Imperial Countenance in Great Fury

Chapter 49: The Emperor's Fury

Zheng Haihan was stunned for a moment upon hearing this. Then, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he sharply looked up at Bai Yan.

He knew Bai Yan was extremely discreet. Since he was now asking him to dismiss everyone, he must have extracted some critical intelligence.

"You all withdraw. No one is to approach without my command."

"Yes!"

The surrounding Imperial Guard Enforcers responded in unison, then retreated from the Battalion Commander's office with orderly steps. Even the Imperial Guards on duty outside the door were withdrawn.

Only when Bai Yan and Zheng Haihan were left alone in the hall did Bai Yan take out the list from his embrace and present it. He cupped his hands and said:

"Sir, this is the list interrogated from Su Leng Huan. It contains all the court officials secretly bought and colluded with by the Demonic Cult. They can be considered spies planted in the court by the Demonic Cult."

Zheng Haihan quickly took the list and unfolded it.

After a brief glance, Zheng Haihan's face instantly darkened. His normally calm expression was covered by a layer of ashen fury, and a terrifying killing intent erupted from him.

"You ungrateful dogs!"

Zheng Haihan roared, slamming his palm onto the tea table. The powerful force shattered the fine huanghuali wood table into pieces.

His chest heaved violently, clearly indicating his extreme rage.

The Demonic Cult's infiltration was not new; it had happened before. However, the names and positions on the list far exceeded his expectations.

From high-ranking officials of the third rank down to local deputy officials, and even eight Company Commanders within the Imperial Guard itself were implicated. This could no longer be explained as simple Demonic Cult infiltration; it was a vast network capable of destroying Great Yu!

After a long while, Zheng Haihan slowly closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the surging anger.

When he opened his eyes again, the fury in them had transformed into bone-chilling coldness.

"Su Leng Huan's words... how credible are they?"

Bai Yan shook his head slightly and replied in a deep voice:

"This is what I extracted through torture. In my judgment, more than half of it is likely true. However, since this list was obtained through harsh methods, it's not impossible that she deliberately included a few innocent individuals to frame court officials and confuse the issue."

"Whether it's true or false, it still requires the Battalion Commander's personal judgment."

This matter involved too many people and officials of too high a level. He, a mere Company Commander, was incapable of handling it and could only let Zheng Haihan make the final decision.

Zheng Haihan remained silent for a moment, then also shook his head, his tone grave.

"I cannot make this decision either."

"The list must be handed over to the Commander, who will then report it to His Majesty. His Majesty will make the final decision."

Bai Yan cupped his hands in agreement, "That is only right, sir. You are wise!"

In any case, as long as this hot potato was passed on, who made the final decision was no longer Bai Yan's concern.

Zheng Haihan carefully folded the list and tucked it into his robes. He then looked at Bai Yan and instructed:

"Before I return, this matter must not be leaked to anyone!"

He paused, then emphasized:

"Also, those eight Imperial Guard Company Commanders on the list, send people to keep a close eye on them immediately. Do not let any of them slip away."

"They may not know anything yet, but it's hard to guarantee they won't get wind of this. If you find any suspicious activity from them, do not seek further instructions. Execute them on the spot!"

Saying this, Zheng Haihan took out a token and handed it to Bai Yan, his eyes emitting a cold killing intent.

This was Zheng Haihan's personal Battalion Commander token, but it was different from ordinary ones.

On Zheng Haihan's token, a blood-red character "Three" was engraved.

This "Three" represented Zheng Haihan's ranking among the Thirteen Imperial Guards.

With this token in hand, Bai Yan possessed the absolute authority to execute anyone below the rank of Battalion Commander within the Imperial Guard.

Even executing a Company Commander on the spot within the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau would not result in any punishment.

Giving such power to Bai Yan showed Zheng Haihan's trust in him and his uncompromising stance against the Demonic Cult.

Better to kill a thousand by mistake than let one go!

Zheng Haihan's killing intent erupted again, even more intense than before. The temperature in the entire hall dropped several degrees, and the air seemed to freeze.

Clearly, this matter had touched his bottom line, and this usually composed Battalion Commander was truly enraged.

Rumor had it that Zheng Haihan was promoted by the Emperor himself and was fiercely loyal to him.

It seemed that rumor was indeed true.

Bai Yan took the token and solemnly cupped his hands:

"Your subordinate obeys!"

With that, Bai Yan turned and left. As soon as he stepped out of the Battalion Commander's office, the system's prompt sounded.

[Ding! Host has triggered a mission: Suppress Demonic Cult Undercover Agents]

[Eradicate evil completely, leave no future troubles!]

[There are eight Demonic Cult undercover agents within the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau attempting to escape. Host, please suppress them all, alive or dead.]

[Mission Reward: Max Level Six Cold Frost Arts]

Six Cold Frost Arts!

Seeing the mission reward this time, Bai Yan's eyes lit up with a brilliant gleam.

After waiting for so many days, the system finally didn't disappoint him.

Ever since obtaining the Snow Drinking Saber, Bai Yan had been waiting for this peerless saber technique. With the Snow Drinking Saber paired with the Six Cold Frost Arts, his combat power would definitely reach a new peak!

Leaving the Thousand-Household Office, Bai Yan took Ren Hong, Li Kaiyao, and two squads of Imperial Guard Enforcers directly to the entrance of the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau.

Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao followed behind, one carrying a chair and the other a tea table. Several Enforcers carried fruits and snacks, along with tea and pastries. The group looked like they were going on a picnic.

"Sir, what are we...?"

Ren Hong placed the chair under the covered walkway inside the main gate. Seeing Bai Yan sit down with his legs crossed, he couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

Bai Yan picked up his teacup and took a sip, saying slowly:

"Blocking the entrance."

That's right, Bai Yan had chosen the simplest and most brutal method: blocking the main entrance.

Whether you've heard the news or not, whether you want to run or not, I'm blocking the door. If you have the ability, try to fly out!

The Imperial Palace, Palace of Gazing Immortals.

This place was always filled with a faint medicinal fragrance. The furnishings inside were simple yet luxurious. In the center stood an alchemy furnace over ten feet tall, its body carved with intricate runes. The furnace fire blazed fiercely, casting a red glow on all the walls.

This was the Emperor's place for alchemy. Because it represented the Emperor's wish to ascend to immortality and live forever, it was named the Palace of Gazing Immortals.

Emperor Shunying hoped to one day become a Great Luo Immortal, soaring through the skies with the celestial beings, truly achieving immortality.

For the past twelve years, Emperor Shunying had stopped handling state affairs in the Imperial Study. All military and national matters were conducted in the Palace of Gazing Immortals.

"Traitor! Villain! Rebel! They all deserve to die!"

Emperor Shunying's roar echoed from within the Palace of Gazing Immortals, like a fierce tiger's roar.

The roar spread throughout the entire Palace of Gazing Immortals and reached outside.

Hearing the Emperor's roar, the Imperial Guards, eunuchs, and palace maids outside all knelt on the ground in fear, trembling all over.

When the Emperor rages, a million corpses are piled up – it's no joke.

Everyone lowered their heads, secretly wondering what kind of major event had occurred to provoke such a furious Imperial Countenance.

Inside the Palace of Gazing Immortals, a middle-aged minister in a Flying Fish Robe stood with his body bowed. He was tall and straight, with a resolute face and eyes that held a calmness unbefitting his age.

This person was Qiu Qianlong, the current Commander of the Imperial Guard, and Emperor Shunying's most trusted confidant.

Although Qiu Qianlong appeared to be only around forty years old, he was actually fifty-six this year. His youthful appearance was entirely due to his unfathomable power.

He was five years older than Emperor Shunying and had been the Emperor's childhood companion. They had grown up together, and their bond was extraordinary. It was precisely for this reason that Emperor Shunying relied on him immensely.

Qiu Qianlong was indeed loyal. Over the years, if he hadn't protected Emperor Shunying from the shadows, the Emperor would have died at least three times.

Seeing the Emperor's fury, Qiu Qianlong cupped his hands and said comfortingly:

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Your dragon body is important."

Emperor Shunying's chest heaved violently. He tightly gripped the list that had been submitted from the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau. He took several deep breaths, suppressing the anger in his heart, and then asked:

"Have all the people on the list been verified?"

"Also, how many people know about this list now?"

Qiu Qianlong respectfully replied:

"They have not yet been verified. This matter is of great importance. As soon as I received the list, I dared not delay for a moment and rushed to report it to Your Majesty."

"If a thorough investigation is required, just give me three days, and I will verify everyone on the list one by one."

He paused and added:

"As for who knows this list now, besides myself and the Third Imperial Guard Zheng Haihan, it is only Battalion Commander Bai Yan and his two Brigade Leaders under him."

"I am willing to stake my life, guaranteeing that the list will not leak a single bit before Your Majesty makes a decision!"

"Three days?"

Emperor Shunying scoffed, his eyes suddenly turning cold. His tone was like ten thousand years of ice:

"Three days is too long. Who knows how many variables will arise in these three days."

"I know this Bai Yan. Since you trust him, I can naturally trust him as well."

"But even if he and his subordinates keep their mouths shut, it's hard to guarantee that no information will leak."

"Even an Imperial Guard Battalion Commander can collude with the Demonic Cult. Who can guarantee that there aren't more Demonic Cult spies within the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau?"

"I cannot wait three days. I want to know now whether these rebellious officials and traitors have truly colluded with the Demonic Cult! What dirty deeds have they done with the Demonic Cult! How many remnants of the previous dynasty and traitors are still hidden in my court!"