Because Your Majesty Is a Genius

Three days later.

After repeatedly weighing the pros and cons, Zhou Ming decided to first meet the four captured Azure Hand Guild members.

And have a brief talk with them.

That morning.

Escorted by a squad of elite guards, Shut and the others were brought into the Imperial Palace. In a side hall, they saw Zhou Ming seated at the head, dressed in magnificent imperial robes.

"Is that you?"

Shut was startled and blurted it out.

"Oh? You know me?" Zhou Ming asked blandly. Why was this fellow so surprised?

"No, I do not know you, but I have heard of you, respected Emperor Noctis!" Shut placed a hand over his chest, slightly bent his knees, lowered his head, and offered a salute.

"Respected Your Majesty, I have heard of you too. You are my idol. I never expected you to be so young!" Atlanm hurriedly said, trying to ingratiate himself.

"I have heard your stories as well, respected Your Majesty!" Pickel hurriedly bowed too.

"Good morning, Your Majesty." Iliyas curtsied elegantly.

"Silence! Your Majesty is wise and mighty, and everyone in the Empire knows it. Did you think merely saying you had heard of His Majesty's achievements would spare you from a capital crime?"

Reggie, standing beside Zhou Ming, said with a stern face, habitually slipping into the role of the bad cop.

A capital crime?

Shut and the others were startled.

Atlanm cried out even more loudly, "Mercy, Your Majesty! We merely happened to pass by a place and were looking for someone. How did that become a capital crime?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. We saw a group of people making bricks beneath a mountain and went over for a curious look... Surely it is not that serious?" Pickel said as well.

"The place you went to see is