128: The whole city was shocked: He had become the Crown Prince's man?!

The atmosphere in the room fell silent.

Elder Xuan held the jade box, a gentle and confident smile on his face as he waited quietly.

He believed no one could refuse such conditions.

A marquis title, vast resources, plus a promise of "absolutely no interference with your freedom."

This was an open scheme.

It was an open scheme, tailor-made for Li Qing by Crown Prince Xia Yuan, one he could not refuse.

Li Qing looked at the 'marquis order token' emitting an alluring luster, his thoughts racing.

Refuse?

Why refuse?

Fat meat delivered to your doorstep, not eating it would be a waste!

As for getting involved in the royal power struggle?

Wasn't he already in the thick of it right now?

From the moment he publicly defied Xia Qingyue, he had already been branded as an "enemy of the Grand Princess."

Even if he did nothing, that woman Xia Qingyue would absolutely not let him off.

Since he was an enemy either way, why not find a powerful ally for himself?

Moreover, this ally seemed much more generous than the enemy.

Most crucially, Crown Prince Xia Yuan's words had struck a chord within him.

"Be yourself."

These four words made him feel very comfortable.

He, Li Qing, acted according to his own heart, never constrained by anyone.

This Crown Prince was very understanding.

"Alright."

Under Elder Xuan's slightly surprised gaze, Li Qing slowly uttered a single word.

He did not hesitate excessively, nor did he bargain.

He agreed, cleanly and decisively.

He reached out, took the heavy 'marquis order token' from the jade box.

It felt cool to the touch, its texture smooth and warm.

A faint wisp of Dragon Qi flowed from the token into his body, invigorating his spirit.

"From today onward, I, Li Qing, am the Crown Prince's Guest Elder!"

He put away the token and said calmly to Elder Xuan.

"Go back and tell His Highness the Crown Prince."

"I accept this gift of his."

"If there is ever a need for my service in the future, I am at his command."

Although the Crown Prince said he would not force anything, Li Qing was not the kind of person who took benefits without doing anything in return.

Since he accepted the gift, he would shoulder the corresponding obligations.

This was his principle in life.

Seeing Li Qing agree so readily, Elder Xuan's ancient, placid face finally revealed genuine joy from the heart.

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"

He said the word 'excellent' three times in a row and bowed deeply to Li Qing.

"Marquis Wuan, my lord, this old servant pays his respects to the Marquis!"

This bow represented the formal recognition of Li Qing's status by the Crown Prince's faction.

"There's no need for such formality, Elder Xuan." Li Qing waved his hand.

"From now on, just call me Li Qing. It sounds more familiar."

"Yes, Young Master Li."

Elder Xuan readily complied.

He knew that although this young man before him had accepted the title, deep down, he was still that unruly Li Qing.

And this was precisely what His Highness the Crown Prince valued most about him.

"In that case, this old servant will not disturb you any further, Young Master."

"His Highness is still waiting at the Eastern Palace for my report."

Elder Xuan bowed once more, then turned and silently withdrew from the room.

The room fell silent again.

Li Qing toyed with the Storage Pouch and the 'marquis order token' in his hand, a playful curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

Crown Prince. Grand Princess.

The waters of the Royal Capital were deeper and murkier than he had imagined.

However, the murkier the water, the easier it is to fish in troubled waters, isn't it?

He looked at the two thousand Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills in his hand.

Each Spirit Stone could provide 100 evolution value.

And each of the thousand qi nurturing pills was worth 50 evolution value.

He still didn't know how much evolution value the ten bottles of Jade Dew Pills could add.

The Spirit Stones alone were worth 200,000, plus 50,000 from the qi nurturing pills.

If given to the Clone to swallow, that would solve half the evolution value needed.

There really are more opportunities in the big city!

However, it's still not enough.

The waters are even deeper now.

He needed to accelerate collecting more!

He needed more!

His gaze fell upon the black token of the 'Shadow Kill' organization that he had casually tossed onto the table.

"Time to collect some interest."

He murmured to himself, his figure flickering as he disappeared from the room... Elder Xuan returned to the Eastern Palace and reported the news of Li Qing's acceptance to Crown Prince Xia Yuan.

After hearing it, Xia Yuan clapped his hands and laughed heartily, his mood reaching the peak of delight.

"Excellent! Truly a remarkable Li Qing!"

"He is indeed the person this prince has set his sights on, decisive in action, without any hesitation!"

"Pass down the order! From today onward, Marquis Wuan Li Qing is an honored guest and Guest Elder of my Eastern Palace. No one is to show him any disrespect!"

"Also, let this news 'inadvertently' reach Qingyue's ears."

He wanted his dear elder sister to know that the person she rejected, the person she offended, had now become his, Xia Yuan's, man!

"Yes, Your Highness."

...Royal Palace, Grand Princess's Chambers.

"Crash!"

Another precious crystal goblet was smashed fiercely onto the ground, shattering into a pile of glittering fragments.

Xia Qingyue's face was filled with disbelief and overwhelming fury.

"He... how dare he!"

"How dare he accept my brother Xia Yuan's recruitment!"

"He is slapping me in the face! He is declaring war on me!"

She had just received the news: Li Qing, that wretched peasant she detested to the bone, had actually accepted the Crown Prince's recruitment, becoming an honored guest of the Great Xia Crown Prince.

He was even given a marquis order token, pre-confirmed as 'Marquis Wuan'!

This news, to her, felt even more humiliating and infuriating than Li Qing's public defiance earlier!

He refused my recruitment, but submitted to the Crown Prince's?

What, does he think I can't lay a finger on that position?

Impossible!

But Li Qing's actions are too insulting!

Not only had she failed to eliminate Li Qing, but she had also personally pushed him into the arms of her greatest enemy!

"Pfft!"

A mouthful of blood suddenly sprayed from Xia Qingyue's mouth, staining the magnificent robes before her.

Humiliation and rage assailed her heart!

She had actually been angered to the point of vomiting blood!

"Your Highness!"

Elder Chen, standing nearby, was greatly alarmed upon seeing this and hurried forward to support her.

"Issue... issue my Shadow Guard Order!"

Xia Qingyue wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, her eyes flashing with unprecedented madness and venom.

"I want him to kill Li Qing at all costs!"

"I want him to know that betraying me and siding with Xia Yuan is the most foolish decision he has ever made in his life!"

She had completely lost her composure.

Right now, she only wanted to see Li Qing dead!

Elder Chen looked at her twisted face, a deep sense of powerlessness welling up in his heart.

He knew that Her Highness had lost control.

She had been completely blinded by jealousy and hatred, turning into a thorough madwoman.

And Li Qing, the instigator of all this, had already arrived at the southern district of the Royal Capital.

"Shadow Kill"?

Today, he would let you know who is the true shadow.

Who is the true God of Death!