Chapter 1272: Kesi's Performance Was Quite Good

Three days later, Keluoque Empire Capital Star, Keluo Nuo Si.

The spaceport outside the Imperial City was already packed with crowds waiting to welcome them.

Royal family members, high-ranking officials, military generals, and countless servants stood in a dense, dark mass.

Four royal ships landed in succession at the designated berths.

The hatch opened, and First Prince Kelake stepped out first.

His expression remained steady, showing no emotional fluctuations.

Second Prince Kesuosi came out second.

His face wore his signature smile.

Fourth Prince Keweinuosi stepped out third. His pace was neither fast nor slow, his expression calm as usual.

Finally, the hatch for Third Prince Kesi opened.

Low murmurs rose from the crowd.

"The Third Prince is back too..."

"I heard he killed the most on Sairen Xing?"

"That's not right, I heard the First Prince killed the most..."

"Stop arguing, wait for His Majesty's evaluation."

Kesi ignored those discussions and walked straight toward the Imperial City.

As he passed by Kelake, the First Prince nodded slightly.

"Third brother, you've worked hard."

Kesi nodded as well.

"First brother as well."

When passing by Kesuosi, the Second Prince smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Third brother, I heard your performance this time was quite good. Go back and get some rest, let's have a drink another day."

"Certainly."

Imperial City, Conference Hall.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi sat on the massive obsidian throne, his four eyes looking down at his four sons standing below.

Several elders of the royal family and high-ranking generals stood on both sides, everyone's gaze focused on the four princes.

"Regarding the rebellion on Sairen Xing, you have all completed your Task. Now, tell me, what are your thoughts?"

Kelake stepped forward first.

"Father Emperor, this son believes that suppressing a rebellion must be thorough. Only by letting the enemy see the price of resistance will they truly submit."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi nodded.

"Not bad."

Kelake retreated to his original position.

Kesuosi stepped forward second.

"Father Emperor, this son handled things... extra in Ronglu Cheng. I killed 2.5 million captives to let the rebels in other cities know the consequences of resistance. The effect was good; the remaining city surrendered quickly."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi looked at him.

"That is indeed in line with your style."

Kesuosi smiled and retreated.

Keweinuosi stepped forward third.

"Father Emperor, this son negotiated with the rebels, promising not to kill captives and to improve the treatment of slaves. They surrendered. Two hundred million people are now still working in the mines, and production has already resumed."

Low murmurs rose in the Conference Hall.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi looked at him and was silent for a few seconds.

"The Fourth Prince knows how to use his brain, not bad."

Keweinuosi retreated.

Finally, Kesi stepped forward.

"Father Emperor, this son infiltrated behind enemy lines and killed the rebels' command system. Then, taking advantage of them being leaderless, I took them down in one fell swoop."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi's eyes brightened slightly.

"How did you do it?"

"This son first sent elites to infiltrate and killed seventeen rebel commanders. Then I lured their main force of 1.5 million to gather in the plaza and covered them with firepower. After the main force was eliminated, the rest was just mopping up."

The Conference Hall was in total Silence.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi looked at him, a trace of appreciation flashing in his four eyes.

"Good. Very good."

He stood up, walked down from the throne, and went before Kesi.

"Kesi, you have changed."

"My experiences in the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance have taught this son some things."

"Good. Very good."

He turned and looked at his other three sons.

"Kesi did the best this time."

Kelake lowered his head.

"Father Emperor's instruction is correct."

Kesuosi's smile stiffened on his face, but he quickly recovered.

"Third Brother is truly impressive; this son admires him."

Keweinuosi did not speak, merely glancing at Kesi.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi walked back to the throne and sat down.

"For this rebellion suppression, all four of you have completed the Task. I am very gratified. Especially Kesi, who has grown after experiencing some things. This is what I hoped to see."

He waved his hand.

"All of you, go down and rest. Tomorrow, I will summon you individually."

The four of them bowed simultaneously.

"Yes, Father Emperor."

After leaving the Conference Hall, the four princes each walked toward their own palaces.

Kelake walked at the very front.

"Your Highness."

The Adjutant spoke cautiously.

Kelake did not speak.

Not until he walked into his palace and closed the great doors did he speak.

"Did you notice?"

The Adjutant asked.

"Is Your Highness referring to... the Third Prince?"

Kelake nodded.

"Father Emperor praised him three times today."

The Adjutant fell into Silence for a few seconds.

"Your Highness, the Third Prince did indeed perform outstandingly this time. But it was only a rebellion suppression; it cannot shake your position."

Kelake looked at him.

"Only a rebellion suppression?"

The Adjutant lowered his head.

Kelake walked to the window and looked outside.

"And didn't you notice? Father Emperor's words were meant for the three of us to hear."

He paused.

"Kesi used to be a playboy, and no one took him seriously. Now, he has changed."

The Adjutant asked.

"Your Highness, then what shall we do?"

Kelake fell into Silence for a few seconds.

"Observe first. See what he does next. If he truly intends to contend..."

He did not continue.

But the Adjutant understood his meaning.

In the palace of the Second Prince, Kesuosi, the atmosphere was even more tense than on Kelake's side.

Kesuosi sat on the sofa, holding a cup of red drink in his hand, but his gaze remained fixed outside the window, wondering what he was thinking.

His chief strategist stood by his side.

"Your Highness, you were somewhat uncomposed today."

Kesuosi looked at him.

"Uncomposed? Was I uncomposed?"

The strategist nodded.

"When the Emperor praised the Third Prince, your smile stiffened. Although it was only for an instant, those with keen eyes would certainly have noticed."

Kesuosi fell into Silence for a few seconds.

"That piece of trash actually has a day like this."

The strategist said.

"Your Highness, the Third Prince is no longer a piece of trash. The things he experienced in the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance have changed him."

Kesuosi sneered.

"Changed? After being captured for a month, he learned how to fight?"

The strategist shook his head.

"Your Highness, you underestimate him too much."

Kesuosi stood up and walked to the window.

"Father Emperor praising him is a warning to us. Letting us know that the throne is not something only the eldest son can sit on."

The strategist said.

"Your Highness is wise. Next, we must closely monitor the Third Prince's movements. See if he will win over forces or associate with powerful officials."

Kesuosi nodded.

"Also, send people to watch his three attendants."

The strategist was stunned for a moment.

"Those three attendants?"

Kesuosi turned to look at him.

"Didn't you notice? Those three attendants of his have been following him, never leaving his side."

Kesuosi thought for a moment, walked back to the sofa, and sat down.

"Send people to watch. If there is any anomaly, report it immediately."

The strategist nodded.

"Yes, His Highness."