The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 134 - 120, Behind you, His Majesty silently shields you from the wind and rain.

Before Ma Yan appeared, the scene remained noisy with bursts of exclamations.

As soon as Ma Yan appeared, however, silence fell instantly, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

In the Capital’s officialdom, the description of this "King Yanluo" was never positive, even for a Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who was a member of the Three Legal Departments, they all held him in awe.

A man’s reputation casts a long shadow like a tree.

If Zhao Douan’s reputation was merely poor, then Ma Yan’s was truly fearsome.

"Whoosh—"

After a brief silence, the government officers from Lihua Hall spoke first.

Hou Renmeng, Shen Juan, and others relaxed their expressions from tense to relaxed in an instant.

Following the "Lord," the intermittent sounds of salutations also finally made it clear why Zhao Douan was so fearless.

Correspondingly, the hearts of those from the Ministry of Justice trembled.

Marquis Xiajiang, who had already thrown a punch, suddenly stopped, his momentum abruptly halted, forcibly stopping the outpouring of Inner Qi, how could he dare to strike Ma Yan?

His heart was hugely shocked.

He had originally thought that Zhao Douan had at most gained the tacit approval of Ma Yan.

Yet, unexpectedly, this expert in charge of the Imperial Court, the knife used by the Empress, seemed to have always been hidden in the shadows, unnoticed by anyone.

This was far beyond his worst expectations.

The Minister of the Ministry of Justice’s eyelids also twitched, although maintaining his expression as impassive as an ancient well, his heart was actually in turmoil.

Given his status, he wasn’t necessarily afraid of this "King Yan," but having seen many Ministers fall over the past two years, it would be too false to claim he harbored no fear of him.

Phew… Thank goodness I was prepared, otherwise, I really would have had trouble getting off this tiger... Zhao Douan breathed out silently, feeling good about having someone to back him up.

Previously, at Governor Hall, he had worried that Marquis Xiajiang might resist arrest by force.

Ma Yan had suggested setting up a situation similar to the deceptive arrangement used before, Zhao Douan openly, while he remained hidden.

The so-called "old tricks still work," Zhao Douan readily agreed, and it turned out they really needed it.

"Lord, they won’t release the captive," Zhao Douan played the villain demanding justice first.

Ma Yan glanced at him from the corner of his eye, didn’t bother with him, and turned to the crimson-robed official with a square face and deep "River" character lines on his forehead, saying:

"Does the Ministry of Justice want to protect him?"

No unnecessary chatter, straight to the point.

The Minister of the Ministry of Justice asked expressionlessly in return:

"Does the Imperial Court intend to violate the law and snatch people from the Three Legal Departments?"

"So, the Court Commissioner does intend to protect him," Ma Yan surveyed the entire scene indifferently, saying:

"I intend to take him, do you think you can protect him?"

A domineering aura leaked out.

Everyone heard the unspoken implication, if Ma Yan were to forcibly take the man by martial force, indeed no one here could stop him.

The Minister of the Ministry of Justice coldly said, "Ma Yan, what are you going to..."

Boom—

The response was the eunuch’s right leg quietly stepping down.

"Bang."

The ground suddenly shook, and on the outermost ground, blue bricks cracked, with strands of earth spikes popping up one after another like bamboo shoots after rain, forming a low "fence" amid the cries of alarm.

Pushing back the officials of the Ministry of Justice, isolating them outside, and sealing off the courtyard.

An incredible feat... Was this martial arts or Magic?

Zhao Douan’s eyes lit up, thinking his senior brother wouldn’t be deliberately showing off.

Pretending in front of him—well, putting on a display?

"What are you trying to do?" The Minister of the Ministry of Justice finally changed color.

Ma Yan didn’t respond but said to Zhao Douan:

"Tie him up and bring him back, don’t worry, he won’t dare to resist."

At your command!

Zhao Douan rubbed his hands together, grinning as he advanced towards Marquis Xiajiang.

At that moment, the boastful marquis was horrified to realize that with Ma Yan’s gaze enveloping him, the movement of his Inner Qi throughout his body became extremely slow.

Though he could still move, it was like being in mud, significantly slower than ordinary people.

"Marquis, please show me what you’ve got."

Zhao Douan smiled, moving lightning-fast to his proximity, reaching out but it was a feint.

This prompted Marquis Xiajiang to subconsciously block, his fist brushing past Zhao Douan’s clothing.

"How dare you resist arrest..."

Zhao Douan loudly said, his right hand that had been charged several times now lightly hitting towards his chest.

"Thump."

Like the dull sound of iron entering flesh, Marquis Xiajiang’s forehead’s veins bulged, his pupils constricted, stricken by that robust palm force, causing his organs to spasm and the flow of Inner Qi in his meridians to break.

Lifting off the ground, he flew backwards.

Zhao Douan quickly got behind him, and without drawing the knife on his hand, used it like an iron rod, slamming hard onto his spine.

"Ah!!"

With his body’s Qi locked by Ma Yan and his cultivation unable to be utilized, the marquis screamed agonizingly, his body numb like being electrocuted on one side.

He thudded to the ground, curling like a shrimp, his organs spasming, vomiting a large mass of filth, the stench overwhelming for a moment.

Zhao Douan quickly stepped back to avoid the filth touching him, his face innocently surveying everyone:

"You all saw it, he hit me first."

No one answered, shocked by the sudden turn of events.

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You were supposed to tie the man up, not beat him...

But Zhao Douan well knew the principle of striking while the enemy was down.

Although he couldn’t go too far, a serious injury to extract some interest wasn’t too much, right?

This strike was for those whom you’ve bullied... Zhao Douan looked down at Marquis Xiajiang.

Then he shook his head, thinking to himself:

Forget it, I can’t be that hypocritical, not standing on moral high ground, it was just to vent some anger from my heart.

Feeling relieved.

Behind him, a few government officers from Lihua Hall stepped forward, binding the man with iron chains.

With a wave of his hand, Ma Yan led a procession majestically leaving, with the Ministry of Justice’s people pushed back like a tide, no one daring to block their path.

Leaving as freely as they came.

It was only after watching this group of "King Yanluos" leave that someone carefully looked towards the steps:

"My Lord..."

The Minister of the Ministry of Justice’s expression was unreadable, his murky eyes like stagnant water:

"Send an order, draft a memorial, impeach Ma Yan for disregarding the law, overstepping his authority in making arrests, indulging in violence, despising the nobility… stamp it with the seal of the Ministry of Justice, accompany me to the palace tomorrow, to attend the court session."