## Chapter 59: Awaiting a Storm
The end of the Winter Lute Moon. The snow had yet to completely melt.
The Revival Wind was still a while away, yet the entire Golden Rock Province was subtly restless.
Two recent events had sent the noble circles of Golden Rock Province into a frenzy.
The first involved Storm Territory.
After a coma lasting half a year, the Storm Earl was finally declared deceased.
His title, unexpectedly, was inherited by his youngest son.
At the subsequent succession ceremony, the Golden Rock Marquis attended and bestowed blessings upon the new Storm Earl.
The second event was the transfer of the Shining Baron title once again.
However, the details of the event were somewhat unexpected.
Black Stone City conquered Shining Light City almost without bloodshed.
According to the battle report, upon the arrival of the Black Stone City army at the outskirts of Shining Light City, the city gates shattered, and several commanders were torn apart, dying tragically in full view of all.
Therefore, even before the war started, the Shining Light City garrison crumbled.
The Black Stone City army then marched directly into the city and took control of the entire Shining Light City without much effort.
This result left many speechless.
More astute observers, upon reading the battle report, guessed the role Su Nan played in this victory.
After the war, numerous nobles awaited the Golden Rock Marquis’s reaction.
After all, everyone knew that Owen was backed by the Golden Rock Marquis.
Now that Owen had been executed by hanging, and the Shining Baron title had changed hands, if the Golden Rock Marquis did nothing, his prestige would undoubtedly plummet.
But what surprised everyone was that a considerable time passed after the war, and the Golden Rock Marquis remained completely silent.
He allowed the new Shining Baron, Kei Arnest, to easily conquer the entire Shining Territory and gradually solidify his position as Baron.
Many nobles were baffled.
Only a few nobles close to the Golden Rock Marquis, such as Earl Winterfrost, Viscount Blackthorn, and Viscount Feather Snake, understood what the Marquis feared.
Golden Rock City, Inner Fort.
Guided by the steward, two cloaked men walked through the courtyard and into the bright, spacious corridor.
Expensive oil paintings hung on both sides of the corridor. Sunlight streamed in from the windows, making the gilded frames sparkle.
Casper trailed behind, his gaze sweeping over a painting, his lips twitching slightly.
He remembered this oil painting of the Thornflower Princess. It had appeared at a major auction not long ago and fetched a price of 3,800 gold coins.
Yet, now it was casually hanging on the corridor.
Looking at the dozens of other paintings on the corridor, estimated to be worth no less than the Thornflower Princess, Casper couldn’t help but silently admire the scene.
They say the Golden Rock Marquis is rich enough to rival a nation. Now, it seems the rumors were true.
In this world, gold equals power. No wonder the Golden Rock Marquis wasn’t content with simply being a local overlord.
As they walked, the three arrived at a room at the end of the corridor.
The steward raised his hand and gently knocked on the door, saying, “Lord, the two guests have arrived.”
“Come in.”
A deep, resonant voice echoed from within.
The steward gently opened the door, then stepped aside, gesturing for the two to enter.
Entering the study, the Golden Rock Marquis stood by the window, gazing at the sky outside with a solemn expression, lost in thought.
Just two months ago, the Golden Rock Marquis had turned sixty, but his black hair remained glossy, and his skin was firm and rosy. Anyone seeing him would believe he was only in his early thirties.
“Priest Yolis, long time no see.”
Turning around, a hint of a smile appeared on the Golden Rock Marquis’s rugged face as he gestured for the two to sit down.
“Long time no see, Marquis. It brings me joy to see you well.”
After the Golden Rock Marquis took his seat, Yolis also sat opposite him.
As for Casper, he stood aside. He hadn’t yet earned the privilege of sitting before these two.
“Getting old. My body’s starting to decline. The old injuries from the wars keep flaring up. Time is relentless, you see.”
“Marquis, you’re joking. Your health is far sturdier than mine.”
After exchanging a few pleasantries like ordinary friends, the Golden Rock Marquis finally brought up the main topic.
“Priest Yolis has come all this way to see me. Surely you didn’t just come to chat?”
Yolis’s smile faded, and his expression turned serious. “My purpose in coming to see you, Marquis, is for the sake of Su Nan.”
The moment the name ‘Su Nan’ was mentioned, a barely perceptible shadow flickered across the Golden Rock Marquis’s face, and his gaze suddenly sharpened.
Casper unconsciously stiffened.
At this moment, the Golden Rock Marquis truly displayed a hint of the sharpness of the overlord of Golden Rock Province, a veteran legendary knight.
“Su Nan? He’s crossed paths with your sect?” The Golden Rock Marquis raised an eyebrow and asked.
In his memory, the only connection between Su Nan and the Starfire Sect was the incident where the sect sent people to assassinate him in Black Stone City.
Before, he couldn’t figure out why the Starfire Sect assassins failed, but after the Black Stone City battle report was released, the truth became clear.
Even Ho Chi died at Su Nan’s hands. Two mere junior Great Knights, failing to assassinate someone was normal.
But that assassination was commissioned by Owen. Even if it failed, there was no reason for the Starfire Sect to hold a grudge against Su Nan.
However, the following words from Yolis left the Golden Rock Marquis slightly surprised.
“To be honest, Marquis, our sect suffered heavy casualties at our stronghold in Stone Bell City two months ago. We lost six priests and over a hundred disciples. The culprit behind this devastation is a wizard.”
“He also happens to possess a beast with the ability to conceal itself.”
A flash of understanding crossed the Golden Rock Marquis’s eyes.
A beast capable of concealment was extremely rare. The probability of two such beasts appearing in Golden Rock Province simultaneously was incredibly low.
And since both manipulators were wizards, the probability became even lower.
No wonder the Starfire Sect was so certain that the person was Su Nan.
“But how did Su Nan know about your stronghold in Stone Bell City?”
The Golden Rock Marquis knew that the Starfire Sect members possessed techniques to resist torture. No one could extract any information from these fanatics.
If it weren’t for this, he wouldn’t have been so comfortable cooperating with the Starfire Sect in assassinating nobles.
“. This remains unclear to us.”
Yolis’s eyes twitched slightly, then his expression turned cold.
“But Su Nan has killed so many of our disciples, we will never forgive him.”
“My reason for seeing you, Marquis, is to join forces with you against Su Nan.”
“If you decide to attack Shining Territory, we will lend you our strength!”
The Golden Rock Marquis lightly tapped the table with his finger and smiled faintly. “Your sect’s willingness to help is greatly appreciated. However, it is not yet time to deal with Shining Territory.”
“Then when?” Yolis frowned slightly.
He wasn’t really eager to kill Su Nan, but the Divine Blood Crystal was still in the other’s possession.
This object was of paramount importance to the sect. They couldn’t rest easy until they retrieved it.
The Golden Rock Marquis rose and walked to the window, gazing southward with a deep look in his eyes.
“We’ll wait for a storm.”
“A storm that will sweep across the entire Duchy.”