Chapter 107: The Royal Knights
After Xue Xing left the great hall, Xue Ye leaned back on his throne, closing his eyes to rest.
The Vast Sea Konoha Cover had boundless uses. If it weren't for the impossibility of the situation, why would he have allowed the nation's treasure to fall into the hands of the Clear Sky Sect?
That's right, in Xue Ye's opinion, the mastermind behind the theft from the national treasury wasn't Tang San, but the Clear Sky Sect behind him.
Although the Clear Sky Sect had gone into seclusion under pressure from the Spirit Hall, as the former number one sect in the world, its foundation far surpassed the other two sects within the Upper Three Sects.
Xue Ye believed that only the Clear Sky Sect possessed such mysterious means to have stolen the national treasure from the treasury without anyone noticing.
Since the Vast Sea Konoha Cover had fallen into the hands of the Clear Sky Sect, unless their royal family completely fell out with the Clear Sky Sect and made the news of the stolen national treasure public knowledge, there was no hope of getting it back.
With the theft of the national treasure, the royal family had already lost face. If they were to stir up a fuss about this matter, they would lose both face and reputation.
Therefore, Xue Ye was forced to give up on the Vast Sea Konoha Cover, which had been passed down in their Xue family for generations.
The detention of Moon Xuan was also a basic form of retaliation, intended to warn the Clear Sky Sect that this matter was settled, but they should not go too far in the future.
"By doing this, I've cut off the economic lifeline of those lunatics in the Clear Sky Sect. I wonder if they'll do something outrageous out of anger?"
"No, to ensure the safety of the palace during these days, I must have the Royal Knights surround the palace tightly. Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep or eat in peace."
...
Lin Clan Estate.
Even though the season had already passed the White Dew solar term, the green bamboos planted in the courtyard were still full of life and evergreen.
A refreshing autumn breeze swept through the courtyard, causing the bamboo leaves to dance in the air before falling into the lotus pond, creating ripples on the water's surface.
In the pond, the Nine Bend Vine Dragon, seeing the pairs of koi swimming around, felt a bit bored and sank to the bottom of the pond to sleep.
In the center of the courtyard, under the bamboo pavilion.
Lin Rong, as usual, practiced his multitasking, handling a pile of tasks with his hands while also dedicating a portion of his mind to reviewing the intelligence that had just arrived:
Xue Zhong, an orphan raised by the royal family's Xue clan from a young age. Due to his outstanding Spirit Master talent, he was personally bestowed the surname Xue and given the name Zhong by the current Emperor Xue Ye.
He is forty-eight years old, a level seventy-eight offensive-type Soul Saint, and has served as the commander of the Heaven Dou Royal Knights for ten years, holding immense prestige within the Knights.
"Zhong?"
"An orphan raised by the royal family from a young age. Xue Zhong's loyalty to the royal family is likely at the level of a family retainer."
"Moreover, the fact that this person was granted the surname Xue by Xue Ye and entrusted with the position of commander of the Royal Knights suggests that Xue Zhong's loyalty is probably among the most devoted of the family retainers."
The information on the intelligence report made Lin Rong dismiss any hope of turning him to his side. He continued to read:
Jin Wen, born into a common family. His ancestors for three generations were imperial barons, making him one of the many fallen nobles.
He is fifty-seven years old, a level seventy-seven offensive-type Soul Saint, and has served as the deputy commander of the Heaven Dou Royal Knights for over twenty years. As he is not a confidant of the royal family's direct line, he has always been unable to attain the position of commander.
"A fallen noble?"
"This person is not a royal confidant, yet he has managed to hold the position of deputy commander of the Knights for so long. His methods and character are not to be underestimated; he is a capable person."
"Good, there is hope of recruiting and turning him."
"Let's look at the information on the other deputy commander."
Zong Xuan, an orphan. Because his Martial Soul is the mutated Wind Feather Swan, and he was adopted by the royal family from a young age, it is rumored that he is the illegitimate son of the previous Heaven Dou Emperor or a certain prince.
He is seventy-two years old, a level eighty-two agile-type Soul Douluo. He previously served as the commander of the Royal Knights for over thirty years. After Xue Ye supported Xue Zhong to the position ten years ago, his rank was demoted to deputy commander of the Royal Knights.
"Wind Feather Swan? A swan Martial Soul with wind attributes?"
"Heh, a swan Martial Soul, coupled with being adopted by the royal family from a young age, it's no wonder rumors spread that he's the illegitimate son of some important figure from the previous generation of the royal family."
"I wonder who Zong Xuan's nominal father is. Not many people in this world have the standing to be cuckolded by someone from the royal family!"
Lin Rong's gossipy fire suddenly ignited, and he then thought:
"Although this person is a Soul Douluo, his identity as a royal illegitimate son means he cannot be used by me. Like Xue Zhong, he is someone who must be dealt with."
"As for the deputy commander named Jin Wen, I can try to secretly contact him first."
"A wise bird chooses its tree. If Jin Wen is sensible enough, that would be for the best. But if he is pedantic and stubborn, he will only meet the same fate as Xue Zhong and Zong Xuan."
Among the three commanders and deputy commanders of the Royal Knights.
Xue Zhong, the commander, only takes orders from Xue Ye.
The portion controlled by Prince Xue Xing consists of knights and soldiers under Zong Xuan's command. It's possible that in private, Xue Xing would have to call Zong Xuan "Uncle."
As for Deputy Commander Jin Wen, both in terms of his position within the Royal Knights and his cultivation of Soul Power, he is the lowest among the three.
Therefore, the position of Deputy Commander Jin Wen is truly stifling and largely nominal. He holds the title of deputy commander, but he essentially has very little of the power that a deputy commander should possess.
Even if Jin Wen was loyal to the royal family from the beginning, his experiences in the Royal Knights for over twenty years would have turned even the warmest heart into ice.
Under such circumstances, as long as Jin Wen's mindset is not too pedantic or stubborn, and if sufficient benefits are offered, recruiting and turning him should be an easy task.
Lin Rong looked at the white paper on the table, which detailed the information of the high-ranking officials of the Royal Knights, and was very satisfied with Dugu Bo's competence.
"Dugu Bo did a good job collecting intelligence on the high-ranking officials of the Royal Knights."
"I should say, Prince Xue Xing trusted Dugu Bo too much to leak such classified intelligence to him."
"Dugu Bo has worked so diligently on so many things, it's only proper that I, as his master, should show some appreciation."
"It seems I need to intensify my cultivation recently and strive to break through to level sixty as soon as possible. That way, I can also take Dugu Bo to find Yang Wudi to cure him sooner."
These days passed, and Lin Rong's own Soul Power level had progressed halfway to level fifty-eight, leaving him only one and a half levels away from the breakthrough to level sixty.
Lin Rong estimated that with about three more months of cultivation, he could break through to level sixty in Soul Power.
At that time, he would only be ten years and nine months old.
A level sixty Soul Emperor under the age of eleven would once again shatter the historical records of this continent.
...
Time flew by, and three months quickly passed.
It was a snowy winter day.
In the early morning of this day, Lin Rong finally broke through from the peak of level fifty-nine to level sixty in Soul Power.
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