Chapter 509: Ji Lin

Chapter 509 Ji Lin

Within the dim majesty of the great hall, Li Huowang used his keen vision to see Ji Lin's face, which was now utterly different from before.

When they had met back during the Shangsi Festival, Ji Lin had been ostentatious, confident, and simple—the very picture of a vibrant young lad full of youthful vigor.

Yet the current Ji Lin was completely changed; he slouched forward, resembling a venomous serpent lurking in the shadows of the dark, his features gloomy, his gaze filled with malice, completely unhidden from his surroundings.

It was truly difficult for Li Huowang to comprehend what exactly had transpired to Ji Lin in the short span since his departure.

But as Li Huowang watched the features on the left side of Ji Lin's face slowly sag downward, only to be hastily pushed back up by his hand, he seemed to understand something.

Pondering carefully for a moment, Li Huowang cupped his hands and bowed in a Daoist salute toward the Great Liang Emperor seated upon the dragon throne, "Your Highness, have you perhaps consumed a spiritual abomination?"

Li Huowang had been the one to capture the spiritual abomination used to sacrifice to the late Emperor, so he naturally understood what kind of effect the pure malice of that thing would have upon a mortal fleshly body.

Especially when he saw Ji Lin's face lightly sliding down like a viscous liquid, just like the other creatures possessed by those abominations.

Ji Lin neither answered nor denied it, leaning his body back slightly against the dragon throne. "What? Must Us report every single action to Er Jiu before it is done?"

Hearing the other man speak these words, Li Huowang immediately discarded his previous hypothesis.

This transformation was absolutely not caused solely by that malice-filled spiritual abomination; perhaps there was also the baleful aura of the Military School, or even something else entirely unknown to him.

Under the influence of these elements, Ji Lin had turned into the state he was in today.

"Your Majesty, the spiritual abomination is an ill omen. Frequent contact with it may cause wicked thoughts to arise in your heart at every moment."

Since he would indeed be working under him in the future, Li Huowang felt it necessary to offer a warning.

"Wicked? What is wicked? Who defines what is wicked? And what is virtuous?"

Ji Lin suddenly stood up from the dragon throne, raising his right hand and violently snapping his sleeve.

"Us is the Emperor. Us has never needed to follow anyone's rules—Us is the one who sets the rules! Whatever Us says is wicked, is wicked! Whatever is virtuous, is virtuous!"

Looking at the Emperor of Great Liang before him, Li Huowang realized that although Ji Lin's memories remained the same, his personality had completely transformed into another person, much like Bai Lingmiao and the Second Deity back then.

Yet it had to be said that the current Ji Lin resembled an emperor far more than before, even if he was an outright tyrant.

Ji Lin sat back down, his voice carrying a trace of exhaustion as he spoke, "Do you feel that Us has changed? Us did not wish for this either, but there was no choice! If Us were still the Ji Lin of the past, Us would have died long ago."

Staring at the unfamiliar Ji Lin, Li Huowang could not help but find him somewhat pitiable at this moment; after all, someone of his age would still be attending high school in the modern era.

The thought vanished as quickly as it came. Li Huowang felt he had no right to pity him; his own current situation was hardly any better, so it was best to look after himself first.

"Your Majesty, this servant is not skilled in other matters, but if there are killings to be done, you may look for me in the future. Er Jiu is willing to clear all obstacles for Your Majesty's ascension."

Upon hearing Li Huowang's words, Ji Lin was instantly delighted, clapping his hands repeatedly. "Good! Hahaha! Er Jiu is a straightforward man of quick words! Far more refreshing than those pedantic scholars! Come, bestow an office!"

Just as his voice fell, an old eunuch with deep nasolabial folds on his face stepped out from the darkness holding a gold-threaded horsetail whisk, chanting in a sharp, modulating tone, "By Imperial Decree~ Bestowed upon Er Jiu~ Officer of the Military Steed of the Left and Right Jinwu Guards."

"My thanks to Your Majesty."

Looking at Li Huowang bowing before him, Ji Lin said slowly with deep meaning, "Er Jiu, Us is exceedingly pleased that you could come. Rest assured, Us still keeps that fake cat you helped me with back then. After all, everything in the palace is real, so fake things become precious, wouldn't you say?"

Listening to these words, Li Huowang nodded lightly. "Indeed so."

Now that the formalities of allegiance were concluded, it was time for Li Huowang to leave the palace.

Yet just as he stepped out of the palace and had taken only a few steps down the white marble staircase, a shout came from behind him. "Officer Er, please wait!"

Turning his head, Li Huowang saw a middle-aged man with a black beard jogging toward him. Judging by the official cap swaying left and right on his head, this man should also be an official of some modest status.

"Congratulations, Officer Er, double congratulations! Although the position of Officer of the Military Steed is only of the upper eighth rank, the Left and Right Jinwu Guards are part of the Twelve Imperial Guards."

"Furthermore, I have never seen His Majesty attach such importance to an outsider. Officer Er will surely rise to greatness in no time."

Li Huowang watched this man, who was a head shorter than himself, ramble on with a long string of nonsense. Only when the man paused to catch his breath did he ask in confusion, "Who are you?"

"This humble official is Dong Zhongshou, hehehe. My official rank is not worth mentioning before Officer Er, so let us not dwell on it. This humble official is incompetent, but my school of thought is the School of Diplomacy,"

"The School of Diplomacy?" Li Huowang instinctively glanced at Jin Shan Zhao next to him, who only had half a body left. This was the first Diplomat he had encountered in this world, and he had not expected to meet a second.

"Ah, no, no, one can hardly be called a master of the craft, you flatter me too much. This humble official is merely a retainer by His Majesty's side. When His Majesty needs to resolve doubts, this humble official can offer suggestions by his side."

Having reached this point, this Dong Zhongshou finally revealed his intention to Li Huowang.

"Officer Er, from now on, you and I will both be plotting by His Majesty's side. This humble official feels there are certain matters you should be aware of. How about a gathering at my residence tomorrow evening?"

Li Huowang looked toward the empty air on his left, and then spoke to the Dong Zhongshou before him, "It seems our Emperor has unconsciously gathered quite a few talents."

Dong Zhongshou gave a forced smile. "To learn martial and civil arts is to sell them to the imperial family, after all. Officer Er, what I wish to speak to you about is precisely this matter. There are many of our own people whom you perhaps do not recognize; tomorrow I shall introduce them to you."

"Fine, see you then."

Once that Dong Zhongshou had departed, Zhuge Yuan, who had remained silent lately, spoke up to remind him, "Brother Li, do not be quick to believe only one side at this time. The people on the Great Liang Emperor's side will certainly put things in the best light. I suggest you first go find out for yourself how many factions there are in this succession struggle, and who is strong or weak. Do not let the words of one group blind you entirely."

"Mm, I know. I'm going to the Directorate of Celestial Inspection to check, and at the same time, I need to find out how many cards the Dice has left under their suppression."

As Li Huowang spoke, he walked toward the carriage below.

The Directorate of Celestial Inspection was not far from the imperial palace. A mere hour later, Li Huowang was already within that grand hall of folding screens.

"Why are there so few people? Has something happened?"

Staring at the desolate hall, Li Huowang asked Nangong, whom he had met a few times before.