Chapter 346 - Jin Fu Seeks Help

Chapter 346: Chapter 101 Jin Fu Seeks Help"It’s been some time," the two returned to their residence. Lu Hong considered his words and did not take the initiative to ask Jin Fu the reason for seeking him out today. The Holy Court was now in internal chaos, and he had just advanced to the top 25. With five more matches, he could win the Champion’s seat and make grand vows. If he became involved in the internal strife of the Holy Court now, he would likely sink into the quagmire.

Anna did not come back with them; where she had gone was unknown, presumably making space for him and Jin Fu.

Jin Fu did not speak but waited silently. Soon after, Qing Ling also hurried over and glanced at the disheartened Jin Fu, saying, "To have held out till now before seeking out Brother Lu Hong, I must say I think more highly of you."

In this rectification of chaos within the Holy Court, Qing Ling had been outstanding. She received high praise from the Knight of Sunlight, Gamma, and with her deep understanding of governance under his wing, she quickly became a rising star among the Judiciary Knights.

Jin Fu lifted his head and looked at Qing Ling with a helpless smile, "If I could, I wouldn’t want to trouble His Majesty." Even though Jin Fu knew that Lu Hong’s Immaculate Holy Light was not innate, he persisted in addressing him as His Majesty. Now, only Lu Hong could help him.

Qing Ling sat beside Lu Hong and looked at him. From his expression, she knew that Jin Fu had yet to reveal anything, so she said, "Now that I’m also here, speak openly. Whatever help I can offer, I will."

To Qing Ling, Jin Fu seeking Lu Hong’s help and involving her was simply hoping to use Lu Hong’s influence to gain some support.

Jin Fu gathered his thoughts and began to speak, "During this time, I’ve come to realize something."

"What is it?"

He continued, "Archbishop Nong Hua’s chosen trustee is not Jenaxi."

Qing Ling laughed, "You’re just finding out?"

"If Lady Qing Ling knew as well, why did you not mention it back then?" Jin Fu asked in a serious tone.

Qing Ling shrugged, "Why should I say anything? I don’t know about the others, but I’m sure Feren knew too, and he didn’t bring it up. Why should I? The business of the Archbishop lineage is not for a Judiciary Knight to interfere with."

"But this is tantamount to Jenaxi’s usurpation! It’s an internal power struggle. Isn’t it the duty of the Judiciary Knights to oversee such matters within the faith?" Jin Fu dared not say this to Gamma, so he vented his frustration on Qing Ling.

Qing Ling did not mind, "You should be telling this to Gamma, not me. I have yet to establish a firm footing among the Judiciary Knights. Investigating an Archbishop rashly now will lead nowhere, and moreover, Gamma’s recent actions clearly indicate he’s on Jenaxi’s side. How do you expect me to investigate? I bet before we even start, Gamma’s informants would report it, and within an hour, both of us would be in the dungeon."

As she spoke, Qing Ling’s gaze swept around, "For all we know, our conversation might already be under surveillance by Gamma’s or Jenaxi’s people."

At those words, Jin Fu’s expression changed slightly.

Qing Ling laughed, "Just kidding. Before coming here, I had Tai Hongyun seal off the surroundings. Relax."

Jin Fu responded in annoyance, "Lady Qing Ling, I am now severely restricted. The few forces I had have been reassigned away. Besides the two confidants by my side, there’s no one I can use. Please don’t frighten me at a time like this."

"Alright, alright, I won’t scare you anymore." Saying this, Qing Ling turned to Lu Hong, "Brother Lu Hong, did you pick up on anything from our conversation?"

Lu Hong smiled faintly, "Qing Ling, you’ve learned to test people now, haven’t you?"

"Ah...," taken aback, Qing Ling then awkwardly said, "It’s just a habit from being a leader, a momentary habit."

Lu Hong did not take it to heart and continued, "I’m not the type to engage in politics or mind games, nor do I care to mull over these messy circles. However, anyone could see that Jin Fu is having a hard time, being marginalized within the Holy Court."

"Yes," Jin Fu nodded, "Your Majesty, you don’t know how sidelined I am. I have no real power left, and for some reason, even Lei Shan seems to have lost trust in me, having severed all contact long ago."

"Perhaps it’s because of your identity; Lei Shan thinks you’ve already sided with me," Jin Fu had no reason not to think of this, otherwise his position as bishop would have been for naught. By saying this, he also meant to prompt Lu Hong to speak up and offer help, to skirt around making a direct request and to pressure Lu Hong into assisting him.

"What... what should we do?" Jin Fu continued to play along, while Qing Ling saw through the act and simply chuckled without speaking.

Seeing the strange looks on their faces and speaking in an even lower tone, Jin Fu pressed, "What should we do about this predicament?"

Lu Hong didn’t pay much mind to this matter, instead analyzing the overall situation, "You said that Nong Hua’s designated Archbishop isn’t Jenaxi. Then who could it be?"

"Do we even need to ask? It’s obviously him," Qing Ling gestured toward Jin Fu with a nudge of her chin, "Otherwise, why would Jenaxi constantly pick on him for no reason? It’s clear there’s bad blood."

"If only I had known, I wouldn’t have handed over the letters to Jenaxi," Jin Fu rued his past decisions, almost green with regret.

"I think Jenaxi would make a fine Archbishop," Qing Ling was indifferent to who called the shots, "Jenaxi has more experience than you, holds more power within the Holy Court, and most importantly, Gamma is willing to support him. Think about it, if you became Archbishop, who would obey you?"

"Even though no one would dare oppose Nong Hua’s last will, do you really think they would all listen to you? Jenaxi certainly won’t pay you any heed, nor will Feren, and don’t even dream of mobilizing the camp of the Judgement Knights. With this kind of situation, who will suppress the insurrection among the lower ranks? Are you going to fight them for the title of Archbishop? And regarding the four Dukes’ lifting of the seal on the Great Light Realm, what leverage do you have to sit at the same table and negotiate with them?"

Qing Ling was not wrong, and Jin Fu was well aware of this; otherwise, he wouldn’t just privately complain. Power was important to him, but he had no divided loyalties toward the Holy Court. If this matter were brought to the forefront, even with Gamma’s protection of Jenaxi, they would have to exercise the Knight of the Radiant Sun’s privilege, temporarily detain Jenaxi, and conduct an investigation for a month. At this critical juncture, neither the Holy Court nor the alliance could afford such a delay.

"Ah!" Lu Hong nodded his understanding, "I see now." He finally understood why the Holy Court had withdrawn protection from Anna. And he just realized that the old man Nong Hua was actually quite devious.

He left instructions for Jin Fu to succeed him, but he did not clarify who opened the letters and did not lay the groundwork for Jin Fu’s ascension to Archbishop, essentially leaving his promise to fate’s judgment.

Nong Hua was very aware that Jin Fu was already a man of Lu Hong. If Jin Fu became Archbishop, then Lu Hong would be the supreme emperor behind the scenes of the Holy Court, something Nong Hua did not want to happen. Yet he did not want to openly break his promise either, thus he made such an undirected last decree. If Jin Fu could firmly secure his position as Archbishop, he would undoubtedly protect Lu Hong at all costs, even at the expense of the future of the Holy Court—a future that Nong Hua did not want to see.

Lu Hong trusted the commitment made to him in the letter, clearly written, and whether or not the successor acted on it, he wouldn’t bear much responsibility. Even if they met in the netherworld after death, a single sigh from Nong Hua saying his subordinates didn’t obey wouldn’t leave Lu Hong any recourse, would it?

"What a cunning old fox," Lu Hong cursed, annoyed. Jenaxi had ignored the agreement in Nong Hua’s letter; thus, Lu Hong would have to fight for Anna. He needed no protection from the Holy Court for himself, but he must ensure it for Anna.

"Jin Fu," Lu Hong spoke up decisively, "I believe you came prepared. Tell me, how can I help you? Just ask."

"Brother Lu Hong," Qing Ling interposed, "Now that Jenaxi centralizes power within the Holy Court, his word is like an imperial edict, comparable to the Great Emperor Konstantin of the Sacred Empire in authority."

Lu Hong caught Qing Ling’s implication, "I understand, but even so, I will fight for a space for Jin Fu to survive."

"Sigh," Qing Ling glanced at Jin Fu unenthusiastically, "Fine then, I’ll handle it. Give me three days, and I’ll secure his former position for him. That’s as much as I can promise to do."

Jin Fu’s face lit up with gratitude, hastily thanking her, "I am deeply indebted for your assistance, Lady Qing Ling."

"Though Brother Lu Hong’s Flawless Holy Light can’t help us now, if Jenaxi flatly denies it, who would dare to contradict in the current climate?" Qing Ling seemed to remind Lu Hong and Jin Fu, letting them know that the Flawless Holy Light held no sway at the moment and not to expect any miracles from it.

Lu Hong smiled lightly, "You’re always so righteous, Sister Qing Ling. I’ll write you a few more autographs next time."

"Tch," Qing Ling replied with an irritated glance at Lu Hong. "As if I care!" she said, then pulled out a stack of handkerchiefs, "Write them all, don’t miss any."

"Er..." Despite her words, her actions revealed her true feelings; that’s just how women are, right?