ATAPOW Chapter 83
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Chapter 83: Ambitions
Hearing that the topic had turned to himself, Ji Bai tidied up his overflowing emotions and adjusted his state of mind. His indescribably complex gaze calmed down as he regained his composure once more.
‘What has happened is in the past; Just like water flowing down a river, it will never return. But why is it always in the back of my head, unable to be forgotten?’
As he saw Ji Yue and the other two knights looking at him, Ji Bai slightly bowed his head and formed a knight salute.
“Alright, I understand.” Ji Yue casually shot a glance at Ji Bai. She was neither the least bit surprised nor did she express her dissatisfaction towards the branch head’s perfunctory attempt as he casually chose a subordinate to replace him.
Her calm, violet pupils were devoid of interest, as if she was completely indifferent towards anything around her.
“May I ask what your surname is, Sir Knight.” Even though Ji Yue was asking Ji Bai a question, she was indifferently looking down at the paperwork in her hands.
Ji Yue wouldn’t ask any further questions, nor even express her standpoint on things unless it was something necessary. Just like the question she asked about Ji Bai’s surname, it was merely a matter of etiquette, a way of knowing how to address him later.
It was just like the image in Ji Bai’s mind. His ‘little sister’ truly didn’t care about anything.
‘Your temperament has truly not changed in the least after all this time. After leaving you for so long, I wasn’t sure whether anyone is bullying you, you’re eating well or the meals the female servants make suit your taste… But now it seems that everything is going well and better than when I was around you. In that case, I can put my mind at ease.’
‘I guess the two of us will live our separate ways from now on.’
Inside the helmet, Ji Bai lowered his eyes.
“Your humble servant’s surname is Li.” Ji Bai replied with a lowered voice, making it sound rough and coarse.
Ji Yue nodded her head to indicate she understood. She closed the book of documents in her hand and passed it to the knight behind her.
“Forgive me for speaking out of turn. Shouldn’t your distinguished self remove your helmet to show your sincerity when you’re greeting her excellency, the temple commander? Could your distinguished self possibly have something that shouldn’t see the light of the day?” Seeing that Ji Bai only performed a perfunctory knight salute with no intention to take off his helmet, the lofty knight beside Ji Yue seemed somewhat displeased.
“This is just something that I have decided upon as a knight. I ask for your excellency’s forgiveness on this matter.” Ji Bai calmly looked at Ji Yue, completely ignoring the knight behind her.
‘The emperor isn’t in a hurry, yet the eunuchs are1. You’re not the one who calls the shots in this place. Didn’t you see that your Mistress is silent? What are you butting in for?’
“It doesn’t matter.” Ji Yue didn’t express any sort of opinion; Just like before, she was unconcerned with the matters around her.
Compared to obsequious addresses like ‘Commander Ji’ or ‘Missus Ji’, the manner that this strange knight addressed her could even be said to be a breath of fresh air.
“Thank you for your understanding, commander.” Ji Bai briefly expressed his gratitude. He no longer cared about the lofty knight who was somewhat embarrassed and angry about being ignored.
“Hehehe, I wonder if Commander Ji already had breakfast? If you don’t mind, we still have some food…” Asked the fatty, Rodo, with a face full of smiles as he squeezed his way in like a rubber ball.
Ji Bai raised his eyebrows.
‘Good one, you fatty Rodo. You had to dilly-dally, hem, and haw when you treated me to a meal last time. Why have you become so generous now?’
“There’s no need. Do you want the missus to eat those leftovers?” The other knight coldly said.
“Haha… The— Then how about temporarily resting here for a while? While we don’t have anything in this Border Town, we do have lots of rooms, the quality of which will leave Five Star Hotels in the dust! It will definitely allow you three…”
“It’s time to show up at the Tribunal Court.” Ji Yue raised her head after closing a small booklet. Traces of seriousness appeared in her indifferent gaze.
“Erm…” The fatty Rodo felt extremely embarrassed. Even though he had a smiley expression glued to his face, he had been forcefully interrupted both times he spoke something.
“Mr Li.”
“I’m here.” After being separated for many years, Ji Bai felt a somewhat indescribable feeling as his little sister addressed him in a remote tone.
“I will be troubling you.”
“That’s my responsibility.”
………………
The Border Town garrison of the Chivalric Order of Radiant Knights. In front of the gates of the outdoor martial arena.
On top of the stage, the frontline knights had their clothes torn off and were tied to human targets. Iron fences were separating the area below, where a huge, impenetrable crowd of onlookers was surrounding the place.
Everybody braved the scorching sun and overcame multitudes of obstacles just so they could watch this gratifying show before them.
There were some within the crowd who had prepared stools and were comfortably sitting, while those having left their house in a hurry could only stand or sit on the ground dejectedly while enduring the sunlight. There were even people yelling, trying to sell melon seeds and spr*te.
Lan Yu had set up seats for the tribunal court, as well as his administrative group in the martial arena in advance.
Draped in an official general’s robes, he was nibbling on melon seeds under a parasol, contentedly looking down at the bustling populace below him as well as the death convicts being tied to their targets.
Hearing the accusations and abuse the populace were throwing towards the frontline knights, a trace of a condescending smile revealed itself on his face.
“Esteemed section head, the people of the tribunal court have yet to show up. Do you require this subordinate to urge them?” Gorm asked Lan Yu for his instructions.
“There’s no need to. A duck that one has in their hand will naturally be unable to take flight. The person capable of enduring their temper will be the winner in the end.” Lan Yu opened a bottle of red wine, poured it into a glass cup, shook it in his hand, and delicately savored its taste.
“Gorm, would you think of changing the world if it is rotten and festering at its core?”
“Hmm?” Gorm was somewhat baffled as to what Lan Yu was referring to.
“Haha, to allow the world to make its changes in accordance with my own thoughts is childish! Since the world is dirty, we will have to drift with the waves and have to go with the flow. Whoever is nastier and more shameless than the other will have the last laugh.”
“The temple association has been an established institution for 3 generations. No one could shake up its deeply-rooted foundation, nor dare to challenge its dignity. Since that’s the case… Just wait and see. One day, there will be an additional bishop seat added to the twelve the association has right now.