Game World: I Can Share Talents

Chapter 347 - 1: Duke Qinghui is So Great

"Yuanxi Palace is too extravagant."

"You don’t have the blessing of a Little Holy Tree here, and the Prosperity Law has never blessed the Yuanxi People. Even without the grace of the Radiant Holy Tree, at worst you would only be returning to your original state. Besides... you know better than anyone just how prosperous and powerful you’ve made the Yuanshi Territory with your wealth over the years."

Luyetan covered her lips with a delicate hand and shook her head.

"Lord Xavier, if the expenses were for me alone, the wealth accumulated in the territory would be more than enough. But the moment I open my eyes each day, I have to think about feeding the millions of people in the Yuanshi Territory. If that were all, it would be manageable, but the crucial thing is I also have to send supplies to Duke Qinghui’s Expeditionary Army. That’s an astronomical sum."

"To be honest, the Yuanshi Territory’s stockpiles are nearly depleted. We have no savings left, and even if we had the money, we can’t buy any more supplies... Oh, hand me that piece of cake."

Luyetan let out a long sigh and gave an order to her maid.

The Royal Court Elf named Xavier frowned at her words. After a moment of thought, he said:

"Duke Qinghui... I’ve heard of him. It seems you funded his campaign to reclaim his territory. But with his current power and status, does he still need your financial support? I heard he’s not only taken over large Imperial Provinces, but he’s also become the Knight King of the Yonglan People. Outside the Land of Rhythm, his name is quite renowned."

Luyetan popped the entire small, velvety cake into her mouth. Only after chewing it delicately did she reveal a charming smile.

"I’m doing this on purpose. It would indeed be easy for Duke Qinghui to repay his debts, but I want him to remain in my debt. The more he owes, the better. That’s the most profitable kind of deal."

"Because he has promised me a reward that is impossible to refuse."

The Yuanxi Lord’s words were full of meaning. Her fingers unconsciously touched her own slightly pointed earlobes as she lowered her gaze.

These pointed ears, a sign of her Enchanter Bloodline, looked very similar to an Elf’s long ears at first glance, but were slightly different. They did indeed grant Luyetan an extraordinary Charm, but the Yuanxi Lord did not want this Charm in the slightest. In fact, she detested it, wishing she could purge the tainted blood from her veins.

Xavier noticed Luyetan’s solemn expression and small gesture. He hesitated before asking:

"Could it be that he is..."

Luyetan immediately cut him off.

"In any case, I am looking forward to the reward Duke Qinghui promised me. I expect my wish will be granted very soon."

Seeing that the charming, brown-haired girl in the white dress didn’t want to reveal any more on the subject, Xavier grew very curious. He had known Luyetan for a long time, but he had never seen her care so much about something. ’Could it really be...?’

’I have my suspicions, but for something like that... it’s best to just understand it and not speak of it recklessly.’

The intricate relationship between the Yuanshi Territory and the Thousand Laws Royal Court stemmed from this very matter.

He didn’t press further. More than Luyetan’s personal affairs, Xavier was concerned about something else. So he approached the topic indirectly, saying:

"It seems your investment has paid off completely. Duke Qinghui owes you a great favor. I just came from the Royal Court, and I heard that the Knight King is constantly fighting Chaos Corruption in the Mortal World? Is that true?"

Luyetan steepled her fingers under her chin and said:

"Ha, you must have heard about it. Yes, it’s true, and it’s been going on for a long time. Duke Qinghui is taking his troops and putting out fires everywhere, just as he claims—acting righteously without seeking any reward."

"To think there are still such noble deeds..."

Xavier’s fingers tapped nervously on the corner of the table. He asked:

"Is that Duke Qinghui truly like that?"

’I don’t think so. Duke Qinghui’s ambition is practically overflowing. That man doesn’t seem like the type to be morally upstanding.’

Luyetan first complained inwardly but maintained a calm expression, raising an eyebrow as she spoke:

"But instead of asking me, why not ask your son? As the Royal Court’s field intelligence officer, he’s been out and about all these years. He definitely knows more than you do."

"That... is true..."

Xavier nodded repeatedly at Luyetan’s words and said:

"I haven’t seen Valendorf in a long time. I wonder how he’s doing... By the way, is he in the Yuanshi Territory right now?"

"Of course. This city never refuses a friend. I’ll take you to him."

The Yuanxi Lord said with a smile, then rose and left the palace with Xavier, heading for the Royal Court’s embassy in the main city.

After stepping into the mansion that housed the embassy, the two of them heard a commotion coming from the courtyard.

They walked forward a few dozen paces and found a group of people gathered together, arguing with flushed faces.

The leader of one of the factions was, surprisingly, a young Half-Elf.

"Valendorf!"

Xavier murmured in confusion. In his memory, his son was supposed to be rather introverted. How had a few years apart turned him into the leader of a faction within the Royal Court’s embassy?

’Has he finally made something of himself? Even though it’s just an embassy, which is basically a starter zone in the competitive environment of the Royal Court, being able to achieve this is already quite impressive. At least... probably... I can bring him back to the Royal Court without him being eaten alive, not even leaving his bones behind.’

A wave of relief and pride washed over Xavier. He quickened his pace, wanting to hear what Valendorf was saying.

He saw the young Half-Elf, with a stern voice and expression, beating his chest and stamping his foot as he declared:

"Duke Qinghui is so great! Last night, I thought about Duke Qinghui until I cried, and then I fell into a hazy sleep. In my dream, I saw Duke Qinghui take the thrones of ten kingdoms, and there was no more debate about who was the greatest Hero in history. Then I woke up laughing, I was so happy! I don’t give my parents any of my salary for a whole month, I spend it all on Duke Qinghui merch! I watch every single one of his debates, and I especially love his moves, they’re so cool!"

"In the future, when Duke Qinghui gets old, I’ll fly to Su Yue to take care of him and be his slave. When Duke Qinghui passes away from old age, I’ll go with him. After all, I came into this world only to accompany Duke Qinghui. Once that mission is complete, I don’t care about my parents. I’ve already done my best for Duke Qinghui’s sake, that’s just how it is."

"This is what a true Qinghui-stan should do! All you Qinghui-stans should be like me, otherwise you don’t deserve to call yourselves Qinghui-stans! You don’t deserve to like Duke Qinghui!"

"What meaning is there to a world without Duke Qinghui? You all better watch out! There are six hundred million Qinghui-stans in the Mortal World! We could drown you in spit! Duke Qinghui is the greatest Monarch in the world, and you’ll never know how much he sacrificed to get to where he is today!"

"Duke Qinghui’s legendary status, his story, his charisma, his looks—they’re all maxed out! Even if Duke Qinghui is ninety-nine percent in the wrong, are you people who dislike him completely blameless? Since you’re also at fault, why do you keep hating on Duke Qinghui? What right do you have to dislike Duke Qinghui?!"

"..."

Valendorf’s speech, delivered with tears streaming down his face, left the Elves opposite him stunned and speechless. Not one of them dared to make a sound, while his companions behind him danced with excitement.

"So true, Valendorf!"

"Exactly! It’s about time someone dealt with these Duke Qinghui haters!"

"I can’t believe how cold-hearted someone has to be to make baseless speculations and cast doubt on Duke Qinghui’s righteous deeds."

"..."

But Xavier, who had been listening from the side, saw red. The usually elegant and easygoing Royal Court official shot forward, grabbed the Half-Elf by the collar, and roared:

"Valendorf! You wretched spawn! What is this nonsense you’re spouting?!"

The young Half-Elf froze, then stammered:

"Ah! F-Father."

Xavier: "How many times have I told you? When we’re on duty, you address me by my title!"

"...Yes, Lord Execution Officer."

It wasn’t just Valendorf who deflated like a punctured ball; all the other Elves and Half-Elves were trembling because of Xavier’s sudden appearance. They immediately lined up neatly before the Royal Court official, awaiting his judgment.

Xavier sighed at the sight and said to his son:

"Hah... You, come with me. And you few as well. I have some questions for you."