Chapter 436: The True God's Infiltration

"Count, the envoy you sent to Grey City has returned to Yueliangcheng."

"Grey City envoy. Which envoy?"

When inquired, Count Gangtejin was strolling along a small path in the inner court's garden.

He certainly remembered the affairs of Grey City, after all, it was one of the five mundane cities he managed.

But Grey City had been out of control for over six months; he subsequently attempted several military operations, sending at least six envoys, all of which ended in failure.

Too many envoys were dispatched, and for a while he couldn't tell who was who.

"First-class citizen Luobote was previously an 18-ring mage, but last night he advanced to a 19-ring mage."

Count Gangtejin instinctively halted, drawn by the term 'newly promoted 19-ring mage'.

Since that war, the vast majority of Yueliangcheng's residents have been living in a deep sense of loss, few managing to break through to the 19th ring.

After pondering for a moment, the name Luobote finally surfaced from his confused memories, becoming a concrete person.

He recalled that he was a person who liked to wear black clothes and had a gloomy gaze.

He actually didn't much like this person, but the person's magical prowess was high and he was ruthless, making him suitable for doing dirty work.

Thus, in his mind, Luobote was merely a tool for consumption.

"Isn't Luobote dead?"

"No. According to his own description, he used some very flexible means to evade death's fate, and under the grim reaper's lash, he successfully touched the 19th ring."

"Oh~~ this guy really does have some ability."

Count Gangtejin began to take notice, after all, this was a rare 19-ring mage, already his strongest retainer.

He paused, then asked: "When did he return?"

"Ten days ago, Count. I reported the relevant information to you the next day, but you overlooked this information at the time."

Count Gangtejin instinctively tapped his own forehead: "Mm, it seems indeed there was such a thing."

He has been very busy lately, because the annual Empress's birthday commemoration is approaching.

Then a grand birthday banquet will be held, all Eternal Nobility must attend, and they must prepare a suitable birthday gift for the Empress.

If it were merely a birthday gift, that would not be a big deal.

The key is, he heard the Empress intends to revive old matters, undertaking something called the 'Mundane Reconstruction Plan', and even proposed to achieve true 'Heaven-Earth Connection'.

Moreover, this time the Empress's attitude is extremely firm, and she has already garnered the support of a faction of Eternal Nobility.

Count Gangtejin is firmly opposed to rebuilding the mundane world.

He has always believed that the commoners of the mundane world should rot thoroughly in the ruins, never to disturb his pleasant life in Yueliangcheng.

But regardless, this newly promoted 19-ring mage is still his retainer, and worth meeting.

"Zhuliye, summon him to see me."

"Yes, Count."

After about half an hour, a man in black attire, with a composed demeanor, hurried over; upon arriving, he performed a proper salute.

"Lord Count, First-class citizen Luobote greets you."

Count Gangtejin sized up the man before him, comparing him to his memory of Luobote, and then noticed some slight changes, especially in his gaze.

Before, he was gloomy, like an injured lone wolf, seeming ready to hurt anyone at any moment; but now he has gained much confidence, thus appearing much more steady.

The Count's impression of him improved considerably.

"Luobote, you look much more subdued; it seems this trip to the mundane world has greatly tempered your disposition."

"Luobote, that is Luosen, nodded: 'Indeed, I have gained many life insights.'"

"Come, keep me company in conversation."

Speaking, the Count continued his walk, and Luosen followed at his side, closely observing the Count.

A 20-ring soul has a lifespan of at least over 1100 years, and if nothing unexpected happens, it could live another five to six thousand years.

On the surface he appears suave and elegant, but from Luobote's memories, this fellow's humanity in his soul has long been worn away by ages, leaving only cold, pure self-interest, as well as the selfishness and apathy possessed by the vast majority of Eternal Nobility.

But for Luosen, this information is not important; he doesn't care what kind of person the other is.

What truly matters is the manner of soul-bond between this Count and Zhuliye.

He wants to carefully examine how Zhuliye verifies this Count's identity.

After walking a few steps, the Count said: "The Empress intends to rebuild the mundane world; what do you think?"

Luosen's thoughts shifted quickly; seeing that he still didn't grasp the Count's intent, he immediately echoed his view: "Your Majesty is too young, full of ideals and vigor, but fails to see reality."

This remark exactly suited the Count's heart; he smiled and said: "Why say that?" "Because the mundane world is utterly rotten, the people living there are all a bunch of filthy, stupid, shameless scoundrels, utterly unworthy of salvation."

"If I may say, rebuilding is fine, but before rebuilding, we should use high-powered forces to completely cleanse the filthy rats of the mundane world; once the land regains vitality, we then select people from Yueliangcheng to descend and carry out a thorough reconstruction."

"Well said!"

The Count was very pleased, and he clapped his hands firmly to show his support for Luosen's remarks.

"It seems your trip to Grey City has indeed been most rewarding."

At this moment, the two had reached the end of the garden, and right ahead was the entrance to the Count's study.

The Count then said: "Come to my study, and let us discuss in detail your perilous journey in Grey City."

"As you wish."

At this point, Luosen had fully understood the manner of soul-bond between the Count and Zhuliye.

It is extremely intricate; ordinary people cannot forge it, but a true god can.

However, he still needs some time to find a loophole in this soul-bond, so the Count's invitation came at just the right moment.

Soon, the two entered the Count's study.

"Come~~ sit. Would you like something to drink?"

The Count was in good spirits, his attitude warm, even personally pouring a cup of wine for Luosen.

Luosen wore an expression of pleasant surprise.

After humbly taking a sip of wine, he then told his carefully crafted story at a moderate pace, from beginning to end.

The plot was full of twists and turns, vividly narrated, and it immediately caught the Count's attention.

As someone who had lived for over a thousand years, the Count's daily life was actually quite boring.

Upon hearing some fresh stories, he suddenly developed considerable interest, and without realizing it, he became engrossed.

When he had listened to most of it, he suddenly felt his mind turn slightly hazy, like being drunk, feeling light and unable to tell up from down or left from right, and also unable to sense the passage of time.

Normally he would have noticed immediately, but at this moment, being absorbed in Luosen's story, his reaction was slowed by a beat.

Just that one beat of a mistake caused him to miss the chance to escape the trap.

For some reason, the Count felt very drowsy, his vision darkened in waves, and he heard the faint voice of his servant Lu Bo Te:

"My Lord Count, you seem tired; shall I help you rest?"

"Mm... okay."

The Count felt something was off and wanted to respond, but he was simply too sleepy.

After forcing himself for a few seconds, he completely lost consciousness.

On the other side, Luosen sat in the Count's chair, lightly patting his splendid noble robe, his brows full of thought: "Zhu Li Ye certainly has not developed self-awareness; she remains merely a highly functional intelligent puppet."

If it had self-awareness, or even possessed the power of a True God, then not only would disguising himself as the Eternal Count Gang Te Jin be impossible, even disguising himself as Lu Bo Te would be very difficult.

"Therefore, the likely situation is that within the Eternal Empire, someone who has obtained partial True God power and harbors great ambition has arisen, using Juliet's strong control over the empire to cause this series of events."

Why only partial True God power? Because if it were a true True God, it could fully control Juliet, and given Juliet's control over the empire, this person would have no need to hide; they could simply reveal themselves.

So then, who is this hidden powerful figure behind the scenes?

Unclear, awaiting further investigation.

The good news is that he successfully disguised himself as the Eternal Count Gang Te Jin and obtained the Eternal Count's authority.

This authority is far superior to that of a First-class Citizen.

As for the genuine Gang Te Jin, his body has been transformed by Luosen into Lu Bo Te, while his soul is imprisoned within Luosen's own divine soul, constantly read to ensure his disguise remains perfect.

Lu Bo Te has completed his mission; from now on, Laifu will control him, and for the most part he will become an invisible person.

"Lu Bo Te, step back."

"Yes, my lord." Lu Bo Te bowed humbly and left the study.

Luosen then sat in the study's chair and began to skim through the Count's memories.

After reading for about an hour, he already knew in his heart, silently thinking: "In half a month, at the Empress's birthday banquet, all the Eternal Nobility will attend. Not bad~~ really not bad!"

He had reason to suspect that this ambitious person was hiding in Yueliangcheng and was very likely a high-ranking Eternal Noble.

Perhaps he is a prince who seeks to usurp the throne.

Now that such a good opportunity has arisen, naturally we should investigate it thoroughly.

The novel is about to finish; starting today, one chapter per day, preparing a new book.

(End of chapter)