Cullen family actually had that many ships; was that a question you should ask?, all sailed out of the Seven Ports of the East Sea, crossed Brilliant Bay, patrolled the Sea of Eradication, and demonstrated against Hanbol for thirty days.

The Star Kingdom's resolve and measures shocked every country in the world. Under this combination of punches, Hanbol, the chief culprit, suffered soaring prices, resource shortages, complaints everywhere, miserable civilians, terrible losses across all professions, renewed disputes between internal factions, and uprisings from subject states one after another.

Seeing Hanbol's vitality badly damaged, unable to recover for thirty years, the market share left empty instead benefited the merchant groups from Suye. The latter then used the extra money earned in border contests with the Hanbol Dynasty. It was said that Her Majesty Yao, who possessed both wisdom and beauty and maintained friendly relations with the Stars, laughed herself awake from dreams every night.

Thus overnight, the entire Hanbol Dynasty panicked!

Tianhui Talar was terrified, the White Chief Priest regretted too late, the Seven Great Surnames shifted blame, and Kadil, whose throne was already unstable, offered apologies overnight, sent reparations of land, and begged to be allowed to become a son.

Of course, there was another version: in the end, Prince Thales, bearing the wounds of love and the fate of the country, went personally to the long street, faced Hanbol's ten-thousand-man army alone, and used only one line to make the enemy kneel and surrender:

"Those who offend the Stars shall be punished no matter how far away they are."

As for Lady Hilley, who had misunderstood him, she finally understood that the prince had no choice but to bear infamy for love and country. She rushed into the enemy camp with tears and a dagger, shouting that if anyone wished to harm the prince, they would first have to step over her corpse.

At that moment, the prince faced the blade but did not dodge. Blood stained his chest. He only smiled gently and said:

"Hilley, I do not blame you."

The girl cried bitterly and raised the dagger again, but the prince held out his arms and allowed the blade to pierce his body again and again, refusing to harm the girl before him by even the slightest bit.

On the long street, before thousands of troops, the young man and woman forced to become enemies looked at each other beneath the moon across a dagger and fell silent.

After a quarter of an hour, countless grievances and longings finally became a desolate smile after love had ended and fate had broken.

And so, under that night's moon, heartbroken Miss Hilley fled far away with the bloodstained dagger.

The long street was filled with the tears she dropped.

His Highness the prince, covered in blood, merely smiled faintly, turned around with difficulty, and allowed the beauty to drift away.

Alone, he bore the accusations and infamy of sacrificing himself for love.

"What is all this nonsense?"

In the duke's study, Thales read the intelligence and public opinion booklet newly sent by barber Barta, slapped the desk, and cried out in disbelief.

"Which idiot wrote this script?"

A cough came from the study.

Thales paused, then realized the occasion was wrong and his wording inelegant. He had to withdraw his expression, sit upright, and strategically drink a sip of tea, only to grimace from the flavor.

He stopped looking at the ridiculous public opinion records in the booklet, things like "all professions sense the prince's benevolence, pity His Highness's emotional wound, thus strive upward and dare not delay; Jade City's many trades gradually return to order," and raised his head again to look at the two people seated across the desk, one on the left and one on the right.

The two most special guests.

"Good morning, Zayen. And you, Federico. It has been a long time, yes?"

The fallen Duke of Iris sat coldly in the guest seat he was not used to, his face like ice, saying nothing.

On the other side, Federico watched his cousin with a smile that was not quite a smile, his eyes gentle as water, water about to boil.

"Not very long," Federico said faintly. "Only eleven years."

Zayen snorted coldly and did not answer.

Good, the voice in Thales's heart sneered. This is exactly the effect you wanted, Thales.

Thales ignored the tense atmosphere between them and lifted his teacup, feeling the tea's aftertaste.

"Do not just sit there. Have some tea?"

The Duke of South Coast expressionlessly looked at the teacup beside his hand and did not move.

Federico observed the other's reaction and also remained calm.

Thales did not mind. He picked up the tea spoon on his own and pressed down the tea fragments in his cup.

"This is mate tea, a rare specialty from the Sante Islands from countless miles away. It is also the special tea Star Lake Castle uses to entertain honored guests. Unofficially, of course."

His tone paused, and he became serious.

"Only after drinking tea can we discuss serious business."

His words fell, and the Covendier brothers looked at each other almost at the same time.

Both pairs of eyes were filled with vigilance, disgust, and even hatred.

In the next second, the two who stood opposed like needles against awls raised their cups at the same time, as if by tacit understanding. Even while drinking tea, their gazes did not leave the other by half an inch.

But the confrontation quickly ended.

A few seconds after the tea entered Federico's throat, his brows locked tight. Without hesitation, he turned his head away from the cup and spat out the tea fragments in his mouth. The bottom of the cup smashed against the table with an unusually sharp sound.

"What flavor is this?"

Zayen also found it hard to conceal the slight trembling of his fingers, but he endured the bitterness, letting the rim of the cup pause beneath the bridge of his nose for several seconds. He quietly spat the tea back, then slowly put down the cup, leaving only tightly pressed lips.

"Strong, right?"

Thales observed the two who had lost composure, calmly pressed and pushed aside the tea fragments in the cup with the spoon, sipped a little, his brows loosening and tightening by turns.

"It is fine. Drink more and you will get used to it."

Both Covendier brothers were struck badly by the tea, but the drawn-sword atmosphere also eased no small amount.

"The Security Hall only lets separately interrogated prisoners meet each other when it has absolute certainty."

Zayen soon adjusted his state. The orthodox Duke of Iris finally spoke without looking at that cup of tea.

"And since Your Highness is letting us meet now... I suppose you have already controlled the situation and resolved the crisis?"

Federico, still digesting the bitterness, had a flicker in his eyes.

"Delayed, not resolved."

Thales smiled faintly and put down his teacup.

"We all know that so-called control of the situation is only temporary. Jade City is merely obeying me for now and no longer making small moves. To ultimately resolve Jade City's crisis, especially your 'red and black' crisis, I must eventually choose one of you, red or black, and decide who will rule Emerald Palace."

At least, many people believed so.

His words fell, and the Covendier brothers looked at each other at the same time.

The atmosphere was subtle.

"Unfortunately," Zayen looked at the cousin who had caused him to fall into his current state and smiled coldly, "the ducal throne cannot be split in half, can it?"

"Unfortunately," Thales answered as if relaxed, "neither can the royal throne."

Both Covendiers looked toward Thales at the same time, thoughtful.

Federico was silent for a while, then suddenly smiled.

"Your Highness has courage and strategy, with noble help besides. Naturally you turn danger into fortune whenever matters arise. No wonder you cleaned up the situation and took control of Jade City with a flip of your hand."

Noble help...

Thales heard the hint in his words and frowned slightly.

"I forgot to say, that killer, Lausanne the Second. I still caught him in the end."

The prince raised his brows and smiled.

"He opened his mouth and told me everything."

Now it was Federico's turn to frown.

Everything?

Everything from where?

Thales seemed to hear his thoughts and casually added:

"Enough to dig out the mastermind behind the scenes."

Federico's expression changed.

Before he could answer, Zayen across from him anxiously pressed:

"What about Hilley? Was she there too?"

"Relax. She is very safe," Thales answered readily. "For now."

Zayen frowned deeply.

"For now?"

"Yes. Whether it remains that way depends on the next discussion."

Thales once again picked up the teacup and drank a sip. The bitter taste made his eyes nearly lose focus.

"So, drink tea?"

Zayen stared at the turbid tea in the cup and frowned.

"I am not used to this flavor."

Thales raised his brows, drank another mouthful, and his facial features shrank together from the bitterness.

Ah. Same.

But who asked the logistics wing's budget to be limited?

"His Highness did not ask whether you were used to it."

The person who answered Zayen was Federico.

The Covendier son who had been exiled for many years stared at his cousin and enemy, sneered, and pressed aggressively:

"What he said was: drink. It. Down."

Zayen frowned lightly.

I did not say that, Thales pressed his lips together.

"Forget it, Federico. Everyone has..."

But before Thales could finish, Federico smiled coldly. He raised his teacup, ignored the cup full of tea fragments, gulped down a large mouthful, then slammed the cup upside down on the table.

Thales's eyes widened, too late to stop him.

Good heavens, that big a mouthful...

Even Mallos, who drank mate tea like water, would probably lose color at the sight.

"Damn..."

Though the tea's flavor twisted his features and made his whole body tremble, Federico leaned back in his chair and laughed aloud.

"Bitter enough, and strong enough."

He opened his eyes into a slit and looked at Zayen with a rather strange gaze.

"But I must say, it is better than anything I drank these past eleven years."

The atmosphere was poor. Words were knives.

Thales could only chuckle.

Zayen would not show weakness. He snorted disdainfully.

"What, did the vampires not reward you with fresh blood to drink?"

"I do not drink blood," Federico's gaze burned. "Unless it is yours."

"We are both Covendiers and flow with the same blood."

"So anyone's blood is the same," Federico's words carried hidden meaning. "As long as it is Covendier."

"It seems you truly have never drunk blood."

Thales shrugged helplessly. Ignoring their open and hidden barbs, he lowered his head and continued reading the last few lines in the public opinion booklet:

With wise Regent Thales honoring the worthy and winning all hearts, Jade City's trades, life, prices, public opinion, and atmosphere quickly stabilized and gradually recovered.

As for the sinister political struggle behind Emerald Palace, who would be the final winner and sit on the throne as Duke of South Coast? On this topic in the streets and alleys, everyone had little interest.

"It will definitely be a Covendier. Could it be me?"

Instead, the old case of old Duke Lenster's assassination eleven years ago triggered no small amount of discussion. Whether dock porter or mansion gatekeeper, restaurant cook or butcher, anyone older than eleven began recalling every ordinary little matter from eleven years ago, and how strange, abnormal, unreasonable, and full of early signs they were.

"Why did I, who was in the cradle then, suddenly stop crying? Did I see something? Hear something? Or feel something? At the time I did not think so, but now that I think about it, ah, that night truly had a problem. Maybe I saw the blades and shadows of the assassin!"

"I felt something was wrong back then. I just had all kinds of concerns and dared not speak. Now I finally dare say it! Alas, if I had been braver back then and dared speak out, perhaps the old duke would not have died, and Jade City would not have become like this..."

"I cannot hold it in either. I must say it: I originally liked my sister-in-law. At that time she was not my sister-in-law yet. But on the night eleven years ago when I gathered my courage and prepared to confess, at her family door, when I had clearly decided that after circling three more times I would go in, I heard a strange loud sound from the Sunset Temple. I thought it was an earthquake and ran over to help, only to be driven back by guards... sob... when I went home the next day, I discovered my older brother had confessed first... sob sob... damned political conspiracy, you ruined my life's happiness..."

"All these years I have been saying there was definitely a problem with my youngest son failing to become a tax officer back then. Behind it was abuse of public power to suppress good people, even political crushing. And all this was something I deduced with reason and evidence after seeing the string of political oddities behind the old duke's assassination. But no one believed me. They said I was a conspiracy theorist, spreading rumors, paranoid? How about now, did those people get slapped in the face? Smack! Smack! Smack! Does it hurt? Boomerang, right? Swish! Swish! Swish! Does it hurt? Now the truth has emerged, but I am broad-minded and do not want anything else. A public apology and a little compensation will do!"

From nobles and wealthy merchants above to peddlers and servants below, everyone discussed the grievances, love, hatred, interests, and entanglements behind it with great relish. From "Quintana's poisonous scheme throws the Stars into chaos" to "the old duke's hidden plan saves the South Coast," from "the royal family plans to seize Emerald" to "the brothers counter-plan to protect Emerald Palace," or "Lenster's grand scheme seeks the world" and "Viscount Sonar's clever plan repays family and country," even the most legendary "Blood Bottle Gang schemes to break the court" and "Brotherhood's one plan harms the realm," all were told solemnly, logically, vividly, and captivatingly.

But every story eventually ended.

"I know, I know. Right now, all of you believe that no matter whom I choose as duke, the other will bear the crime of patricide or rebellion, be convicted, and go to death. And unfortunately, both of you now wish the other would die."

Thales's thoughts returned to the study. He sighed, closed the intelligence booklet, and interrupted the two cousins' battle of words.

"Then let me be straightforward: impossible."

He looked at the two Covendiers, solemn and serious.

"Both of you will live."

The study was quiet for several seconds. Even though the two Covendiers' relationship was awful, they could not help frowning and looking at each other.

Until Zayen laughed softly.

"No wonder you invited us to drink tea."

Federico's eyes turned.

"What is Your Highness thinking?"

Thales smiled faintly.

"First, Zayen remains Duke of South Coast."

The two Covendiers reacted at the same time, but in opposite ways.

Zayen's eyes darkened, while Federico's face sank.

"Second, the old Duke Lenster's assassination will be reopened. The old conclusion will be overturned. Viscount Sonar will no longer bear the crime of murdering his brother and rebellion."

Zayen's expression instantly became ugly.

Federico's fingers trembled.

"Third, Jade City will undergo reforms. The Security Hall, Court of Judgment, Jade Legion, public offices, and underworld order will all be adjusted and watched. In the future, no one will be allowed to use the city's public authority as a private blade."

Thales looked at Zayen.

"This includes you."

Zayen's face was as cold as water.

"And it includes you too, Federico."

Federico narrowed his eyes.

"Fourth, Hilley will be safe. The charges against her will be cleared. No one may pursue them again in public or private."

Zayen's expression finally changed.

"You are pushing too far."

Federico sneered beside him, but Thales soon gave him a glance.

"Zayen, as long as you agree to the conditions, for the rest of his life, Federico will not take any retaliatory or hostile action against you or your sister, and will give up pursuing the old case from back then."

Thales narrowed his eyes.

"Of course, he had better also not directly or indirectly damage Jade City's economy or security order, shake the unity of the iris family, or question the legitimacy of your ducal seat. After all, Jade City and even the South Coast are kingdom territory under the protection of the royal family."

The royal family's protection...

This time, it was Federico who could not accept it. He suddenly stood.

"What?!"

Thales had long expected this. He unhurriedly gestured for Federico to sit back down.

"And you, Fed, must stay to supervise him in fulfilling these conditions," Thales said lightly. "For this, you will end your exile and officially return to the iris family."

Return to the iris family...

This time, it was Zayen's turn to be incredulous. He abruptly stood.

"What?!"

Thales calmly turned his finger and likewise indicated for Zayen to return to his seat.

"Yes, Fed, you heard correctly. Your father, former Viscount Sonar Covendier of Archsea City, will have his name cleared and his guilt washed away. His honor will be restored. He was not a rebel who murdered his brother, and you were only justly clearing your father's grievance."

Zayen sneered.

"Then how do you plan to explain the old case of my father's assassination? Northlanders did it? Hanbol people? Far Easterners? Or the calamity that destroyed Dragon Clouds City? Or simply say that Saliton, the Flower of Assassins, struck again?"

"I am not finished!"

Thales's words became much more serious, with a faint warning.

"Likewise, as long as you agree to these conditions, Fed," he turned to Federico and softened his tone. "Duke Zayen will pardon your crimes. He will not pursue his cousin for causing chaos in Jade City, whether many years ago or now, including the blood cases you ordered the killer to commit. Not only that, I will also suggest that he enfeoff you as Viscount of Archsea City, the title Viscount Sonar held in life, to comfort your father's spirit in heaven."

Federico's brow twitched.

Viscount of Archsea City...

On the other side, Zayen could no longer endure and clenched his teeth.

"Impossible!"

"Not only that!"

Thales raised his tone, ignoring and overriding Zayen's protest.

"Your cousin will welcome you without regard for past grudges to remain on the South Coast and assist him nearby in governance, especially supervising all the reform measures mentioned above, monitoring progress, finding omissions, and urging him to serve the kingdom better. Of course, more importantly, reminding His Grace the Duke: never repeat today's mistakes."

Thales enunciated the last few words heavily.

Assist.

Supervise.

Remind.

Zayen's expression became more and more ugly.

"So, Zayen, Fed, the two of you..."

Thales slowly looked left and right, once again becoming warm and kind, like the neighborly old grandmother knitting wool.

"Do you understand? Can you do it?"