Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 594 Talk
"go home."

Upon hearing Thales's words and taking a closer look at his figure, Oschu let out a cold laugh without any restraint.

“Not many people are qualified to settle down here, kid.”

Behind him, the Brotherhood thugs, bound with black silk ribbons and standing densely packed together, chuckled coldly, their eyes gleaming with malice as they stared at the three men trapped at the alleyway fork.

You wouldn't know that.

Thales smiled, unhurried.

He seemed not to have seen Oschu, staring straight behind him:
Where is your leader?

"I want to talk to him."

Lei Fu's smile vanished.

"Your Highness... Wyatt?" Golov looked worried.

What is this prince up to now?
"Huh? Oh, right, Wyman?" Cohen was confused for a moment before realizing what he meant. He was puzzled at first, then his face lit up with excitement: "So, what are you planning?"

Is he going to save the world again, just like in the North?

Thales turned around and grinned:
"Visiting friends".

"Don't use the distress signal flare, just protect what's behind me."

Cohen and Grover were both taken aback.

"I'll lead the way here."

Oschu's gaze toward Thales grew increasingly hostile.

“You can talk to me,” he said, brandishing the axe in his hand.

"Or with it."

Thales sighed, and just as he was about to reply, hurried footsteps echoed through the alleyway.

"It's them!"

Several figures pushed through the thugs' ranks and came to the side of the leader, Oschu—Tales recognized him as the Brotherhood "The Sleepless," whom he had met before on Red Street, who had chased them all the way to Redmore's Clubhouse.

“I remember them,” Redmore gasped, pointing intently at the three men:

"Especially that big guy with the stiff face!"

Golov let out a frustrated sigh.

"Do we know him?" Cohen turned around in confusion and asked Thales and Glov.
"Also, do I look stiff?"

Golov's face looked even worse.

"Are you sure it's them?"

Oschu was somewhat displeased with Redmore for suddenly cutting into the line and interrupting his speech:

"There are so many of us here, we're going to fight the Red Turbans, let's not waste our time on a few small fish."

But from the Brotherhood's ranks, on the other side, Leyok spoke up quietly:
“Redmore is the ‘sleepless,’ he can’t be wrong.”

Oschu glanced at Leyok with displeasure.

“Yes, it’s them!” Redmore gasped for breath, straightened up, and gritted his teeth:

"Back in Red Street, they were sneaking around outside 'One Night Stand' and watching, then they fled into the Blood Bottle Gang's territory, and now they're here again... There's definitely something fishy going on with them!"

“Holy crap,” Cohen blinked, lowering his voice, slightly surprised:

How did he know we came from Red Town Street?

Golov sneered and replied gruffly:
"Because you look like someone who's been to a prostitute."

Cohen initially looked bewildered, then indignant.
Thales turned his gaze and observed almost everyone in the arena.

"We're still very busy, so it's the three of you."

Oschu brandished his axe and proclaimed loudly:

"Are you going to raise your hands in surrender and confess obediently, or wait for us—"

"I said that!"

Thales suddenly spoke in a long voice, making sure everyone present could hear him clearly:
“You’re not high enough. Where’s Morris? Let him come and talk to me!”

Oschu's gaze turned cold as he was interrupted.

He first glanced around, and the whispering Brotherhood thugs quieted down again.

“Every year, there are always some aristocratic young masters who are used to being bossed around and can’t sit still. They think they are extraordinary and want to learn a scene from a stage play. They disguise themselves and go on a private visit to this magical place.”

Oschu coldly stared at Thales, who appeared to be the youngest but was clearly the leader of the three:
"Just to see how miserable we are, and then to feel smug about how well we're doing."

His words drew envious glances from many of the thugs.

Lei Fu's tone changed, turning into a sinister grin:

"Until they see how well we're doing and how badly they're ending up."

As tensions rose, Golov felt the growing hostility and aggression from the surrounding crowd and gritted his teeth.

"enough."

"Steel Spike" Edleyonza, from the Brotherhood, drew a mace and coldly declared:

"If you have anything to say, beat me down first, then we'll talk!"

Opposite him, Cohen drew the Heavy Bearer sword from its sheath, ready for battle.

"Everyone!"

Thales had to cough loudly.

"Are we really going to do this?"

He exhaled and glanced at the densely packed enemies surrounding him.

Okay.

They were just a hair's breadth away from catching up with the menacing sword of calamity, the imposing army of the Rumba, or the surging tide of orcs.

"To be honest, I'm already too old."

Thales said helplessly.

Oschu frowned, but his eyes kept scanning the troops that were moving on orders, calculating the time to encircle and surround them.

The boy spread his hands, completely ignoring the fierce gazes of the countless people in front of him.

"I'm telling you, I'm really past the age of showing off my identity or strength, then acting all high and mighty amidst gasps of surprise, scaring my enemies into awe and making passersby imagine that I'm an invincible powerhouse to worship, and getting a sense of self-esteem, pleasure and existence from it."

Cohen and Grover exchanged a glance.

“So, please, I don’t want to do that,” Thales noticed more and more thugs quietly moving and gathering behind them:

“I’m not interested in this approach.”

Grover and Cohen shifted their positions, expanding their defensive perimeter and remaining alert for any movement around them.

"Oh? So you are some noble young master of extraordinary status, and after revealing your identity..."

Oschu's expression changed, revealing a sinister look:

"Could you let us ask for more ransom?"

But the boy smiled slightly and ignored it.

“In fact, I doubt my father would pay the ransom for me—based on past experience, he would probably prefer me to be killed.”

Just then, another cold voice rang out:

"how do you know?"

Oschu, interrupted again, recognized the speaker and said with displeasure:
"Leyok..."

But Thales chuckled softly, looking at the familiar face he had seen countless times on the streets when he was a child.

His old "friend".

The Silent Killer, Leyok.

Back then, this man always kept his head down, his hands in his pockets, and strolled leisurely into the fraternity's territory, swaying his shoulders, just like an ordinary local thug.

Even Quaid, who was used to being arrogant and domineering, didn't dare to say much when he saw him.

And all beggars know—don't look him in the eye.

Thales dismissed his past memories and chuckled softly:

"Because I know my father."

But the Silent Assassin shook his head:
"Do not."

"My question is: How can you be so sure that Maurice is the one leading us?"

Thales squinted.

Seeing his authority being questioned once again, Oschu angrily warned:
"Leyok!"

But the Silent Assassin didn't even glance at Oschu, simply staring silently at Thales.

As Thales looked at the familiar face that had become much more weathered, he suddenly remembered listening to his passionate lovemaking with Belicia from the corner of the wall when he was a child.

"This guy."

Thales pointed at Ostru:
“From the time he rose to power during the era of the ‘Thirteen Generals,’ he was always a knife in Rhoda’s hand.”

Oschu's expression changed.

“Steel Spike is Cincha’s henchman, and Leyok, your business is brokered by Morris,” Thales said, nodding off each person as if they were old friends, with a hint of languor.

"As for the sleepless ones over there, they are Lancer's men."

Leyok, Adrianza, and Redmore all frowned.

Golov looked puzzled: even though he came from a background as a beggar in the Blood Bottle Gang, he knew very little about the Brotherhood's internal affairs, so how could the prince...?

Cohen, however, remained calm:
Anyway, the stars know everything!
"With such a large operation and scale of the Brotherhood, yet you are not under each other's command and are divided among four big bosses, it means that there is someone else in charge."

"As for the closest one to here, the only one I can think of is Fatty Morris."

Thales looked around and shouted:
Why hasn't he come out yet?

But Thales' voice echoed through the alley, yet no one answered, only arousing the fraternity's suspicion.

Thales frowned, and couldn't help but start to have doubts.

Did you guess wrong?
A sneer came from the crowd: "This kid's got a sharp tongue, but I wonder—"

Before he finished speaking, his figure suddenly moved, launching a surprise attack!

Head straight to Thales!
Unexpectedly, both Oschu and Thales' expressions changed slightly.

But a figure flashed behind the boy and faced off against Edleyonsa head-on. In a flash, the air surged!
Clang! Clang! Sizzle!
The alley was narrow, and the sound of clashing weapons pounded in the ears, causing everyone who heard it to frown!
After the three-way battle ended, Adrianza gritted his teeth and retreated.

He stared at the wound on his right arm, filled with shock and anger.

Opposite him, Golov, who was blocking Thales, coldly sheathed his sword and flicked the blood off the blade.

A small commotion broke out in the Brotherhood's ranks, and Oschu's expression suddenly changed.

That's a steel cone, one of Qincha's most renowned and skilled marksmen.

Today's idea... is indeed a bit too difficult.

"Holy crap," Cohen exclaimed with surprise, looking at Golov with newfound respect.
"This guy may not be able to beat me, but he's pretty awesome with a sword..."

Golov exhaled through his nose in response to disdain.

"I've seen this sword technique and footwork before..."

Adrianza tore the black silk cloth from his arm and bound the wound tightly. He stared intently at Golov, his fear evident in his eyes.
"Have you served in the regular army?"

“We’re very close,” Golov sneered, swinging his longsword again to block the other two Brotherhood thugs:
"Guess again?"

Adrianza frowned.

Oschu could no longer bear it and roared:
"Fuck them—go together and take them down!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the two thugs closest to them roared and charged forward!

A crowd of people thronged the perimeter, clearly eager to try their luck.

Thales sighed.

It still came to this?
Sure enough, without him saying a word, another strong figure bypassed the boy and charged forward.

Swoosh! Whoosh!
Two terrifying thuds rang out, and the two thugs in charge fell to the ground, bleeding profusely and howling in pain.

"Take him back for disinfection and bandaging; there might still be hope..."

Cohen twirled his stylish "Weightbearer" sword, glanced at his enemies, and scoffed disdainfully:

"Who else?"

His henchmen all froze, staring at Cohen's still-bleeding blade, and no one rushed forward.

Meanwhile, Golov, equally unfazed, drew his sword and drew blood, felling one man before pushing him back into the enemy ranks, causing chaos among them.

The two men's swift movements and powerful attacks were quite effective, leaving the Brotherhood's henchmen looking at each other in dismay and hesitant to move forward.

Cohen breathed a sigh of relief: Fortunately, the street, where people are quick to fight, is different from the battlefield where orders are strictly enforced. As long as we take down the ones who seem to be the most aggressive, the most ruthless, and the most fearless, we can create a deterrent...

Only Thales rubbed his face in exasperation.

Damn.

As Oschu watched his men drag away the fallen thugs, his anger rising at their hesitant manner.
The opponent's strength is formidable, so let's leave that aside for now...

But have the Brotherhood thugs in the capital not fought a tough battle in too long?

Clearly, if someone just fought hard and risked their life to hold off their attack...

hateful!

Why did the Blood Bottle Gang come up with these two key ideas?
So……

Oschu looked at Cohen and Glov, gestured to the others, and nodded toward Thales.

The Brotherhood immediately began to move.

Having served on the streets of the capital for many years, Cohen keenly noticed their intentions. He stretched out his long arm and shielded Thales behind him:

"Don't even think about it."

Golov stepped back in unison, and the two of them firmly protected Thales.

But Thales let out a long, helpless sigh.

Okay, I'm serious!

Ignoring the expressions of the two men beside him, Thales pushed their arms aside and pointed listlessly at Oschu and Leyok:
“Go and tell Maurice that I can help with his problem.”

“I said I’d lead the way here.”

Oschu extended his finger, extremely dissatisfied:

"And I am very unhappy..."

That's it.

Thales didn't bother listening to his harsh words, which were meant to distract him and launch a sneak attack.

Judging from the looks of it, even if I told them I was a prince, they wouldn't back down or sit down for a proper talk.

We need to get some genuine products.

“Oschu, Thunder Axe, right?”

Thales raised his voice and said:
"Since you work for Rhoda, I assume you know the blacksmiths on South Street, like Karachi?"

Oschu's arm paused in mid-air.

"You must also feel very upset. After he and other shops that you do business with were inexplicably raided, your underground arms business, especially the processing link such as the refurbishment of second-hand goods, suddenly became fraught with obstacles and extremely difficult to carry out?"

Thales sneered:

"And this is probably not the only thing that's bothering you."

Thales was pleased to see that, upon hearing this, not only Ostru, but also many Brotherhood henchmen, including Edleyonsa, Lyok, and Redmore, changed their expressions.

Golov was puzzled again: You know that?
“He certainly knows something; it seems he’s not some small fry,” said the northerner, Adrianza, coldly from the other side.

"Regardless of casualties, take him down."

The men behind him immediately stepped forward, but Thales turned around at the right moment.

"Edleyonsa!"

The boy spoke in a clear voice:
“You are Qincha’s top lieutenant, and you have been doing business with him in the North and the Clifflands, or more precisely, fighting with the Blood Bottle Gang for territory.”

Adrianza snorted coldly.

"And in recent years, especially after the alarm at Dragon Fortress was lifted and peace was restored to the northern border, you have had a smooth run of success, driving the Blood Bottle Gang into a rout and retreating one after another."

"But you were sent back by Qincha."

Thales shook his head:

"Because he knows, knows why you've won all these years, and knows exactly where the key to the Black Street Brotherhood's development lies."

"Especially these days, when your development is hampered."

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure flashed before his eyes!
clang!
Edleyonza's mace and Golov's sword became entangled, unable to advance or retreat.

"Hold."

The northerner, nicknamed "Steel Cone," gritted his teeth, his face contorted in a ferocious grimace.
"I fucking hate nobles!"

“What a coincidence,” Golov replied in a low voice as he grappled with his opponent.
"Me too."

But on the other side, Cohen suddenly trembled, instinctively turned around and raised his sword to block a blade that appeared out of nowhere!
clang!
Lyok moved elusively, retreating at the slightest touch, like a ghost in the sunlight.

The situation changed drastically in an instant, and shouts of battle erupted!

The Brotherhood's thugs swarmed in and attacked.

Grover and Cohen roared, standing one in front and one behind, protecting Thales in the middle, and using all their strength to fend off the incoming swords and shadows!
Thales knew something was wrong, but having faced similar situations countless times, he had even more faith in Glov and Cohen's abilities. So he forgot his fear and remained calm:
"Leyok!"

"Aren't you worried about getting entangled with us here?"

Leyok's eyes flickered in the crowd.

"Belicia has just escaped danger, aren't you going to go and see her?"

Leyok's expression changed. He lowered his grip on the blade and blocked the thugs behind him.

Thales smiled slightly:
"Or is it that the news she brought back has made your boss very nervous?"

Leyok's expression changed again!
But this time, he revealed his ruthlessness and gave orders to his subordinates:

"Go, leave him with a tongue, just enough so he can speak."

Thales' smile froze.

Grass.

On the other side, Golov and Edleyonza separated again. With a hook and a slash of his longsword, he brought down two thugs who were trying to take advantage of the situation, blocking the other enemies who wanted to rush in from behind.

Cohen roared and swung his sword, using force to control width, repeatedly knocking back the surging enemies and sending them tumbling back into the ranks.

"Aren't you coming out yet, Maurice?"

Amidst the shouts of battle, Thales invoked the Sin of the River of Hell, letting his voice pierce through the crowd.

But the situation remained unchanged.

"Take care of yourself," Oschu sneered from ahead, "You gossipy young master!"

Thales felt a chill run down his spine.

“I was thinking, about Wya,” Cohen gasped.
"Are you sure you don't need to call for reinforcements?"

Although Cohen and Grover seemed to be handling the situation with ease, Thales couldn't help but feel anxious as the enemies surged up from both sides.

"And what about Lancer? The Brotherhood's Sleepless Eye?"

The prince added a name and roared:
"I think he was the one who felt the most deeply about what Belisia had revealed."

"Doesn't he want to 'go home and visit'?"

The moment his words fell, a distinctive, steady voice resonated in the air, as if whispering in his ear:

"stop!"

Thales let out a breath and stared intently at the surging crowd.

at last.

A stout figure appeared in the crowd. He spoke in a deep voice, which, though seemingly carrying immense power, silenced the crowd:
"Everyone, stand back."

Amidst the chaos, the thugs were momentarily confused before slowly lowering their weapons, ceasing their attack, and retreating from back to front.

The shouts of battle gradually subsided.

Golov sheathed his sword, leaving two pitiful creatures groaning on the ground.

Cohen then elbowed the last bloodthirsty thug to the ground, panting as he looked up.

The crowd at the alley entrance slowly parted, and a short, stout but sturdy man walked in with calm steps.

Thales saw the other person's face clearly and felt a great weight lifted from his heart.

Six years.

I saw him again.

"Boss Morris!"

When Oschu saw the newcomer, his expression turned solemn:
"We'll take it down soon..."

But Maurice merely smirked, revealing a sinister grin:

"Didn't you see it, axe?"

Morris, one of the Brotherhood's six leaders and based in the lower city of the capital, patted Ostru on the shoulder.

He turned his head coldly and looked straight at Thales.

"He is not one of those cowards you kidnapped."

“Not those young masters who think they are the protagonists of a novel, but who become useless and tremble in fear once they lose their status, power, or divine weapons.”

Thales returned the gaze to Maurice, his eyes flashing with coldness.

During his days as a beggar, it was this kind-faced fat man who governed the Black Street—the birthplace of the Black Street Brotherhood—and even the gang business of the entire Lower City. Whenever he appeared, most of the Brotherhood members that Thales had ever met, whether it was Lyok, Belicia, Rick, Locke, Quaid, or Beth, had to bow down and obey his orders.

He would occasionally appear at Sunset Bar, each time making Yara look reserved and the owner look displeased.

Oh, by the way, Morris also owned a ferocious wolfhound that almost killed Thales.

But none of this compares to another of Maurice's crimes: he once suffocated a runaway beggar to death in full view of everyone.

From then on, both the Brotherhood members and their adversaries held Maurice in awe: anyone who looked into the eyes of this smiling fat man, who showed no mercy even to children, would feel a chill run down their spine.

The beggars, heeding Quaid's warning, cowered and hid, fearing to incur his wrath. But at that moment, Thales suddenly found himself standing there, looking directly into Quaid's eyes.

“This is a nobleman,” Morris continued forward, weaving through the crowd, his gang’s thugs all bowing their heads and retreating. “A real one.”

"Instead of the kind of good-for-nothing playboys that the Red Turbans like to associate with."

Morris finally came to Thales.

Cohen and Grover dutifully stood in front of Thales, warning the seemingly ordinary fat man.

Morris looked at the two bodyguards blocking his way and revealed a shrewd smile typical of a businessman.

At that moment, Thales suddenly felt a chill run down his spine!
"enough!"

The boy spoke abruptly, appearing somewhat out of control:
"Close enough!"

Thales warned his two subordinates, "Be careful, this guy's ability—"

But before Thales could finish speaking, Morris raised an eyebrow and smiled with narrowed eyes:
"Yeah, that's enough."

The next second, Cohen and Grover's expressions changed drastically, and they both swayed!
Two dull thuds sounded as both men's weapons struck the ground simultaneously.

Thales was startled.

Golov trembled as he tore open his collar, gasping for breath in pain.

"I... am breathing..."

Morris just watched him with a smile, as if he were watching a neighbor's child play a game.

Damn!

Thales was shocked and furious: Morris's ability—the distance is too far!
On the other side, Cohen, his face also flushed, was desperately bracing himself against the ground.

“I remember now… Brotherhood… Fatty Boss… Superpowers… Air…”

Damn it, if only he had a chance, not even a fraction of a second, just a second to draw his sword, he wouldn't have to look so pathetic in front of the prince...

But you didn't have that one second.

Inside the Tower of Termination, Master Jedi's words echoed in his ears:

If you don't fight for it, you won't get it.

If you don't fight for it, you won't get it.

Cohen angrily and painfully pounded the ground, but only made it harder for him to breathe.

“Ah, I recognize you. You’re that infamous ‘idiot vigilante’ from the West Side’s den of thugs,” Maurice said, scrutinizing Cohen’s lowered hood.
"It's incredible that you've survived until now; your father must have had a really tough time."

Cohen trembled all over:

"Hold--"

Golov's face was contorted with rage, and he was struggling to breathe as he stared intently at his hands.

Damn it, if it weren't for the whip marks, I could have...

Morris straightened up, and this time, he looked at Thales, his smile unchanged but his gaze turning cold.

"Speak, kid," the fat man clicked his tongue.

"who are you?"

"Or to put it more bluntly—who is your boss, or who is your father?"

Thales took a deep breath and realized that he was not among Morris's targets.

but……

He looked up at the smiling Maurice.

And behind him, Oschu grinned maliciously, Adrianza was displeased, and Leyok had a cold expression.

He underestimated Maurice—the man was not the Brotherhood butler who rarely took action, but on the contrary, if used properly, his superpowers could even take down two super-level experts.

but……

Thales closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Six years ago, I didn't even have a chance to face him, did I?
Back then, even one of their dogs could kill me.

but now……

Thales opened his eyes, his gaze calm and clear:
"The trick is very interesting."

Morris hummed in agreement, watching the boy with great interest:

"They're quite bold."

But Thales' next words made Maurice's smile vanish:
"So, this is how black swords are forged?"

Thales curled the corners of his mouth:
"Because of your air ability, he simulated similar predicaments countless times, constantly improving his stress resistance training, so that he could remain calm and escape from danger every time he faced Ashida?"

Black sword.

Aishida.

Morris frowned.

But a few seconds later, he laughed.

"Over the years, more than one person has brought out the Black Sword in front of me."

With two clangs, Golov and Cohen could no longer hold onto their sword hilts and had to brace themselves on the ground with their arms.

The thin air made their symptoms of oxygen deficiency more pronounced.

Thales was anxious, but he forced himself to calm down and stared straight at the other person.

Morris just scratched his chin, his face full of nostalgia:
"They always talk like seasoned veterans, pretending to be familiar with people and trying to build connections, as if they are at a high level and have a big business—it's as amusing as 'Do you know Kingdom Fury? I used to chat with him.'"

Wrath of the Kingdom.

Thales frowned as he thought about the man who had carried him into the enemy ranks, his aura as fierce as a volcano.

There's probably no one in this world who can chat and laugh with that guy.

As he was thinking this, he suddenly burst out laughing amidst the encirclement.

“I know,” Thales said, a nostalgic look on his face.

“You don’t buy that: you’ve known Black Sword for a long time, you’re very close.”

"Perhaps it started more than twenty years ago, when you were still mercenaries together in the vast desert?"

Morris's eyes narrowed.

Thales chuckled:

"Right, the Nine?"

At that moment, the members of the Brotherhood looked at each other with confusion.

Morris did not speak.

He simply pursed his lips and stared at Thales with a silent expression.

The boy also quietly looked back at him.

But the next moment, Morris chuckled.

"Pretend to be profound and talk about the superficial aspects of secrets to make people think you are well-informed and of a very high and unfathomable level."

"I've seen this kind of show-off trick before."

Thales remained expressionless as he watched Maurice shake his head hoarsely:
"Very naive."

Morris tossed his hand dismissively:
"Tie him up and take him back."

But at that moment, the Brotherhood was in turmoil again!
The commotion did not originate from the rear.

Thales lowered his head, equally surprised.

At some point, Cohen raised his head and stared intently at Morris.

The brilliance of the stars surged wildly, pouring forth from the heart without regard for cost, and flashing shimmering spots of light on the skin.

They provided him with a constant supply of extra energy, enabling the guard to force himself to inhale far more oxygen than usual.

It made him tremble, yet irresistibly...

Stand up.

Cohen gritted his teeth, twirled the sword in his hand, and his vision gradually turned red and blurred.

It's time to get revenge.

On the other side, Golov slowly got up: his power of termination spread throughout his body, melting the stored matter and energy, reducing the body's discomfort, numbing his pain and soreness, and making him look indifferent.

The zombie's eyes froze and glazed over, fixed on Maurice.

As usual, his pain disappeared without a trace.

His emotions gradually became numb.

His body...

They have transformed back into cold, cruel, and ruthless weapons.

It's time to kill.

Oschu and Leyok stared in astonishment at the two men before them—they both knew the burden and harm that Morris's powers would inflict on a fragile human body.

Is this...impossible?
Morris was equally astonished to see the two break free from the shackles of their superpowers.

“I underestimated you,” Maurice murmured. “These are the skills and qualities that can only be honed in bloody battles.”

"They are all potential talents for the extreme realm."

Black Sword was right after all.

Superpowers can be used unexpectedly.

But they couldn't control the outcome.

Watching the two tough men stand up again, Maurice helplessly touched his forehead, a wry smile appearing on his face:

"Tsk tsk tsk, why are the experts always on the enemy's side?"

Thales nodded, deeply agreeing.

But this time, he smiled very happily.

"Can we... talk now?"

Morris's smile froze for a few seconds.

Oschu and Leyok behind him gripped their weapons.

Cohen and Grover's expressions grew increasingly frightening.

Finally, the fat man sighed and spread his hands.

Glov and Cohen immediately felt that the air around them smelled good again, and they both gasped for breath and returned to normal.

"Don't worry, I also hate childish tricks," the prince said, relieved by the change in the situation.

"We're all adults."

Morris frowned as he looked at Thales's youthful face.

Thales realized what was happening and coughed:
"You know, in the imperial era, a man was considered an adult at the age of fourteen, and was able to go to war, get married, and have children."

The boy took a step forward.

“So I don’t want to reveal my identity, nor do I want to scare people with sensational news,” Thales looked at him earnestly.
“I’ll say it again, I’m here to help you, Maurice.”

Morris rubbed his hands together. He looked around, and the commotion among the Brotherhood thugs subsided.

He sneered:
"How to help?"

Returning to the most familiar battlefield, Thales took a deep breath:

"Although the Black Street Brotherhood is a large and powerful organization, there is no need for them to gather the men of four big shots at the same time to carry out an ordinary street robbery—even if the other party is accompanied by two muscular men."

Cohen shook his head, while Golov shook his arms, snapping out of his daze.

Reflecting on what he had seen and heard these past few days, Thales murmured:
"There is only one reason why you are so nervous."

Morris stared intently at the boy:

"You're talking nonsense."

Thales ignored his words and sneered:
"But what if it's not them?"

Morris paused in his rubbing of his hands.

"If the culprit who kidnapped Belicians from your territory, if the one who has been sabotaging your business, hindering your development, and causing you to encounter setbacks and obstacles everywhere, is not the old rival you thought it was..."

Thales' voice sharpened:
"Isn't it the Blood Bottle Gang?"

Morris did not reply, but the reactions of Oschu, Lyok, Adrianza, and others behind him varied.

“Of course, you already know that—from Belicia’s mouth.”

Thales said coldly:

"You just don't know what to do."

"Because the enemy is too powerful and cannot be resisted."

Morris pressed his lips together, staring intently at the hooded boy in front of him.

Thales pushed aside Grover and Cohen, and under their worried gazes, took a step forward to stand a foot away from Morris, looking him in the eye.

It turns out he's already as tall as Maurice.

And the fat, wicked man before us, who inspires fear in countless people, his eyes…

Is it because they are so wary?
Thales was momentarily bewildered, but he quickly regained his composure and said decisively:
"And I am you, and I am the only hope for the Brotherhood in its current predicament."

"Now, can we talk?"

Thales finished speaking and waited silently.

The air became quiet.

Morris remained silent, his eyes darkening.

Everyone unconsciously clenched their fists or weapons.

Leyok's cold gaze met Cohen's, while Golov and Adrianza exchanged a defiant look.

Finally, in the unpleasant silence, Maurice suddenly burst into laughter!
"Hahahahaha!"

Perhaps due to his air-related abilities, his laughter echoed through the alley, making people uncomfortable.

Leyok rubbed his ear uncomfortably and gritted his teeth, saying:

"Boss—"

However, Maurice suddenly turned around!

"withdraw!"

The fat man, with a beaming expression, happily waved in all directions:
"Go home, go home! Go do what you're supposed to do!"

The members of the Brotherhood were taken aback.

Thales let out a breath and smiled.

The next second, Leyok, who had followed Maurice for many years, turned around without hesitation and gave the order. With a rustling sound of footsteps, Maurice's men behind him dispersed.

Redmore and his sleepless companions remained expressionless, silently disappearing into the shadows and vanishing into the chaotic, hidden alleyways.

Edleyonza hesitated for a moment, but nodded and turned around with his men.

Grover and Cohen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The massive commotion in the alleyway immediately dissipated.

Only a small group of people remained.

"Boss Morris..."

Oschu looked at Thales with resentment:
"Should we go to Hongfang Street again today?"

Maurice didn't even look at him, but simply gazed at the prince with interest, repeating:
"withdraw."

Oschu took a deep breath:

“Boss Maurice, since we’ve already gone to such lengths, we shouldn’t leave empty-handed. At least we should take a stroll down Red Street and give the Red Headscarves a warning…”

Upon hearing this, Maurice seemed to suddenly remember something.

“Oh, you’re right, okay then,” he waved his hand listlessly.

"Go ahead, it's all up to you now."

Oschu was taken aback and looked at the thin ranks of his men behind him.

"But we're going to find the Blood Bottle Gang; we have the numbers and the power. Boss Rhoda, he..."

"Oh! Rhoda! My old friend!"

Like an old man with hearing loss, Morris slowly picked at his ear:

"Did he come too?"

Oschu pursed his lips:
"No, boss, but—"

Morris's face fell.

"Then what are you still talking nonsense about?"

The fat man turned his head slightly, his gaze filled with coldness:
"Could it be that you also have the surname Luo Da?"

Oschu's face immediately turned ashen.

But after assessing the situation, he stopped arguing and decisively turned around, leading his men away.

The Brotherhood forces, which had been heavily besieged, were suddenly reduced to only three:

Morris, Lyok, and another of his men who cleared the way.

"So……"

In the empty alleyway, Maurice rubbed his hands together, smiling broadly as he looked at Thales: "This handsome young man..."

"why?"

Thales suddenly interrupted him:
"Why did you just say that this is 'true nobility'?"

Morris paused, his eyes darting around.

"Because I've seen it before."

Thales squinted.

The fraternity's kind-faced fat man chuckled:
"True nobility has nothing to do with outward demeanor, or even with birth or bloodline, but rather with the mark imprinted on one's soul and bones."

Morris's smile faded slightly, and a glint of shrewdness appeared in his small eyes:

Even if you are stuck in the mud, even if you are of lowly birth, even if you have nothing.

"They were also destined to be nobles."

Thales seemed to be deep in thought.

Morris rubbed his hands on his clothes, stepped forward, and politely extended his palm:

"Um, let me introduce myself. I'm Maurice, and I don't have a surname."

He chuckled and said:
"A street thug."

Looking at the other person's attitude, Thales was suddenly overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

Six years is indeed a long time; a lot can change in that time.

The boy stopped thinking about it, put on a smile, and grasped Morris's swollen fingers:

“I am Wyatt Castle.”

Morris's smile remained unchanged until Thales' next words:

"I am a prince's attendant from the Star Kingdom, representing the noble and esteemed Duke of Star Lake, the second prince..."

Thales's expression turned serious:
"Your Highness Thales Shining Star".

Morris's hand paused.

Grover and Cohen exchanged a glance.

Faced with Thales's calm yet self-satisfied gaze, Morris seemed somewhat bewildered.

He blinked, took a step back, and listened to another subordinate whispering something.

A few seconds later, the fat man turned around, his expression instantly changing:
"Oh my, so you're the prince's attendant!"

Morris grasped Thales' hands again, shaking them vigorously with a look of delighted surprise.

"It's an honor!"

“It’s my honor,” Thales sighed as he let him shake his hand. “You probably can’t imagine…”

Morris listened intently.

Looking at the endearingly simple-minded Maurice before him, the boy sincerely remarked:

"But a long time ago, I really couldn't have imagined that I would be standing here like this, talking to you."

Thales squeezed the fat man's hand back forcefully:

"Boss Morris."

Morris's smile practically stretched to his ears, and he shook his head with a click of his tongue: "Oh dear, you're too kind..."

Grover and Cohen looked at each other's sudden change from arrogance to obsequiousness with disdain.

"Just a little bit..."

Morris smiled obsequiously, while Thales smiled slightly.

“As the son of Earl Gilbert Cassel, and a prince's attendant from a distinguished family, Lord Wyatt Cassel is twenty-four years old this year,” Maurice said enthusiastically, but his words caused Thales's expression to change drastically:

“But he doesn’t look like you at all.”

For a moment, Thales' expression froze on his face.

"At least none of them are as handsome and dashing as you!"

Morris patted the boy's hand happily, gave an awkward bow, and his eyes shone brightly:

"Noble and dignified, generous and wise..."

"Prince Thales?"

La la la!

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(End of this chapter)