Chapter 85: Fourth To The Throne (2/2)

Peach smiled.

……

In an isolated section of the second ring, the barracks of the Eleventh Squadron was witnessing a strange scene. The Blind Monk and Seruzen sat opposite each other without speaking a single word, simply looking at each other without end. Many were sending furtive glances at the accursed place; they’d thought their captain was scary, but Seruzen was even worse. This was their first time seeing someone beat the Blind Monk in appearance. That withered arm was just too awesome, how many years had it been raised?

Within the Seventh Squadron’s grounds, a panicked Xu San was observing his surroundings as he thought, ‘Boss, it’s too scary! I don’t want to stay here, take me away!’

……

Seven days had passed by the time Lu Yin left the Zishan Residence, heading out at night to balance work with rest. He had noticed that the gravity rooms weren’t great for training his battle techniques, especially the Daynight Punch. Such things didn’t just improve with practice; they needed a comprehension of the cycle of day and night.

Not far from the Zishan Residence was a bar. It wasn’t the largest of establishments, but it was quite refined. Lu Yin heard cheers and merriment as he walked in, with many youths dancing to their hearts’ content. He hadn’t taken more than a few steps before he decided to leave, turned off by the clamor.

Lu Yin didn’t know where to go after he walked out, but a man approached and bowed, “Your Majesty, His Highness invites you for some wine.”

He followed the man’s gaze to a small open-air tavern some distance from the bar, where Second Prince Duque raised his glass. He was amazed by the coincidence and nodded, “Sure.”

The small tavern was much simpler in appearance than the bar, with the cold winds blowing over from the distance. Duque was eating and drinking by himself; had he not seen this personally, Lu Yin wouldn’t believe that the Second Prince would come to such a place.

“You seem to be doing well, Brother,” he greeted, not standing on ceremony as he took a seat opposite Duque and poured himself a glass of wine.

Duque smiled, “Never thought I’d bump into you when I came out to drink. You don’t like the bar?”

Lu Yin shook his head, “Too noisy. It’s more comfortable here, a glass of warm wine for the cold winds, and a variety of small delicacies.”

“I was a little afraid that you wouldn’t like it. This tavern’s boss was a stowaway from a primal planet with no special abilities, but his wines are in a league of their own. You should try,” the Prince raised his glass in toast.

Lu Yin pursed his lips after a mouthful. He honestly wasn’t a wine expert, but the glass flowed smoothly down his throat and quenched thirst without any parching. While it was obviously a warming wine, a refreshing chill rushed to his head. “It’s good.”

“So long as you don’t hate it,” Duque smiled, pouring another glass.

“So how come you’re drinking here?” Lu Yin asked.

“Tired,” Duque shook his head. While astonished, Lu Yin kept silent until he drank another mouthful and continued, “Squabbling over the throne is exhausting.”

Lu Yin nearly choked on the wine and stared at Duque in shock; this was too direct! The Prince laughed, “What, first time hearing this?”

Lu Yin couldn’t help a laugh, “It really is. You’re as forward as they come.”

“You’re not the only one I’ve said this to. In fact, I even said this to Royal Father,” Duque’s lips curled, leaving Lu Yin stunned. Was the fight for the throne so open? With his understanding of Earth’s history, contests over the throne were always cruel, with constant politics and treachery. He had never seen someone like Duque who was so direct, leaving him wondering how big this brother’s heart was.

“The Empire is huge, containing others with the royal blood, the Thirteen Squadrons, Yu Academy, and so many other powers. Everyone is focused on the throne, focused on us. There are currently four people who can vie for it; Elder Brother is the closest, but there are always some people who don’t want to see his ascension. Many of them support me, like Sicar. There are others who support Wendy, but pity; her aspirations aren’t limited to the Great Yu Empire anymore,” Duque said matter-of-factly.

“You said four people, who’s the last?” Lu Yin was curious. He only knew three of The Undying Yushan’s children; Dorren, Duque, and Fifth Princess Wendy. Who was the fourth?