Performance

Once upon a time, a ship set sail.

The ship's name was the "Teapot."

As the wind picked up, she hoisted her sails and set off.

"Blow, blow harder!

Before long, the 'Teapot' will arrive, Bringing us sugar, tea, and rum.

When the captured whales are processed, Let's go, set sail again."

She had been away from the coast for less than two weeks.

Just then, a whale swam around beneath her.

The captain swore to all his crew, That he would haul the whale ashore..."

Ship after ship docked, their crews singing loudly with their bountiful harvests. The clear songs blended into one, resounding throughout the vast port.

Whales, the largest living creatures in their natural state on the entire planet.

Because of their bones, their blubber, and their immense profits, whaling had become a long-standing industry.

In this era, there was never a shortage of buyers for whales, And whalers were the most crucial personnel on a whaling ship, aside from the captain.

As both captain and whaler of the "Gale," Liu Yun was undoubtedly the most central member of the crew, bar none.

It was precisely because of his dual identity that he could suppress his crew's desire to return home, spending more time hunting multiple giant sperm whales in one go.

"I wonder how my son is doing now?" Standing on the crow's nest, Liu Yun gazed at the approaching coastline, muttering to himself.

He was a typical man of the Crimson Cloud Empire, with black hair, black eyes, a height of nearly 1.9 meters, and a strong, bronze-colored physique.

In this day and age, anyone who dared to venture out to sea had to have some skills, and Liu Yun was no exception.

In addition to his familiarity with the sea and his knowledge of the compass, Liu Yun also diligently practiced his family's Secret Martial Art—Thunder Hand.

Although the Liu family's Thunder Hand Secret Martial Art had a grand name, it was only considered decent among third-rate arts. However, in the age of firearms, with the cooperation of increasingly advanced weaponry, Thunder Hand had made a comeback, even being considered a second-rate Secret Martial Art. Its effectiveness on the battlefield was even comparable to first-rate Secret Martial Arts.

It was precisely because of this that the Liu family was able to rise to prominence in Liu Yun's grandfather's generation through the exploration of the New Continent. Later, they took advantage of the World War to become a relatively colossal power.

If Liu Yun had not left home so early, he might have held a position in the army, commanding thousands of guards.

However, a loss in one area can be a gain in another. It was precisely because he left the Liu family that Liu Yun avoided the inevitable internal struggles that come with being part of a large family, while also gaining freedom and love.

Over the years, although he hadn't had much opportunity to practice Secret Martial Arts, after countless trials and tribulations, Liu Yun's physical prowess alone was not inferior to Liu Tian's, even after Liu Tian had just broken through as a Martial Artist.

Of course, if they were to fight seriously, even if Liu Tian had just broken through as a Martial Artist and didn't have the Heart Severing Path, he was confident he could defeat Liu Yun in three punches, leading to a disastrous outcome for Liu Yun.

"I wonder if my son has given up on practicing martial arts—no, that's impossible, isn't it." As he spoke, Liu Yun chuckled to himself. He had long given up hope that Liu Tian, who had inherited his stubborn personality, would abandon martial arts. Yet, he silently prayed every time he returned.

People need dreams; what if they come true?

This was what Liu Yun often said.

"Captain, we're about to dock," before Liu Yun could finish his melancholic thoughts, the ship's first mate shouted while waving his sailor's hat, "Stop lingering on the crow's nest, it's time to go home..."

Yes, it was time to go home.

They had been at sea for nearly five months, a duration never before experienced. If they hadn't arranged to resupply food and sell whales with someone at the start of their voyage, even the most advanced whaling ship, the "Gale," couldn't have lasted this long.

And now, it was indeed time to go home.

No more dwelling on dreams, Liu Yun shook his head. This time, he planned to give everyone a year-long vacation, allowing them to leave the royal city and spend time with their families. He hoped that everything would be settled within this year.

Liu Yun neither wanted to meddle in the Hundred Flowers Kingdom's power transition nor did he have the ability to do so. However, as their captain, he didn't want his crew to suffer collateral damage from internal strife.

The ruler was old and frail, and the successor uncertain. The Second Prince was ruthless and held military power but was not favored. The Third Prince had popular support but was foolishly benevolent. The most favored, Princess Rose, was intelligent but lacked a strong foundation. What would happen in such a situation was already written extensively in history books.

Humans always repeat the same mistakes, but he just hoped everything would go smoothly and peacefully.

In the royal palace, Princess Rose, Lilia von Ain, was pacing anxiously.

Although the moon waxes and wanes, and fortune smiles and frowns upon people, Her Majesty Queen Elissa von Ain could not die at this moment.

From a familial perspective, Lilia couldn't bear to see her beloved grandmother pass away so early at the age of sixty.

Practically speaking, Lilia was not yet ready to take over the throne and hadn't even graduated from the academy.

If Queen Elissa were to pass away now, there was a sixty percent chance that the Second Prince, Walker von Ain, who had murdered his elder brother during the World War, would succeed. There was a thirty percent chance for the Third Prince, Murphy von Ain. Only with less than a ten percent chance, if the two of them eliminated each other, could Lilia ascend the throne.

This was not Lilia's fault for not trying hard enough. According to the customs of the Hundred Flowers Kingdom, she was not considered an adult before the age of fifteen, and Queen Elissa managed her father's territory on her behalf.

After the age of fifteen, despite her best efforts, what could a student who hadn't even graduated accomplish in a mere two years?

If it weren't for the lingering loyalists of the deceased elder prince and the favor of Queen Elissa, Lilia wouldn't even have a one percent chance of succession.

Although Queen Elizabeth was old and frail, she had always been in good health. Several physical examinations had indicated her condition was quite good. She had thought there was at least another ten years before any serious issues, so how could she have suddenly fallen ill so quickly?

Lilia harbored a faint suspicion.

But she couldn't dwell on it now. Lilia forced herself to push away the most terrifying possibility and prayed to the Spirit with all her heart that her grandmother would be safe and sound, healthy, and must not pass away at this time.

"Mom, Mom, how is she?" While Lilia was praying, Walker, disheveled and with tears still on his face, rushed in frantically. "Is she out of danger? What did the doctors do? How did it get this bad?"

"Lilia, you've been by Grandma's side the whole time, and you didn't take good care of her?"

And not long after he burst in, Prince Murphy, who had received the news from who-knows-where, also hurried in. This was immediately followed by various high-ranking nobles and officials, who quickly filled the waiting room to overflowing.

The royal city, no matter the plane or place, was indeed a house with many leaks, especially when the person in power was in their twilight years