novelraw Chapter 124: Giving Him the Ultimate Insult
Chapter 124: Giving Him the Ultimate Insult
Oreos retorted fearlessly, glancing at Westheid’s hand resting on the hilt of [Shadow-Born].
"Is Duke Qinghui going to attack me? Here? Are you trying to instigate a private duel between Imperial Nobility? The Holy Law explicitly forbids Imperial Nobles from fighting amongst themselves. The one who strikes first bears full responsibility, you know."
Yolanda pressed down on Westheid’s hand. Though the platinum-haired girl was trembling with rage at the other man’s contemptuous attitude, she still managed to restrain her anger and whisper to Westheid:
"Brother, we can’t make the first move. It will be troublesome. Extremely troublesome."
Oreos’s brazen confidence didn’t stem from the strength of White Rock City itself, but entirely from his reliance on the Imperial Holy Law.
Everyone under the Empire’s influence, from the Royal Family to the common folk, had to strictly abide by the Holy Law. It was the equivalent of the Imperial constitution. Though it consisted of only a few articles, it was an impassable line.
And no matter how morally despicable Oreos’s actions were, no matter how much he was taking advantage of the situation, as long as he was procedurally in the right and remained stubbornly defiant, even Westheid, with his connections to the Regent King and other powerful figures in the Imperial Capital, couldn’t force his hand.
This was how it was in the Realm of Order, a nation governed by Law.
’Fucking hell, how can a constitution in the Extraordinary World be this effective?!’
’Oh, it’s backed by a Celestial God. Never mind, then.’
If this were the future, lawless age of decline, and Westheid had encountered such an overconfident clown, he would have already drawn his sword and started cutting him down.
In that era, all laws would be useless. Absolute violence would be the only thing that mattered.
But at present, the Empire’s Order had not yet collapsed, and the great cause of reclaiming the Qinghui Territory also depended on the Imperial system. He could not be the one to break the rules.
Swallowing his anger in silence was out of the question. Even without crossing the line of the Law, Westheid still had his ways.
"My boy, you’re invincible."
The anger on Westheid’s handsome face instantly transformed into a gentle affability as he smiled at Oreos.
"Of course, I would never trample upon the Imperial Holy Law. Private duels, killing each other... such things are appalling even in the Borderland. You and I are both pillars of the Empire. How could we do such a thing?"
"However, I did make a promise to my people. I am not just their Lord; I am the father-ruler to all Qinghui People, their Patriarch. Some of my children have made a plea to me, and I cannot bear to disappoint my kin."
"All you want is to upgrade White Rock City. You don’t necessarily have to keep this group of Qinghui People. Why don’t we negotiate a different set of terms?"
Seeing Westheid’s attitude soften, Oreos smiled smugly. The tension left him, and he stroked his cane, saying:
"Of course. We can take our time discussing it."
Westheid and Oreos then proceeded to negotiate in a friendly atmosphere.
However, by the time evening came, their haggling had yet to produce a result.
"It seems we still have a few disagreements. I hope City Lord Oreos will allow me to stay here for a few more days to think it over."
Westheid finally stood up and sighed.
Oreos chuckled. "Of course. Duke Qinghui, please be my guest in White Rock City for as long as you wish."
"Oh, I’m sure it will be an unforgettable experience."
Westheid gave a meaningful smile, waved his hand, and left the residence.
Yolanda followed closely behind the Patriarch. It wasn’t until they were seated in their vehicle that she spoke indignantly:
"Brother, are we really going to concede so many benefits? A jackal can never be sated. We can’t appear weak and easily bullied. Perhaps it would be better to ask the Regent King to mediate. This reckless hothead has no respect for the rules!"
"There’s no need to trouble the Regent King. It wouldn’t be proper for her to interfere in the Borderland anyway."
Westheid’s expression instantly became calm and indifferent. He let out a slow breath and said:
"Such a hot-blooded youth. He’s dead set on upgrading his territory, willing to suck my blood and eat my flesh to do it. Heh. But since he has the temperament of a youth, if *he* makes the first move, then I’ll simply be acting in self-defense."
Yolanda asked, confused, "Brother, are you planning to provoke him? But this boy from a branch family of the Golden Iris Family doesn’t seem like he’d be so easily angered. And for him to strike at you first... it feels unlikely."
Westheid chuckled, his dark violet eyes growing even colder.
"It’s possible. Entirely possible. Because he’s pissed me off. I’ve decided to bestow upon him... an insult."
"The ultimate insult... that no youth could possibly endure."
***
After Westheid and Yolanda left, Oreos, still in the reception hall, finally let out a long sigh of relief. His ramrod straight back immediately slumped. He let out another long breath.
"Master."
The maid standing beside him immediately supported Oreos and brought him some tea.
"Thank you, Marine."
Oreos thanked the beautiful, chestnut-haired maid softly and drank the tea in one gulp.
"It is my duty, Master."
The maid retreated behind him, watching Oreos with a look of adoration. He, of course, felt her fervent gaze. The handsome youth pursed his lips slightly, enjoying the affection of his maid-slash-guard.
Just then, a door on the left side of the reception hall was pushed open, and a slender figure walked out.
"Oreos..."
A fragrant breeze washed over him as the handsome youth was pulled into a tight embrace.
"I almost couldn’t stop myself from coming out just now. Are you hurt?"
"Sister, relax. Duke Qinghui didn’t dare to make a move. My gamble paid off."
Oreos gently patted her fair arms and smiled. "Besides, you absolutely cannot be the one to strike first. We must be the ones forced to retaliate, or we’ll be in huge trouble."
"I know, you’ve said it many times."
The sister of White Rock City’s Lord released her brother, revealing bronze-gold hair and a bright, charming smile.
A moon-white Swordsman’s Armor, trimmed with gold, clung to her body, perfectly accentuating her older sister’s well-proportioned, scandalously curvaceous figure. Her incredible fullness stretched the front of her top taut, leaving not a single wrinkle, while her trousers tightly hugged her round, slender legs, outlining a breathtaking curve.
Oreos was filled with pride. This was his sister, Jocelyn. Not only was she a great beauty, but she was also the commander of the White Rock City Guard, an Exemplar-Tier Swordswoman.
Jocelyn ruffled her brother’s hair and said worriedly:
"But... is it really okay to antagonize Duke Qinghui? Times have changed. I heard that during the Secret Realm Trial in the Imperial Capital, he even received the Divine Ancestor’s favor. People from our main family are all trying to curry favor with him."
"The main family... the main family... Hmph! The Imperial Capital is the Imperial Capital, and the Borderland is the Borderland! How could those pampered Elites from the main family possibly know the hardships of pioneering the border? To complete the establishment of the Prosperity Law and upgrade our territory, any risk is worth taking."
Oreos snorted. "And Duke Qinghui may have the favor of the Royal Family, but our reliance is on the Law of the Divine Ancestor, not the Royal Family. As long as we rely on the Holy Law, we don’t have to worry about pressure... And once White Rock City truly completes the Prosperity Law and is upgraded to a formal territory, we’ll have even less to worry about."
The handsome young City Lord was very optimistic. "To fulfill our father’s last wish, and to ensure that our branch of the family has a glorious legacy, this risk is worth taking."
"My only concern is that Duke Qinghui might not be satisfied. But even if he’s thriving in the Imperial Capital, here in the Borderland, he’s still the Lord of a lost territory. He shouldn’t be willing to completely fall out with us over something this minor... But we can’t rule out that possibility."
Jocelyn immediately puffed out her chest and said, "Don’t worry. I’ll keep a close eye on him these next few days. I will absolutely not let Duke Qinghui harm you."
Oreos nodded. "Mm, I’ll be counting on you, Sister."