Linley, what do you think?” Clayde looked at Linley.
Linley laughed and nodded. “Admirably done, admirably done.”
The fine which Clayde had levied against the Debs clan was carefully calibrated, precisely because the valuation of the Debs clan’s illiquid assets worth around eighty million or so. If Clayde really were to sentence the Debs clan to extermination, then without a doubt, he wouldn’t have been able to get his hands on a single coin of their liquid assets.
But if the penalty fine was too high, perhaps the Debs clan would even risk extinction rather than pay the fine.
The fine of eighty million gold coins was neither too high nor too little. It was just right.
“Father.” Kalan and the others instantly went to help Bernard to his feet.
But Bernard only stared at his third brother, Kanter. A gloomy, calm look was on Kanter’s face. He only nodded towards Bernard. After he had been exposed in leading the smuggling operation, Kanter knew that he would die, without a question. But now that he was dying on behalf of the clan, the clan would most likely treat his son and his wife well.
Bernard nodded towards Kanter as well.
Two brothers. From a single exchange of glances, they knew what the other was thinking.
“Let us…go back.” Bernard said with a sigh.
After experiencing this tribulation, the Debs clan had suffered a major blow to its vitality. At absolute best, they would have a tenth of the economic power they previously had. From this day forward…the Debs clan had toppled from its previous position of power at the highest levels in the Kingdom of Fenlai. They could only be considered a fairly wealthy clan, now.”
…..
Within Linley’s manor, in the Hot Springs Garden.
Linley was seated on a chair, quietly staring blankly.
“Linley, what are you pondering?” Doehring Cowart came out of the Coiling Dragon ring.
Linley glanced at Doehring Cowart. Sighing, he said, “Today, when I saw the Debs clan be sentenced, I suddenly thought of my own clan. My clan was once a clan which dominated the entire Yulan continent, but now, after all these generations, who is left? My father died, and my mother’s whereabouts are unknown. Little Wharton is now in the O’Brien Empire. In the entire Holy Union, I am alone with no kin.”
Linley was gripped by a powerful, lonely melancholy.
His parents were gone, and he was engaged in a mission of revenge that couldn’t be revealed!
On this road to revenge, Linley’s heart was tightly spun up, and he didn’t dare to slacken off in the slightest.
Looking at Linley, Doehring Cowart felt surge of pity. Although superficially Linley seemed very mature, and didn’t have any problems at all dealing with those important nobles…Linley was still only seventeen years old this year. He had just graduated from the magus academy not too long ago.
“Linley, relax. Don’t give yourself too much pressure. You have plenty of time.” Doehring Cowart encouraged him.
Linley looked at Doehring Cowart. On this lonely road he had been travelling, it was good that he had Grandpa Doehring with him, along with that mischievous rascal, Bebe.
“Thank you, Grandpa Doehring.” Linley said gratefully.
Doehring Cowart began to chuckle.
“I really want to know what happened to my mother as soon as possible. I want to kill Clayde as soon as possible.” Even if they ignored the fact that Clayde had abducted his mother, the fact that he had caused his mother to be separated from their family for over ten years, resulting in the death of Linley’s father, meant that without a doubt, Clayde had to die.
“Who knows when that ‘King of Killers’, Cesar, will bring that poison recipe.” Linley was beginning to grow impatient.
…..
Each day, Linley had been urgently awaiting the return of Cesar, the ‘King of Killers’. But each day passed with no news of Cesar. Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was now October. During this past month, the Kingdom of Fenlai had been fairly tranquil. The only major affair was the large-scale auction carried out by the Debs clan.
Many clans seized the opportunity to try to haggle with or lowball the Debs clan. However, the value of the Debs clan’s illiquid assets really were very high, so there were quite a few bidders from other clans as well. Thus, the price at auction wasn’t too low, in the end. The assets, previously valued at around eighty million gold coins, ended up selling for around seventy million gold in total.
After paying the fine of eighty million gold coins, the Debs clan could finally be considered as having escaped from danger.
But after this affair, the net worth of the Debs clan had essentially shrunk by 90%.
…..
October 10th was the day before Kanter’s execution. This day, Linley remained in the Hot Springs Garden, training as he always did.
“Lord Linley, Lord Cesar has come!” A female attendant called out in a high-pitched voice from outside!
Linley had instructed that he must be immediately alerted if Cesar came.
“Cesar came?” Linley quickly threw on some clothes and immediately rushed out of the Hot Springs Garden. Given Linley’s current speed, in ten seconds, he arrived outside the main hall. Right now, Cesar, still dressed in those long, loose robes, was seated lazily with one leg crossed. He was drinking a cup of tea.
“Mr. Cesar.” Linley called out from afar. Three steps later, Linley entered the main hall.
Seeing Linley, Cesar’s eyes lit up, and he immediately rose to his feet. “Master Linley, my truest apologies for only coming today.” As he spoke, Cesar withdrew an envelope from his clothes. “Linley, this is the recipe I mentioned. It’s all yours.”