"I'm just speaking the truth. If His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor doesn't wish to hear it, then consider my words as if they were never spoken!"
Lu Fan cupped his fists again, his expression more solemn, as if everything had unfolded naturally in his eyes.
"I like your straightforward nature, kid. You don't beat around the bush!"
The Heavenly Emperor nodded slightly. "You passed the fifth level of the Heavenly Road assessment, and you're bound to be a rising star. Therefore, you must contribute to the Heavenly Court and the Dynasty. This is your duty, and the Heavenly Court is in need of capable individuals!"
"The Heavenly Court Dynasty is so vast, and there are countless masters within. Why does His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor speak of this?" Lu Fan was somewhat surprised.
"What you see is only the surface. The Thousand Year War will likely commence not long from now, and it will be a bloody affair. Therefore, I hope you can lead the younger generation to grow up quickly so that you can contend with the Underworld Dynasty!" The Heavenly Emperor's eyes were serious.
"The Underworld Dynasty?"
Lu Fan's brows furrowed slightly. He had heard of this term before, but he hadn't expected the Heavenly Emperor to be so solemn about it.
"How about this! I will enfeoff you as the King of the Northwest! From now on, you will govern the many young generation. I will assign you a team. What do you say?" The Heavenly Emperor's voice sounded again.
"I haven't even reached the Martial Emperor realm yet, how can I take on this responsibility?" Lu Fan showed embarrassment on his face, his expression appearing sincere.
"You can do it!"
The Heavenly Emperor said directly, "Moreover, with this status, no one within the entire Heavenly Court will be able to trouble you in the future!"
Eunuch Liu stood by the side, his heart also somewhat shaken. Although he knew the Heavenly Emperor favored Lu Fan, he had never imagined that the Heavenly Emperor would directly enfeoff him as a king.
It was known that in the entire Heavenly Court Dynasty, no one had ever been enfeoffed as a king of a different surname. Yet, the Heavenly Emperor entrusted such a heavy responsibility to Lu Fan, leaving everyone baffled.
If Lu Fan were truly enfeoffed as the King of the Northwest, his status would be equivalent to that of the imperial uncles, illustrating his immense power.
"Since His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor trusts me so much, I can give it a try!" Lu Fan nodded. "However, within this imperial city, there are people who intend to harm me. If I were to truly become the King of the Northwest, would I be able to investigate this matter?"
"Don't worry, I will help you thoroughly investigate this matter!" The Heavenly Emperor said directly. "Anyone who dares to act within the capital has never taken me seriously. If these people are not brought to light, where is my Heavenly Emperor's majesty?"
Lu Fan nodded slightly, his eyes serious. Receiving the Heavenly Emperor's approval was extremely important to him. With just those few words from the Heavenly Emperor, Lu Fan felt much better.
"I see you've reached the bottleneck of the Martial Emperor realm. Why don't I lend you a hand!"
The Heavenly Emperor's voice sounded, and a stream of spiritual energy shot from his palm, instantly pouring towards Lu Fan. Feeling the powerful influx of spiritual energy, Lu Fan's body seemed to swell slightly. He hadn't expected the Heavenly Emperor to act so directly.
Eunuch Liu stood frozen by the side, his heart also somewhat shaken. Even many princes had likely never received such treatment from the Heavenly Emperor. Lu Fan, merely an outsider, was being personally assisted by the Heavenly Emperor, which clearly showed how highly he was valued.
After the spiritual energy infusion was complete, the Heavenly Emperor said, "You will soon feel the breakthrough to the Martial Emperor realm. When you break through, don't be too eager to cultivate. Stabilizing your realm forcefully will lead to better progress!"
Lu Fan nodded solemnly. He was quite grateful for the Heavenly Emperor's actions.
"This is the Northwest King's Edict!"
The Heavenly Emperor declared, "Once you take office, the entire Northwest will heed your summons. With the Northwest King's Edict, you can mobilize all the experts of the Northwest!"
Lu Fan slowly accepted the token, his heart trembling slightly. He hadn't expected the Heavenly Emperor to trust him so much. This was the entire Northwest of the Heavenly Court Dynasty, handed over to him so openly, without any hesitation.
"Alright, I'm a bit tired. You may both withdraw now!" Having accomplished all this, the Heavenly Emperor waved his hand, appearing rather nonchalant.
Lu Fan held the token, his emotions a mix of joy and trepidation. He had arrived in the Heavenly Realm not long ago, and now he had instantly become a king, the King of the Northwest, which caught him completely off guard.
"King of the Northwest, I shall escort you out of the palace!" Eunuch Liu became instantly respectful. His previous demeanor was gone, and he dared not speak further.
Lu Fan being enfeoffed as the King of the Northwest meant he held considerable power, likely surpassing many imperial uncles.
Even he couldn't understand why the Heavenly Emperor entrusted him with such a critical role. Was it solely because he had passed the fifth level of the Heavenly Road?
Meanwhile, Prince Beichen was waiting outside. Upon seeing Lu Fan and the others arrive, he stepped forward with a smile and said, "How was it? What official position did your father enfeoff you with?"
"King of the Northwest!"
Lu Fan produced the token, his gaze appearing calm, as if the title of King of the Northwest was insignificant in his eyes.
Upon seeing the token, Prince Beichen was greatly startled, his eyes filled with emotion. "This... this is the Northwest King's Edict. How is this possible? How did the token end up in your hands!"
"Prince Beichen, he is now the King of the Northwest!" Eunuch Liu interjected. "According to protocol, perhaps even you must show him some courtesy. After all, he is now a king of a different surname, and in terms of both practical power and status, he is no ordinary person!"
"Cough cough..."
Prince Bei Chen coughed a few times, his face instantly showing embarrassment. Even many of them, the princes, had not had the chance to obtain this Northwest King's Edict. To think that Lu Fan had so easily become the King of the Northwest left him feeling somewhat unwilling.
"Actually, I didn't want it, but there was no other way!"
Lu Fan shrugged slightly, his expression appearing indifferent, as if all of this meant nothing to him.
At the same time, Prince Beichen almost spat out a mouthful of old blood. Especially Lu Fan's remark, which filled him with displeasure, and in his opinion, Lu Fan was flaunting, nakedly so.
After leaving the imperial palace, Lu Fan and Prince Beichen proceeded to the Hundred Flower Pavilion and resumed their drinking. To celebrate Lu Fan becoming the King of the Northwest, Prince Beichen had even summoned the best companions to entertain them.
"Now that you are the King of the Northwest, I doubt anyone will dare to move against you!" Prince Beichen smiled. "This means that no matter how long you stay in this imperial city, you will be absolutely safe. After all, if a King of the Northwest were truly harmed within the imperial city, the Heavenly Court would never let it go. They would search the ground to find that person!"
Lu Fan nodded, finding this point quite agreeable.