novelraw Chapter 97: It Seems I’ve Come at a Bad Time
Chapter 97: It Seems I’ve Come at a Bad Time
Rozana and Luyetan’s over-the-top reactions made Westheid pause and think.
He had always judged Talents based on their strength, drawing from his experience. ’After all, when you play a game, what else do you look at besides power levels?’
’Does being handsome let you deal more damage?’
Even if the main point of *Poem of Destiny* was to win over beautiful girls and get their Talents for free, the process had little to do with Charm.
’To get any Tier T1 or Tier T0 Talent, you first have to find a clever pretext, strike up conversations to become confidants, and go through hell and back together just to forge an undying bond.’
’Charm? Isn’t it just a useless stat meant to pad out the numbers?’
But in the real world, that way of thinking was bound to be skewed.
Of course, resolute, world-class Powerhouses like Reiya and Mivana were not superficial people who cared about looks; they were more interested in a meeting of the minds.
But if he looked away from these heaven-blessed women and aimed a little lower, a whole new world of possibilities would open up.
’I thought Flawless Face was a useless Talent, but if I aim for the "mass market"... the results aren’t half bad?’
As he mentally re-evaluated the Flawless Face Talent, Westheid looked back at Luyetan, who was sizing him up with a scorching gaze.
"The Pure Holy Spirit was indeed a Holy Spirit of Aesthetics, almost like a follower of Emperor Qianlu... But so what?"
Westheid shook his head and said,
"The Pure Holy Spirit ignored the outside world, indulging only in its solitary beauty, yet it lacked the power to protect itself. It’s pathetic that this led to the fall of the Purity Forest, and now we, its descendants, must rely on this laughable Talent to reclaim our lost land."
’If it weren’t for Heart and Soul’s Gift, I would’ve ’rerolled’ long ago,’ Westheid thought. ’Anything’s better than turning into a Chaos Egg.’
Luyetan heard the undisguised ridicule and dissatisfaction in Westheid’s words, even though they were aimed at his own ancestor.
’Even among us in the Branch of Prosperity, that would be considered practically blasphemous.’
Luyetan rested her chin on one hand, raised an eyebrow, and said,
"Speaking of which, why the sudden desire to reclaim the Qinghui Territory, Duke Qinghui? I thought you’d stay in the Imperial Capital for another year or two. After all, aren’t you quite the man of the hour right now?"
"An instant of ease can become an eternity of regret."
Westheid said coolly, "Once you have the will and the strength to reclaim your homeland, you cannot hesitate. Indecisiveness accomplishes nothing. Or does Yuanxi Palace take me for a man who covets only his own comfort?"
"You do seem like one to enjoy your comforts, but also one unafraid of hardship."
Luyetan was blunt, a mischievous smile returning to her exquisitely charming face.
"But I recall hearing that a certain someone refused any assistance, claiming he could retake his homeland all by himself. Oh, dear, who could that have been? I’m so curious. Can you enlighten me, Duke Qinghui?"
’Here it comes.’
’Westheid had been prepared for humiliation the moment he decided to ask Luyetan for aid. It was his own fault for posturing so much when they first met, even mercilessly crushing her with his masterful chess skills.’
’Luyetan was clearly not the magnanimous type. She’d definitely seize this opportunity to gloat.’
’All I can do is swallow my pride.’
"I was wrong."
Westheid capitulated instantly, apologizing to Luyetan.
"I failed to look at the situation with the proper foresight. At the time, I thought I had time to spare, but now... I have a reason why I must reclaim the Qinghui Territory quickly. After thinking long and hard, the only person who could help me is my friend from the same Branch of Prosperity."
"Ngh!"
Luyetan’s foxy smile froze. She had been eagerly anticipating some clever rebuttal from him and was completely caught off guard when Westheid admitted his fault so directly, adopting such a humble stance.
"...I thought you were a proud man, Duke Qinghui."
Westheid replied, "Your intuition is correct. But it is precisely because I am proud that I cannot tolerate the disgrace of refusing to admit when I’m wrong."
’He was quite philosophical about it. His own words had just come back to bite him, that’s all. Who doesn’t get hit by a boomerang every now and then?’
"Ha, hahahaha! As expected of you, Duke Qinghui. Truly... I’m really starting to like you more and more."
Luyetan was stunned for a moment before she slapped the table, laughing charmingly.
After a moment, Luyetan stifled her laughter, rested her cheek on the back of her crossed hands, and said,
"So, I wonder, what kind of assistance are you planning to request, Duke Qinghui?"
"Everything."
With his life on the line, Westheid didn’t hesitate to ask for the moon.
"Money, supplies, manpower—I want it all. I’m not a picky eater. The more, the better."
"Tsk, tsk. How greedy, Duke Qinghui. Since you’re so desperate you’ll take anything, why not ask the nobles in the Imperial Capital for aid? I’m sure they wouldn’t mind financing your restoration efforts, including His Royal Highness the Regent King, who must be looking for a way to repay your favor."
Luyetan tutted, elegantly taking a sip of red tea.
Westheid replied, "Because I truly hate being indebted to people. If there’s no other choice and I must owe someone, I’d at least choose a person I can trust."
Upon hearing this, Luyetan set down her teacup, her right hand, clad in a pristine white glove, gently caressing her cheek.
"Oh my. So you find me trustworthy, Duke Qinghui? I’m truly flattered."
"Hmm... ’Trust’ isn’t quite the right word."
Westheid thought for a moment before answering seriously, "I think it’s more that I like you."
"!!!"
Luyetan’s golden eyes widened in an instant.
The corner of Luyetan’s mouth twitched. She quickly suppressed it with a cold snort.
"Are you trying a honey trap on me, Duke Qinghui? Such a clumsy tactic... Your sister isn’t going to be happy."
Westheid glanced at Yolanda. She seemed stable enough, likely aware that her Patriarch was negotiating the crucial matter of reclaiming their territory, so she kept her reaction in check.
Still, to prevent Yolanda from voicing her displeasure, he gave his sister a look, signaling for her to leave.
Yolanda nodded. "Then I will take my leave. Please, continue your chat."
Once they were alone in the courtyard, Westheid turned to Luyetan and said,
"Your personality might be a little wicked, Lady of Yuanxi Palace, but you’re also very cute. I quite enjoy this little back-and-forth with a beautiful young woman."
’Sincerity is a killer move!’
Westheid’s ambiguous yet heartfelt words left Luyetan speechless, especially with him staring at her with those soft, timeless eyes, like a gentle breeze caressing a frozen lake.
His velvety voice brazenly tugged at her heartstrings.
Luyetan raised a hand to her cheek, her habitual gesture to hide the blush creeping onto her exquisitely charming face. She forgot, however, to hide her pointed ears.
A crimson blush crept up the tips of her ears.
"You really know how to win a girl over, Duke Qinghui. As expected... Fine, I admit your praise is quite pleasant. But do you plan on securing aid with sweet talk alone? I’m not as easy to win over as Rozana."
Westheid nodded. "Of course not. Please, Yuanxi Palace, state your terms."
"My terms, you ask..."
Luyetan placed a slender finger to her lips and smiled sweetly. Then, she rose and moved in front of Westheid’s chair. Leaning her delicate body forward, she placed a knee on the seat, trapping him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her warm, fragrant breath brushing against his nose.
"What if I said... my condition is you yourself, Duke Qinghui?"
"This doesn’t sound like a joke, Yuanxi Palace..."
Luyetan let out a charming, bell-like laugh. Her beautiful eyes seemed to be filled with pink hearts.
’No, not ’seemed.’ They fucking are!’
’Westheid suddenly remembered that Luyetan’s Holy Spirit Bloodline supposedly had some ambiguous connection to Emperor Qianlu. If that was the case... then her disposition was really no different from Rozana’s.’
"Brother, look who’s here!"
Just as Luyetan’s pretty face was about to press against Westheid’s, a cheerful voice called out.
The intimate atmosphere between Westheid and Luyetan instantly shattered. They turned to look.
They saw Yolanda leading Reiya toward them.
Seeing the two of them in the courtyard, practically pressed against each other, Yolanda stopped in her tracks.
The White-haired Dragon Lady’s magnificent, ashen eyes watched the scene in silence, betraying almost no emotion.
After a long moment, Reiya tilted her head.
"It seems I’ve come at an inopportune time."