Engagement, Xu Jiujiu, Investiture.

"Your Majesty, you intend to go yourself?" Count Su asked, slightly stunned and visibly surprised upon hearing this.

Xu Jiawei rose from his desk and stood with his hands behind his back, his voice resolute. "I have just ascended the throne; I have no men of my own to rely on. He is the descendant of a loyal martyr, possesses extraordinary talent, and has no attachments."

"For a genius such as this, if I do not go myself, how can I expect him to serve the Star Luo Empire with unwavering loyalty?"

He then looked at Su Yi and uttered two words with an air that brooked no argument.

"Prepare the carriage."

Hearing his Emperor's command, the eunuch standing to the side shouted toward the outside:

"Prepare the carriage! His Majesty is departing!"

Upon hearing Xu Jiawei's explanation, Count Su knelt and performed a salute, saying, "Your Majesty is right. I was dull-witted before."

About five minutes later, a eunuch entered the palace to report that everything was prepared and they could depart at once.

Xu Jiawei nodded slightly, took Count Su and his guards, and left the palace, heading toward the orphanage on the outskirts of the city.

In the orphanage on the outskirts of Star Luo City.

Watching Dean Zhang's figure disappear into the cafeteria, Liu Lin noticed Wang Wei had not yet returned and prepared to head back to his room to fetch a book.

Just as he turned to walk toward his room, he heard a series of hurried footsteps closing in on him.

Liu Lin stopped and turned his head, seeing that Wang Wei had already appeared behind him.

Liu Lin turned to meet Wang Wei's burning gaze and strategically took a step back.

"Lord Wang, what is this..."

As soon as Wang Wei entered the courtyard, he had run toward Liu Lin; seeing that the boy was still there, he let out a sigh of relief.

Just as he was about to speak, he noticed Liu Lin's retreating step and the look in his eyes.

Wang Wei realized he had been acting just like that... and immediately coughed twice, his face returning to the serious expression he had worn when they first met.

"It is nothing. I am simply happy for you. The lords above have ordered me to stay here and protect you until they send someone to collect you."

Hearing Wang Wei's words, Liu Lin almost couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Do you really think I'm six years old? You might be a little happy for me, but the rest is just because I brought you a performance bonus and the higher-ups gave you a reward.

"Then, Lord Wang, I am going back to my room to get a book. Are you going to follow me?"

"I shall accompany you, lest any accidents befall you."

Hearing this, Liu Lin didn't know what to say, so he simply walked straight toward his room.

About three minutes later, he sat down by the large tree in the courtyard with the History of the Star Luo Empire, opened the book, and began to read intently.

Throughout the entire process of Liu Lin going to get the book and returning, Wang Wei followed him like a shadow, terrified that if the boy vanished from his sight, the resources belonging to him would vanish as well.

Wang Wei now valued Liu Lin more than anything; even if his wife were to ask for intimacy now, he would refuse her with righteous indignation.

Liu Lin glanced at Wang Wei, who stood beside him like a tree stump, then lowered his head to continue reading.

About half an hour later, the sound of uniform, rhythmic footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the orphanage gates.

The moment Wang Wei heard the sound, his eyes lit up, and he hurried toward the entrance to welcome them. Liu Lin set his book down and also walked toward the gate.

The dilapidated gate of the orphanage was pushed open.

A group of people surged in, led by a young man dressed in pale gold casual attire.

The man appeared to be in his early twenties, his face young yet carrying the aura of one long accustomed to high status.

Count Su followed behind him, his demeanor respectful.

When Wang Wei saw the young man's face, his legs went weak, and he slid to his knees before him.

"Yo, Your Majesty?!"

He had never dreamed that His Majesty would come in person.

Xu Jiawei waved a hand to signal him to rise, then his gaze moved past him to look at Liu Lin standing behind him.

Liu Lin was shocked to hear how Wang Wei addressed the young man, and as he looked at Xu Jiawei, he found that Xu Jiawei was also sizing him up.

Xu Jiawei stepped past Wang Wei and walked toward Liu Lin. Count Su started to follow, but Xu Jiawei waved his hand to signal him not to come closer.

Seeing the gesture, Count Su and the guards behind him stopped at the gate.

He walked up to Liu Lin and looked at the six-year-old boy with a smile.

"You are Liu Lin?"

"...I am." Liu Lin looked up at the young man and nodded in response to Xu Jiawei's question.

"Are you here to take me away?"

"Yes, I am here to take you away. You possess Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power; you are worth me coming to bring you back for cultivation myself," Xu Jiawei said, not mincing words upon hearing the boy's question.

After speaking, Xu Jiawei cast a glance around the dilapidated orphanage—the mottled courtyard walls and the gate that had long been in disrepair.

"Your parents sacrificed their lives for the country, yet I have let you live here for two years. It is I who have failed you." Although Xu Jiawei's voice was not loud, it reached Liu Lin's ears with perfect clarity.

Liu Lin was momentarily stunned upon hearing these words.

The Emperor was apologizing to him?

Before Liu Lin could even react, Xu Jiawei spoke again.

"Liu Lin, I came here today specifically for you. The Star Luo Empire has not seen a genius like you in a long time; even when one does appear, they are always taken away by Shrek Academy."

"I have only recently ascended the throne, and my foundation in the imperial court is not yet stable. I need talent—I need people I can trust to carve out a glimmer of hope for our Star Luo Empire in the war against the Sun Moon Empire."

"You are the descendant of loyal martyrs, and I can trust you. I came here today to ask if you are willing to become the sharpest blade in my hand?"

Liu Lin remained silent for a long time after hearing Xu Jiawei's words.

He looked at the young emperor before him and could feel the sincerity in Xu Jiawei's words, even if there was calculation mixed in.

Yet, he did not feel any resentment toward this. For an emperor to be willing to lower his status to come and fetch him personally, and to apologize to a mere six-year-old child in front of his subordinates, already set him apart from many other monarchs.

As for the calculation behind Xu Jiawei's actions, one could only say it was a mutual agreement; besides, how could an emperor sit firmly on the throne without a bit of political maneuvering?

Liu Lin took a deep breath and knelt on one knee before Xu Jiawei.

"I, Liu Lin, am willing to become the sharpest blade in your hand, to serve Star Luo and to seize that glimmer of hope for the empire."

A flash of brilliance crossed Xu Jiawei's eyes, and a satisfied smile spread across his face as he personally helped Liu Lin to his feet.

"Good. From this day forward, you are my man." He paused, glancing at the dilapidated orphanage. "This orphanage is due for a renovation. Rest assured, I will have someone look after the people here as well."

Upon hearing Xu Jiawei's words, Liu Lin bowed respectfully.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Hearing this, Xu Jiawei burst into laughter. He then turned toward the doorway:

"Minister Su, convey my decree."

"Liu Lin's parents sacrificed their lives for the country, and their merits shall be passed on to their eldest son, Liu Lin. I hereby confer upon him the title of Viscount of Loyalty and Valor. Furthermore, I grant him a marriage alliance, betrothing him to my youngest sister, Xu Jiujiu."