Game World: I Can Share Talents

"Duke Qinghui is so considerate of his people. If I were one of the Purity People, I’d be moved to tears."

Luyetan, her slender fingers clad in long white gloves, traced the rim of her teacup as her voice rose in pitch.

"It almost makes me want to forgive the entire debt. A toast to our friendship."

Westheid: "That would be wonderful."

Unfortunately, Luyetan immediately followed up with a smile and a shake of her head. She propped her delicate, snow-white chin on both hands and said:

"However... I, too, am a Branch of Prosperity. I have a responsibility to the people of Yuanshi Territory. After spending so much money, I must have something to show for it. I can’t just squander the wealth of Yuanshi Territory for a fleeting word like ’friendship.’ How would I ever explain that to my people?"

Westheid: "..."

’Seriously? We’re both Branches of Prosperity, so why are you acting so clueless with me?’

Compared to the Empire’s Feudal Lords, the reason Branches of Prosperity were called "Autocratic Dukes" was precisely because their power within their own territories was limitless.

’Does the term ’absolute patriarchal dictatorship’ mean nothing to you?’

They all practiced a palace-owned economy. They could dispose of all finances at their own whim, with absolutely no obligation to explain themselves to their people.

So, the words of the Lady of Yuanxi Palace were purely an excuse. She was simply teasing Westheid.

Luyetan: "Debts must be paid. It’s only right and proper, isn’t it?"

Westheid nodded. "Indeed. We signed a contract, and I will naturally fulfill it... However, as you can see, Qinghui Territory is in no state to make repayments. According to our contract, the deadline for repayment hasn’t arrived yet, has it?"

"The contract’s term is until the reconstruction of Qinghui Territory is complete, or a maximum of three years. There are still two years left."

Luyetan took an elegant sip of her black tea, tapping her flawless cheek with a finger.

"Ah, yes. But with only two years, can you really pay off this debt? I’m afraid you’ll have to keep pouring money into rebuilding your territory, won’t you?"

Westheid: "That’s undeniable."

Just how severe was the destruction Qinghui Territory had suffered?

The damage to the natural environment from the war of reconquest was a secondary concern; that could be mended with the power of the Pure Holy Spirit.

The critical issue was the impact of the Chaos Tide. It had obliterated all the towns... *all* of them! Anything enveloped by the Chaos Domain was wiped out, without so much as a single roof tile left behind!

Countless thousand-year-old cities had vanished completely. All infrastructure and factories had met the same fate.

The loss of population was close to eighty percent. It was only because of the unique nature of a Branch of Prosperity that it still existed. Any other Imperial Province would have been declared completely destroyed.

Westheid, however, was optimistic about the future. "Look on the bright side. At least we don’t have to add demolition costs. We can just treat it as tearing everything down to start over."

"Hearing that, it’s very hard for me to believe Qinghui Territory has the ability to repay its debt. If anything, it sounds more like a bottomless pit."

Luyetan propped her cheek on one hand, her exquisite and bewitching face holding a half-smile.

"Is Duke Qinghui implying you want to borrow more? Rebuilding a territory probably consumes far more resources than reconquering it, doesn’t it?"

Westheid: "I do indeed need more aid to support the rapid reconstruction of my territory. Once Qinghui Territory is back on track, the speed at which it can generate wealth will be beyond imagination."

’Are you kidding me? In the future, I’ll just send out troops and expand. While my neighbors hoard grain, I’ll be hoarding guns. How could my wealth not accumulate at an insane rate?’

Unfortunately, Luyetan did not know what the future held, and she certainly wasn’t convinced by Westheid’s assurances.

She said bluntly:

"Duke Qinghui, it’s as I said. If you want me to invest in the future, you have to give me some hope. At the very least, you should pay some interest... ’Repaid a hundredfold,’ I believe those were your words."

"Those were my words, but I also said you’d give me time. As for the interest... you’re right, I should pay it."

Westheid felt he had been pushing his luck by getting so much for free. He changed the subject, asking:

"What kind of interest does the Lady of Yuanxi Palace have in mind?"

The elegant and noble lady of Yuanshi stroked her brownish-blonde hair, feigning thoughtful silence. She sidled up to Westheid, leaned against his arm, and smiled.

"How about this? Duke Qinghui can serve as my Star Fury Power for three months, and I’ll wipe out the entire debt. Not only that, but if you can get me pregnant, I’ll cover all subsequent reconstruction costs as well."

Her true intentions were revealed.

These were Luyetan’s words, spoken in jest, yet they were not a joke.

Westheid realized that if he were to actually nod, the problem before him would be solved in an instant.

Normally, there would be no hesitation. How could a real man endure such a debasing humiliation?

But Westheid turned his head to meet Luyetan’s gaze, and he had to admit, this Branch of Prosperity of the same age possessed an exceptionally unique charisma.

She was dressed with perfect modesty, her body completely covered without an inch of inappropriate skin showing, yet every glance and smile exuded an extreme, pure charm.

’She’s a knockout!’

’Then again,’ he thought, ’to do what ordinary people cannot, one must endure what ordinary people cannot. To become an ultimate Powerhouse, perhaps one must also endure the ultimate humiliation. In any case, no matter how shameful the past, I can just use the Annals of Ages to scrub it clean after my Ascension.’

Torn between his principles and the temptation, Westheid clenched his fists, which trembled slightly. He was already thinking about how to whitewash his own history.

Reiya noticed this detail. The Princess, who had been sitting silently to the side, could no longer bear it. She snapped:

"Enough! You have no intention of seriously discussing the debt."

The White-haired Dragon Lady’s magnificent Cang Tong glinted with a sharp light as she looked at Luyetan.

"You don’t care how much money you spent, nor do you care if you’ll ever get it back. You just want to satisfy your own twisted tastes! How dare you humiliate West’s dignity?!"

Luyetan: "Ha, Her Highness Reiya, that’s a bit harsh. I bear no ill will toward Duke Qinghui. Every word I’ve spoken comes from the bottom of my heart."

An ordinary person would have been cowed on the spot by Reiya’s Dragon Might, but for Luyetan, it was only encouragement.

The troublemaker, who thrived on chaos, immediately perked up. She sat directly on Westheid’s lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and stroked his picturesque face with her gloved hand, all while giving Reiya a peculiar look.

"Ah... I do hold a deep affection for Duke Qinghui, just like you, Your Highness. Or do you plan on keeping him all to yourself? If I’m not mistaken, with your bloodline, it would be quite difficult for you to even bear Duke Qinghui’s child, wouldn’t it? To monopolize him despite that... your jealousy is starting to look rather ugly."

"In comparison, it’s clear that I, who share his Holy Spirit Bloodline, and Duke Qinghui are a match made in heaven. Don’t you agree? And even when it comes to helping him, my contributions are the most significant, are they not?"

"So, West, come back to Yuanshi Territory with me. Three months will fly by. We’ll go to a place that no detection device can ever find..."

"..."

Facing the Lady of Yuanxi Palace’s endless, deliberate provocations, the Silver-haired Princess lowered her gaze slightly and said flatly:

"You talk too much, you bitch."

"Heh-ha-ha-ha..."

Luyetan, hearing this, wasn’t the least bit angry. Instead, she laughed charmingly, pointed a slender finger at Reiya, and said:

"Looks like I hit a nerve."

"Stop! Lady Luyetan, your mischief has its limits."

Seeing the conflict between the two escalating, Westheid had no choice but to intervene. He pried Luyetan off of him and grabbed her by the shoulders.

"If you want interest, Lady Luyetan, I can certainly provide it. How about we trade it for intelligence?"

Westheid leaned in close, his expression serious, and whispered:

"For example... a method to separate the Enchanter Bloodline from your body?"