Chapter 346: Casting the Blade

"Marquis of Jing'an, these are your belongings."

An elderly eunuch handed the items in his hands to Li Fei with a respectful expression.

At this moment, the morning court session had already concluded. The eunuch from the Imperial Presence who had previously read the imperial decree had personally brought people to deliver the items belonging to Li Fei:

A deposit slip from the Taijia Silver Bank, containing a deposit of one million yuan.

A land deed and a set of keys; this was the imperial-bestowed residence. Li Fei only needed to press his thumbprint on the deed, and the house would be his.

A square waist plaque the size of a palm, carved from jadeite; this was the symbol of his status as a Marquis.

Officials of the Great Lan Dynasty were divided into ranks by the style of their official robes, while the nobility were divided by their waist plaques.

The lowest, a Baron, wore a copper waist plaque; a Viscount wore a silver one; and an Earl wore a gold one.

Li Fei's Marquis waist plaque was made of jadeite.

The waist plaque for a Duke, the rank above, was gold-inlaid jade.

For the highest rank, a Prince, the gold-inlaid jade plaque would have an additional gemstone embedded in it.

Li Fei took his waist plaque. The front was engraved with the two characters "Jing'an" in the center, surrounded by a carving of a Red Qilin treading on clouds, while the back was engraved with the two characters "Great Lan."

This was the symbol of a Marquis's status!

From this moment on, by relying on this waist plaque, Li Fei could claim various benefits belonging to a Marquis and enjoy the various treatments a Marquis was entitled to.

For example, regarding the acquisition of cultivation resources: he previously had to rely solely on Wu'an University, but now he could receive a portion of elixirs for free every year, and he could also purchase various mid-to-high-tier implants, protective clothing, exotic weapons, and martial arts through imperial channels.

This type of purchasing channel directly defined a person's social class!

Why did so many people risk their lives trying to enter universities or top-tier sects?

It was precisely because the vast majority of high-level resources required for cultivation were monopolized.

Although Li Fei now had the support of Wu'an University and was not lacking in resources, he could not stay at Wu'an University forever. Moreover, many of the university's resources could only be used by himself and could not be given to others.

But now it was different. With the status of a Marquis, Li Fei truly had his own purchasing channels and did not need to rely on others.

This meant he could establish his own faction.

Every Marquis estate in the Great Lan Dynasty was a behemoth, no less inferior to many of the great sects in the Jianghu!

"His Majesty has designated Xingcheng as your fief. The relevant documents will be sent from the Central Secretariat to Xingcheng within the next two days. At that time, you can coordinate with the people of Xingcheng to finalize matters such as taxation."

The eunuch from the Imperial Presence continued to speak to Li Fei.

"Xingcheng?"

Li Fei was startled; he had not expected the fief designated for him by the Emperor to be so large.

Although Xingcheng was small, it had a population of over seventy thousand and more than twenty thousand households!

Designating the entire Xingcheng as Li Fei's fief—in the past, this would have been a proper "Marquis of Ten Thousand Households"!

However, the titles of the Great Lan Dynasty were not actual fiefdoms; Li Fei had no governing power over Xingcheng, only the right to tax.

"You may build your Marquis estate in Xingcheng, and all necessary expenses will be provided by the Central Secretariat. In addition, you may possess a private militia of no more than five hundred men; the relevant details are all written in this booklet."

The eunuch from the Imperial Presence handed another booklet to Li Fei.

Li Fei took the booklet.

The nobility of the Great Lan Dynasty could all have their own private soldiers and could equip them with weapons.

This meant that Li Fei's future five hundred private soldiers could legally possess firearms and armor.

Li Fei could not help but feel a bit emotional.

The total number of people carrying guns in the Xingcheng Supervisory Court was only a little over three hundred—not even as many as his own private militia!

"Finally, there are the matters regarding your role as the Blue Patrol Special Envoy. You must go to the Supervisory Pavilion to collect your official robes, command plaque, and gold seal. All the case files related to the assassination at the Temple of Heaven are also there. Is there anything else you wish to ask?"

The eunuch from the Imperial Presence looked at Li Fei with a smile on his face.

"No, thank you, Eunuch."

Li Fei expressed his gratitude to the other party.

"You are too polite, Marquis."

The eunuch from the Imperial Presence bowed and then took his leave.

Wearing the dark gold Jade-Red Qilin Armor, holding the set of keys and the waist plaque, Li Fei first went to the side hall where he had been waiting to retrieve his Ghost-Slaying Blade.

Then, he encountered the Crown Prince, who had been waiting for him specifically, inside the hall.

"Your Highness."

"Congratulations to you, Marquis Li."

The Crown Prince's smile was as usual, and he spoke in a teasing tone.

Only, there was a bit more complexity in the look he gave Li Fei.

"Your Highness is joking."

"Eh, one should enjoy life when one is successful; don't always restrain yourself."

"Hahaha, I am indeed used to it."

"."

After the two chatted for a few sentences, the Crown Prince said:

"I had guessed about the ennoblement, but I didn't expect Father to appoint you as the Blue Patrol Special Envoy. This assassination case at the Temple of Heaven is not easy to investigate."

This was the true purpose of his coming to find Li Fei; he wanted to tell Li Fei some "inside information":

"Father had said at the beginning that this case should not be investigated with great fanfare, but the Stop-the-Conflict Pavilion and the Supervisory Pavilion did not dare to delay in the slightest. Over the past half-month, they have truly investigated with all their might, but the results they found have left them helpless."

Li Fei frowned slightly: "Why?"

The Crown Prince looked at him: "Because it's not that they couldn't find any information; on the contrary, they found too much information, implicating too many people!"

Li Fei suddenly understood.

The Crown Prince: "The person behind the scenes did it intentionally, deliberately arranging such an assassin who had connections with all parties. In this way, once a deep investigation is launched, the consequences could potentially be very serious!"

Li Fei nodded, understanding the Crown Prince's meaning and also understanding the thorniness of this case.

The assassin was linked to many great figures; if they really investigated, first of all, they would offend many people, and secondly, it would easily cause chaos in the imperial court, which was certainly something the Emperor would not want to see.

Finally, everyone had secrets. With so many great figures in the court, how many could withstand a detailed investigation?

It was very likely that these people were indeed unrelated to the assassination, but as they investigated, some other secrets might be uncovered...

But since it involved "assassinating the monarch," if they didn't investigate in detail, how could they uncover the truth?

When Li Fei first heard about this assassination case, his first reaction was that the person behind the scenes was doing it to "punish the heart."

Arranging an assassin with a Dao Foundation cultivation base could never succeed in the assassination; it was nothing more than making a fuss in people's hearts.

But now, hearing the Crown Prince say this, he realized he had thought too simply.

The true intent of the person behind the scenes in arranging such an assassination was not just that one sentence the assassin shouted in public.

The opponent's true killing move was the "thorn" buried in the shadows!

The assassin's identity was carefully arranged; as long as they investigated in detail, it could lead to a series of problems.

But if they didn't investigate in detail, this thorn would remain buried there forever.

Could the Emperor tolerate that?

Would the court officials not suspect each other?

"It seems this Blue Patrol Special Envoy role is indeed not easy to hold."

Li Fei said with a bitter smile.

The Crown Prince also smiled and gave his own promise: "If you encounter any difficulties in the process of investigating the case in the future, or if there is anything you need my help with, just speak up."

"Good, thank you, Your Highness."

"Eh, today I help you, tomorrow perhaps it will be you helping me; friends should be like this."

The Crown Prince patted Li Fei's arm and then left.

Li Fei took his belongings and, led by a eunuch, prepared to leave the Imperial Palace.

But the eunuch leading the way did not take him out of the palace; instead, he led him toward a secluded area.

This scene gave Li Fei a sense of familiarity.

He was thoughtful, and indeed, he soon saw a black sedan, and the plain-looking maid standing beside the sedan.

"Marquis, the Third Prince requests your presence."

The eunuch leading the way bowed and said to Li Fei.

Li Fei stepped toward the car parked in front.

The maid named Xiaohua opened the rear door for Li Fei, and the Third Prince sat inside, revealing a smile to Li Fei.

The python robe on the other party was still the same, but there was an extra folding fan in his hand, and he himself seemed to have an extra air of romance, like a graceful young master.

Li Fei leaned over and sat inside.

"People really cannot be compared."

The Third Prince sighed, "When we met last time, you were only an Imperial Envoy, a Level 9 Secret Inspector. Seeing you again after a few months, you are already the youngest Marquis, a Level 15 official. Congratulations, congratulations."

"Thank you, Third Highness, I also want to thank Third Highness for your previous advice."

Li Fei said.

The Third Prince tapped the folding fan in his hand against his palm: "It was you who grasped the opportunity yourself. With your temperament, even without my advice, I'm afraid you wouldn't have easily backed down back then."

Li Fei was noncommittal, looking at the other party:

"I wonder what kind of advice Third Highness has for me this time by meeting me privately?"

The Third Prince's mouth curled upward.

Last time, after Li Fei finished the morning court session, he received the task of the "Longevity Pill Case."

The Third Prince had given him advice in this way.

This time, Li Fei received the task of the "Temple of Heaven Assassination Case," and the Third Prince meeting him in the same way, presumably, would also have advice.

"If I am not mistaken, the Crown Prince must have met you first. What was his advice to you?"

The Third Prince asked.

Li Fei said frankly: "The Crown Prince said he would fully support me in investigating the case."

"Oh?"

The Third Prince was a bit surprised, "It seems I underestimated him a little."

Li Fei: "Does Third Highness think the Crown Prince will try to persuade me not to investigate deeply, just like last time?"

The Third Prince did not answer, but instead asked:

"Why do you think His Majesty wants you to investigate this case and even gave you the position of Blue Patrol Special Envoy?"

"Please enlighten me, Highness."

"Because His Majesty wants you to be a lone official."

"."

"The first time he let you investigate the Longevity Pill Case, it was actually a test for you, because the truth of the case was not important at all; His Majesty had already decided on the disposal of the Daluo Sect and True Person Qingxu in advance. Letting you investigate the case was just a casual move; His Majesty wanted to see your temperament.

Now the results of the assessment are out: firm temperament, courageous, talented, daring to do what others cannot. If you are used as a blade, perhaps you will be the sharpest blade in the world in the future!"

"."

"Now that you have been promised the position of a Marquis and given the power to patrol the world, it is to forge you into a sharp blade. Letting you investigate the Temple of Heaven assassination case is a process of casting the blade."

The Third Prince opened the folding fan in his hand with a 'swish' and looked into Li Fei's eyes:

"A nineteen-year-old Marquis, and also the greatest talent in history—if you are not a lone official, who would dare to use you with peace of mind?"

Li Fei was silent for a moment and said calmly: "Your Highness's words always strike straight to the heart."

The Third Prince smiled: "Don't you think I'm here to 'punish the heart' again this time?"

Li Fei smiled upon hearing this: "How could I dare?"

The Third Prince shook his head, his eyes staring straight at Li Fei, as if he could see through the human heart:

"I know you don't care about being a lone official, but the advice I want to give you this time is not to investigate the Temple of Heaven assassination case deeply."

"Oh?"

"Father let you investigate the case without setting a time limit. You are now the Blue Patrol Special Envoy; you can completely go and investigate the case you most want to investigate first. There is no need to get involved in this muddy water in the capital."

The Blue Patrol Special Envoy had the power to patrol the world. Although the Emperor did not directly let Li Fei retry the Shangguan Xiao case, giving him this position was equivalent to giving him the power to retry it.

Li Fei looked at the Third Prince, word by word:

"Your Highness saying such things, are you not afraid of causing misunderstandings?"

The Crown Prince knew clearly that the Emperor wanted him to be a lone official and wanted him to sever his relations with all parties during the investigation, yet he still expressed full support for him to investigate the case.

The Third Prince, however, advised Li Fei not to investigate deeply, which naturally aroused suspicion.

The Third Prince's smile remained unchanged, and with a 'snap', he closed the folding fan in his hand again:

"I am just giving you advice; just like last time, whether to listen or not is for you to weigh."

This was the meaning of seeing the guest out.

Li Fei bowed: "Thank you for your advice, Highness."

Then he got out of the car and left under the guidance of the eunuch.

Xiaohua got into the driver's seat, started the car, and drove slowly, leaving this area.

"Do you think he will listen?"

The Third Prince suddenly spoke in the back seat.

Xiaohua, who was driving, said casually that she didn't know.

The Third Prince smiled: "Also, a person like him will only follow his own heart."

Li Fei left the Imperial Palace, casually found a guard, and asked the other party to take him to the Cabinet Court.

He had to go to the Supervisory Pavilion to "report" and collect his official robes, command plaque, and gold seal.

With these things, he would truly be the Blue Patrol Special Envoy, a Level 15 official.

Being a Marquis was indeed different. After Li Fei showed his waist plaque to the guards inside the Imperial City, the other party immediately arranged a special car for him to send him to the Cabinet Court.

Sitting in the car, Li Fei recalled what the Crown Prince and the Third Prince had said.

Combining the information given by the two, he could almost be certain that the Emperor indeed had the intention of letting him be a lone official.

Back then, he defeated the First Imperial Prince on the street and kicked him flying with one foot.

After the news spread back, the Emperor let him choose an extra secret manual in the Imperial Library.

Looking back now, perhaps the Emperor already had the idea of letting Li Fei be a lone official at that time.

Severing relations with all parties, not being close to any side, and at the same time daring to offend any side!

This was what the Third Prince called—forging the sharpest blade!

Promising the position of a Marquis and granting the power of a Special Envoy—such "casting of the blade" was indeed magnificent and made people admire it.

The Third Prince had said some things that touched Li Fei's heart.

He really didn't care about being a lone official; what he cared about was the case he wanted to investigate.

After going around in such a circle, he finally got the blade he could use for revenge!

"Marquis, we have arrived at the Cabinet Court."

The driver in the front row stopped the car slowly, turned around, and said respectfully to Li Fei.

"Good, thank you."

"Marquis, please don't say that! It is all what this little one should do."

"Hmm."

Li Fei pushed open the car door and got out, looked up at the gate of the Cabinet Court in front, and walked inside.

This was the first step toward revenge.

PS: Still busy with renovation matters, can only do one update today.

(End of chapter)