The Emperor's Imperial Countenance Was Enraged

The Emperor's Imperial Countenance Was Enraged

Zheng Haihan froze for a moment when he heard this. Then a glint flashed through his eyes, and he abruptly looked up at Bai Yan.

He knew Bai Yan was extremely measured in his actions. Since he was now asking Zheng Haihan to dismiss everyone else, he must have interrogated some earth-shattering intelligence.

"You may all withdraw. Without my order, no one is to come near."

"Yes!"

The Imperial Guards warriors nearby answered in unison and filed out of the Thousand-Household Office in orderly steps. Even the Imperial Guards stationed outside withdrew with them.

Only after the hall contained just Bai Yan and Zheng Haihan did Bai Yan take the list from his robes and hand it over, cupping his fists as he said:

"My lord, this is the list extracted from Su Leng Huan during interrogation. Everyone on it is an Imperial Court official secretly bought off by and colluding with the Demonic Cult. They can be treated directly as spies planted in the court by the Demonic Cult."

Zheng Haihan hurriedly took the list and unfolded it.

After only a hurried glance, Zheng Haihan's expression instantly darkened. A layer of livid blue covered his originally calm face, and a terrifying killing aura suddenly erupted from his entire body.

"A pack of dogs who feast on the inside while fattening the outside!"

Zheng Haihan roared and slammed his palm onto the tea table. His domineering palm force exploded, and the fine huanghuali tea table was instantly smashed into splinters.

His chest heaved violently. Clearly, he was furious to the extreme.

The Demonic Cult's infiltration was nothing new. It had happened before, but the names and positions on the list had far exceeded his expectations.

They ranged from third-rank senior officials to local assistant officials. There were even eight Hundred-Household commanders within the Imperial Guards implicated. This could no longer be explained as simple Demonic Cult infiltration. It was a vast web capable of bringing down Great Yu!

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

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

"How much of Su Leng Huan's words can be trusted?"

Bai Yan shook his head slightly and answered in a low voice:

"I extracted this through torture. Based on my judgment, more than half of it should be true. However, the list was obtained through coercive methods, so it cannot be ruled out that she deliberately mixed in several unrelated people to frame Imperial Court officials and muddy the waters."

"Whether it's true or false still requires the Thousand-Household commander's personal judgment."

This matter implicated far too many people, and the officials involved were of far too high a rank. A mere Hundred-Household commander like him had no ability to bear the consequences. He could only let Zheng Haihan make the final decision.

Zheng Haihan fell silent for a moment, then shook his head as well and said solemnly:

"I cannot decide this matter either."

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

Bai Yan cupped his fists and replied, "That is indeed the proper course, my lord. Your wisdom is unmatched!"

In any case, all he needed to do was throw out this scalding hot potato. As for who made the final decision, that had nothing to do with Bai Yan.

Zheng Haihan carefully folded the list, tucked it close to his body, and then looked at Bai Yan as he instructed:

"Before I return, not a shred of this matter may be leaked to the outside world!"

After a pause, he continued in a heavier tone:

"Also, immediately send people to keep a close watch on the eight Imperial Guards Hundred-Household commanders on the list. Not one is to be let off."

"They may not know anything yet, but there is no guarantee they will not receive word. If you discover any unusual movement from them, do not ask for instructions. Kill them on the spot!"

As he spoke, Zheng Haihan took out a command token and handed it to Bai Yan. A cold killing intent radiated from his eyes.

This was Zheng Haihan's personal Thousand-Household command token, though it was somewhat different from ordinary Thousand-Household tokens.

A blood-red numeral "Three" was engraved on Zheng Haihan's token.

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

With this token in hand, Bai Yan now possessed the power of life and death over Imperial Guards personnel below the rank of Thousand-Household commander.

Even if he killed a Hundred-Household commander on the spot within the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau, he would suffer no punishment.

Entrusting such authority to Bai Yan showed how much Zheng Haihan trusted him. It also revealed Zheng Haihan's attitude toward the Demonic Cult: there would be no mercy or softness whatsoever.

Better to kill a thousand by mistake than let a single one escape!

The killing aura around Zheng Haihan erupted again, even more fiercely than before. The temperature in the entire central hall dropped several degrees, and the air seemed to freeze solid.

Clearly, this matter had touched his bottom line. This usually steady Thousand-Household commander was truly consumed by fury.

According to rumor, Zheng Haihan had been personally promoted by the emperor and was utterly loyal to him.

Now it seemed that the rumor was indeed true.

Bai Yan accepted the token and solemnly cupped his fists.

"This subordinate accepts the order!"

With that, Bai Yan turned and left. Just as he stepped out of the Thousand-Household Office, the system's notification sound rang out at the same moment.

Ding! The host has triggered a mission: Suppress the Demonic Cult's spies

Eradicate evil to the very roots and leave no future trouble!

Eight Demonic Cult spies within the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau are attempting to flee. Host, suppress them all, dead or alive

Mission reward: Max-Level Six Cold Frost Arts

"Six Cold Frost Arts!"

When Bai Yan saw the mission reward this time, a sharp glint burst from his eyes.

After waiting so many days, the system had finally not disappointed him.

After obtaining the Snow Drinking Saber, Bai Yan had been waiting for this peerless saber art. With the Snow Drinking Saber paired with the Six Cold Frost Arts, his combat strength would definitely rise another great step!

After leaving the Thousand-Household Office, Bai Yan brought Ren Hong, Li Kaiyao, and two squads of Imperial Guards warriors directly to the entrance of the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau.

Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao followed behind, one carrying chairs and the other carrying a tea table. Several warriors carried fruits and set out tea and pastries. The whole group looked as though they were heading out for a picnic.

"My lord, are we..."

Ren Hong placed the chairs beneath the corridor on the inner side of the main gate. Seeing Bai Yan sit down in a bold, imposing manner, he could not help asking in a low voice.

Bai Yan lifted his teacup, took a sip, and said unhurriedly:

"Block the gate."

That was right. Bai Yan had directly chosen the simplest and most brutal method: he blocked the main gate.

Whether you received word or not, whether you wanted to run or not, he would sit right at the entrance. If you have the ability, try flying out!

The imperial palace, the Palace of Gazing Immortals.

A faint medicinal fragrance lingered here all year round. The furnishings inside the palace were simple yet still luxurious. At the very center stood an alchemy furnace more than a zhang tall, its body covered in intricate runes. Flames roared within it, reflecting a fiery red glow across the four walls.

This was the emperor's place for refining pills. Because it bore the emperor's hopes of ascending to immortality and living forever, it had been specially named the Palace of Gazing Immortals.

Emperor Shunying looked forward to one day becoming a Great Luo Immortal, roaming the heavens alongside the gathered immortals above and truly achieving immortality and imperishability.

Since twelve years ago, Emperor Shunying had stopped going to the Imperial Study to handle state affairs. All major military and national matters were conducted in the Palace of Gazing Immortals.

"Traitors! Villains! Rebels! Every last one of them deserves to die!"

Emperor Shunying's furious roar came from within the Palace of Gazing Immortals, like a tiger's bellow.

His roar reverberated throughout the entire palace and even reached outside it.

When they heard the emperor's furious roar, the Imperial Guards, eunuchs, and palace maids outside all dropped to their knees in terror, their entire bodies trembling.

When an emperor raged, corpses could pile up to a million. This was no joke.

Everyone lowered their heads, secretly wondering what earth-shattering event had happened to make Emperor Shunying so furiously enraged.

Inside the Palace of Gazing Immortals, a middle-aged official dressed in a Flying Fish Robe stood with his body bowed. He had a tall, straight build and a resolute face, while his eyes held a steadiness at odds with his age.

This man was the current Commander of the Imperial Guards, Qiu Qianlong, and also the person Emperor Shunying trusted most.

Although Qiu Qianlong appeared to be only around forty, he was actually fifty-six that year. The reason he looked so young was entirely due to his unfathomably deep cultivation.

He was five years older than Emperor Shunying and had been the emperor's study companion in his youth. The two had grown up together, and their bond was extraordinary. It was precisely because of this that Emperor Shunying relied on him so heavily.

Qiu Qianlong was indeed utterly loyal. Over the years, if not for his secret protection, Emperor Shunying would have died at least three times already.

Seeing the emperor in a towering rage, Qiu Qianlong cupped his fists and urged him to calm down.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Your health is of the utmost importance."

Emperor Shunying's chest rose and fell violently. He gripped the list sent up from the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau tightly in his hand. After taking several deep breaths and suppressing the fury in his heart, he finally asked:

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

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

Qiu Qianlong respectfully reported:

"They have not yet been investigated. This matter is of immense importance. The moment I received the list, I did not dare delay for even a moment and immediately hurried here to report to Your Majesty."

"If Your Majesty wishes to conduct a thorough investigation, give me only three days. I can certainly verify every person on the list."

After a pause, he added:

"At present, apart from this subject and Thirteen Imperial Guard Zheng Haihan, the only people who know about this list are the Hundred-Household commander Bai Yan and the two Brigade Leaders under him."

"This subject is willing to stake his life on it: before Your Majesty makes a decision, not a shred of the list will leak!"

"Three days?"

Emperor Shunying sneered, and his gaze abruptly turned gloomy and cold. His voice was like ten thousand years of ice:

"Three days is too long. Who knows how many variables may arise during those three days?"

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

"But even if he and his subordinates keep their mouths sealed, there is still no guarantee that word will not leak."

"Even an Imperial Guards Hundred-Household commander can collude with the Demonic Cult. Who can guarantee there are no more Demonic Cult spies within the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau?"

"I cannot wait three days. Right now, I want to know whether these treacherous rebels truly colluded with the Demonic Cult! What filthy deeds did they commit with the Demonic Cult? How many surviving rebels and traitors from the previous dynasty are still hiding within my court?"