Mrs. Lianyi delivered the envelope and wooden box to the third floor.
" Prince Chen?"
Reilo stood up and took the envelope and wooden box, looking astonished.
The Moon's Mark spatial node mission, didn't I already finish it?
Judging from the old man's words, it seems that Prince Chen was not under the protection of the Temple of the Goddess of Wisdom.
After handing the envelope and wooden box to Reilo, Lianyi looked serious.
" Reilo, His Majesty the Emperor has three sons. The eldest prince, Bao'ao, is undoubtedly the most favored by His Majesty. However, the noble families and the Church clearly support the second prince, Pingxin. As for Prince Chen..."
Lianyi shook her head.
"No one has any faith in him; his very existence was a mistake. I think the reason he's trying to win you over is twofold: firstly, he knows he has no chance of gaining the support of those powerful forces; and secondly, it's because of your mentor and Wushuang Brother Wushuang. I must warn you, once you get involved in political conflicts, you'll have no way to extricate yourself. It's an extremely dangerous situation, far more so than your current predicament of being assassinated by the Prince of Xilan. Even your mentor and Senior Brother wouldn't dare to get involved in the conflicts between those powerful forces on their own."
Reilo nodded slowly.
"Why."
Lianyi knew that Reilo had his own plans.
"In short, you should think carefully. Joining the princes' struggle may give you more opportunities, but the consequences of failure are something even your mentor cannot bear."
After saying that, Lianyi closed the door and turned to leave.
Reilo opened Prince Chen's letter.
"My dearest friend, esteemed Mr. Reilo, I've encountered a problem that only you can solve. I have no other choice but to rely on our friendship and hope to receive your help. Tomorrow night at nine o'clock, in room 3002 of the Night's Color Tavern, this gift is my sincere token."
He casually burned the envelope Reilo opened the wooden box beside him.
"Um?"
Reilo stared blankly at the milky-white spot of light that had dissipated from the pigeon-egg-shaped rock, muttering in a daze, " Moon Crystal Stone!!"
Take a deep breath.
Reilo, who had already given up on having much interaction with Prince Chen Moon Crystal Stone, was now wavering because of Master Lianyi's advice.
Reilo hesitated, picking up the moon crystal stone several times only to put it down again.
The next night.
Drizzling...
A light drizzle began to fall from the sky. Reilo put on the X Mask, his body shrouded in a layer of black mist, and silently blended into the darkness, heading towards a certain part of the academy.
Room 3002, Nightfall Hotel.
Knock knock knock.
A knock came at the door, and Prince Chen, who was anxiously waiting, raised his eyes. The old servant opened the door, and Reilo, wearing X Mask and shrouded in a layer of black smoke, hurriedly entered the room and looked at Prince Chen.
"Even within the academy, my safety cannot be guaranteed, so this is the only way I can meet you."
Rain soaked his clothes, and Reilo took off his coat.
"It is my honor that you could come."
Prince Chen actually draped his own luxurious Animal Skin Coat over Reilo's shoulders.
"To be honest, I have no idea whether you will keep the appointment. I suppose you are aware of my current situation?"
"Uh? Actually, I'm not really sure."
Reilo shook his head, saying helplessly, "I rarely get involved in noble disputes, let alone know about Your Highness's situation. Your Highness said in your letter that you've encountered trouble and need my help?"
After a brief moment of surprise, Prince Chen recovered in an instant.
"Yes, I need to borrow something from you."
"What is it?"
"The corpse of my cousin, Prince Ling!"
Well?
Seeing Reilo's bewildered expression, Prince Chen took a deep breath and sighed, "He was, after all, my cousin. Even in death, he should retain his due dignity. I have already made a request to Father that my cousin be buried in the imperial mausoleum, and Father has agreed to my request."
Even someone as apolitical as Reilo could discern the deeper meaning in Prince Chen's words.
Clearly, Prince Chen wanted to use his cousin's corpse to make some moves and reach a compromise with His Majesty the Emperor, and His Majesty the Emperor agreed.
The reason why this Prince Chen is in such an awkward position in the duchy is because of his mother's status as Princess Xilan.
If he were a duke's son, his mother's status as a princess of Zealand would undoubtedly bring him enormous political benefits. However, unfortunately, he is a prince, a man who might take over the country.
Everyone will have doubts.
No one knows whether, once this prince becomes the emperor of the duchy, he will be unable to guarantee the duchy's traditional interests due to his maternal lineage.
He is, after all, half Xilan People.
Such doubts are likely shared even by His Majesty the Emperor.
Since there is this concern, and the duchy has no shortage of princes, whether it is the eldest prince or the second prince, they all have their own distinct political views and characteristics, so there is no need to worry about such a prince.
Prince Chen looked at Reilo with sincere earnestness.
"I know you need Moon Crystal Stone, but this Magic Material is extremely rare. Even if I do my best, I can only obtain this one piece. However, I know a family of mysterious scholars who control the source of this Magic Material. If you can allow me to bury my cousin's body, I am willing to make an introduction for you, in addition to this Moon Crystal Stone!"
A family of occult scholars?
As far as Reilo knew, there were probably fewer than ten Moon Crystal Stone mines in the major human principalities.
Most of them, like the mineral veins within the Moon's Mark spatial nodes, can only produce a few pieces at most each year.
Could it be that this mysterious family controls such a mineral vein?
"Please rest assured, Prince Ling is Your Highness's cousin. I have always carefully preserved his body. Even though Prince Ling is dead, he certainly deserves a dignified burial, and entrusting him to Your Highness is the best choice."
Without saying much, Reilo took out the preserved corpse of Prince Ling from the spatial ring, and even the neck was carefully stitched up.
"Cousin!"
Upon seeing the corpse, Prince Chen cried out in grief.
"I once said I would protect you, but you..."
"Your Highness, please accept my condolences."
Reilo offered a somewhat embarrassed consolation, knowing that this was just Prince Chen putting on an act, but he had no choice but to play along and put on a show of the hypocrisy of the aristocratic class.
Much later.
Having played his part sufficiently, Prince Chen then collected the body and concealed the grief on his face.
" Reilo your kindness, Lord Lei Luo!"
Prince Chen took a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Reilo.
"In the Morsi Duchy, there is a family of free scholars who have been exploring and developing ancient ruins throughout the Starry Sky for many years, often obtaining Moon Crystal Stone which they sell to various temples. This family hopes to establish their own Academy of Natural Sciences in the Morsi Duchy, but the enormous funds are simply beyond the reach of this tiny principality. Therefore, they have lobbied many powers in hopes of gaining support. I once donated some funds in my personal capacity and signed a private alliance with this family."
A family of archaeologists?
"Good."
Reilo accepted the letter of introduction.
Just as he was about to take his leave, Prince Chen suddenly said, "Lord Reilo, thank you for helping me once again. How can I gain your loyalty and support?"
With an earnest and yearning look in his eyes, Prince Chen stared directly at Reilo, already aware of yet another of Reilo's identities.
The secret weapon of the Grand Natural Sciences Academy: the Eye of the Sun!
"What is Your Highness's opinion on the Temple of the Goddess of Wisdom?"
Reilo suddenly asked a completely unrelated question.
Prince Chen's eyes narrowed, and he fell silent for a moment.
Reilo smiled and said, "Your Highness, as you know, I am just a student. Let's not talk about loyalty and support. If Your Highness wants the support of my mentor, go to my mentor. I am just an introductory student, a humble scholar who yearns for power."
Reilo nodded silently to the old man beside him and left the room.
What does he want?
Prince Chen took a deep breath, seemingly talking to himself, yet also asking the old man a question.
"It must be a problem with His Highness's attitude towards the Temple of the Goddess of Wisdom. This Mr. Reilo seems to be a staunch atheist."
"No."
Prince Chen said solemnly, "No, he's not referring to the Temple of the Goddess of Wisdom. All gods are unreliable..."
It's obvious.
Although Prince Chen completed the mission of the Temple of the Goddess of Wisdom, he did not receive the Temple of the Goddess of Wisdom's support, or rather, he did not receive enough support. In the end, he had no choice but to turn his attention back to the man he both feared and respected, his father.
They used Prince Ling's corpse to secure his equal opportunity to compete.
It was merely an equal opportunity to compete with his father.