Chapter 153: Past Events at the Old Residence

  Adeline stood under the tree, still wearing men's clothing, just like when they first met on the vast wilderness of Wildfire Plains. Her tall figure was wrapped in a wide cloak, but as the evening wind blew, the cloak swayed gently. On her feet were a pair of dark brown leather boots, and on her head she still wore a fur hat, pressing down her hair, with only a few strands of light golden hair peeking out from under the brim.

  She looked thinner, with a slightly pointed chin, but her eyes seemed bigger than usual. Standing far away, looking at Xia Ya, those big eyes seemed to hold some hidden resentment and shyness.

  Xia Ya didn't think much, seeing that it was Kecheng Chong, the vigilance in her heart relaxed, and she walked over with a big smile. She came to Adeline's side, looked up and down at Kecheng Chong twice, then suddenly punched Adeline on the shoulder, grinning: "Haha! You rascal, you sneaked me here!"

  The poor insect was punched by Xia Ya and sucked in the cool air, hurting. In her heart, she scolded this ignorant turtle who didn't know how to cherish fragrant jade, but suddenly remembered that night's events... Her heart softened, and her eyes turned red. She just bit her lip and didn't speak.

  Xia Ya looked at Keliwu's eyes and said, "Huh? It's great to see you so easily, why are you crying? Alas, you're still so effeminate. Crying and wailing, not a bit of manliness about you!"

  After finishing, he rolled up his sleeves and wiped the corner of Keliwu's eyes, smiling like an elder brother: "Ha, this is good, you may be born ugly, but as long as you have a manly spirit, you won't be afraid to find a wife in the future."

  As he spoke, Xia Ya suddenly had a strange expression. He looked around and pulled Kui Niu to the side. With a sly smile, he said in a low voice: "Come on, come on. Tell me, how's your life now? Haha! Let me tell you, I'm not a rookie anymore! Haha! Looking at you, you must still be a virgin, right? But I'm not anymore!"

  It's better not to mention this matter, but once it's mentioned, that poor guy almost got so angry that he was about to vomit blood on the spot!

  "Hey! You said you were fine, but now you're about to faint?" Xia Ya grabbed the poor guy. Frowning, he said: "Your body is still so weak! No, no, you must exercise well in your daily life!" After finishing speaking, Xia Ya puffed out his chest: "I'm an official now, I've become a general!"

  "Hmph." The poor insect was unhappy and couldn't help but say: "You're just a banner group, still far from being a general."

  "Yi? How did you know?" Xia Ya was caught off guard, but didn't blush, only staring at the poor guy: "You're so familiar with my official position?"

  He paused for a moment, and then suddenly remembered: "Right, what is this place anyway? Did you send someone to trick me into coming here? Why did you impersonate that Duke Minas to find me? You didn't need to lie about it. If you had just sent someone to tell me honestly, I would have come to see you, why wouldn't I? You're such an idiot. And yet you still manage to do things in such a muddled way."

  Looking at Xia, still as she was back then on the Wildfire Prairie, gesturing and pointing at herself, the poor insect not only didn't get angry, but instead her tender feelings couldn't be controlled anymore. She thought to herself: If I could just stay by his side like this, being spoken to a few sentences every day... actually, it's not bad at all.

  Xia Ya's question, Adeline had never answered, she suddenly felt a surge in her heart, and only stared at Xia Ya, her voice became somewhat agitated. After hesitating for a moment, she said in a low voice: "Hmm... Tǔ biē (a term of endearment). I ask you, after being apart for so many days, have you thought of me?"

  "Huh?"

  Xia Ya was stunned, and immediately, the toad's face turned strange, that face also turned red, but he couldn't say a word, even his eyes were evasive.

  Think?

  Well... I did think about it, but...

  Xia Ya couldn't help but think of the several spring dreams she had been having nonstop since that day. In her dreams, however, she always ended up tormenting this poor guy, nearly driving him mad several times.

  Looking at Xia Ya's hesitant expression, but with a strange look. Especially the evasive eyes and the reddened face. But Edlin was overjoyed, all the resentment and grievances in her heart were suddenly swept away, leaving only one thought: He is thinking of me!!

  Adeline was overjoyed and excitedly grabbed Xia Ya's hand, pulling him towards the courtyard. She was in a great mood: "I knew you wouldn't forget about me! Yeah, I sneaked out to see you today, and I have to head back early tonight or it'll be troublesome. Let's chat for a bit... *sigh* It's getting harder and harder for me to sneak out..."

  Xia Ya breathed a sigh of relief as the wretched insect didn't continue to ask her that embarrassing question. Gradually calming down, the doubts in her heart resurfaced: "What is your true identity? I'm still confused about it now. Is this seaside villa yours or Minas'? And why did you impersonate Duke Minas to find me?"

  The poor worm pulled Xia Ya to the steps at the edge of the courtyard, and the two simply sat down on the steps. The poor worm hesitated for a moment before sighing and saying in a low voice: "I... my family background is quite complicated, it can't be explained in just one or two sentences. Hmm... I came to find you today because I knew you had arrived in the Imperial Capital and was thinking of you tightly... Ah, since we know each other, we should meet face-to-face at least once. That..."

  She gazed at Xia Ya's face, the face that she had remembered countless times in her dreams, and suddenly felt an urge to reveal her true identity to him. However, thinking twice about it, considering her special status, if she were to tell him, this country bumpkin might get into trouble instead... After hesitating for a while, she let out a sigh and said in a low voice: "I... I'm also from a noble family, I suppose... Yeah... I..."

  "What's wrong with you?"

  "I have some friends in the Imperial City, all of whom are nobles. Hmm... that is, the son of Duke Minas, Little Minas is my good friend, so this Champion's Legendary Mansion actually belongs to the Minas family, and today I just asked Little Minas to secretly lend it to me without telling the old duke. This place is quite secluded. We can meet here without being seen by others. So... I tricked you into coming, don't be angry."

  Xia Ya was in a great mood at the moment, seeing Kui Chong, apart from the joy of reuniting with an old friend. There seemed to be another layer of indescribable emotions hidden deep within his heart, which even he himself couldn't quite understand. With a wave of his hand and a laugh, he said: "If you're not angry, then don't be angry! What's there to be angry about? Haha! If I had known you were in the Imperial City, I would have come to see you long ago! But you're being so mysterious, why do we have to meet in secret?"

  Pausing for a moment, Xia Ya suddenly frowned and looked at Keliang Chong: "Haven't... your troubles been resolved yet?"

  He was referring to the two batches of cavalry that they encountered on the Wildfire Prairie, who were pursuing and killing them. At this moment, Xia Ya still did not know that the cavalry pursuing them were the famous "Dark Night Forest Guard", but the elite level of those cavalry was truly shocking. Thinking about it, if someone could mobilize such elite cavalry to pursue a poor insect like him, then that person's troubles must be quite significant!

  "This... I have some misunderstandings with my elders at home." The poor insect said this, and his eyes turned red again: "My father and mother are both dead. Now the elders in my family don't like me, only one of my brothers can still protect me a bit. Alas, my brother has not yet inherited... the power of the family, so what he can do for me is limited. He can only keep me safe in his residence. Every time I go out, it's a big risk. This time coming to see you, when I get back, I'm afraid I'll be scolded by my brother too."

  Xia Ya furrowed his brow, feeling somewhat irritated in his heart. He himself didn't understand where this irritation came from. It was as if there was a vague idea lurking: This poor guy, if anyone is going to bully him, it should be me, not others. If someone else bullies him, I won't stand for it!

  "Then why don't you just leave home and run away! Anyway, I think your family is nothing special either! Now that I'm a high-ranking official, I'll be going to Mor County soon, which is close to Wildfire Prairie and far from the Imperial Capital. Why don't you come with me? Once we're there, on my turf, I'll protect you! We can ride horses and hunt every day, and if anyone dares to say a word against us, I'll flip them over with my pitchfork! We'll eat well, drink well, drink wine, eat meat, ride horses, hunt together, and flirt with the girls! Hahaha!"

  When it came to the front, the poor worm was greatly moved in his heart and couldn't help but agree on the spot. However, when he heard the last sentence "together tease the little girl", Adeline was so angry that she rolled her eyes and glared at Xia Ya fiercely. But after struggling in her heart, she secretly sighed.

  Forget it, with him...it's not going to work out anyway. Now that I'm in this mess, if I really followed him...with his personality, although he's rough and cunning, but towards the people around him, he's got a sharp tongue but a soft heart, if he knew about my situation, he'd risk his life to protect me, which would only drag him down...

  It has to be said that Adeline's understanding of Xiaya as a person is the deepest among all the people around him!

  Don't look at the turtle's usual carefree and bullying attitude towards those around him, whether it's Lutz or Dororo, even Ox Ford from before and poor Kaito himself, have all suffered from the turtle's bullying. However, this guy is actually just occasionally slightly bullying others for his own amusement, without any truly malicious intentions. On the contrary, if he recognizes someone as one of his own, no matter what kind of trouble they're in, this turtle will really risk his life to protect his companions!

  On the wild prairie, after so many life-and-death experiences, Xia Ya guarded her companions with her own death. Facing the pursuit of the Dark Night Forest, Xia Ya would rather die than hand over the poor worm...

  When she fell into Tian Gong's hands, Xia Ya would rather die than reveal Ou Xing's whereabouts!

  Not for anything else, this guy seems to be a rascal and arrogant, but in fact, all of that is the result of him living in Ye Huo Town, naturally tempered by the kind of self-protection that comes from it, and from the inside out, Tu Biao can actually be considered a kind-hearted good person.

  Adeline was certain that if Xiaya knew his true identity and troubles, he would rather abandon these official positions. With just one word from her, he would definitely risk his life to take her away from here, even abandoning wealth and glory, taking her back to Wildfire Prairie to be a hunter. Tu Jue could absolutely do it! Even if they were pursued by the Emperor's Dark Night Imperial Guards in the future, Tu Jue wouldn't frown at all!

  Edeline's heart was filled with tender emotions as she gazed at Xia Ya, reaching out her small hand to gently stroke his chin.

  This "overbearing" action shocked Xia Ya!

  He stared blankly at Adeline, his eyes fixed on her small hand as it touched his chin. Her fingers were slender and her palm was soft, making his face feel itchy yet extremely comfortable. What made Xia Ya's heart even more stunned was that in the strange dreams he had over the past few days, he didn't know how many times he had dreamed of this scene: the poor bug sitting in front of him, staring at him with those shining eyes, reaching out to touch his face...

  In those dreams, every time he dreamed of such a scene, Tu Bao would wake up with a sharp cry and sit on the bed, panting heavily with sweat all over his head.

  But now, in such a clear state of mind. The scene in the dream appeared before his eyes, and Xia Ya was stunned!

  For a moment, he even forgot to scream, forgot to dodge, just because the bright and shiny eyes of the poor worm in front of him seemed to have some kind of magic. For a moment, Xia Ya's mind went blank, only feeling that she couldn't help but be drawn in by such eyes, gradually becoming infatuated with an indescribable emotion...

  However, this was only a momentary thing. Just a few seconds later, Xia Ya finally came back to his senses. Realizing that "a man's" hand was gently stroking his face like a lover, the turtle's face suddenly turned deathly pale, as if he had been cut by a knife, and let out a loud shout, jumping up abruptly. His body quickly retreated backwards, falling to the ground, pointing at the poor bug, eyes wide with shock: "You! You! What are you doing?! Damn it! Poor bug! I just realized today! You...you...are actually a rabbit!!!"

  Adeline was also a little flustered, her subconscious actions just now were uncontrollable. Last time in the brothel, that bewildering night, she had given her body, which had been chaste for over ten years, to this damn bumpkin. Her previous feelings for this bumpkin had seemed to be shrouded in a layer of gauze, but after that night, this layer of gauze had been pierced. Adeline's heart had been filled with mixed emotions towards this damn man these days, both hating and loving him. Tossing and turning, she had become thin and pale, and only today did she finally muster up the courage to ask someone to trick the bumpkin into meeting her, but in fact, she didn't have many thoughts in mind, just being tormented by longing and wanting to see him.

  But now she couldn't help but make these movements. Seeing the turtle's shocked expression, Adeline felt annoyed and angrily said: "What nonsense are you talking about! I...I'm not a rabbit!"

  "You! You're a rabbit!!" Xia Ya was furious, her eyes wide with anger: "You! What were you doing touching my face just now?!"

  Adeline's words were stuck in her throat, she just stared at Xia Ya with wide eyes.

  Xia Ya took a deep breath and sat back a bit. After some hesitation, he looked at the poor bug with a mixture of fear and trepidation. Seeing that the poor bug's eyes were filled with resentment and grievance, as if it was about to cry again, Tu Bie finally let out a sigh and said with a bitter smile: "Alright, alright! You can be a rabbit, I won't despise you... just don't have any ideas about me, okay?! I've only liked women my whole life... ah, damn it! I've only liked women, not men!!" Xia Ya said resentfully: "I only like women, so we're friends and I don't care about your weird hobbies... just don't make a scene in front of me!"

  "Shut up! You're the rabbit! Your whole family are rabbits!!"

  "Stop making excuses! I don't care who you are... just stop doing that to me!"

  Two people stared at each other, puffed out their cheeks, and glared for a while. Suddenly, they both burst out laughing at the same time, feeling that the previous scene was somewhat ridiculous. The awkwardness in their hearts also dissipated with the laughter. They sat closer again, and Xia Ya sighed: "Damn it, I'm unlucky to know you, this weird kid... You can't deny being a sissy, right?"

  "Hmph." Adeline didn't deny it... she wasn't just a bit feminine, she was basically a "girly girl". Thinking about this, Adeline herself found it somewhat amusing, her face flushing as she snuck a peek at Xia Ya.

  "Ah, that... I'll be leaving the Imperial City in a few days... Ah. How will I find you later? You're such a guy... Sigh, what's with all your troubles? Can't you really come with me?"

  Adeline sighed: "That's not going to work... I also want to go with you. But in the end, it's not possible. If I leave, my brother will be blamed. And... the elder in my family won't let me off either, he'll definitely send someone to bother me, and at that time, it'll drag you down too."

  Xia Ya frowned: "Is the elder in your household very powerful? I'm also a baron now, and I have control over the military power of a province. I've heard that even with tens of thousands of men under my command, I still can't protect you completely?"

  The poor worm shook its head: "It's far from enough."

  "Isn't the difference too great?" Xia Ya glared: "Then... I became an earl, didn't I?" He thought to himself about the Emperor's promise to him, that if he could kill 30,000 O'Din people, he would be made an earl.

  "It's still no good." The poor worm shook its head.

  "What... about the Duke?"

  "Duke?" The poor insect thought for a moment. Hesitated: "If you really become a duke, maybe... hmm, as long as you have the power in your hands, maybe... maybe it's enough."

  "Alright! I'll fight back with a duke!"

  The poor worm was startled: "You'd better not do anything stupid!" She looked at Xia Ya and said in a low voice, "I know that when the emperor promised to kill Hei Si Ting in front of everyone, he would make you a duke! But... killing Hei Si Ting is not that easy! You'd better not throw away your own life!"

  Recalling the scene where I was powerless in front of Hastings, Xaya also felt a slump in momentum. To say that killing Hastings would be a pipe dream for myself. Whether it's individual bravery or military strategy, I'm far inferior to Odin, the god of war...

  Looking at Xia Ya's face, the poor worm felt a warmth in his heart and said softly: "You... you thought of me during the New Year, with this kind intention, I'm already very satisfied!"

  The words were spoken lightly and calmly, but when they fell on people's ears, they seemed to carry a inexplicable emotional undertone. Even someone as carefree as Tuer was affected by the subtle implications of the words, and his heart skipped a beat or two as he glanced at Ke Can with flashing eyes, only to subconsciously turn away.

  At this moment, the two of them looked at each other in silence, with only the sound of the night wind blowing gently and the rustling of trees and grass in the garden. For a while, the atmosphere became somewhat subtle...

  Suddenly, Xia Ya's eyes lit up and she jumped up abruptly!

  The sound carried in the wind, outside this manor house, faintly came the urgent horseshoe sounds, listening to the horseshoe sounds' movement, it's likely that there are hundreds of riders! Moreover, although the horseshoe sounds were urgent, they didn't show any signs of disorder, but instead were neat and solemn, just one listen and you can tell they're well-trained elite troops.

  The sound came from afar and drew near, soon arriving outside the manor. Several low, thick voices were faintly heard, seemingly giving orders. The horse hooves spread out, surrounding the entire manor!

  Xia Ya's face changed instantly, and Adeline also heard the sound of horseshoes in the distance. Although she wasn't clear about the situation, judging from Xia Ya's change in expression, she guessed that something was amiss.

  Just then, from behind the corridor door of the garden in the distance came a shout, and a man's voice was heard, as if intentionally loud, calling out: "Ah! You, you've come!!!"

  Listening to the voice, it seemed to be that very carman Rodi who had cheated himself. This guy deliberately raised his voice and spoke loudly, as if he was intentionally passing on information to those inside.

  Xia Ya looked at Ke Liang Chong, but Ke Liang Chong's face had turned pale.

  Then from outside came the sound of Roddy's voice, seemingly filled with respect and fear: "Ah! And you've also come, sir... at this late hour, how did you..."

  The sound of leather boots echoed, and it was all coming from the outer hall. Xia Ya frowned. The poor worm next to him had turned pale with fear. He pulled Xia Ya's sleeve hard and whispered, "Hide quickly!"

  "Hiding? Why do I need to..." Xia Ya was puzzled, just about to ask for clarification, but saw Keli Chong's fearful and pleading eyes, and finally furrowed her brow, allowing Keli Chong to pull her towards the corner of the courtyard.

  The two of them crouched down in a corner of the courtyard, this garden was surrounded by long corridors, only the innermost side was the gate leading to the interior building. The two of them quickly flashed into the door, and soon heard from outside that someone had already entered the garden.

  Judging from the footsteps, there are dozens of people coming.

  Xia Ya and Ke Lian Chong hid in a dark room, the walls and doors were extremely thick. Xia Ya lay on the door gap and looked out, seeing dozens of warriors wearing light armor walking into the courtyard.

  These warriors were all dressed as knights, only with simpler armor, just wearing breastplates and leather boots. Everyone wore a long sword, and their attire was exactly the same. When they walked in, their formation was neat and tidy, obviously they were elite guards or something like that. And these knights subtly surrounded an old man in the middle.

  The old man in the middle, however, wore a simple and unadorned gray robe, with grayish white hair, and his face was indistinct from afar. His stature wasn't particularly tall or large, yet standing among dozens of robust warriors, he naturally exuded an aura of subtle intimidation. Although he walked in with a carefree air, his plain attire seemed to make the dozens of fierce warriors around him appear like mere attendants.

  Such a person seems to have an aura that naturally attracts attention! Born to be the center of attention surrounded by thousands of people!

  Two young people in the room were peeking out through the door crack, and as soon as they saw something, one of them trembled all over, their breathing slightly rapid. They grabbed Xia Ya's hand and wrote a few words on her palm.

  "Minas Tirith!"

  Xia Ya was startled, narrowing her eyes to take a closer look. The old man in the middle, although his pace was slow, was extremely steady and gradually walked into the garden. With the moonlight illuminating Wenhua Pavilion, she could see the other person's appearance clearly. His appearance wasn't particularly outstanding, but there was an air of calmness that seemed to have been tempered by countless years! That demeanor made Xia Ya feel a subtle sense of reverence in her heart! It was as if this old man standing there, nothing in the world could disturb him!

  Stable! It's just one word: "stable"!!

  Then Shaya saw a man walking in with his head down, and the person who came in was none other than the charioteer Rodi. Rodi came in, seemingly intimidated by Duke Minas to the extreme, standing aside with his head hung low, not daring to speak.

  Xia Ya saw this, and her heart moved. She looked at the poor worm, hesitated for a moment - anyway, we didn't do anything sneaky, so let's just go out with confidence. Although this house is someone else's property, she was also invited here, and besides, the poor worm borrowed it from that little thing Mi Nasu, which doesn't count as a big deal, right? Why hide in such a sneaky way?

  He thought of this and was about to speak when he saw someone walking into the courtyard outside...

  A man in a plain long gown walked in, this incoming man, judging from his age, was much younger than Duke Minas, but still had some gray hair on his head, and his face was clean. Although he was clearly middle-aged, his appearance inexplicably made him look much younger, especially with a hint of otherworldly flavor in his expression, the corners of his eyes and mouth always carrying a faint smile...

  Xia Ya took one look at this person, and her originally bold spirit was instantly doused like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her. Her face also changed color!

  What's going on?!!

  It's actually this terrible guy!!

  As for the person Xia Ya truly fears in his heart, this mysterious and unpredictable Kavishir can be said to be ranked number one! Although this Kavishir has never done anything to him, somehow, whenever he faces Kavishir, Xia Ya always feels an extreme sense of danger in his heart!

  At this moment, I see Kavi outside. Where is Shaya still daring to go?

  Even if someone were to whip him right now, he would rather die than go out and face that terrifying old man!!

  In this courtyard, the original aura of Duke Minas was like a mountain, but as soon as Kavishir walked in, he still looked so calm and composed, yet suddenly brought with him an air that rivaled the old duke.

  Xia Ya looked at the poor worm next to her, but found that its body was shaking more and more violently!

  (Huh? Could it be that this poor insect also knows Kavishail? It seems to be afraid of him too?)

  "How many years has it been since we last came to this house?"

  In the courtyard, the two old men looked at each other for a while before Kavihir spoke up.

  This sentence seems calm, but it contains a hint of desolation.

  The Duke of Minas looked impassive, gazed at Cavish then shook his head: "I forgot."

  The old duke's voice was as calm and steady as his demeanor, deep and rich.

  "Forgotten?" Kavihir's smile deepened at the corners of his mouth, and he glanced at the old duke: "Really forgotten? My lord duke... I remember it clearly."

  The old duke's expression didn't change, he just looked at Cavishill, slightly furrowed his brow, and then returned to normal.

  "Twenty-four years, seven months and thirteen days." Kavihir suddenly reported a number. Then he smiled leisurely, looking at the duke, whose eyes finally stopped being so calm, flashing with a hint of strangeness. Kavihir sighed: "It seems... you still remember it. Only... there are many things that you don't want to recall either."

  Lao Gou raised an eyebrow, finally looked up and stared at Kaviel: "You asked me to come here tonight... hum, was it just to talk about these old things?"

  Kavihr smiled faintly and walked slowly into the courtyard, looking around before letting out a long sigh. "This courtyard has also fallen into disrepair... I remember that in the past, the flowerbeds here were always planted with those beautiful flowers... Ah, he loved those plants the most... Right, it was over there..." Kavihr pointed to a patch of already ruined flowerbed on the edge and smiled faintly. "Every time he got drunk, he would pull out his sword and dance wildly in that spot... I remember that back then, your relationship with him was the closest. And me... Heh heh. Although you didn't say it, but I understand in my heart that you always had some reservations towards me."

  The old duke's expression remained cold and indifferent.

  "I remember that year, he loved to drink, and every time I would bring out some good wine from the imperial palace." Kavi's eyes gradually flashed with a strange light: "In my life, the only time I got drunk was in this garden. That time, I really got drunk, then we three laughed loudly, finally fell down together here, thinking back... The three of us just lay on the ground and slept for half a day. When we woke up, I still remember, you vomited all over him."

  The old duke still didn't speak, but his expression was having a hard time maintaining its calmness.

  Kavihr shook his head and gazed at Duke Minas again: "You don't dare to see me now without these guards by your side?"

  As he spoke, his eyes swept around the dozens of Iron Guards surrounding Duke Minas.

  The Duke of Minas hummed a sound, looking at Cavishill, and the calm and steady eyes finally showed a hint of emotion.

  The old duke's eyes actually had a hint of anger!

  "I don't dare." The old duke's voice was calm, but with a hint of anger: "I'm not alone in seeing you."

  Kavihr seemed to smile to himself, as if muttering to himself: "Am I so dangerous in your heart?"

  "He sighed and said, 'He used to say something like that back then too.'"

  He then walked a few steps slowly and stopped at the side of a holly tree in the yard, turned his head to look at Duke Minas and smiled. "You've been pretending very well over the years... but I'm clear that you haven't forgotten anything about what happened back then! In fact... maybe you remember it even more clearly than I do."

  "He pointed to the courtyard: 'Here, this square, this mansion estate, was once his property! Later he gave it to you. For so many years, although you haven't set foot here, every year you send people to carefully repair and maintain every brick and tile, all the furnishings, not a single table or chair has been moved! This kind of thoughtfulness... Duke Minas, don't I understand?"

  The Duke of Minas's eyebrows were knitted together, and he stared coldly at Cavishill.

  Cavishill didn't look at the old duke, but stared at Rodi, suddenly smiled: "Rodi. I'm also surprised to see you here today. Hmm... I heard that the renovation of this place was entrusted to you by the Duke. It can be said that over the years, it has been you who has been in charge of this place... Do you know why your father is so concerned about this place?"

  The old duke's voice was as calm and steady as his demeanor, deep and rich.

  "Forgotten?" Kavihir's smile deepened at the corners of his mouth, and he glanced at the old duke: "Really forgotten? My lord duke... I remember it clearly."

  The old duke's expression didn't change, he just looked at Cavishill, slightly furrowed his brow, and then returned to normal.

  "Twenty-four years, seven months and thirteen days." Kavihir suddenly reported a number. Then he smiled leisurely, looking at the duke, whose eyes finally stopped being so calm, flashing with a hint of strangeness. Kavihir sighed: "It seems... you still remember it. Only... there are many things that you don't want to recall either."

  Lao Gou raised an eyebrow, finally looked up and stared at Kaviel: "You asked me to meet you here tonight... hum, was it just to talk about these old things?"

  Kavihr smiled faintly and walked slowly into the courtyard, looking around before letting out a long sigh. "This courtyard has also fallen into disrepair... I remember that the flowerbeds here used to be planted with those beautiful flowers... Ah, he loved those plants so much... Right, it was over there..." Kavihr pointed to a patch of already ruined flowerbed on the edge, smiling faintly. "Every time he got drunk, he would pull out his sword and dance wildly in that spot... I remember when you two were closest friends. And as for me... Heh, although you didn't say it, but I understand that there was always some distance between us in your hearts."

  The old duke's expression remained cold and indifferent.

  "I remember that year, he loved to drink, and every time I would bring out some good wine from the imperial palace." Kavi's eyes gradually flashed with a strange light: "In my life, the only time I got drunk was in this garden. That time, I really got drunk, then we three laughed loudly, finally fell down together here, thinking back... The three of us lay on the ground and slept for half a day. When we woke up, I still remember, you vomited all over him."

  The old duke still didn't speak, but his expression was having a hard time maintaining its calmness.

  Kavihr shook his head and gazed at Duke Minas again, "You don't dare to see me now without these guards by your side?"

  As he spoke, his eyes swept around the dozens of Iron Guards surrounding Duke Minas.

  The Duke of Minas hummed a sound, looking at Cavishill, and the calm and steady eyes finally showed a hint of emotion.

  The old duke's eyes actually had a hint of anger!

  "I don't dare." The old duke's voice was calm, but with a hint of anger: "I'm not alone in seeing you."

  Kavihr seemed to smile to himself, as if muttering to himself: "Am I so dangerous in your heart?"

  "He sighed and said, 'He used to say something like that back then too.'"

  He walked a few steps, finally stopping at the side of a holly tree in the yard, and turned to look back at Duke Minas with a smile. "You may have pretended well all these years... but I'm clear that you haven't forgotten what happened back then! In fact... maybe you remember it even more clearly than I do."

  "He pointed to the courtyard: 'Here, this square, this mansion estate, was once his property! Later he gave it to you. For so many years, although you haven't set foot here, every year you send people to carefully repair and maintain every brick and tile, all the furnishings, not a single table or chair has been moved! This kind of thoughtfulness... Duke Minas, don't I understand?"

  The Duke of Minas's eyebrows were knitted together, and he stared coldly at Cavishill.

  Cavishiel didn't look at the old duke, but stared at Rodi, suddenly smiled: "Rodi. I'm also surprised to see you here today. Hmm... I heard that the renovation of this place was entrusted to you by the Duke. It can be said that over the years, it has been you who has been in charge of this place... Do you know why your father is so concerned about this place?"

  As soon as these words were spoken, Xia Ya's body shook violently!!

  Luo Di!!!

  He... He is the son of Duke Minas?! That little Minas?!

  He was shocked in his heart, and then he let it go: Ah! So that's how it is! As soon as he saw this guy, he felt that the guy's skill and demeanor were absolutely not those of a carriage driver or servant! He just didn't expect that he would actually be the son of Duke Minas!!!

  Rody seemed to be somewhat intimidated in front of Cavishill, the lazy look on his face had disappeared, he pondered for a moment, looking at Cavishill, and said solemnly: "Mr. Cavishill... I don't understand your meaning."

  "Hah!" Kavihir smiled: "This is a haunted house... In the Imperial City, there has long been such a legend. But do you know? This place itself has no ghosts. It's precisely in people's hearts that there are ghosts!"

  "Kavihir!!" The old duke suddenly shouted. The old duke's face was filled with anger, his cloudy eyes squeezed out two sharp glints, staring at Kavihir and said coldly: "All these years, I have been tolerant of you in every way, don't be too presumptuous!"

  "I... how could I have been excessive." Kavishir shook his head, and to his surprise, a hint of sadness appeared in his eyes. He looked at the old duke and suddenly said in a low voice: "I know you haven't forgotten what day it is today either. Otherwise, with just one invitation from me, you wouldn't have agreed to come here to see me so easily."

  Pausing for a moment, Kavishir said in a low voice: "Today... is his birthday."

  The Duke of Minas has finally been moved!

  The old duke's expression was somewhat discomposed, he stared blankly for a moment, the evil intentions, regret and guilt in his eyes all revealed themselves.

  At last, the old duke sighed and looked at Cavish: "You... really remember?"

  "Hmm." Kavishir didn't say a word, but took out a small bottle from his robe. The bottle was made of pure silver. Kavishir unscrewed the cap and slowly poured a clear liquid onto the flowerbed. He whispered, "This is the wine he used to love drinking the most. I remember it in my heart... Ah..."

  The old duke silently watched Kavi's movements and finally slowly raised his hand.

  "Everybody... get out!"

  Those guards were obviously the most loyal Iron Guards in the Minas family. At a word from the old duke, dozens of warriors immediately fell silent and withdrew from the courtyard. Even Rody looked at the old duke and quickly walked out.

  When the courtyard was left with only two old men, they stood silently there, waiting for Cavish to pour a bottle of wine all over the flowerbed. After Cavish casually threw the empty bottle on the ground, the old duke seemed to wipe his eyes with his hand.

  "We... all wronged him!" The old duke sighed softly.

  Kavi does not speak.

  "I know." The old duke looked at the guy opposite him, his tone somewhat cold: "Over the years, you've at least secretly tried to kill me three times! Hmph... If I hadn't been careful, I would have almost died at your hands ten years ago."

  "Yes." Kavihir smiled faintly: "You're not the same, are you? In these years, I've been assassinated thirteen times, at least half of which were your secretly dispatched people. Your family's dark guard has also suffered losses, haven't they?"

  Xia Ya behind the door heard this and was shocked!!

  Important figures in the core of these two empires, unexpectedly... have such a grudge?!

  Mutually harming and killing each other?!!

  "Unfortunately, you can't kill me and I also can't kill you." The old duke shook his head: "Our feud, it seems we'll have to wait until the future, when we're underground, to settle it once and for all."

  Kavi smiled silently, walked to one side, and gently stroked the leaves of a nearby shrub. After a while, he spoke up: "The night is deep and cold, the old wound you left behind that year has not healed until now, every winter, you will have an episode."

  "Hmm, your headache is also tormenting you quite a bit, isn't it?" The old duke said calmly.

  The two of them exchanged a glance and smiled, Kavihir pointed to the door inside: "Go in and talk, after all, you're getting older, it's cold outside tonight. If it were back then... heh heh!"

  The old duke didn't say a word and walked straight towards the door where Xia Ya and Kechuan were hiding.

  Xia Ya and Ke Lian Chong were both startled, they exchanged a quick glance, both revealing a flustered expression. The two immediately retreated into the room, which was very dark, with only a faint light. In the darkness, the two stumbled and ran to the corner. Xia Ya's eyes were sharp, and he saw that there were several more doors inside. In his haste, he didn't bother with much, and randomly pulled open one of them. The door wasn't locked, and it opened with a pull. Xia Ya let out a sigh of relief, not daring to say much, and pulled Ke Lian Chong into the room with him.

  As soon as they entered the door, they suddenly felt a chill in the air, and a cold aura rushed towards them, enveloping both of them.

  It's so cold!! Xia Ya shivered, and a strange feeling arose in her heart!