He sighed, "Aside from Bi Xuan, the Primeval Lord, I've only heard of one other person capable of such feats, and the cost of employing such an individual to arrange an Array is simply unbearable."
Lin Yue came to a realization.
With fewer than ten Array Masters in existence, it was expected that figures of such Array Path prowess would be rare.
"Overall, this is Your Highness's great opportunity."
Duke Heng said with emotion, "I never expected the Main Hall Master to be so thoughtful toward Your Highness, willing to expend such precious favors to ask a Great Power of the Array Path to assist Your Highness. It seems… the Main Hall Master highly values Your Highness."
This also brought him great comfort; his gamble had not been misplaced.
Lin Yue appeared contemplative.
However, what exactly about him was worth the Main Hall Master's esteemed consideration?
The Human Ancestor Sect's Martial Arts Divine Skill?
The fact that he had killed a Prince without attracting severe karmic retribution?
Lin Yue couldn't guess, and there was no need to do so now. The truth would reveal itself in time.
At the very least, he had to fulfill the Main Hall Master's expectations—reach the Fifth Consecutive Victory on the Fourth Layer of Tianxia Building before breaking through the Three Talents Heaven Barrier to become a Direct Disciple.
"By the way, Lord Qi."
Lin Yue suddenly said, "That Array Master, Qi Zhewu, is also a problem. Is there a chance to eradicate him?"
"Very challenging," replied Duke Heng, shaking his head. "Not to mention within Di Hong City, where killing is not permitted. Even if it's just taking the life of a Mortal, the incident would certainly be discovered, investigated by the Qingtian Bureau, and subject to some degree of punishment."
"Who established this rule?" asked Lin Yue, puzzled.
"Your Majesty," answered Duke Heng.
"Alright then," Lin Yue shook his head. "So even if a Prince kills a Mortal, they would still be investigated and punished?"
Duke Heng continued, "Of course, to a Prince, such punishment is but a trifle, merely compensating with some Mortal silver and losing a bit of merit."
"And the consequences of killing Qi Zhewu?" Lin Yue inquired.
He had only heard that random killing within Di Hong City was prohibited, and the more significant the person killed was to Great Yong, the heavier the punishment.
"The penalty for killing Qi Zhewu would be severe."
Duke Heng shook his head, "After all, he's a scarce Array Master who has participated in the maintenance of the foundations of the Great Yong National Guardian Array and holds the title of Elder in the Imperial Family's foreign affairs. If Your Highness were to kill him, at the very least, thousands, perhaps several thousand points of Heavenly Merit, would be deducted."
"I don't have that much merit," said Lin Yue. "Is an Array Master worth that much Heavenly Merit?"
"Should merit be insufficient, future merits would be used in advance to offset," explained Duke Heng. "An Array Master, of course, isn't worth several thousand points of Heavenly Merit, but considering it's a penalty, it wouldn't be calculated based on value. Even a Prince killing a Mortal results in a certain deduction of merit; can a Mortal's value be compared with treasures exchangeable for merit?"
It seems the God Emperor also hoped to prevent indiscriminate bloodshed within Di Hong City and maintain stability and peace, hence the severe consequences.
"And that's only the punitive side regarding benefits."
Duke Heng went on, "The key issue is that Qi Zhewu has also contributed to Great Yong, holds a title of Elder in the Imperial Family's foreign affairs, and is naturally protected by national destiny. Furthermore, he has accomplished many deeds of merit, which certainly ensures him substantial national destiny protection."
He expressed with a sigh, "Under such national destiny protection, should he be killed, substantial karmic retribution would inevitably descend. Once Your Highness kills him, if you do not leave Jingzhou, the Heavenly Punishment Department would take action."
Lin Yue's eyebrows lifted slightly.
Previously, Baili Fengzhi had also used this method, positioning troops protected by the national destiny at the frontiers, causing Cultivators not to act rashly for fear of serious consequences.
Otherwise, if one killed too many, ridden with karmic retribution, they would be forsaken by the natural order and might even face the justice of Heavenly Punishment.
The officials favored by Great Yong, the elite class, and the Cultivators— all were under the national destiny's protection.
The oversight by the Eye of Heaven was like the law, preventing Cultivators from acting recklessly.
"However... I killed a Prince and did not attract so-called heavy karmic retribution, and the Fifth Prince also seems to think I am quite unique, a rare existence..."
An idea flashed through Lin Yue's mind, "Perhaps… there might be no trouble even if I kill Qi Zhewu?"