MTLNOVEL Chapter 89: Patrolling the World
"Elevated to Marquis on his nineteenth birthday!
This event would certainly make history, becoming a splendid tale.
And the Emperor clearly wanted to embellish this tale further:
"Bring it here."
Soon, a eunuch holding a long, rectangular box made of red sandalwood approached the steps of the dais, arrived in front of Li Fei, and handed him the box.
Li Fei instinctively accepted it.
"This contains a Seventh Grade Protective Clothing—the Golden Silk Jade Qilin Armor."
The Emperor did not make Li Fei guess and directly gave the answer.
Upon hearing this, almost all the Martial Arts Masters present felt envious!
Seventh Grade Protective Clothing, a treasure of the world!
Seventh Grade Protective Clothing and Abnormal Weapons could only come from Seventh Grade Exotic Beasts, and Seventh Grade Exotic Beasts were already among the Top Three Grades of Exotic Beasts, with the weakest being comparable to a Martial Arts Master.
The world was no longer like it was a thousand years ago with various exotic beasts roaming everywhere.
Let alone Top Three Grade Exotic Beasts, even Mid Third Grade Exotic Beasts were incredibly rare and in high demand.
The Royal Family, of course, owned the largest Exotic Beast Breeding Farm in the whole world!
Many types of exotic beasts were nearly extinct, with only the Royal Family still breeding them, one of which was called the Cloud Dream Gold Robe Beast.
The Cloud Dream Gold Robe Beast was a mix of Gold Attribute and Water Attribute, a high-level Sixth Grade beast.
Using the skin and flesh of the Cloud Dream Gold Robe Beast, one could make the Cloud Dream Gold Thread Robe, a Sixth Grade Protective Clothing with excellent defensive qualities, exclusively possessed by the Royals.
Originally, Li Fei received a Cloud Dream Gold Thread Robe from the Crown Prince after winning a bet on Daluo Peak.
However, this robe was completely destroyed during the battle with True Master Qing Yu and could not be repaired at all.
A piece of Sixth Grade Protective Clothing could effectively defend against high-level Force, even useful to Martial Arts Masters as their conventional methods also employed Force.
Li Fei had been regretting the loss of this Sixth Grade Protective Clothing, unsure when he could obtain another.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor directly gifted him a piece of Seventh Grade Protective Clothing!
Once the Cloud Dream Gold Robe Beast advanced a grade, it would evolve into a Cloud Dream Gold Qilin Beast, becoming a lower-level Seventh Grade mutant beast!
Seventh Grade Mutant Beasts already possessed Divine Skills, so items made from this grade of beast also bear unique magical properties and are referred to as 'Divine Clothes' or 'Divine Weapons'.
Each piece of Divine Clothing or Divine Weapon could greatly benefit a Martial Arts Master, a treasure many Martial Arts Masters longed for but couldn't acquire!
In fact, many Martial Arts Masters in this world did not even possess Sixth Grade Protective Clothing, and here was Li Fei, a Tao Foundation Stage Martial Artist, already wearing Seventh Grade Protective Clothing.
How could others not feel envious and jealous?
The Eldest Prince, standing behind, looked at the wooden box in Li Fei's hands and unconsciously clenched his fists.
He himself wore only a Sixth Grade Cloud Dream Gold Thread Robe, without any Divine Clothes to wear.
This Golden Silk Jade Qilin Armor in Li Fei's hands was presently the only piece in the Royal Treasury, and to have another piece, the Royal Family would need to slaughter one of the few Cloud Dream Gold Qilin Beasts they currently had.
The Eldest Prince had long coveted this Golden Silk Jade Qilin Armor, constantly thinking of finding opportunities to prove his worth and thereby ask for it from his father.
But now this Divine Clothing had fallen into the hands of Li Fei...
"Li Fei, how do you find this gift?"
From atop the dais, the Emperor asked with a smile.
Li Fei bowed deeply, "Your servant is profoundly grateful and at a loss for words!"
"To be made a Marquis at nineteen, surely a tale for the history books, and divine attire suits a heavenly prodigy perfectly."
The Emperor said with a smile, looking in a good mood.
"Father Emperor."
Just then, the Crown Prince stepped forward:
"For such a heavenly prodigy, your son wishes to clothe Marquis Jing'an!"
The court officials reacted differently upon hearing this.
Some quietly praised the Crown Prince for seizing the opportunity and humbling himself to win people's hearts.
Others smirked internally.
The Eldest Prince tugged at the corner of his mouth, while the Third Prince looked amused.
Originally, it was the Crown Prince who had brought Li Fei into Lanling City and personally introduced him to the Emperor.
Now, as Li Fei became a Marquis at nineteen and received Divine Clothing from the Emperor, the Crown Prince personally stepped forward to clothe him.
It was consistent from beginning to end, also subtly reminding everyone that it was he who had introduced Li Fei.
"Very well."
The Emperor nodded in agreement, his smile still warm, though his eyes slightly changed.
The Crown Prince, grinning, walked next to Li Fei, winked at him, then opened the wooden box and took out a dark golden robe with cloud patterns on it.
This robe did not look like 'Qilin Armor' at all, but the material had an extraordinary feel; though very soft, it radiated a metallic luster.
Li Fei felt the wooden box lighten in his hand and roughly estimated that this Divine Clothing weighed no less than a hundred pounds.
Although the Crown Prince was no great master, he also practiced Martial Arts and effortlessly lifted an item weighing a hundred pounds.
He dressed Li Fei in this dark golden robe.
With the robe on, Li Fei immediately appeared even more strikingly magnificent!
Li Fei guessed that this Divine Clothing would need the input of Force to reveal its mysterious qualities, but this was not the time to explore it in the hall.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Li Fei bowed to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince steadied his hand, smiling, "Marquis Jing'an, no need for thanks."
He then returned to his place in line.
"Marquis Jing'an."
The Emperor invoked this title for the first time.
"At your service."
Li Fei clasped his hands.
"Are you satisfied with this birthday celebration?"
The Emperor asked with a smile.
The ministers heard the words, and many faces also showed envy.
To be ennobled in front of the Great Hall, and to be gifted clothes by the Emperor. The ministers congratulated him, and history would remember his name.
What birthday could surpass today?
Li Fei naturally bowed again to express his gratitude.
However, there was actually regret in his heart.
Whether being ennobled or receiving the Divine Clothes had indeed delighted and moved him.
But what he truly desired, he had not obtained.
He wanted to exonerate Shangguan Xiao and to vindicate Hao Yi!
Yet today, he had already received extreme honor in front of the Great Hall. If he were to speak up and ask for more, anyone would think him ungrateful and arrogant because of the favor shown to him.
Thus, Li Fei could only bury his regret deep within.
The Emperor, observing Li Fei's expression, revealed a meaningful smile:
"Last time you attended the court assembly, you said you wanted to reopen an investigation into a case."
Hearing this, Li Fei's heart leaped, and he abruptly looked up at the Emperor.
"At that time, I made a pact with you. If you could solve the case of the missing Lifespan Extension Pill and retrieve it for me, I would give you a chance to revisit that case. I still remember this promise."
The Emperor spoke slowly.
Among the ministers, Duan Qi from the Zhi Ge Pavilion hesitated to speak. He wanted to say something but restrained himself.
Originally, Li Fei was a lowly Ninth Level secret inspector, he could speak freely; but now, the other party had become the youngest Marquis in history, deeply favored by His Majesty, not someone he could easily shake.
"The case of the missing Lifespan Extension Pill, you investigated well in the Daluo Sect. Although the lost Lifespan Extension Pill was not retrieved, in the end, you made a great contribution to the country. Although you did not extend my life, you extended the life of the nation!
Given this, since you wish to investigate, I will grant you an opportunity."
The Emperor said this.
These words caused many to change their expressions.
Li Fei had made a great achievement and deserved the reward.
But the title of Marquis Jing'an alone should suffice to acknowledge his contributions!
Afterward, the Emperor gave Li Fei a set of Divine Clothes, which came from the Royal Treasury, essentially a personal item of the Emperor. He was free to gift it to anyone, and nobody could object.
However, for the Emperor to continue rewarding Li Fei at this point was something many found hard to accept!
But the Emperor's next words silenced the restive ministers:
"A fortnight ago, while holding the Sacrificial Ceremony at the Heavenly Altar, I was targeted by an assassin. Are you aware of this event, Marquis Jing'an?"
Taken aback, Li Fei nodded:
"I have heard of it."
"Good, the case of the Lifespan Extension Pill was well investigated by you; I am pleased. What I value is your courage and loyalty for risking your life to solve cases!
I intend to assign you the investigation of this assassination attempt at the Heavenly Altar, which both the Zhi Ge Pavilion and Monitoring Pavilion have investigated for half a month without success!"
Upon finishing, the Emperor glanced at the Imperial Eunuch beside him.
The Imperial Eunuch immediately presented a decree that had been prepared earlier and read it aloud:
"Marquis Jing'an, Li Fei, with unmatched courage and loyalty, served as an imperial envoy to investigate the case of the Lifespan Extension Pill, showing no negligence, no fear of power, nor dread of danger, earning Our deep trust!
We hereby order Li Fei as the Blue Patrol Envoy of the Monitoring Pavilion, appointing him as a Fifteenth Rank official, to investigate the assassination at the Heavenly Altar.
You shall patrol the empire on Our behalf, easing Our concerns!"
Even the Eldest Prince changed his expression after hearing this decree.
Even though Li Fei's ennoblement as Marquis Jing'an had not caused him to lose composure—after all, the title of Marquis was a matter of honor, it certainly implied status, but it was by no means higher than his status as a Prince.
Li Fei's ennoblement had indeed been enviable, but even with the Emperor's deep favor, the Emperor would not regard him as his own son.
So, the Eldest Prince had remained composed.
But now, with the Emperor appointing Li Fei as the Blue Patrol Envoy and a Fifteenth Rank official, this was outright power!
The title, Blue Patrol Envoy, could also be called:
The Special Envoy for Inspecting the Empire for the Da Lan Dynasty!
In terms of official rank, a Fifteenth Rank official was at the pinnacle of the Fourth Rank Sitting Officials, just one step below a cabinet official, and equivalent to a Garrison Commander.
But in terms of authority, a Blue Patrol Envoy had powers far beyond what a Garrison Commander could compare!
The Monitoring Pavilion had the duty to inspect officials across the empire, and local oversight of officials was handled by the various local Inspection Bureaus, the Inspection General Office, and the Inspection Department.
However, the Central Cabinet conducted randomized inspections of local officials, which was the responsibility of the Blue Patrol Envoy.
In essence, the Blue Patrol Envoy could be seen as an 'examiner' sent by the Central Cabinet to various localities.
This 'examiner' could go to any locality at any time and randomly inspect any official or case!
That was the power of the Blue Patrol Envoy!
Li Fei had not anticipated the Emperor would appoint him to such a position.
Although he wasn't directly tasked with revisiting Shangguan Xiao's case, the Emperor had used the case of the assassination at the Heavenly Altar as the reason to appoint him as Blue Patrol Envoy.
And this reason was hard to refute.
The case of the assassination at the Heavenly Altar was no easier to investigate than the initial case of the missing Lifespan Extension Pill—a hot potato indeed!
And Li Fei's displayed traits of 'fearlessness and dauntlessness' during the Lifespan Extension Pill case indeed made him the prime candidate for investigating the assassination at the Heavenly Altar!
Who else in either the Zhi Ge Pavilion or the Monitoring Pavilion would dare stand firm under pressure from a True Monarch, offend the Taoist ancestral home, and still refuse to back down, insisting on investigating?
Only Li Fei!
Thus, the appointment as Blue Patrol Envoy was beyond reproach.
"This servant, accepts the decree!"
Li Fei's somewhat excited voice echoed within the Great Hall.
At this moment, he once again became the most dazzling presence in the room!
At the age of nineteen, ennobled in front of the Great Hall—
Patrolling the empire!
....
Here's the third update, seeking monthly tickets.