Lu Qing looked in the direction from which the sound came.
In the distance, several figures were standing by the window of a restaurant, looking down at the street below.
Lu Qing knew two of them.
It was Chief Steward Wei and that County Magistrate Yan Canghai.
As for the one who spoke just now, he was a young man dressed in fine clothes, around twenty years old, whose face vaguely resembled Yan Canghai.
Behind him stood several guards with extraordinary auras and innate spiritual power.
Yan Canghai's expression did not look good upon hearing the words of the wealthy young man.
"Seventh Brother, what exactly is your purpose in coming here? You can tell me now, right? You didn't come here just to see me make a fool of myself, did you?"
"What? We're brothers, after all. Is it wrong for the younger brother to come and visit his older brother?"
The elegant young man smiled and said.
"Brothers?" Yan Canghai finally couldn't hold back and sneered, "Wasn't the reason I was demoted here by Father King a scheme set up by you brothers?"
“You can’t say that, Fourth Brother.”
The young man in fine clothes was not angry and still smiled, "We only mentioned that secret briefly, but you couldn't help but go and ask your father about it, thus violating his taboo."
How can you blame us for setting a trap for you?
"If you hadn't been so curious, you wouldn't have been banished here by your father."
Yan Canghai paused, speechless for a moment.
Because he knew that, in truth, he was mostly responsible for his own self-destructive actions.
After a long while, Yan Canghai finally took a breath.
"Okay, I won't hold this against you, but don't beat around the bush with me."
Tell me honestly, what is the purpose of your visit?
"Furthermore, Father's birthday is approaching. Aren't you afraid that by coming out now, you'll lose favor to the others?"
Yan Canghai Road.
"It seems that Fourth Brother still harbors a lot of resentment towards me. Well then, I might as well speak frankly."
The young man in fine clothes finally straightened his expression: "I came here today for my father's birthday celebration."
I'd like to prepare a special birthday gift for Father, and I hope you can help me, Fourth Brother.
Yan Canghai was taken aback, then scoffed, "What treasures could my remote and impoverished place possibly have?"
Besides, Yan Cangshan, why should I help you?
"If there truly is a treasure, wouldn't I offer it to my father myself?"
"Fourth brother, you caused quite a stir back then. Do you think Father will be satisfied with just a birthday gift?"
"I'm afraid my father would be furious just to see your name."
The young man in fine clothes asked in return.
Yan Canghai remained silent.
He knew that his father still harbored resentment towards what he had done back then.
This point has been mentioned repeatedly in the letters my mother wrote.
He repeatedly told him not to return to the capital until his father's anger had completely subsided.
Even letters should be written sparingly to minimize one's presence.
So that his father might remember him one day and punish him again.
Seeing his silence, the young man in fine clothes said again, "Fourth brother, you should understand that without Father's order, you cannot leave Cang County unless you give up your royal status."
Yan Canghai remained silent.
Giving up one's royal status means giving up everything.
Even if the Yan family agrees, my mother will likely be implicated.
"So, Fourth Brother, if you help me this time, I can rescind the royal family's punishment of you when I ascend the throne."
It lets you go wherever you want, whether it's returning to the capital or traveling the world, it's all up to you.
"Giving you a fiefdom wouldn't be out of the question."
The young man in Chinese clothing said.
"Ascend the throne?" Yan Canghai looked at the richly dressed young man with a half-smile. "Your father is still in good health, and you're so sure you can ascend the throne?"
"That's no trouble for you, Fourth Brother," the richly dressed young man said calmly. "However, I can tell you something: not long ago, I gained the support of 'Elder Tian'."
"The 'Heavenly Elder' has chosen to support you?!"
Yan Canghai shuddered upon hearing this.
"That's right, and I'll also tell you something else, Fourth Brother."
Not long ago, the world changed, and the old man, 'Heavenly Elder', felt something.
He successfully overcame the obstacles and advanced to a realm beyond the innate level.
"A realm beyond the innate level!"
Yan Canghai's body trembled again.
“That’s right, a realm beyond the Innate level,” the richly dressed young man said. “So, Fourth Brother, do you still think I have no chance of ascending to the throne?”
Yan Canghai's expression immediately became hesitant.
"Tian Lao" was originally the strongest person in the royal family.
They have a great deal of say in who gets the throne.
Now, he has broken through to a realm beyond the Innate level.
If he were to actually express his support for Yan Cangshan, it's likely that most of the remaining elders in the royal family would choose to support him.
Chief Steward Wei, who was standing to the side, was also taken aback.
However, he didn't show any expression on his face.
To be honest, even though I heard such exciting news about who would inherit the throne...
But even now, he still doesn't know why the county magistrate summoned him to accompany him.
Could it be that they want the Wei family to participate in the struggle for the throne?
How would you like me to help you?
After a long while, Yan Canghai suddenly spoke.
The young man in fine clothes smiled and said, "Well, it's very simple. I heard that you, Fourth Brother, and Lin Zhirui, a true disciple of Tianji Tower, are very close friends."
I heard he's in Cangzhou, so I'd like you to introduce me to him; I need his help with something.
"You want to see Zhi Rui?"
Yan Canghai's face showed a look of great surprise.
He never expected that Yan Cangshan would ask him to help with this matter.
but......
He frowned and said, "Zhi Rui has never liked meeting outsiders. I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to do this."
“I know that the disciples of Tianji Tower never interact with outsiders, but if you can help me introduce them, I will remember this favor.”
"What do you need Zhi Rui's help with? Tell me first, and I'll see if Zhi Rui is willing to agree."
The elegantly dressed young man gave Yan Canghai a deep look, but his expression quickly relaxed:
"Actually, it's nothing big. It's just that not long ago, I accidentally obtained a map from some people."
But there was a secret message on the map, and I searched all the strange and wonderful people in the capital, but no one could decipher its meaning.
I have long heard that the disciples of Tianji Tower are the most learned.
He possessed extensive knowledge of astronomy and geography, and also had unfathomable predictive abilities.
Therefore, I would like to ask Your Excellency Zhi Rui to help me decipher the secrets on the map.
"What kind of map is it that you value so much?" Yan Canghai became even more curious.
Since the young man in traditional Chinese clothing has already said all that, there's no need to keep us in suspense any longer.
"I obtained this map from a small family that had committed a crime."
That small family was nothing special, but one of their ancestors was a very remarkable person.
"I wonder if you've ever heard of the name Li Weitian, Fourth Brother?"
Hearing this, Lu Qing finally understood.
Why did his heart suddenly flutter when he flew over the county town?
So that's the reason.
