Four Split Personalities

Shu described the situation nonchalantly, and right after uttering a sentence that seemed like a question, he immediately continued, "The situation spiraled out of control too quickly, so fast that you simply couldn’t react. And the threat I displayed at that last judgment made you realize you couldn’t wait any longer. Just at that moment, an excellent opportunity arose, so regardless of whether anyone was willing to cooperate, you had to take some action. And indeed, you proved yourself to be a very decisive person."

At this very moment, Rebo’s face had grown so pale it was nearly translucent, but not because of fear or having his secrets exposed; rather, he realized he needed to make a decision fast.

Of course, when he says decision, the moment he pushed open the door to "Female Bee", he had no other option but to ensure that Shu Bresen died here.

"I don’t hate you, Ah Shu, despite your unpleasant personality, I still quite like you, my little brother."

Rebo sighed wistfully and gave a helpless, bitter smile, "Whether you believe it or not, I still bear no ill will toward you even now."

Shu responded with a knowing smile and nodded, "Of course I believe that, big brother, after all, whether you hate me or want to kill me are two different matters."

"That’s right, two different matters. I want to turn around our family’s plight, and on that point alone, I can’t back down, no matter who stands in my way..."

Rebo suddenly stood up and said in a stern voice, "Take your hand out of your sleeve. This tavern has been completely sealed in a barrier since before we came in. That ring of yours that sends messages outside didn’t transmit anything."

"So that’s how it is~"

Shu blinked and extended his left hand, which had been sneakily retracted into his sleeve, and slid a shiny ring onto the table, "Brother, you really leave no stone unturned."

"There’s no point in stalling for time anymore, Ah Shu, I can chat with you all afternoon."

Rebo gazed coldly at his younger brother and shook his head, "No one is coming to save you, not the Zijing Guards you’ve bribed, nor the little dwarf who works in this tavern. They’ve been controlled since I headed this way. My dear brother... if you have a fatal flaw, it’s that you’re too confident."

Shu awkwardly rubbed his nose and said with a forced smile, "And here I thought my greatest strength was self-awareness..."

"Even if you speak sarcastically, that doesn’t change the facts."

Rebo, unmoved, continued to stare at the other, "Have you any idea how many people stand with me? Do you know how many spies surround you?"

Rebo circled the table, strode towards Shu, grabbed his collar, and hoisted him up, roaring, "Do you know how much power I’ve amassed using the status of Crown Prince? Do you know how much preparation I’ve done to change this damned situation? Do you know how hard it has been to bide my time over the years? Do you know how much I wish you were still that simplistic little troublemaker from before?"

"I know..."

Struggling to breathe, Shu managed a smile, then nodded and repeated twice more, "I know, I know."

"No! You don’t know! You don’t know anything!"

Rebo let go in anger, pushing Shu back into the chair, his teeth gritted, "How could you possibly understand how much I..."

"The people by your side, including Duke Dundis and three squads totaling 306 Zijing Guards, as well as the noble forces of the Barton, Set, Fulton, Mortensen, Austin, and Boyd Families, 39 venerable Noble families from our Violet region. Besides, there’s Mr. Ian, vice-chief of Father’s Shadow Guards, Legion Commander of the Imperial Guard, two out of three leaders of the regional autonomous militaries, and leading with the Violet Northern Business Union headed by the Snow Diamond Commerce Association. Of course, we must also include the connections recently established by Duke Dundis with the Marshal and Hussein Families."

Shu spoke with his gentle voice, narrating calmly and demonstrating through his actions that he indeed "knew" what Rei had been talking about; meanwhile, the latter’s complexion grew increasingly unsightly.

"As for the spies by my side, a simple count would be all my cooks, the maidservants of the Tri-color Courtyard, the two friends I made when I concealed my identity to play in the Noble District, the captain of my most trusted guard, the owners of several shops next to ’Female Bee’, a few friends of Coleya, the three roommates in the shared apartment with Little Na, master Miguel who has been secretly tutoring me in magic, and the additional one hundred and seven people I’ve omitted. Oh right, and since last week, those Zijing Guards who belatedly realized their loyalty to me... and the new faces who have joined their squad in the past three days."

After Shu finished speaking unhurriedly, he poured himself another cup of tea without looking up and continued, "As for the forces, preparations, and hard work you, my dear elder brother, have accumulated, I’m also well aware of them. Honestly... it wasn’t easy, and it’s quite admirable."

"You..."

Rei’s eyes widened as he drew Longsword from the sheath of the brawny man behind him and shouted fiercely, "What exactly are you trying to say!?"

"What I’m trying to say is... I have seen everything you’ve done."

Shu, with the blade pressed against his neck, didn’t even blink but sipped his tea comfortably, let out a contented sigh, and shook his head in regret, "It’s such a pity, dear elder brother. If only I could have seen a glimmer of hope, even the slightest hint of a true grand vision during my discovery of these things, we wouldn’t have had to come to this point today."

"What do you mean?"

Rei was forced to move Longsword slightly to the side, for Shu had allowed the blade to cut his skin while shaking his head, nicking his neck with fresh blood.

"What I mean is, I’m actually quite lazy and like to take the easy way out, so if you, my elder brother, could shoulder the responsibility, I really would’ve liked to let you sit on the throne."

Shu crossed his legs, turned his head to face Rei, and made a regretful expression, "But it’s a pity you can’t. You’re far too lacking."

A cold chill suddenly rose from the depths of Rei’s heart. He roared with anger, deciding not to continue listening to his brother’s devilish murmurs, and swung Longsword fiercely at Shu—

Spurt!

The sword pierced flesh, and blood sprayed.

Shu exhaled wearily, wiping a smear of blood from his cheek and shook his head, "I’m sorry, elder brother, I never hated you or father. After all, being limited in abilities... is not your fault."

Thump, thump, thump!

Rei, who had just been stabbed through the heart from behind, was suddenly pierced by seven or eight sharp weapons from all around, wielded by the very people he had brought with him.

If this was a dream...

It must have been the worst and most terrifying nightmare he had ever experienced in his life.

If this was not a dream...

The Violet Empire might soon welcome the most unfathomable king in its history...

Rei shrugged his shoulders and quietly stopped breathing.

Chapter 531: The End