The Lin's Patriarch is weird.

Chapter 174: 174. Drama.

Yanshou City, Royal Capital:

Not even a day had passed since the two mysterious figures emerged from the sea, yet the news had already spread throughout the whole of Loushi kingdom.

The streets of the royal capital, Yanshou City, were filled with discussions about the strange visitors.

Inns, hotels, restaurants, taverns—everywhere one went, the Whale People were the subject of discussion.

The Royal Palace was no different.

Within the inner and outer courts, the servants went about their duties in unusual silence. Their movements were careful, and their expressions were tense, as though they were afraid that even speaking too loudly might attract unwanted attention.

The appearance of the Whale People had caused a strange uneasiness to spread throughout the palace.

Deep within the Royal Palace, the atmosphere was even more solemn.

Several ministers had already been summoned to the main imperial hall.

At the highest point of the hall sat Luo Xiao Tian, the current King of the Loushi Kingdom.

His fingers rested lightly against the armrest as he listened to the report being delivered by one of the palace guards.

"Your Majesty, the information has been confirmed. The appearance of the Whale People is real."

Luo Xiao Tian raised his eyes as the ministers exchanged startled glances.

"The Whale People?"

"They are truly real?"

"I thought those were merely legends passed down by sailors."

Luo Xiao Tian raised his hand, and the murmuring immediately ceased.

"Continue."

The guard lowered his head.

"The older woman has been identified as Elder Hai. The younger woman introduced herself as Hai Yue. They were received by the Lin Family and are currently staying within their estate."

Luo Xiao Tian fell silent.

"The Lin Family?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Several ministers exchanged glances once more.

One elderly minister stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, perhaps we should send someone to Azure Willow City immediately."

Luo Xiao Tian looked at him.

"For what purpose?"

The minister hesitated.

"To determine their intentions."

Before he could continue, another minister spoke.

"Your Majesty, I believe we should be cautious. If the legends are even partially accurate, the Whale People possess extraordinary strength. Provoking them could bring disaster upon the kingdom."

Luo Xiao Tian slowly leaned back against his throne.

He had read enough about the Whale People to understand the danger. Yet there was another matter that concerned him.

"Why would they choose Azure Willow City?"

No one answered.

The question lingered throughout the hall.

Azure Willow City was not the capital.

It was not even the strongest city within the kingdom.

There was no obvious reason for two legendary beings to emerge from the sea there.

Luo Xiao Tian tapped his fingers against the armrest.

For some reason, he suddenly remembered the recommendation made by the Shangguan Family.

The Lin Family had only recently been selected to host the Yearly Winter Harvest.

Now, before the event had even begun, two beings from an ancient race had appeared at their doorstep.

Perhaps it was merely a coincidence.

But he had lived long enough to know that coincidences were sometimes worth investigating.

"We should send someone to Azure Willow City and pay tribute to the Whale People."

The ministers immediately looked toward him.

Luo Xiao Tian continued calmly.

"For now, send a letter to the Lin Family instructing them to properly host the Whale People. Make sure it is written clearly enough to emphasize how dangerous it would be to offend their race."

He paused before adding, "And we should also discuss how the Lin Family is to be rewarded for this."

Most of the ministers nodded in agreement.

Some, however, did not share the King’s opinion.

One of them eventually stood up.

"Your Highness."

The moment the words left his mouth, the atmosphere in the hall subtly changed.

Instead of addressing the King as "Your Majesty," the minister had deliberately called him "Your Highness."

The distinction was not something any court official could be ignorant of.

"Your Majesty" was the proper form of address for a reigning monarch, while "Your Highness" was generally reserved for princes and other members of the royal family.

To address the King of Loushi Kingdom as "Your Highness" was therefore a clear breach of court protocol.

For a minister standing before the throne, such a mistake was especially serious. Every word, gesture, and movement within the imperial hall had to be carefully considered.

Even when presenting an objection, a minister was expected to observe proper etiquette and show sufficient respect to the monarch.

Ignorant to the grave sin he has committed, he appeared to be pleased for having gained the attention he desired as he continued.

"I believe this is nothing more than a staged act by the Lin Family."

Having said his piece, he calmly sat back down.

That was all he had wanted to do... Voicing his objection to the King’s decision.

Yet everyone in the hall was completely flabbergasted by his actions.

Even Luo Xiao Tian was stunned.

As a minister, following proper protocol was common sense. Presenting oneself properly before the King, choosing one’s words carefully, and ensuring that the monarch had no reason to execute them before voicing an objection were all things that should have been ingrained in every court official.

Yet this idiot had somehow forgotten all of it.

For a moment, Luo Xiao Tian was so stunned by what had just happened that he completely forgot about the Whale People.

Before he could take any action, another minister immediately stood up and pointed his finger at him.

"Minister Qiao Wen, watch your words!"

The man who had spoken was Minister Han Ruiming, the Minister of Rites. His expression was stern as he continued pointing at Qiao Wen.

"First, you addressed His Majesty as ’Your Highness,’ which is a blatant disrespect to the throne. Second, you accused the Lin Family of staging the appearance of the Whale People without presenting a single piece of evidence."

Han Ruiming’s voice grew colder.

"Do you understand the severity of the offenses you have just committed?"

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