After being notified, Chen Yuan was granted permission to enter the main hall.
This time, he was not accompanied by Zhou Kai.
Chen Yuan’s gaze was calm, but his heart was very vigilant. He even woke up Senior Moluo in advance to support him, thus giving him some confidence.
As Chen Yuan approached, two Gang Condensation Colonels opened the door, and a silent yet powerful aura instantly surged in his heart.
As he looked up, a middle-aged man was staring at him in the center of the main hall.
The man wore a python robe, had a square face with a short beard on his chin, a faint scar on his left cheek, and sharp eyes, exuding an authoritative presence without anger.
This was none other than the fourth on the Supreme List, the King of Beiliang, Wei Jinfeng, whose reputation shook Jianghu.
Before him on the desk lay a White Jade Seal, carved with various ancient and mysterious patterns, which Chen Yuan quickly assessed as soon as he saw.
Chen Yuan, concentrating and composed, slowly walked into the main hall, maintaining a respectful yet unyielding demeanor as he approached Wei Jinfeng and saluted with cupped fists:
"Heavenly Patrol Bureau’s Golden Envoy Chen Yuan, pays respect to Your Highness!"
Wei Jinfeng’s indifferent gaze lingered on Chen Yuan for a moment before he slowly retracted his aura, saying plainly:
"Que’er said you wished to see me?"
"I came to see Your Highness for two matters."
Wei Jinfeng’s words were succinct, yet the less he spoke, the more Chen Yuan found this first meeting with the King of Beiliang unfathomable.
"The first matter concerns Chen’s appointment as the Golden Envoy of Liangzhou, wanting to see the grandeur of Your Highness in person." Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel·fire.net
The implication of these words was that Chen Yuan came to pay his respects.
The King of Beiliang oversaw the significant military and political affairs of Liangzhou and was nominally the highest official in the court. Although the Heavenly Patrol Bureau was not under his jurisdiction, it was customary to visit.
"And the second matter?"
Wei Jinfeng went straight to the point, seemingly disliking small talk.
He showed no particular attitude towards Chen Yuan’s arrival, as if it was a normal meeting with a Liangzhou official.
Hearing Wei Jinfeng’s words, Chen Yuan solemnly took the waist token of Great Governor Gu Tianqiong from his sleeve, and for the first time, Wei Jinfeng’s gaze shifted.
With a thought, the token in Chen Yuan’s hand flew into Wei Jinfeng’s hand.
Looking at the large ’Gu’ character on the token, Wei Jinfeng squinted slightly and asked softly:
"What message did Gu Tianqiong have for you?"
"This time, besides stabilizing some internal matters of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, the primary mission given to Chen is to investigate the remnants of the previous dynasty."
Upon hearing the ’remnants of the previous dynasty’, Wei Jinfeng’s eyes changed subtly, and he said in a deep voice:
"Liangzhou has remnants of the previous dynasty?"
"The Great Governor mentioned there might be and instructed Chen to conduct a detailed investigation. Should there be any trace found, to request Your Highness’s assistance in suppressing these remnants. Therefore, I am here in advance to report to Your Highness."
"I understand. If you do find any trace, feel free to inform me."
After saying this, Wei Jinfeng returned the token of Gu Tianqiong to Chen Yuan.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Chen Yuan cupped his hands and received the token back into his sleeve.
Wei Jinfeng tapped his fingers on the table, carefully observing Chen Yuan’s demeanor. Just as Chen Yuan was about to take his leave, Wei Jinfeng spoke again:
"I hear you’re quite friendly with Que’er?"
"Indeed, Chen finds a great affinity with Brother Wei and admires some of Brother Wei’s methods," Chen Yuan considered carefully before speaking.
Wei Jinfeng nodded, his gaze like a deep cave, his thoughts unreadable.
Seeing that the atmosphere had become somewhat quiet, Chen Yuan knew it was time to leave. Although Wei Jinfeng’s attitude was lukewarm, this seemed quite normal.
A noble of Great Jin, someone under only one and above all others—if he were unusually warm to him, it would instead arouse his suspicion.
But because of this, establishing a good rapport to acquire some exotic warhorses was a bit challenging. He needed a long-term plan to see if there could be a breakthrough with Wei Wuque.
"Your Highness is occupied with many affairs. I won’t disturb you any longer."
"Hmm, you may leave now. In the future, if you do track down the remnants of the previous dynasty, you may come to find me. But remember one thing: do not let the matter escalate.
There are no remnants of the previous dynasty within the Beiliang Army."
Wei Jinfeng set the tone for Chen Yuan.
His intention was to allow investigation but not to involve the Beiliang Army nor disrupt normal military training—everything else was permissible.
"I understand, Your Highness can rest assured."
Chen Yuan nodded slightly, then turned to leave.
Wei Jinfeng watched Chen Yuan’s departing figure with an unusually profound look in his eyes.
Leaving the main hall, Chen Yuan discreetly exhaled a breath of turbid air and turned his gaze to the deputy general Zhou Kai, who stood by outside, saying: "General Zhou, everything is settled. Please take me out of the camp."
"Golden Envoy Chen, please follow me."
Zhou Kai nodded, feeling no curiosity since it was customary for the Golden Envoy of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau to pay respects to the King of Beiliang upon taking office, just like Feng Jiuying had done before.
His Highness treated everyone equally in these meetings.
The Heavenly Patrol Bureau generals naturally had no particular views, as they were not part of the same system, with both sides having a policy of non-interaction.
The prince repeatedly warned them against any entanglement with the Heavenly Patrol Bureau or the government.
Violators were severely punished!
All soldiers and military generals of the Beiliang Army remembered this well, so even when Huangfu Qi had conflicts with a general in the army, they did not say much.