Death... and me

The twins were taken aback by that.

"Who? The First or the Fifth Prince?"

Tissan shook his head.

"I have no idea. However, this rumor only lasted for a few days. Besides, there were no waves whatsoever. I find it quite suspicious since such an attempt would definitely catch everyone's attention."

Roan pondered for a bit before asking.

"When did it happen?"

"It was around two years ago, so everyone pretty much forgot about it already."

Roan then said.

"Perhaps, this rebellion was cut by the roots before it could even finish forming. That's why it ended as fast as it started."

Rean nodded as he continued.

"Or maybe the rebels weren't expecting to be found. They received a surprise attack and were wiped out. Still, such a thing would usually need a prince or a princess, no? Tissan, have you heard about any prince or princess who disappeared recently?"

Tissan thought about what he knew.

"Hum... Cultivators have way too big of a lifespan. Because of that, there are many of them. Let alone members of the Sasamil Family that are not connected to the throne and have no succession rights. I'm one of those that can't take the throne, for example. So it's hard for me to know all of them. As far as I can remember, there are only three."

"One was a girl who disappeared over a year ago called Calina Sasamil. I barely knew her. I only know this name because of some weird event that happened in one of the Imperial Family Trial Grounds. It seems like she was killed inside by the Shadow Reapers."

Rean and Roan obviously knew that it wasn't the case. Still, it was good to hear that their plan worked that well. Everyone really thought that Calina is dead.

"The second one was a prince called Suten. However, he was far, far behind in the line of succession. I knew Suten. We had a few interactions in the past as well. He disappeared with his protectors while exploring the Kavan Ruins in the Maril Region. That's quite a dangerous place, so no one thought it to be weird."

"The last one was a princess called Malize. However, I don't know what happened to her. Still, she was quite old already and in a good position to fight for the throne."

Tissan then added.

"Of course, these are all the official versions of what happened to the prince and princesses. I haven't gone to check it myself, nor would I do such a thing. The Sasamil Imperial Family simply doesn't lack descendants."

"Also, those are only the ones I know about. There might be more. No, considering how low my own position was, I have no doubt that there are more. It's just that I haven't been told about it."

Rean then looked at Roan.

'What you think? Is he telling the truth?'

Roan narrowed his eyes.

'I have seen way too many interrogatories that led to death back on the other side. Unless you have received very rigorous training, there are always a few signs that indicate that you are lying or hiding something. As far as I can see, this drag is really telling the truth. Not only that, but he seems to be quite happy to help us to gather information against the Sasamil Imperial Family.'

Rean nodded.

'It's not like we can't understand it. Tissan probably doesn't want to have much to do with the Imperial Family anymore because of how he was treated. But there is one thing I find weird.'

Rean then looked back at Tissan and asked.

"I can understand why you don't want to side with the Imperial Family. But don't you think that telling us all of that would implicate your parents or siblings?"

Tissan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Hahahaha! Parents? Siblings? What's that? You can probably count on your fingers how many really care about blood connections in the Palace. Once the others found that I can't cultivate, my parents didn't spare even a single glance at me anymore. I don't receive as much as one-tenth of my two brothers and one sister's cultivation resources."

A cold light flashed inside Tissan's eyes for a moment.

"With such parents, why should I care? They might as well go to hell with the others."

Rean couldn't help but sigh.

'This guy really had it hard. From what Calina said, her mother was probably one of those you can count on the fingers.'

Roan snorted after hearing that.

'You're too delusional. Calina is different from this guy. She has talent! If she was like him and couldn't cultivate, would her parents really care about her at all? Give up this naive mind of yours, will you?'

Rean bitterly smiled but refused to comment. He really couldn't guarantee that it wouldn't be the same if Calina was in Tissan's position.

Roan then ignored Rean before asking Tissan a few more questions. Unfortunately, that seemed to really be the limit of Tissan's knowledge. Roan wasn't surprised, though. Tissan wasn't a direct descendant with rights to the throne. Even if he wasn't this weird, he wouldn't know much about anything else.

"Alright. I'll keep you here for a few more days to confirm your story. Who knows? If I'm in a good mood, I might just give up taking your life. Of course, that will depend on whether your information was reliable or not."

Tissan was surprised to hear that. He was ready to die anyway, so he helped as much as possible as a way of revenge against the Imperial Family. Nonetheless, if he could live, that would be even better.

"I'll try to bother you two as little as possible. If these two young masters like it, this little Tissan knows quite a few good massages. Satisfaction guaranteed! I'm known as the Golden Hands in the House of Petals."

Rean and Roan felt a chill on their backs and immediately turned around.

"There's no need."