Chapter 57 - 57 Crown Prince

Chapter 57: Chapter 57 Crown Prince

The Bitter Elemental Pill could enhance resistance against the body’s rejection of the Implant, but for Li Fei, who possessed the Myriad Blood Pearl, this was of little use.

However, the Nourishing Embryo Pill could improve the compatibility with the Implant and thereby accelerate its growth rate; this was something Li Fei needed.

“These two elixirs should be taken once every two days, and you’re about to reach the Body Breaking Stage, it’s not suitable for you to use elixirs temporarily. Wait until after you’ve reached the Body Breaking Stage to begin taking them.”

Hao Yi instructed Li Fei.

“Alright.”

Li Fei nodded in agreement and carefully stored away the priceless elixirs.

“This month’s examination, Yuan Dao also received a top grade.”

After Li Fei had put away the elixirs, Hao Yi suddenly spoke up.

Li Fei was taken aback and immediately understood Hao Yi’s implication.

Although he had excelled in this month’s examination and was undoubtedly the top scorer, the top grades were awarded to three people; he had received one, and so had Yuan Dao. If one were to just consider the grades, then their achievements in this month’s examination would be the same.

By telling this to Li Fei, Hao Yi was preparing him mentally that even if he received top grades in every monthly examination, he might still not be able to surpass Yuan Dao in the end.

Li Fei let out a self-deprecating laugh, more able to understand why his senior brother had been driven to despair.

Fortunately, he was not his senior brother, and the path he walked could not be predicted by others.

“Teacher, these past two days I’ve felt the embryo action getting stronger and the amount I’ve been absorbing of the Nourishing Embryo Pill and Golden Kui Ointment has increased too.”

Li Fei said to Hao Yi.

Since coming back from Luoshan, the embryo action had become increasingly intense.

Upon hearing this, Hao Yi, without saying anything further, stepped forward, grabbed Li Fei’s arm, and a burning Qi entered Li Fei’s body.

The Steel Armor Implant under Li Fei’s skin immediately reacted, causing his entire skin to turn a bluish-black shade as if he had donned iron clothing.

“Hmm.”

Hao Yi withdrew his Innate Qi, showing a delighted expression, “You’re very close to breaking through to the Body Breaking Stage, it could be any day now!”

Li Fei’s eyes lit up.

Hao Yi had told him before, it would be as short as 10 days, or as long as 15 days, and he would be able to break through to the Body Breaking Stage.

It now seemed he was likely to make the breakthrough within the shortest predicted time of 10 days!

“These next few days are crucial; don’t wander around or engage in any strenuous exercise, and you should temporarily cease the practice of Mixed Element Dominator Body.”

Hao Yi said to Li Fei.

Li Fei: “Then what should I do?”

“Rest and recuperate. I’ll teach you a set of calming, health-cultivating Piling Skill. Until your breakthrough, you should practice this daily.”

Hao Yi said.

“Good.”

Li Fei nodded.

And so, he began learning the health-cultivating Piling Skill from Hao Yi.

…

Inspection Bureau.

Li Lei was called into the office by Huang Weiguang.

“Inspector General, you wanted to see me?”

“Old Li, come, take a seat.”

Huang Weiguang smiled and beckoned Li Lei over.

Li Lei felt somewhat flattered; this was the first time the Inspector General had addressed him so kindly.

“Old Li, you know I’m about to retire, right?”

Huang Weiguang said with a smile that belied no hint of sadness.

Li Lei was startled and nodded.

“Then, who do you think among our Deputy Supervisory Directors is most likely to succeed me?”

Huang Weiguang asked.

Li Lei responded with a wry smile and a shake of the head: “Inspector General, how would I know that?”

“Let me rephrase that.”

Huang Weiguang leaned forward slightly, his eagle-like gaze locking onto Li Lei:

“Out of these Deputy Supervisory Directors, who do you least wish to see succeed me?”

“Inspector General, this…”

Li Lei fell silent; he understood that whatever Huang Weiguang wanted to discuss with him today was likely not a simple matter.

“Previously, Xiao Fei was attacked, and it turned out to be the work of the Eldest Young Master of the Chen Family, but the Bear Power Gang is an outer affiliate of the Tiger Saber Gang. Do you really believe there’s no involvement from the Tiger Saber Gang behind this?” Huang Weiguang asked.

Li Lei shook his head slightly, “I don’t believe it.”

He still dwelled on the matter, lamenting his previous overstep. Without solid evidence, even Huang Weiguang couldn’t take action against the deeply-rooted Tiger Saber Gang in Xing City, let alone him, a mere Platoon Leader.

“Xiao Fei’s aim at the Martial Arts Hall is to secure a university spot, which will inevitably contend with the interests of the Tiger Saber Gang. You must be very clear about this.” Huang Weiguang said.

Li Lei looked directly at the other man for the first time, “Inspector General, did you summon me today to give me an order?”

Huang Weiguang smiled, “Unless something unexpected happens, Wu Yihua will take my place as the next Inspector General.”

Li Lei’s brows furrowed.

Everyone at the Inspection Bureau knew about the relationship between Deputy Supervisory Director Wu Yihua and the Tiger Saber Gang; they were practically in cahoots.

The last person Li Lei wanted to see promoted was Wu Yihua! While he had expected the Tiger Saber Gang to have their connections in various departments of Xing City, the ease with which they could secure the Inspector General position still alarmed him.

“I had made arrangements in advance, but now, none of them will work.” Huang Weiguang gave a self-deprecating smile, “Li, to be honest with you, I am an old friend of Xiao Fei’s teacher, Hao Yi, and I am also very willing to lend Xiao Fei a hand.”

“Ah?” Li Lei was stunned; he had never imagined Hao Yi was friends with Huang Weiguang.

“Lu Sheng has been demoted because of this incident, and the position of Captain of the First Squadron is vacant. Would you like to take up this role?” Huang Weiguang finally revealed his intentions.

The position of Captain of the First Squadron held a special status within the Inspection Bureau. Normally, each Captain, if all went well, would eventually be promoted to Deputy Inspector General, and then stand an even greater chance of becoming Inspector General.

Therefore, this position was also jokingly referred to as the ‘Crown Prince’ by the staff of the Inspection Bureau.

Which Inspector wouldn’t want to be the ‘Crown Prince’?

So at this moment, Li Lei was completely dumbfounded.

Me? Become a Captain? Of the First Squadron?!

Seeing Li Lei’s bewildered expression, Huang Weiguang laughed:

“Li, if Wu Yihua takes over, the role of Captain of the First Squadron won’t be easy, and the future risks will be greater.”

Li Lei, upon hearing this, quickly came to understand.

The position of Captain of the First Squadron was special, and hence, each Inspector General paid great attention to this role, trying to place their own trusted people in it.

After all, who, as an Emperor, wouldn’t pay special attention to their ‘Crown Prince’?

But if Wu Yihua was to succeed the role, and Li Lei became the Captain of the First Squadron, he would be a thorn in their side—a potential usurper to the ‘Crown Prince’!

Huang Weiguang making such an arrangement was akin to laying a trap for Wu Yihua in advance.

Being the nail itself was fraught with great risks.

Now the question was whether Li Lei was willing to be this nail.

Li Lei looked at Huang Weiguang:

“Inspector General, am I really qualified to be the Captain of the First Squadron?”

To jump from Platoon Leader to Captain, bypassing the role of Deputy Captain and considering the First Squadron’s Captain ranked higher than the other two Captains, meant Li Lei would leap three ranks at once!

Such a jump was extremely difficult in officialdom.

“I can’t influence the choice of Inspector General, but I can still pull the strings for a Captain. The authorities will give me that much respect. Besides, if it weren’t for your son Xiao Fei’s efforts, this incident wouldn’t have been resolved. Both the Governance Hall and the Inspection Bureau owe him, even Chief Gu wants to meet him personally. You are his father, why shouldn’t you be the Captain of the First Squadron?” Huang Weiguang said with a smile.

Li Lei fell silent.

It’s often said, “The first thirty years are for the father to raise the son, and the next thirty are for the son to honor the father.” He hadn’t even reached the latter thirty years, and thanks to the achievements of his son, Xiao Fei, he was about to ascend three ranks in the bureaucracy?

“The position has become available because of Xiao Fei, and if I become the First Squadron’s Captain, I’ll be able to lend far more support should the Tiger Saber Gang target Xiao Fei in the future,” Li Lei thought to himself.

Besides, which man doesn’t aspire to rise through the ranks and seek fortune, to be an Emperor?

With that in mind, he would start as the ‘Crown Prince’!

Then, he stood up abruptly and saluted Huang Weiguang:

“Thank you, Inspector General, for the promotion!”

…