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#160 - Chapter 6: The Last Descendant of the Long Family

Liu Yuan naturally wouldn't be led by the nose by such simple rhetoric, so he didn't respond and continued drinking his wine.

Feeling a bit of a cold shoulder, Illyrio awkwardly said, "Forgive me, that was presumptuous of me. Someone, go and invite our guests."

Soon, a servant arrived, guiding a man and a woman into the banquet hall. The newcomers' silver hair and purple eyes were extremely striking, and the two looked somewhat alike, suggesting they were siblings. The young man looked to be around Liu Yuan's age, about twenty-one or twenty-two. The girl, however, appeared very frail, not yet thirteen, and timidly hid behind her brother.

Liu Yuan understood somewhat; they were the exiled Targaryen siblings. Turning to look at Illyrio again, his gaze became playful. This old fox was up to something!

Over the years, his Embroidered Uniform Guard hadn't been idle. Their secret networks spread throughout the Free Cities, uncovering many secrets from the past. Among them was Illyrio's path to rise, a path inseparable from one person's shadow.

'The Spider' Varys! The current Master of Whisperers.

Varys was once a slave, sold to a traveling theater troupe as an apprentice. The troupe owner had a small ship, taking them on tours between the Free Cities, sometimes even to Oldtown and King's Landing.

Once, while they were stopped in Myr, a mysterious man bought Varys for a large sum of money. Unexpectedly, the man was a sorcerer. He gave Varys a potion that rendered him immobile and speechless, but still able to perceive the outside world. Then, the sorcerer cut off Varys's penis and threw it into the flames to perform blood magic.

After the ritual, the sorcerer cast Varys out onto the streets, leaving him to fend for himself. The theater troupe had already set sail, and he began a life of begging and thievery, quickly becoming a well-known thief in Myr. Competitors began to ostracize him, eventually driving him out of Myr. He then came to Pentos.

Illyrio, in his youth, was a mercenary and also worked as an assassin. When the young Varys arrived in Pentos, the two quickly became friends, venturing out together and becoming wealthy. They started a new business—Varys stealing items from pickpockets, and Illyrio returning them to the owners for a reward.

Gradually, people in Pentos who lost valuables knew to look for Illyrio to recover their lost possessions. Besides that, the thieves of Pentos also sought them out, half wanting to kill them, the other half wanting them to help fence stolen goods. Before long, Varys and Illyrio amassed considerable wealth. Illyrio gradually lived a respectable life and married a cousin of the Prince of Pentos. After some management, he became one of the Magisters of Pentos.

Varys realized that the value of information was far greater than money, and he began to train a team of "little mice." Varys bought some orphans to be "mice," choosing the youngest, quietest, and most agile. Varys taught them to climb walls and slip into chimneys.

He also taught the children to read and write. The little "mice" would find information, letters, ledgers, or charts, look at them, and leave them in place without anyone noticing. The collection of information allowed Varys and Illyrio's wealth to multiply, and Varys became famous.

Varys's special talents even crossed the Narrow Sea and reached the ears of King Aerys II, who happened to distrust everyone, whether it was his son, his wife, or his Hand.

Varys began his career as an intelligence chief in Aerys II's court. Aerys was very dependent on the eunuch's information network, and all sorts of unsubstantiated rumors made him increasingly paranoid and suspicious.

Now, seeing the Targaryen siblings here, it's hard to imagine that Varys wasn't involved. Similarly, Illyrio's motives are questionable. Liu Yuan even suspects that Varys entered the Red Keep with a special purpose.

Liu Yuan now also has the appearance of a Valyrian, which naturally arouses the Targaryen siblings' goodwill. Viserys stepped forward and loudly proclaimed, "I am Viserys Targaryen the Third, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. This is my sister, Daenerys Targaryen, 'Stormborn' Princess."

After speaking, he stood there proudly, waiting for Liu Yuan to step forward and greet him.

Silence filled the banquet hall. Liu Yuan looked at Viserys's performance with some mockery, clapping his hands twice in a very appropriate manner. The scene became even more awkward. Viserys was somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, while Daenerys's gaze turned to the food on the table.

Finally, Illyrio came out to smooth things over: "Ahem~ Let me introduce Commander Jialong. This is Prince Viserys Targaryen..."

"King, I am the King! The rightful heir to the Iron Throne, the only King of all of Westeros!" Viserys shouted hysterically.

Illyrio's face also looked a little embarrassed: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Please sit down and eat, the food will not taste good if it gets cold."

Viserys wasn't really a fool. He could have brought his young sister to mix in the city for many years. The real idiot would have died long ago. He took his sister to the side. Daenerys was already hungry, and after getting permission, she began to eat heartily.

Viserys's face was gloomy. Illyrio had told him that this Commander Jialong possessed the largest mercenary group on the continent, with more than 20,000 brave and skilled soldiers under his command. If he could get this person's support, it would be his closest opportunity to the Iron Throne.

Illyrio flattered him and said, "Commander Jialong, Viserys's Majesty's homeland was seized by rebels, and they stole the rule of Westeros. His Majesty hopes to get your support to help him regain the Iron Throne and regain control of the Seven Kingdoms."

Liu Yuan laughed: "Governor Illyrio, are you kidding me! If I heard correctly, you are planning to have me rely on these 20,000 people to counterattack Westeros and face the entire Seven Kingdoms with hundreds of thousands of troops. Besides, why should I help him? Or what does your Majesty have? Does he have a fleet that can cross the Narrow Sea? Or an army? I have heard of the Beggar King, he has nothing."

Viserys slammed the table and roared, "I am the King, not a beggar! I am the True Dragon! The only legitimate heir to the Iron Throne. There are countless people in the Seven Kingdoms waiting for my return. As long as I appear, they will join my army to crusade against the rebels! Win that crown that belongs to me!"