[Fantasy] Gods and Demons Among Flowers (Complete) - Chapter 37 (End)

In Chapter 199 of the "Stormy Era" series, a struggle for power ensues

. Inside the residence of the First Prince of the Mighty Tiger Dynasty, who held sway over the capital, the First Prince

, his face grim, was raging in his study. "That idiot, Fumingjie! I sent him to persuade that old bastard Feng Tianxiang, but who knew this brat would be so lecherous, flirting with his grandniece right in front of the old man! No wonder he's being hunted down. Oh, by the way, do you know who's chasing him?" The First Prince, Gao Feit, his face dark, turned his back to a man half-squatting on the ground, clad entirely in black, only his shrewd eyes visible, and inquired.

"I don't know! According to the thugs who survived, the attacker was only a young man. When I asked what he looked like, they went crazy, shouting 'demon!' and didn't answer anything I said after that!" the man in black said in a low voice.

"So these people have all gone mad!" Gao Feit's voice returned to calm as he replied indifferently. Although his tone was so calm, the man in black felt an invisible pressure, making him sweat profusely.

"I'm sorry, my lord, it's my fault, it's my fault, please punish me!" Having followed the eldest prince for so many years, the man in black knew his temperament well. Even if it wasn't your fault, if the eldest prince forced you to take the blame, don't try to resist. As long as you humbly accept his teachings, he certainly won't make things difficult for you.

As expected, just as the man in black had anticipated, Gao Feite was quite pleased with the man's trembling apology. He waved his hand behind him and said magnanimously, "This isn't your fault; it was all my oversight. Oh, by the way, did you send anyone to investigate the pursuers? Also, I've never heard of Old Man Feng having two beautiful granddaughters before; that's a bit suspicious. Did you investigate that too?" "

Reporting to my lord, I have sent people to investigate the pursuers. As for the two women who suddenly appeared at Marshal Feng's residence, uh, it was my oversight." At this moment, the man in black's heart was pounding, fearing that a single oversight would cost him his head. Although he had served him for so many years,

this was still not a matter of common sense. "Idiot! Do I have to tell you such trivial matters? What kind of leader are you? Get out here and investigate thoroughly!" Gao Feite roared in anger, kicking the man in black in the waist, sending him flying a meter away.

"Yes, yes, yes, I will do it immediately and will not disappoint you, sir!" The man in black seemed unconcerned about the footprint on his body and replied tremblingly. After receiving Gao Feit's order, the man in black bowed and left the study.

After the ghostly leader left his study, a glint of light flashed in Gao Feit's sinister eyes as he muttered to himself, "The third prince might already know about this. How is he trying to win over that unfathomable person?"

Meanwhile, in the residence of the third prince, who also ruled the imperial city, a scene of revelry unfolded. The third prince, Jelit, was engrossed in watching the dancers perform their erotic dance with great interest, occasionally groping the alluring woman's body until she was panting and moaning. He laughed heartily, occasionally raising his wine cup, taking a sip, and kissing the woman's lips. The wine made her already beautiful face even more flushed and alluring.

However, just as he was in high spirits, a butler-like man quietly approached and whispered something in Jellett's ear. His previously smiling face suddenly darkened, and the geishas, sensing the tense atmosphere, withdrew from the drawing room under the lead of the enchantress.

"What's going on? I trusted that Frank so much, and he stabbed me in the back at this crucial moment! But it's better he's dead; a good-for-nothing is always a good-for-nothing, and you can't make a difference!" Jellett slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and roared angrily. Then, his expression seemed to return to calm, and he asked, "How's the man I sent in there?" It seemed he wasn't entirely at ease with this subordinate; otherwise, why would he have secretly sent someone to monitor him? "

Your Highness, the man who returned seems to have suffered mental trauma. He's completely dazed and doesn't know anything. I don't know what to do!" the butler replied fearfully.

"Oh, it seems the information we got from the boss is true! It's certainly intriguing that someone could turn one of my top fighters into such a figure. The boss must be sending people everywhere to investigate and try to recruit him! We can't fall behind; we must bring him under our wing. These matters are your responsibility!" Jelit picked up his wine glass, downed it in one gulp, narrowed his eyes, a cold glint in them, and chuckled.

"But Your Highness, we haven't been able to recruit Marshal Feng this time. Isn't that a bit...?" the steward asked hesitantly.

"We didn't succeed, and neither did the boss. We're even! The matter I mentioned earlier is your responsibility. You may leave!" Jelit seemed unwilling to say anything more, waving his hand behind him and speaking indifferently.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Seeing that Jelit had lost interest, the steward obediently withdrew from the living room.

Leaving

all that aside, after I personally and furiously dismembered Fumingjie and Frank, I knew that the so-called eldest and third princes would find out sooner or later. Although I didn't know what methods they would use against me, the two sisters, Liya and her sister, remaining in the Marshal's mansion were no longer safe. After all, the four of us had appeared abruptly in the mansion; any trick they played would surely cause us great trouble. As for Feng Tianxiang, I figured that his ability to stand firm in the Tiger Dynasty for decades meant he must have his own methods. In any case,

I should get the two women away from here first. Feng Tianxiang and Tore's desperate attempts to persuade them to stay failed to win them over. Just before leaving, I told them the important parts of what I had done and conveyed my concerns. Their reaction was both expected and unexpected. They didn't seem to respond to my concerns; instead, they continued talking to the two women, as if they already had a plan.

Finally free from the allure of the Feng family, I, along with Xu'er, Liya, and Suya, disguised ourselves and left Spring Water City, heading towards the capital of the Fierce Tiger Dynasty. Perhaps because of our disguise, no one disturbed us along the way, and we completed a journey that would normally take a day in less than a day. Finally, as dusk approached, we arrived in the capital and rented a room in an inn.

Feeling closer to my enemy, I was initially worried that Liya and Suya would rush to assassinate him, but I was surprised to find that both of them were remarkably calm. This puzzled me greatly. What allowed them to maintain such composure and refrain from impulsively killing King Fast III? When I voiced my question, their answer left me both amused and exasperated.

“Husband, you could have bypassed the Tiger Dynasty's capital and gone straight to your destination, but you were stuck here because of us. This shows how much you care about us. I know you brought us into the capital to find an opportunity to avenge us, but with our skills, we can't even get into the palace. Acting impulsively would only be a burden to you. Do you think we would do that? With you here, what can't we do!” Liya explained calmly.

“Oh, I didn't expect you two sisters to trust me so much. I'm truly flattered!” I touched my nose and smiled helplessly.

“Of course, you're our husband. If we wives don't trust you, who else can we trust?” Suya smiled broadly, holding one of my arms in her arms, and said proudly.

“So that's what you two were planning. No wonder you were calmer the closer we got to the capital!” I lightly flicked Suya's smooth forehead and teased her with a laugh.

"Ouch, honey! I'm ignoring you now, hehe." Su Ya tossed my hand away and chatted happily with the two women.

Time slipped by amidst the three girls' playful laughter and banter. Suddenly, a rumbling stomach, a sound of hunger, rang out, sounding particularly jarring. The other two girls and I turned to look at the culprit—Suya—who was frowning, blushing, and saying, "I haven't eaten all day! Unlike you, all you do is touch others! You don't care about me at all!"

"So my sister isn't hungry, she's just jealous!" Liya teased, a hint of a smile in her eyes.

"No, I really am hungry!" Liya retorted, feeling we were all laughing at her.

"Alright, alright, let's stop teasing her. Come on, let's go find a famous restaurant outside and eat something. These days we've been eating and eating irregularly, it's time to try something good!" I waved to stop them, smiling slightly.

"Yay, yay! We often eat Auntie's cooking at her house. It's delicious, but we always get tired of it. We haven't tried the famous dishes here yet!" Suya jumped around me like a little girl, excitedly shouting.

"Hmm, that's right, little sister is right. What do you think, Xu'er?" After receiving Xu'er's affirmative answer, Liya smiled with satisfaction. We asked the shopkeeper about the most famous and authentic restaurant in the area and headed towards it in the direction he pointed.

On the second floor of the restaurant, I sipped my wine in a small private room, watching the three women laughing and joking as they ate the famous dishes. They didn't seem like young women at all. Just then, two deep yet warm voices came from beside the cozy room, immediately attracting my attention.

"Hey Lao Li, it seems His Majesty is going to hold a grand magic lantern festival recently. I heard that all the princes and nobles in the palace will be attending. Is that true?"

"Yes, it's true. His Majesty is getting old now, and it's rare for him to make an appearance. We'll have a chance to see his face!"

"Oh, when will this magic lantern festival start? I can't wait!"

"Hehe, you know what? According to what I've heard, they're starting the festival tonight! It's less than an hour before it starts. Let's hurry to the Imperial Palace Square!"

"Hmm, that makes sense. The sooner we get there, the better the spots!" I heard the sound of tables and chairs moving around, and the voices gradually faded away, which seemed to confirm the news was true.

After the footsteps next door disappeared, I came back to my senses and prepared to call the three girls for dinner, but they all looked thoughtful, as if the magic lantern festival tonight was very attractive to them. Seeing their reaction, I naturally understood and smiled, "You heard what those two elders next door said, right? I wouldn't mind if you wanted to go!"

Hearing this, Su Ya was the first to beam with excitement, forgetting even the tempting food on the table. Like a little girl, she jumped to my side, grabbed my head, and gave me a big kiss. Then, she nestled sweetly in my arms, saying, "Honey, you're so good to us! With such an understanding husband like you, nothing is too difficult for us!"

"Well, silly girl, your husband is also eager to go. I've never heard of the Magic Lantern Festival before, so naturally I want to see it too!" I inwardly scolded Su Ya for acting like a little girl, but outwardly I went along with her wishes, not wanting to dampen their curiosity.

"Okay, okay, let's all go together!" Su Ya excitedly shouted, clinging to my arm. I really couldn't understand why she had the curiosity of a little girl, and even seemed eager to see her father's killer with her own eyes. However, I could understand her current eagerness.

"Little sister, it's still early, what's the rush? Besides, you've been saying you're hungry, and now there's delicious food right in front of you, you're not going to just refuse it, are you?" Seeing her sister start acting up again, Liya suppressed a smile and said with a hint of reproach.

"Oh yeah! I didn't even realize it until you said it, but now I really am hungry!" Suya's stomach growled at the perfect moment, and she jumped up, returning to her seat, her eyes gleaming with the green light of a hungry wolf at the food in front of her.

"Eat up, let's have a delicious meal and then the four of us can go to the lantern festival together!" I smiled at Suya, gesturing for her to join in.

"Then I won't be polite, let's dig in!" Suya couldn't resist her hunger any longer, reaching for the plates of delicious food on the table with her chopsticks. Before we could even take a few bites, she had already devoured everything like a Japanese invader, and to our astonishment, she patted her slightly bulging belly and let out a satisfied burp.

"Sister Suya, you're amazing!" Whether it was because she had a small appetite or wasn't hungry, Xu'er only ate a few bites when we started eating and then stopped. She looked at everyone with a smile, her usual haughty, aloof, and unapproachable air gone, replaced by a more gentle demeanor. Compared to before, the three girls' relationship was quite harmonious. However, seeing Suya wolfing down her food today, a hint of envy seemed to appear in her eyes. Was she envious of Suya's large appetite? The reason remained unknown.

"I...I was just too hungry today, so I did a little...that. Actually, I'm usually very ladylike!" Suya said, a blush creeping across her face, her words somewhat insincere. (Advertisement break: Still relying on your hands? How can that be satisfying? Forum reputation guaranteed! Healthy anti-premature ejaculation masturbation exerciser, real oral sex pleasure experience, hot recommendation!) "Hehe, I see. My wife Suya, when did you become such

a big eater?" I chuckled, staring intently at her slightly swollen belly.

"What? Husband, how can you tease me like that? I only ate your portion, and you're already holding a grudge!" Suya's bright eyes welled up with tears as she said aggrievedly. Her pitiful appearance was indeed heartbreaking, but having seen this scene before, I could only chuckle inwardly: Always using this method, can't you try something different? If Suya could hear my thoughts, she'd probably suddenly explode and beat me up.

Liya always doted on her younger sister, so she couldn't resist her tears. Seeing her sister's aggrieved eyes, her heart softened, and she quickly comforted her, "Okay, okay, little sister, your husband was just joking with you. The lantern festival will start in a little while, so don't be like this. Husband, don't you think?" As she spoke, Liya kept giving me winks, signaling me not to take her childish.

Seeing Liya's instructions, I withdrew my teasing mood, smiled at Liya, and said, "Suya, my darling, it's my fault, I deserve to die, I shouldn't have joked with you like that. Punish me however you want!" After saying that, I bent down, brought my face close to her pretty face, and gestured for her to punish me, even grabbing one of her slender hands as if to slap my face.

Suya, who was acting, was startled when I pulled her hand and slapped it towards my face. She quickly released Suya's hand, saying, "Okay, okay, I'm not mad at you! The lantern festival is about to start, let's go see it together!"

Seeing Suya's pretty face, streaked with tears, yet beaming with smiles, Liya knew she'd been tricked again by her "cunning" sister. She could only roll her eyes helplessly and look at me apologetically. As one of the winners of this charade, seeing her apologetic gaze, I felt a surge of desire. I returned her a lustful look with a smile, and she blushed, her shy eyes avoiding my gaze. Her hesitant expression ignited my passion. I secretly thought: After the lantern festival tonight, wouldn't it be wonderful to sleep with all three of them in one bed?

After leaving the restaurant, night had fallen, but the capital city of Ba Lin was brightly lit, with rows of bright magic lanterns hanging from the poles, swaying gently in the breeze. Along the way, every shop, restaurant, and household had two magic lanterns hanging at their entrances, their soft light instantly dispelling the darkness and bringing warmth. Today's magic lantern festival was unprecedented in scale; not only were royalty in attendance, but even the rarely seen poorest families wore excited smiles.

The prosperity of the capital city was unimaginable; the once wide streets were now incredibly crowded, but the citizens seemed to understand etiquette, maintaining order despite the congestion. As we followed the flow of people, we wandered around aimlessly. Neatly arranged stalls lined both sides of the street, each adorned with a beautiful magic lamp. Every now and then, someone would buy a pretty lamp from one of the vendors. The three girls, regaining their youthful charm, each urged me to buy a beautiful magic lamp. Only when I placed them in their hands did they break into happy smiles, clinging to my arms and pulling me closer.

As the crowd moved, people from all directions converged in a huge square, surrounded by excited smiling faces. It seemed this magic lamp was something they had been eagerly anticipating. Suddenly, the noisy crowd fell silent. A clear, resonant voice echoed across the square: "His Majesty Fast III of the Tiger Dynasty, accompanied by his princes and ministers, has arrived!"

A brief commotion broke out in the crowd, but they quickly seemed to share the same thought, kneeling in unison and shouting, "Welcome, His Majesty! Welcome, Your Highnesses! Long live the Emperor!"

"Rise!" A voice, aged yet gentle, lingered in the air. Was this the voice of Fast III?!

I, mingling in the crowd, slightly raised my head, my gaze sweeping over the old man seated atop the square steps. He had a kind face, a full head of silver hair, and the marks of time etched on his forehead. His frail appearance suggested he was the current ruler of the Tiger Dynasty, the one who had slaughtered the entire Hades clan? This was completely different from the image I had in mind. In my mind, he was a tyrannical ruler with a pointed face and triangular eyes. But seeing how much the people supported him, could it be that the history I had read was wrong?

I glanced suspiciously at the people standing on either side of him. To his left was a very fat man, his body so obese it reminded me of a pig waiting to be slaughtered. On his fat head were a pair of small, beady green eyes, from which a glint of shrewdness would occasionally flash, making him seem like someone not to be underestimated. Based on my deduction, he was probably the so-called eldest prince, Gofit. As for the tall, thin, and handsome young man to his right, he was probably the third prince, Jelit. Jelit had an enviable head of golden hair, and his sinister face was adorned with a pair of wicked phoenix eyes and lips. Even I, who considered myself handsome, felt a little jealous. It was truly unbelievable that Fast III had fathered these two very different brothers. It seems that even among the nine sons of the dragon, each is different!

I scanned everyone on the platform, and just as Sister Shui had said, only the eldest and third princes were truly capable and could achieve great things. But with me, Xie Yun, around, it would be difficult for any of you to achieve anything significant! Thinking this, a wicked smile crept onto my lips.

Just then, I suddenly sensed a chaotic energy flow around me. Turning around, I saw Liya kneeling on the ground, her eyes bloodshot, her pretty face covered in sweat, her lips bleeding from clenched teeth, and her hands unconsciously clawing at the marble slabs of the plaza, leaving scratches as her hands bled.

Seeing her clan's mortal enemy right before her eyes, yet unable to kill him, the pressure on Liya was immense, even disrupting her internal energy. If this continued, she would surely suffer a qi deviation. I had known of Liya's deep-seated hatred since then. I had thought everything would be fine today, but now I frowned, wondering if I should suddenly erupt and kill him on the spot. Finally, after pondering for a long time, I couldn't help but sigh. I reached out and touched Liya's back, channeling my inner energy to help her regulate her internal energy and restore her to normal.

"Husband, what happened? How could I..." Liya, now fully conscious, felt a gentle presence on her back helping to calm her internal energy. She seemed to understand something, her eyes filled with tears as she spoke gratefully.

"You are my wife. A wife's affairs are a husband's affairs. How could I let you risk your life alone! You were almost blinded by hatred just now. Luckily, I discovered it early, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable," I said seriously.

"Yes, husband, I will definitely pay attention to that. I can't let hatred blind me. I will be alright!" Liya said, her eyes filled with tears, her voice choked with emotion.

"I'm relieved to hear you say that. Don't worry, after tonight, I'll go with you to sneak into the palace tomorrow and ask King Fast III for clarification. I feel there's something fishy about this!" I rubbed her back, comforting her.

"Mm!" A blush spread across Liya's pretty face as she nodded gently.

The two women, Xu'er and Suya, who had been kneeling beside me, gave me strange looks before silently averting their gazes. The reason Liya blushed was because I had started causing trouble behind her back while comforting her; no wonder they gave me those strange looks. (

Chapter 200 of the "Storm of the Three Kingdoms" - Night Raid on the Royal Palace)

Just as the three women and I were making our little commotion below, King Fast III coughed softly in the square, then announced, "I hereby declare the annual Magic Lantern Festival of the Tiger Dynasty open!"

"Oh—oh—oh!" A loud cheer erupted from the crowd.

As the cheers rang out, the crowd in the center of the square receded like a tide, leaving a large open space. Their faces showed joyful and excited smiles, their eyes all fixed on that open space, as if something was worth their waiting for. "Bang bang bang!" Three cannon salutes rang out in succession in the sky above the square. While people were drawn to the sudden burst of light in the night sky, it seemed no one noticed the group of people dressed in magician robes who had suddenly appeared in the center of the square.

I ignored all of that, my gaze fixed on the center of the plaza. Just as the group of mages appeared, a magic circle flashed beneath their feet. Though the light was fleeting, my sharp eyes couldn't miss it. After careful analysis, I couldn't help but chuckle. It was just a simple short-range teleportation array, nothing special. But to some unsuspecting people, it was a miracle created by magic.

A whistle rang out in the plaza, followed by the chanting of mages from the center. Soon, clusters of multicolored orbs flew from the mages' hands and rose into the sky. Under their orderly manipulation, the orbs danced in the air, gradually forming characters commonly used throughout the Magic Continent. The characters read: "May His Majesty live a long and prosperous life!" Although this was somewhat of a publicity stunt, the joyful smiles in the eyes of the people clearly showed their hope that Fast III would continue to rule them.

I naturally noticed these subtle movements of the common people, and a strange light flashed in my eyes. I hadn't expected him to be so popular; he seemed so different from the man I knew twenty years ago. People change with their environment, and I don't deny that he might change with time, but like a leopard that can't change its spots, his inner tyranny was something he couldn't shake off. Yet today, he appeared completely peaceful, showing no sign of anything amiss. Although I didn't know what had caused this change, my resolve to infiltrate the palace only strengthened.

The rest of the performance no longer held any interest for me. Bored, I pulled the three reluctant women away from the square and headed towards our rented place.

"Honey, if you don't want to watch, fine, but why did you have to drag us away?" Su Ya complained, her eyes filled with strong dissatisfaction.

"I feel like there are some people with ulterior motives watching us. It's better for us to leave!" I said seriously, trying to hide my lie from her.

"Oh, I didn't notice anything unusual around me. You're not lying to me, are you?" Su Ya asked suspiciously, seemingly unwilling to accept the situation.

"When did my woman become so shrewd!" I muttered to myself, but maintained a serious expression. "I only pulled you away because I was worried about your safety. How can you doubt me like that? No good deed goes unpunished!"

"I'm sorry, honey! I just wanted to see this rare event. How could I have known something unexpected would happen!" Seeing my unchanged expression, Su Ya assumed I wasn't lying and quickly used her charm to coax me.

"Alright, alright, I didn't ask for an apology. Let's skip that!" I couldn't agree with Su Ya's charm; she always pinched my arm until it was bruised—it wasn't enjoyable, it was torture.

******************

"How's the investigation going? I'm determined to get that mysterious man!" Gao Feite asked, a smile even uglier than a pig's on his chubby face, his eyes half-closed.

"Your Majesty, I have thoroughly investigated the backgrounds of those two girls in the Marshal's mansion. They are actually the granddaughters of Moke, the patriarch of the Hades family twenty years ago, remnants of that era. As for that mysterious man, I must admit my incompetence; I was unable to ascertain his origins. Moreover, I discovered that anyone who tries to investigate his identity is attacked from all sides. The Third Prince's subordinates were wiped out simply for being too blatant, and I only escaped with my life by sheer luck!" The man in black replied, still shaken.

"Haha, the Hades family, once the most powerful family in the dynasty, still has descendants! I've heard that the Hades family has close ties with Feng Tianxiang. If my father hadn't used a pretext to divert him back then, the Hades family wouldn't have been exterminated. Today, I suddenly hear that the Hades family still has descendants, and they're with Feng Tianxiang. Isn't this a golden opportunity for me?" Gao Feite squinted, a sinister smile on his face.

"My lord, according to my intelligence, this mysterious man has close ties with two remnants of the Hades family. If you harm them, you will incur his retaliation. The power behind him is so immense that even the entire dynasty would be but a drop in the ocean!" The man in black had witnessed the terrifying skill of his attacker, and now, hearing that his lord intended to deal with the two women, he exclaimed in alarm.

"Damn it, who's the master here? You're just my dog. Have you ever seen a dog bark madly at its master?" Gao Feite kicked the man in black, knocking him to the ground, and cursed.

"My lord..." The man in black, enduring the excruciating pain, seemed to want to say something, but was stopped by Gao Feite's furious voice.

"This is none of your business. Get out!" Gao Feite roared impatiently at the man in black.

Seeing that Gao Feit wouldn't listen to his advice, the man in black sighed and staggered out of the study. This sigh not only hinted at his disappointment in Gao Feit but also foreshadowed the disaster brought about by Gao Feit's ignorance. A

nearly identical incident was unfolding in the Third Prince's residence.

"What?! The scouts we sent out were assassinated? What happened?" Jellett pushed away the stunningly beautiful woman nestled in his arms, her expression shifting between anger and uncertainty as she gasped.

"Your Highness, after my elite team discovered the identities of the two women, they were about to investigate the mysterious man when they were assassinated by unidentified assailants. Moreover, I know that another team was also attacked, seemingly by His Highness the First Prince's side!" The old steward, fearing trouble, hurriedly revealed what he knew.

"Oh, brother, we've got the same idea!" Jelit's face broke into a wicked smile as he thoughtfully asked, "Hmm, what are the identities of those two women you've been asking about?"

"Your Highness, they are descendants of the Hades family, whose entire clan was exterminated by His Majesty twenty years ago. They are currently teaching at the continent's premier academy—Qiwan Magic and Martial Arts Academy. Furthermore, their godfathers are the two deans of the academy!" The old steward quickly added, fearing Jelit wouldn't know his place. However, little did he know the power behind the two women was far greater than that.

"Heh heh, descendants of the Hades family? This is practically a godsend! Boss, let's see how you compete with me!" A sharp glint flashed in Jelit's eyes as he sneered.

"Your Highness, according to this old servant's deduction, the mysterious man seems to have a rather close relationship with the two women. What do you think?" The old steward hesitated, then continued.

"Don't worry about these things for now. After I've won over Old Man Feng, I'll deal with him. I refuse to believe that as the future heir to the throne, I won't know this man's identity!" Jelit imagined himself ascending the throne and couldn't help but laugh wildly.

"But Your Majesty..." The old steward wanted to remind him, but Jelit stopped him with a gesture. The old steward, realizing his advice was ineffective, excused himself and left the hall.

************************

The night that had descended upon the imperial city passed amidst the merriment of the people. It seemed that because there were no onlookers, the city's liveliness was reportedly much lower than in previous years. The curtain of night rose, and the gears of day began to turn. The days in the Hawk Empire seemed to pass quickly, vanishing in our daze, and night once again drew its black veil. However, it wasn't too dark tonight; the clear moonlight and a few glittering stars made the night sky quite beautiful.

The moonlit night was beautiful, but the four of us weren't in the mood for romance. Liya's composure, Suya's excitement, Xu'er's cold indifference, and my own wry smile added a touch of disharmony to the night.

"Hey, what's with your attitude? So indifferent! Can't you even wait a little while?" Suya, who had been eagerly awaiting the moonlight, was excited about the chance to sneak a peek into the palace. Even before nightfall, she was already urging me on, while Liya and Suya seemed indifferent, leaving me with a wry smile.

Night gradually fell, obscuring the moonlight. A dark and windy night—perfect for mischief—and we were clearly the protagonists of tonight's spree. A gentle breeze carried us through the palace corridors and pavilions. After much searching, we finally found the study where King Fast III often frequented. To avoid attracting attention, I led the three women cautiously towards the window. The aged voice coming from inside further confirmed my belief that it was indeed King Fast III.

"Tiger Dynasty...cough cough cough...has any suspicious figure appeared?" It was King Fast III's aged and hoarse voice, interspersed with a cough; it seemed his days were numbered.

"Your Majesty, the dynasty has been quite peaceful recently. His Highness the First Prince and the Third Prince have stopped fighting for some reason. However, what is suspicious is that they have both sent their subordinates to the Houston Fortress, seemingly intending to gain the support of Grand Marshal Feng Tianxiang!" A gentle and warm middle-aged voice rang out from inside the study.

“Alas, do these two spendthrifts have to fight until the country is destroyed and their families are ruined before they will stop? That day, they both came to me at the same time asking for a pardon, and I knew this would happen. But, it’s for the best. I have wronged Feng Laosan for more than twenty years, and it is my wish for my two sons to grant him a pardon! Judging from my decades-long friendship with Feng Laosan, it will probably take them some effort to persuade him. With his shrewdness, he certainly won’t let go of this great opportunity!” King Fast III sighed and said dejectedly.

“Your Majesty, things are not as you imagine. The two princes’ subordinates did go to the Houston Grand Fortress to persuade Marshal Feng, but they were so audacious as to harass his two grandnieces, and as a result, they fled after the negotiations failed!” The middle-aged man spoke with sarcasm, as if mocking the two princes’ foolishness.

"Oh, that's such a pity. Of all my children, only those two have any potential, yet it's unbelievable that they've so foolishly missed such a great opportunity. Can my country truly be handed over to them?" Fast III said with deep concern. Then, as if grasping at something, he hurriedly asked, "Eh, when did Old Master Feng have two grandnieces? I only heard he had three grandsons. When did two more suddenly appear?" "Your

Majesty, this is the second thing I must tell you. A few days ago, we received a report from our spies that Marshal Feng's two so-called grandnieces, along with a mysterious man and a woman, appeared inside the Houston Grand Fortress. They seemed to appear out of thin air, almost imperceptible. And what's even more astonishing is that, despite the meticulous defenses of the Marshal's mansion, they entered without a sound, as if it were empty. This is simply unbelievable!" the middle-aged man said, his voice trembling. With his unwavering character, he would never have acted like this, even when enemy troops were at war, because this was simply too inconceivable.

"Perhaps one of them possesses the cultivation of a Grand Magister?" King Fast III, after all, was well-informed; a Grand Magister capable of short-range teleportation could do that, yet he hadn't considered that my cultivation level was beyond that of a Grand Magister. No wonder, aside from the Saint Seiya, those legendary levels seemed to have never appeared; this was the limit of his imagination.

"Grand Magister? Your Majesty, you must be joking. All the famous Grand Magisters on the continent are old and frail, their steps unsteady. Those young man and woman don't look like Grand Magisters at all!" the middle-aged man said skeptically.

"The world is full of wonders, Rocky. Some reclusive masters aren't people you can just meet. Alright, enough of that. Tell me about the origins of Feng Laosan's two grandnieces!" King Fast III seemed to know some secrets, speaking earnestly.

"Your Majesty, I have thoroughly investigated the origins of those two women. They are actually the granddaughters of Moke, the patriarch of the Hades family, and are currently teaching at the Qiwan Magic and Martial Arts Academy, the number one academy on the continent. The two great mages, Harvard and Haber, are their godfathers. Moreover, I have heard that Xie Yun, known as the 'Dragon God General' and hailed as a legendary Saint Seiya, is extremely close to them. I suspect that the man and woman surrounding them are people sent by the 'Dragon God General' to protect them! Your Majesty, their actions are ill-intentioned. Should we strike first?" Although I could not see the middle-aged man's movements or expressions, I could imagine that he was about to strike down—what a vicious scheme! Liya, who was lying next to me, also began to breathe heavily. The middle-aged man's vicious scheme had stirred up her hatred. Suya, because she was very young at the time, had lessened her hatred for this incident, but she was also enraged by the middle-aged man.

Sensing the two women's unusual behavior, I quickly pulled back Liya, who was eager to rush inside, and Suya, who was itching to go in, signaling him to continue listening.

Sure enough, Fast III's thoughts went a step further than the middle-aged man's. He coughed a few times and said, "Don't you think that the mysterious man is Xie Yun himself? As his woman, isn't it only natural for her to avenge the hundreds of lives lost by the Hades family?"

"Yes, that's right! How could I not have thought of that? Your Majesty is indeed wise and powerful. If it really is Xie Yun himself, all the problems are solved. The assassination of the intelligence agents sent by the First and Third Princes, and the disappearance of their confidants in Houston, are all his doing." The middle-aged man thought carefully and exclaimed excitedly. However, he quickly realized something was wrong, his expression changed drastically, and he said anxiously, "Your Majesty, aren't you in great danger now? No, we must find a place to hide quickly to avoid being killed by him!"

"It's no use. Where can I hide? Ask yourself, can you escape the pursuit of the Saint Seiya and his followers? Even if you dig three feet into the ground, he can still find you and kill you on the spot. Alas, so be it. I've lived for twenty years, and it's time to repay this debt." Fast III's calm words shattered the middle-aged man's illusions, causing him to plummet from the peak of joy to the valley of despair.

"But Your Majesty, are you just going to sit here and wait to die?" The middle-aged man asked hesitantly, his face pale.

"Don't say anything more. I'm a little tired now. You may leave." Fast III slowly closed his eyes and said calmly.

"Your Majesty, I understand. I will take my leave now!" The middle-aged man seemed to know Fast III's temperament very well, knowing that it was impossible to persuade him, so he had no choice but to take his leave helplessly.

As the study door creaked shut, the room returned to its usual tranquility, save for the faint sound of breathing, which seemed to indicate the presence of an important figure. Hiding in the study, King Fast III remained a mystery, his thoughts and actions unknown. From his breathing, I could sense he was lying in a semi-reclined position, eyes closed, deep in thought.

Perhaps I wasn't in a hurry; noticing the few patrolling soldiers around, or perhaps because King Fast III was engaged in a secret conversation, Leah, who had been listening intently, couldn't contain her excitement and headed towards the door. Caught off guard, I managed to grab her and follow her.

With a creak, the door opened, and Leah spotted her target, reclining with his back to the door, looking completely composed. A spark of hatred ignited within her.

"Is that Xi'er? Just put the ginseng tea on the desk next to me. I'll drink it myself later. You may leave now!" King Fast III always preferred to stay in his study, so his queen, who cherished him, often sent her maids to bring him hot ginseng tea to help him recover.

There was no Xi'er's usual clear voice answering; only heavy breathing filled the small room. The few scattered footsteps that followed immediately alerted him to something amiss. He suddenly turned around, his slightly closed eyes snapping open with a gleam of light. Facing us, he roared in a powerful voice, "Who are you?"

His eyes flashed, scanning us briefly. His pupils contracted, his face showing initial surprise before regaining its composure. In a calm tone, he answered his own question, "You two are indeed the granddaughters of Mo Lao Er. Indeed, you are beautiful and captivating. If I were decades younger, I might have been captivated by your beauty too." Fast III's gaze lingered on the faces of the two women, recognizing the likeness of his former love in their similar features. He then turned his gaze to me, forcing a kind smile, and asked in a questioning tone, "This young man..." "You must be the renowned 'Dragon God General' Xie Yun, famous throughout the continent! Indeed, you are handsome and dashing, a man of exceptional talent. Combined with your wisdom, you are truly a perfect man. Even I am envious. No wonder you are the idol worshipped by girls all over the continent!" Seemingly unable to find more words to praise me, he changed the subject, turning his gaze to the cold-faced Xu'er. Seeing her indifferent expression, Fast III exclaimed in amazement, "I didn't expect the woman beside you to be just as

stunning as those two. She is also your wife, isn't she?!" Fast III's description of my relationship with Xu'er in this tone immediately made the cold-faced Xu'er blush. Clearly, she wasn't ready to be a wife, and the atmosphere instantly became awkward. Despite the awkwardness in the space, Liya, her eyes blazing with hatred, didn't care. She had lost her usual composure, like a ferocious tiger, radiating murderous intent, her sharp gaze wanting to tear him to pieces.

"I'm no longer a member of the Hades family, but as one, I must avenge my family, avenge the thousands of people in my clan! You didn't expect us to escape your clutches, did you? You must be held responsible for that tragedy!" Leah roared at him, her eyes bloodshot.

"Retribution is retribution, it will come eventually. I just hope you can hear my story before I die. That should be a reasonable reason, right?" King Fast III ignored Leah's murderous gaze and said calmly.

"Making so many demands before you die, you're not waiting for someone to come and save you, are you?" Leah sneered, mocking him.

“This is just a dying man’s last request. Can’t you even give me this little bit of time?” He said, his face filled with disappointment and his voice tinged with sorrow.

“You—” Before Leah could retort, I grabbed her arm from behind and persuaded her in the calmest tone, “My dear Leah, he’s already dead in our eyes anyway. Why not listen to his story? As the saying goes, ‘A dying man’s words are often good.’ I think even if he stalls for time, he can’t save himself from his impending death!”

“Thank you!” King Fast III looked at me with gratitude and said. He sensed sincerity in my words, which warmed the heart of this ruler, who had long been ensnared in flattery, and filled him with gratitude.

"Alright, I'll let you live a little longer. After you finish rambling on about that story, I'll let you choose a way to die!" Leah hesitated for a moment, then frowned and said coldly. However, she quickly added, "If it weren't for my husband, you'd be a corpse by now!"

The four of them stood quietly, waiting for him to begin his story. The room was eerily quiet; even the slightest breath of each person could be heard clearly.

What kind of story had stopped Leah from killing him and piqued my curiosity? And what untold secrets were hidden behind this story? Let's wait and see!

Chapter 201 of the Stormy Era: The Beginning of the Story, the End of Life

A rare moment of peace descended upon the room. We stood there, waiting for Fast III to reveal the secrets he had buried deep in his heart for decades. However, the first sentence he uttered greatly disappointed us, but it also aroused our curiosity.

"This story I'm about to tell is very long, even condensed, it would take me an hour or two to finish. If you don't want to stand, please find a chair here and sit down to listen to my tale! It's been so long since I've released the pent-up emotions that have been buried deep in my heart for decades. I never imagined that the people listening to me wouldn't be descendants of our royal family, but rather complete strangers like you!" He chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Faced with his enthusiasm, I seemed unable to refuse. There was no hatred between us; on the contrary, when I observed him from a distance the previous night, I even developed a slight liking for him. However, because of the two women, a considerable rift had formed between us. I casually found a chair and sat down. The three women, who were still observing, saw me sit down and followed suit, though the two women were still somewhat wary of him. They sat close to my back, as if being near me made them feel safer.

Seeing the two women's subconscious movements, he pretended not to notice, smiled wryly, and said calmly in an observer's tone, "Seventy years ago, twins were born into the royal family of a small country. Their birth brought a touch of joy to this strife-ridden royal family. Although the country was small, it was very wealthy, but without an heir, they were embroiled in a power struggle. However, the birth of these twins solved this problem perfectly. After some management and reform, the royal family became unprecedentedly united, laying the foundation for their future conquest. The twins were then groomed as heirs to the throne, because as they grew older, their parents..." Even the king and queen of that country couldn't tell which was the elder brother and which was the younger. If they didn't answer, they wouldn't be able to distinguish them even if they stood together. To avoid a power struggle between parent and child, their parents began to ponder their options. Finally, they devised a brilliant plan: to raise the elder brother as the overt heir, and the younger brother as the covert heir. A cruel reality then emerged: as long as the elder brother remained unharmed, the younger brother would never rise to power; conversely, if the elder brother died in an assassination attempt, the younger brother would take his place, living a life completely different from before. Whether the former or the latter, it was a cruel torment for the younger brother. "Because from now on he will live in darkness, with no hope of ever rising again!"

Perhaps feeling a little thirsty, he picked up a cup of cold tea from the table and drank it down. Seeing that we were all listening intently, he cleared his throat and continued, "Twenty years passed by in the blink of an eye. Perhaps it was the bond between brothers, but the younger brother, hiding in the shadows, did not complain at all about the unfairness his parents had shown him. Instead, he did his best to secretly help his older brother, saving him from assassination. Because at this time, their parents suddenly developed an ambition to dominate the continent. The expansion of their desires led them to destroy one country after another that was equal to or similar to their own, and then gradually grow stronger, beginning to devour those countries stronger than themselves." A powerful nation. Their own ambitions for royal dominance gradually influenced the twin brothers. Although they held high positions in the royal family, their twenty years of upbringing had been spent in a comfortable environment, leaving them with a naive heart. Seeing people displaced and dying far from home, hearing the heart-wrenching cries of despair, they suddenly realized that their home could not bring them happiness; it only left them with a heavy burden and the fervent passion for national prosperity inherited from their royal blood.

At this point, Fast III was deeply lost in his memories, and I, listening attentively, understood the hidden meaning behind the story, though whether he was the elder or younger brother at that time remained unknown.

A man who reaches the rank of emperor must always be vigilant—no, more like suspicious. To avoid revealing his unease, his face regained its composure, and he continued, “The twenty-year-old youths, filled with rebellious spirit and unwilling to be controlled by their parents, fled the palace and wandered onto this vast and bountiful continent of magic and martial arts. Both possessing exceptional skills, and at that time, they were very curious about mercenary groups. With this in mind, they formed a small mercenary group. Joining them were two men and one woman, named Moke, Feng Tianxiang, and the plain-looking Rose. Thus, the Tiger Mercenary Group, with these five at its core, was formed on the continent, beginning their mercenary career.”

When Liya and Suya heard the names “Moke, Rose,” their bodies visibly trembled, and complex emotions flashed in their eyes. These actions were all observed by Fast III, for he and the two women knew that the two men in the story were their own grandparents. The story was becoming increasingly captivating. I suddenly felt a sense of loss if I didn't hear it all, while Liya and the other two girls were already engrossed in the words, knowing it told the story of their grandparents' past. Even Xu'er, with her eyes slightly closed, had her elongated ears betray her; this true story clearly captivated her.

"Of the five, we two are the oldest, but we can't tell who's the older brother and who's the younger. The other three respectfully call us 'elder brother,' while Moke is second, Feng Tianxiang third, and Rose last. That's how 'elder brother,' 'second brother,' 'third brother,' and 'fourth sister' became our nicknames." Fast III had reverted to his first-person pronouns, knowing the four girls were extremely intelligent; if they truly couldn't understand, they'd have to be called 'idiots.'

"Through the hard work and cooperation of the five of us, the Fierce Tiger Mercenary Group gradually grew and eventually carved out its own niche within the mercenary world, gaining a small reputation and attracting many mercenaries to join us. Under Fourth Sister's astute leadership, we began recruiting our first batch of members, integrating them into our ranks, and then implementing military-style management, training them into soldiers capable of surviving on the battlefield. At that time, with frequent wars between nations, the mercenary business was booming. Without military training, these undisciplined mercenaries would have lost their right to survival. After training, we led the mercenaries to the front lines. Through a combination of theory and practice, and after experiencing the baptism of blood and fire, the Fierce Tiger Mercenary Group's strength increased dramatically, becoming a very well-known name in the mercenary world. We felt the mercenaries..." Because of the small number of members, the five of us unanimously decided to expand our mercenary group. At this point, we became more selective in choosing mercenaries, as we had heard many stories of mercenary veterans whose groups had fallen apart due to betrayal. These bloody lessons were deeply etched in our minds, making us overly strict in our recruitment. Even so, our group still gained a batch of fresh blood, further increasing our strength! The Fierce Tiger Mercenary Group was a legendary mercenary group fifty years ago. In just one year, it rapidly grew from a small group of five to a super mercenary group of ten thousand. Even a single ordinary soldier possessed the strength of an Iron Warrior; the combined fighting power of ten thousand Iron Warriors was unimaginable. Of course, a super mercenary group couldn't consist entirely of warriors; it also needed archers, riders, and shield bearers. However, the Fierce Tiger Mercenary Group also had approximately five thousand warriors, and the combined fighting power of these five thousand should not be underestimated! Sadly, this legendary mercenary group disappeared from the mercenary world three years after its formation for unknown reasons, leaving the world with a profound and unfathomable question. Those familiar with the *Records of the Continent* can discern the glory and honor of the Fierce Tiger Mercenary Group from its pages. Today, the former organizers of the Fierce Tiger Mercenary Group vividly recount its history, giving us a deeper understanding.

"Unfortunately, despite the Tiger Mercenary Group's strict discipline and near-perfect coordination between its various branches, we couldn't escape betrayal, and by a high-ranking figure we could hardly imagine. It happened during a siege operation against other mercenary groups. Our rapid expansion had drawn the ire of other groups, incurring the envy of many large ones. During a rest period at our base, the traitor lured a massive attack from various mercenary groups. The battle was incredibly fierce. Although we fought valiantly, how could we withstand the combined assault of the entire mercenary world? Millions of mercenaries attacked our soldiers from all sides. Watching our beloved warriors fall before us, we were filled with rage..." Enraged, but not driven to madness, we calmly directed our warriors to repel wave after wave of enemy attacks. That night, blood flowed like a river, and the air was thick with the stench of blood. The enemy's tenacity was beyond our imagination; it seemed they wouldn't rest until they had wiped our mercenary group from the mercenary world. Wave after wave of attacks overwhelmed our warriors, and physical exhaustion severely hampered their fighting ability. As the battle neared its end, they were sustained only by sheer willpower, and not a single one knelt to beg for mercy until their deaths. What a group of admirable warriors they were! Recalling those days, Fast III couldn't help but shed tears, choking back sobs as he recounted the cruelty of that great battle.

"The Fierce Tiger Mercenary Group finally succumbed to the attack from the entire mercenary world and began to crumble. Groups of fearless warriors fell at our feet. We held on until the very end, when only a hundred or so remained. By then, almost everyone was wounded, their clothes soaked with blood, their only remaining strength keeping them from collapsing. However, at that moment, the entire mercenary world launched its final attack. Those remaining hundred warriors were slaughtered in the battle, and we ourselves nearly died at their hands." Recalling those events, they felt the memory was still vivid, speaking with lingering fear. "But our beloved warriors formed a human wall with their own bodies, helping us escape. The longing in their eyes as we fled told us we must avenge them. A super mercenary group active on the continent finally fell victim to the conspiracies and schemes of the entire mercenary world, and the Fierce Tiger Mercenary Group was wiped out from the ranks of mercenaries!"

"Perhaps this outcome still didn't satisfy them. The escape of the five core members of the Fierce Tiger Mercenary Group posed a significant threat. As long as these five remained alive, the Fierce Tiger Mercenary Group could rise again at any time. Thus, a hunt ensued across the continent. For a year after the Fierce Tiger Mercenary Group's annihilation, we fled in all directions, evading enemy attacks. We dared not venture into densely populated towns, instead choosing to traverse desolate mountains and wilderness, gathering wild fruits to eat when hungry and drinking mountain spring water when thirsty. A year of fleeing transformed us into wild beasts, hiding by day and lurking by night, relentlessly seeking revenge against those who pursued us. A year, after all, is a..." A year—even a single day is enough to change a person, let alone a year. A year has made my brother cold and ruthless, trusting no one but us. Meanwhile, Moke has gradually developed the demeanor of a great general, and Feng Laosan is slowly gravitating towards Moke, showing signs of surpassing him. And our fourth sister—she has changed the most. She now possesses the beauty of a mature woman, making us unconsciously develop feelings for her. Her ordinary face seems even more beautiful in our eyes.” Mentioning Rose’s transformation, Fast III’s face revealed a hint of childlike affection, indicating that his grandmother Rose had deeply captivated him back then. However, what’s strange is that, according to the family’s genetics, if Rose’s grandmother was of average appearance, then Suyalia, from the Hades family, couldn’t possibly be so beautiful. There must be something fishy going on.

Sure enough, just as this thought crossed my mind, he continued, "During that escape, something unexpected happened. Because we were constantly being hunted, we were covered in blood every day after killing powerful enemies. But strangely, no matter how Rose killed the attackers, she never let a single drop of blood splatter on her face. At first, we were all puzzled, but after a while, we got used to it. However, an accident revealed her secret. That day, when we killed the last enemy, Mok accidentally let some blood from the blade spill out as he sheathed his knife. A drop of blood landed right on her forehead, and then we witnessed what we'll never forget. That drop of blood, after landing on her forehead, actually..." It spread rapidly, quickly covering her entire face. At that moment, her face was completely crimson, which, combined with the white skin of her neck, created a terrifying effect. But what shocked us even more was that her bright red face instantly became covered in fine lines, and with a gasp of surprise, it crumbled into powder and fell away, revealing her pretty face, capable of both joy and anger. "Speaking of this," he said, his eyes filled with a gentle smile, pausing for a moment as if recalling something, before continuing, "I still remember her face: a full, round forehead, delicately curved crescent-shaped eyebrows, bright, lively single-lidded eyes, a small, exquisite nose, and red lips that weren't too intense, paired with that oval face. It was a far cry from her previous plain appearance; it was like heaven and earth." We spent several years with her, and no one discovered her true identity because the human skin mask was so incredibly realistic. If it weren't for Moke's accident, Rose's true face would likely have remained hidden. It all seemed like fate; we, already deeply in love, were completely devoted to her, willing to kneel at her feet. Unfortunately, when she sensed our stunned gazes, she knew her secret had been discovered. Her first action was to cover her face and run away with a soft "whimper." However, after the incident, she revealed her true self and met everyone openly. What was somewhat surprising was that she had developed different feelings for Moke. Until their love deepened, and they were close to marriage, while we were all seething with jealousy, Moke... He then revealed the secret to winning over the fourth sister's heart. It turned out that after the incident, everyone scattered around, bored, while Rose secretly approached Moke and told her about a mysterious family. Members of this family couldn't reveal their true faces before marriage; only when blood splattered on their human skin masks could they revert to their true forms. Furthermore, this family had a strange rule: when a member of the opposite sex spilled blood on her forehead, revealing her (or his) true face, that person, regardless of their circumstances, had to marry her (or him). This was the reason Moke got such a great deal, while we could only watch helplessly. It's absurd, isn't it? Heh heh…” As he spoke, his smile deepened, indicating that this memory was deeply ingrained in his mind.

However, this pleasant memory vanished as his smile faded, and we seemed to know that the important part was about to be revealed, so we craned our necks to listen carefully. A hint of regret appeared on his face as he continued, "Although the Tiger Mercenary Group had disappeared from the mercenary world, we, the core five, had every reason to rebuild it. But at that time, my brother suffered setbacks not only in his career but also in love, and in a moment of despair, he proposed disbanding the Tiger Mercenary Group. Although the others didn't want to, my brother and I were, after all, the founders of the mercenary group. After the group disbanded, the five of us had no ties and had to go our separate ways. My brother and I went back to inherit the throne, Moke and Rose went back to hold their wedding, and Feng Laosan also embarked on a desolate journey. Upon returning home, my brother immediately inherited the throne and implemented sweeping reforms to make the country strong, while I remained hidden in the shadows, helping him deal with enemies from all sides. A year later, two wedding invitations were delivered to my brother and me. At this time..." Only then did they learn everyone's identities: Moke was the heir to the Hades family, which held the nation's top military power; Feng Tianxiang was also a prominent figure, the heir to the Feng family, second only to the Hades; and Rose's identity remained a mystery to this day. Even on the day of the wedding, Moke was unsure of her origins. However, based on their observations, she likely belonged to a mysterious family possessing a purple crystal card. The wedding was so extravagant that it rivaled the annual income of a powerful nation, and the presence of legendary figures at the time caused a sensation. The Hades family's prestige soared during the wedding; with that mysterious family backing them, no nation dared to invade them, and everyone was eager to curry favor. Although the wedding ended and the mysterious family vanished as suddenly as they had appeared, the profound impact of their actions was enough to shock the world.

"My brother also accomplished remarkable things in his life. During those years, he ascended the throne and, although he worked diligently, the results were minimal. The main reason was the small size of his territory. Several of his reforms could not be implemented within his own country. Moreover, the nobles who had been lying low for a long time began to stir again, so you can imagine the obstacles he faced. However, he adopted the same iron-fisted policies he used to govern the Tiger Mercenary Group. First, he bloodily suppressed those nobles, and then he conducted nationwide military training, striving to ensure that every citizen could take up arms and go to the battlefield. Once everything was ready, he declared war on another country, appointing Moke as Grand Marshal and Feng Laosan as Deputy Marshal, leading hundreds of thousands of troops to storm the enemy country with great momentum." Although the enemy nation was stronger than us at that time, firstly, our army was riding high on momentum, and secondly, the enemy suspected that our army was backed by a mysterious family. Therefore, they fought hesitantly, suffering repeated defeats. In less than a month, we breached their capital, achieving victory against overwhelming odds. That offensive shocked the entire continent. Although our victory was somewhat fortunate, without the strategic brilliance and cunning of Mo Lao Er and Feng Lao San, the enemy nation would not have collapsed so quickly. With their combined strength, our army marched forward with unstoppable momentum, defeating many countries and destroying many others. The loss of wives and children, and the displacement of countless people—this is perhaps the cruelty of war. In just a few years, we grew from a tiny nation to a powerful and rapidly rising power, a feat that shocked the entire continent and heralded the establishment of the Mighty Tiger Dynasty. After the establishment of the Fierce Tiger Dynasty, the elder brother, sensing the nation's waning strength, ceased its external invasions and began to fully support national production. He also strengthened military training, reduced taxes, and strived to ensure the people's well-being. This peaceful period lasted for several years, and the Fierce Tiger Dynasty's national strength steadily increased, its army becoming powerful and well-equipped. The elder brother's ambition began to swell again, and he prepared for renewed conquests. Mo Ke and Feng Laosan, his two right-hand men, were naturally indispensable. However, with the nation's growing power, corruption within the country increased, and Feng Laosan, a founding father, had become adept at serving the emperor. As the saying goes, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; he learned to conceal his abilities and bide his time. He refused many of his brother's rewards, only accepting them when absolutely necessary. This behavior gradually lowered his brother's guard, ultimately saving his own life. After the founding of the Tiger Dynasty, the friendship between us five siblings gradually cooled. Those in power and those in the court understood this, but old Mok didn't realize it. He displayed his talents and, with the help of his fourth sister, transitioned to business, making great strides in the country. Within a few years, he monopolized the domestic economy, becoming a powerful military-merchant. However, at this time, he showed no restraint, believing his friendship with my brother was deep, and acted without restraint, offending many princes and ministers, sowing the seeds of his later disaster. During that campaign, the Tiger Dynasty's territory expanded again, and Mok's contribution was arguably the greatest. However, now second only to the emperor, he could no longer be given a position by my brother, as his status seriously threatened my brother's authority. Perhaps from that moment, my brother harbored murderous intent towards him, but due to the power behind him, my brother endured it again and again. Finally, when Rose died of illness and Mok was grieving, he secretly mobilized troops to annihilate the entire Hades family, leading to that tragic incident. "Faust III's face showed grief, and he choked up as he said,

"After wiping out the Hades family, he, now in his forties, wielded great power, killing or exiling many of his loyal ministers and generals who had followed him, while publicly claiming that some remnants of the Hades family were causing trouble and that he had suppressed them. These loyal ministers and generals had followed him through thick and thin for so many years, yet in the end, they lost their heads. The truth about their deaths could not be concealed forever. The news that spread through the streets immediately caused panic among the upright people in the country, and many fled abroad. Meanwhile, my brother promoted his cronies extensively in the court, but those cronies were all good-for-nothings, lacking any ambition, yet they won his favor through flattery and began to stir up chaos in the dynasty, laying the groundwork for the current power struggle between the two princes." "Speaking of the current state of the Tiger Dynasty, he was pessimistic, his eyes darkening as he spoke.

"Then, as the ruler of a nation, why don't you restore this country to its former glory?" Hearing this, I understood the gist of the matter. The Fast III before me was not the Fast III of the past; one was ruthless, the other kind. No wonder I had those thoughts that night.

"Why, why?! As his own brother, couldn't you persuade him not to exterminate our Hades family? For the sake of brotherhood, even taking back their power and making them ordinary people would be a good method!" Lia, tears streaming down her face, stood up abruptly and shouted. "

At that time, he was no longer my brother," Fast III said with a bitter smile, helplessly. "Back then, he was obsessed with power. Even if he reached the top of the world, he would still hold onto power tightly." Even my attempts to persuade him were met with a sharp rebuke, and he threatened me that if I dared to oppose him, he wouldn't hesitate to abandon any brotherly bonds. He asked, "Do you think I could possibly help your Hades family? Even when Feng Laosan went to plead for help, he was cruelly imprisoned for twenty years. Twenty years! How many twenty years does one have in a lifetime? He's probably nearing the end of his life and doesn't have much time left." He then fixed his gaze on my face, staring directly at me, and said, "Do you think I have the ability to control these two rebellious sons now? Before my elder brother died, he made another foolish decision, delegating all power to those powerful ministers, and I was merely a puppet ruler. Perhaps you're wondering if we're so similar, that regaining power would be incredibly easy? But have you considered that spilled water isn't so easily taken back?" Those treacherous officials clung tightly to power, refusing to relinquish it, dividing the country into numerous regions where they ruled as kings and tyrants. These two wicked sons were particularly notorious; they colluded, forming two opposing camps that fought each other constantly. The dynasty's decline was inevitable. "

Didn't you consider a way to prevent them from fighting and to achieve peaceful coexistence?" From his sigh, I understood the helplessness and bitterness of a ruler.

"I'm tired these past years. In fact, my heart began to tire from that power struggle. If it weren't for the responsibilities of the previous generation, I should have left this world long ago. Now that you've come, I can finally unload my burden and depart with a smile!" With that, he sighed softly and slowly closed his eyes.

"Senior," Liya wanted to say a few more words, but I stopped her. I said to the three women with a sorrowful expression, "He's gone. He left with a smile, relieved of his burdens. Look, his face shows a kind smile, his body leans back, as if he has found the best way to die peacefully. Let's go, let's not disturb him, let him sleep like this." My voice was gentle as it brushed past the three women's ears. Unbeknownst to them, tears were already streaming down their faces. Were they weeping for the sorrow of this ruler, or for the joy of his peaceful passing? Perhaps only they themselves could answer that.

In the cool autumn of Magic Calendar 586, Fast III, the founder of the Tiger Dynasty, passed away peacefully. The whole country mourned, and his death served as the fuse for the Tiger Dynasty's disintegration. Once the two princes ignited it, it would cause a series of upheavals, and the country would be doomed. Having attended his funeral incognito, we watched helplessly as the two princes showed no grief whatsoever for their uncle's death, and then set off towards the Duchy of Liwu.

[Last edited by arthurhill on 12-10 16:20]

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[Fantasy] Gods and Demons Among Flowers (Complete) - Chapter 37 (End)

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