Being a knight is not easy

Chapter 159 Decision
Robin instantly understood that the other party was forcing him to take a stand - either cut off all ties with the corrupt Wilk family and kill his own relatives in the name of justice; or become a prey for "going along with the crowd" in the eyes of the nobles.

"Alan!" Viscount Wilk's grip on his shoulders was heated by the alcohol. "The Western Region Chamber of Commerce wants to discuss iron ore business with you."

Viscount Wilk's face was wrinkled with laughter, and he was completely unaware that he had become a fish on the chopping board.

Robin suddenly remembered that when he first arrived in Wilk's territory, it was this man who treated him like his own son, giving priority to him in everything. After learning that he could practice cultivation, he even taught him the family breathing method as soon as possible, and there was never a shortage of various cultivation resources.

Every time I carry out a mission, I pay special attention and contact friends in that area, which can be said to be putting in a lot of effort.

He felt a lump in his throat when he thought about what Viscount Wilk was about to face.

He supported his father's shaking body inconspicuously, and caught a glimpse of the flickering eyes of several earls as they whispered to each other.

Those people have been secretly eyeing the Wilk family's fat meat. In the past, they wanted to fatten them up before slaughtering them. Now that they see a legendary knight's heir suddenly appear in the territory, they can't wait to get a piece of the pie in the name of "justice".

Leah's fire of revenge is just the most powerful knife in their hands.

"Father, please go back to your room and rest." Robin handed the wine glass to the attendant. "Tomorrow I will accompany you to the stables to choose a new horse."

Watching his father walk away with unsteady steps, he turned and walked towards Leah, the sound of his boot heels stepping on the marble floor was particularly clear.

When he approached, the ladies suddenly scattered, and the pungent smell of their perfume lingered in the air.

"I'll go to the Black Snake Club in the Red Leaf District tomorrow night. We'll meet there." Robin lowered his voice and put the pendant back into Leah's palm. "But it's not to judge the Wilk family, but to find out the truth."

He stared directly into the man's astonished eyes and spoke with ironclad words, "If anyone wants to use this to plot against my father, I don't mind letting them know that the blade of a legendary knight can also sever the throat of a noble."

Leah's knuckles turned white as she clutched the pendant. The coolness of the jade seeped into her palm. She looked up at Robin, her eyes filled with shock, anger, and confusion. "You still want to protect him? Those mithril mine drawings and wax seals—which one of them isn't irrefutable evidence?"

Robin pulled her into the shadow of the columns, away from the prying eyes of the ballroom.

From afar came the loud laughter of guests clinking glasses, mixed with the melody of the orchestra, creating a harsh echo between the gilded walls.

If it weren't for the attention they gave Robin from time to time, which annoyed him, tonight's celebration party would have been perfect.

"Did your father leave you any other clues before he was assassinated?" He lowered his voice, his eyes sweeping over the messy pearls in her hair. "Three years ago, Wilk County had just experienced a plague, and half of the farmland was abandoned. Where did they get the financial resources to open up the black market in the East?"

Leah's eyelashes trembled violently, and her memories suddenly pieced together a picture like a broken mirror - the incomplete account book hidden in the secret compartment of her father's study, the scribbled note at the end "There is behind it", and the half of the iris brooch he clutched before his death.

At that time, she was only concerned with hatred and ignored these details.

"Illegal mithril mining requires mobilizing troops, bribing officials, and clearing trade routes." Robin's fingertips traced silent paths along the columns, as if outlining a network of influence. "Even if a viscount had extraordinary abilities, he couldn't possibly hide from the royal family. Think about it, who could cover up everything in the West and, after the incident, ensure that all evidence pointed to the Wilk family?"

The night wind blew dead leaves into the corridor, and Leah shuddered suddenly. She recalled how, over the past three years, the royal officials responsible for monitoring the mineral resources in the western region had never set foot in Cangyan Valley. She also recalled how whenever her father mentioned the anomalies in the mithril mines, the dukes in the court would subtly change the subject.

Those deliberately forgotten fragments now entangled her heart like poisonous snakes.

"I know you don't believe it." Robin took out the blueprint that Leah had given him during the day and shook it gently under the candlelight. The cracks on the edge of the wax seal flickered in the light and shadow. "But look at the color of this ink. It's different from the red paint commonly used by the Wilk family. It looks like..." He suddenly fell silent. He heard footsteps in the distance and hurriedly stuffed the blueprint back into her hands.

Leah's hand trembled slightly as she gripped the blueprint. Finally, she found her voice. "It looks like the amber gold unique to the Dukedom of Hawke." She looked up, the hatred in her eyes fading slightly, replaced by confusion and fear. "If it's really him, we're no match."

Robin looked towards the brightly lit banquet hall. Through the carved window lattices, he saw Duke Hawke raising his glass to toast the guests, his silver hair glowing softly in the candlelight.

"We don't have to be rivals." He gripped the Sword of Conviction at his waist, the royal emblem on the hilt poking at his palm. "As long as the truth is revealed, someone will naturally take action on our behalf."

Noticing someone coming, the two quickly parted ways.

The next day, as night fell, the capital was shrouded in thick darkness, with only the Red Leaf Street area still ablaze with lights.

This is the most prosperous commercial area in the royal capital. Zhugang Street, Kaile Avenue, Lixin Street and Hengshun Road crisscross each other. There are many shops on both sides of the street, including taverns, money shops and jewelry stores.

Colorful lanterns swayed in the breeze, lighting up the streets with a riot of color. The air was filled with the aroma of delicious food, the fragrance of wine, and the laughter of people.

In the streets and alleys, minstrels played their lutes and sang heroic legends;
The jugglers threw and caught fireballs, drawing cheers from passersby;
Nobles and commoners in gorgeous clothes rubbed shoulders with each other, immersed in the hustle and bustle of this decadent life.

Robin was wearing a black cloak with his hat pulled down very low, and he was moving hurriedly among the crowd.

The place he was going to was the Black Snake Club deep in the Red Leaf Street District.

The Black Snake Club was renowned in the underground world of the capital. On the surface, it was an upscale casino, boasting carved beams and painted buildings, a place of extreme luxury where high-ranking officials and dignitaries lavished their money.
But in reality, it is a base for secret transactions between intelligence dealers, black market traders, and even some forces with ulterior motives. The forces behind it are complex and unfathomable.

Robin quickened his pace while keeping an eye on his surroundings.

He always felt that there were pairs of eyes watching him in the dark, and that feeling of being on edge was lingering.

As he turned into an alley leading to the Black Snake Guildhall, he heard light footsteps behind him, the pace deliberately slowed down, as if he was trying his best to hide his whereabouts.

Robin's heart trembled, but he did not stop. He just secretly gathered the power of order and prepared to deal with any possible situation.

The alley was deep and dark, and the torches on the wall flickered, stretching Robin's shadow longer and shorter.

The footsteps were getting closer and closer. Suddenly, a dark shadow flashed out from the corner of the wall, and the dagger in his hand flashed with a cold light, piercing Robin's back.

(End of this chapter)