160: The beginning of the story

Nightshade Mushrooms were very traditional in shape, fist-sized, white and plump.

Each person had a whole one on a large plate, accompanied by different colored seasoning powders.

Tu Nan wasn't sure how to eat it correctly, but fortunately, Gu Lvhai spoke up at the right time.

"This thing is truly rare; I've only heard of it before..."

Good, even a great noble hasn't eaten it, so it's perfectly reasonable for her to appear inexperienced.

"It's beautiful," she praised.

Kong Jiamu, as if showing off, skillfully cut a few transparently thin slices with a knife and fork, dipped them in different seasonings, arranged them beautifully on a small plate, and pushed it across the diagonal of the dining table to Tu Nan.

"Try it. If you like it, I'll make more." The Peacock was solicitous and boastful.

Tu Nan gave the Peacock a helpless glance, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Hain.

But Hain didn't look up.

He was also meticulously cutting the mushroom.

Similarly transparent, similarly numerous slices were cut by him, dipped in the same kind of seasoning, arranged on a plate... then he pushed that plate to his friend beside him.

"Nightshade Mushrooms are rare; I'm afraid you won't have enough to eat."

Hain was so sincere; if Tu Nan didn't have a guilty conscience, she might have actually believed him.

"As guests, there's no reason for us to let you, the host, suffer a loss."

Kong Jiamu was full of questions.

It doesn't sound like a compliment? But it was Hain who said it... so maybe he was overthinking it... right?

Tu Nan felt she couldn't let the situation develop any further, or the scene would become difficult to control.

She pushed the plate Kong Jiamu had pushed over back to the opposite side and gently said to Hain, "That also means we can't let you suffer a loss. Let's not keep pushing it back and forth; for something so delicious, it's best to be fair."

Hain's expression relaxed slightly, and he forked a piece of the mushroom cut by Kong Jiamu, chewing it slowly.

After a round of maneuvering, the outcome seemed unchanged, but the atmosphere had become strangely eerie.

Miss Gu, tall and robust, sitting among these three, inexplicably appeared so small, pitiful, and helpless.

***

"When exactly is your investiture ceremony? Has it been decided?"

Tu Nan asked.

This was a very important matter for Kong Jiamu, and Hain was equally concerned.

"Your Majesty said that several dates have been chosen below, all in the middle to Late Stage of next month. It should have been confirmed these past two days," Kong Jiamu said, then turned to Hain, "But those old geezers refuse to budge, saying I'm too young and need more experience. Can you help me lobby them?"

Hain knew he was referring to the old generals of noble birth. After a moment of thought, he only replied, "I'll ask His Majesty's opinion."

"Your Majesty will certainly agree; my promotion was his idea," Kong Jiamu said indifferently.

"This is the duty of a subject," Hain said with a serious expression.

Kong Jiamu knew this was his style, but he still wouldn't admit defeat verbally, retorting, "Fine, you go ask. Would I lie to you about something like this?"

The topic finally shifted to His Majesty, as she had expected. Tu Nan asked the two curiously.

"What kind of person is His Majesty...?"

The two Male Beasts didn't know why she suddenly became interested in this.

Tu Nan wiped her mouth and explained.

"How does it sound like on one hand he can exceptionally promote generals according to his own wishes, and on the other hand... he has to wait for his subjects' approval? It sounds very contradictory."

The two Male Beasts stopped her simultaneously: "Don't say that!" "Pearl, silence!"

Tu Nan flinched, then defiantly put down her knife and fork, displeased.

"There are no outsiders here. I'm just curious! Everyone outside says he's the most just, tolerant, and decisive king in a hundred years, but those traits sound very contradictory!"

The Peacock sighed.

Indeed, these were all His Majesty's traits... They, as close subjects, didn't find it problematic, but outsiders indeed found it difficult to fully understand.

He glanced at Gu Lvhai, who also had an eager, knowledge-seeking expression.

She was clearly a great noble, yet she seemed rather brainless. Did Hain really want to start a family with her?

Kong Jiamu planned to advise him later.

But since she was a noble, she would at least know what not to spread carelessly, and he wasn't discussing any real secrets.

"His Majesty... began governing in his youth due to various reasons. He was supposed to ascend the throne at his coming-of-age ceremony. But who would have thought, just before his coronation ceremony, the largest Star Worms tide outbreak occurred."

Regardless of whether they knew this history, everyone present listened intently as Kong Jiamu recounted.

His voice was unhurried.

"Because the coronation ceremony was to be held, most high-ranking officials, except for a few generals stationed at the front lines, rushed to the Capital City from all over and gathered at the Royal Court."

"With the Advanced Male Beasts absent, the front line was weakened, several border stars couldn't be held, and the battle line rapidly contracted."

Kong Jiamu sneered.

"But those fools were afraid to deliver news of defeat during the Emperor's coronation ceremony. They forcibly suppressed battle reports, stuffing the gaps with the lives of low-ranking soldiers, vainly hoping to reverse the losing situation."

"They failed," Tu Nan judged.

The other three who knew the history nodded in agreement.

"Yes. So by the time His Majesty received the news, the defense line was completely torn apart, almost beyond salvation." Kong Jiamu thought of his own panic at that time and smiled.

"That was the final stage of the coronation ceremony, with all eyes on it. Upon receiving the news, he directly abandoned the ceremony, ordering all nobles present to march with him. He said,"

Hain softly repeated the words with him.

"If there is no country, there is no need for a King. I shall ascend the throne by treading on those insects, saving my people from dire straits."

That was blood and fire, the most stunning debut of the fifteen-year-old boy Emperor, and proof of his compassion and iron-blooded methods.

It was... inspiring, Tu Nan thought, but knowing just this wasn't enough.

"His Majesty is indeed a decisive King," Tu Nan admitted.

She praised His Majesty, but in return, she received joyful gazes from the two Male Beasts... their respect for His Majesty was truly heartfelt.

"Let me finish," Kong Jiamu took a sip of wine.

"His Majesty only fully underwent his Awakening during that battle." Seeing Tu Nan's surprised look, he shrugged. "That's right, before that, he didn't even show signs of Awakening. Everyone thought he might just be Rank A. He achieved a Breakthrough on the battlefield."

"That laid the foundation for the battle. It's very complex; I'll tell you in detail when we have time later."

Tu Nan expressed understanding and asked him to continue.

"The crucial part is what happened next. We recaptured the lost territory, but unfortunately, there wasn't a single living person left on those planets."

The atmosphere at the dining table suddenly became solemn.

"Three generals made incorrect judgments, two S-Rank, one A+. What do you think their fate was?" he asked Tu Nan.

"I heard that high-Rank Male Beasts are important nodes on the defense line," Tu Nan mused. "Does 'node' mean that even if they don't actively attack, they still have a purpose in existing?"

Kong Jiamu nodded but didn't elaborate.

"Then... were they imprisoned for life somewhere on the border?" Tu Nan guessed.

Hain interjected.

"No. His Majesty directly pronounced their crimes on the front line. They were executed on the very first planet that suffered complete annihilation, atoning with their lives and blood."

"This is justice," Tu Nan understood.

Hain took over from Kong Jiamu, narrating.

"Yes, this is precisely the Emperor's justice. No one can avoid paying a price, and those in higher positions must be even more vigilant." Hain paused. "Many other soldiers felt deeply guilty, crying as they bid farewell to their families, intending to face a military tribunal."

"His Majesty..." Tu Nan had a guess.

"His Majesty pardoned them."

Just as expected.

"Soldiers must obey orders. Although they lacked the wisdom to break through the rules, they at least upheld their duties." These were His Majesty's original words.

"This is the Emperor's tolerance," Hain concluded.

"His Majesty was fifteen years old at the time," he added finally. "It's a pity I was still on Sea Soul Star then and couldn't serve him."

But you are by his side now.

Your and Kong Jiamu's admiration for him runs deep into your bones.

Tu Nan thought.