Chapter 2

C2 – Corruption or Robbery

​The main hall was modest in size yet exuded a sense of grandeur. Choo Qin’s eyes quickly scanned the room, landing on a portly man clad in purple. His pupils contracted slightly, and a frown creased his brow. This man, if his memory served him correctly, was his steward. Yet, here he was, seated on the Royal Highness’s throne, serenely sipping tea—an act of profound disrespect by noble standards. Such insolence could warrant a death sentence.

“Steward Zhen,” Choo Qin called out sharply, rousing Zhen Yin from his seat on the throne. Zhen Yin stood abruptly, a wave of panic washing over him, but upon seeing that it was only Choo Qin, his anxiety dissipated into relief. He would have been concerned about the opinions of others, but before him stood merely the Loser Prince—no, the Loser Royal Highness. What was there to fear? This wasn’t the Royal City, and many of the guards were his own loyal recruits. Who cared about the opinion of a Loser Royal Highness?

“Thirteenth Prince! You’re awake!” Zhen Yin said, his voice dripping with feigned concern as he approached Choo Qin. “You’ve caught a chill; you really should be resting. This place is nothing like the Royal City. There’s no life mage to treat you, and I doubt there’s much in the way of common medicine either.”

He moved closer to Choo Qin, his face painted with worry. The old Choo Qin might have been touched by such a display, but this was a new Choo Qin, one who had traversed worlds. He could easily see the disdain hidden behind Zhen Yin’s eyes, and it filled him with revulsion.

“There should still be some money in the treasury, right? I’d like to withdraw some to make a few purchases,” Choo Qin stated, unfazed. With two systems at his disposal, he had no need to engage in petty squabbles with the likes of Zhen Yin.

​”Money? Gold coins? Royal Highness, what do you need those for?” Zhen Yin blurted out, taken aback. The thought of Choo Qin inquiring about finances had never crossed his mind.

​”Moreover, there aren’t any shopping options at Thundery Castle. If you’re looking to shop, you’d need to travel a hundred miles to Long Song City,” Choo Qin was informed.

Choo Qin shook his head in response.

“I need some money; just take me to the treasury.”

“The... treasury?” Zhen Yin’s brow furrowed, sensing something amiss with the Loser Royal Highness’s tone today.

He actually wanted to see the treasury.

But how could Zhen Yin allow that? He had nearly spent all ten thousand gold coins in the Royal City, leaving just over two thousand.

He vividly recalled the Eldest Prince bestowing upon him ten thousand gold coins, along with enough other resources to fill three carriages.

Now, all that remained were two boxes?

Is this some kind of joke?

Are you trying to swindle me?

This must be outright robbery!

Choo Qin had anticipated that Steward Zhen might skim a little off the top, but he never imagined the steward would be so brazen.

It seemed likely that Steward Zhen had already liquidated the valuables for cash.

“Hmph, Zhen Yin, aren’t you going to offer an explanation for this?”

Upon Zhen Yin’s belated arrival, Choo Qin’s patience wore thin. He had no desire to quibble with someone as insignificant as an ant, but this was pushing it.

“An explanation?”

“The castle requires extensive repairs, which have consumed a substantial sum. Additionally, there were expenses incurred along the way. It’s fortunate we have any money left at all.”

Zhen Yin shook his head, his facade of respect gone, and said bluntly,

“Moreover, this money isn’t entirely yours. It belongs to Thundery Castle, and a portion is allocated for the soldiers’ pay.”

“And you? You’re not entitled to a dime of it.”