Chapter 36

"Recently, the capital might not be peaceful."

In the dimly lit bar on Oak Avenue, the middle-aged man behind the bar, as usual, wiped the silver bottle in his hand and said.

The bar was rather quiet, with few customers.

Some people might come to the bar not just to drink, but for different purposes, just like the one or two patrons in the corner of this bar.

They drank their alcohol slowly, and it wasn't very strong, because they didn't want to get drunk.

They were all alone, isolated, and cold, but their eyes would occasionally glance at a woman at the bar.

They knew who she was, and this did not stop their peering.

They all admired and were infatuated with this woman, but they never dared to approach her, only silently watching her every move from the corner, her purple figure.

"When has the capital ever been peaceful?"

Nini Luo's body swayed slightly, her delicate hand resting on her lips as she smiled.

The middle-aged man shook his head and said, "You know I don't mean that."

"Ha ha—" Nini Luo laughed lightly and said, "Then what do you mean?"

"Is it normal for the Silver Wing Legion and the Flying Feather Legion, which guard the capital, to have abnormal troop movements?" the middle-aged man said calmly.

Nini Luo's alluring eyes widened in surprise, and she said, "It seems your brother has brought you some good news."

"Yes," the middle-aged man nodded and said, "The officers seem to have received some information, and the two armies have become restless."

"Are the two lions in the capital finally going to fight each other?" Nini Luo asked softly, tilting her head.

"Possibly, but not necessarily," the middle-aged man said.

"It seems something has happened that we don't know about."

Nini Luo's slender fingers moved back and forth on her small nose, and she narrowed her eyes. After a moment, she said, "But don't forget that the old lion is still alive."

"The old lion?" the middle-aged man sneered, "I think he's just an old sick dog."

Nini Luo smiled and shook her head, mocking him, "At least he's the most capable old dog I've ever seen."

The middle-aged man was silent for a moment and then said, "I just don't know if he can still control those two lions this time."

"You don't need to worry about that. He's been doing it for over a decade, probably more experienced than anyone else," Nini Luo said with a smile. "But I don't understand who the old dog will choose in the end."

The middle-aged man sneered, "He won't choose anyone. He only trusts himself."

"You do know a lot about him," Nini Luo said, lightly clapping her hands.

"Not too much, not too little," the middle-aged man said calmly. "He values power more than anyone else. Even if he dies today, he will die in that seat."

"That's just different beliefs people pursue in their hearts," Nini Luo said, suddenly feeling reflective. "We are not much different from him."

The middle-aged man neither denied nor confirmed.

"Will this be helpful to you this time?" Nini Luo asked, raising the glass on the bar.

"I don't know," the middle-aged man said straightforwardly. "But everything that should be done has been done. It all depends on the final outcome."

"It seems you never miss an opportunity," Nini Luo said.

"Because I'm afraid of missing out," the middle-aged man said, stopping his hand from wiping the bottle. "So I seize every opportunity."

"I hope this is the last time," Nini Luo said, tilting her head back to finish her drink, her eyes seeming a bit dazed. "I just don't know if I can see it before I leave."

"Anything can happen in the future," the middle-aged man said, shaking his head, as if answering but not really answering.

"I hope it doesn't affect my affairs," Nini Luo said with a light laugh.

"That depends on your luck."

"My luck has never been bad."

Nini Luo swayed her body and laughed triumphantly, drawing many glances.

"Be careful of someone, no, more accurately, two people, recently," the middle-aged man said seriously.

"Has something happened?" Nini Luo asked, her brows furrowing in confusion as she looked at the middle-aged man.

"It seems the alcohol has lowered your vigilance recently," the middle-aged man said, shaking his head.

After hearing this, Nini Luo's expression turned cold, and she seemed to be thinking seriously. After a moment, she said, "Nothing seems to have happened."

"Have you heard of Jova?" the middle-aged man sighed.

"Do you mean there's something wrong with Livi?" Nini Luo suddenly became alert.

"It seems your reaction hasn't dulled," the middle-aged man nodded. "But to be serious, the problem is with Jova."

"I guess you have information I don't know," Nini Luo said.

"After all, we have a mutual interest," the middle-aged man said. "And the source of this information was unexpected. I thought you knew, but it turns out you didn't."

"What's going on?" Nini Luo asked bluntly, not wanting to beat around the bush.

"Jova hasn't actually left the capital these days. He met someone," the middle-aged man said calmly.

"Who?"

"Alec."

The information was unexpected, and Nini Luo instinctively reached for the sharp weapon on her thigh.

"Don't be nervous," the middle-aged man said, seeing Nini Luo's reaction. "I think your plan hasn't been discovered, but your helper might have leaked it."

The situation wasn't dangerous yet.

Nini Luo took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing with a cold light. "Please tell me everything in detail."

"I won't mention the source of the information, but what I know is that Jova and Alec have an unusual relationship. Perhaps to avoid his identity being directly discovered, he seems to have been arranged as an indirect observer of you," the middle-aged man said slowly.

"Through Livi?" Nini Luo reacted quickly.

The middle-aged man nodded and continued, "I think you know Livi's problem of not being able to keep secrets. A simple girl like her, once she falls into the whirlpool of love, can easily lose herself and reveal many things to her lover."

"But—" Nini Luo seemed to sense something.

"You're thinking that if she can't keep secrets, she might reveal some issues, right?" the middle-aged man interrupted. "But you need to understand that young love is unpredictable. She might have been following Jova's instructions and trying to correct her habit of revealing secrets to you."

Nini Luo's expression was serious, her mind racing. This situation was inexplicable and hard to guard against.

What a cunning and cautious person.

Nini Luo sneered, as if making a decision.

"I think I need to verify this," Nini Luo said calmly.

"Don't be too impulsive," the middle-aged man warned.

"Am I that kind of person?" Nini Luo smiled, "I will only let that self-important prey relax and bleed out bit by bit!"

"I see you have a plan," the middle-aged man said.

"Of course," Nini Luo said with a charming smile. "I don't mind such an interesting twist in my life."

"Still, thank you this time."

"Thanks are premature. You will have a chance to repay me," the middle-aged man said.

"Ha ha—" Nini Luo stood up, "I should go."

"The two people in the corner have been observing you for a long time," the middle-aged man said, somewhat incoherently.

"Them?"

Nini Luo glanced at the two blurry figures in the corner who often peeped at her and laughed lightly. "Slater, this world is never short of cowardly wretches. They only silently draw their own beautiful pictures in their hearts, but in reality, they are always indifferent. Such people who have lost their courage, do you think they have the right to make me look at them more?"

"You've hurt two poor souls," the middle-aged man said indifferently.

"I'm just stating a fact," Nini Luo said with a smile.

As Nini Luo left the bar, the two figures in the corner stood up to leave.

The beauty had gone, no need to linger.

Every year, as spring and summer approached, the Royal Central Academy would hold a grand annual festival. The centuries-old tradition had made the people in the academy forget the original purpose of the festival.

It seemed to have become a rare opportunity for the students to indulge and let loose.

In a secluded and hidden room in the academy, a group of people had gathered in a circle.

Some were on guard outside, some were silent, and some were whispering.

"I have received information that most of the important ministers of the kingdom will attend the opening ceremony of the annual festival," someone said.

"Will the king come?" someone asked.

"Unclear. My father said the king is ill again and may not attend this festival," someone replied.

"If the king is not present, our action's purpose might be greatly reduced," someone said discontentedly.

"I don't think so. The kingdom can do without a king, but it cannot do without the ministers who handle administration, especially so many important ones," someone said calmly.

"How is the preparation for that day going?" someone asked.

"No problem. Everyone has made up their minds, and everything that needs to be done has been completed. We just need to wait for that day to come," someone said excitedly.

"What if we fail?" someone suddenly worried.

"Don't say things that affect morale! We will succeed, and even if we fail, what can they do to us?" someone said fervently.

"Right! They absolutely don't have the nerve, even the king doesn't!" someone agreed.

"The country is sick, and we are the only hope to cure it. This action, whether it succeeds or fails, will declare our common voice, awakening every person immersed in comfort. If they don't wake up, we will use blood and blades to carve out a glorious path ahead!"

The sudden impassioned words infected those around him, and they all shouted in unison, their fervor rising.

They seemed to have lost their reason, their twisted faces causing fear.

Avis's face was flushed with excitement, his fists clenched and raised. At this moment, he forgot many people and many things, his heart filled only with the fervent belief he pursued.

He didn't think about the consequences. In his mind, a man should be like this, living a wild and crazy life to justify himself.

In the unseen future, a darker and darker vortex was constantly pulling him in—

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