Yan Wenli’s eyebrows raised slightly as he asked, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, Director, I could have chosen not to join the Monitoring Bureau and not to get involved in these cases."
Tang Fei paused briefly, as if carefully selecting his words, "I am a student of White Crane Academy, a disciple of Xuanyuan Mingjing..."
A mocking smile appeared on Yan Wenli’s lips as he said, "What now? Are you threatening me too? A disciple of a Great Grandmaster, indeed, quite the impressive title you have."
"Director, I didn’t say that to boast or dare to threaten you... You are one of the elders I respect the most. Besides Master, there is only you."
Yan Wenli looked at Tang Fei with astonishment. How could he utter such words?
They were colleagues at the Monitoring Bureau, in a superior-subordinate relationship, with himself as the Director and him, an investigator working for him.
He had been in the Monitoring Bureau for less than three months; how had he become one of the elders he respected the most?
Didn’t the increase in trust and the cultivation of feelings require time? Didn’t they need to be assessed?
Bear in mind that, due to the previous incident of officials being killed in Phoenix City, he had been listed as a suspect by the Monitoring Bureau...
There had also been some unpleasant minor conflicts between them.
More precisely, theirs was a relationship of mutual use.
The palace wanted the Monitoring Bureau to act as the Knife Holder, and Tang Fei was the knife that the Monitoring Bureau held.
Whoever the Monitoring Bureau told him to cut, he had to cut.
So now the knife had developed its own consciousness?
"If I had stayed at White Crane Academy to continue my studies, or if I had accompanied my master in seclusion... would I not have more choices?"
Yan Wenli fell silent.
White Crane Academy held a special status in the Empire, and Xuanyuan Mingjing’s identity was even more extraordinary. If Tang Fei truly did not wish to join the Monitoring Bureau, even the Royal Family could not force him.
They needn’t offend a Great Grandmaster over a mere knife...
That was the linchpin of the Phoenix Empire.
Seeing Yan Wenli’s silence, Tang Fei knew that he had acknowledged his point and continued, "However, the King came to me and hoped that I would work at the Monitoring Bureau..."
Tang Fei looked directly into Yan Wenli’s eyes with sincerity and straightforwardness, "Director, the truth is, I have a personal agenda. I don’t care about getting promoted or making a fortune, nor am I concerned with how much power I can hold in the political arena."
"I am a Cultivator, and the only thing that matters to me is whether one day I can reach the Grandmaster Realm like my respected senior brother, Shen Xinglan..."
"But I have a selfish desire." Tang Fei’s eyes revealed a hint of painful torment as he said, "The Director might have heard that I’ve become quite close to Princess Xiu Xue... I am willing to be honest in front of you, Director; I truly do like her."
Yan Wenli looked at Tang Fei in shock, this young man was confessing his love for Phoenix in front of him?
Wasn’t he afraid that he would report him to the Royal Family?
Wasn’t he afraid of the King beheading him?
He was sharing his secret with him... Could it be that he genuinely trusted him?
I am indeed one of the elders he respects the most?
"Princess Xiu Xue is the Princess of the Phoenix Empire, born of a noble lineage, above tens of thousands and second only to one... And me? I am just a refugee from the Old Land..."
"Shen Xinglan likes her, Qin Jianyi likes her, the young talents of Phoenix City who like the Princess are innumerable... Director, I am truly fearful."
"I know my status is worlds apart from Princess Xiu Xue... To entertain the thought of winning her love is nothing but wishful thinking." "Isn’t the saying about a toad lusting after a swan’s flesh referring to someone like me?"