"I need to see Grand Tutor Wen!" Lu Fan stated, "I wish to borrow a treasure from your estate!"
"This..."
Steward Li hesitated for a moment before leading Lu Fan to the main hall. "Northwest King, please wait a moment. I shall inform the Grand Tutor immediately!"
Lu Fan nodded and sat down casually. His primary reason for coming was to borrow a treasure, and he found the Grand Tutor's mansion to be as luxurious as his own Northwest King's manor.
Shortly after, a white-haired elder appeared before Lu Fan, cupping his fist and smiling, "What wind has blown the Northwest King here? It is truly an honor for my humble Grand Tutor's residence!"
"You flatter me, Grand Tutor!" Lu Fan replied with a smile. "I presume you are aware that someone within the capital is colluding with individuals from the Hell Dynasty. I have no other intention in coming here today but to borrow a treasure from you!"
"Borrow a treasure?" Grand Tutor Wen smiled faintly. "Northwest King, you might have come to the wrong place. How could I possibly possess the treasure you seek?"
"If I did not, I would not have come!" Lu Fan chuckled softly. "Now, it simply depends on whether the Grand Tutor is willing to lend it."
"Are you perhaps referring to my ancestor's Bagua Plate?" Grand Tutor Wen asked with a smile. "Northwest King, please do not joke. This Bagua Plate is an heirloom from my ancestors, and how could I possibly lend it out so easily?"
"Everything I do is for the Heavenly Court Dynasty. I hope Grand Tutor Wen can be accommodating!" Lu Fan clasped his hands, his gaze grave.
He understood very clearly that if he couldn't obtain the Bagua Plate today, tracking down this matter would not be so easy. Therefore, he had to get the Bagua Plate to find any trace of Hell.
"Northwest King, you jest. This Bagua Plate is an ancestral item, and I absolutely cannot hand it over lightly!" Grand Tutor Wen stated bluntly.
"Grand Tutor Wen, I am under orders to investigate. Moreover, as the Grand Tutor of the Heavenly Court Dynasty, this matter also carries significant responsibility for you!" Lu Fan said frankly. "If you refuse to lend it, I will certainly inform the Heavenly Emperor. Wouldn't that be an embarrassing situation then?"
"You are threatening me!"
Grand Tutor Wen's eyes instantly became sharp, and he gazed at Lu Fan with an imposing aura. In his eyes, Lu Fan's actions were akin to seeking his own demise.
"I am not threatening you; I simply wish for Grand Tutor Wen to understand!" Lu Fan shrugged. "The situation has come to this. There is not much more I can say. I hope Grand Tutor Wen can comprehend."
Facing these words, Grand Tutor Wen's lips curved upwards with a hint of coldness. "Do you truly believe that being the Northwest King allows you to run amok in my Grand Tutor's mansion? You, the Northwest King, are merely appointed by the Heavenly Emperor, and are nothing to speak of!"
"What do you mean by that, Grand Tutor Wen?" Lu Fan's eyes darkened. "It seems Grand Tutor Wen is displeased with me."
"You speak correctly!"
Grand Tutor Wen nodded. "I am indeed displeased with you, otherwise, it would not be like this. However, you are, after all, the Northwest King, and I do not wish to make things difficult for you. You may leave now."
"If I recall correctly, the Bagua Plate can detect the hiding places of individuals from the Hell Dynasty. Grand Tutor Wen's insistence on protecting it likely signifies an intention to do so!"
Lu Fan shrugged. "The Heavenly Emperor has already ordered me to thoroughly investigate this matter!"
"Why have I never received such an order?" Grand Tutor Wen countered, shrugging. "Is the Northwest King perhaps fabricating an imperial decree? This is a grave offense. If it were to spread, it would likely not be good for the Northwest King's reputation!"
"What is this!"
Lu Fan produced a treasure, his expression growing indifferent.
"The Dragon Seal!"
Upon seeing this, Grand Tutor Wen's complexion changed drastically, his expression filled with gravity. He had never expected Lu Fan to possess the Dragon Seal. This was no trifling matter; any misstep could lead to endless repercussions.
At the same time, Lu Fan's gaze turned sharp. "The Heavenly Emperor has commanded me to thoroughly investigate this matter and has entrusted me with the Dragon Seal. Does Grand Tutor Wen have any objections?"
"This subordinate dares not!"
Grand Tutor Wen trembled. He understood all too well what the Dragon Seal represented. If he did not cooperate with Lu Fan and Lu Fan were to lodge a complaint, he would likely face severe consequences. In fact, Lu Fan could exercise the authority of the Dragon Seal right then and there, which made him quite uncomfortable.
"Steward Li, quickly go and retrieve the Bagua Plate and hand it over to the Northwest King!" Grand Tutor Wen commanded.
Steward Li hurried, not daring to delay in the slightest, and rushed to fetch the item. He was well aware that if this matter were handled poorly, it could lead to endless trouble.
Shortly after, Steward Li arrived at the hall with the Bagua Plate. Upon seeing it, Lu Fan's eyes lit up with joy. With the Bagua Plate in hand, he would be able to track the aura of the Hell Dynasty, and thus, the case would likely be solved soon.
"Northwest King, this Bagua Plate can track the whereabouts of the Hell Dynasty. However, you must be careful. If there are indeed individuals from the Hell Dynasty within this capital, they are bound to be experts. Relying on your own strength, you may not be their match!" Grand Tutor Wen warned. "Would you like me to dispatch some experts to accompany you?"
"Under the Emperor's watchful eyes, does anyone dare to lay a hand on me?" Lu Fan shrugged. "This is the imperial capital. If individuals from the Hell Dynasty were to reach such a degree of audacity, it would be a dereliction of duty on our part!"
"The Northwest King speaks wisely!"
Grand Tutor Wen nodded quickly, his expression becoming serious.
After obtaining the Bagua Plate, Lu Fan did not linger. He left the Grand Tutor's mansion directly, understanding that some actions were permissible, while others were not.
Watching Lu Fan's retreating figure, Grand Tutor Wen finally breathed a sigh of relief and sank into his grand tutor's chair, looking visibly shaken. He had never imagined that Lu Fan would possess the Dragon Seal, a symbol of supreme authority.
"Grand Tutor, why are you so frightened?" Steward Li asked. "Does this Dragon Seal truly possess such power?"
"Within the entire Heavenly Court Dynasty, there are only two Dragon Seals. The other is in the hands of the Heavenly Emperor," Grand Tutor Wen explained. "This alone demonstrates the Heavenly Emperor's trust in him. Otherwise, he would not have it."
Upon hearing this, Steward Li was slightly stunned, his expression becoming solemn. He understood clearly that the Heavenly Emperor was no ordinary person, and the fact that he had handed over another Dragon Seal was a testament to his trust in Lu Fan.
Meanwhile, Lu Fan, with the Bagua Plate in hand, began his search, endeavoring to find any trace of the Hell Dynasty's aura. Only then could he swiftly locate those who had acted in the shadows.
As the direction indicated by the Bagua Plate shifted, Lu Fan found himself on the streets of the capital. After walking for a while, he proceeded towards another direction of the capital, an area that appeared somewhat secluded.