The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1403 - 723: Academy Artifact Refining

"This..."

Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng suddenly halted his steps, his eyes gradually turning red.

He wasn't a fool; it was just that he had been oppressed and cautious for many years, never daring to think in this direction. After a hint from Chen Wenxian, many things suddenly became clear. While he felt delighted, a surge of bitterness welled up in his heart.

"Crown Prince, everything is in the past now."

Chen Wenxian, perceptive and understanding the Crown Prince's emotions, hurriedly consoled, "His Majesty has already expressed his stance. From now on, as long as you don't make any mistakes, there will be no more obstacles. The urgent matter now is to properly handle the Royal Fleet situation. His Majesty is generous and often allocates silver from the inner treasury as rewards. As long as the inner treasury is stabilized, His Majesty can see the Crown Prince's capabilities."

Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng hesitated for a moment, "About the steam engine, there are several teachers..."

"Absolutely not!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Wenxian immediately shook his head, his expression grave, "The steam engine has now become the eye of the storm. Everyone can see the interest in it, and everyone will contend for it. The Emperor makes it clear that to promote this item, he will leave things unattended."

"But this item involves the interests of various parties. If Your Highness intervenes, no matter the profit, it will attract numerous troubles. It's a time to remain still rather than move, just complete the tasks assigned by His Majesty."

Xiao Jingheng suddenly realized and quickly cupped his hands, "Thank you, sir, for your guidance."

"This is the duty of a minister."

Chen Wenxian's lips trembled slightly as he solemnly returned the salute.

Although he was born in the Minzhou Chamber of Commerce, he had grand aspirations from a young age and wasn't content to just be a profit-driven merchant. Therefore, after the decision of the Sea Opening Sect to fully support the Crown Prince, he took the initiative to go to the Crown Prince Mansion and recommended himself.

For a strategist, the respect of the Crown Prince is more precious than any reward.

Thinking of this, he organized his thoughts and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, with the support of the Sea Opening Sect, reestablishing the fleet is not a problem. The difficulty lies in the fact that the Imperial Family Fleet has already been exposed. If it continues to be hidden, it will be ridiculed by others. If every time it sails it is escorted by the navy, it will also be said to be competing with the people for profit."

Xiao Jingheng frowned slightly, "This won't do, and that won't do, what should we do?"

Chen Wenxian seemed lost in thought and said, "I already have a rough idea in my mind. Let's discuss it further when we return..."

The two whispered, boarded the sedan chair, and left under the escort of guards.

After they left, a small paperman suddenly burned in the dark shadows...

......

In the room, Li Yan suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the "Thunder Fallen Mysterious Gold" in the box.

This item is extremely sensitive to Astra Bane Qi.

Zizizi~

As his fingers slid over it, static electricity flickered continuously.

"What a wonderful treasure indeed..."

Looking at this item, Li Yan couldn't help but sigh internally.

This is the best thing he has obtained among the spiritual materials.

The Magic Artifacts suppressed in the Capital of the former Great Xing dynasty naturally required the best spiritual materials.

Even fragments are rare treasures.

No wonder everyone struggles hard to reach the center of power.

If items of this level fall into the pugilistic world, they will surely incite a bloody struggle amongst the Mystical Sect.

But in the Capital, it's merely a greeting gift.

The conversation between the Crown Prince and Chen Wenxian earlier, he had heard it all.

The current Emperor is domineering in nature, but his methods are extremely competent.

When Pei Zongti of the Xuan Sacrificial Officer tried to invite him to the court but was refused, Emperor Xiao Qixuan was quite displeased and openly said in the grand hall that people from the pugilistic world are not to be relied upon, so even if he contributed to the Divine State, he could never meet the Emperor again.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor still didn't give up and had the more amiable Crown Prince approach him.

If it were ordinary people from the pugilistic world, encountering the Crown Prince who shows such courtesy to scholars, they would undoubtedly be willing to give their all.

But Li Yan, having lived two lives, sought freedom, and only a fool would find himself a master.

As for future cooperation, they will follow the rules. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

At this moment, Zhao Wanfang beside him suddenly spoke, her voice lingering, "Mr. Li, have you thought it through? The meals of the royal family are not so easy to partake in."

"But they do taste good."

Su Yu also walked in from outside, took the teapot, poured Li Yan a cup of tea, and pointedly said, looking at the spiritual material in the box, "The Mystical Gold is a path to the heavens, but under the feet of the Eastern Palace, every step is a Heavenly Ladder. Tread carefully, and a glorious future will not be out of reach."

Li Yan shook his head calmly and said, "No rush, let's discuss it later."

He had already made up his mind to leave the Capital as soon as possible after handling trivial matters.

This place is simply a whirlpool of mortal dust, a web of desires.

Their state of mind is not yet enough; staying too long might make it difficult to leave.

With these thoughts, Li Yan closed the wooden box and said solemnly, "There's a more urgent matter, Elder Su, have you gotten any leads on Zhao Qingxu whom I asked you to investigate?"

The Captain Bureau of the court has the most explicit intelligence on the surface.

But the intimate details of the Three Religions and Nine Sects behind the scenes still have wilder connections through the Golden Swallow Sect.

"Not yet."

Upon hearing the inquiry about information, Su Yu's expression also grew grave, "Young Hero Li, it's not that we haven't put in the effort, but Zhao Qingxu is too cunning."

"Upon receiving your letter, I dispatched all resources to gather intelligence everywhere."

"Three hundred 'gray lines' were spread out among beggars, brokers, and refugees, scouring for leads from black market dealings, gambling house argots, and City God Temple rumors. Yet everyone linked to this matter has either been silenced or disappeared..."

"Even local ruffians like the Three Great Gangs and Carriage Shop have no knowledge of the events."

"As for the court, as you know, after the Pantao Conference's destruction and the suicide of the Yan Prince's Chief Steward, all the leads have been severed."

Li Yan was somewhat disappointed but still said, "I'm aware of all this. Elder Su is skilled in tracking and investigating. In your judgment, where might Zhao Qingxu be hiding in the capital?"

Su Yu pondered for a moment and then spoke, "As the saying goes, a passing breeze leaves a sound, and a flying goose leaves a trace. Every person requires basic necessities, so the more people involved, the more they are likely to reveal hints."