127: Your Highness, please stop licking!
In Li Qing's room in Tiantian Garden.
After a day of rest, yesterday's commotion seemed to have gradually subsided.
Li Qing sat cross-legged on the bed, digesting the Medicinal Pills he had “borrowed” from those unlucky assassins.
Although the quality of these Medicinal Pills was far inferior to those he had obtained from the City Lord's Mansion treasury before, something was better than nothing, and they could still contribute to the Clone's evolution value.
Just then.
"Dong, dong, dong."
A very polite knocking sound gently rang out.
Li Qing slowly opened his eyes, his brows slightly raised.
Who?
Is it someone from the Grand Princess's side again?
He got up and walked to the door. Instead of opening it immediately, he asked faintly through the door panel.
"Who?"
Outside the door, an old and gentle voice came.
"Young Master Li Qing, this old man, Elder Xuan, has been ordered by His Highness the Crown Prince to pay you a visit."
The Crown Prince?
Li Qing's movement paused.
He hadn't expected that this matter would even involve the Crown Prince.
He pulled open the door.
Outside the door stood an old man in gray cloth clothes with an ordinary face.
The old man had a gentle smile on his face and bowed slightly to Li Qing in greeting.
"I apologize for the abrupt disturbance, and I hope Young Master Li will forgive me."
His posture was extremely humble.
It formed a stark contrast to the Grand Princess's arrogant demeanor yesterday.
Li Qing looked at him without speaking.
He could feel that this seemingly ordinary old man contained an unfathomable power within him.
Spirit Transformation Realm Middle Stage?
Or even higher!
Moreover, his Foundation was extremely solid, and his aura was as steady as a mountain.
This was definitely a true powerhouse who had fought his way out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, far stronger than a Spirit Transformation Realm cultivator like City Lord, who relied on Medicinal Pills to accumulate strength, by more than one grade.
"Something wrong?"
Li Qing turned sideways, clearing a path and motioning for him to come in.
"Thank you, Young Master Li."
Elder Xuan bowed again before stepping into the room.
He didn't sit down but stood there quietly, looking at Li Qing with a peaceful gaze.
"Young Master Li, this old man has come today under the orders of His Highness the Crown Prince, specifically to apologize to you."
Elder Xuan's opening words made Li Qing pause.
Apologize?
"Our Grand Princess Your Highness is accustomed to being spoiled and arrogant. The other day, she offended and clashed with Young Master."
"After His Highness the Crown Prince heard about this, he felt uneasy and specifically ordered this old man to come and apologize on her behalf."
"I hope Young Master Li, being a magnanimous person, will not bother with a mere woman like her."
Elder Xuan's words were sincere and watertight.
He not only clarified his purpose but also subtly belittled Xia Qingyue and elevated Li Qing.
Li Qing looked at him and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
This Crown Prince is an interesting person.
He knows how to play the game.
"There's no need for apologies."
Li Qing waved his hand, getting straight to the point.
"Tell me, what do you want to do?"
He didn't believe that a dignified Crown Prince would actually send a Spirit Transformation Realm powerhouse to apologize to him for such a trivial matter.
Showing courtesy for no reason indicates malicious intent.
"Hehe, Young Master Li is straightforward, so this old man won't beat around the bush."
Elder Xuan smiled gently and took out the purple-gold Storage Pouch from hisHuai, presenting it with both hands.
"His Highness the Crown Prince has long admired Young Master's Divine Might."
"He said that a peerless Prodigy like Young Master should enjoy the best treatment, but because of my ignorant older sister, you were disturbed, and he feels ashamed."
"Inside are two thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, one thousand qi nurturing pills, and ten bottles of 'Jade Dew Pills.' They are a small token of respect, and I hope Young Master will accept them as a gesture of His Highness the Crown Prince's sincerity."
Two thousand Spirit Stones!
One thousand qi nurturing pills!
Li Qing's breathing paused slightly.
Good heavens!
This gesture is much more generous than that stingy Grand Princess!
The Grand Princess only offered one thousand Spirit Stones as a bounty to kill him.
This Crown Prince, with one move, offers two thousand!
The difference is clear!
Li Qing didn't immediately take it. He just looked at Elder Xuan calmly.
"One should not accept rewards without contributing."
"Hehe, this is not asking Young Master to do anything for His Highness." Elder Xuan still maintained a humble smile.
"This is simply His Highness the Crown Prince genuinely wanting to make a friend with Young Master."
"His Highness said that true Prodigies should have their own pride and freedom and should not be bound by anyone."
"He will never, like the Grand Princess, force Young Master to do anything unwilling."
"He only hopes to forge a good relationship with Young Master."
These words were grand and noble.
They both elevated Li Qing and conveniently stepped on Xia Qingyue.
Li Qing looked at him, a cold sneer in his heart.
His words were better than a song.
What nonsense about making friends and not interfering with freedom.
In the end, he was still eyeing him as a 'tool,' wanting to use him to kill his good sister.
However, resources delivered to his doorstep should not be refused.
Li Qing reached out and took the heavy Storage Pouch.
"Since it's a kind gesture from His Highness the Crown Prince, I won't be rude by refusing."
"Please thank His Highness the Crown Prince on my behalf."
Seeing Li Qing accept the Storage Pouch, Elder Xuan's smile grew wider.
He knew that this first step was correct.
"Young Master Li is too polite."
He paused, then took out the jade box carved with the Nine Dragon pattern from hisHuai.
"Besides this, His Highness the Crown Prince has another gift for Young Master."
He slowly opened the jade box.
A token, entirely made of unknown white jade and emanating a faint Imperial Dragon Qi, lay quietly within.
On the token, two ancient seal characters were engraved.
"Wuan."
"This is..." Li Qing's pupils slightly contracted.
"This is the marquis order token."
Elder Xuan's voice carried a hint of solemnity.
"His Highness the Crown Prince said that Young Master's talent deserves to be granted the title of Marquis!"
"As long as Young Master agrees, from today onwards, you will be his Guest Elder. After he ascends the throne, you will be the hereditary Marquis Wuan of the Great Xia Dynasty!"
"With a fief of ten thousand households and a thousand li of land!"
"You will be three ranks higher than any official you meet, you will not have to rush in court, you will not be called by name during ceremonies, and you may wear your sword and shoes into the palace!"
"This is the highest respect our Great Xia Dynasty shows to true powerhouses!"
Boom!
Elder Xuan's words, like a sudden clap of thunder, exploded in Li Qing's heart!
Being ennobled as a Marquis!
And a hereditary Marquis!
This was no longer a simple attempt to win him over.
This was practically tying himself directly to the Crown Prince's chariot!
Li Qing looked at the marquis order token and fell silent.
He had to admit, he was tempted.
Even though it was only after he ascended the throne.
It was essentially a grand promise!
But!
Being ennobled as a Marquis and a General, bringing glory to one's ancestors—this was an irresistible temptation for any man.
More importantly, once he accepted this title, he would legitimately gain massive resources and immense power.
This would have immeasurable benefits for his Clone's evolution.
But he also clearly understood the price he would have to pay behind this.
Once he accepted, he would be completely drawn into the imperial family's struggle for succession.
At that time, what he would face might not only be Xia Qingyue but also the massive Grand Generals Residence that Guards the Nation behind her, as well as all other forces supporting her.
Trouble would follow one after another.
"What does His Highness the Crown Prince want me to do?"
Li Qing looked up, meeting Elder Xuan's eyes directly.
Elder Xuan smiled slightly, as if he had long anticipated this question.
"His Highness said he doesn't need Young Master to do anything."
"He only wants Young Master to be yourself."
"Be the Li Qing who killed Fierce Axe with one punch and crushed the killing formation with one kick."
"Be the Li Qing who dared to openly confront the Grand Princess and regarded royal power as nothing."
Elder Xuan's voice was gentle.
"His Highness believes that Young Master's very existence is his greatest help."
"As for the future, if His Highness truly encounters some insoluble trouble and needs Young Master's assistance..."
"His Highness also believes that with Young Master's character, you would never stand idly by."
"Of course, all of this is based on Young Master's willingness."
"His Highness will never force it."
After Elder Xuan finished speaking, he quietly looked at Li Qing, awaiting his answer.