Chapter 514

The Laien family... is really going to be finished...

Looking at the old Duke, whose neck was wrapped in bandages and who couldn't even sit up, leaning half-propped against the hospital bed, the surrounding nobles couldn't help but have similar thoughts.

Having lost over two hundred clansmen in one night, with their core strength almost completely wiped out, the only old Duke capable of standing up to turn the tide was now dying, as the wound to the blood vessels in his neck had caused excessive blood loss and heart failure; he was clearly on his last breath.

It could be said that the collapse of the Laien family had completely entered a countdown. Aside from the empty shell of a Duke and the seat of the Vice-Speaker of the Upper Academy, everything else would be carved up by those present.

Thinking of this, the representatives sent by various noble families to "observe the ceremony," or rather "pay their respects," couldn't help but look at each other, revealing tacit expressions.

As one of the former twin pillars of the Kingdom, the "legacy" of the Laien family was not insignificant. Even though everyone had been in-laws for hundreds of years and had some shred of sentiment, compared to that massive "legacy," this bit of sentiment was truly not worth a fart.

As soon as the old Duke yielded his title and breathed his last, countless mouths full of sharp teeth would immediately reach out to gnaw the Laien family's fat and lean meat clean, and they would even lick the empty bone frame until it shone!

This group of damn jackals! I'd rather feed the benefits to dogs than give them to you!

The old Duke was naturally well aware of the style of these "in-law" families. Looking at those pairs of eyes that seemed respectful but were actually full of malice, a deep resentment emerged in his turbid eyes. He then gathered the remaining air in his lungs and snorted heavily.

"Speak! I'm listening!"

The butler beside him heard the snort, immediately bowed, and leaned his ear toward his mouth. The nobles also held their breath instinctively, and the ward instantly became deathly silent.

After gasping for a few breaths, the old Duke finally managed to spit out a few words.

"The first... the first in line? Why... why... why... haven't... gasp..."

The old butler naturally understood that the first in line did not refer to the dead Bobby Laien, but the new first in line after the Laien Blood Night.

After quickly exchanging a few words with the person in charge, the old butler neatly propped up the old Duke's pillow to make his breathing smoother, then reported:

"They will be here soon. The first in line is the closest, in the building next to this hospital; he will be here immediately."

"Next... next door?"

"Yes... next door..."

After hesitating slightly, the old butler told the truth:

"The current first in line is the original third in line. Eight years ago, because he had some conflict with your brother... with Bobby Laien, he was hit in the back of the head with a club. He didn't die, but he became paralyzed; he has no feeling below the collarbone, so he can only..."

"Get out!"

Whether it was because of the situation of the first-in-line heir or because he heard the name of the person who caused him to become like this, the old Duke was furious and actually shouted intermittently.

"Let him... that first... get out! The second! The second!"

The second...

The old butler gritted his teeth upon hearing this, then leaned over again and whispered:

"The second... is in an asylum. He originally competed with Bobby... with that person for the control of the arms company, and then he went crazy for some reason..."

Bobby Laien!!!

Hearing this name again, the old Duke's heart rate, which had already dropped to forty beats per minute, suddenly accelerated to over eighty, and a flush of color actually appeared on his yellow, aged skin.

Damn it! Why were you in such a hurry? If you had just waited! If you had just waited a few more years, the Laien family would have been yours! You damn...

Remembering his shrewd and capable, but also deserving-to-be-hacked-to-pieces brother, a deep pain appeared in the old Duke's eyes.

After he was injured in his youth and lost his fertility, he basically raised this brother as his own son. Bobby Laien did not disappoint, relying on some tricks he didn't quite understand to ruin the families of many competitors and successfully help his brother ascend to the position of Duke, so the brothers had always had a good relationship.

But... but why were you in such a hurry?

I knew you had long wanted my position, but why couldn't you wait even two years? Everything would have been yours after I died!

Recalling his brother's betrayal, the old Duke's weak heart felt a dull pain, and he said feebly: "Third! Fourth! Fifth! Normal... are there any... normal ones?"

"These three in line are considered normal, but they aren't very suitable either. You should call the others later..." The old butler explained helplessly:

"The third and fourth in line are twins, not even two years old yet. The slightly smaller one can't even call people. As for the fifth..."

"Here! Here! The fifth in line is here!"

???

Why is it another cripple?

Looking at the wheelchair that appeared outside the door, and Li Ang covered in bandages on the wheelchair, the old Duke, who had just regained some strength, had his eyes bulge out. He actually raised his hand, pointed at him, and roared at the old butler:

"You... didn't you say that the third, fourth, and fifth were all..."

"He only suffered some skin injuries, and there is some infection at the wound, but he is normal."

His turbid eyes moved up and down, sizing up Li Ang's situation, and the old Duke nodded slightly.

Although he was also a patient, at least he looked like a normal adult; he was better than the first four!

"Then... then him!"

Feeling that he was reaching his limit, the old Duke confirmed the identity of the heir and ordered:

"Let him... get over here! I want to tell him how to deal with those... jackals... who covet the Laien family..."

"This... why don't you look further down?"

After hearing the old Duke's choice, the old butler hesitated slightly and then suggested:

"He has black hair, not blonde hair, and there are several others behind him with inheritance rights; it doesn't necessarily have to be chosen from the top five..."

"Hmm?"

Seeing from the old butler's hesitant expression that he was hiding something, the old Duke's eyes sharpened.

"You... what are you hiding... speak!"

"..."

"Speak quickly!"

Although a bit worried about the old Duke's ability to bear it, having been pushed to this point, the old butler had no choice but to lean over and whisper:

"He killed your brother."

?!!!

Hearing the old butler's words, countless complex emotions, like the bursting of the Yellow River, instantly flooded the old Duke's heart.

Looking at the guy who killed his only brother but also avenged him, the old Duke's heart rate doubled and doubled again, instantly soaring to 160. He then sat up from the bed and roared at Li Ang, who had a confused expression:

"You! You! You!... Ugh!"

Lionheart Duke, deceased.

【Under the watchful eyes of all, the Lionheart Duke named you as his successor to the Dukedom three times. You have obtained the Silver-level identity badge "Lionheart Duke"】

【Lionheart Duke: One of the Kingdom's Twin Pillars, 29th Duke of the Laien family】

【Wearing Effect: When in contact with those who recognize noble status, you naturally gain certain preferential treatment; otherwise, you will be met with strong hostility from the other party】

【Advancement Route: None】

【Hidden Trait (No need to wear): Because you only belong to the Laien family in status and are not of the true Laien bloodline, if this point is exposed, this badge will undergo unknown changes】

(End of Chapter)