Above the Galaxy
Chapter 431 - 275: Having a Monarch but No Father!

Chapter 431: Chapter 275: Having a Monarch but No Father!

At Phoenix’s seventeenth birthday ceremony, Zhong Daolong, in order to express his gratitude to Tang Fei for saving his daughter, publicly pledged him a promising future.

Originally, he thought that it would be a matter for years later, but through Tang Fei’s personal talent and efforts, along with the inspiring guidance from his master, Xuanyuan Mingjing, the day came much sooner than expected.

Now, the opportunity lay before him.

With just a word from Tang Fei, he could obtain what countless people dream of.

Power, women’s revitalizing pills, men’s virility drugs.

Could there be anything more compelling?

Zhong Daolong’s body leaned back, comfortably resting on the thick genuine leather sofa. The cigar in his hand burned freely, emitting a rich tobacco scent.

His gaze was gentle yet firm, exuding a deep sense of trust. This was a basic cultivation for those in high positions, as leaders who couldn’t earn their subordinates’ trust wouldn’t last long.

His eyes lightly rested on Tang Fei, waiting for his response.

Tang Fei bowed deeply to Zhong Daolong and said solemnly, "I want nothing, and I cannot ask for anything."

"Uh?" Zhong Daolong slightly raised his eyebrows, not quite satisfied with the answer.

Divine grace in every raindrop and thunder, how can you refuse what I offer?

"I was able to come from the perilous Old Land to New Star and live a life free from worries about basic necessities; it’s all due to the vast kindness of the king. Without the King, I wouldn’t have anything."

"After arriving in New Star, I’ve repeatedly received care from the King and several princes. Princess sent me a house, the Second Prince sent me a car... although it hasn’t been delivered yet, but I believe the Second Prince will keep his word."

"The Eldest Prince also gifted me a precious sidearm that he carried with him— each gift is worth a fortune..."

"My brother and I were originally two helpless refugees, and to us, New Star is like the Heaven in legends. Later, we were admitted to the highest educational institution in the Empire. My brother, Little Fatty, was taken in as a student by Dean Shang Xiulin, and I had the fortune to become a disciple under Great Grandmaster..."

These were all public information, well-known facts, so Tang Fei didn’t hide anything.

Every single thing he mentioned was true; the only thing concealed was his own ambition.

"I have everything I should have, and even what I shouldn’t. I feel I already own too much, and genuinely don’t know what more to ask from the King."

"If I were shameless enough to still ask the King for more, that would be pure greed, utterly disgraceful."

Zhong Daolong’s gaze deepened, thoughtfully scrutinizing Tang Fei, as if pondering the truthfulness of his words.

He had heard too many flattering words, his ears almost calloused, but none were as straightforward and sincere as what this young man said.

Because everything he said was based on fact—were it not for his own help, Tang Fei would still be fighting mutant beasts in the Old Land, living a life of sheer desperation.

Yet, he had given him an opportunity, causing a dramatic change in the fate of him and his brother.

He was willing to believe Tang Fei, to trust his sense of gratitude.

It would be even better if he wasn’t always eyeing his precious daughter.

"I understand your sentiments," Zhong Daolong adjusted his glasses, then broke into a smile.

He stood up, walked over to Tang Fei, and clapped him strongly on the shoulder, saying, "You are a child who knows gratitude. Those who know gratitude can go further."

"But as I said earlier, a King’s promise is never empty. If I were to not fulfill my promise now, wouldn’t that be a breach of trust? A man with no credibility can’t stand, and you wouldn’t want me to be a king who lacks integrity, would you?"

"I dare not," Tang Fei replied in trepidation.

"See, you’ve already started referring to yourself as ’your humble servant’, which proves you are adapting to the world quite quickly," Zhong Daolong chuckled.

He walked back and settled into the sofa, took a puff of his cigar, before looking up at Tang Fei once more and said gravely, "Since you’re not willing to make a request, I will choose a position for you... go to the Monitoring Bureau."

"The Monitoring Bureau?" Tang Fei asked with a puzzled expression, feigning surprise.

Indeed, it completely matched the old man’s predictions.

When the Royal Family and the nine major families’ undercurrents and frictions grew increasingly severe, the Royal Family finally could bear it no longer.

They needed scissors to prune these nine great trees.

Branches lush and leaves dense, they shaded the majestic sunshine from illuminating the earth.

Everyone knew about the trees, but they were unaware of the light.

The pruning had to be simple, making it appear more pleasing to the eye.

"How so? You’re not willing?"

"Not at all, as I said, I’m at the King’s disposal... I am the King’s blade, to strike wherever the King commands."

Tang Fei spoke up to explain, "I am just worried about messing up the King’s important affairs. I have never been involved in the Monitoring Bureau, and I don’t even really understand what the Monitoring Bureau actually does..."

"Being ignorant can be remedied by learning. As long as you are willing to handle matters diligently, I believe you can definitely do well in this very promising job."

"Yes." Tang Fei stopped declining and said straightforwardly, "I will follow the King’s arrangement."

"Hmm. I remember you also hold the vice-captain rank in the Court Guards."

"Yes." Tang Fei, with a naive smile and a touch of embarrassment, said, "I’ve never worked a single day but kept drawing salary... it’s really shameful."

"That’s just being put to use now, isn’t it? The Royal Family has never been stingy in rewarding those who are loyal to the country and the Royal Family."

Zhong Daolong pondered for a moment, then said, "Let’s do this. You will keep your role as the vice-captain of the Imperial Guard, making it convenient for you to come to the Imperial Palace to report to me. Then go to the Monitoring Bureau and take a role as a squadron leader there, thus promoting you up a rank, as is logical..."

"Aren’t you familiar with Zhong Jiayuan from Department Five? Then go work under him, he can also help look out for you... How does that sound?"

Tang Fei thought to himself, before I even came here, had you already arranged my position?

You even know about my dealings with Zhong Jiayuan and still pretend to let me make my own demands?

What if I didn’t suggest the Monitoring Bureau? Then that would show that I am out of touch with the times and fail to grasp Your Majesty’s intent, and you wouldn’t dare entrust me with anything too important, would you?

"Yes." Tang Fei bowed deeply and said, "I am willing to exert utmost effort for the King until my death."

"Hahaha, I don’t need your death; I need you alive to share in wealth and glory with me," Zhong Daolong laughed out loud. "Alright, you may leave now. Once your transfer order is issued, you can head directly to the Monitoring Bureau. I will have someone arrange everything for you."

"Yes." Tang Fei bowed again, then turned and walked out of the room.

Zhong Daolong watched his leaving figure, a faint smile playing on his lips.

A tall, slender middle-aged man walked in, bending over with a cheerful expression, "King, is this the staunch warrior you are sending to our Monitoring Institute?"

"Lao Yan, what do you think?" Zhong Daolong asked, looking at the man he had promoted to be the Director of the Supervision Institute.

"An orphan from the Old Land, with no foundations above New Star, having offended both the Qin Family and the Yu Family, and the Shen Family wanting his life... With Xing Lan advancing to Grandmaster and striking again, he would have no chance of surviving."

"To stay alive, to rise above, the best way is to learn civil and martial arts and serve the Emperor’s Family; only the Royal Family can protect him... And he is an ambitious man, how could he refuse such temptation?"

"Having a king but no father, can be a hound."

Yan Wenli was nicknamed "Mad Dog" by some; if the Royal Family wanted someone bitten, he would bite, no matter how hard the bones. He would tear the flesh from the target, ensuring their death without a burial ground.

Describing Tang Fei as a potential "hound" meant making him into someone like himself.

"Having a king but no father, can be a hound." Zhong Daolong mulled over these comments, his eyes gleaming, and said, "If he really can bring a few heads for me, I am willing to reward him with lavish wealth."

"But... can he be trusted?" Yan Wenli adjusted his small glasses on the bridge of his nose and asked in a deep voice.

"Does he have a better choice?" Zhong Daolong’s gaze darkened as he spoke, "If he does not become the dagger, he is merely fish meat. If he is smart enough, he will know what choice he should make."

"I understand," nodded Yan Wenli, "Once he enters the Monitoring Bureau, I will test his loyalty with two cases."

"Hmm." Zhong Daolong nodded and asked, "Got any good bait?"

"I heard he has a good relationship with the Lu Family..." Yan Wenli said with a chuckle, "Don’t worry, King, I have already arranged it for him."

"Lao Yan, I trust your work," Zhong Daolong said with a relieved look, watching Yan Wenli speak, "But these past few years, you’ve grown lax. A tree unpruned never grows well. The Monitoring Bureau’s shears need to be wielded diligently."

Yan Wenli bowed deeply and said, "King, I know what needs to be done."

As he raised his head again, his expression was intense, his eyes sparkling with sharpness.

He knew a real battle was about to begin.

In this battle, Yan Wenli would wield the sword in his left hand and the law in his right, slaying enemies whose heads would roll like fruit from the melon vine, their bones piling up like Mount Fu.

This time, his target was the nine major families.

Tang Fei reached the doorway, and seeing Chen Fenglei waiting outside, was about to ask him to arrange a car for his return, when Chen Fenglei, smiling, said, "The Eldest Prince has sent someone to invite you, he wants to talk."

He gestured to a black-clad bodyguard standing nearby and said, "Go with him."

"Alright." Tang Fei smiled and nodded, saying, "I haven’t had the chance to pay my respects to the Eldest Prince since I came back."

If the objective was to cling to powerful supports, embracing one was as good as embracing two.

He needed to stand with the Royal Family and wage war against the nine major families, and the backing of the Crown Prince, who was the Eldest Prince, was essential.

What was odd was, why had there been no movement from the Second Prince recently?

Could it be that the brothers had reconciled? Had the Second Prince completely given up his ambition for power?

No, he wouldn’t allow it.