Storm of Gods

Chapter 98 Chivalry

Inside the extra-large private room of Tianjing Pear Blossom Garden, Zhao Qing was surrounded by beautiful women, but he was in a very bad mood. This Four Nations Tournament was too important to afford any mistakes, so he had to compromise and maintain a good relationship with Luo Xue. However, the appearance of Li Xin had added an element of instability, especially his grand plan.

Hao Ye, standing to the side, was already embracing a voluptuous woman. If it weren't for Zhao Qing's presence, they would probably have engaged in a real physical fight.

Papapapa~~
"Alright, save your energy, you can go now." Zhao Qing clapped his hands and said. Although the women around him were a little reluctant to leave, they knew that this young master Zhao had a bad temper.

Hao Ye reluctantly patted his butt, "President, it's such a waste to leave like this."

Zhao Qing looked at Hao Ye and said, "What's the point of regretting such a piece of trash? I'll give you someone better."

"Ah, isn't this good?" Hao Ye was practically drooling.

"The Lin family's eldest daughter, who was once a very famous beauty in Tianjing, go and take care of her tomorrow night. Don't waste her time," Zhao Qing said calmly.

Hao Ye was taken aback. "Ahem, boss, that's the Night Patrol's territory, and Li Xin is very close to the church, this..."

"Where is your guts? Nobody knows. Besides, what's a commoner?" Zhao Qing said. "Li Xin is Luo Xue's trump card. We need to completely eliminate this destabilizing factor. Lin Fei saved his life, and I heard they have a very good relationship. If something happens to Lin Fei, he'll either collapse or go crazy. At least the Four Nations Tournament won't affect us, and it will also protect your starting position. Otherwise, do you think you deserve it?"

Recent sparring has revealed that Roland and Li Xin are both stronger than Hao Ye. If it weren't for Zhao Qing's strong support, Hao Ye would have been replaced long ago. Roland can be excused by claiming he is from a foreign tribe, but Li Xin is a different story.

Hao Ye gritted his teeth, nodded, and then a lewd smile crept across his face as he thought of Lin Fei's stunning beauty and charm.

After Hao Ye left, Zhao Qing poured himself a glass of wine. His face suddenly turned cold, his eyes sharp, and he exuded a ruthless aura. He had to make a decision.

The plan that started in Longjing must be taken no matter what. The first step is to get rid of Hao Ye and Li Xin together. That bastard Hao Ye thinks he doesn't know that he is Zhao Xun's spy planted next to him. He is a damned bastard. If it weren't for reassuring Zhao Qing, this troublesome guy would have been eliminated long ago.

Zhao Xun doesn't trust anyone, including his son, who is at most a useful pawn. If he can grow old normally, it's not impossible to wait. But given Zhao Xun's current condition, he could easily live another seventy or eighty years.

He has already grasped Zhao Xun's secret, and a fatal blow is not a problem. The problem lies in how to handle the aftermath and smoothly inherit the Zhao family's title and power.

His time in Longjing allowed him to make some friends and hear about similar situations. He had already made plans. With the momentum generated by the Four Nations Tournament, he might need to fight for the complete inheritance of the Earl title. But even if he was demoted, he would still have a Viscount title. With his talent, he could have more than just an Earl in the future.

As for getting rid of Li Xin, it's simple. Let Hao Ye go first, and then notify Li Xin at a later time. He doesn't believe that a hot-blooded man could tolerate seeing that scene. Whether they die together or one dies first, it will be the same in the end.

Zhao Qing started tapping the table faster. He was also very nervous, not because of Li Xin and Hao Ye, who were both troublesome bystanders.

The outcome of the Four Nations Tournament is not a problem. Saint Ze has already taken care of things. Saint Ze will take down Ironblood, and he will take down Tethys. Then, Saint Ze will defeat him in the finals and turn the tide personally. Not to mention two hundred Hextech Guns, he can bring out even more. Problems that can be solved with money are not problems.

The core of the whole incident is not here, but this crucial step, which Zhao Qing thought about for a long time, is also the most important link in the success or failure.

Heldan, the capital of Montalette.

In the princess's palace, Estella has been thinking of some ways these past few days. Of course, the church of the Earth Mother Goddess and the monastery have the most secret knowledge.

The Holy See of the Earth Mother is located in Heldan. Estella is one of the few who can see the cardinals, or even the Pope, but she cannot speak at all. Any move she makes seems childish in front of them and can be ignored.

Another one is Sister Alassa, her mentor at the Deadwood Monastery. Alassa is very kind, but there are things she can't talk about, and Estella can't do anything about them. Sister Alassa usually doesn't talk much about secret powers, whether it's an agreement with the royal family or some other reason.

The Moncareta royal family and the church are very harmonious, mainly because they maintain mutual respect and distance.

She was completely helpless in the face of her mentor, but she was certain that if she had to choose a path, the one favored by God would be the most suitable. She was quite confident in the favored path. But why did her mentor never mention the "path"?

Logically speaking, it should be a good thing and a natural thing for members of the royal bloodline to become favored by the gods, so why not take the initiative to walk this path?

There are only two reasons: either it's better to be natural, or the path is fraught with danger.

Estella wanted to try every method that led her to the zodiac chart.

In this situation, platitudes are useless. Estella has an excellent memory. She used to just listen to things without paying much attention, but now, looking back, she can still find many clues. For example, regarding the path, Mother Alassa once said that living is a spiritual journey. No matter which path you choose, you will gain and you will lose.

Estella had few options when dealing with people from the church. The Vatican respected her father and was also worried about him reporting them.

But there is one person she can still handle.

So Estella warmly entertained her second brother, Aklis. Inside the princess's palace, beautiful maids surrounded Aklis, and the table was laden with fine wine and food. Aklis was in a very good mood. He usually didn't stay in the palace; it was too boring, like a magnificent cage where everything he did was restricted and shackled. Outside, he was having a blast. Even Queen Kelly couldn't do anything about him, after all, Aklis was raising the banner of the Holy Land's involvement in the world.

Aklis's path was different from others.

In a good mood and drinking to his heart's content, Aklis recounted his experiences outside, the various people and places he encountered, and the strange things he had met. Men, after all, tend to talk a lot when they drink. As Estella listened, she was filled with envy. The outside world was truly vast. Sometimes she wondered, what is the meaning of life?
"Estella, you're really something now! Almost everyone's talking about you. You've really made our Aura proud," Aklis said, not forgetting to praise his sister.

The maid had quietly slipped away unnoticed. Montcarette greatly admired new ideas and innovation, and already possessed a strong intellectual foundation. After absorbing Luther's new thinking, the School of Heavenly Principle was born.

The royal family was blessed by the goddess and all had good talents, but they were not really related to philosophy. Until Estella's theory came out of nowhere and conquered these stubborn and arrogant lunatics. To be honest, Ackles really didn't think that the idea that productivity determines relations of production was useful. Why were these people so neurotic? Anyway, his sister was very capable, so that was all. What he feared most was dealing with these old guys. It was more terrifying than anywhere else.

Aklis initially thought these people were mainly praising the royal family; after all, they were all working-class people, and exaggeration was normal. However, even with the royal family trying to tone down the pace, the enthusiasm within the Tenri School remained undiminished.
“I heard that old man Vladimir’s realm, which he’s been stuck at for a long time, is starting to loosen and he’s showing signs of a breakthrough,” Aklis said. “He really should thank you.”

"Second brother, I've always been curious, is Grand Scholar Vladimir really that powerful?" Estella asked, while personally filling Aklis's wine glass with wine that was golden in color, definitely one of Father's treasures.

Aklis paused, seemingly struck by a thought. “Very fierce, not that kind of fierceness, but a different kind of fierceness. I can’t understand these monsters who follow the laws of nature. They’re troublesome, so it’s best to avoid them if possible.”

"The Way of Heaven? Is this a path?" Estella asked.

“Yes, the new path of the Sixth Era, a path unique to them. They gain power by studying the laws of civilization, society, and celestial motion. They are powerful, but they are not on our side. Anyway, you should have less contact with them. I always feel that they are not quite normal. Sometimes they even dare to question the gods,” Aklis said.

"Second brother, are you following the path of a knight?" Estella asked curiously.

Aklis was initially quite pleased, but suddenly became alert. "Why are you asking this?"

“Can’t I even care about my own brother? Is there anything shameful about it?” Estella’s big eyes sparkled with grievance.

"Ahem, that's not what I meant. Sigh, don't ask anymore. The Queen Mother said that you are not allowed to know these secrets. I think the Queen Mother is right. You are the happiest person in our kingdom. You are born lucky, haha."

"Second brother, what is luck?" Estella asked. "Is it lucky to lock you in the palace and make you do things you don't want to do? I'm not saying things are bad now. Father and Mother both love me, and Second Brother and Eldest Brother take care of me too. But I feel that you are the one who understands my feelings the most. I have to grow up eventually. You can't protect me forever. The more you do that, the easier it is for me to be deceived."

Aklis gently placed his cup on the table, his carefree expression vanishing instantly, replaced by a silent gaze. "Anyone who dares to lie to you will regret ever being born."

Estella smiled gently, “Second brother, you were alone in the Holy Land. I believe you encountered many difficulties and challenges and witnessed many secret events. In fact, your vision is no less than that of your eldest brother, and in some areas, it even surpasses everyone else. You should know that only you can protect yourself. A hothouse flower that has never experienced anything cannot withstand the wind and rain, and cannot even distinguish right from wrong.”

Aklis paused for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I knew this meal wouldn't be so good. You're too amazing now. I'll have to come here less often in the future, or I'll fall into a trap. I admit you're right, but theory is theory and reality is reality. So, tell me what you want to know. I'll tell you what I can, but I still won't tell you what I can't."

Estella knew that Aklis only seemed rebellious; deep down, he was very obedient to his mother.

“I want to know what honor is in the path of a knight, and what its purpose is?” Estella asked.

Aklis looked at Estella and smiled. "Why not ask the Prayer?"

"Can you speak?" Estella asked.

Aklis shook his head. "Actually, there are no shortcuts. The true secrets are precious knowledge that can only be obtained at the cost of one's life. I don't know about the Prayer, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. Why do you want to know about the knights?"

Estella knew very well that her seemingly carefree second brother was actually very cautious about important matters. However, she had already prepared a plan: "Satisfying my curiosity might allow me to learn something from it."

“Different paths are completely different and cannot be used as a reference. Besides, who told you about the paths?” Before he knew it, Aklis had become serious. He wasn’t so easily fooled. Could it be that someone had entered the princess’s life?

Estella blinked her big eyes. "I heard someone say something at the meeting, is there a problem? Second brother, you're so fierce..."

Seeing Estella's tearful face, Aklis's mind went blank for a moment. "That's not what I meant. I was worried that someone might mislead you. As a member of the royal family, you must be vigilant enough. Enemies will approach you in all sorts of unexpected ways. Some seemingly insignificant things may actually be the result of a meticulous plan!"

Estella stared wide-eyed at Aklis, looking utterly incredulous.

Is this something he should be saying?
My mother often said that Aklis was like a small, unsailed boat on the sea, drifting wherever the waves took them.

Aklis was a little embarrassed and touched his nose. "Ahem, alright, alright, the essence of glory lies in glory itself. Seizing glory is the core of the knight's path, and our just Montaleta is the place where glory is most easily born."

"Second brother, that's the same as saying nothing at all!" Estella stomped her foot.

"No, I told you, sometimes the truth is that simple." Aklis laughed. Damn it, I'll have to use my brain when I eat from now on. This girl is getting smarter and smarter. I'll get buried without even realizing it. Luckily, I'm smart.

"Second Brother is more understanding; having been to the Holy Land makes him extraordinary."

"You mean to say that Second Brother is easy to fool, right?"

"No, Second Brother, you continue eating. I have something to do." Estella clapped her hands, and the maids came up one after another to add dishes and wine. She would not keep them company. Suddenly, she remembered that she had not yet chosen a gift for Mr. Gemini.

Aklis stood there, looking at Estella, then at the empty flask...

(End of this chapter)