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The trio looked up to see a rather disheveled Li Changhai step out of his tent to join them at the campfire. He gave out a yawn as he peered about himself, and stretched before he took a seat next to Lin Liushui, who had shifted to give him a spot close to the fire.

"What was this about Qin Feng? Have they been making trouble for you again?"

Qin Feng chuckled while the other two men protested vehemently. It seemed that Li Changhai somehow got the impression that the other two were constantly picking on or taking advantage of him. Something to do with Du Yan's medicines and Lin Liushui's almost never-ending teasing, no doubt. Well, he was in no hurry to clear that up!

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"They were just telling me about the Black Eagle Sect. And how their ego seems to be getting too big for them to continue wearing their trousers any longer."

The Ducal Prince paused in his adjustment of his clothing to stare at the youngest in the group. Then he gave out a bark of laughter and shook his head at Qin Feng, before he moved to sit down. "I like it when you put down our enemies like that. And you are right about their pride. Most of them are only Silver Ranked, but they are sticking their chopsticks into everything that they can see. Including this particular muddle," he sneered.

"Oh? What do you mean?"

Lin Liushui laughed then, when Li Changhai pointed a finger at him in reply. His smile however, gave the impression that there was no one better at answering that particular question. Something that had Lin Liushui puffing his chest out. And he took up the telling as everyone had expected him to:

"He means that the Black Eagle Mountain is famous for getting involved in other people's business. And sticking their noses where they are not wanted. Not to mention the fact that there is at least one other faction that is showing up at the Yuan Family estates that is likely to outrank them. Which is inaccurate, although not by very much."

"Oh?"

The handsome man started to reach for the fan tucked in his waistband, then realized that it wasn't really suitable for the environment. Then he sighed, and pulled his hand away again. Amidst laughter from his two Brothers.

Qin Feng found that rather amusing, although he was certain that it was a deliberate move by Lin Liushui to lighten the mood. No doubt he thought it was necessary, before he broke down the enemies that faced Du Yan and his betrothed. As well as her family.

Despite the sour feeling that he could not keep from his face. Clearly, he was still more than a little upset with the Snow Swallow Palace. And how it was keeping him from his beloved.

"Well, like I mentioned earlier, the ones backing this debacle are Snow Swallow Palace and Black Eagle Mountain. They are the most highly placed Sects that are taking part. That is, according to the information that we had received."

His words reminded every that the intelligence that they had gotten regarding the matter was suspicious in itself. And that they would have to take everything that they had learned with a pinch of salt. At least, until they arrived at the Capital, and could find out more regarding the situation at the Yuan Family estates.

"Ah. Then there are others? Sects and Schools of some might, I mean. There are more of them involved in this mess, aren't there?"

"Exactly. Which leaves one to wonder at the reason behind this move of theirs. There is hardly any point, is there? The Yuan Family are still a rather impressive power, there in the Capital. And a starved camel is still larger than a horse."

Li Changhai nodded at Lin Liushui's words, but made a gesture as if to encompass the whole campfire, as he turned to Qin Feng. "That is true. But the situation in the Capital is a little more complicated right now, with all of the Princes trying to attract as many allies as they can. In hopes of being named the Crown Prince, you see. And this is probably another one of the plays that they have set up."

Qin Feng's expression must have revealed his ignorance with regards to the matter. He had never really cared too much with regards to the Succession of Kings and such, to be honest. So he clearly had no idea what the Second Ducal Prince was talking about.

"I think you will need to give him more background about that, Brother Sanlang. The situation there at the Shu Kingdom Capital is a little more complicated than what can be said in a few sentences like that," sniggered Lin Liushui, who looked as if he was more than willing to take over the telling.

But the Second Ducal Prince shook his head at the same, and carried on, adding more meat to the bones of the matter:

"He is right, I suppose. You are not a native of the Kingdom, so you wouldn't have been paying attention. Well, basically, our King is rather aged. He is older than my father, and my maternal grandfather, to give you an idea of what I am talking about. And most of his sons are around my older brother's age. Or my uncle's age, for that matter. You have seen the last, so that might give you a better idea.

"In any case, they are now contesting over the throne. The Shu King has yet to name a Crown Prince, which means that all of them have a chance. That is why things are heating up right now. And why everyone is trying their best to rope in all the powerful nobles."

"As well as the not so powerful ones. Even an ant has a bit of meat, after all. That is why your worthless brother-in-law is valued now. For his identity as a Court Noble."

Qin Feng turned to Lin Liushui again. "What is a Court Noble, exactly? I have heard that term before, but I have never really understood what it means."

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