Porter? Liana? A 'Surprise' Arrival

He dotingly kissed his clever, spirited daughter. "Arthur, Margaret's lackeys are outside. Be cautious!" Du Chen closed his eyes, his appearance indistinguishable from Dus's a few days prior.

A venomous glint flickered in Arthur's eyes. He walked out, hands clasped behind his back, an arrogant expression on his face. He growled softly, "Venerable Elder Yonker, my friend needs rest! Is disturbing an injured guest the Batuk Family's way of hospitality?"

Outside, Yonker stood clad in a purple-gold royal robe, his expression grim. Beside him, Sword Slave stood, a faint cold smirk playing on her lips. Sword Slave glanced at Arthur, "Who are you?"

"Crown Prince Reno, Arthur!" As he spoke, Arthur faced Sword Slave, who was a head taller than him. But the hands clasped behind his back, hidden from Sword Slave and Yonker's view, subtly signaled Deboning.

Sword Slave and Dragonfinch exchanged a surprised glance. So this youth was the infant captured alongside Francis all those years ago. "Hmph, I've heard rumors about you in recent years. But since you haven't deciphered our God's Secret Technique, but instead forged your own path to achieve what you have today, I won't bother with you for now!"

"Francis is our true target!"

Yonker's tone turned severe. "Crown Prince Arthur, disturbing an injured guest is certainly not the Batuk Family's way of hospitality. But is using our family's Millennium Grand Ceremony as a cover to sneak into Bog Island and aid Miki's Restoration the way a guest should behave? And is the Reno Fleet attacking my ally, the Garrison Fleet, during my ceremony also a guest's conduct?"

Arthur bowed slightly. "Venerable Elder, the grievances between Reno and the Garrison Fleet are something my grandfather, the Lionheart King, will naturally address with you. I cannot make decisions on this matter!" His unspoken implication: 'If you're so capable, take it up with the Lionheart King, someone your equal. What prowess is there in bullying a junior?' "However, I fail to understand your previous remarks, Venerable Elder. What cover? What restoration? Have I done any of these things?"

Yonker said coldly, "You naturally haven't done them. But these two are the Divine Pet and Battle God Retainer of Goddess Margaret, and they were..." He glanced at the pre-dawn sky outside the window. "...Just yesterday, between afternoon and evening, they personally witnessed Francis and another individual, disguised as Sea Emperor Thanes, appear above the Bog Island waters! These two immediately moved to intercept him, but Francis escaped. Thus, they came to my Emerald City and requested my assistance!"

"This... how can this be?" Arthur exclaimed, his face etched with indignation. "Venerable Elder, you are a patriarch who understands reason! Eight days ago, Francis was severely wounded saving me and has been unconscious ever since. Tens of thousands witnessed this, the entire Emerald City knows!"

Sword Slave's expression darkened. "Are you implying we're spouting nonsense?"

Arthur swept a cold gaze over Sword Slave. "That is your interpretation!"

Sword Slave erupted in fury!

At this moment, Yonker waved his hand. "Enough, both of you! Say no more! Senior Sword Slave, Crown Prince Arthur! This is Emerald City, and you will all heed this old man's words!"

After speaking, he turned and cupped his hands to Sword Slave. "Senior Sword Slave, you and my ancestor were comrades-in-arms. I respect you and address you as 'Senior'! However... this is Emerald City, and the rules here are set by me!" He then turned to Arthur and Brook, saying, "Although the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoy came to me, this old man, seeking my assistance to slay Francis, until the truth of the matter is investigated and clarified, Francis remains my guest, Yonker's guest, and is in my Emerald City, where combat is strictly forbidden!"

With hands clasped behind his back, he spoke coldly, "Therefore, Grand Pontiff Brook, Senior Sword Slave! Listen well! The Batuk Family's stance on this matter is—if Francis indeed exploited our family's grand ceremony, then there will be no need for Goddess Margaret to act; my Thunder Legion will immediately apprehend him! But if the facts prove Francis innocent, then I ask Senior Sword Slave to abide by the rules of my Emerald City. Do not bring your grudges into my Emerald City! If there is fighting or killing to be done, do it after you have left Emerald City!"

The implication was clear: as long as Du Chen was innocent, this old man would protect him!

The old man's voice was exceedingly loud, and Du Chen, on the bed, chuckled inwardly. He thought, 'This old stubborn ass truly has the temperament of a Donkey Demon King! Once he's set on a principle, he won't even show face to the Water's Embrace faction, hehe!'

Finally, Venerable Elder Yonker emphasized, "This is my Emerald City, and the rules are set by me! Understand!?" Those who don't understand, can get the hell out of Emerald City! The stubborn old man was indeed domineering!

Du Chen's side was naturally pleased to accept this rule, while Sword Slave pondered for a moment, then stomped her foot, deciding against further argument!

The Water's Embrace faction did not fear Emerald City; in fact, it was far more powerful. However, the Five Families of Fallen Gods shared a common origin; initiating war against one was tantamount to warring against all five. The united Five Families of Fallen Gods were not a force Sword Slave could casually provoke like the Great Triangle Navy! This was a point Sword Slave had to consider! Moreover, regardless of everything else, their ancestor had saved her life, so she had no choice but to show some respect!

Having clarified his stance, Yonker's expression softened as he said, "To truly clarify this matter, Francis himself must confront the accusations. However, he remains unconscious. For the sake of fairness, Grand Pontiff Brook, please allow this old man to enter alone and ascertain your Young Master's true condition—For the past few days, Princess Beibei has permitted no one to visit Francis, which is indeed cause for suspicion!"

Deboning, who had already seen Arthur's signal, snorted. "Venerable Elder, for the honor of Du Chen's Divine Cult, please proceed! We trust you and the rules of your Emerald City!"

Yonker nodded with a faint smile. With a creak, he pushed open the mahogany door to the sickroom, and a sorrowful scene met his eyes...

Du Chen lay on the bed, his face deathly pale, utterly devoid of color—this was no act; he was genuinely wounded to such a state. Little Beibei wept by the bedside, gently moistening her 'father's' lips with a cotton swab dipped in clean water, while Andy lay dejectedly to the side. Only Alex maintained his eternally cold demeanor...

He walked in alone, leaving the powerless Sword Slave and Dragonfinch behind. A moment later, Yonker strode out, his face expressionless.

"This old man has witnessed it with his own eyes: Francis is indeed severely wounded—his internal organs are rattled, and he's bleeding from all seven orifices. This is absolutely not a feigned illness! That much is confirmed! As for the rest, once Francis awakens, we will confront him in the Exquisite Hall. Before then, no one from Du Chen's Divine Cult is permitted to leave Emerald City, but neither shall anyone from the Water's Embrace faction violate the rules of my Emerald City, understand!?"

With that, the Venerable Elder turned and departed. Brook and Arthur exchanged cold sneers, glancing at Sword Slave and Dragonfinch, who were fuming in the adjacent room!

Yonker turned several corners in the corridor, then suddenly waved his hand, dismissing his retainers. Immediately after, over a dozen young members of the Batuk Family emerged from various rooms, Annie among them—Remember the Batuk Family's method for testing the next generation? This was another such trial!

Annie seemed to have lost weight, and her expression was slightly haggard. But upon approaching her grandfather, she instantly reverted to her energetic, strong-willed persona, her elegant smile radiating confidence!

Yonker led his grandchildren, strolling towards the top of the Exquisite Pagoda. "Tell me, what are your thoughts on the Water's Embrace faction and Du Chen's Divine Cult?"

Immediately, a young man spoke, "Grandfather, you always said that the rules of Emerald City are the foundation upon which our Batuk Family has stood proudly for a millennium! Therefore, your grandson believes this matter must be thoroughly investigated. If Francis exploited our grand ceremony, he must be punished! Conversely, if the Water's Embrace faction is lying and intends to use us against Francis, then we must also protest!"

At these words, several individuals, including Annie, gave him strange looks!

Yonker slowly said, "Angola, you may go back and rest! The ceremonial operations for tomorrow's grand ceremony will be your responsibility. Get sufficient rest and prepare for the task!"

Angola was stunned. His grandfather's meaning was clear: from now on, he was only fit for ceremonial duties. Important matters... would no longer concern him!

He stood dumbfounded for a long moment, then dejectedly withdrew! The other youths watched his retreating back, some relieved, others amused, but none felt sympathy for him—losers, those eliminated in competition, never received sympathy in the Batuk Family!

Only Annie sighed softly. 'Angola, my little brother, you are free... When will I, your elder sister, ever be free?'

Alas, Grandfather's discerning eyes were like torches. Under his strict discipline, his elder sister dared not speak falsely, otherwise...

Yonker walked silently ahead, the corridor quiet save for the 'thump-thump' of footsteps. An inexplicable pressure kept the youths from daring to speak first. Yonker frowned, calling out a name. "Angus, do you know where your seventh brother went wrong?"

Annie's third brother, Angus, quickly replied, "Grandfather, Seventh Brother failed to understand what the rules of Emerald City truly represent!"

Yonker gave a slight nod, and a great weight seemed to lift from Angus's chest. Only then did he dare to speak loudly, "In truth, over the past millennium, our family has established no fewer than hundreds of rules. The current rule is that no combat is permitted in Emerald City! But the core of these rules is but one, or rather, Emerald City's unchanging rule throughout the millennia has been singular: The maximization of family interests!"

Stealthily glancing at his grandfather's slightly more relaxed back, Angus grew bolder, his smile more composed. "The Water's Embrace faction is powerful, but our Five Families of Fallen Gods have a true offensive and defensive alliance, one unlike that of Sea Emperor Thanes! Once the Water's Embrace faction becomes hostile to us, our five families will cast aside all differences and unite to resist the enemy! Moreover, being an enemy of the Five Families of Fallen Gods does not align with the fundamental interests of the Water's Embrace faction! Therefore, the threat from the Water's Embrace faction is assessed as 'ephemeral' in our family's intelligence system! As for Du Chen's Divine Cult... it is far weaker than the Water's Embrace faction, but today, your grandson noticed something: Francis's disciple, Little Prince Gode of the Grand Delta Sea, is missing..."

Yonker chuckled. "Angus, you may go back and rest!"

Angus was startled. Had he made a mistake?

Yonker's next words, however, were, "Tomorrow morning, lead a thousand Thunder Legion soldiers to the northern sea cliffs and assist your third uncle in investigating that cave!"

Angus was ecstatic! Military authority, ha! He had passed his grandfather's test and been granted military power!

He clenched his fists and left excitedly! Yonker then called another name, "Annie, continue your third brother's analysis!"

"Yes, Grandfather!" Annie's heart tightened. After a brief adjustment of her thoughts, she smiled. "Gode's disappearance implies a potential Disturbance from the Great Triangle Navy! Furthermore, a few days ago, the Lionheart King personally led the Reno Fleet south, but left two detached fleets with Arthur... So, at this moment, the threat Du Chen's Divine Cult poses to us is the Great Triangle Navy right on our doorstep, and the Reno Fleet!"

She gave a quiet smile. "Grandfather, currently, the ephemeral yet powerful threat of the Water's Embrace faction coexists with the weaker but realistic threat of Du Chen's Divine Cult. Our Batuk Family is caught in the middle, and the situation is so perplexing that it's difficult to determine which side to assist would best maximize family interests! Therefore, your solitary inspection of Francis today, and your deferral of the confrontation until Francis awakens, will grant us sufficient time to clearly assess the situation!"

Yonker laughed, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "Excellent. In my eyes, both sides currently represent a balanced scale. I will wait until this scale tips, then determine the family's 'rules' based on the angle of its inclination!"

He turned and patted Annie's shoulder, his demeanor filled with elder's benevolence. "During the recent clash between the Lionheart King and the Garrison Fleet, you managed the maritime situation south of Emerald City exceptionally well! From tomorrow onwards, stay by my side. I'm getting old, and some smaller matters will be entrusted to you!"

Under the gazes of the other youths, who were practically green with envy, Annie smiled demurely. "Grandfather is not old! Now that the Fiendkind has reappeared, how can you speak of being old when you have yet to establish achievements comparable to our ancestor's?!"

Yonker burst into hearty laughter. Only then did he truly resemble a benevolent grandfather.

But Annie's heart slowly sank...

To stay by her grandfather's side... meant she would have to be cautious everywhere. Her last, pitiful shred of freedom... would also be gone!

Yonker's smile suddenly vanished. Instead, he asked, "Annie, do you still harbor thoughts of Francis?"

Annie was startled, then hastily shook her head. "Grandfather, what kind of joke is that? Annie now excels in Spiritual Power, and any manipulated memories have long since been thoroughly purged..."

Yonker became expressionless, turning his back and walking towards the corridor leading to the Exquisite Hall. With his back to Annie and the other descendants, he calmly dropped a single sentence: "Annie, report to my study tomorrow morning at five o'clock!"

In the sickroom, Du Chen did not 'awaken' after Sword Slave and Yonker had left; instead, he continued to feign illness—He wouldn't be so foolish as to 'wake up' at this precise moment; the timing would be far too coincidental, inevitably raising suspicions!

It wasn't until noon the following day that Sword Slave, in the adjacent room, heard Little Beibei's joyous, tearful cry: "Daddy's finally awake,呜呜, Beibei was so worried she almost died!"

Sword Slave intended to seek out Francis, but she was blocked by members of the Batuk Family. The one who blocked her was a General from the Thunder Legion. Without a word, he coldly slammed the Thunder Halberd in his hand down before Du Chen's door. Although Sword Slave was furious, Yonker had clearly laid out the terms yesterday, leaving her helpless!

After all, the Batuk Family was not the Great Triangle Navy, whom she could command at will.

Learning of Sword Slave's thwarted attempt, Du Chen was both amused and secretly awed by the hidden strength of the Batuk Family. To think that even the typically arrogant and overbearing Aqua Cloud Divine Envoy felt wary...

However, for now, the stronger the Batuk Family was, the more advantageous it was for him!

After Du Chen 'awoke,' he was 'gravely wounded and found movement difficult.' It wasn't until nightfall, after half a day of recuperation, that he barely recovered some Spiritual Power!

Immediately thereafter, Du Chen proactively demanded a confrontation to clear his 'unjust accusations.' Yonker had initially wanted to observe the situation further, but since both Du Chen and Sword Slave, the main parties involved, had requested it, he had no choice but to invite both sides to the Exquisite Hall that very night!

To Du Chen's surprise, Annie was accompanying Yonker!

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Du Chen, with an aggrieved expression, began recounting 'the truth' to Sword Slave and Dragonfinch. But the moment he heard that Xue Ji was missing, his heart lurched, and his expression nearly changed dramatically!

"...Prince Yonker, that is how the events transpired! And you understand Dragonfinch's unique abilities; how could she possibly be mistaken?" Sword Slave quickly finished her account, her cold gaze fixed on Du Chen.

Du Chen sat in his invalid's chair, his heart concerned for Xue Ji, yet he spoke with an aggrieved tone: "Venerable Elder Yonker, eight days ago, I was severely wounded saving Arthur and have been unconscious ever since—you yourself witnessed this! Moreover, the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoys from the Water's Embrace faction have long held enmity towards me, which your family's intelligence system must surely be aware of... I swear by the honor of my God, taking the Battle God Oath, that I, Francis, absolutely did not do what Senior Sword Slave claims! If I did, may I, a dignified Divine Envoy of a Duke, be cast out onto the streets, reduced to a petty thief!"

"What a vicious oath!" thought the Battle Gods, who held the Battle God Oath as their supreme creed. For a Duke's Divine Envoy to be reduced to living as a petty thief—that was an immense disgrace!

The 'petty thief' (Du Chen), however, stood with righteous indignation, his face full of sorrowful anger!

Brook's face was grim as he unhappily said, "Young Master, why would you swear such a 'vicious' oath? You are severely wounded and unconscious; it's utterly impossible for you to have done those things—tens of thousands can bear witness to this! But the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoys' claims... how many witnesses do they have?"

Dragonfinch's expression instantly changed to fury. "Are you two implying that we deliberately fabricated lies to deceive Prince Yonker, simply to seize you under the Batuk Family's rules?"

Arthur said lightly, "Thank you for the reminder. We genuinely hadn't considered that possibility!"

"You!!!" Dragonfinch roared in rage, instantly spreading her wings!

Both sides started with considerable tempers!

At this point, Yonker chuckled. "Today, we are here to discuss reason, not to engage in combat! Senior Sword Slave, since Francis has presented evidence, and furthermore made such a vicious oath, and Crown Prince Arthur has even outlined a reasonably possible scenario, how do you intend to refute this?"

Sword Slave was momentarily stunned. Indeed, Francis had many witnesses here. But what she had done yesterday had all transpired high in the sky, with only a vague shadow seen by the Sea Clan...

Her heart stirred, and she urgently said, "A fleet detachment of the Great Triangle Navy personally witnessed Pamir, the Divine Beast Protector of Du Chen's Divine Cult, appear in the sky!"

Du Chen raised his hand. "Who saw Pamir? Bring him out to testify! Damn it, my God's Divine Pet is clearly in the Labyrinth of Life, fighting against the Fiendkind for humanity! Heavens, is it not enough that you slander me? Must you also slander my God!?"

Deboning's expression changed instantly. "Which Great Triangle Navy member? Bring him out! Hmph, we merely hope the two Divine Envoys can produce a few credible witnesses. If it's just a few mere soldiers, then we can also easily find a few soldiers to accuse you of colluding with the Fiendkind!"

Mere soldiers were not qualified witnesses, and the qualified Generals... who among them would dare to testify? Francis was their future Imperial Tutor after all!

Today, Annie discovered Gode's disappearance. One of the things the Little Prince went to do was to mend this loophole for Du Chen, a loophole that arose from considering Xue Ji that day!

Sword Slave was also a seasoned veteran who had lived for a millennium; though not exceptionally clever, her accumulated experience told her not to dwell on the Pamir point, or she would inevitably be the one to suffer in the end!

Thinking this, Sword Slave continued, "Prince Yonker, there's also another possibility: Francis found a master of disguise to impersonate him in Emerald City! While he and another master of disguise impersonated the Sea King to aid Miki's Restoration—I have no direct evidence for this possibility, but there is corroborating evidence: Seins, who died on the 7th, appeared on Bog Island on the 14th, commanding so incompetently that he caused the deaths of most of the remaining Garrison Fleet!"

Indeed, unlike the events high in the sky, the reappearance of the Sea King, leading his army to defeat, was witnessed by hundreds of thousands. The Batuk Family's intelligence network had naturally learned of it, and Du Chen had no way to erase that fact!

Yonker nodded. "Precisely! The reappearance of the Sea King is indeed a strange matter, and after the reappeared Sea King flew into the sky, he was intercepted by the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoy and then vanished... Unfortunately, no one clearly saw what happened in the sky. Francis, what do you say?"

Du Chen replied innocently, "I've been unconscious the entire time. How could I know about another Sea King appearing? This is merely your speculation; it cannot be used to convict me!"

"But such a possibility absolutely exists, and under such circumstances, you could certainly deceive everyone in Emerald City..."

"Where is the evidence?"

Both sides began to argue fiercely. Yonker waved his hand. "Quiet down, everyone! Today, we are here to discuss reason, not to quarrel!"

"Senior Sword Slave, you are accusing Francis of orchestrating a deception against all of us, with the reappearance of the Sea King as corroborating evidence! Francis, you claim that the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoy, constrained by my rules, deliberately framed you, with the evidence being my personal observation that you have been unconscious in bed for the past few days..."

Yonker spoke slowly, while Annie, standing by, smiled bitterly inwardly.

The presenting of evidence, the defense, the arguments... all of it was merely an act! Even Grandfather's methodical reasoning was part of the charade!

Alas!

She had no interest in listening further. Until the scales in her grandfather's heart tipped, he would not deliver a 'just' ruling...

As Annie was contemplating, her aunt Betty burst in from outside, bustling with urgency. "Father, the Great Triangle Navy sent someone with an invitation..."

Yonker said displeasedly, "Hmph! Can't you see I'm handling important matters? Take charge of invitations and gifts yourself!"

Betty shrank her neck. "But... there's also a military exercise plan attached. The Great Triangle Navy, the Reno Fleet, and the newly established Miki Duchy will be holding military exercises right on our doorstep!"

"What!?" Yonker slammed the table and shot to his feet, his eagle-like eyes, glittering with sharp light, fixed on Arthur. "His Royal Highness, your nation's navy clashing with the Garrison Fleet on my doorstep is a matter I will discuss with the Lionheart King! But what is the meaning of you uniting with two other parties to hold military exercises right on my doorstep? Is this a demonstration!?"

Arthur was slightly taken aback. He truly didn't know about this—he had been by Du Chen's side ever since Du Chen returned!

"Venerable Elder, I am not aware of this matter! Madam Betty, who initiated these military exercises? Without my orders, they wouldn't dare hold a sudden exercise even if they had swallowed leopard gall!"

Betty replied, "The Great Triangle Navy proposed it!"

Yonker suddenly understood. Oh, so Francis was using his disciple Gode to add more weight to his side of the scales!

But Francis, you are mistaken! This isn't how you increase your leverage! "Hmph, if my Batuk Family tolerates someone holding military exercises right on our doorstep, won't our prestige be utterly lost in the future!?"

Thinking this, Yonker's gaze turned cold as he looked at Du Chen. He was about to begin assisting the Water's Embrace faction...

Acutely sensing the change in the Venerable Elder's gaze, Du Chen felt wronged in his heart. 'Who did this!? Isn't this just provoking the old stubborn ass and causing me trouble?'

Just then, a slender, polite middle-aged man entered from outside, knocked on the door, and after Yonker granted permission, he spoke: "Father, Queen Liana of Miki Duchy has sent a diplomatic letter, requesting an audience with you! She has already arrived at the docks!"

A Queen, using the term 'request an audience'...

Yonker's heart, blazing with anger, suddenly felt a flicker of comfort. Then, the old man was abruptly startled!

"Hmph! My emotions are being played with like a puppet on strings!"

First, they used military exercises to add leverage for Francis and ignite my wrath! Then, they used a diplomatic visit to quell my anger. I've calmed down, but Francis's leverage has indeed increased...

Could all of this be the doing of Queen Liana?

In Yonker's mind, a piece of intelligence from five years ago, when the Miki Duchy had not yet fallen, resurfaced: 'Hillmerya, Little Princess of Miki Duchy, participated in politics at seven, and commanded the Northern Seas of Miki at fourteen. She is a rarely seen genius among the Miki Goddess's descendants in a millennium, with an extremely high probability of inheriting the throne. It is advised to befriend her early!'

Yonker gave a cold smile inwardly. 'This little girl is a formidable opponent!' "Gentlemen, with a Queen visiting Emerald City, this old man truly cannot fail to greet her personally. Please forgive me, but today's proceedings shall be adjourned for now!"

Sword Slave was somewhat reluctant but accepted it. There was nothing to be done; after all, the Batuk Family could not afford to lose face before a Queen—their family placed the utmost importance on etiquette!

Nevertheless, Sword Slave said, "Prince Yonker, we suspect Queen Miki and Francis are in league. We request to accompany you to greet her, to see for ourselves!"

"Hmph, since the Divine Envoys are uneasy, I am willing to accompany you!" Du Chen outwardly assented, but inwardly he mused... Liana? And a Queen?

Wasn't Porter the one supposed to ascend the throne?