Chapter 131: Transcendent Nobles

Lin Dongyun paid no mind to Xiaobai’s presence, instead asking Albert, "Lord Albert, does your statement imply that I’m in danger?"

Lin Yan Yun, initially composed, shifted her gaze, anxiously awaiting Albert’s response.

"I believe that during the previous attack, you realized you’ve become a thorn in the side of certain individuals," Albert stated.

"Rebel forces? Why would I be their target? Logically, I haven’t even declared war to suppress the rebellion. How could they have their eyes on me?" Lin Dongyun asked curiously.

Albert, upon hearing this, understood that Lin Dongyun had already identified the rebels as his attackers. As for how he obtained this intelligence, it must have been through his backers, the ‘Victorious Alliance,’ right?

So Albert nodded and said, "Because you are the first among Cui Lan Star’s many Patrol Commanders to completely stabilize your jurisdiction, and the first to simultaneously withdraw troops from three Guard Zones. The rebels wouldn’t target anyone else."

"Furthermore, regarding the previous attack, as you know, it was merely a warning. However, once you prepare to suppress the rebellion, it will no longer be a warning. That’s why you have the Guard Mech accompanying you; it can prevent many accidents," Albert said.

"I don’t understand. Logically, the rebel forces should be quite powerful, yet they would worry about a mere Patrol Commander so far away? Could it be that they can’t even defeat the troops from three Guard Zones?" Lin Dongyun asked inquisitively.

"Tch, tch, who told you the rebels are powerful?" Albert chuckled.

"Ah? Not powerful? Many military, political, and business figures are part of the rebel forces." Lin Dongyun was astonished.

"Haha, it seems the intelligence from your ‘Victorious Alliance’ isn’t very good, Lin Commander. Let me tell you, the rebels are actually very weak. If you lead the soldiers from the three Guard Zones to suppress the rebellion, the beginning might be difficult, but victory will certainly belong to you." Albert stated confidently.

"Uh, could you explain a bit more clearly?" Lin Dongyun requested.

"Alright, I’ll make it clearer," Albert said after taking a sip of tea. "Let’s put it this way, Commander Lin, you should know that the most powerful force in the Qinglin Empire isn’t the Imperial Family, the army, or the bureaucrats, but the Transcendent Nobles who hold titles!"

"And the rebels currently at the Guangwu Governor’s headquarters include military, political, and business personnel, making them seem powerful. However, not a single Transcendent Noble of Warrior rank or higher has joined the rebels. Therefore, they are merely castles built on sand—a single wave could wipe them out."

"This is also why envoys from countries around the world haven’t supported the rebels, as they are too weak to merit support." Albert shrugged.

Lin Dongyun and Lin Yan Yun were both stunned. They hadn’t expected that in the eyes of these foreigners, the most powerful force in the Qinglin Empire was this group of relatively inconspicuous Transcendent Nobles?!

Lin Dongyun, a native, certainly understood what Transcendent Nobles were.

Hadn’t he made a bet with his childhood friend, Shen Fei?

The bet was that if he obtained a hereditary title, Shen Fei would become his retainer.

There are two ways to obtain a title in the Qinglin Empire: one is to achieve significant military merit and receive an imperial appointment. These are Military Merit Nobles, and the most common hereditary nobles.

The other path is to attain a title through Transcendent advancement.

This title isn’t granted upon simply becoming a Transcendent; one must reach the 3rd-Order Transcendent to automatically receive the Warrior title and a Warrior rank.

Further military merit elevates this Warrior rank to hereditary status, granting a fiefdom and the authority to command troops and armaments.

In other words, Lin Dongyun’s current acquisitions—the "Ten Households in Brocade Uniforms" and the Bright Yellow Medal of Merit—

These privileges can be obtained by simply achieving a hereditary Warrior title.

However, this is easier said than done. 3rd-Order Transcendent! Only upon reaching this level is one granted a Warrior title, and only then, with further military merit, is one granted hereditary status.

Ordinary people should stick to the military merit path to obtaining titles.

Consider that Lin Dongyun, through unconventional means, has rapidly increased his strength. He’s currently at the peak of the 1st-Order Transcendent. Even if he’s just 0.1 away from the 2nd-Order, he’s still not there.

The 2nd-Order is so difficult to reach, let alone the 3rd.

It’s also important to understand that the 3rd-Order Warrior title is the lowest rank among the Transcendent Nobles!

Above that are Baron, Viscount, Earl, Marquis, Duke, and King—imagine what a King-Rank Transcendent is like!

After understanding all this, Lin Dongyun was shocked. If his 1st-Order strength is this formidable, what about 2nd-Order, 3rd-Order, or even King-Rank Transcendent? What kind of terrifying existence would they be?

No wonder Qinglin Empire’s technology is so backward and the government is so corrupt from top to bottom, yet it still maintains territorial integrity and national security.

No wonder the Gran Empire, the world’s leading power, is so friendly, and no wonder other major powers only dare to act secretly and not directly divide the Qinglin Empire.

This is likely why the imperial family and the court are ambiguous towards the major powers—because the Transcendent Nobles are beyond the control of the imperial family and the court; they must use the power of the major powers to counterbalance the Transcendent Nobles.

Similarly, the imperial family and the court must also use the Transcendent Nobles to counterbalance the greedy major powers.

For the imperial family and the court, as long as this counterbalance is maintained, they can enjoy their comfortable lives.

No wonder the empire hasn’t seen significant development for hundreds of years—the real reason is that they dare not move, fearing that the balance between the major powers and the Transcendent Nobles will be broken, leading to a catastrophe!

"So that’s it…" Lin Dongyun sighed, deeply moved. Indeed, without sufficient status, one doesn’t know the truth of things. He had no idea the empire had such contradictions!

"Exactly. So, Commander Lin, when are you planning to suppress the rebellion? As for the difficulties other Patrol Commanders might create in preventing your troop movements, the Gran Empire can provide you with the greatest support and help persuade them," Albert said with a glint in his eye.

Lin Dongyun shook his head and smiled, "Your country’s help isn’t needed in this aspect. I also hold the position of an Imperial Petty Inspector, which allows me to command troops and armor to patrol and set up checkpoints outside cities within the Empire. Others have no right to stop me from suppressing the rebellion."

Lin Dongyun wasn’t an idiot; he wouldn’t owe the Gran Empire a favor for such a trivial matter. Did they really believe that their friendly attitude and willingness to have him act as their agent meant he could freely borrow their power without concern? He wouldn’t want to borrow too much power and become a puppet.

In fact, Lin Dongyun didn’t even want to be an agent. The contract currently being negotiated with the Gran Empire is a standard commercial contract, unrelated to treason or agency.

"So Commander Lin possesses such a position that combines civil and military affairs. The other Patrol Commanders have miscalculated. However, Commander Lin, you’ve definitely become a target for the rebels, so be careful." Albert said with a concerned expression.

After a brief chat, they agreed on a time to send representatives to discuss the contract, and Albert took his leave.