Chapter 151 Control

“Your elder brother has arrived.”

In the dimly lit room, a figure stood by the window, gazing distantly at Li Jie, who was laughing and chatting with a group of nobles.

“He seems quite popular; this doesn’t quite match the image of that foolish, useless man from before,” the figure said lightly.

“After all, my elder brother has served as a knight noble for several months, and with the recent upheaval in our family, it’s only natural he’s matured somewhat,” Sack replied, sitting in a chair with his elbows resting on the table, his chin propped on his crossed hands. His face was shrouded in shadows, making it hard to discern clearly.

“It’s a pity. Given his status, had he matured earlier, perhaps you wouldn’t have had the chance to rise,” the figure said with a hint of regret.

“There’s nothing to pity. Once he chose only to enjoy the privileges of being the heir and refused to shoulder the responsibilities that came with it, certain outcomes were inevitable,” Sack’s voice remained steady and unruffled.

“Yes, some outcomes are determined from the moment the initial choice is made…” The figure spoke with a touch of melancholy.

“How do you plan to treat your elder brother?” The figure turned to face Sack.

“As nobles, my elder brother and I must adhere to the customs befitting our status. Naturally, I shall treat him according to the rules that govern noble relations,” Sack answered.

“I believe this is what you all expect,” he added after a moment’s silence.

“You’re not wrong, but I must correct you on one thing…” The figure’s face suddenly broke into a faint smile. “As for the outcome between you and your brother, I myself do not expect much. The real anticipation lies with your mother and… my father.”

With a sudden rustle, the figure’s body transformed into a swarm of bats that flew out the window, soon disappearing into the night.

“See you tomorrow, young Sack.”

That was the last thing the figure said before vanishing.

After the figure left, Sack quietly rose and approached a shelf, gazing at a longsword displayed there.

———

With a sharp hiss, the blade was drawn from its sheath, gleaming coldly.

Sack stared at his reflection on the sword’s surface, silent.

Crack… crack…

Crystals began to extend from his palm, slowly moving toward the blade.

Night descended.

“A strange presence.”

Li Jie sat in his room, looking out toward the newly established family castle not far away.

Today was merely the day when the family’s direct nobles gathered at their new estate; the family council would officially convene only tomorrow. Even the newly appointed Crystal Count, Sack, had not come out to greet them, instead arranging for servants to escort them to their rooms. To truly meet Count Sack, one would have to wait for the family meeting the next day.

“Is that a bat?”

“So that’s the reinforcements you called for, Sack,” Li Jie smiled faintly toward the direction of the family castle.

With his greatly enhanced strength and the ability to mobilize more of the psychon energy stored within the solar pearl, he could cover the entire family estate with just a thought. Nothing happening within the estate escaped his notice.

Among his senses, the powerful and unhidden aura within the family castle was striking, impossible to ignore.

———

The next morning.

The family council convened as scheduled.

Though the Tie Jin family had moved to their new estate, the buildings were constructed based on the layout of the original estate.

Of course, the new family estate was far from complete in such a short time, but the family council hall, the important venue for family affairs, had been prioritized and completed.

Inside the council hall, all the direct nobles of the Tie Jin family had already gathered. Only the newly appointed Crystal Count Sack had not yet arrived. Seizing the moment before Sack’s arrival, the nobles busily conversed among themselves.

Amid the noisy hall, Li Jie sat in his seat, scanning the room. He immediately realized that, apart from the Poisonous Teng Snake Viscount, every other noble present was under his control.

The reason the Poisonous Teng Snake Viscount remained untouched was simply because his territory lay too far away—Li Jie was too lazy to deal with him.

After a moment’s thought, Li Jie approached the Poisonous Teng Snake Viscount.

“Viscount Teng,” Li Jie greeted proactively.

“Hmph!”

The Viscount gave a cold snort upon seeing Li Jie approach. As a traditional old-school noble, he had always looked down upon Li Jie’s prodigal style and didn’t even bother to engage in conversation.

“Viscount Teng, I have a proposal that will surely interest you.”

Despite the Viscount’s disdainful expression, Li Jie showed no displeasure, maintaining a smile.

At some point, the once noisy hall fell silent.

“Hmph, you’re a worthless wretch—what good could you possibly propose?” the Viscount sneered.

“Of course I have good proposals. Otherwise, why would I come to you of my own accord?”

“I wonder if you might be interested in…”

“Submitting to me.”

Li Jie smiled as he patted the Viscount’s shoulder.

The Viscount opened his mouth as if to retort but suddenly found himself unable to control his body or utter a sound.

Terror filled his eyes. He had never witnessed such a strange scene before. He wanted to call for help but realized that every noble in the hall was staring at him with wide, unblinking eyes, like a horde of eerie zombies.

“Submit… submit…”

“Submit… submit!”

Circle after circle, the nobles spun around the Viscount, chanting low whispers. The Viscount trembled all over.

Creak.

The door opened, and the newly appointed Crystal Count Sack stepped into the family council hall.

Thud, thud, thud.

His boots echoed heavily on the luxurious carpet.

Li Jie sat quietly, watching as Sack strode toward the seat of honor. Compared to the Sack he had seen before leaving the family, the current Sack exuded a noticeably deeper and more solemn aura.

From appearance alone, Sack was indeed more fitting to inherit the title of Count than Li Jie.

Sack walked steadily to the main seat, his eyes fixed on all the nobles present.

What he did not see was that as he turned his back to the nobles, they all revealed strange smiles directed at his silhouette.