Chapter 511: Jilin

In the dim hall, Li Huowang's keen vision caught sight of Ji Lin's face, utterly different from before. The Ji Lin he had seen during the Shangsi Festival was flamboyant, confident, and naive, a truly vibrant young man. But the current Ji Lin was completely different. He was hunched, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows. His features were gloomy, his eyes sinister, and the extreme malice he radiated towards his surroundings was not hidden in the slightest.

Li Huowang found it hard to imagine what had happened to Ji Lin in the short time he had been away. When Li Huowang saw the features on Ji Lin's left face slowly drooping downwards, only to be quickly pushed back into place by his hand, he seemed to understand something.

Li Huowang pondered for a moment, then performed a Taoist salute to the Grand Liang Emperor on the dragon throne. "Your Highness, have you consumed a Spirit Blight?"

The Spirit Blight used to commemorate the late emperor had been captured by Li Huowang. He naturally understood the impact of its pure malice on a mortal body, especially when he saw Ji Lin's face, like other things possessed by Spirit Blight, subtly sliding as if it were a viscous liquid.

Ji Lin neither answered nor denied, merely leaning back slightly into the dragon throne. "Must this emperor inform Er Jiu of everything he does?"

Hearing this, Li Huowang immediately dismissed his previous conjecture. This change was certainly not just the malicious Spirit Blight. Perhaps there was also the ominous aura of the military strategists, or even something else he wasn't aware of. It was under the influence of these things that Ji Lin had transformed into his current state.

"Your Majesty, Spirit Blight is inauspicious. Frequent contact with it may lead to constant evil thoughts." Since he would truly be working for him from now on, Li Huowang felt it necessary to offer a reminder.

"Evil? What is evil? Who defines it? What is evil, and what is good?" Ji Lin suddenly stood up from the dragon throne, raising his right hand and sweeping his sleeve forcefully. "I am the Emperor. I never have to obey anyone's rules; I am the one who sets the rules! What I say is evil, is evil! What I say is good, is good!"

Li Huowang looked at the Grand Liang Emperor before him. Aside from his memories, Ji Lin's personality had completely changed; he was like a different person entirely, similar to how Bai Lingmiao and Er Shen had been back then. But it had to be said, the current Ji Lin resembled an emperor more than he ever did before, even if he was a thorough tyrant.

Ji Lin sat back down, saying with 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 Ji Lin of the past, I would have died long ago."

Looking at the unfamiliar Ji Lin, Li Huowang couldn't help but feel a flicker of pity for him. After all, at his age, he would likely still be in high school in a later era. The thought quickly passed. Li Huowang felt he had no right to pity him; his own situation was hardly better. He should focus on himself first.

"Your Majesty, I am not skilled at much else. For matters of killing, you may seek me out. Er Jiu is willing to clear all obstacles for your ascension to the throne."

Hearing Li Huowang's words, Ji Lin immediately clapped his hands repeatedly in delight. "Good! Hahahaha! Er Jiu is straightforward! Much more refreshing than those refined scholars! Come, bestow an official title!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than an old eunuch with deep nasolabial folds on his face emerged from the darkness, holding a golden silk whisk. He chanted in a sharp, modulated voice: "By Imperial Edict! Er Jiu is hereby granted the title of Cavalry Commander, Left and Right Jinwu Guards."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Looking at Li Huowang, who was bowing to him, Ji Lin said slowly and meaningfully, "Er Jiu, I am very pleased you came. Don't worry, I still have that fake cat you helped me with. After all, everything in the palace is genuine, so fake things become precious, wouldn't you agree?"

Li Huowang listened to this, nodding gently. "Indeed."

With their business concluded, it was time for Li Huowang to leave the palace. But just as he exited the palace, and before he had descended many steps of the white jade staircase, a voice called out from behind him. "Commander Er, please wait!"

Li Huowang turned his head and saw a middle-aged man with a black beard jogging towards him. Judging by the official's hat swaying on his head, he seemed to be a minor official.

"Congratulations, Commander Er! Although the position of Cavalry Commander is merely a rank 8 official, the Left and Right Jinwu Guards are among the Twelve Imperial Guards! Moreover, I have never seen His Majesty value an outsider so highly. Commander Er, you are destined for great success very soon!"

Li Huowang watched the man, who was shorter than him, ramble on for a long time. It was only when the man paused for breath that Li Huowang asked, puzzled, "Who are you?"

"Your humble servant is Dong Zhongshou, heh heh. My humble official rank is not worth mentioning before Commander Er, it's quite insignificant. I am not particularly talented, but I hail from the School of Diplomacy."

"School of Diplomacy?" Li Huowang subconsciously glanced at Jin Shanzhao, whose body was only half-intact beside him. Jin Shanzhao was the first diplomist he had encountered in this world, and he hadn't expected to meet a second.

"Oh, no, no, it's not a grand school of thought; you flatter me, you flatter me. Your humble servant is merely a guest scholar by His Majesty's side. When His Majesty needs clarification, I can offer some advice." It was then that Dong Zhongshou revealed his true intention to Li Huowang. "Commander Er, from now on, you and I will both be serving His Majesty. There are some matters your humble servant believes you should be aware of. How about we have a discussion at my residence tomorrow night?"

Li Huowang glanced into the air to his left, then said to Dong Zhongshou, "It seems our Emperor has, unknowingly, gathered quite a few talented individuals."

Dong Zhongshou chuckled awkwardly. "One masters civil and martial arts to serve the imperial household, doesn't one? Commander Er, this is exactly what I wanted to discuss with you. There are many of our own people whom you might not recognize. Tomorrow, I can introduce you to them."

"Alright, I'll see you then."

Once Dong Zhongshou had left, Zhuge Yuan, who had been silent until now, spoke up to remind him. "Brother Li, don't be swayed by partial accounts right now. People on the Grand Liang Emperor's side will certainly speak favorably. I suggest you first find out for yourself how many factions are involved in this struggle for the throne, and who is strong and who is weak. Don't let a single perspective from one group blind you."

"Understood. I'll go to the Bureau of Celestial Monitoring to investigate right away. While I'm there, I also need to find out how many 'dice' are left after the Bureau's encirclement and suppression." With that, Li Huowang headed towards the carriage waiting below.

The Bureau of Celestial Monitoring was not far from the imperial palace. A mere hour later, Li Huowang found himself in its screen-filled hall. "Why are there so few people? Has something happened?" Li Huowang asked Nangong, whom he had met a few times, as he looked at the deserted hall.