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Chapter 340: Another Figure Join Conversation
Although Aldrey felt that Aldrian had put a target on his back for his father to shoot, he understood why Aldrian had made such a request. Warmth filled his heart, knowing that his son was also thinking about their future—when their family would finally learn the truth. At that time, it would cause great disturbances and chaos, affecting even the two empires.
He had already heard from Aldrian that a few people were aware of his origin, including members of the imperial family of the Doria Empire. He felt truly grateful to Aldrian for paving the way for their future, ensuring they would not face severe backlash when the truth came to light.
"Young Master Aldrian, it’s truly an honor that you’re thinking of me, but I believe the Grand Duke would not act unreasonably. Isn’t that right, Father?" Aldrey said, his eye twitching. Calling his own son ’Young Master’ made him cringe so hard that he wanted to bury himself.
Still, he took advantage of Aldrian’s request to subtly insist that the Grand Duke would also support him in the future.
Hearing his father, Aldrian also felt extremely uncomfortable, but there was nothing he could do about it. It was still too soon to reveal to Grand Duke Flamecrest that he was his grandson. If news spread that he was the son of both the Flamecrest and Rivas families, he could already imagine the headache it would cause. He would likely have to stay in this empire even longer just to ensure the situation didn’t spiral out of control.
He still had his own business to take care of in another territory, and he preferred to avoid any trouble he could.
Grand Duke Flamecrest’s eye twitched at Aldrey’s question. If he refused to answer, it would seem as if he didn’t appreciate Aldrian’s request and was disrespecting him. He didn’t fully understand the true meaning behind Aldrian’s request, but the most important thing right now was to agree to it. The request wasn’t difficult anyway, and even if Aldrian hadn’t made it, he would have always supported his son.
"Of course, I never do anything that doesn’t benefit you," Grand Duke Flamecrest said, glancing at Aldrey before turning his gaze back to Aldrian. "And in the future, I will do even more to support Aldrey. He is my successor, after all."
Aldrian smiled and nodded.
"Good. Your Excellency, I hope you will keep your word when the time comes."
The Grand Duke narrowed his eyes, intending to ask Aldrian what he meant, but before he could speak, Aldrian cut him off.
"Anyway, did Your Excellency come here with someone else? Because that guy over there keeps glancing in this direction from time to time, and he seems to be acquainted with you." Aldrian said, pointing toward a table not far from them.
Grand Duke Flamecrest and Aldrey exchanged confused looks before turning their heads toward the table Aldrian had pointed at. There, they saw a person in a white robe, pretending to read a book while using it to hide their face.
The Grand Duke narrowed his eyes, sensing a familiarity with the figure. A moment later, without warning, he suddenly vanished and reappeared beside them.
The figure, unprepared for the Grand Duke’s sudden burst of speed, instinctively tried to escape. However, before they could react, the Grand Duke had already snatched the book away, revealing the face hidden behind it.
The moment he saw the person’s face, he was stunned—it was someone he knew. He swiftly grabbing the figure by the nape and using his incredible speed to return to his seat.
The onlookers who had witnessed the Grand Duke’s movements didn’t even have the chance to see his or the figure’s face before they were already seated at their table once again.
Aldrey, now able to see the figure’s face, was also shocked—he hadn’t expected to see this person here.
"Luis? What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the Heavenly Path Academy right now?" Aldrey asked in disbelief.
He then turned to Aldrian.
"This is Luis, my younger brother. He spends most of his time at the Heavenly Path Academy as a practical instructor, which is why he’s rarely seen at our mansion or the Grand Duchy."
Aldrian raised an eyebrow—so this person was his uncle. His father had never mentioned having a younger brother, so he had never known about him. He had also never heard his uncle’s name mentioned during his time at the Flamecrest Duchy, but it seemed that because Luis spent most of his time away from the Grand Duchy, his name was rarely brought up.
Earlier, Aldrian had only sensed that this person was acting suspiciously, frequently glancing in their direction. When he checked the information on him, he discovered that the man bore the name Flamecrest, leading him to believe he must be someone known to either his father or Grand Duke Flamecrest.
Luis, now dragged to the table by his father, could only manage a stiff smile before answering.
"Well, because of what happened in Larson City, the Heavenly Path Academy also sent a group of cultivators to investigate the situation here. The headmaster wants to know about ’him’ because, as you know, the academy doesn’t want to miss out on the news about the mysterious swordsman being here. Like everyone else, they want to see him and maybe establish a connection."
"So, you’re here with your group from the academy?" Grand Duke Flamecrest asked.
"Yes, and I arrived earlier to book rooms because this inn is the best in the city. But coincidentally, I saw Father and Elder Brother come in, so I wanted to find out what you two were up to." Luis answered, then glanced at Arthur, who wasn’t using any disguise technique, but was merely covering his features with a robe.
"But I don’t think I’ve seen the leader of the Paladins from the Heavenly Direction Church here. This is truly unexpected. I thought everyone here, including the one who disappeared, was an important figure, and that Father and Elder Brother must have something important to discuss. I was simply curious to know what it was."
His gaze then shifted to Aldrian, filled with curiosity about his identity. Since he was outside the soundproof shield, he hadn’t heard any of the conversation, but from his perspective, his father and elder brother seemed to show more respect to this young man than to anyone else.
"Ah, Second Young Master, it’s nice to see you," Aldrian said with a smile. "It’s our first time meeting, but I’ve known about your family for a long time."
"Ah yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you, sir—"
"Aldrian, just call me Aldrian."
"Ah, Sir Aldrian," Luis replied, but then he sent a voice transmission to Aldrey.
"Brother, who is this person? Why do you and Father show him so much respect?"
"He’s our benefactor. He has helped our family, but you know his title—he’s the one many call the mysterious swordsman," Aldrey answered.
Hearing that, Luis’s eyes widened in shock as he turned his head toward Aldrian and observed him once again. This young man was the mysterious swordsman? The one everyone had been searching for? Luis was truly stunned, as there was nothing about him that indicated he could be the legendary swordsman! His age seemed far too young for someone to be called a swordmaster!
Suddenly, Luis stood up and bowed deeply toward Aldrian.
"Young Mas—I mean, Your Excellency, I truly admire you for all your achievements and your strength. Every time you appear and cause an uproar with your sword, it inspires many of our students and teachers alike at the academy. When you unleashed your sword intent and sword will, it even affected the entire continent. It’s a phenomenon that has been engraved in our minds. Personally, I’ve always wanted to meet you and learn one or two things from you."
The sudden act of his uncle truly stunned Aldrian, and it also drew the attention of those around them. While the surrounding people couldn’t hear what Aldrian’s group was discussing, they couldn’t help but notice the unusual behavior.
Aldrian quickly realized this and created a blur effect to shield their figures, making sure the people couldn’t focus on their faces.
The Grand Duke appreciated Aldrian’s quick thinking.
"Second Young Master, you don’t have to exaggerate like that, but I appreciate your admiration. Please, there’s no need to keep bowing. I feel uncomfortable if you keep bowing like that," Aldrian said.
Luis straightened his posture and sat down again. His gaze toward Aldrian was now full of admiration and respect.
"Your Excellency, your swordsmanship is truly remarkable, even our headmaster admires it. The sword will you wield, one that affects the entire continent, is something never before heard of, at least not in the recorded history of the continent. That kind of strength must come from an extraordinary level of comprehension and power in your sword will—something even our headmaster has yet to reach. He wishes to invite you to the academy to ask for a tip or two."
"The headmaster of the Heavenly Path Academy?" Aldrian asked.
"Yes, Your Excellency, our headmaster is one of the ten great swordsmasters of the continent. He holds the title of the Sword Sage of the Heavenly Path, Wang Weijian," Luis replied.
"I see. To be honest, I’m really curious about the Heavenly Path Academy, which is said to be the best cultivation academy on the continent. In the future, if I have time, I will surely visit it," Aldrian said.
Luis’s eyes brightened, and he instantly lowered his head.
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
Aldrey, hearing his son and little brother’s conversation, could only laugh inwardly. He wondered what his little brother’s expression would be in the future when he discovered that the person he kept calling "Your Excellency" was, in fact, his own nephew.
