Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 483 A Different Way of Living
When Thales walked wearily through the sand, most of the royal guard stood up and waited with solemn expressions.

With profound respect.

Only Sacel, who was sitting the furthest away, slowly turned his head toward him.

In the desert, Thales plowed through the sand step by step.

He sank into the sand with every step, but each time he struggled to break free of the sand and took the next step.

as usual.

Finally, Thales stopped in front of everyone.

He gazed silently at the disheveled and ashen-faced royal guards.

It's this group of people...

Quick Rope, who was struggling with his military rations, rolled his eyes and hurriedly scrambled to his feet. He pointed at Thales with all his might while flashing a fawning smile that said, "Hey, it's me."

Belletti glanced at Barney, then at Sackel, and seeing that neither of them seemed inclined to speak, she could only sigh.

"Your Highness..."

But Thales interrupted him:

"ended."

Before the astonished crowd, the prince smiled:
"Although hundreds of people witnessed your prison break..."

Thales' voice lowered:

"But... it's all over."

ended?
Belletti and Tardin exchanged a glance, their surprise evident in each other.

The prince turned around and looked at the desert at dawn, where cavalrymen were moving back and forth swiftly under command, conveying Roman's orders. He then watched Ricky return to his men and reassure the mercenaries who had been pointing fingers at them.

"The official account is: During the internal strife at Baki Camp, Legendary Wing personally executed every fugitive, leaving no survivors."

The guards looked on in surprise and exchanged bewildered glances.

The boy said quietly:

"Therefore, all the guard prisoners who were imprisoned eighteen years ago have now passed away."

"Do you... understand?"

Everyone slowed their breathing, processing the news.

Thales' eyes dimmed:
“I want to do more, to reopen your old cases, to clear your names, and to restore your reputations, but…”

He said no more.

The guards remained silent, occasionally exchanging glances, their expressions filled with hesitation and confusion.

"Your Highness..."

Belletti took a deep breath, as if she had mustered a great deal of courage:
"We, we..."

But Thales continued, to himself:
"Baron Williams will take care of the rest. Whether it's the secret service or the army, you will no longer be hindered."

Barney frowned.

"As for how to leave this place, conceal your identity, and live under an assumed name..."

Thales scanned the exhausted, wounded guards before him, his voice hoarse:

“You are all highly skilled experts, I believe you will have a solution.”

Concealing one's identity, hiding one's name...

Belletti and the others exchanged glances, puzzled by each other.

Before anyone else could react, Thales looked at the grinning guy:
"Do me another favor, take the rope—this guy—away from here, away from the sight of those with ulterior motives."

Everyone turned their heads at once, and Kaisen, who was still grinning foolishly, froze.

"Don't ask who he is, and don't ask where he comes from."

Thales looked at the rope with a tired expression, forcing a smile:
"This is what I owe him."

Quick rope was stunned.

After saying this, Thales sighed and stomped his foot on the soft, cold, and lifeless sand:

"Now."

He raised his head and looked at the rising sun in the east:

"You are free."

free.

The moment the word was uttered, all the guards were stunned for a moment.

Including Sackel.

free?

In that instant, a sense of bewilderment and confusion filled the air.

Bree and Cannon looked eastward with a puzzled expression, their faces showing slight hesitation.

Little Barney stared at the sand beneath his feet, lost in thought.

Belletti and Tardin stared blankly at everyone, at a loss for words.

Kuaishou rolled his eyes, seemingly realizing this wasn't a good time to speak.

Only Sacel stared unblinkingly at Thales.

"enjoy it."

Thales looked at them intently for a few moments, gave them a satisfied smile, and turned away.

He walked unsteadily toward Roman, who stood tall and handsome like a figure in a painting, leading a white horse at the foot of the sand dune.

"Your Highness."

At this moment, Belletti finally couldn't help but speak up:
"What about you?"

His words pulled the people, who were lost in thought, out of their indescribable reverie.

Thales stopped in his tracks.

But he didn't turn back:

"I'm a prince, remember?"

Thales exhaled and looked at Roman in the distance:
“I will go back with them, first to Baki Camp.”

"Back to Yongxing City."

Back to where I started.

Go and face my destiny...

Thales clenched his fist.

My future.

"Your Highness."

Belletti took a deep breath, looked around, and nodded to his colleagues.

"Let us follow you."

"Whether it's Baki Camp or Everstar City."

Thales frowned slightly.

Belletti stepped forward, pressed her hand to her chest, and sincerely said to Thales's retreating figure:

"This sword is wielded only by the Emperor's command."

"It was all because of the imperial edict that it was cut off."

Tardin and Cannon, too, placed their hands on their chests and solemnly followed suit:
"It has no other use."

Thales trembled slightly.

He slowly turned around and looked at the group of wounded and exhausted veterans in front of him, who were still trying their best to straighten their backs and hold their heads high.

Maybe……

Just like eighteen years ago.

Thales couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

At that moment, the desert fell silent.

Kuaishou, barely daring to breathe, looked around awkwardly, managing to swallow his words, "Can I go first?"

A few seconds later, Thales chuckled softly.

"First of all, I am not the emperor."

The prince sighed:
"There are no emperors in this world anymore."

The guards lowered their arms, slightly surprised.

"Secondly, I cannot persuade my father, and he will only throw you back into prison."

Thales's gaze swept over everyone, landing on the branded marks on their faces:

"Or worse."

The guards seemed momentarily stunned, exchanging bewildered glances.

Thales smiled, shook his head in silent refusal, and walked away.

The guards were left behind, bewildered and confused.

A gentle breeze blew, dissipating some of the rising heat.

"But we are already dead."

Tardin's desolate voice rang out in a low voice, stopping Thales in his tracks.

Tardin stared blankly at the sand beneath his feet, then slowly raised his head:
"Your Highness, we... have nowhere else to go."

His words caused a stir among the remaining guards.

Sacel, who was standing the furthest away, even turned his head away.

“Let us serve you; that’s all I can think of, our only value,” Tardin said bitterly.

Thales let out a breath.

Its only value...

He recalled the oath of the guard and was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.

Royal Guard, is that right?
Feeling the unspoken sorrow, the boy nodded and smiled.
“If it were in the past, when I was young, I might have said, ‘Okay, come and serve me.’”

"but now……"

The prince was lost in thought for a moment.

He then raised his head, looking sincerely at each person, receiving their bewildered, resentful, empty, or disappointed gazes:

"Eighteen years have passed. You have paid a heavy price for the stars, for the Palace of Restoration, for the Starry Sky Royal Family... and more importantly, for yourselves and for your choices."

Many people shuddered.

Thales slowly walked back to Tardin and looked at his puzzled eyes.

"What you need is rebirth."

Thales wanted to put his arm around his shoulder, but unfortunately found the gesture awkward due to the height difference.

"It is truly, freely, unfettered, and unrestricted..."

The boy shrugged helplessly, then clenched his fist and lightly tapped Tardin on the shoulder.
"...to survive."

The wind and sand carried Thales' words far away.

The guards stared blankly at the prince before them.

Silence and bewilderment enveloped the place for a time.

"And believe me, you will always have somewhere to go."

Thales gave a gentle smile and looked towards the rising sun in the east:

"A better place."

Tardin stared blankly at the prince.

Belletti opened her mouth as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing.

But Barney's deep voice rang out, drawing attention:

"Judging from the history of the stars, being a prince is by no means easy."

Thales frowned and turned to watch as Barney walked through the crowd and stood before him.

"You will need a hidden force that is out of sight."

“We are well-suited to be your sword outside the Palace of Rejuvenation.”

Barney stepped in front of the crowd, staring intently at Thales.

Thales paused for a second.

As a prince...

Beyond sight...

Concealing power...

In that instant, Thales remembered many things.

For example, the map of the Restoration Palace that King Nunn gave him.

For example, the crazed look in the dying eyes of the Death Raven.

And the sinister tone of the Black Prophet from long ago.

This made Thales slightly lost in thought.

"What a coincidence."

Thales raised his head and smiled at the crowd:
“Chisel, that guy with the Shadow Shield just now, he said something similar to me.”

These words surprised everyone again.

Shadow Shield?

"I want to become a secret weapon in my hands."

But Thales immediately burst out laughing.

"strength?"

Amidst the bewildered gazes of the crowd, Thales raised his head with a sigh, looking out at the boundless desert:

"Yes, I pulled you out of the dark dungeon, from the bottomless abyss, from the eternal nightmare."

He shook his head, spread his hands, and sneered:
"So, I've gained your loyalty?"

"And you can become my strength?"

The prince's seemingly soliloquy left everyone puzzled:

"And then, we became a harmonious ruler and his minister, achieved great feats, swept across the land, and left our names in history?"

Thales gazed at the distant sunrise, a hint of mockery in his eyes that others could hardly understand:
"A good story."

"Enough to write a novel."

The guards looked at each other in astonishment and disbelief.

Belletti tentatively asked:

"Your Highness..."

But Thales quickly regained his composure and spoke with a complicated expression:
"A long time ago, I knew a guy."

“He always smiled as he watched the children fall into the endless abyss, as they struggled helplessly, and then smiled again as he appeared as a savior to lend them a helping hand.”

"In this way, he can occupy the high ground without flaws, and through impeccable ethics, he can bestow favors and receive them in return, becoming the master of those he saves without guilt or burden, and gaining a group of loyal and grateful subordinates."

Thales sighed softly, and his words caused Belletti and Tardin to exchange a puzzled look.

The prince looked around at the crowd before him, seeing their scattered and weary figures, and said forlornly:

"If the perspective and writing style were changed, and the good was exaggerated while the evil was concealed, a person like him would be enough to become the protagonist of a legendary story, with a perfect image and a natural and logical achievement in the final chapter, leading to a harmonious world."

Thales said quietly:

“Except… I was one of those children.”

Everyone was silent.

Thales was silent for two seconds, then looked up:
“You know, there’s some truth to what Saxeel said.”

"I'm thinking……"

"Is everything I've done ultimately for your benefit, or for my own?"

The veteran guards were once again taken aback.

Only the Knight of Punishment looked directly at him, his gaze unfathomable.

Thales looked intently into everyone's eyes and called out their names:
“Barney, Belletti, Tardin, Cannon, Brie…”

“Sakel”.

Those whose names were called instinctively stood up.

"listen."

Thales said seriously and earnestly:
"It wasn't me who saved you, it was yourselves."

"Your freedom is something you have earned yourself."

"You don't owe me anything."

These words stunned many people.

"You have suffered greatly and escaped with great difficulty."

Thales looked in the direction of the camp, his tone resolute:

"It's not to pledge allegiance to me, not to change a pair of shackles, not to change a master."

"It's not about standing still, it's not about returning to that abyss of power."

The prince looked at everyone with an unquestionable gaze, and even the rope-pulling figure instinctively stood at attention.

"If you escape the prison of bones, but then become my subordinates, and pawns in the Second Prince's game..."

"Then everything I do today, and everything you have suffered in the past, will have lost its meaning."

Thales tightened his throat and sighed:

"It's just that the selfishness of another shining star has tied you back to the old game, pushed you back into the vortex of eighteen years ago, and the nightmare is recurring."

"You...don't deserve this fate."

For a moment, everyone was speechless.

Sakel's gaze towards him changed.

"Do you know what you're doing?" Barney's voice rang out slowly.

The vanguard officer frowned, seemingly determined to refute Thales's words:
"Putting everything else aside, at least we now know your... secret."

He emphasized his last word.

This caused everyone present to change color!

Even Thales' expression darkened.

My secret.

The person behind the group instinctively grabbed the Time Crossbow in their hand.

Ignoring the glances from Belletti and Tardin, Little Barney gritted his teeth and said:
"For your safety and interests, if you don't take this opportunity to keep us by your side and strengthen yourselves..."

That would be very unwise.

Barney said coldly:

"If even the slightest leak occurs, your fate... will be very grim."

Thales remained silent.

Belletti patted Barney on the shoulder, but the latter ignored him.

But a few seconds later, Thales looked up and smiled with relief.

"Not long ago, I met a prince—another one."

Everyone was puzzled.

Only the rope changed color.

"He told me: The lifestyle we choose determines our fate, regardless of power or status."

"If I spend my days scheming and living in constant fear, even plotting and plotting, caring about power and profit..."

Thales glanced, seemingly casually, at the rope skipping in the crowd, and sighed:

"Then I will never be able to break free from the shackles of fate."

His words silenced everyone.

Thales looked at each person:

"Just like you all are now."

"Your choices determine whether you receive another set of chains with a different name, or..."

Thales took a deep breath and slowly exhaled:
"True freedom."

Everyone was slightly moved, even Barney bowed his head gently.

As many began to ponder, a long-dormant voice pierced through the sandstorm:

"You are not like your father."

Everyone turned their heads and were surprised to find that it was Sackel, who was standing on the periphery, who was speaking.

Father.

The scene of the first meeting between father and son in the Mindis Hall flashed through Thales' mind.

He thought of the North, of Dragonblood, and of the Blade Fang Camp.

I think of the crown on the throne, and the scepter.

Father.

But Thales was only slightly lost in thought before he smiled at the Executioner Knight who had spoken:
"Because I am not him."

He said with certainty:
“And it never will be.” Sacelle stared intently at him, then suddenly let out a soft scoff:
"not necessarily."

This made Thales' smile fade a little.

However, Sacelle said the following:

"Your mother has passed away."

Thielston was immediately startled!
The Executioner Knight said calmly:
"Don't look for her anymore."

In an instant, all eyes turned to Sacel.

He/She has... passed away?

"What do you mean?"

Thales, realizing what was happening, exclaimed in surprise:

"You know my mother? Seranjelana?"

But Sacelle simply shook his head, his expression returning to indifference: "No."

“But remember my words—she is dead.”

This time, Thales stared at him for a long time.

What he said...

He passed away...

So……

Finally, faced with the ice-cold silence of Sacelle, the prince could only sigh helplessly.

"Never mind, I guess you won't tell me anyway."

Sacel did not answer, but just stared at him coldly.

But Thales immediately scoffed:

"She's already dead, don't look for her anymore..."

“Sakel, do you know what the most interesting part of a language is?”

Sakel frowned.

The prince squinted his eyes:

People always like to put the emphasis on the later parts.

These words startled Sakel.

Thales smiled.

The neighing of warhorses could be heard in the distance.

The prince took a breath, gave up on asking further questions, and turned to look at the rising sun.

“Royal Guard, for the last time, I am giving this order as Thales Shining Star… no, I’m telling you.”

The guards were immediately filled with respect.

The prince said softly:

"The nightmare is over, the darkness is gone."

He carefully scanned each person.

Barney, with his stubborn expression; Belletti, with a worried look on his face; Tardin, with a gloomy expression; Cannon, who remained timid; and Bree, who was unwilling to give up...

Sacel remained silent.

And the silly quick rope.

"From this moment on, truly free..."

He smiled.

"Live."

After saying this, Thales ignored the reactions of others, turned around decisively, and walked towards the distant sand dune—where Roman was waiting for him.

Just like when he arrived, Thales dragged his weary body, wading through the gravel step by step.

On his way home.

The morning light shone, casting a golden reflection on his silhouette.
ended.

With these...

Everything in the dungeon flashed before his eyes.

I am filled with emotion.

such a pity……

"Your Highness."

A faint, slightly choked voice came from behind.

But Thales just shook his head and continued his trek.

They did not look back.

Goodbye.

Royal Guard.

He thought to himself silently.

May the nightmares that the stars brought you disappear from this day forward.

A faint thud came from behind.

Lost in thought, Thales did not turn around.

But the next second, more and more muffled thuds came one after another.

The cavalry and mercenaries in the distance seemed to have seen something, and they stirred slightly, all turning their gazes in this direction.

Ok?
Thales stopped in his tracks, his thoughts interrupted.

Roman frowned in the distance, and Ricky stopped his conversation with his subordinates.

They all looked this way.

Reminded by these anomalies, Thales turned around in confusion.

He was immediately stunned.

This is……

The first rays of dawn illuminate the endless yellow sand.

Six stubborn figures stood as if cast in iron on the desert horizon, leaning slightly forward.

Amidst the blurred light and shadow, neat and uniform figures emerge, enduring the washing of the morning light and the sandstorm.

This is……

Thales stared blankly at the scene before him: Sacelle, Barney Jr., Belletti...

It is the Royal Guard.

A gentle breeze blew, and all the guards had knelt down on one knee in the sand without anyone noticing.

They remained silent and motionless, their faces and expressions obscured.

They simply placed their right palms against their chests, swung their left arms behind them, facing the direction of the prince...

He bowed his head deeply.

It felt like a final tribute.

At that moment, Thales looked at the six kneeling figures and suddenly felt a weight lift from his chest.

He pursed his lips.

But Thales ultimately said nothing.

He raised his right fist with a half-smile and lightly tapped his chest.

Then I turned back decisively.

Behind them, six figures lowered their heads even further.

The legendary Wings, standing at a distance, frowned as he watched the scene unfold before him:
In the distance, amidst the golden sand dunes, six wounded men knelt firmly on the ground, bowing their heads in the same direction.

Nearby, under the pale sky, a thin boy walked slowly, his steps difficult yet firm, his expression bittersweet.

It resembles an oil painting.

"Brilliant Star," Roman muttered, letting out a cold snort.

In the ranks of the Sword of Calamity, Josh looked at the six figures with displeasure, and said disdainfully to Samir, who was staring at them with a dazed expression:

“If you want, you can join them,”

"Anyway, you won't forget it."

Samir's expression darkened, and he immediately turned to Josh.

"I thought you would know better than I do."

Josh was taken aback:
"Clear what?"

Samir scoffed softly and looked up at the sky:

"Will you forget your wife and children, Josh?"

Wife and children...

Josh froze.

He unconsciously gripped the sword hilt and gritted his teeth.

Seeing Josh's expression, Samir sighed:

"Yeah, I know."

“But some things, once lost,” Samir said wistfully, watching the six kneeling figures slowly rise from their seats.

"It's irreversible."

The next moment, Samir's bewildered gaze returned to its resolute look:

"We have no other way out but the future."

"Having nothing."

Samir turned and left on his own.

Josh was left behind with a complicated expression.

Josh glanced at the six figures, then at Samir's back.

Clay walked over and asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Josh shook his head and turned to pack his things:
"nothing."

Under Clay's astonished gaze, Josh muttered resentfully:

"Tch, self-important imperialists."

In the distance, Thales suppressed the urge to turn back and continued forward step by step.

Until the sound of a fast rope came from behind.

"Hey!"

Thales turned around in surprise and instinctively caught the package in his arms.

"Your luggage."

Quick Rope stood behind him, his tone somewhat dejected.

"And your... crossbow."

Quick Rope then tossed the Time Crossbow to him, forcing Thales into a flurry of activity.

Kuaisheng sighed, watching the royal guards slowly rise and walk away into the distance:
Are you sure you don't want them?

"They will be a great help, and it's rare to have such a deep bond with you. They are loyal to you and willing to risk their lives for you."

Thales struggled to hang the package, let out a breath, and smiled:

"Maybe."

Quick Rope frowned and said:
"You know your identity is already precarious... If you have them as your subordinates, at least in case of unforeseen circumstances in the future..."

He did not continue.

Thales curled the corners of his mouth slightly.

Yes, that's right, so...

"The sword of calamity."

Thales suddenly spoke up.

"Do you know that they specifically seek out those who have fallen into an endless abyss, exploit the despair and emptiness in their hearts, make empty promises, capture their spirits, and take advantage of their vulnerability to recruit them for their own use."

"Even if Ricky wasn't the one who pushed them into the abyss."

Thales looked at the puzzled-looking quick rope and said seriously:

"And I hate that feeling."

Quick rope squinted, indicating his confusion.

Thales sighed, turning his gaze from the retreating figures of the royal guards to the sky:
"It's as if there's an unseen hand in fate, tormenting these poor souls until they're scarred, driven mad, and driven to despair, all for today, so that when I stand here, they can willingly become my pawns, used by me, until the predetermined final chapter is completed."

Quick rope was stunned.

Thales said quietly:
"But I can't do it, I can't be that hypocritical, shameless and selfish."

"They are not my pawns."

"Just as I am not a pawn of fate."

The two remained silent for a few seconds.

Quick Rope sighed:
“If my father were here, he would definitely scold you for being stupid.”

King Nuen?
Yes.

Maybe.

Thales smiled.

“You know, that Ricky said my finishing power has been drifting aimlessly, swaying left and right, without any direction.”

"I think he's absolutely right."

"So I made my choice."

Thales stared intently at the rope:

"Just like you made a choice."

"That's all."

These words made Kaisen's expression calm down, revealing a thoughtful look.

A few seconds later, the rope suddenly spoke:
"You're different now."

Thales was stunned:
"What's different?"

Quick Rope shook his head.

"I can't explain it, but..."

Quick Rope frowned and looked Thales up and down:
"I can feel."

"Compared to Thales from the desert..."

Quick rope took it very seriously, his expression solemn and earnest:
"You seem to have something more, yet something less."

The two faced each other and remained silent for several seconds.

Thales raised his eyebrows and smiled helplessly.

"Maybe... I've grown up."

Quickly raise your eyebrows.

"You know, I learned a lot from this trip."

Thales sighed softly, gazing northwest, back in the direction he had come from, lost in thought.
“Even exceeding... the total of the previous six years.”

Quick Rope looked at him and sighed.

"So this is farewell—you're going back to be a prince, aren't you?"

Thales snapped out of his daze.

"I guess so."

With a hint of sadness in his voice, he quipped helplessly:
"Back into the chains of power."

Chains of power.

Quick rope was silent for a few seconds.

"As a prince, Thales, what do you think of my father?"

Quick Rope abruptly said:

"As a king?"

Thales was taken aback.

King Nuen?
Thinking of this name, Thales recalled many things from the past and couldn't help but frown.

Nunn VII of Exeter.

As...king?
Seeing the sad or resentful expressions on Quick Rope's face, Thales sighed softly:
"He was undoubtedly a hegemon of his generation."

"A visionary with exceptional skills, wise and ruthless."

only……

Not very lucky.

Thales lowered his head in disappointment.

"Yes."

As if stirred by memories, the rope nodded absently:

"How do you think you, Thales Shining Star, compare to him?"

I?
With King Nuen?

Thales was stunned again.

In just a few seconds, recalling the other party's resolute challenge to Pefit, the ruthlessness in poisoning Alex, the majesty in commanding the grand dukes, the decisiveness in conveying the "triumph," the courage in personally leading the expedition against disaster, and the countless conspiracies he had secretly plotted against him and Rumba...

Thales couldn't help but chuckle:
"No, even if I spend my whole life..."

"It's not even a fraction of what he is."

Quick Rope fell silent, his face pale, as if he had recalled some unpleasant memory.

“Listen, Thales.”

A few seconds later, Quick Rope sighed:
"I don't know how enlightened rulers like the Dragon Rider King, the Cold King, the Steelbreaker, and the Whisperer could lead thousands of troops and rule over all lands..."

"I wonder how Star Lords like the Restoration King, the Oath Keeper, and the Wise King brought prosperity and peace to their nations..."

When he mentioned so many names, his tone was quite serious, a departure from his usual relaxed and humorous manner.

This made Thales feel somewhat uncomfortable.

In that instant, Quick Rope's face was full of seriousness, which made Thales subconsciously straighten his back.

It was as if the person in front of me had turned back into Moral Walton.

"But after today, I learned at least one thing."

Moral stared intently at the boy:

“Thales, both my father and my brother.”

He slowly shook his head, but his tone was resolute:
"They wouldn't even touch one of your little fingers..."

"Nothing compares."

silence.

long silence.

Looking into Moral's resolute and unquestionable eyes, Thales was completely stunned.

he……

He said……

what?
"Moral, you..." Thales finally managed to come to his senses and spoke instinctively.

But Moral interrupted him.

“Thales,” King Nunn’s second son slowly approached, placing one hand on Thales’ shoulder:

"To become a king."

"A good king."

At that moment, a rare glint appeared in Prince Moral Walton's eyes:
"Because after today, I believe you will be better than them, better than other kings."

"Can you prove that even within the shackles of power..."

"There are different ways to live."

While writing this passage, especially when I wrote about how everyone was moved to tears and bowed down in worship, and how I was contentedly preparing to have Thales happily accept them as his underlings…

Wu Jian suddenly felt a sense of dread, as if Thales in the text had suddenly raised his head, looked up at the sky, and with his meaningful and disdainful gaze, pierced through the dimension of words, giving me a mysterious look.

My fingers paused in surprise.

Then, he calmly turned around and told the guards, and even more so, the unseen forces of fate:
This was not his choice.

(Wu Jian trembled, his expression changing drastically.)

What happened to the promise of taking on followers?
This is outrageous! Thales has gone completely out of control!
How dare a mere character defy the author's will?

Where are the villains? Where are the enemies? Where are the difficulties?
Dig them all out from the outline at the back! Put them up there!

(Wu Jian looks solemnly at Thales and waves his hand heavily.)

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—this child cannot be kept!

Let's get him!

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(End of this chapter)