"Oh, so you're the Eighth Prince."
"I've heard a little of the Eighth Prince's formidable reputation in the army."
As he spoke, Yan Shaozhe took the seat of honor.
Beside him, Xue Caikun smiled pleasantly and sat down as well.
Yan Shaozhe asked, "What brings the Eighth Prince to seek out the Dean of Cassell College for a private discussion?"
Sensing an opening, Xue Caikun immediately called for a maid to serve tea.
"To be honest, I've admired Cassell College for a long time."
"It's just that I've been occupied with affairs of state and military matters these past two years. I truly couldn't find the time to visit."
"Then, first thing this morning, I heard you had arrived in the Imperial City.
I meant to hurry over and introduce myself, but Evil Soul Masters suddenly appeared and threw the Imperial City into chaos, inside and out."
"That's why I had no choice but to visit so late."
As Xue Caikun spoke, he could not help recalling the coup at the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect several years ago.
Yan Shaozhe had not appeared in person then, but the intelligence they had gathered made one thing clear:
The Fatui had played the leading role in that affair and driven it forward.
If that power could help him seize the throne of the Dou Ling Empire now, his chances of success would rise considerably.
Yan Shaozhe was someone he had to win over.
Since he had resolved to seize power, he urgently needed influence at court, backing from an organization, sources of funding, and powerful weapons.
At court, his many years in the military had at least given him considerable control over the army.
If he raised his arm and called, it would not take long to bring every elite unit