"I obey the decree!"

Beiyar Commander Zheng Shi hurriedly took his orders and left.

This matter was certainly not easy to investigate; just today, Cui Zhu attempted to assassinate Qi Jun, a plan certainly many years in the making.

How could the person behind the scenes leave any traces so easily?

Cui Zhu died without a trace, his spirit completely dissipated, leaving no information to be gleaned from his corpse.

And yet, he managed to join the ranks of the elite Qi Army, the notorious Ninth Corps of Qi, and rose to the position of Deputy General, even earning the respect of the Prisoner Electric Army Commander Xiu Yuan... Such feats were not achieved overnight.

His inclusion on the final list for the Yellow River Gathering was no small feat either.

This was not just a matter of strength; a spotless background was also required.

Even the ordinary citizens who came to watch the event had to have several generations of unblemished family history among the People of Qi. If Jiang Wangruo did not have the backing of the Zhong Xuan Family and the push from Yan Fu, it would have been very difficult to make it onto the list.

After all, if the proud scions of the nation were not loyal to their country, they would become the nation’s laughingstock.

Cui Zhu had come this far, finding the opportunity to hurl the spear at Emperor Qi.

The countless links behind this could all possibly be influenced—this was why Emperor Qi was furious, and why all the civil and military officials were terrified. For the former, each possible point of influence might harbor rebels. For the latter, each "possibility" could implicate them, regardless of whether they were clean.

Zheng Shi had to make the most of every moment from now on, to find the truth and root out the remnants before all traces were erased by the other party.

The methods of the Imperial City Inspection Mansion and those of the eunuchs in the palace were naturally different when it came to tracing clues.

The former acted directly under the emperor’s orders but was also subject to the oversight of the Political Affairs Hall, bound by standards and outline.

The latter only obeyed the emperor’s orders, loyal solely to the emperor’s pleasure and anger, unrestrained in their actions, especially during such furious times as these for Emperor Qi.

It could be said that Jiang Wang’s bold admonition today had spared many from risk.

He had won over people’s hearts in an instant!

Many would not speak of it openly, but they would remember this favor in their hearts.

After assigning the assassination case to Zheng Shi, Emperor Qi returned to his Dragon Throne, "My ministers may relax; the ’Grand Master’s Ceremony’ is not yet over, so there is no need to hurry off."

It was as if nothing had happened at all.

The civil and military officials silently rose to their feet.

Then they heard the Emperor say, "At this Yellow River Gathering, Zhongxuan Zun stood out among his peers in the External Building Environment. Jiang Wang dominated the Inner Mansion Realm. These two are the pride of our nation, as seen by all."

"Furthermore, Ji Zhaonan is unanimously recommended by the Political Affairs Hall, and is acknowledged by me as the brightest of his standing. I too commend him."

"These three will represent Daqi at the Yellow River Gathering. The glory and disgrace of the nation rest upon your shoulders; you must not be negligent."

Jiang Wang, Zhongxuan Zun, and Ji Zhaonan all bowed and said in unison, "We are willing to die for Daqi!"

When Qi Jun truly trusted someone, he extended his favor without limit.

Even when he was so furious today, he had still given Jiang Wang the opportunity to offer his advice and did not take his audacity to heart.

Looking at the three "pride of the nation" on the field, he said with satisfaction, "When the nation has such talents, I cannot withhold my reward. Han Ling!"

Han Ling stepped forward and announced, "Hereby, Ji Zhaonan, Zhongxuan Zun, and Jiang Wang are each granted one volume of a secret technique from the Imperial Library, to choose from among their peers!

They are also granted one Magic Artifact from the Son of Heaven’s inner treasury, again, to choose from among their peers!

Furthermore, after three days of incense burning, please proceed to the ’Hot Springs Palace’ for a divine bath!

Five days later, proceed to the Pointing Generals’ Stage, where the strongest among you will impart battle skills for five days!

Prepare yourselves, for battle looms on the Guanhe Platform. Respect this decree!"

Both the secret techniques from the Imperial Library and the Magic Artifacts from the Son of Heaven’s inner treasury were extremely precious.

And the Hot Springs Palace and the Pointing Generals’ Stage were sought after by many. Not to mention, what level would the strong individuals dispatched by the Son of Heaven to impart battle skills be?

And this was only for setting out to the Guanhe Platform, not yet declaring war!

The grace of the Son of Heaven was indeed unparalleled.

Jiang Wang, Zhongxuan Zun, and Ji Zhaonan all bowed in unison; apart from offering their utmost loyalty, there were indeed no other words to say.

After Han Ling announced the decree, Emperor Qi finally raised his hand, signaling that "the master’s salute" had ended.

Then the Emperor and Queen moved to their carriage, followed by several Princes and Imperial Princesses.

And the civil and military officials also dispersed one after another.

Only Han Ling walked onto the square and said to Jiang Wang and the other two, "The royal secret techniques and the Son of Heaven’s inner treasury magic artifacts are at your disposal within the next ten days, at any time. You may wish to go back first and consider carefully what you need."

Ji Zhaonan nodded.

To be honest, neither of these two things was particularly appealing to him. As a disciple of the War God, everything he wanted and needed was already in his possession.

Zhongxuan Zun held back a smile and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch."

As a legitimate son of the Zhong Xuan Family, he lacked for nothing.

Only Jiang Wang sincerely gripped Han Ling’s hand and said with emotion, "I will certainly give it some thought!"

Han Ling: ...

"You are all proud talents of our nation, the pride of Daqi, and I, Han, shall await with incense burning," he said with a smile.

Withdrawn but composed, he retracted his hand and turned to leave.

Ji Zhaonan gave Jiang Wang a smile, then, without giving Zhongxuan Zun another glance, left on his own.

Zhongxuan Zun, however, looked Jiang Wang up and down as if he were seeing him for the first time, "Have we met before?"

It couldn’t be denied, when a person of such unparalleled charm in Linzi showed a friendly demeanor towards you, it was almost irresistible.

"Of course! Last year, outside of Jiguan, I was there with Jiang Qingyang when we escorted you!" The timely voice of Zhongxuan Sheng came in with a laugh across his face, "My brother emerging triumphant from seclusion, dazzling in splendor, truly delighted me! The wounds I bore on the Qi Yang battlefield seem worth it now!"

Jiang Wang was speechless...

Where on your body can you even find those minor injuries now?

Zhongxuan Zun laughed as well.

When he did not smile, he was like a jade tree facing the wind. When he did smile, he was like a pear tree in full blossom.

"Your kindness to me is all remembered. I truly do not know how to repay you!"

Zhongxuan Sheng’s smile grew even brighter; his eyes were nearly invisible with joy, "Why don’t you let me take over as Family Head, how about that?"

Even Zhongxuan Zun, with his supreme elegance in Linzi, was momentarily at a loss for words and thought he heard wrong, "What?"

What kind of meaningless nonsense was this!?

"I mean," Zhongxuan Sheng patiently repeated with a smile, "if you don’t know how to repay me, how about letting me take over as Family Head? It would be a fine story among us!"

Zhongxuan Zun fell silent for a moment, then patted Zhongxuan Sheng on the shoulder, "Sheng, strive on."

Unable to continue the topic, he simply ended it. After encouraging his roly-poly younger brother, he turned and walked away.

Zhongxuan Sheng called after him, "Big brother, no hurry, you just came out and still don’t understand the situation. Think it over slowly! I’m still very young, I can wait!"

Zhongxuan Zun did not turn back; he simply waved backward with the hand holding his book and laughed, "Then wait you shall!"

...

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(I added this passage after browsing the book community in the wee hours.

I just love reading book reviews, I just love visiting the book community. My readers are so good.

Everyone speaks so gently and patiently to others, explains doubts, and discusses the plot seriously.

I feel so happy writing this book. I feel such happiness.

At this very moment, my heart is so tender.

Compared to the gentleness you give me, all the hardships are insignificant.)