Merchant From Earth in the Magical World-Chapter 471 - 384: Planting Evil _2

At that moment, Duke Silvermane realized the foundation of his power was being shaken, and he harbored an extremely intense hostility towards Yan Xing.

He even entertained the idea of leading an army into the Eternal Domain concession to show everyone who the true master of this land was.

But Duke Silvermane did not act on this impulse.

Without the support of the Eternal Domain, the Silvermane Principality would immediately find itself besieged from all sides.

Not to mention ascending to the throne, not having his corpse desecrated after death would be the Gryphon Heart Emperor’s mercy on him.

Duke Silvermane’s mood turned foul. Even Young Master Kai, who was favored for advising him to claim the throne, received an unwarranted scolding.

And it wasn’t only Duke Silvermane who saw something in the incident of Master Yan Xing’s illness.

Subtle changes were happening quietly within the Royal Court of the Silvermane Principality.

Some advised the Duke that he must restrain the growing influence of the Eternal Domain within the principality’s borders.

Some advised the Duke that he must join the future business map of the Eternal Domain and strive for as large a share as possible.

Some joined the queue waiting to meet with Yan Xing.

Some secretly paid a visit to Lady Karol to pledge their loyalty to her.

Yan Xing’s arrival was like casting a huge stone into the clear lake of Dawnspirit City. It not only created massive waves but also stirred up the mud from the bottom.

In all the murkiness, everyone made choices and took actions for their own benefit.

「One day」

Yan Xing met with a visitor whom he had long anticipated.

The eldest son of Duke Silvermane, Kai, came very covertly.

He chose the dead of night to travel, arriving at the concession’s official residence in a carriage devoid of any insignia, accompanied by only two guards.

He was dressed in the coarse linen clothes common among civilians and wore a hood that deeply buried his face in shadow.

He could not let others know about his visit to Yan Xing, especially not his own father.

"Uncle Yan Xing, hello!"

Removing his hood, Kai greeted Yan Xing with the due respect of a junior.

Although Yan Xing was about the same age as him, Yan Xing’s sister, Karol, was his stepmother.

Even without this relation, Kai would not dare to flaunt his lineage before Yan Xing.

His purpose for this visit was clear...

To lower his stance and seek Yan Xing’s support.

Yan Xing sat in a leather sofa and gave Kai a once-over, then said, "You resemble your father. I can imagine how handsome Duke Silvermane must have been in his youth. He must have been pursued by many noble maidens, yet he chose your mother. Your mother may not have been the love of his life, but this marriage brought stability and development to the nation."

Yan Xing did not invite Kai to sit down and continued with what seemed like an irrelevant conversation.

As the eldest son of the Duke, Kai had never been shown such disregard.

And to start by talking about his mother, who had been ousted from the family!

He clenched his fists tightly, struggling to suppress the anger inside, making his smile appear somewhat strange.

After a short while, he managed to speak to Yan Xing amicably, "I’ve always known that my father’s favorite person is Lady Karol. Although the outcome is somewhat unfair to my mother, I respect my father’s choice and wish them happiness. Uncle Yan Xing, how did you meet Lady Karol? You’re truly very good to this sister of yours."

Yan Xing, who had been observing Kai’s emotions, responded, "Sister Karol’s charm is irresistible. If her heart didn’t belong solely to Duke Silvermane, I would have pursued her most fervently. My only regret is not meeting her sooner. Since I couldn’t be Karol’s lover, I settled for being her brother, and I am content with that."

Kai did not expect such a candid response from Yan Xing.

In fact, he had planned to play upon the personal matters between Karol and Yan Xing; he had even discovered that Lady Karol had stayed in Yan Xing’s embassy in Nuta City.

This significant information was something he intended to reveal at a critical moment.

His question this time also aimed to dig out some sensational news.

But he didn’t expect Yan Xing to openly admit his admiration for Karol. And that, since he couldn’t win her love, he had chosen to be her brother instead.

Not only did it render Kai’s prepared evidence ineffective, but it also inadvertently glorified the love between Lady Karol and Duke Silvermane.

Moreover, Yan Xing’s personal affection for Karol made Kai feel that securing the Eternal Domain’s support had just become more challenging.

However...

Kai didn’t believe that a man could be so magnanimous when it came to matters of a woman.

"I greatly admire Uncle Yan Xing’s feelings for Lady Karol. Actually... I feel that Lady Karol has a place for you in her heart..."

Upon hearing these words, Yan Xing’s spirits were instantly lifted. He invited Kai to sit down, looked around to make sure no one was listening, and then asked in a low voice, "Do you have any proof?"

Seeing Yan Xing’s reaction, Kai knew immediately that he had guessed correctly.

How could a man be willing to watch the woman he loves in the arms of another man?

Kai continued, feeding off the emotions Yan Xing had shown, "Uncle should know that my father is not a faithful man. Besides Aunt Karol, he has many lovers. When Aunt Karol is neglected, she often holds items from the Eternal Domain, lost in thought, and tells the servants how good you’ve been to her. There was one time..."

These fabricated stories were originally prepared for his father. Now, Kai thought that if he told them to Yan Xing, they would likely have an unexpected, remarkable effect.

Indeed, Yan Xing was completely engrossed, like a lovesick man discovering that the woman he secretly adores might love him back.

"She... she truly has feelings for me?"

Drawing closer like a confidant, Kai said to Yan Xing, "My father may appear to be in good health, but he is already over fifty, whereas Aunt Karol is still as young as a blooming flower. Uncle, you are the Lord of the Eternal Domain, a hero leading the era; you and Aunt Karol are the most compatible pair. I sincerely hope that the two of you can be together."

Karol was now Kai’s biggest threat. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

If she were to bear Duke Silvermane a child, male or female, the Eternal Domain’s support alone would be enough to have that child designated the heir.

But without Karol in the picture, there would be no competition for Kai.

Kai was eager for Yan Xing to make a decision, preferably to charge into Dawnspirit City right now and snatch Karol away.

By then, whether or not Karol truly had Yan Xing in her heart would no longer matter.

But, to Kai’s surprise, Yan Xing sighed deeply and said, "Thank you for telling me so much, for letting me know that Karol often thinks of me. I am delighted and comforted by this knowledge. I hope you won’t tell anyone about these things, especially your father. I shall continue to harbor my love for Sister Karol. I will maintain my position as her younger brother and silently watch over her as she lives the life she desires. Perhaps only after Karol bears a child for the Duke can I let go of these feelings."

At that moment, Kai wanted to punch Yan Xing in the face and grab him by the collar, scolding, Are you even a man? A real man would go and get his woman back!

But Kai didn’t dare... nor had he expected Yan Xing’s feelings for Karol to be so profound.

He could even feel the heart-wrenching pain in Yan Xing’s voice as he spoke that last sentence.

Kai’s heart ached as well.

What he feared most now was that one day Karol might suddenly announce she was pregnant.

I can’t wait any longer... I can’t wait any longer... A child from Karol would not only consolidate her position but also make Yan Xing give up. With the support of my father and Yan Xing, even if I were designated Crown Prince, I could be overthrown at any moment. I must take action soon. Kill Yan Xing? My father would definitely kill me to appease the Thunderous Swamp’s fury. Kill Karol? Father might not kill me, but Yan Xing definitely would. Then the only option left is to kill...

A chilling thought suddenly sprang up in Kai’s mind, terrifying him.

If he died! Karol would become free, and Yan Xing could rightfully take her away. Not only could I rid myself of my biggest threat, but I would also earn Yan Xing’s favor and gain the Eternal Domain’s support. And I could ascend to the throne sooner. Perhaps one day, I could even overthrow the Gryphon Heart Empire and become the new sovereign of humanity, an Emperor in my own right.

Once an evil thought takes root, it grows wildly.