Wharton hmphed. "I know that as soon as you wash up, you'll go take lessons from father." As a
member of a noble house, Linley's education began from a young age. The five-thousand year old
Baruch clan was even stricter regarding educational matters than even the royal families of most
kingdoms were. "Enough, Wharton. I'll play with you around noon." Linley laughed. Wharton was only
a child, while Linley was much more mature. After washing up and changing into some fresh clothes,
Linley entered the study. At this moment, his father, Hogg Baruch, was sitting in front of a desk,
his back ramrod straight. In front of Hogg were three thick tomes. "Father!" Linley respectfully
bowed. Hogg coldly nodded, and Linley quickly walked next to him. "Yesterday, I explained the
history of the countries of the Yulan continent to you. Repeat it back to me." Hogg said coldly.
This was the real Hogg. Instances like the time when he was holding the crying Linley in his arms
were extremely rare. Normally, Hogg's attitude towards Linley could be summarized in one word:
'Strict'. In all things, Hogg strove for perfection. He wouldn't let Linley get away with any
mistakes. "Yes, father." Linley said calmly. "In the Yulan continent, there are three dangerous
areas. The number one mountain range, the 'Mountain Range of Magical Beasts'. The second mountain
range, the 'Mountain Range of the Setting Sun'. And, the number one forest, the 'Forest of
Darkness'. The space these three dangerous regions take up is incomparably large. The 'Mountain
Range of Magical Beasts' runs across the entire continent, from north to south, covering over ten
thousand kilomters. Within it are countless magical beasts, including Saint-level beasts which
have the power to 'destroy the heavens and ravage the earth'. Because of the 'Mountain Range of
Magical Beasts', the Yulan continent has been divided into different regions." "West of the
'Mountain Range of Magical Beasts', there are twelve kingdoms and thirty-two duchies. Within
these kingdoms and dukedoms, there are two major divisions. The first is the Holy Union, with
the kingdom of Fenlai being the principal kingdom. The second is the Dark Alliance, with the
kingdom of Heishi being the principal kingdom. These two alliances are opposed to each other and
constantly battle because one is controlled by the Radiant Church, while the other belongs to the
Cult of Shadows." "East of the 'Mountain Range of Magical Beasts', there are four empires, six
major kingdoms, and countless duchies! These four empires are enormous, and are not influenced by
the Holy Union or the Dark Alliance. In these four empires, the rule of the emperors is absolute.
Any of the four empires are comparable to the Holy Union." "The four empires are the central Yulan
Empire, the southeastern Rhine [Lai'yin] Empire, the eastern Rohault Empire, and the northern
O'Brien Empire." After having said all this at one go, Linley let himself relax slightly. "Just
this?" Hogg frowned. Linley was about to immediately continue, but Hogg cut him off. "Let me ask
you, within our Holy Union, how many kingdoms and duchies are there?" "Within our Holy Union,
there are six kingdoms and fifte...sevente..." Linley suddenly frowned. How many duchies were
there in the Holy Union? Linley's memory was a bit hazy. He wasn't sure if it was fifteen, or if
it was seventeen. He couldn't be sure. "Hmph!" His face cold and harsh, Hogg pulled out a wooden
stick, and Linley obediently stuck his hand out. His eyes narrowing, with a 'WHAP' sound, Hogg
whacked Linley's hand with the stick. A red line immediately appeared on Linley's hand, but
Linley could only clench his teeth, not making a sound. "Linley, you must remember, we are
currently living within the Holy Union. You must know everything about the Holy Union!" Hogg
coldly looked at his son. "In the entire Yulan continent, the most important entities are the four
empires and the two alliances." Linley nodded. Although his father's words were simple, Linley
clearly understood the deeper meaning. "At the far northern end, the Holy Union shares a border
with the O'Brien Empire. While at the southern end, the Dark Alliance intersects with the Yulan
Empire. Under the guidance of the Radiant Church, the unity of our Holy Union isn't one whit
inferior to that of the empires." Listening to his father's words, Linley agreed. Yesterday, he
had read many books. Clearly, the Holy Union could be considered the 'cultural center' for the
entire Yulan continent. At the same time, in terms of economic strength, it was on par with the
Yulan Empire, making the two of them the most economically powerful entities in the world.
In addition, it had the support of the Radiant Church. The Holy Union truly was very formidable.
"Today, we will study art," Hogg said coldly. "As the descendent of a noble family, you must have
a thorough understanding and appreciation of art. Art is what gives noblemen an aura of gravitas!"
Hogg pulled out a large tome as thick as a fist, immediately opening it. "In the year 3578 of the
Yulan calendar, the grandmaster stone-sculptor Proulx [Pu'lu'ke'si] was born...." Off to the side,
Hogg solemnly taught while Linley strove hard to memorize. He wanted to meet his father's
requirements.