Chapter 309: King Bruno

As the two most important cities in the Auduin Kingdom, Jinyu City and Niujiao Bay not only have well-developed transportation, but are also densely packed with Letter Birds delivering information between various places.

Especially when major events occur, Letter Birds fly through the high skies in almost continuous flocks.

No sooner had Luoning stepped out of Horn Bay Port than his information was sent out; Mixi, who had been entrusted by Blanche to make inquiries, was merely one of them.

Of course, he was unaware of this.

Under the arrangements of Business Official Joli, their party stayed at the Dennis Family's manor in Niujiao Bay, preparing to depart from there early the next morning for Jinyu City.

Wangong.

This magnificent, intricately crafted, and glorious building was the royal palace of His Majesty the King.

Even at night, it remained as bright as day.

His Majesty Bruno, tall and burly, sat upright on his throne, listening to a Knight report on the nobles who had arrived at Horn Bay Port today.

"These fellows..."

Bruno was amused to the point of laughter.

Although most of the kingdom's nobles closer to Jinyu City were attending Blanche's birthday party, those who did attend were either a generation older than Blanche, were men already betrothed or married, or were elders bringing their daughters along.

In any case, there wasn't a single eligible bachelor, as if they were terrified that His Majesty the King might be in a good mood and betroth Blanche to them.

"This Luoning is quite beyond my expectations."

Bruno picked up Luoning's file, which recorded Luoning leading the Noble Allied Forces of Wushan Castle to annihilate the Bolante Bandit Group, as well as the latest intelligence from Niujiao Bay today.

When he originally agreed to Lulansi's request, it was partly out of his personal friendship with Lulansi;

On the other hand, he saw that the Wushan Family, an old-established family, had not yet had a marriage alliance with the royal family, and he also wanted to take the opportunity to arrange his own influence there.

Of course, a small part was also out of helplessness regarding Blanche's current situation.

If it weren't for the fact that his daughter was nearly twenty and her marriage was still unsettled, which damaged his political image, he would rather have chosen Buleidun than agree to Luoning, a man who had been stripped of his inheritance rights.

He had originally intended to increase Luoning's merits to improve his qualifications, but he never expected that the latter would rely on his own strength to go from a Baron of Shanlin Town to an Earl of Wubei Territory so quickly.

Although Luoning's status could not compare to a Kingdom Earl, it was at least much higher than a small Baron.

"Asenuo, do you think our Marquis deliberately concealed Luoning's talent, intentionally letting the outside world believe that Luoning was a waste who could not cultivate?"

"Very likely!"

Below, Minister of Administration Asenuo nodded in agreement.

"Back when Geleimusi died in battle, many people were involved, most of whom did not want to see two Meteor Knights with peerless talent appear in the Wushan Family."

He speculated: "Lulansi probably knew there was this underlying reason, so after Luoning showed his talent, he deliberately hid it."

More than thirty years ago, Lulansi's own talent was very high, and his son Geleimusi was even better than his father, which naturally invited jealousy and envy from others.

Weakening the strength of this family was something everyone was happy to see, including the then Auduin IV, who was Bruno's father, King Kelinsiman.

It was just unexpected that the suppression was ultimately too harsh; not only did Geleimusi die, but even Lulansi himself was crippled, which was why Wushan Territory had been in a period of turmoil for these thirty years.

Once bitten, twice shy; it was entirely possible that Lulansi had kept Luoning under wraps.

"Is he letting Luoning step forward now because he feels the time is ripe?"

Bruno tapped on the armrest.

Luoning's talent was undoubtedly very strong, not even a whit weaker than his own son Jialete; from this point of view, he was indeed worthy of the Princess.

It was just that for Bruno, it would be even better if Luoning could re-inherit Wushan Territory; only then would his political chips be higher and his rule more secure.

"Tell me, who do you think is behind the assassination of Luoning's party this time?"

Asenuo glanced at the King, then shook his head, "That's hard to say."

He added: "Anyone could be."

Although he was a trusted minister, there were some things Asenuo dared not say lightly without evidence, as it was easy to offend people.

Bruno rubbed his brow, "This bunch of fellows is truly a headache."

Among those great nobles, except for the Jisitana Grand Duke, every single one of the rest was a fellow who refused to be ordinary.

To be honest, Bruno's performance in governing the country and in terms of strength was average; his successful succession to the throne was mainly due to his status as the eldest son, and there would always be those who were unconvinced.

Although under the system of primogeniture, these nobles would not go so far as to rebel and seize the throne, it was a common occurrence for them to compare and struggle with the Kingdom in many areas such as economic interests.

The assassination of Luoning could be for the purpose of disrupting Wushan Territory, or it could be an attempt to weaken his authority as King and make Blanche a laughingstock.

"Your Majesty, Her Highness the Princess wishes to see you!" a Guard entered to report.

Bruno raised an eyebrow; his daughter rarely made an appearance, so why did she have time to come to the palace today?

"Let her in."

Soon, Blanche walked in and offered a polite and respectful greeting.

"Blanche, my daughter, what brings you here to see me?"

Blanche was a bit embarrassed, but she still bit the bullet and said: "Father, I heard that Luoning was attacked by the White Whale Pirate Group at sea."

Bruno smiled slightly; he knew what his daughter was worried about.

"Rest assured, he was not injured and is currently resting in Niujiao Bay. I estimate he will arrive in Jinyu City tomorrow evening. After I summon him, I will arrange for you two to meet."

On this matter, Blanche did not express too much opinion; after all, in front of outsiders, she could not appear too impatient.

"The last time I was at Wushan Castle, it was Luoning who saved me. This time, coming to attend my birthday banquet, he actually encountered a pirate attack. This must be a premeditated assassination!"

She said: "I ask that you uphold justice for Luoning and send troops to wipe out the White Whale Pirate Group!"

"I understand your anger at your friend's encounter. But my daughter, you must understand that pirates are like bedbugs; you feel uncomfortable if you don't crush them, but if you do crush them, you worry about whether they will release a foul odor and stink you up."

This was also the reason Bruno did not want to clear out the pirates. In the past, when pirates made a big fuss, he would have the Earl of Screaming Island's family send troops to suppress them; the royal fleet did not often set out.

Speaking of this, his heart stirred, and he changed the subject.

"However, this time Luoning seems to have captured the deputy leader and the captain of the pirate group. Perhaps we can find the base of the White Whale Pirate Group through them and wipe them out."

Asenuo chimed in: "Indeed, we should strike at this group of pirates. Otherwise, not only will it embolden their arrogance, but it will also make them mistakenly believe that the royal family has no ability to deal with them."

The "them" he spoke of naturally did not just refer to the pirates, but also the group of people who cooperated with the pirates and even supported them.

"Blanche, you may withdraw first; I will consider this matter for your friend."

"Yes, Father King!" Blanche bowed slightly and left the great hall.

"I intend to let Luoning handle the matter of clearing out the White Whale Pirate Group," Bruno said.

As an assistant who had followed the King for over ten years, Asenuo guessed the other's intention at once and could not help but smile.

"To be able to receive your favor and active support, I can only say that this kid Luoning is truly lucky."

He was right; Bruno did indeed want to support Luoning in growing stronger.

Because only then would the Wushan Territory emerge from its decadence and have the opportunity to contend with the several major powers in the east of the Kingdom, rather than being a delicious dish on the menu as it was now.

If Luoning grew strong and Luoning fought against them, that would be advantageous for Bruno.

"The current Luoning is qualified to be supported by me."

Bruno thought for a moment and said, "A White Whale Pirate Group is not enough; help me look and see what other matters can be handed to him to handle." (End of this chapter)