Trial

As soon as he returned to Partington, Shaken became arrogant. The red-haired young man looked at him sideways, vaguely recalling the scene when they first met.

...my hands are a little itchy.

Shaken shuddered suddenly, and felt a sudden chill. He looked around suspiciously, wondering if someone was trying to harm him.

Oreius suddenly patted him on the back and said, "What are you looking at? You're going to bump into someone."

"I always feel that today is a bad day and I will definitely fail in everything I do."

The blond noble led the other party to the door and showed the bloodline members their badges. The guards' faces changed slightly, and they let them in immediately without saying a word, saving them the trouble of queuing at the door.

He looked at Oreius with a smug look, and the latter seemed to be thinking about something, as if he was moved by this scene. Shaken raised the corners of his mouth, and suddenly heard a faint muttering in his ear.

"An expert at cutting in line."

Shaken: "......"

Although I don't understand the meaning of this sentence, it is definitely not a good word if everyone understands it! What is queue cutting? It is short-sighted. This is the foundation of the nobility, and it is the embodiment of every aspect of strength and power!

The feeling of showing off disappeared, and the nobleman who had gone through so much hardship to return to Partington City was so calm for the first time in his life.

Walking through the open door, you will see houses with Chubu-style characteristics lined up on both sides of the road. The golden roofs, which symbolize strength, contrast with the clean white walls. In the shops, local gifts and household items are sold, and you can even see smiling dolls serving customers.

On the streets, exquisite and solid fountains and pools can be seen everywhere. Even the most ordinary residents form a sharp contrast with outsiders. That is the confidence that only those who are not afraid of worries can have.

Shaken took him on a detour: "Let's go somewhere first."

"Aren't you going back to your house?"

"Of course I have to go back, but are you going to just walk into my house like this?"

Oleus looked down blankly at his black windbreaker. He had washed it well in the river he encountered on the way, so it wasn't stained with too much dust.

"You are not only embarrassing yourself, but also mine."

Shaken saw what the other party was thinking and rolled his eyes. The returning shadow puppet curled up in his shadow, with the dim red lines on it flickering slightly, which made him feel sighing.

All right, isn't it just a lack of common sense? With his excellent taste matched by countless butlers, can't he dress a wandering bloodline person to look decent and in line with the Luo family's preferences?

They kept their word. With their family crest, they had unimpeded access to the most prosperous wealthy area. The shops here were only open to the nobility and specialized in selling rare treasures.

The two of them came to a clothing store. There was no exaggerated advertising, only a violet embroidery was placed at the door. Shaken pushed the door open first, and Oreius followed closely behind and smelled the elegant and floating fragrance.

"Welcome, oh, isn't this Master Shaken?"

The lady boss sitting behind the counter looked up and was a little surprised. She waved away the staff who wanted to help and came over to serve herself. When she saw the person following closely behind her, a hint of surprise flashed across her eyes.

Her shop had made clothes for many nobles, but this was the first time she saw Shaken bringing someone here. The lady boss could tell at a glance that the man's windbreaker was a product of the Mechanical City, and apart from its good defensive power, it had no aesthetic appeal at all.

Thanks to the fact that this customer is a natural clothes hanger, even if he has no expression, he still has an overly arrogant good face. If he dresses up carefully, he will definitely become the object of many ladies' pursuit.

The proprietress opened her feather fan, covering half of her face, and looked at Shaken with a smile: "Master Shaken, are you here to buy clothes for yourself or for this person?"

"Please prepare a set of clothes for both of us, Miss Violet."

After the blond noble entered the store, his expression changed in a second, from his true nature to a gentle one, which amazed Aurelius. The beautiful woman called Violet bowed slightly and smiled.

"Violet Clothing Store will definitely be what you want, starting with the one next to you."

The waiting shop assistants came forward, both men and women, all about fifteen or sixteen years old, with pretty faces and nimble hands and feet, and carried Oreius to the back of the store.

The red-haired young man had never experienced such a situation before. The wrist of the clerk holding him was so thin that it seemed like it would break if pulled. The young man dared not resist and could only turn around hastily and look for help.

It was rare to see the other party so fierce, but Shaken was refreshed and didn't even bother to change clothes. He sat down at the counter leisurely, drinking the tea poured by the boss lady, and he was so happy.

The struggling young man was shoved into the layers of curtains at the back of the clothing store, and there was no sound. The proprietress lowered her eyes. She was indeed a heart-stirring beauty. Her rose-colored lips were delicate and soft, and her eyes were like a sparkling lake.

"Your friend is outstanding and will surely astound everyone, Lord Shaken."

"Friend?" Shaken laughed in an ambiguous way and threw a piece of biscuit into his mouth carelessly. "Not sure, maybe he will die tomorrow."

"... Could he be... the Blood-Gold Gate?"

The proprietress looked slightly solemn. People living in Partington would be familiar with this story. She had dealt with a lot of nobles and knew the secrets. Shaken raised his eyebrows and gave an ambiguous and light smile in return.

This is big news. Who was the last person to enter the Bloodgold Gate? The death was so tragic that the cleaners had nightmares for a week.

The two of them were silent for a while, until a while later, a burst of noise came from outside the door. Before the door was opened, a proud laugh was heard.

"As expected of Master Eamon, you even know the lady boss of Violet! With your ability, I'm afraid it won't take long for you to get this person."

The proprietress frowned, then restored her usual smile and greeted him in a natural tone.

"Isn't this Master Eamon? You have time to come to Violet today. What kind of clothes do you want to make?"

The man was surrounded by people, dressed in expensive clothes, and had an arrogant look on his face. When he saw the proprietress, his eyes lit up, and just as he was about to speak, he caught a glimpse of Shaken sitting behind her.

Shaken, who originally didn't want to get involved in this matter, flattened his lips and rolled his eyes secretly, and as expected, he heard a mocking voice.

"Isn't this our Master Shaken? Why is he dressed like this? He looks even more ordinary than an ordinary person."

He knew that today was not a good day and it was not suitable to go out.

The nobles in the capital, even the Luo family, have many enemies. Garcia, who is also a member of the Twelve Round Tables, is one of them. As the youngest child, Eamon Garcia is one of his peers' deadly enemies.

The blond nobleman gave the provocateur a charming smile. Even the cloak could not hide the bonus brought by his excellent bloodline, which was so brilliant that it illuminated the entire clothing store.

"I think there's nothing wrong with being a commoner. We became nobles to protect the people. It would be my honor if I could be recognized by them."

Upon hearing this, the proprietress's expression softened a little, and the employees who had not left also gave her grateful looks.

Master Shaken Luo has always had a good reputation among the common people. Compared with his arrogant and domineering peers from the nobility, his humble and gentle words are more popular. Even if they dare not say it in front of these nobles, the common people still have their own distinctions in their hearts.

Amon was so angry when he saw how Violet treated Shaken. He walked towards Shaken angrily, leaning on the counter with both hands, and sneered, "You'd better pray that you don't run into me, damned venomous snake, you only know how to pretend to be humble to please others."

"I'm sorry, but have I offended you in any way, Master Eamon? If you are angry because I just said something in favor of the common people, I cannot agree with your point of view.

The blond nobleman looked back innocently, his blue eyes so clear that they glowed. Even the most hardened criminal would think he was a kind person, which made the offender look even more hateful.

"you...!"

Amon's voice suddenly rose, and he noticed the vague gazes from all around him, especially the boss lady. His face suddenly darkened.

The nobleman took a deep breath, his chest rose and fell violently and then was suppressed, and he became unexpectedly calm.

"You can only talk nonsense in front of me, Shaken. When my brother comes back, you will only be a prankster under his feet. Oh - of course, not only you, but also your two brothers. This round table competition is about to begin -"

He dragged out the last syllable, admiring Shaken's suddenly stiff expression. He felt that all the anger in his heart was bursting out, and he laughed happily: "No matter life or death or injury, do you think my brother will stand up for me?"

If Amon was a complete idiot, then there was only one reason why Sharken spent so much time dealing with him: he was his brother.

This person has an incomparable talent and can be regarded as the first of the new generation of the Noble Association. He once made the Garcia family a new noble with great popularity and brought them a lot of trouble.

Shaken cursed the other party to die countless times in his heart. When he thought that the other party would threaten him with his family, the mood of the blond nobleman fell to the bottom. If Amon really said something, Abbott would be ruthless in the competition...

Eamon had admired his ugly expression enough, and smiled with his chest closed: "It's not too late for you to admit defeat to me now. Maybe when I'm in a better mood, I can even let my brother give you a move."

"The Luo family never needs to be humble. We will use our strength to fight for what we want."

Shaken had a flawless smile on his face, and the shadows at his feet were slowly crawling, suppressing the rage and murderous intent in his heart. At this distance, his shadow puppet would only need one strike to take the guy's life...

All kinds of dark and crazy thoughts came to their mind. The two nobles' eyes collided, and flames were torn apart. The stagnant atmosphere was extremely tense, and the proprietress was about to speak to ease the atmosphere. The dark purple curtain was suddenly pulled open, and the falling gems made a light sound, attracting everyone's attention.

The first to come out were two shop assistants, their cheeks flushed, and they pulled open their silk veils awkwardly. The protagonist then strode out.

He was wearing a black suit, with his dark red hair tied up loosely. The gold-patterned buttons were low-key and the silk shirt was tied to the top, with a faintly visible protruding Adam's apple. He had long legs and broad shoulders, sharp brow bones, and deep features. The perfect tailoring and fine workmanship showed off his thin and powerful waist.

The person who matched them is undoubtedly well versed in aesthetics, and the wildness and tension that are ready to burst out are bound under the fabric. Even the ten fingers are securely wrapped in white gloves, and the leather boots tap the ground and pull the gold chain to sway, making every step seem to be stepping on someone's heart, bringing strong visual stimulation.

That was a handsomeness so sharp that one dared not look directly at it, combined with the faint smell of blood emanating from deep within the body, it was both dangerous and unpredictable. The lazy half-drooped eyelashes softened the overall temperament, and the pair of dark golden eyes lightly scanned the people present, and this clothing store seemed to have become a palace where the king stayed on hunting trips.

Even Violet, who had seen countless people, had to give her praise. Except for formal occasions, few nobles were willing to wear formal clothes on a daily basis, and few could wear them with such style. Amon was even more skeptical.

Shaken, this sweet-mouthed but treacherous fellow, never reveals his true thoughts. Perhaps even he himself does not realize how obviously his expression changes when he sees the other person.

"Is this your friend?"

The young man walked towards the two and asked with interest. Amon's eyelids twitched slightly. As he approached, the murderous aura on the other person spread and diffused, leaving no place for people to hide. People who have not experienced the baptism of the battlefield would never have such an aura. Could this be the killer mace prepared by the Luo family?

No! He has to go back and tell his brother!

"I'm sorry, this is a new member of our family. He just came back not long ago. I hope I didn't scare you."

Shaken tried to comfort him hypocritically, but his words were full of hidden ulterior motives. Eamon's face suddenly turned dark, and he snorted coldly and slammed the door without looking back. The group of minions who followed him did not dare to say anything bad to Shaken, and hurriedly followed him out.

"Should I have said something wrong?"

Aurelius was confused, as if he had walked into a palace drama. He could only tell from Shaken's uncontrollable smile that what he had just said seemed inappropriate.

In response to his dry question, the blond noble shook his head like a wave drum and patted his shoulders enthusiastically, his attitude was so attentive that it made the former's hair stand on end.

"No, no, what you just said is very good. He is Eamon Garcia, and he is from the same family of the Twelve Round Table Council as us. You will see him often in the future."

The clothes were so pleasing to the eye that Shaken waved his hand and bought them all. He had ordered a lot of clothes from Violet Clothing Store before, so it was easy to change into a full set. When they went out again, they both looked brand new, and girls would peek at them when they walked on the street.

Shaken was in a good mood and smiled generously, making the cheeks of many girls blush. Aurelius was speechless at this smug behavior, poked him on the back and asked, "Why are you so happy?"

"Isn't it exciting enough that Garcia is at a disadvantage?"

Seeing the young man's confused expression, the blond nobleman suddenly remembered that the man in front of him was a complete novice. He tapped his forehead with a headache and began to explain the situation to the other party.

"You may not know. Garcia's elder brother is called Aibo, and he is a natural-born. Three years ago, after meeting him, the president of the parliament personally admitted that he had the qualifications to inherit his position. This caused an uproar in the Noble Association, and Aibo was given special training. The Garcia family, which was at the bottom of the list at the time, rose up because of this, and had many conflicts with old families such as Luo."

"Of course, we definitely won by a lot."

After all, the bottom line is here, and the family is not afraid of the young boy. The only thing to worry about is whether Ai Bo will take over, which is related to future development decisions.

There was no need to explain these things in detail. Shaken glossed over them and emphasized, "Of course, he is also an important reason why I tolerate Eamon's gang."

There is a saying that if a person of the bloodline has poor ears, he must have a very good mouth. On the contrary, if a person is too good, he must have some weaknesses.

The Garcia brothers are the true embodiment of these two proverbs. Abbott is a wise man, but unfortunately he is a soft-hearted lover! A madman! A devil!

Thinking of this, Shaken was so depressed that he wanted to vomit blood: "Aibo has a very good relationship with his brother. He would even do unwise things for him. If Amon convinces him to target the Luo family, I'm afraid he will really succeed."

"So don't worry, for the sake of you just helping me."

Aurelius thought he would say something touching, but the blond nobleman said very seriously: "If you don't pass the Blood-Gold Gate, I will collect your body myself."

Oreius: "......"

Thank you so much.

There was no need to walk the rest of the way. Shaken called a carriage and sent them back to the family. In the city of Partington, where every inch of land is valuable, the historic Luo actually opened up a separate area.

The entire area is surrounded by a vermilion wall, and outsiders are prohibited from entering. Family guards patrol 24 hours a day, and mechanical birds for panoramic viewing are stationed at intervals on the walls. They work together with human resources to eliminate all safety hazards.

The gate was located on the street. It was more like a village gate than a door. Shaken was recognized immediately after he got off the car. One of the guards went to pay the fee, and the other hurried over to greet him and saluted respectfully.

"Welcome back, Master Shaken."

Shaken nodded slightly: "I'm back, where is my father?"

"The clan leader and the second young master are out for a discussion. Now only the eldest young master is here."

"I see."

It's okay if my brother is here, I need to say something after all. Shaken turned around and asked Oleus to follow him. Under the hidden gazes of the crowd, the red-haired young man followed without moving.

The interior of the family estate is similar to a luxurious village with families as units, with scattered buildings connected together to form a well-proportioned pattern. The marble arches are as elegant as a swan's neck, and there are exquisite pavilions and courtyards interspersed.

Shaken has long been accustomed to it. The designer seems to particularly like red, and different shades of red can be seen everywhere in the construction, creating a delicate and rich sense of layering. As the core building, the lobby in the center of the base is like a gorgeous and beautiful red rose, and it is like the red clouds slanting from the horizon piled on the ground, which is particularly eye-catching.

When the guards saw them, they bowed and saluted. Shaken nodded and rushed into the hall happily, shouting "Big Brother!" before anyone could see clearly.

The people in the hall looked back and saw many portraits hanging on the wall behind them. Each one was different in size, but they all had similar features. The one hanging in the center looked very similar to Shaken, with deep features revealing a murderous and resolute look.

The founder of the family, the unrivaled emperor, Roland Ade I.

The man standing in front of the portrait had blond hair, blue eyes and a gentle face. Compared to his brother, he was more elegant and gentle. When he saw Shaken coming back, he gave him a hug without hesitation and was very intimate.

"Welcome back, Shaken. Father and I were all very worried about you when we heard about your injury."

"I'm sorry, brother. I made you worry. I'm fine. I brought someone back."

Shaken happily took it back, and he behaved very obediently in front of his brother. He smiled and nodded at him, and his eyes immediately fell on Oreius.

"The ancestors told me that you found the Trialist of the Blood-Gold Gate. I'm glad to have a new family. I understand how you feel. Don't get too excited, Shaken. This is not like you normally."

Blood is faster than any language. The elder brother patted his head, and the blood vibrated in response. A flash of surprise flashed in Orelius's eyes, and he actually sensed a force that was dispelling his influence on Shaken.

In the territory of Amira, Shaken had once merged with the Shadow Man, and therefore became closer to Oreius. This emotion should have slowly disappeared over time, but just now, the last remnants of the Shadow Man's power were wiped out by external influences, and he was completely cut off from contact.

Is this the blood power of the Luo family?

The red-haired young man's interest rose sharply. Apart from the other vest, this was the first time he encountered such a situation.

The eldest son smiled at him apologetically. Through those blue eyes, Oreius inexplicably felt a strong sense of being watched, as if countless people were observing him. This feeling flashed by, and then the other party's polite answer sounded.

"The opening of the Blood and Gold Gate requires my father to preside over it, and the twelve families to witness it. I hope you can rest for a while in the family first, and we will start preparing immediately."

After he finished speaking, he told Shaken, "You are in charge of the distinguished guest. Take him to the guest room."

Shaken also had this idea. For them, the lobby was a place to contact their ancestors. He quickly asked Oleus to leave and waited until everything was quiet. The eldest son of the family turned around and knelt in front of the portrait in the center.

"Shaken seems to be under strange influence. Do we need to take any action?"

After a moment, an old voice came out of his mouth. If Oreius were here, he would recognize that this was the ancestor who had appeared in Shaken.

"There's no need for that. No trick can escape blood testing. Shaken is still too young. This is a good test."

"agree."

"agree."

"agree."

“…”

Male or female, young or old, different voices came out one after another, and when the last one fell, the blond nobleman took back control of his body and bowed to the portrait again: "I understand."

Soon, many mechanical birds flew out from the vermilion wall and rushed in all directions.

In the precision-operating mechanical tower, an old man with white hair and beard stood among countless illusory screens, staring indifferently at the densely packed words flashing on the screens.

In the elegant and quiet courtyard, a woman in a thin long skirt raised her head and listened to the sound coming from the mouth of the mechanical bird.

In the vast desert, the lone ascetic stopped and looked up as if he was aware of something.

The news spread to all the major families in the capital and spread to all corners of the country. Following the footsteps of the mechanical bird, countless people looked towards the place where the contact was sent.

——After many years, the trial of the Blood-Gold Gate has begun again.