Imperial Crown.

Chapter 560 Clan Motto - Blood Debts Must Be Amortized

Keynes Empire, Nord Province, Snow Maple County.

"Uncle, you've been sitting here watching the snow for three hours now. Is something on your mind?" A boy approached and asked with a hint of curiosity.

Paul turned to look at the boy. The boy was thin, with frostbite freckles—a feature unique to the Nord Province. His grey-gold hair looked somewhat disheveled. This was the son of one of Paul's former good friends, but his friend had died, so Paul had always kept the boy with him. Pulling the boy into his arms, Paul looked out the hotel window. "Michael, Uncle wants to see how snow ages."

"Snow also ages?" Mike looked at the heavy snowfall, his eyes filled with doubt.

“Everything in this world ages,” Poly murmured, his gaze deep. “Nothing is eternal.”

Paul sighed, stood up, and slowly put on the gloves, his fingers interlacing and rubbing together to make them fit better. "Michael, once we finish this job, your uncle will have the money to take you away from Nord Province. We can go live in the more prosperous capital." Paul said, his expression both solemn and joyful.

"Why?" "I think Uncle Nord is a good man," 9-year-old Michael said, puzzled. He sensed a vague unease and timidly tugged at Paul's sleeve, trying to persuade his uncle to stay.

“Listen to me.” Paul patted Mike’s head. “Maybe we don’t have to leave.” Paul took a deep breath. “You’ll stay in this room today. I’ve prepared food and water for you. Remember, no matter what happens outside, no matter what rumors you hear, you are not allowed to open this door or leave this room for three days.” “If I haven’t come back for you after three days, you leave this hotel and run east!” “You must keep running, keep running.” “Ideally, you should run to the Reef Coal Province or the Red Valley Province.” “You absolutely cannot stay in the Nord Province or the North Sea Province.” “Do you understand?”

"Yes, Uncle, what happened?" Mike's voice was already trembling with tears, and his eyes were also wet.

"Don't cry!"

Paul suddenly shouted, startling Mike. "We Nord men can sweat, we can bleed, but we can never cry!" "Remember my words, boy." With that, Paul turned and left the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

Tap tap, tap tap tap tap, tap

A unique knocking signal sounded, and the door next door quickly opened a crack. Paul slipped in, looked at the people in the room, and coldly shouted, "Brothers, grab your gear and get ready to go!"

Then the group filed out and disappeared into the vast expanse of snowflakes.

An hour later, Paul and his group appeared outside a tavern called "The Broken Finger Barrel." Ronid approached, carefully wiping the static off the lenses of his sunglasses—they'd cost him a fortune, but they certainly looked cool. He addressed Paul, "Boss, we've investigated everything. This is the real team escorting the gold coins. Captain Ghost and Knight's House are just a smokescreen; there's no money in their chests."

Paul nodded without saying a word. He had been to the Broken Finger Barrel restaurant before and had heard that it had a signature dish—grilled stone lizard. He always had to wait a long time to get it.

"Boss, should I go in and check the situation first?" Vito volunteered when Paul didn't speak.

"Be careful." Pauli patted Vito on the shoulder.

Vito smiled confidently. "Don't worry, I rarely show my face. These guys don't even know me." With that, he strode towards the severed finger barrel. Even two meters from the tavern entrance, Vito could smell the rich aroma of alcohol and roasted meat, making him involuntarily purse his lips and swallow. If they could just pull off this job, they could live like this, drinking and eating meat to their hearts' content, for the rest of their lives!
Before Vito could even step inside, a large group of people burst out of the tavern. These men wore sturdy, gleaming armor, their expressions grave. The leader, in particular, exuded an imposing aura, his cold eyes fixed on Vito. He looked like a man-eating beast. Behind him, many carried chests, while others held a banner embroidered with a ferocious bald eagle, its sharp beak and talons outstretched, locked in battle with the dragon beneath it.

Vito's heart skipped a beat; he immediately realized his plan had likely been exposed. These men were incredibly perceptive, no wonder they were a regular army. He could only manage a few forced laughs and brace himself as he walked inside, pretending to be an ordinary person entering the tavern. Fortunately, they didn't give him any trouble; they simply watched him enter. This eased Vito's pounding heart considerably; it seemed they hadn't recognized him yet.

“Boss,” Luft walked up and called softly. He didn’t understand why he hadn’t taken the opportunity to kill that kid earlier.

Macon shook his head. "Our mission is simply to deliver the gold coins to the Dragon Gold Shop in Moor Ridge. Let's not cause any trouble." He pursed his lips, a hint of regret in his voice. "Let's go. We shouldn't have been drinking here." Moor Ridge was Baron Kate's territory. A few days ago, Baron Kate suddenly needed to withdraw cash, so they were sent to transport the gold coins to the Dragon Gold Shop. Unexpectedly, it was almost May, but the snow was falling heavier and heavier. This year's weather was truly bizarre and strange. Macon couldn't resist his men's desire to try the local stone-grilled food, so he softened and agreed. But he hadn't expected to be targeted so quickly. After all, they had only been here for less than an hour. This made Macon feel a growing unease. Perhaps the other side was prepared?

However, their departure dates were random, and there were two other teams acting as a diversion. Why would the enemy be keeping a close eye on their team? Or were there other people watching the other two teams as well? It was a pity that the Wind King's army hadn't returned from the Orc Empire yet, otherwise they wouldn't need to escort these gold coins on foot. The risk was simply too great.

Whoosh!
Just as Macon and his men were walking out into the snow, pondering these questions, a sharp whooshing sound suddenly rang out! "Ah—" Accompanied by a scream, the soldier carrying the flag behind him fell backward, clutching his neck, but warm, scarlet blood still spurted from between his fingers.

"Robbery!" "Maintain battle formation!"

Macon's heart sank to the bottom, and he roared angrily.

In an instant, everyone scattered, forming groups of three to protect the three chests containing the gold coins. Macon roared, "Luft!"

"Captain!" Luft called out loudly.

"Go get the horses!" Macon shouted methodically. "Don't panic!" "Activate Plan B!" "Move!" Plan B involved splitting the men into two teams: one would stay and fight to the death, while the other would break out with the gold and return to their own territory. Macon now understood that these men had come prepared; otherwise, they wouldn't have shot the flag bearer first!

"kill!!!"

A roar came from not far away, and dozens of people dressed in black suddenly sprang out from the snowflakes, each holding a weapon, and charged towards Macon and the others!
"It's the Razorfen Downs!" "A member of the Razorfen Downs!" "You're asking for it!"

Upon recognizing the newcomers, Macon and the others roared in alarm. Macon, a first-tier transcendent being and the only transcendent in the entire escort team, instantly charged towards the men in black. With a single swing of his greatsword, these Razor Gang scum were torn apart, utterly no match for him! Meanwhile, the attacks were completely blocked by Macon's sturdy, heavy armor, causing them no real harm.
"Unbelievable!"

Although Ruft wasn't a superhuman, his armor was more than enough to grant him exceptional defensive capabilities against a group of ordinary people! With a sudden thrust of his spear, he pierced through two men in black, and Ruft couldn't help but roar with sneer. The armor was simply too important, and throughout the entire Snow Maple County, whose armor could withstand the might of the Eagle Army? Therefore, Ruft and his men didn't need to defend themselves; they only needed to launch a fierce attack.

In just half an hour, Luft and his men killed more than 30 members of the Razor Gang in black. Of course, Luft did not forget his mission and led more than ten men toward the tavern stables.

boom!
Just as Luft and the others left, a loud bang was heard, and Mekansm, a first-tier transcendent being, was sent flying.

Macon got up from the ground in disbelief, first looking at his dented armor, then looking up at the person opposite him who was also radiating battle aura. This person was of medium height and looked rather sturdy, with a bald head covered in snow, staring at him expressionlessly.

"A second-tier transcendent?" Macon still found it unbelievable. A small gang actually had a second-tier transcendent? How could that be?

“Is that unbelievable?” Paulie knew perfectly well what Macon was thinking. “I just want the money. Leave the money, and you can leave.”

Macon pushed aside his visor and spat out a mouthful of blood. "Brother, do you know what you're doing? We are the Eagle Army under Marquis Raven! You dare to rob us? Have you thought about the consequences?!" he shouted, which intimidated many of the Razor Gang members, who all looked at Paul with uncertain expressions.

In fact, these people were well aware that in the entire Snow Maple County, the most powerful force was undoubtedly Marquis Raven, and the strongest fighting force was naturally the Eagle Army! That's why they dared to transport 30 gold coins with only 20-odd men. This wasn't carelessness; it was absolute confidence in their own strength and power!

"Leave now!" "I can pretend this never happened!" "Otherwise," "you'll be on the run for the rest of your lives, taking your families with you!" Seeing that it had worked, Macon immediately pressed his advantage: "The Eagle Army's motto is—'No surrender, no death!' 'Griffith's tribal motto is—'A blood debt must be repaid!' 'You all have parents to care for you. If you're truly short of money, I can give you 1000 gold coins as a token of friendship, how about it?' Seeing no one respond, Macon frowned. 'If you continue to be so stubborn, even if you take the money, don't you have relatives and friends? Are you going to take them with you on your escape?'"

"Are you leaving or not?" Paul couldn't help but interrupt. If he continued talking like this, it would probably be his own men who were wavering.

Macon removed his faceplate and roared, "No surrender, only death!" With that, he charged directly at Pauli, his greatsword radiating blinding light. "Berserk Slash!" This was the first time Macon had used a combat skill, and the only one he had ever mastered! Almost every Eagle Army soldier who broke through to become a transcendent was rewarded with this combat skill.

"Explosive Corrosive Toxin!"

Facing Macon's attack, Pauli also raised his greatsword. He roared, and the aura around him instantly changed, turning dark green! It was the Corrosive Poison Battle Technique! With a bang, the two greatswords clashed, producing a piercing clang!

The so-called "Frenzied Slash" involves channeling one's inner fighting spirit into both arms and slashing three times in succession! However, before Mekansm's greatsword could even strike a second time, several bursts of dark green poisonous gas suddenly erupted from the opponent's greatsword like fireworks. These poisonous gases exploded and, like venomous snakes, instantly burrowed into his body through the gaps in his armor!
"Ah!" "Ahhhhhh—"

In the blink of an eye, Macon collapsed, letting out a heart-wrenching wail.

"Kill them all!" "Leave no one alive!"

Paulie roared angrily.

With their only remaining transcendent fallen, the outcome was predictable. By the time Ruft returned, the entire Eagle Army lay dead in pools of blood. "Avenge our brothers!" Ruft sent two men back to deliver the message, while he led the rest of his men in a charge towards Pauli and his group. Despite their advantage in horses and armor, and the fact that they had killed many of the Razor Claws' scum, they were still outnumbered and fell in despair on the snow.

Paul walked to the money box, put the three large boxes into the three rings on his hand, mounted the Eagle Army's warhorse, and led the rest of the men galloping away into the distance.

Several days later, Paulie, who had been hiding, arrived at the back gate of a castle at night.

"Greetings, Baron Celeva."

Upon entering a dimly lit room, Pauli bowed respectfully. He had been an orphan, raised by Sereva, who not only provided him with divinely bestowed medicines and martial arts techniques but also supported him in establishing the Razor Gang.

"Um"

Israel gave a nonchalant reply, "Got the money?"

"Got it." "30 gold coins, not a single one missing." With that, Paul took out the money box from the ring on his hand and opened it one by one. Instantly, the originally dark room was filled with a golden glow. It was even a little dazzling.

"You've done a great job this time." Vessin's voice finally showed some emotion. 30 gold coins—his wealth as a baron spanning several lifetimes—and he asked with a hint of excitement, "What reward do you want?"

“Paul has relied on your care his whole life.” “It is only my duty.” Paul carefully chose his words, “but after this matter, I’m afraid I will not be able to stay in the Nord Province to serve you any longer.”

Sereva understood that Pauli wanted to use this action to gain his freedom. He nodded, picked up Angel's Tears, poured two glasses, and asked, "Where did you make your move? Have you cleaned up the mess?"

Pauli took the wine glass handed to him by Sereva, took a sip, and said, "As you instructed, I did it near the Broken Finger Tavern in Lady Doreen's Shattered Stone Territory." "However..." Pauli hesitated for a moment, "Two men on horseback ran away. I didn't dare to stay there for too long, so I had to leave with the money box."

"Tsk," Sereva clicked his tongue slightly, his brow furrowing slightly, but quickly relaxed. "Forget it. The Eagle Army isn't easy to deal with; this result is already excellent." "How about I give you 5 gold coins?"

Paul was taken aback at first, then knelt down with trepidation and said sincerely, "Thank you for your kindness, Baron!"

"Get up," Sereva said with a faint smile.

Paul took off the other two rings on his hand and placed them on the table. He then took 5 gold coins from the money box and put them into the rings.

"Take care, Your Excellency." After doing this, Pauli bowed and said.

Israel nodded without saying a word, watching Pauli leave.

bang-

slam-la-

However, soon after, the sounds of falling and rolling could be heard outside the door.

As Sereva stepped outside, Pauli, bleeding from all seven orifices and convulsing, cowered at the corner of the stairs.

"The wine! The wine is poisoned!" Poly said in disbelief.

Sereva walked down the stairs step by step and came to Pauli. "I know," "So," "I didn't drink a drop."

"You eat my food, drink my water." "I raised you and spent a fortune of gold to make you extraordinary." "And you think you can just walk away like that?" "Is there such a thing as a free lunch?" Sereva kicked Pauli in the face, shattering his nose with a crack. "Don't you have any conscience?" "Huh?"

"I just wasted a bottle of Angel's Tears trying to poison you." "It's expensive." "13 gold coins."

Sereva crouched down, reached out and grasped Pauli's middle finger, snapping it off with a crack. Ignoring Pauli's screams, he then ripped the finger off his hand. Only then did he leisurely take the ring.

"Pooh"

Sereva spat in Pauli's face, sniffling with utter contempt, "You're worth 5 gold coins???"

……

(End of this chapter)