Chapter 91

The blindfold was pulled away, and Xiaolan still saw the same dim, small room.

It was spacious and quiet.

There was no one else in the room, but a voice suddenly came.

"You're a bit later than I expected."

The weathered and authoritative voice emerged as it had the last time, but this time Xiaolan heard a few coughs after the old Shaker's words.

Xiaolan asked with doubt, "Did you know I would come?"

The old Shaker let out a mocking laugh and said, "Ever since the incident at the Royal Central Academy, I knew you would come."

Xiaolan asked, "Why?"

The old Shaker replied, "Because you are an outsider."

Xiaolan was silent. He clearly understood the meaning behind the old Shaker's words. After the balance in the capital was thoroughly disrupted by the academy incident, if he wanted to gain any advantage, he needed to see through the current confusion. But he couldn't, because he was an outsider, and the capital's many secrets were naturally not as familiar to him as they were to someone like the old Shaker.

Although the memories of his previous life's game experience were blurry, he was certain that there was absolutely no such thing as a student uprising in the game during that period!

Was it the butterfly effect he caused, or a temporal anomaly?

He didn't understand, and he didn't want to dwell on it.

So he sought out the old Shaker, because this was what he needed to do now.

"What do you want to know?"

After a long silence, the old Shaker's voice came again.

Xiaolan shook his head slightly, as if sighing, "When I first came to the capital, I thought I understood it, but now I realize I never did."

The old Shaker scoffed, "Even I don't dare to say I understand the capital, let alone an outsider."

Xiaolan said calmly, "That's why I'm standing here now."

To him, admitting and correcting mistakes was a very normal thing. As long as there was an opportunity to correct, he wouldn't let it pass.

After a while, the old Shaker slowly said, "To be honest, the current situation in the capital has even confused this old man, but I can clearly tell you that Volans is not an impulsive or rash person. If he dared to commit such a grave offense, he must have a plan. Just wait, I believe it won't be long before we see his true intentions."

Xiaolan nodded in agreement, "I believe that."

The old Shaker lightly exclaimed, "Why?"

Xiaolan said calmly, "I was there during the academy massacre."

The old Shaker said, "The reason?"

Xiaolan laughed lightly, "When I discovered that the Fourth Prince's subordinates had the Overturning Fangs, I knew the situation was completely beyond my imagination!"

"Overturning Fangs?"

The old Shaker didn't seem shocked by this news, just casually smiled, "I didn't expect they would find Volans."

"Aren't you surprised?" Xiaolan asked, puzzled.

The old Shaker snorted, "Many years ago, they approached me, but I didn't agree to cooperate with them. Over time, the matter gradually faded from my mind. I just didn't expect they would find a new partner."

Xiaolan sighed, "It seems I still underestimated the complexity of the capital."

The old Shaker suddenly said, "I don't know if you are smart or foolish."

Xiaolan asked, "What do you mean?"

The old Shaker replied, "If I were the Overturning Fangs' partner, you would already be dead."

Xiaolan suddenly laughed, "Because I don't know, I have to say it. Whether I die early or late, it's still death."

Since the questioning by Andien, Xiaolan had been testing. As the Overturning Fangs' movements became more prominent, Xiaolan became more suspicious.

He didn't know if the old Shaker had any connection with the Overturning Fangs. He had to be clear that if the old Shaker wanted to kill the king, colluding with the Overturning Fangs would undoubtedly be a more efficient choice. Choosing a mysterious outsider like himself seemed suspicious.

If the old Shaker really had a partnership with the Overturning Fangs, his situation would be precarious.

So he kept testing, fortunately, things weren't the worst. He hadn't noticed any signs of danger yet.

He wouldn't let a few words from the old Shaker dispel his doubts. Talking about death lightly was also a way to protect himself. He was telling the old Shaker that he was confident and unafraid of death.

Since he was confident and unafraid of death, he must have some assurance.

For example, he wasn't alone.

Killing him was a simple matter, but figuring out his background was difficult. Raising the alarm would be the first thought, so he must have other plans.

...

After learning the news of the murderer who killed Anbofen and his assistant, Delov hurriedly got into a carriage and left the Gertan District. Before leaving, he didn't forget to ask Tichi to return to Andien's residence to provide surveillance assistance.

He knew that even if he discovered the murderer, what could he do? Even a hundred of him couldn't stop the murderer from escaping, let alone the empty Gertan District's constabulary. Getting help from Kogot would be a monumental task, as evidenced by his respectful attitude towards Andien.

He and Tichi's conversation excluded Kogot. If Kogot knew about his next actions, he might already be targeting him.

The murder had nothing to do with the Tunghua District's constabulary, so he had no reason to dispatch his people.

So, he could only place his hopes on Loslin.

Just thinking about the heavily guarded Fourth Prince's residence, he began to worry about how to get the news to Loslin.

What he didn't know was that the murderer he was eagerly hoping to capture had already left Andien's residence.

At the other end of time.

"Since the Fourth Prince took such a risk, isn't he worried about his safety? You must understand, if he dies, his plans will be in vain."

"Rest assured, Essason won't let his good son die easily. If he dies, the situation for Sasson to inherit the throne will be a fait accompli, which is absolutely not what he wants to see." In response to Xiaolan's question, the old Shaker said with great mockery, "What has that old man maintained the balance between his two sons for over a decade? Isn't it to secure his own power? He won't let go of his power unless he dies!"

Hearing the old Shaker call the king and prince by their names without any respect, Xiaolan could imagine his disdain and enmity towards the royal family.

Then, the old Shaker laughed somewhat recklessly, "Perhaps Volans realized this and took a bold risk. In him, I see the shadow of Essason when he ascended to the throne. No wonder they are father and son, their methods of ascending are almost identical! Ha ha! What I most want to see now is how Essason watches his son pull him off the throne, or even watches his good son kill him!"

No wonder they say the dirtiest place in the world is the royal family.

Xiaolan shook off these chaotic thoughts and said, "It seems the situation in the capital can only follow the Fourth Prince's plans."

This time, the old Shaker agreed, "Yes, when Volans takes no action, it will be the calmest time in the capital."

Xiaolan said, "In other words, to see through the current fog in the capital, we can only wait for him?"

The old Shaker said with a hidden meaning, "Perhaps for some people, it will give them ample time to prepare."

Xiaolan nodded, because he was one of those people the old Shaker referred to.

The calm in the capital was, for now, a good thing for Xiaolan. Knowing that Volans must have a backup plan, he needed to use this time to plan how to take advantage of the situation. He was certain that when the time came, it would be a dark and chaotic day.

"Our deal seems to be finishing earlier than expected," the old Shaker said at this moment.

"Doesn't it worry you whether I can complete the deal?" Xiaolan asked.

"Do you want the truth?" the old Shaker asked.

"The truth is always more substantial than lies," Xiaolan nodded.

"I never expected you to do anything in the deal, because I know the king will die, but not necessarily by your hand," the old Shaker said calmly.

"Then why make a deal with me?" Xiaolan asked.

"Ha ha—" The old Shaker laughed lightly, "Every enemy who can cause trouble for Essason is my friend."

"A very honest answer," Xiaolan said sincerely.

"Now, are you disappointed?" the old Shaker asked with interest.

"No!"

Xiaolan said seriously, "I can clearly tell you here! The one who will kill the king in the end will be me!"

"Ha ha—" The old Shaker laughed loudly, "I am very satisfied with such an interesting answer, so when we part, I will give you a gift."

"A gift?"

"Yes, a gift that can help you kill the king."

...

With the carriage's jolts, Xiaolan had already bid farewell to the old Shaker.

"You can take off the blindfold now," a familiar voice beside him said suddenly.

Xiaolan untied the blindfold from behind his head, and as his vision cleared, he looked at the smiling Andien beside him, "So, no need for secrecy this time?"

Andien shook his head, "Not exactly, but we have left the place that needed secrecy... and the old Shaker asked me to give this to you."

Saying this, Andien picked up a long wooden box from the floor and handed it to Xiaolan.

With caution and doubt, Xiaolan took the box. For some reason, his swordsman's intuition told him that the item inside would be very important to him.

Slowly, he opened the lock and lifted the lid, bit by bit.

It was a sword!

A sharp, long sword engraved with magical runes.

"The old Shaker said, to kill the king, the 'iron piece' in your hand won't do it," Andien reminded him as he watched Xiaolan take the sword out of the box, seemingly unable to put it down.

"What's the name of this sword?"

Xiaolan's eyes were fixed on every rune on the blade.

"The sword is named 'Fierce Wind'!" Andien looked at the sword in Xiaolan's hand, seemingly with a sigh, "It was once a weapon given by the current king to the Northern Defense Line's Lauden Garrison, the Tulus Marquis, and the Naphal Regiment Commander!"

Xiaolan's hand holding the sword stiffened, and he turned to Andien, "Why is it here?"

"It was once a trade item given to the old Shaker by a Northern merchant smuggling Osasu," Andien explained.

"Good sword—"

Xiaolan suddenly laughed for no apparent reason.

"Where are we going now? Back to your residence?"

"No, I'm afraid we can't go back now."

"Why?"

"Because the person who will make you regret it has already sent the constabulary to surround the place."