"There's no reason," Qian Renxue said, biting her lip. "I just don't want to go."
"Is it because of that kid named Ning Lin?" Qian Xunji's voice was unreadable.
Qian Renxue remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.
Qian Xunji suddenly laughed.
"Xue'er, you are still too young."
Do you think this is a discussion with you?
He rose from his throne and walked down the steps, an invisible pressure enveloping the entire hall.
"This is an order."
"It's fine if you don't want to go."
"Every year when the Spirit Hall sends out missions, there are always some Spirit Masters who… don't come back."
"Do you think Ning Lin might also have such bad luck?"
His words were soft, yet they struck Qian Renxue's heart like a heavy hammer.
She trembled, looked up at her father's familiar yet unfamiliar face, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"You...you're using him to threaten me?"
"This is not a threat," Qian Xunji corrected. "It's just stating a possible fact."
"A weak person, in a place like the Spirit Hall, never has his or her own fate decided."
Qian Renxue's fingernails dug deep into her palms, yet she felt no pain whatsoever.
She knew that what her father said was true.
With just a word from him, Ning Lin would vanish from this world without a trace.
A sense of powerlessness overwhelmed her like a tidal wave.
Seeing her daughter's face drain of color in an instant, and the pain and struggle in her golden eyes, Qian Xunji couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.
He softened his tone.
"Never mind."
"Since you value him so much, I will give him a future."
Qian Renxue suddenly raised her head.
"You can focus on carrying out the plan. I can arrange for him to go to Tiandou City."
"How about the position of Lord of Tiandou City?"
Qian Renxue was stunned.
Lord of Tiandou City?
That is the lord of the capital of the Heavenly Dou Empire, holding a high position and great power.
They sent her to infiltrate Tiandou, and then sent Ning Lin to take up a post in Tiandou...
"In that case, you can be considered to be in the same city."
"If you do well, he will be an important pawn in your control of the empire in the future."
Chihiro's voice was incredibly alluring.
A big stick, a sweet date.
He mastered the art of checks and balances used by emperors.
Qian Renxue understood that she had no choice.
This is the biggest concession a father can make.
After a long while, she closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, all her emotions had vanished.
"...good."
"I accept the mission."
...
The next day, the data department.
Ning Lin was summoned to the Papal Palace.
This was the first time he had faced the supreme ruler of the Spirit Hall at such close range.
He knelt on one knee, his posture respectful and his expression calm.
"Your subordinate Ning Lin greets Your Holiness the Pope."
Qian Xunji sat on the throne, looking down at the young man below.
He had delicate features, a reserved demeanor, and a pair of dark eyes that were calm and unfathomable.
"Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Ning Lin stood up and stood with his hands at his sides.
Qian Xunji sized him up for a moment before slowly speaking.
"I have summoned you here today for two matters."
"Firstly, Her Highness the Holy Maiden is exceptionally talented and has been selected by the Elders to undergo a long period of intensive seclusion and cultivation, during which she will not have any contact with the outside world."
Upon hearing this, Ning Lin's eyelids twitched almost imperceptibly.
Seclusion?
for many years?
She didn't mention anything last night.
His mind raced with thoughts, but he showed no emotion on his face.
"Her Highness is a woman of extraordinary talent; this is a great fortune for the Spirit Hall."
Qian Xunji nodded, seemingly quite satisfied with his reaction.
"The second item."
"You, Ning Lin, have performed reasonably well in the data department over the years."
"I have decided to send you to the Heaven Dou Empire to assume the position of Lord of Heaven Dou City. You shall depart immediately."
Qian Xunji's voice was devoid of any emotion.
This appointment was extremely abrupt.
To rise from a lowly clerk to the ruler of the imperial capital is not just a promotion, but a myth.
Ning Lin raised his head and met Qian Xunji's deep eyes.
He saw no appreciation in it, only scrutiny and...warning.
He understood instantly.
These two things are essentially the same thing.
His so-called seclusion was a pretense; his real purpose was to separate him from Qian Renxue.
The position of city lord serves both as a means of appeasement and surveillance.
Ning Lin was perfectly clear-headed, but his expression remained unchanged.
He knelt down on one knee again, his voice steady.
"Yes, sir."
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty."
After Qian Xunji finished speaking, there was no more sound in the hall.
Ning Lin kowtowed, his forehead touching the cold ground.
"Yes, sir."
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty."
He didn't look up, so he didn't see the complex expression that flashed across Qian Xunji's eyes.
...
...
Tiandou City, the heart of the empire.
The grandeur of this magnificent city far surpasses that of Wuhun City.
On his first day in office, Ning Lin met the legendary Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe.
Contrary to expectations, the Eastern Palace was not heavily guarded; instead, it exuded an elegant, scholarly atmosphere.
Xue Qinghe was dressed in a light gold casual outfit, with a gentle and refined face and a humble demeanor, without a trace of royal arrogance.
He personally poured tea for Ning Lin, his movements fluid and graceful.
"Lord Ning, there's no need for such formalities."
"I have read the appointment document from the Spirit Hall, but my father wants me to examine him personally."
Xue Qinghe's voice was clear and melodious, like a gentle spring breeze.
"I wonder what insights Lord Ning has regarding the governance of Tiandou City?"
Ning Lin sat upright, looking calmly at the face before him that was both familiar and unfamiliar.
He knew that this was Qian Renxue.
The disguise was flawless.
Even the Adam's apple and the broader shoulders were flawlessly rendered.
He sighed inwardly, but maintained a businesslike expression on his face.
"Your Highness, I am new here and dare not offer any unsolicited opinions."
"Just eight words."
"Investigate the fields and enforce the law strictly."
Xue Qinghe paused slightly in his teacup, a hint of surprise flashing in the depths of his eyes.
These eight words, though simple in wording, directly address the deep-seated problems of Tiandou City and even the entire empire.
The nobles seized land, rendering the law ineffective.
No one dared to touch him, no one could touch him, no one had the power to touch him.
This lowly deacon from the Spirit Hall's data department has such audacity.
"What a fine way to investigate farmland and enforce the law!"
Xue Qinghe put down his teacup, clapped his hands, and laughed.
"Does Lord Ning know that this move will offend more than 90% of the nobles in the city?"
"I understand," Ning Lin replied.
"And what are you going to do then?"
"With His Highness the Crown Prince and His Majesty on my side, I have nothing to fear," Ning Lin replied flawlessly.
Xue Qinghe looked at him for a long time.
In those gentle eyes, emotions surged—admiration, joy, and a hint of deep-seated bitterness.
You are still you.
No matter where you are, you are different from others.
"good."
Xue Qinghe stood up.
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