Chapter 76: Chapter 71: Reversing Public Opinion

Li Long values martial prowess, from the bottom to the top, and hosting an honor tournament is one way to gain the favor of the people.

This four-nation invitational tournament includes three foreign teams: the Saint Grace Canon Law School from Moncalleta, the Iron Blood Canon Law School from the Black Meteor Empire, and the Tessis Canon Law School from the Taptan Empire. These are all well-known Canon Law Schools with real strength.

In the Li Long Kingdom, there’s nothing that can garner more support from the public than the joy of victory in battle. Back in the day, Luthor did just that, which made him rise from a fallen noble to win the favor of the princess and achieve great success. This strategy is very effective.

Domestic conflicts don’t attract nearly as much attention as international exchanges. He also invited major figures from Dragon Capital. If the Celestial Capital Canon Law School wins the championship under Zhao Qing’s leadership, it will bring immense prestige to him and the Zhao Family.

Prestige in his hands will turn into power. This time, not only do they need to win, but they also need to win beautifully. “These three teams are formidable. Are you confident?”

“On our turf, they won’t get away with anything,” Zhao Qing said confidently. “And I assure you, I’ll have Luo Xue voluntarily hand over the presidency to me at the crucial moment. I’ve found her weakness. For now, her being president will make the Luo Family cooperate more and lower their guard.”

Zhao Xun’s lips curled into a slight smile. Zhao Qing spent over a year studying at the Canon Law School in Dragon Capital and gained no small honor there. He has the strength and a relatively steady character, which is why Zhao Xun is quite satisfied with him.

“Count, I am still a bit worried about tomorrow’s public opinion,” Zhao Qing said respectfully.

“Humph, what’s a little thing like that? Watch and learn,” Zhao Xun displayed an expression of disdain and mockery; no one understands human nature better than he does.

The next day, the Hex Bird Report in Celestial Capital began extensively covering the four-nation invitational tournament. Count Zhao Xun spent a fortune to make it happen and announced that all proceeds from this invitational would be used for charity, a tribute prepared for all the citizens of Celestial Capital.

It quickly sparked massive responses and cheers among the citizens. The Li Long people love combat and revere the strong; this is part of their cultural tradition. Unification of the kingdom didn’t change that. The constant wars have turned into competitions between the Canon Law Schools, which for the citizens, is no different from a festival. As for the monster incidents, they seemed like nothing, just gossip over tea, since they have died—one was even a noble.

Ordinary people naturally want to stay away from these dark and bizarre creatures. They’re more interested in the outcome of this invitational and whether Celestial Capital can regain its former glory in this four-nation tournament. It seems that ever since the Grand Governor went to Dragon Capital, Celestial Capital has lived in the past, and the people of Celestial Capital have only memories of how things used to be to talk about.

Hex-Tech has changed lives, but it can’t change the spiritual aspirations of the people of Celestial Capital nor bring them honor and respect. The only thing the Celestial Capital Canon Law School has to show is Hex-Tech. Can they really defeat such strong adversaries?

Many citizens initially questioned if this invitational was just a facade with third-rate teams. But it turned out the three other teams in the four-nation tournament are indeed reputable, from first-class Canon Law Schools and well-known, and they actually surpass the Celestial Capital Canon Law School in terms of spiritual ability, which greatly heightened everyone’s anticipation.

Zhao Xun, who orchestrated this event, indeed handled things seriously and didn’t cut corners. This is a great gift and a battle to test the Canon Law School’s standards. The public’s goodwill towards Zhao Xun significantly improved, and with the Hex Bird Report’s flattering style, the Inhaler incident was completely brushed aside before it could ferment.

It’s much easier to deceive many people than just one.

In the Night Patrol’s base, Kathy’s eyes were wide with anger. This Zhao Xun was unbelievably despicable, doing so many wrongs and distracting public opinion with a mere tournament.

“Why are your eyes so wide?” Luo Jin, surprisingly on time for once, saw the fuming Kathy and couldn’t help but ask.

“Captain, did you read the paper? I’m furious. Don’t these people have any professional ethics? The Grand Governor has emphasized the truth and accuracy of news countless times. How can they write so carelessly, skirting around the real issues!” Kathy exclaimed indignantly.

Seeing Kathy so angry, Luo Jin, who was initially in a bad mood, actually calmed down. “He is a major shareholder of the Hex Bird Report’s Celestial Capital branch. How can you expect journalists to maintain truth and accuracy? Once a person is supported like that, objectivity is lost.”

“Aren’t you angry?” Kathy asked. Actually, she was angry on behalf of Luo Jin, who worked so hard to earn great merit, yet the newspaper only mentioned it in a small piece, without even naming him.

“This is the duty of the Night Patrol. We get paid to do our job. Now is work time. I still have to go out later. Bring me whatever I need to see,” Luo Jin said.

“I’ve already placed everything on your desk, Old Luo. The matter has come to an end, and that old fox probably won’t slip up anytime soon. Why not…”

“During work hours, call me Captain.”

Kathy pouted and whined a few times, “Captain~ How about changing your approach and going to the Canon Law School? Since he’s putting so much emphasis on the Four Nations Invitational, could there be something fishy about it?”

Luo Jin was indeed taken aback for a moment. He was an old Night Patrol, accustomed to staying here, always thinking of tackling one case after another. Sitting in an office at the Canon Law School made him feel itchy all over. But Kathy reminded him that this scale of competition was absolutely not a temporary affair, which means it had been planned for a long time. He needed to discuss this with the Chief Bishop, as he couldn’t quite see through it.

“Hmm, that’s quite a thought.”

Upon hearing this, a bright smile appeared on Kathy’s face, sweeping away the gloom. She was so easily satisfied, “I’ll brew you a cup of tea, try my special autumn fruit blend today.”

Autumn fruit, selected with three seasonal autumn pears from the Celestial Capital mountains, Sunfruit from Moncalleta, sweet pine needles from the Taptan region, paired with premium red tea from the Li Long South, brewed with spring water from two hundred miles away at Har Mountain.

An unpretentious morning tea is the beginning of a beautiful day.

Oh, the cup is a limited edition from Treasure Street, precious ceramics imported from the Central Continent by sea. It’s said that the Celestial Capital only has two of them, personally picked by Kathy while shopping.

###

Returning to the Canon Law School, it wasn’t that Li Xin wasn’t paying attention in class, but what the school currently taught mainly targeted the generality of the Spiritual Awakened. For Li Xin, who had spent a long time in the castle, these were two different systems, not very practical, more of a science education, not much difference whether he attended more or less.

Lu Shuai and others also knew about Li Xin’s relationship with the Night Patrol. With so much happening during this period, he surely had to be busy too. As a member of Black Rose, taking leave was quite convenient, as long as Luo Xue didn’t complain, no one would bother him.

“Ah Xin, it feels like the Grand Wind Discipline Officer is having a tough time. Despite his significant contributions, Zhao Xun played an unexpected turnaround, his maneuver is quite impressive,” Lu Shuai said, sitting next to him, “Does the Grand Wind Discipline Officer have a solution?”

Li Xin shook his head, “What kind of person is Zhao Xun?”

“Very skilled, the Zhao Family is deeply rooted in the Celestial Capital, standing firm even during the changes in Luthor’s era. You know, Zhao Xun isn’t young, yet he looks energetic and doesn’t show his age. The Zhao Family is one of the most prominent families in the Celestial Capital, and their influence has grown more potent over the years. If not for the Church balancing it, the Celestial Capital might already be dominated by them. The belief in the Moon God has dramatically declined throughout the Li Long region, the same in the Celestial Capital. Otherwise, the Chief Bishop wouldn’t still be waiting for a promotion all this time, but the opportunity is significant now.”

Li Xin couldn’t discern the high-level power plays within the Church currently, “Why is he hosting this Four Nations Invitational?”

“It’s for election, of course. He is a member of the Upper House, and this status, along with the title of Count, is an unbeatable passport. The Celestial Capital only has one spot, and you know how essential it is, but it’s an election year, and the connections at the top are surely sorted out. He just needs to gain momentum, stabilize public opinion, and showcase this state to his allies above, and basically, it will be fine. Hosting a splendid event is something both the top and bottom enjoy,” Lu Shuai glanced around, lowering his voice, “It’s just that the stakes are so high this time, really don’t know how he’s managing it, and how we should handle it. By the way, tonight’s Black Rose gathering, the President should be worrying about this too.”

“Secret manipulation?”

“Too difficult, those attending this time have considerable weight. What price would he have to pay to have a Canon Law School of this level perform for him?” Lu Shuai pondered, finding it too challenging. If true, it further signifies the terrifying influence of the Zhao Family.

“What’s the level of the opposition?” Li Xin asked.

“The three foreign Canon Law Schools are indeed substantial. Moncalleta’s Saint Grace Canon Law School is undoubtedly in the kingdom’s top ten, the Black Meteor Empire’s Iron Blood Canon Law School was once ranked fifth at its peak, it feels the strongest, the Taptan Empire’s Tessis is also top-ten level, for us in the Li Long here, they are stably top five. Honestly, I feel we’re not up to the fight.” If it were a debate, Lu Shuai felt he might have a chance. But given the current level, facing such high-quality opponents, he feared they’d be left unable to fend for themselves.

Lu Shuai had a knack, he never boasted without reason.

Compared to citizens, the internal Canon Law School Four Nations Invitational was more thrilling, anticipating the performance of Black Rose. These competitions were always participated in by the strongest Black Rose members, somewhat like the saying ’training troops for a thousand days to use in a moment.’ However, their timing was a bit awkward, just when the Celestial Capital Canon Law School was at its weakest, but they still hoped the genius Luo Xue could deliver a satisfactory answer.

Luo Xue was very aware of the weight this time, with some “old friends” among the opponents. Regardless of Zhao Xun’s goals, she must secure a victory for the Celestial Capital, which represents not only the Celestial Capital but the Li Long Kingdom. Once other countries are involved, there’s no small matter.

If problems arise, the President’s position would be immediately replaced, potentially implicating the family. This situation had occurred before.

It’s said the Iron Blood and Saint Grace people would arrive first, and Tessis Canon Law School last. She wanted to discuss with Li Xin, as Roland, being Monkaleta, should know more about Saint Grace, and Zhao Qing likely had more insight. As for whether to disclose or not, they’d have to play it by ear. What was thought to be a simple exchange had now upgraded to a Four Nations Invitational, just with a name change but completely different in meaning.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep