You don't want your secret to be revealed by others, right?-Chapter 255 - 42, Crown Prince

Could it be a certain state of mind?

After all, the Second Prince practiced the Heart Phase, and the highest achievement of the Twelfth Prince’s Poison Skill was also the Poison of the Heart. There were indeed similarities.

"Then, I’ll have to trouble Second Brother," said Lin Yue as he clasped his hands towards the Second Prince in the wheelchair.

The Second Prince smiled without saying anything.

At this moment, Lin Yue suddenly received a familiar Divine Thought Transmission:

"You’ve got some nerve, daring to see His Majesty. Do you think His Majesty can’t even tell his own sons apart?"

This Divine Thought Transmission came from the Fifth Prince, the reincarnation of the Blood Demon Ancestor.

Lin Yue glanced at the Fifth Prince, said nothing, but his calm gaze had already answered the other party.

"Interesting..." The Fifth Prince’s eyebrows slightly raised, and a hint of amusement appeared on the youthful and handsome face.

At this time, the Crown Prince spoke from the Imperial Platform: "Since the Seventeenth Prince has returned to his place, before his sealing as a king, he must also undergo the prince’s trial. Fourth Brother, the detailed rules of this shall be handled by the Ancestor Order."

As the holder of the Ancestor Order, Prince Ji, the Fourth Prince, immediately stood out, smiling amicably, "Yes, rest assured, Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince nodded slightly and said, "However, the inspection trial among the prince’s tests, which involves the position of Inspector within the three major institutions of Great Yong, requires an Imperial Decree issued by this palace in accordance with the rules."

He looked towards Lin Yue and asked, "Heavenly Punishment Department, Divine Pivot Institute, Dawn Platform - of these three, to which would Seventeenth Brother like to serve as an Inspector?"

Lin Yue did not hesitate and immediately clasped his hands in response, "Crown Prince, I wish to serve as an Inspector at the Dawn Platform."

This was a decision he had made a few days prior.

He was unfamiliar with any of the three major institutions of Great Yong.

He chose not to go to the Heavenly Punishment Department because he had killed a prince, yet had not received severe punishment. This seemed special, and even the Fifth Prince was surprised, knowing he was a fake prince and still willing to offer him a chance to form an alliance.

If his oddities were discovered at the Heavenly Punishment Department, it would be troublesome.

He chose not to go to the Divine Pivot Institute for no particular reason, just that it involved vast interests and everyone wanted in on the chaos.

However, the Dawn Platform, though its main affairs were in Eternal Night and challenging to verify, he was more familiar with the Black Jade Coffin Illusion Realm’s Eternal Night, which could be an advantage.

Moreover...

His mother, Lin Jianlu, was once a member of the Dawn Platform, and he wanted to take this opportunity to investigate.

"Dawn Platform? Very well."

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The Crown Prince nodded and looked towards the front row of the assembled officials and nobles, saying, "Imperial Master, once my Imperial Decree is issued, the Seventeenth Prince will become your Inspector at the Dawn Platform, with a rank equivalent to First Grade, serving until his sealing as a king is concluded."

A young woman in a plain white official robe and wearing a golden mask with intricate patterns on her face, slender in figure, stepped forward and clasped her hands, "Yes, Your Highness."

For a moment, the high-ranking officials of the three institutions all turned their attention to Lin Yue.

The rank of an Inspector was the same as First Grade, but in reality, the power was almost that of Superior Grade.

Of course, it was only temporary.

The God Emperor had established rules when creating the three institutions—

The highest offices of the three institutions were of the same rank as the Superior Grade titles, but members of the Imperial Family, even if they joined the institutions, were never allowed to hold such high-ranking positions.

An Inspector was already the highest office a member of the Imperial Family could hold within the three institutions.

"Seventeenth Brother."

The Crown Prince looked at Lin Yue and said, "As for the selection of your Prince Mansion, you can discuss it with the Ancestor Order."

"Yes," Lin Yue responded, clasping his hands.

The Crown Prince gave a slight nod and then flipped his hand, revealing a pure golden seal floating above his palm, radiating an aura of distinction.

With a flick of his sleeve, the golden seal flew towards Lin Yue, "This is your Prince Seal. With this, you can access many important locations of our Xiahong clan. Within our Xiahong clan, the authority of this golden seal is second only to this palace, and to the sealed princes and titled princesses. You must also strive harder to be sealed as a king soon."

Lin Yue received the Prince Seal, and he could faintly sense an aura similar to that of the Eternal Night Black Jade and the World Token, indicating it was also connected to an Illusion World.

"You may step down now."

The Crown Prince gestured, and once Lin Yue had retreated to where the princes were assembled, he turned to the officials to deal with subsequent state affairs.

Lin Yue, however, took the opportunity to retire beside the Second and Fifth Princes, positioning himself a little closer to the Second Prince.

"Seventeenth Brother."

A familiar and amiable voice rang out, "Have you considered where the Prince Mansion should be built?"

It was the Divine Thought Transmission from Prince Ji, the Fourth Prince.

Lin Yue glanced at the Fourth Prince, but he hadn’t reached the Peak of the Four Symbols, his Divine Soul had not yet undergone transformation, so he was unable to communicate through Divine Thought Transmission.

Couldn’t possibly erect an audio barrier to chat openly in front of the Crown Prince and all the ministers, could he?

"Ah, I forgot that you, Seventeenth Brother, are not yet capable of Divine Thought Transmission, my apologies, my apologies," the Fourth Prince quickly apologized. "Let’s talk after the court assembly then. I’ll come to visit you at Duke Heng’s mansion and we can chat at length."

Lin Yue gave him a slight nod and then continued to listen to the various state affairs being discussed in the court.

At the Great Yong court assembly, any matter that could be brought before the eyes of the Crown Prince for discussion was naturally a serious matter.

Matters of the secular world were handled by the respective officials.

The issues being discussed at the moment either involved risks of water calamities caused by the manipulation of terrestrial water sources and their impact on the fate of the Great Yong Kingdom or the treatment of the people from the Three Religions Holy Land in recent years.

The world of cultivators should naturally be the same.

"Your Highness."

At that moment, from behind the array of royal and noble officials, an official dressed in a black robe and wearing a crown adorned with purple-blue electric patterns, suddenly stood up.

"Recently, my Heavenly Punishment Department has interrogated the demons of Eternal Night and has obtained a credible lead. We can confirm that another group of the Demon Clan from Eternal Night has infiltrated the Yong Realm, and their target is Di Hong City, possibly already within. This is evidence confirming the lead; Your Highness, please look."

The clear voice of the high-crowned official echoed in the hall.

Lin Yue couldn’t help but turn to look, immediately recognizing the man’s identity.

Head of the Heavenly Punishment Department, Sikong Jing.

In terms of status, the highest officials of the three major governmental institutions were half a level higher than many princes; officially, their ranks were not within the grade system, both considered Superior Grade.

"Eternal Night demons?"

After examining the report, the Crown Prince nodded and said, "Since there is a credible lead, Chief Sikong may proceed with the investigation. Although the demons of Eternal Night do not dare to commit atrocities in Great Yong, stealing intelligence is a nuisance and should not be underestimated."

Chief Sikong calmly clasped his hands and said, "This matter involves Dawn Platform, so I request Your Highness to grant me an Imperial Decree to avoid unnecessary conflicts."

"Imperial Decree? Why would this matter require the use of the Divine Emperor Seal?"

The Crown Prince shook his head slightly, looking towards the Imperial Master leading the Dawn Platform, and said, "Imperial Master, if the Heavenly Punishment Department needs to investigate the demons of Eternal Night and interrogate someone, they will presumably inform your Dawn Platform beforehand. At that time, also have your department remain alert to avoid conflicts."

The young lady in the plain white robe, wearing a golden mask, immediately clasped her hands and said, "If it is only a matter of investigating the demons of Eternal Night, this subordinate will surely cooperate."

Lin Yue raised his eyebrows slightly.

The atmosphere between the Heavenly Punishment Department and the Dawn Platform seemed not quite right?

He wondered whether it would affect his inspection task.

...

After an indefinite amount of time, the court assembly finally ended.

Upon leaving the Di Hong Palace, Lin Yue received two Divine Thought Transmissions and two sentences.

"Come visit the Imperial Garden after you’ve seen His Majesty,"

— This was the Divine Thought Transmission from the Fifth Prince.

"The Heavenly Punishment Department and Dawn Platform often fight incessantly, with your strength, it is better not to get involved. If you encounter big trouble, you can send someone to find me, consider it my way of returning the favor,"

— This was the Divine Thought Transmission from the Second Princess.

"Seventeenth Brother, you go see the Emperor first, I’ll visit Duke Heng’s mansion later on, and we’ll discuss matters slowly,"

Prince Ji, the Fourth Prince, specifically came to speak with Lin Yue before departing.

"Seventeenth Prince, you can come to Dawn Platform tomorrow, we’ll talk then," the Imperial Master of the Dawn Platform left behind a plain remark as she passed by and then left.

After responding to each, Lin Yue couldn’t help but feel that there was quite a lot going on lately.

Immediately after, he approached the Second Prince who was waiting for him outside the palace gates and said, "Sorry to keep Second Brother waiting, we can leave now."

The Second Prince looked at him with a gentle gaze that held a hint of amusement and said, "You’re about to see His Majesty, aren’t you nervous, Seventeenth Brother?"