Chapter 247: Play It Bigger
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Patrol Envoy?”
Jiang Yi and Qian Kun had surprise written over their faces. What were these people from the Azure Dragon Empire doing? When did Jiang Yi become a Patrol Envoy?
Just as he recalled about the hints in Qian w.a.n.guan’s letter, Jiang Yi immediately said, “The two of you greeted wrongly, right? This Jiang n.o.body isn’t your Empire’s Patrol Envoy!”
These two Soul Travel Realm experts were of a certain age. Both of them were dressed in luxurious robes and looked a little like brothers who both had long mustaches shaped like the Chinese character for ‘eight.’ The one who looked like the elder one, Ling Qiang, cupped his fist and replied, “Lord Jiang, this humble servant is a City Commander stationed in the Great Xia Kingdom by the Empire. I have received this message several days ago from the Empire. Princess Ling Xue has given out the imperial decree to grant my Lord as the Patrol Envoy and patrol the lands on behalf of the Emperor!”
The other Soul Travel Realm expert, Ling Jian, swiftly took out a golden scroll, a token, and a golden dragon seal. He then presented it with respect. “Lord Jiang, this is the imperial decree, token, and official seal. Will my Lord please inspect and accept!”
“Princess Ling Xue!”
A beautiful figure appeared in the mind of Jiang Yi. What did that gorgeous princess, who cultivates the soul spirit, wanted? She didn’t even ask him before directly granting him an official position. Moreover, it seemed like an important position, patrolling the lands on behalf of the Emperor.
Jiang Yi didn’t accept the imperial decree, token, and seal—as he hesitated and thought about Princess Ling Xue’s ulterior intentions.
Ling Qiang and Ling Jian got nervous when they saw that Jiang Yi was staying silent and didn’t accept the imperial decree or the official seal. Ling Qiang suddenly thought so something and spoke, “Lord Jiang, Her Highness mentioned that my Lord doesn’t need to do anything for the Empire; and the Empire will not give any imperial decree for my Lord to do anything either. Instead, my Lord has the authority to make use of the all the officials of the imperial clan within the Great Xia Kingdom… to a.s.sist you in anything!”
“En? Such a good offer?”
Jiang Yi’s brows lifted, and he was slightly stunned. He didn’t need to carry any responsibility, didn’t have to do anything, and didn’t have to listen to the imperial decree? It was a unilateral and limitless benefit that came from the Empire?
Was there something wrong with the Azure Dragon Empire for them to allow Princess Ling Xue to recruit him at all costs and no matter the consequences?
“Please get up first and wait for a moment. Allow me some time to consider!”
Jiang Yi gave Qian Kun an eye signal as the both of them entered a room within. Once Qian Kun activated the room’s restriction, Jiang Yi immediately asked, “What is the position of a Patrol Envoy?”
Qian Kun went into deep thought before explaining: “It has the rank of the first grade and even the Kings of the various va.s.sal states have to pay their respects to the Patrol Envoy. But… now that the Azure Dragon Empire is only governing in name, Young Master Yi should understand, right? Even if Princess Ling Xue was to visit the va.s.sal states, even the King would ignore her and at best send a Prince or Princess to attend to her. Thus, this Patrol Envoy position is a very awkward position. In name, it can represent the Emperor to patrol the lands; but if the various kingdoms don’t bother about it, it is worth nothing…”
“Worth nothing?”
Jiang Yi understood now. When he recalled Ling Qiang mentioning that he could make use of the officers from the imperial clan in the Great Xia Kingdom, he found it even more amusing. He believed that at the crucial moment, Ling Qiang and Ling Jian wouldn’t help him and would just slip away.
“Such a scheme!”
After Jiang Yi pondered for a moment, he finally understood Princess Ling Xue’s motive.
She was giving him a t.i.tle for him to create chaos in the va.s.sal states, weakening their kingdom’s strength and influence and helping the Azure Dragon Empire to gain some reputation. She wanted to provoke the va.s.sal states and observe their reaction! If things went awry, she would just sell him out since this imperial decree was given by the Princess and not the Emperor.
“Young Master Yi, there are some things I do not know if I should say or not!” Qian Kun thought about it and frowned as he spoke.
Jiang Yi waved his hand and spoke without paying any mind to it, “Say it. Do we still need to be so polite between us? If I don’t trust you, will I be staying here?”
“En!”
Qian Kun nodded and spoke with a grave expression, “Young Master Yi, I think that you cannot accept this Patrol Envoy position. The Azure Dragon Empire wants to use you as a tool, and if things don’t go right, you will completely infuriate all six va.s.sal states while the Azure Dragon Empire will abandon you mercilessly. By then… no matter how big this world is, you will truly have nowhere that you belong!”
“Ke-Ke!”
Jiang Yi patted on Qian Kun’s soldier and smiled. “I understand everything you are saying. But… I am going to take on this Patrol Envoy position!”
Offending the six va.s.sal states?
Since he had already offended two of the kingdoms and had nowhere to stay in both the Divine Martial Kingdom and the Great Xia Kingdom… was there any problem in offending the rest of the four kingdoms? He had already committed a crime of treason and caused turmoil in the Divine Martial Kingdom and the Great Xia Kingdom, why shouldn’t he make it even more chaotic?
If the Azure Dragon Empire wanted to make use of him, why couldn’t he make use of the Azure Dragon Empire?
After all, the imperial court still had a meaning in this continent; and the Great Xia Kingdom would only dare to touch him if they wanted to completely sever all ties with the Azure Dragon Empire!
Otherwise… killing a Patrol Envoy was equivalent to publicly opposing the Empire!
The Great Xia Kingdom was currently weak in strength and didn’t dare to offend the Divine Martial Kingdom or the Azure Dragon Empire. This meant that… they wouldn’t dare to kill Jiang Yi!
Therefore, Jiang Yi quickly walked out and picked up the imperial decree to take a look. He presented the decree towards the heaven and bowed with satisfaction, speaking as though he was moved to tears, “Many thanks to the Empire for the grace. Jiang Yi will strive to the utmost with my life.”
“Huh…”
Ling Qiang and Ling Jian were shocked but grew quickly ecstatic. Princess Ling Xue had orders for them to recruit Jiang Yi at all costs and to promise any conditions, but they didn’t expect for Jiang Yi to accept this imperial decree so easily.
The two of them looked at each other and kneeled on one knee again. “Greetings to Patrol Envoy Jiang!”
As a newly-appointed officer, Jiang Yi didn’t have any stage fright and indifferently gestured with his hands. “Please stand. The two of you are my seniors and are much stronger than this Jiang n.o.body. I will hope for more pointers in the future!”
“We dare not, we dare not!”
The two of them spoke like yes-men while Ling Qiang suddenly had an idea and asked, “Lord Patrol Envoy, the Great Xia Kingdom has an arrest warrant for you. Shall this servant send an official doc.u.ment to the royal clan of the Great Xia Kingdom? Noticing them about your status and ask them to revoke the arrest warrant?”
“Can it be revoked?”
Jiang Yi’s eyes lit up. It wasn’t a good feeling to be wanted as a criminal and to behave like a street rat, which couldn’t bear to walk openly in public. No one wanted to live their entire life in the dark.
“There shouldn’t be any problem!”
Ling Qiang’s mustache trembled as he explained: “The Great Xia Kingdom’s King, Su Diw.a.n.g, has a rather weak personality. After his army that numbered in hundreds of thousands was extinguished by your father… by Jiang Bieli, he had completely lost his drive. If we deliver the message with a stern and fierce writing, he will probably not dare to publicly go against the Empire. At least he will not dare to publicly put an arrest warrant for Lord Patrol Envoy.”
Here came the benefits.
It was as expected by Jiang Yi and had been proven. Princess Ling Xue indeed wanted him… to stir up sh*t, creating havoc between the Great Xia Kingdom and the Divine Martial Kingdom.
Since he was going to play…
Then he was going to play it bigger!
Jiang Yi stayed silent for a while before he quickly laughed and looked at Ling Qiang. “City Commander Ling, please bring some officials robe for me and a.s.semble a large army to wait for orders outside of Dragon Origin City. I don’t need so many elites; I just need it to be imposing! Even if it is just a ceremonial battle, we still need to make preparations and show our influence!”
“This…”
Ling Qiang and Ling Jian were at a loss as they had no idea what Jiang Yi was up to. Since Jiang Yi was promoted to the Patrol Envoy position, it wasn’t possible for them to immediately deny his orders, right?
Ling Qiang gave a few statements to Ling Jian for him to go make some arrangements. Ling Qiang then spoke with some suspicion, “Patrol Envoy Jiang, what do you plan to do?”
“I am not planning anything!”
Jiang Yi grinned and spoke, “Isn’t the Divine Martial Kingdom’s Crown Prince going to marry the Great Xia Kingdom’s Princess? Since it is a happy occasion, this Patrol Envoy naturally has to go congratulate them. This Envoy will prepare to immediately depart for Summer Rain City!”
“Huh…”
Ling Qiang and Qian Kun looked at each other while their eyes shrank. If this unlucky star like Jiang Yi was to go to Summer Rain City, the city was probably going to be in a great state of disturbance and complete chaos.