Chapter 512
Chapter 512
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 512
>Chapter Title: Ji Lin
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In the dim great hall, Li Huowang used his sharp vision to see Ji Lin's face, which was completely different from before.
The Ji Lin he had seen during the Shangsi Festival had been flamboyant, confident, and innocent—a vibrant young man full of youthful energy.
But the Ji Lin before him now was entirely different. He was hunched over like a venomous snake lurking in the darkness, his features gloomy, his eyes filled with malice, and the intense hostility he harbored toward everything around him was on full display.
Li Huowang really couldn't imagine what had happened to Ji Lin in the short time since he'd left.
When Li Huowang saw Ji Lin's left facial features slowly drooping down, only to be quickly pushed back into place by his hand, he seemed to understand something.
Li Huowang pondered for a moment before clasping his hands and bowing toward the emperor on the dragon throne.
>" Your Highness, have you consumed a spirit spawn?"
The spirit spawn used to commemorate the late emperor had been captured by Li Huowang himself. He naturally knew what kind of impact that pure malice would have on a mortal body.
Especially when he saw Ji Lin's face sliding down slightly like thick liquid, just like the other things possessed by spirit spawn.
Ji Lin neither confirmed nor denied it. He leaned back slightly against the dragon throne behind him.
>" What? Does the lone emperor need to report my actions to Er Jiu now?"
Hearing this, Li Huowang immediately dismissed his earlier guess.
This change was definitely not just from the malicious spirit spawn. There might also be the baleful aura of the Military School, or even other things he didn't know about.
Under the influence of these things, Ji Lin had become what he was now.
" Your Majesty, spirit spawn are inauspicious. Too much contact with them might make one constantly harbor evil thoughts."
Since he would be working under him from now on, Li Huowang felt it necessary to offer a reminder.
" Evil? What is evil? Who decides what evil is? What is good?"
Ji Lin suddenly shot up from the dragon throne, raising his right hand and flicking his sleeve sharply.
" I am the emperor! I never follow anyone else's rules—I set the rules! What I say is evil is evil! What I say is good is good!"
Li Huowang looked at the Daliang Emperor before him. Now, aside from his memories being the same as before, Ji Lin's personality had completely changed, just like Bai Lingmiao back then with her two gods.
But it had to be said that this Ji Lin seemed far more like an emperor than before—even if he was a thorough tyrant.
Ji Lin sat back down, his voice carrying a hint of weariness.
>" Do you think I've changed? I didn't want to, but I had no choice! If I were still the old Ji Lin, I'd be dead by now."
Looking at this unfamiliar Ji Lin, Li Huowang couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for him. After all, at his age, in the modern world, he'd probably still be in high school.
But the thought passed in an instant. Li Huowang felt he had no right to pity him—his own situation wasn't any better. He should take care of himself first.
" Your Majesty, I'm not skilled in much else. When it comes to killing, just come to me. Er Jiu is willing to clear away all obstacles for Your Majesty's ascension."
Hearing this, Ji Lin clapped his hands repeatedly in delight.
>" Good! Hahaha! Er Jiu speaks bluntly and refreshingly—nothing like those flowery-tongued types! Come, I grant you an official position!"
As soon as he finished speaking, an elderly eunuch with deep nasolabial folds on his face emerged from the darkness, holding a golden silk whisk. In a sharp, undulating voice, he proclaimed:
>" By His Majesty's decree~ Er Jiu is granted the position of~ Adjutant of the Cavalry Division of the Left and Right Golden Wu Guards~"
" Thank you, Your Majesty."
Looking at Li Huowang bowing before him, Ji Lin spoke slowly with deep meaning.
>" Er Jiu, I'm delighted you've come. Rest assured, that fake cat you gave me back then—I still have it. After all, everything in the palace is real; fake things become precious. Don't you think?"
Li Huowang nodded lightly at these words.
>" Indeed."
With the pleasantries exchanged, Li Huowang should leave the palace.
But just as he stepped out and descended a few steps on the white marble stairs, a shout came from behind.
>" Adjutant Er, please hold!"
Li Huowang turned his head and saw a middle-aged man with a black beard jogging toward him. The official hat bobbing on his head marked him as someone of no small rank.
" Congratulations, Adjutant Er! Felicitations, Adjutant Er! Though this adjutant position in the Cavalry Division is only from eighth rank upper, the Left and Right Golden Wu Guards are one of the twelve imperial guards."
" Moreover, I've never seen His Majesty value an outsider so highly. Adjutant Er, you'll be rising through the ranks in no time."
Li Huowang watched the shorter man prattle on with empty words for a while. When he finally paused for breath, Li Huowang asked in confusion:
>" Who are you?"
" This humble official is Dong Zhongshou. Heh heh heh, my rank is nothing worth mentioning before Adjutant Er, so I won't flaunt it. This humble official is unskilled but from the School of Diplomacy."
" School of Diplomacy?"
>Li Huowang instinctively glanced at Jinshan Zhao's remains—only half a body left—which was the first such figure he'd encountered in this world. He hadn't expected to meet a second.
" Oh no, no, we're hardly equals—you flatter me! This humble official is merely a retainer by His Majesty's side, offering advice when he needs counsel."
Only then did Dong Zhongshou state his purpose.
" Adjutant Er, from now on, you and I will both serve at His Majesty's side. There are some things this humble official thinks you should know. How about a chat at my residence tomorrow night?"
Li Huowang glanced toward the empty space to his left before saying to Dong Zhongshou:
>" It seems our Majesty has quietly gathered quite a few talents without us noticing."
Dong Zhongshou smiled awkwardly.
>" One sells one's literary and martial skills to the emperor's house, as they say. Adjutant Er, that's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. There are quite a few allies you might not recognize yet. Tomorrow, I'll introduce you."
" Alright, see you then."
Once Dong Zhongshou left, Zhuge Yuan, who had been silent recently, spoke up to remind him.
>" Brother Li, don't take sides just yet based on one man's words. Everyone on the Daliang Emperor's side will naturally paint things in a favorable light. I suggest you investigate for yourself first—find out how many factions are involved in this struggle for the throne, who's strong and who's weak. Don't let one-sided accounts blind you."
" Mm, I know. I'll head to the Celestial Surveillance Division right now to check. While I'm at it, I need to figure out how many cards the dice still has left under their encirclement."
With that, Li Huowang walked toward the carriage below.
The Celestial Surveillance Division wasn't far from the imperial palace. In just an hour, Li Huowang was already in the screen-walled hall.
" Why are there so few people? Did something happen?"
Li Huowang asked Nangong, whom he had met a few times, as he looked at the deserted hall.
(End of chapter)