I Can Strengthen Everything

"You are too kind, Your Highness."

"Slaying Demons and Monsters is my duty," Fang Xing said, neither servile nor overbearing.

The Ninth Prince nodded lightly, looking at Fang Xing. "It is good that Lord Fang thinks this way. Very good, indeed."

"Of course. We don’t have the luxury of being as idle as Your Highness," Hong Miaojin said, her face cold.

Hearing this, Zhao Taiji just smiled and changed the subject.

’This guy... what a class act.’

Fang Xing had to admire the thick skin of the Royal Family.

’Truly a master of infighting!’

He never let his joy or anger show on his face.

Even when faced with Hong Miaojin’s indifference, he could still be shamelessly persistent.

He refused to believe this Ninth Prince was some love-struck fool.

This was all about gaining Hong Xuanji’s support.

After all, across the entire Great Jing, the Observatory was arguably the most unique of all departments.

...

After some conversation, the Ninth Prince asked him a few questions from time to time.

Fang Xing maintained a warm and pleasant demeanor in his replies.

He didn’t want to get involved in this messy business.

Staying out of it—that was his number one rule after arriving in the capital.

If Hong Miaojin hadn’t forced him to stay here, he would have much preferred to be at a Post Station.

At least then he wouldn’t have been targeted by this Prince.

But now, he was afraid this Ninth Prince already had him in his sights.

The Prince had ostensibly come to see Hong Miaojin, but he was actually here to gather information.

He was well aware of this. So, whenever the matter involved Hong Miaojin, he stuck to one principle.

Play dumb.

In truth, he didn’t know much about her private affairs anyway.

The only things he did know were what Yuan Tiangang had told him.

After chatting for over an hour, the Ninth Prince left Duke Zhen’s Mansion.

The moment he stepped out of the mansion, the Ninth Prince’s smiling face instantly darkened.

He looked up at the bright moon in the sky, gazing at it for a moment before departing.

...

「Duke Zhen’s Mansion.」

In the dining hall.

Fang Xing accompanied Hong Miaojin to the dining area.

Hong Xuanji was seated at the head of the table, with the two of them taking seats to his left and right.

Steward Wang brought in a jar of warmed fine wine, its alluring aroma filling the dining hall.

A servant poured the wine. Just looking at the amber liquid and taking a whiff sent a fragrant aroma surging through one’s lungs.

Although Fang Xing wasn’t a big drinker, he would still have a little.

Hong Xuanji raised his cup and looked at the two of them. "It’s rare for things to be this lively. We can drink a bit more today."

"Thank you, My Lord."

Fang Xing raised his cup and took a small sip. The mellow liquid flowed into his chest, and a searing heat instantly rose within his body.

Not only was the flavor rich and mellow, but it also had the effect of nourishing one’s qi and blood.

The three of them drank and chatted, but Fang Xing mostly remained silent, listening quietly.

After several rounds of drinks and courses.

After the meal, Fang Xing accompanied Hong Miaojin to Hong Xuanji’s study.

[A Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure, the Flood Dragon Demon Suppression Diagram. Reinforcement cost: thirty million points!]

As he entered the study, Fang Xing’s gaze immediately fell upon a diagram hanging on the wall.

The Flood Dragon in the diagram was so lifelike it seemed as if it could leap out at any moment.

’A Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure...’

Looking at the prompt before him, Fang Xing was slightly startled.

Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasures were still a type of Spiritual Treasure.

They had no grade; they were all basically at the Top Grade level.

However, their power far surpassed that of ordinary Spiritual Treasures. They were special, containing the profound secrets of heaven and earth, and their might was immense.

The power of the Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure, the Flood Dragon Demon Suppression Diagram, far surpassed that of his own Top Grade Spiritual Treasure, the Blood Spirit Seal.

But with his current Cultivation, he would have trouble activating a Spiritual Treasure of this level.

’Treasures everywhere...’

Fang Xing sighed inwardly, then followed Hong Miaojin forward and sat down in a chair.

His eyes kept drifting back to the Flood Dragon Demon Suppression Diagram on the wall.

"What do you think of this treasure?"

Hong Xuanji’s voice suddenly sounded by his ear.

Fang Xing pulled his gaze back and looked at Hong Xuanji. "My Lord’s collection is full of rare treasures. This one’s power is extraordinary."

"My father forged this treasure after killing a Demon Emperor Level Flood Dragon in the South Sea. At full power, it could probably sweep away anyone beneath the Celestial realm."

Hong Miaojin said with a smile.

’A Demon Emperor...’

Hearing Hong Miaojin’s words, Fang Xing couldn’t help but feel a tremor in his heart.

"It’s just a little trinket," Hong Xuanji said with a smile.

’A little trinket...’

Fang Xing’s heart twitched. He couldn’t argue with that.

Given Hong Xuanji’s Cultivation, it really was just a "little trinket."

"By the way, Father, why did the Holy Emperor summon you today?"

Hong Miaojin asked, looking at Hong Xuanji.

Hong Xuanji took a sip of tea and glanced at her. "The Holy Emperor spoke of matters concerning the Southern Border today."

"The Southern Border!"

Hong Miaojin’s eyes lit up. She looked at him and asked, "What happened in the Southern Border? For the Holy Emperor himself to pay attention?"

"Yang Xiao’s time is almost up," Hong Xuanji said with a sigh.

"Yang Xiao..."

"From Qing Province in the Southern Border? Elder Yang?"

Hong Miaojin asked.

Hong Xuanji nodded. "Half a year ago, Yang Xiao fought the Demon Saint of the Demon Alliance, Ji Huan. He was grievously wounded by Ji Huan, and his Origin qi and blood have been draining away. Now, his end is near. He will likely pass on in another six months."

"Then wouldn’t the Qing Province Observatory be left without a leader?" Hong Miaojin’s brows knitted tightly.

"He can hold on for now, but not for much longer. His Majesty and I discussed it, but we have yet to select a suitable candidate for the post of Qing Province Commander."

Hong Xuanji sighed.

’Yang Xiao, the Qing Province Commander of the Southern Border...’

Listening to Hong Xuanji’s words, Fang Xing instantly understood the meaning behind their conversation.

Information about Qing Province also surfaced in his mind.

The Southern Border was the region most severely plagued by Demons and Monsters.

And Qing Province was the epicenter of it all.