The Grand Inheritance

As Francis (Du Chen) slowly stepped into the palace, he immediately sensed all eyes converge upon him.

The palace interior was dominated by a deep cerulean hue, with crystal chandeliers towering more than ten meters overhead, illuminating over a hundred noble ministers standing in two stately rows. Opposite the main entrance, two chairs were positioned: Godfather Ferdinand occupied the left, while a plain-looking middle-aged man in cerulean royal robes and a golden crown sat on the right – His Majesty Bargnar, the King of Lanning.

Two more figures stood beside King Bargnar. One was a young man whose appearance betrayed a life of overindulgence in drink and debauchery. The other, to Du Chen’s utter vexation, was none other than Princess Yuna. Lately, Yuna had been persistently inviting Du Chen to banquets, but how could he dare attend? He had steadfastly refused every single invitation. Unexpectedly, Princess Yuna had only grown more intrigued, even making several direct visits to his residence to extend invitations. It had driven Du Chen to the point of wanting to change his name and vanish just to avoid her.

Under Yuna’s gaze, which seemed to declare, “At last, I’ve caught you!” Du Chen strode forward, bowing with dignified deference, neither servile nor arrogant. “Francis, a scion of Sigurd, pays his respects to His Majesty Bargnar and Godfather Ferdinand!”

“Excellent. I’ve heard many speak of you as ‘the Virtue of Saint John City,’ and Yuna frequently mentions you!” Bargnar praised Du Chen for a few moments before turning his gaze to Ferdinand. “Godfather, Francis has your blessing; perhaps you should speak.”

Ferdinand nodded, his voice deep. “Francis, as you know, the Imperial Minister of Finance and his entire family were assassinated by agents of the Macallan Empire. While they are dead, their sins remain. Therefore, the atonement gold Frith owes you will be allocated from his estate! Currently, the Empire’s ministers are discussing how much atonement gold you should receive!”

Though the words were lofty and grand, everyone present understood that the Minister of Finance’s estate was a massive cake, coveted by all. Yet, Francis first had to take his bite from this cake; only then could the others divide what remained. Thus, the size of Francis’s bite became the focal point of all the ministers’ attention.

Du Chen also understood that without Ferdinand backing him, the ministers likely wouldn’t leave him a single copper coin. But who could blame him for having Ferdinand’s support? Du Chen smiled. “Godfather, I have two questions: first, the total value of the inheritance, and second, how the Holy Church’s scripture regulates the amount of atonement gold!”

Ferdinand chuckled. “All assets combined amount to approximately ten thousand gold coins!”

Du Chen’s heart skipped a beat. He had calculated that one silver coin possessed the purchasing power of roughly one hundred units of currency in his previous life, and one hundred silver coins equated to one gold coin. Therefore, ten thousand gold coins… this was an inheritance that would be calculated in the hundreds of millions! He might very well become a multi-millionaire today. Though excitement surged within him, his face remained perfectly serene, earning him an appreciative glance from the assembled ministers.

Ferdinand was pleased with Du Chen’s unflappable composure. He continued, “Regarding atonement gold, the Holy Church’s scripture stipulates the following: first, it depends on the identities of the parties involved; second…” He droned on with a lengthy exposition of legal clauses, but Du Chen was only interested in the final sentence: “Therefore, you are entitled to three-tenths, or three thousand gold coins!”

Roughly thirty million RMB. Du Chen’s heart rate instantly accelerated.

Yet, at that very moment, a martial general standing in the front row bellowed, “That’s impossible! Three thousand gold coins are enough to equip an elite regiment! I need that money to improve security in the Imperial Capital!” *That old scoundrel, it’s probably enough for you to buy dozens of beautiful female slaves, isn’t it?*

Du Chen appraised the general: a man in his fifties with a fair, smooth complexion and a pair of shrewd, narrow eyes that sparkled with cunning. Beside him, Steve whispered an introduction: this was Admiral Kirisek, Commander of the Saint Bovin Legion in the Imperial Capital.

“No, I need it for disaster relief!” another voice loudly retorted. In an instant, before Du Chen could even open his mouth, the ministers erupted into another argument, as if the money were already theirs.

“Silence! Do you wish to defy the Holy Church’s scripture?” Ferdinand’s voice was stern.

“Godfather, we dare not violate the scripture, but the Empire’s treasury is strained; it, too, requires gold coins!”

Ferdinand fixed his gaze on Du Chen. “Francis, what is your opinion?” He cast a cold glance at the ministers, knowing none of these bureaucrats would be easy to handle. Francis, he suspected, might not be able to manage them alone; he would have to intervene forcefully to help Francis and thereby forge a connection with the mysterious Battle God behind him. With that thought, Ferdinand rose, walked to Du Chen, and placed a hand on his forehead, slowly intoning, “Disregard others, and speak your true thoughts! I, Ferdinand, bestow my third blessing upon you!!”

After speaking, he gave the assembled ministers a chilling stare. In Du Chen’s words, his aura screamed: *This kid is under my protection; who dares threaten him!?*

Indeed, not a single Lanning minister dared to meet his gaze.

Francis’s heart was steady, and he smiled faintly. “I believe the Holy Church’s scripture cannot be violated!”

The implication was clear: *None of you are getting this money; it’s mine.*

Someone scoffed, but with Ferdinand’s active support, the noble ministers dared not openly defy the Holy Church’s scripture. However, these were seasoned political veterans; they wouldn't be stumped so easily. The minister who had been clamoring about the southern floods, an old man with a cunning expression, stepped forward to Du Chen. “My dear Francis, your adherence to the Holy Church’s scripture is commendable, and I support you! Those three thousand gold coins should absolutely be yours!”

Du Chen smiled at the old man, knowing full well he had more to say, so he didn’t rush to reply.

The old man continued, “I’ve heard you are known as ‘the Virtue of Saint John City,’ a good man praised by all. Therefore, on behalf of the disaster victims in the south, I implore you, please help them by donating a portion of those gold coins!” With that, he actually bowed to Du Chen, his junior.

He had started it, and Kirisek immediately picked up the thread. “Nephew Francis, you come from a military family; naturally, you should consider the valiant warriors of our army. The soldiers of the Imperial Capital…”

Apart from Anges, many ministers presented Francis with similar requests, all cloaked in grand and dignified reasons. Their message was singular: they wanted Francis to accept the gold coins, then promptly spit them back out! Anges, too, seemed eager to speak, but pride kept him from acknowledging Du Chen directly.

This time, Ferdinand found it difficult to interject. He returned to his chair and watched how Du Chen would handle the situation. Perhaps this could also be seen as a test.

Du Chen listened with a cheerful smile, offending no one. Yet, he inwardly grappled with a dilemma. Given the ministers’ stance, it seemed impossible for him to retain even a single copper coin. Moreover, the eloquent nobles spouted such high-minded justifications that they were impossible to refute. He had to firmly grasp the gold coins *and* avoid offending anyone!

What was he to do?

*Then I’ll take the money myself, and find a wealthy patron to bear the burden!*

Du Chen’s gaze landed on King Bargnar of Lanning!

“Your esteemed Majesty, you call me ‘the Virtue of Saint John City,’ a title I humbly feel unworthy of. However, my original intention was indeed to use these gold coins to help the poor.” He bent low, bowing deeply. “Your Majesty, I wish to invite you to join me in aiding those who need help!”