"Who sent the ten Sunset Peaches?" Emperor Samuel Farr forcibly suppressed his anger, trying to soften his tone.
Chester Young quickly replied, "Your Majesty, it was the city lord of Jasper City, Walter Shea."
Emperor Samuel Farr looked coldly at Walter Shea, who was kneeling on the ground. "I truly had no idea Jasper City had fallen to such poverty. It seems keeping you in Jasper City is quite a grievance for you..."
Walter Shea was horrified by these words and hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, the reason I presented ten Sunset Peaches this time is because these ten are different from the others—they are genuine Sunset Peaches, and their flavor is exquisite. Just one bite will refresh the mind and invigorate the spirit..."
"Ha ha..." Emperor Samuel Farr laughed heartily, his murderous intent even more apparent. "I've never seen such Sunset Peaches before. In that case, bring them here and let me see what makes these Sunset Peaches so special."
Chester Young promptly took a jade tray from the hands of a young eunuch behind him, then personally brought the tray forward.
There was also a jade cover on the tray. Chester Young stopped about ten paces away from Emperor Samuel Farr, then lifted the lid first.
A faint, refreshing fragrance wafted out. Nearly everyone stared at the jade tray, most with their mouths agape.
They had seen Sunset Peaches many times before. The fruit got its name because, when ripe, it had a faint red hue that resembled the glow of the setting sun—quite beautiful to behold.
However, despite their beauty, these peaches were not especially tasty—sour and astringent, usually eaten only by the poor who could not afford better fruit.
But the Sunset Peaches before their eyes were truly like the real setting sun—the soft glow was not just a streak, but seemed to bathe the entire peach in sunset light. The radiance was more than mere color; it appeared to float above the peach itself.
Just looking at these peaches was a pleasure, let alone tasting them. The faint fragrance filled the entire hall, making everyone feel refreshed and uplifted.
"Spirit Peach!" Advisor Nate Easton, who had been seated beside Emperor Samuel Farr, suddenly exclaimed in surprise. He abruptly stood up and stepped forward, snatching the jade tray from Chester Young's hands.
"Advisor, is this Sunset Peach a Spirit Peach?" Emperor Samuel Farr was also stunned by the peach's beauty, but he found it hard to believe that it was a Spirit Peach.
The excitement on Advisor Nate Easton's face did not fade. He grabbed a peach and popped it into his mouth.
If anyone else had dared to eat a tribute before the emperor, they would have been executed on the spot. But Advisor Nate Easton of Prime Empire could get away with it.
Advisor Nate Easton devoured the peach at lightning speed, not even spitting out the pit, then closed his eyes. After several dozen breaths, he finally let out a long sigh and opened his eyes.
"Advisor, how is it?" Emperor Samuel Farr asked impatiently.
Advisor Nate Easton's voice trembled slightly. "This is a Spirit Peach, and a very high-grade one at that. It is extremely beneficial to me—it can help me reach a whole new level of power."
"Advisor, may I have one?" Emperor Samuel Farr couldn't help but ask.
All along, Emperor Samuel Farr had felt his life was comfortable—everything was handled by the Imperial Advisor, and he never had to worry about anything. This was the life he wanted. Advisor Nate Easton not only managed the empire diligently, but never vied for power. The full authority of Prime Empire remained in Samuel Farr's hands.
But today, Samuel Farr suddenly felt his position as emperor was not as satisfying as he thought. Such a rare treasure should be his to enjoy. Now that the Advisor had eaten one, he had to ask for permission to have one himself.
Advisor Nate Easton struggled inwardly—the peach was far more than a delicacy; it brought immense benefits.
Yet, before him stood the emperor of Prime Empire; no matter what, he could not claim all the Sunset Peaches for himself.
"If Your Majesty wishes to eat, of course you may." Advisor Nate Easton suppressed his own desire and smiled as he spoke.
"Good." Samuel Farr was no fool; he caught the nuance in Nate Easton's words. Nate hadn't said the peaches were a tribute meant for the emperor, only that Samuel Farr could eat as he pleased.
Samuel Farr understood Nate Easton's meaning, but he would not make a fuss over a few peaches. He picked up a Sunset Peach glowing with evening light, didn't even let anyone clean it, and took a bite.
A gentle wave of spiritual energy instantly filled his body. Samuel Farr's eyes widened in disbelief. As emperor, he had tasted countless delicacies, but only now did he feel he was eating something truly extraordinary. There was none of the bitterness found in ordinary Sunset Peaches; the fresh spiritual energy and lingering fragrance made him realize what true fruit was.
He devoured the peach in a few quick bites, and as the spiritual energy spread through him, even his fatigue lessened.
This was absolutely top-tier. Samuel Farr instinctively reached for a second peach.
But Advisor Nate Easton stopped Samuel Farr's hand and said, "Your Majesty, eating the peach this way won't allow for optimal absorption. I have a method—if we refine the peach into a pill and then take the pill, the effect will be much greater."
Samuel Farr was no fool. He knew that once Nate Easton took the peaches, he would never get any of the pills. These peaches were clearly very useful to Nate, which was why he acted without regard for Samuel's wishes.
Since he'd known Nate Easton, Nate had always respected his wishes. This was the first time things had changed.
Although he knew the peaches were precious, Samuel Farr wasn't about to start a conflict with Nate Easton. He also understood how formidable Nate was—Nate had always helped him and Prime Empire, which was why he had no worries. If Nate ever turned against him, Samuel might never sleep soundly again.
As for trying to deal with Nate Easton here—ha, that would be nothing but a fool's dream.
Thinking this, Samuel Farr laughed heartily. "Very well, I'll leave it to you, Advisor."
After saying this, Samuel Farr turned his gaze to Walter Shea, smiling broadly. "Walter Shea, you have done a great service this time. Your Jasper City will be elevated another rank and become Jasper Kingdom. You shall be its first king."
Walter Shea, overwhelmed with excitement, immediately knelt to the ground. He had finally succeeded. The Sunset Peaches had indeed brought him what he wanted—far more than he ever expected.
"Walter, where did these Sunset Peaches come from? Do you have more?" This was what Samuel Farr truly wanted to ask; the earlier reward was just a formality.
Advisor Nate Easton was also anxiously watching Walter Shea—he too wanted to know if there were any more Sunset Peaches. If there were, he might be able to advance even further...
Wait, that's not right! Nate Easton's heart skipped a beat, and he grew even more excited.
Earlier, he'd been stunned by the appearance of the Sunset Peach and had forgotten to ponder its deeper significance. Now it occurred to him—if such peaches existed in that place, there must be a ley line there. Only a place with a ley line could produce Sunset Peaches.
Why had he stayed in Prime Empire and helped it? Simply because the spiritual energy here was richer than elsewhere, and Emperor Samuel Farr could help him find all sorts of spiritual treasures.
Now that a place where Sunset Peaches grew had appeared, he absolutely could not miss it.
"Your Majesty, the place is called Galor Village. It used to be a desolate, remote area, but for some reason, the crops suddenly began to flourish, and even wild boars and rabbits started flocking there. Now the fruit from Galor Village is especially delicious. By the time I discovered it, the Sunset Peaches had already left the market—only the last ten remained, which I presented to Your Majesty as tribute," Walter Shea answered respectfully.
"Galor Village?" Samuel Farr repeated.
Before Samuel Farr could respond, Advisor Nate Easton, who had not yet sat down, quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is of utmost importance. I intend to go there myself. If it truly is such a treasure land, I will build a summer palace for Your Majesty in Galor Village, so you can retreat there to escape the heat in the future."