National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

"Did no one in the Great Jing Empire know that the Lighthouse Empire was sending someone over?"

Jerry stepped into the stretch limousine.

Joliton immediately handed him a freshly poured glass of red wine.

Jerry swirled the red liquid in his glass, then unhesitatingly tossed it out the half-open window.

The action left Joliton utterly baffled, but he answered the question first. "The officials of the Great Jing Empire were actually notified in advance; I personally sent someone to deliver the message. As for why no one came to greet us, it must have something to do with Her Majesty the Queen of the Great Jing Empire. This time, the Great Jing Empire must apologize to the members of the Lighthouse Empire and pay one hundred million in damages. I suspect Her Majesty the Queen, Ji Shengyue, is displeased. The lack of a welcoming party is almost certainly connected to her."

"Interesting."

Jerry glanced leisurely at the expensive bottle of red wine and said indifferently, "I don’t care for this sort of thing. It’s completely tasteless."

Sitting on the other side was a voluptuous woman, holding a case in her hands.

Waves of cold air emanated from its outer layer.

The woman expertly opened the case and took out a packet of crimson liquid.

She twisted open the packet’s cap and poured the liquid into a new stemmed glass.

Immediately, the smell of blood filled the vehicle’s cabin.

Joliton’s pupils constricted. He instantly recognized the crimson liquid being poured—it was fresh blood.

The case was specially made, containing some strange power that could keep the blood stored at a low temperature.

’A Count like Jerry is actually going to drink human blood?’ It was something Joliton found hard to comprehend.

He gently brought the stemmed glass to his lips, his movements elegant and unhurried.

He took a sip of the blood, as if savoring a fine red wine.

The metallic scent bloomed in his mouth, bringing with it an irresistible allure.

As the bloody liquid slid down Jerry’s throat,

a look of morbid enjoyment and twisted pleasure spread across his face.

Joliton swallowed, his own throat suddenly feeling scratchy.

...

「Before long, the convoy arrived at the Royal City of the Great Jing Empire.」

Joliton had already managed to calm his turbulent emotions.

The car door opened to reveal a welcoming party waiting for them. A high-ranking minister of the Great Jing Empire was personally leading the delegation.

When Jerry stepped out of the car, his lips were a bewitching, unnatural red—the result of having just drunk blood.

Joliton immediately opened a black umbrella to shield him from the sun, accompanying Jerry as he walked forward.

The minister from the Great Jing Empire hurried forward to greet them.

No introduction was needed. He could tell with a single glance that the young man in the tailcoat and top hat was the true dignitary sent by the Lighthouse Empire.

The supreme elegance and nobility radiating from his every gesture was something even the world’s most masterful actor could never replicate.

Only someone genuinely raised in such an environment could exude it so naturally.

The Great Jing Empire’s minister hurried forward, but before he could speak, Jerry walked straight past, completely ignoring him. This left the minister, who had just extended his hand, standing in utter embarrassment.

As they passed, Joliton glanced at the minister and sneered, "You are not qualified to receive us. Have Her Majesty the Queen come out, or else the Great Jing Empire will bear the consequences."

Joliton’s arrogant and domineering words left the minister and all others present feeling deeply resentful.

’The Lighthouse Empire is far too arrogant! This is the height of condescension!’

’Who the hell does he think he is? He’s not even the one in charge of the Lighthouse Empire.’

’What gives him the right to demand that Her Majesty the Queen of the Great Jing Empire personally come out to greet him?’

’Is he even worthy?’

Of course, these were merely thoughts running through the ministers’ minds.

In the presence of the Lighthouse Empire’s leadership, they would never dare say such things aloud, only venting their frustrations in silence.

The minister patted a subordinate on the shoulder and instructed, "Hurry and report to Her Majesty the Queen."

"Yes, sir."

The subordinate quickly responded, pulling out his phone to make the call.

In her office, Ji Shengyue had already received the news.

Zong Yajuan and Min Kexin were standing before her.

Ji Shengyue hadn’t made any attempt to hide the message from them, so they heard its contents loud and clear.

"The Lighthouse Empire really thinks it stands above all other empires and powers, doesn’t it!"

Min Kexin made no effort to hide the displeasure on her face.

As a powerhouse who had reached the Emperor Realm, she now had enough standing to no longer conceal her inner thoughts.

"Her Majesty the Queen, we’ve identified the young Count through facial recognition."

"His name is Jerry. He is indeed a member of the Lighthouse Empire’s royal family."

"He can be considered a truly powerful and influential figure within the Lighthouse Empire."

Zong Yajuan pushed the laptop she was operating across the desk to Ji Shengyue. It displayed Jerry’s photo and relevant information.

Every empire had its own intelligence department dedicated to collecting all external news, then compiling and organizing it into files.

When the need arose, all the relevant intelligence could be retrieved with a single query.

"I see."

Ji Shengyue was very composed.

’The face in the photo was certainly handsome, but he’s so young. He must be riding on the coattails of his royal status; otherwise, how could he have become a Count?’

CREAK—

The large double doors to the office were thrown open, and a secretary stumbled backward into the room, his expression a mixture of embarrassment and anger.

He turned, bowed to Ji Shengyue, and said, "Her Majesty the Queen, I didn’t even have time to announce them... this group just forced their way in..."

Before he could finish, Ji Shengyue waved a dismissive hand. "You may go."

The secretary could only bow once more, then straighten up and leave, closing the office doors behind him.

Ji Shengyue had already guessed it. ’The young Count must be upset because I didn’t send anyone to the airport or hold any grand welcoming ceremony for him.’

"Her Majesty the Queen! For you to treat our Lord Count with such an attitude upon his arrival... This is hardly proper hospitality!"

Joliton was the first to speak, his accusation blunt and impolite.

"Who is this person?"

Jerry patted Joliton’s shoulder, cutting him off as his gaze fell upon Min Kexin.

"That is one of the members of the Time Girl Group, which caused that huge scandal and became a global laughingstock. Her name is Min Kexin."

Joliton let out a couple of chuckles, airing their dirty laundry in public without a second thought.

He then motioned toward Zong Yajuan. "And that one is the leader of the Time Girl Group."

Fury instantly flared in the eyes of Zong Yajuan and Min Kexin.

For them, this was a wound that could never be erased from their hearts.

They had once thought the name "Time Girl Group" would be a lifelong honor.

But because of the outrageous actions of Gao Yimin and Dai Ju, it had become a mark of shame seared into their very lives.

To have it thrown in their faces like this... no one could have remained calm.