Chapter 66: White-Cut Black Paired with Natural Black

Chapter 66: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing Paired with a Born Schemer

That night.

A minor incident occurred at the highly anticipated banquet across the star system.

Several members of the Crown Clan from the Saint Cas Empire's royal family arrived slightly later than expected.

Of course, no one paid much attention to this detail.

When Amos appeared with Xiao Chuzao, the scattered members of the Crown Clan at the banquet naturally gathered around them, encircling Amos and the young prince.

At the banquet, countless cameras were trained on the Dwight family. However, given that it was primarily a networking event, there was no live broadcast—only a few photos leaked, which were enough to set the Star Net buzzing.

‘Your Majesty!! Your Majesty!!! This is the best part of National Day—normally, His Majesty and the other Crown Clan members rarely appear, but during National Day, we get to see them a bit more!’

‘The Crown Clan is just devastatingly handsome from any angle—how can a race be so perfect?’

‘I’m still trying to get into the military academy—ugh, so frustrating! I don’t know if I’ll make it this year, and I’m almost at the age limit. I really want to join the military! If I’m lucky, maybe when the Little Highness grows up, I can serve in his direct command!!’

‘But why does His Highness Finn seem a bit unhappy?’

‘Huh? Isn’t that just how His Highness Finn always is? Though, I have to say, after shaving his beard, it’s a bit hard to get used to.’

‘Oh my god, the Twin Princes! Stars above, what am I seeing—it’s Job and Joshua! Stop posting irrelevant photos!! Get clearer shots of His Majesty and the other Highnesses!!’

‘By the way, I heard there’s been some trouble in the Ruling Council recently.’

‘What? Spill the details! The Ruling Council? What’s going on with His Majesty and the Highnesses? Don’t mess around—I’m already on edge all the time. Now that the Little Highness has finally appeared…’

‘I know, it’s probably about that Speaker and those families in the Ruling Council who’ve been pushing the "populist agenda." I don’t oppose talent cultivation—Saint Cas always needs fresh blood to strengthen itself—but I’ve always had mixed feelings about them. Feels like some of His Majesty Amos’s recent edicts have been targeting them.’

‘Wait, what? What are these people doing? Are they trying to oppose the Crown Clan? Can Saint Cas even be called Saint Cas without the Crown Clan? Do they not understand the bigger picture? If they can’t do their jobs, replace them! There are plenty of people who would give anything for the chance to serve His Majesty and the Highnesses but can’t even find a way in!’

There were also comments from other planets and nations mixed in.

‘Isn’t this generation of the Crown Clan down to its last member? It’s only natural for your human leadership to make contingency plans, right? Didn’t the previous Crown Clan monarch also issue some edicts about what to do if Saint Cas ever lost the Crown Clan?’

‘The Crown Clan is undeniably powerful, but isn’t this situation pretty much a hopeless situation…?’

Before these discussions about the Crown Clan’s future could draw endless backlash from Saint Casians, they were swiftly locked and purged.

Meanwhile, the banquet continued.

There were no particularly grand speeches at the event. From afar, the young prince spotted his small group of friends standing a short distance away, smiling at him.

His eyes lit up, but with so many people around, he put on a proper front.

Amos had matters to attend to, so the prince was entrusted to Frey’s care—after all, having gone through his younger siblings' unreliability, Amos deemed Frey the most responsible sibling.

Frey was introducing the assembled nobles to the child.

The child blinked his big eyes, nodding and murmuring responses occasionally, though little seemed to register in his mind.

After a while, Frey stood up. “Alright, Zao Zao, your little teammates will probably be leaving soon too. Go play—just don’t wander too far.”

The child let out a soft sound and dashed over to the trio, his tiny arms and legs pattering excitedly. Then, suddenly aware of the setting, he blinked and slowed his steps, remembering his royal bearing.

Not far away, Fei Man and An Ya were still teasing Finn about teaching the young prince the traditional blessing, "May you be as prosperous as the East Sea and as long-lived as the Southern Mountains."

The two of them had learned about this on their way here and couldn't keep it together.

"Don't move—it hurts."

Finn maintained a forced smile.

Damn, Second Brother really went all out!

He went straight for the tender spots, the least noticeable places. On the surface, Finn looked perfectly fine, but the moment he moved, it was like a puppet with cut strings.

Finn kept digging his own grave, but he’d dare to do it again next time.

He glanced around, toning down the griping—

"Northern Free Alliance?"

Finn gave a low laugh, his face hidden in shadow. His mood shifted almost instantly as he narrowed his eyes.

"Their Presiding Judge is the target?"

"Tch... They really thought we wouldn’t notice?"

An Ya snorted, as if she also found it somewhat amusing.

"It’s as if they think we don’t handle the daily documents and affairs ourselves—total fantasy. It makes me question whether this stupidity is even related to the Hymn Organization. But regardless of their identity, the deliberate provocation of division over the past few weeks, along with the money, resources, and connections—there have been many reported cases. Some have indeed been incited, and that’s all the excuse we need to act. Second Brother also doesn’t want to wait any longer. We’re cleaning house tonight—no loose ends."

"That Presiding Judge is quite familiar with Cheng Xuan, and Cheng Xuan hasn’t reported many things either."

Fei Man’s voice was ice, her expression unchanging. She lowered her head slightly, her wrist twisting as if she were flipping an invisible pistol.

"Power, wealth, and the forces behind them seem to have pushed our honest, idealistic Speaker forward relentlessly—like a train without brakes."

Everything happening in the Saint Cas Empire—

The Crown Clan watched, utterly unfazed.

To be honest—even if these families and talents were combined, they weren’t even a blip on their radar.

Meanwhile, Xiao Chuzao had bounded over to Chao Huangmu, Yun Songquan, and Peng Liang.

They weren’t part of the invited guests but had been assigned to Xiao Chuzao’s security detail as part of Saint Cas’ royal guard arrangement.

While the kid had been taken back for an afternoon nap, they had been on duty all day. Now, it was time for their shift to end.

"Little Highness!"

The three saluted.

Chao Huangmu grinned brightly, momentarily dazzling Xiao Chuzao, who instinctively turned to look at him—

The kid still had baby fat softening his grin, clean and radiant with a sunny smile, not a hint of fatigue from the day. A deep blue gemstone ear cuff adorned his ear—where that flash came from.

They were already quite familiar.

The kid batted his wide eyes, stepping closer to Chao Huangmu and tilting his head up to look.

"Mu-ge, what’s that? How’s it stick to your ear?"

Chao Huangmu’s smile widened so much it could’ve powered a small city—making Peng Liang and Yun Songquan side-eye him.

He had said it—divination was useful! That fortune-teller was a master!

See, today Young Highness was still the first to come close to him, and even leaned in so near.

Looking at Xiao Chuzao’s face, Chao Huangmu felt uplifted.

How should he describe this feeling—? So adorable that just a few more glances would "recharge his energy."

"This is my lucky charm for today, Young Highness."

Just as he was about to take off the ear cuff and crouch down to hand it to Xiao Chuzao, an unfamiliar, slightly arrogant young voice suddenly sounded beside him: "Chu Zao Dwight? The next Emperor of Saint Cas? As fellow members of the Longlived race, it’s a pleasure to meet you."

The cub’s focus shifted.

Chao Huangmu: "..."

Chao Huangmu’s expression remained unchanged as he turned his head to look at the source of the voice not far away.

Behind him, Peng Liang suddenly chuckled, nudging Yun Songquan beside him with a subtle gesture—today had already been busy, leaving little time to talk to Young Highness. He had pulled out all the stops just to capture a bit more of the little one’s attention, and now this brute was grinning so unnervingly, nearly crushing the gem in his hand.

Yun Songquan didn’t show much expression, though his features softened slightly whenever he looked at Xiao Chuzao. He noticed this too and, considering Chao Huangmu’s personality, couldn’t help but glance at the young boy approaching from a distance. This grudge—Chao Huangmu would remember it for life. Just wait for endless trouble ahead.

As he thought this, the young boy had already reached them.

In terms of age, Derek, the heir of the Grail Clan, was slightly older than them. But given the Grail Clan’s reclusive nature, Derek had also been well-protected, still very much a child at heart.

The cub was a little puzzled—he remembered his uncle introducing this person earlier, and they had even exchanged a brief glance as a small greeting. But there had been so many introductions—the little one’s mind couldn’t hold them all.

He thought for a moment, then tapped his palm with a tiny fist: "Ah, you’re the—"

The—

The little cub’s voice was soft and sweet, but after struggling for a while, his little mind was swirling with confusion. He even seemed a little embarrassed: "Who are you again?"

Derek: "..."

"Derek, heir of the Grail Clan. As fellow Longlived, we’ll have many interactions in the future."

Derek’s manners were flawless as he bowed to Xiao Chuzao.

The little cub nodded at him and answered softly, "Hello."

Chao Huangmu, standing beside the cub, straightened up, still smiling as he looked at Derek.

Derek had only approached as if going through the motions.

But after seeing that adorable little face, he finished speaking, stared for a moment, hesitated, and didn’t leave immediately.

The Grail Clan had sharp instincts, often possessing a sixth sense for danger.

Yet standing beside this little one—Derek didn’t know how to explain it. He didn’t exactly like the Crown Clan, but instinctively, he wanted to keep talking to the little one a bit more.

But the topics between the Grail Clan and the Crown Clan had little common ground.

Add to that the fact that the little cub’s basic understanding differed even from the Crown Clan’s, and after a few sentences, the conversation stalled awkwardly.

Finally, after pausing for a long moment, Derek couldn’t quite put his finger on what he was feeling. He only felt a bit annoyed, and the others standing there behind the cub put him on edge—especially Chao Huangmu beside Xiao Chuzao. His gut warned him of danger, and he felt an instinctive urge to back away.

Finally, he snapped in defeat, "I just don’t get it. We’re both of the Longlived race, so our thinking should be similar. Why insist on forming nations with other races? And look at your Crown Clan—isn’t this just working for nothing for them? Even for the Longlived race, it’s hard to escape a disaster of interstellar scale, and organizations targeting us like the Northern Free Alliance are still active. By any measure, our Grail Clan’s strategy is better, isn’t it?"

Xiao Chuzao blinked.

All this grown-up stuff was too much for a five-year-old kid to grasp. Instinctively, he looked up at Chao Huangmu beside him.

Chao Huangmu grinned sunnily as he spoke, "Little Highness, what our esteemed guest means is that he believes hiding is best when facing danger."

Huh?

Derek instinctively sensed something off. He glanced up at Chao Huangmu, only to see the other still smiling amiably.

The cub, finally catching on, said earnestly to Derek, "*Baba* taught *Zao Zao* that running away doesn’t solve problems."

*Zao Zao* wasn’t the kind of *Zao Zao* who curled into a ball like a scared turtle at the first sign of trouble anymore.

He even asked with genuine sincerity, "Didn’t your *baba* teach you that?"

Derek froze for a moment—just long enough for the little cub to misinterpret. He hesitated, glanced around again, then whispered cautiously, "You *do* have a *baba*, right?"

He was being considerate, afraid of touching on a sore subject, so his question was hesitant and soft.

But—

Derek: "Of course I have a father!"

Oh, oh—so *Zao Zao* had misunderstood.

The kid took a quick step back, his little wings fluttering slightly.

"It’s like this, Little Highness," Chao Huangmu continued cheerfully, bubbling with cheer, though his eyes carried a hint of *bless their hearts* for saying such things.

"The Grail Clan isn’t like the glorious, mighty, and perfect Crown Clan’s emperors and highnesses. They can’t build an empire as powerful as Saint Cas, so they see things differently. After all, we should be understanding of our Grail Clan guest’s *brilliant* choice in the end."

Xiao Chuzao looked at Derek, nodding his little head wisely, his expression utterly sincere.

"It’s okay. *Zao Zao’s* teacher said that everyone should do what they’re capable of. You don’t have to explain it to *Zao Zao*—it’s fine, *Zao Zao* won’t laugh at you."

The cub was too soft, like a marshmallow, too earnest—too innocent for this world.

Meanwhile, Peng Liang was barely holding back his laughter.

Holy heck—he watched the dazed Derek, then the smiling Chao Huangmu, and finally the utterly sincere Little Highness. A perfect combo of wolf in sheep’s clothing and accidentally savage, it hit him like a truck.

Wait, hold on—

Was this… right? *This* was how diplomacy worked?

The young man had only been trying to make small talk by promoting his Grail Clan’s ideals—something their elders had repeatedly brought up to the Crown Clan’s higher-ups. But now, Derek was at a loss for words, like a fish out of water.

Everything just felt *off*, yet they all seemed genuinely concerned for him.

Then a faint sweet floral scent drifted over. A young woman—perhaps barely twenty or even younger—approached. She wore a pink dress, a black-and-pink hat atop her head, her lively eyes peering from beneath the brim and past its ornaments like a curious bird.

"The Crown Clan’s Little Highness? And you—I just heard you’re the Grail Clan’s Young Master?"

Derek took a few steps back. He recognized her—the elders had introduced her.

The infamous Northern Free Alliance’s little princess, Zhi Yan.

Someone he didn’t like at first glance.

Zhi Yan sounded slightly impatient, as if suppressing her fiery temper, forcing herself to stay polite: "Excuse me, have you seen the Presiding Judge of our Federation?"

"No, is there something you need?"

Though Derek’s first impression of Zhi Yan hadn’t been great from a distance, as she drew closer, that feeling faded. More importantly... Derek had come to his senses. After what he'd just gone through with Little Chuzao and Chao Huangmu, he was on edge, so Zhi Yan didn’t seem so bad now.

"I've been looking around, and the only heirs who showed up are us," Zhi Yan curled her lip in annoyance. "I told my father long ago I didn’t want to come with her, but he insisted—what for? To watch Xi Jin play both sides with that sweet, gentle act of hers? She’s got the entire upper echelon of the Federation eating out of her hand. I bet she’s just angling to be the Federation’s First Lady."

She was on a roll now, as if no one had ever listened to her frustrations before, dumping all her complaints at once.

After finishing, she paused, slightly embarrassed, and shut her mouth.

But thanks to her interruption, Derek’s earlier daze eased considerably. He glanced once more at the little one, blinking with wide eyes, his snow-white wings folded neatly behind him, clearly not understanding a word. Finally, Derek turned to Zhi Yan and said, "You’re looking for her? Maybe wait over there."

Clearly done with the kid, Derek quickly made his exit.

Not long after, Yun Songquan reminded them: "Time’s up."

The time was too short. Chao Huangmu deflated instantly, slumping like a kicked puppy in front of the Little Highness: "Little Highness, we’ll have to go now."

Little Chuzao’s tiny wings fluttered slightly as he nodded. "Okay, see ya later, Brother Mu, Brother Peng, Brother Yun."

Tiny as he was, he waved goodbye.

By the time they left the banquet hall,

Peng Liang nudged Chao Huangmu. "Alright, quit spacing out. That’s enough."

Yun Songquan 'drifted' past them, only to be yanked back by Chao Huangmu, who was still grinning. He shrugged. "Look who’s talking. None of us should laugh at the other."

*

The banquet wrapped up early, and Little Chuzao was taken back even earlier.

Now, after the banquet, the heads of the families involved in His Majesty Clancis’s original plan had gathered together.

Around a long table in a meeting room outside the royal court,

Cheng Xuan sat at the head.

"This is insane!"

One of them spoke up, brows furrowed tightly.

"Speaker, are you out of your mind?! Competition? What competition? Against His Majesty and Their Highnesses? Or the Little Highness?! I absolutely, absolutely refuse to participate!"

Cheng Xuan remained smiling.

He looked at the others seated around the table.

"Don’t be so agitated. I know exactly what I’m saying. When His Majesty Clancis entrusted these plans to us, wasn’t this the very intention—"

A few family heads gave nervous laughs. "Right, right. His Majesty Clancis did throw us into the fire back then. Wasn’t that the same idea?"

"No, that’s completely wrong."

Another group stood up.

"We’ve always backed the Crown Clan’s rule, in support of His Majesty and Their Highnesses, while keeping Saint Cas’s future secure. If this is how you interpret His Majesty Clancis’s plan now, Speaker, then count me out."

"There's no need to be so agitated, is there?"

Another representative chuckled.

"Besides, we're bound together. In the eyes of King Amos, we're already the dangerous organization requiring intervention. Do you really think anyone would believe you if you withdrew now? And it's all for His Majesty Clancys, for Saint Cas—we should withstand the pressure."

"You—"

The Ling family's representative was the first to spring up angrily. In the end, he glared at the hypocritical expressions across from him before storming out indignantly.

A few other families who had originally been part of the plan followed him out.

But several families remained in the conference room—those with decades of accumulated talent.

The plan had grown increasingly radical, and now there was no turning back—it needed a course correction.

Cheng Xuan watched with an amused smile before shaking his head lightly. "The Presiding Judge from the Northern Free Federation has some potential collaborations that could benefit our progress. Since we're holding firm under pressure, why not pursue them? King Amos won’t casually overturn His Majesty Clancys’ plans, so we can act boldly."

Cheng Xuan stood, the elderly Speaker smiling amiably. "We stand united."

*

Meanwhile, in Dwight’s palace, several members of the Crown Clan were present.

Mori presented specially baked cookies for the little one.

The sleepy little one yawned, exhausted from the day but still eyeing the pretty cookies on the plate. Fighting sleep on the sofa, he was only allowed two before bedtime—the rest had been shared among the others.

The soft, white cub had already changed into cozy pajamas, his tiny wings drooping sleepily behind him. The golden halo above his head flickered faintly as he nibbled on a small cookie with quiet nibbles.

Flanking the little one, Fei Man and An Ya sandwiched him between them, while Frey and Amos stood at a nearby table covered in documents and maps, Amos absentmindedly tracing at them.

Finn, having been lectured by Amos again, sat pouting alone on a small armchair.

He didn’t dare move recklessly, especially since Amos had ordered him to keep his distance from Xiao Chuzao.

Glancing at the cookie plate, he prodded An Ya, who was closest to him, with his toe.

"Pass me a cookie."

Perhaps the outlandish comment had left too deep an impression on Amos.

Finn had successfully brought this on himself—now even the slightest movement earned him a piercing glare from Amos.

"Can’t you get it yourself?"

An Ya grumbled.

"Fourth Sister, pass him a cookie."

Fei Man shot Finn a glance before eyeing the last two cookies on the plate—one reserved for Zao Zao, and the other... for Finn?

She picked up the remaining cookie, snapped it in half with a crisp *crack*, and popped one piece into her own mouth—

Finn: ?

Fei Man: Mhm, finder's fee.

Then she handed the other half to Xiao Chuzao, letting the little cub hand it over.

The little cub was munching on a cookie, watching what his aunt was doing with wide, round eyes, then looked at the half cookie in his hand—Zao Zao understood!

"Crunch—"

Finn: ??

Zao Zao handed the cookie down the line.

"Crunch—"

An Ya handed the cookie to Finn.

Finn, now holding a tiny piece of cookie: ???

He was so mad he could only laugh, clenching his teeth while glaring at the three sitting on the sofa.

Xiao Chuzao was already stuffing his little "toll fee" into his mouth.

Finn: "How dare you guys even take your pound of flesh?!"