“His Majesty has always had a keen eye for talent, and I firmly support His Majesty’s decision!” Chancellor Dongguo Wuji’s voice boomed through the hall.
His words left his son Dongguo Lie and many Dongguo Party members utterly perplexed.
But as the current head of the Dongguo Party, once Dongguo Wuji took a stance, the other party officials naturally followed suit.
“I firmly support His Majesty’s decision!”
“I, too, firmly support His Majesty’s decision!”
…
One by one, they voiced their agreement.
Even Shi Wen, despite his reluctance, had to echo the sentiment.
“Present the prefect’s seal,” Emperor Huoyun commanded with a wave of his hand.
A guard immediately stepped forward, carrying the prefect’s seal and official robes, and handed them to Lin Yun.
Lin Yun accepted the items.
From this moment, he was officially the prefect of Dongyuan Prefecture.
“Does anyone have further matters to report?” Emperor Huoyun asked.
No one responded.
“Very well, court is dismissed.”
“Lin Yun, after the session, wait for me at the Tongsheng Hall.”
With that, Emperor Huoyun turned and departed toward the back of the hall.
The court officials saluted once more.
After Emperor Huoyun left, the hall erupted into a cacophony of discussion.
“How could this happen? Lin Yun as prefect of Dongyuan Prefecture—this… this is absurd!”
“It seems His Majesty greatly favours this disciple of his.”
…
Clearly, most still couldn’t accept it.
And they all understood one thing: Emperor Huoyun must hold Lin Yun in high regard to entrust him with such a position.
At Lin Yun’s position…
“Lin Yun, congratulations! You’re now the prefect of Dongyuan Prefecture—your status surpasses mine now,” He Dianzhu, head of the Martial Examination Hall, said with a smile.
He Dianzhu had witnessed Lin Yun’s journey from the martial examination to joining the empire.
During the national exam, he’d seen Lin Yun’s stunning performances firsthand and had predicted a bright future for him.
But he never imagined Lin Yun’s rise would be this meteoric!
“You’re too kind, Lord He,” Lin Yun replied with a courteous smile.
“Lin Yun, His Majesty asked you to meet him at the Tongsheng Hall. You’d better go quickly—don’t keep him waiting,” He Dianzhu reminded.
“Right, I’ll head there now.”
With that, Lin Yun turned to leave.
As he passed by Shi Wen, the man suddenly stepped in front of him.
“Lin Yun, no wonder you didn’t take me seriously yesterday. It turns out you’re relying on His Majesty’s favour!” Shi Wen’s gaze was venomous.
Lin Yun looked at him and smirked coldly. “Lord Shi, I didn’t report yesterday’s incident to His Majesty—that was me giving you face. As for taking your spot as prefect of Dongyuan Prefecture, blame your own bad luck.”
“You!”
Furious, Shi Wen unleashed his powerful aura, pressing it toward Lin Yun.
“Lord Shi, what’s this about? Are you planning to attack me right here in the hall?” Lin Yun said impassively.
“Lin Yun, I just want you to understand that with your experience and strength, you’re utterly unfit for the role of prefect of Dongyuan Prefecture! You don’t deserve it!” Shi Wen’s eyes blazed red.
“Whether I deserve it isn’t for you to decide. If you’re unconvinced, you’re welcome to confront His Majesty about it now. But I doubt you’ve got the guts,” Lin Yun said with a mocking smile.
“You… you…” Shi Wen trembled with rage at Lin Yun’s words.
The commotion naturally drew the attention of all the officials in the hall.
“Shi Wen, enough!” a stern voice reprimanded.
Chancellor Dongguo Wuji strode forward purposefully.
“Chancellor,” Shi Wen bowed to him.
“You’re making a fool of yourself. Stand down!” Dongguo Wuji barked at Shi Wen.
Shi Wen reluctantly stepped back behind Dongguo Wuji.
Dongguo Wuji turned to Lin Yun, his stern expression instantly replaced by a smile.
“Lord Lin Yun, Shi Wen spoke out of turn just now. On his behalf, I apologise to you,” Dongguo Wuji said warmly.
Lin Yun was momentarily taken aback.
Dongguo Wuji, the head of the Dongguo Party, was apologising to him?
By all accounts, he should be displeased with Lin Yun.
Especially today, with Lin Yun snatching a position coveted by one of his key subordinates, he ought to see Lin Yun as a thorn in his side.
But Lin Yun quickly realised—Dongguo Wuji was an old fox. On the surface, he appeared amicable, a kindly figure.
Yet he could very well be a smiling tiger, hiding his true intentions!
After a brief pause, Lin Yun smiled back. “Chancellor Dongguo, you’re too polite. I dashed his hopes, so it’s natural he’d be upset.”
Speak to people as people, to ghosts as ghosts.
Since Dongguo Wuji was being courteous, Lin Yun returned the courtesy.
“It seems Lord Lin Yun is a man of great understanding. I love making friends with people like you,” Dongguo Wuji said.
He continued, “By the way, Lord Lin Yun, your task in Dongyuan Prefecture won’t be light. As Chancellor, I naturally want to support you fully. I’m willing to personally sponsor you with 100 million Spirit Crystals. You’ll need to upgrade equipment and recruit talent there—it’ll cost plenty. Come by my Dongguo residence later, and I’ll hand it to you myself. How about it?”
“I appreciate Chancellor Dongguo’s kindness, but it’s too generous an offer—I dare not accept,” Lin Yun replied with a smile, politely declining.
Lin Yun knew Dongguo Wuji was once again trying to pull him into the Dongguo Party.
Seeing Lin Yun refuse, a flicker of coldness passed through Dongguo Wuji’s smile.
“Since Lord Lin Yun doesn’t dare accept, I won’t insist. Just… the role of prefect of Dongyuan Prefecture isn’t an easy one. Once you’re there, be sure to take extra care.”
Dongguo Wuji patted Lin Yun’s shoulder with a smile—a seemingly hearty reminder that carried an undertone of warning.
“Thank you for the advice, Chancellor Dongguo. I need to meet His Majesty now, so I won’t linger.”
With that, Lin Yun headed out of the hall.
As Lin Yun left, the smile vanished from Dongguo Wuji’s face.
“Let’s go.”
Dongguo Wuji turned and exited the hall.
Dongguo Lie, Shi Wen, and the other officials followed, still buzzing with discussion as they departed.
On the way out of the palace, Dongguo Wuji and his group walked together.
“Father, why didn’t you oppose His Majesty in court just now and instead supported Lin Yun?” Dongguo Lie asked as they walked, his tone thick with frustration.
“The other officials had already opposed him with all their might, yet His Majesty remained firm. That shows his mind was made up. If I’d pressed further, I’d only have embarrassed myself. In front of His Majesty, one must know when to yield,” Dongguo Wuji explained.
Clearly, Dongguo Wuji was shrewd. Since he couldn’t change the outcome, he chose to align with the emperor, giving him a graceful way out.
Then he turned to Shi Wen. “Lord Shi, since you missed this chance, wait for the next one. Opportunities will come.”
“But… Chancellor, I’ve waited so many years already,” Shi Wen said dejectedly, unwilling to let it go.
“Don’t worry, this time, you won’t have to wait long,” Dongguo Wuji said with a cold smile.
“What do you mean, Chancellor?” Shi Wen asked eagerly.
