The Green Tea is Always Targeting The Wrong Person (GREENTEA)
"They are just lowly vampires, there's no need to show them any courtesy."
The one speaking was the vampire who had just been rescued.
His name was Louis, also a member of a great noble family.
He was originally a strong contender competing against Feilin and Dila, but an unexpected accident on the day of the competition prevented him from participating, allowing Dila to benefit without a fight.
Over the years, although he dared not openly oppose the two, he had been causing minor troubles behind the scenes. However, he wasn’t foolish. Knowing that the two had powerful backers, he only engaged in petty acts and never dared to truly humiliate them.
Since Yue Chu arrived, Louis had sensed the shifting winds, but His Majesty's attitude forced him to remain cautious and observant. However...
He looked at the pureblood before him, who had resumed his gentle smile. This person was even more outstanding than he had imagined.
If he were the king, he would surely choose him over that fool Xino. He really couldn't understand what His Majesty was thinking.
Yue Chu was having the bodies counted and taking the name tags of each Flame Warrior as trophies, while the remaining corpses were burned to ashes, leaving nothing behind.
He glanced then at Louis indifferently: "Why did the Flame Army hunt them down? Because they are vampires. Why did I protect them? For the same reason—because they are vampires."
Louis thought about it and realized it made sense. He bared his teeth in a ferocious grin and his crimson eyes brimming with bloodlust. Anyway, as long as it was against humans, he liked the reasoning.
At that moment, Xino, dressed in white, finally arrived belatedly.
Seeing that the mission was already completed, he said nothing and just arrogantly turned to walked away without even a word.
The vampires exchanged glances and some who couldn’t hide their expressions showed slight dissatisfaction.
What did Prince Xino mean by this? He was nowhere to be seen at the critical moment, yet he came to claim the fruits of their labor afterward and even acted so haughtily.
Yue Chu smiled gently: "Your Highness, please wait. In this trial, we have eliminated thirty-seven warriors of the Flame Army, and only three of our vampires were injured with no deaths. Here are the captured name tags, please accept them."
Yue Chu bent down and respectfully presented the name tags with both hands.
Since His Majesty had instructed him not to compete or strive for anything, he naturally followed through completely.
He lowered his head while his long eyelashes hid the amusement in his eyes, and made him appear humble and obedient.
Feilin pressed her red lips together to say nothing, but privately, she hoped that Prince Xino would take a good attitude in accepting these name tags, so it would be easier to explain to His Majesty.
Louis, on the other hand, curled his lips in disdain and leaned back against a tree then pretended to be gazing at the scenery in the distance.
Xino had no intention of accepting Yue Chu's insincere kindness.
He knew he had done wrong this time, but Anna was in danger and he had to save her immediately.
"No need."
Xino coldly waved his hand and pushed Yue Chu away. The crimson name tags clattered to the ground and the once shiny metal badges were now covered in dirt and dust.
Xino was startled—he hadn’t used much force...
Yue Chu, seemingly concerned, nodded and knelt down to pick up the name tags one by one then wiped them clean.
Xino stood there while looking down from above and only now did he realize something was amiss.
Once upon a time, it was Yue Chu who stood alone on one side, while he and all the other vampires stood indifferently on the other side. But now, he was the one standing alone, while the other vampires stood opposite him with dissatisfaction in their eyes.
For a moment, Xino felt a pang of panic but he quickly calmed down and his blood-red eyes flashed with disdain.
They were just subjects, how dare they show him such expressions? There were countless vampires, and if these were to leave, others would eagerly take their place.
After tidying up their spoils, Yue Chu nodded to the others with a smile, then turned to Xino: "Your Highness, we can now return to report."
Xino snorted coldly and disappeared in an instant.
All of this was seen by Lafa and the others, and Ximo's performance was undoubtedly extremely disappointing. Lafa's face was grave and his displeasure almost overflowed, causing the surrounding elders and nobles to dare not even breathe heavily.
He looked coldly at Xino. The sharp glint in his eyes revealed his anger and his thin lips were pressed into a straight line, revealing his displeasure.
Lafa: "Xino, you're late."
It was clearly an absence, but in Lafa's words, it became a tardiness, covering up the Little Prince's disgrace.
Xino, unapologetic, knelt down on the ground and admitted his mistake without hesitation: "Please forgive me, Father."
However, despite his words, there was not a trace of remorse in his defiant eyes.
Lafa's heart sank and his dark red eyes dimly stared at the heir he had personally cultivated before he suddenly questioned himself.
But now there was no time for second thoughts. The most important thing was how to cover up Xino's mistake.
He looked at Yue Chu with his voice softening slightly: "You... did well."
Yue Chu smiled, the smile like ripples on a clear spring and spreading out in beautiful circles. The silver moonlight gently shone on his hair, making the dark color gleam with light. He stood there with his skin as pale as snow and his elegant swan-like neck extending from the black collar with gold trim while his slender waistline perfectly accentuated, making it hard to look away.
Yue Chu bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. This is the result of everyone's joint efforts."
Yue Chu unhesitatingly shared the credit with everyone. Under his lead, the other vampires also bowed and thanked Lafa for his praise.
Lafa looked at the child before him, feeling as if a fire had been lit in his heart and burning painfully. Watching a treasure fall from his hands into the mud was undoubtedly a heart-wrenching pain for him.
He silently lowered his eyes and gestured for them to rise.
When he looked at Xino again, his eyes were filled with gloom.
No matter what, this time he had to help Xino cover up his mistake. Otherwise, if the charge of desertion were pinned on him, how could he command respect?
Lafa said sternly: "Xino, as a Prince of the vampires, you failed to set an example by attending the trial on time. You must be punished."
Xino was equally bold: "Xino accepts the punishment."
Lafa still somewhat admired Xino's courage to face the consequences.
He nodded slightly in his heart. Although he was heartbroken that his child would suffer, he had no choice but to issue the command.
Lafa: "Good then receive thirty lashes of the Blood Cluster Whip as a lesson."
This punishment was no small matter.
The Blood Cluster Whip was a form of punishment specifically for vampires.
The whip was studded with silver spikes, which not only caused excruciating pain when striking a vampire but also inhibited their healing abilities. In other words, after thirty lashes, Xino wouldn’t be able to get up for months.
Xino pressed his lips together, knowing his father was giving him a harsh lesson. But he didn’t regret it at all. Compared to the safety of his beloved, thirty lashes were nothing.
However, Lafa couldn’t bear to let him endure thirty lashes without mercy.
He had already made arrangements.
Elder Armand stepped forward to plead for leniency, and after a moment of hesitation, the other elders also spoke up to intercede.
Yue Chu lowered his eyes in thought. This Old father was truly putting in a lot of effort.
Elder Armand carefully said: "Your Highness has only committed this offense for the first time. Perhaps the thirty lashes could be divided between him and his two attendants, each receiving ten lashes."
Yue Chu almost applauded Lafa.
He knew very well that without Lafa's indication, Elder Armand would never dare to say such a thing.
Originally, if Xino made a mistake, Feilin and Dila would bear unavoidable responsibility. If Xino were to receive thirty lashes, then Feilin and Dila's punishments would only be more severe, and even if the trio didn’t fall apart, they would be estranged.
This was all part of Yue Chu's plan but he hadn’t expected Lafa to make a surprising move and disrupt his strategy.
This not only failed to sow discord among them but would instead make Feilin and Dila feel grateful to Xino, and become even more loyal.
Yue Chu, of course, wouldn’t allow this to happen. Since everyone was pleading for leniency, he couldn’t fall behind.
He stepped forward then knelt on the ground and spoke in a clear and sincere voice: "Your Majesty, Prince Xino was only delayed because of urgent matters. Imposing such a severe punishment might be a bit harsh."
"I’ve heard that the Hunter Alliance is planning to conduct a sweep of the border next month, and who knows how many vampires will die under their silver swords. Although according to the treaty, vampires above A-rank cannot easily intervene, we young vampires can fight back and slaughter these humans who dare to insult the dignity of vampires, and make an example of them. This would also serve as another trial."
"As a Prince of the vampires, Xino is not only powerful but also the heart of our people. If he were to be bedridden due to these thirty lashes, wouldn’t we be left leaderless? Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to reduce the punishment. There will be time to make up for this mistake later."
Lafa tapped his fingers lightly.
Yue Chu’s words had truly moved him.
His gaze swept over the crowd and indeed, he saw that everyone appeared convinced.
His heart was both delighted and pained; these two emotions keep pulling him in opposite directions and tormenting him every night.
How could there be such an exceptional child!
Lafa: "Then what do you suggest the punishment should be?"
Yue Chu seemed caught off guard by the question as his small face filled with confusion and distress while looking up at him pitifully, as if pleading for mercy.
Lafa's heart stirred and he shifted uncomfortably, afraid he might really give in to the urge to pinch that soft little cheek.
He was still just a child, after all.
One moment he appeared mature and steady, and the next, his true nature showed.
Lafa's voice softened considerably, like a spring breeze melting the ice on a river and dispelling the bitter cold of winter.
"Don’t worry, say whatever you want to say."
Lafa wanted to see if this outstanding child could use his wisdom to resolve the situation perfectly. Of course, he couldn’t deny that he still wanted to see that troubled little face for a while longer.
Yue Chu pondered for a moment before speaking unhurriedly: "Perhaps it would be better to have the Prince and his two attendants remove their shirts and be tied up in the square to be exposed to the sun for a day. Vampires naturally detest sunlight, and the public humiliation would surely... surely leave a deep impression on them."
Yue Chu's method, though it sounded a bit harsh, not only greatly reduced the punishment but also ensured a lasting lesson.
It was a win-win situation.
Fitting perfectly.
The elders nodded in agreement, some even turning their heads to hide their smiles.
Lafa's gaze softened.
Yue Chu was truly thinking for Xino's sake without any ulterior motives.
This child possessed all the qualities a ruler should have, and he even felt that if Yue Chu were to become King, he might be more suitable than himself.
Lafa nodded faintly: "Then let it be as Yue Chu suggests."
Feilin and Dila’s eyes lit up, ready to thank the King for his mercy, but Xino suddenly stood up to firmly oppose: "I disagree!"
A flash of light passed through Yue Chu’s eyes, but he turned that into surprise as he looked at Xino.