I'm Back, and I'll Make Everyone Pay!
"It's alright, I'm back. I'll make everyone pay the price."
Ye Jing's voice echoed in the sky above Capital, like thunder splitting the frozen lake, stirring up ripples.
His deep eyes gleamed with an undeniable light, as if he had seen through every dark corner and was determined to eradicate greed and corruption.
"Xiao Qing, A Ming, your perseverance and courage are admirable. Now leave the rest to me!" Ye Jing's voice was gentle yet firm. He slowly landed in front of the two of them, and the crimson light gradually subsided, transforming into a warm halo that surrounded him, giving the two an unprecedented sense of security.
Xiao Qing's eyes reddened, tears welling up, but she tried hard not to let them fall. She looked up at Ye Jing, her voice choked with emotion, "Lord Ye, we thought we'd never see you again... And all those officials, they're all dead..."
A Ming clenched his fists, his eyes filled with both excitement and anticipation. "Lord Ye, you must make those bad guys get the punishment they deserve!"
Ye Jing gently patted their shoulders, offering them his strongest support. "Don't worry, I will, not only for you and them, but also for the millions of people of the Great Li Kingdom."
"I will have someone take you to rest; you've suffered a lot these past few days."
After saying this, Ye Jing moved, transforming into a streak of Flowing Light that shot straight into the sky, rushing towards the depths of the Imperial Palace.
He knew that the real battle had just begun, and those lurking parasites had to be eliminated one by one.
Inside the Imperial Palace, Ye Jing and Li Xuan's meeting continued until late at night.
In the brightly lit Imperial Study, the two sat facing each other, the atmosphere heavy and tense.
Li Xuan's desk was piled high with all sorts of memorials and secret reports, each documenting the corruption and darkness of the Great Li Kingdom.
"These corrupt groups of officials have been entrenched for generations and are very difficult to deal with."
"Punishing just one person will trigger a chain reaction, leading to nationwide instability."
Li Xuan sighed. It wasn't that he didn't want to solve it, but it was genuinely difficult.
"It's alright, just give me the list of personnel, I'll handle it."
Ye Jing shook his head, his tone completely indifferent.
He's not some emperor of the Great Li Kingdom, so there's no need to worry about so much.
Since moving one thread has far-reaching consequences, I'll just wipe them all out at once.
A chill ran through Ye Jing's eyes.
Capital.
As night falls, the lights and moonlight intertwine in this oldest and most prosperous city of the Great Li Kingdom, creating a mesmerizing scene.
Yichun Courtyard, the most famous brothel in the Capital City.
It immerses countless people in a world of extravagance and debauchery.
The most luxurious rooms, in particular, became a breeding ground for power and desire.
Inside the room, the candlelight flickered, bathing every inch of space in an ambiguous golden glow.
On the table, a dazzling array of delicacies were laid out, their steaming heat releasing an enticing aroma that mingled with the fragrance of wine in the air, creating an indescribable atmosphere of extravagance.
Several officials dressed in fine robes sat or lay down, surrounded by several beautiful young women dressed in light gauze, revealing glimpses of their fair skin.
Her pretty face and smiling voice added a touch of spring to the grand feast.
However, behind this seemingly harmonious and beautiful facade lies endless evil and darkness.
These officials, who appear dignified and respectable in court, have long since become slaves to greed. Their hearts have been corrupted by money and power, leaving them utterly incapable of any sense of responsibility towards the country and its people.
A middle-aged official, fat and with a face full of menacing features, held a wine glass in his hand that seemed to symbolize his power, each time he raised it accompanied by a burst of arrogant laughter.
His eyes revealed an undisguised greed and ruthlessness.
The fat hand kept squeezing the woman next to him.
Even though the woman was in pain and her pretty face was contorted, she dared not utter a word.
The woman was like an ant under his feet, whom he could trample on at will.
"Does Ye Jing think he can contend with us with his martial arts skills alone? Hmph, he's too naive. We've been building our foundation for many years; how could he possibly shake it so easily?" he said.
He naturally knew that Ye Jing had returned today.
However, his words were full of contempt and disdain for Ye Jing, as if he had already foreseen Ye Jing's defeat.
Beside.
A young official echoed him smugly, his eyes gleaming with a thirst for power. He reveled in this feeling of superiority, as if he had already reached the pinnacle of power, looking down upon all living beings.
"Ye Jing? He's just an outsider. How could he understand the complex situation in our Great Li Kingdom? Does he think he can change everything with just a surge of enthusiasm? That's wishful thinking!" His voice was laced with sarcasm and mockery.
In the corner, an elderly official with a shrewd and calculating look on his face stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming with a cunning light.
Two women were kneeling beside his legs.
"That Ye Jing is still too young. Although he is brave, he is ultimately outnumbered and outmatched. We control all the important affairs of the country, whether it is military power, financial power, or personnel appointments and removals, we firmly hold them in our hands. No matter how powerful he is, he is just fighting a lone battle."
His words were full of confidence and arrogance, as if victory was already assured.
The others echoed his sentiments, their faces beaming with confidence.
Their confidence and arrogance are not without reason.
These officials did indeed have powerful backing—powerful Aristocratic Clan families.
Their influence extends throughout the court and the country, deeply entrenched, and has long been closely intertwined with the fate of the Great Li Kingdom.
In order to protect their own interests and status, these Aristocratic Clan families colluded with these officials at all costs, jointly weaving a vast network of power.
To persuade them is tantamount to persuading the entire Great Li Kingdom.
That's why they're so fearless now.
"Come on, keep playing the music, keep dancing."
The fat, big-eared official downed his glass of wine in one gulp and laughed loudly.
Ye Jing took the list and left the Imperial Palace.
He stood high in the sky, and then his figure vanished abruptly.
It's just murder, isn't it?
That's too easy.
And these people deserve to die!
The night was as dark as ink, Ye Jing's figure darted through the Capital night sky like a cheetah in the dark, silent yet deadly.
He clutched the list tightly in his hand, a flame of justice burning in his heart, vowing to erase every name on the list from the darkness.
First, he arrived at the bustling district where the Yichun Courtyard was located. It was brightly lit and bustling with people, but it was also a breeding ground for corrupt officials to indulge their desires.
Using his keen sense of presence, Ye Jing quickly located the room where the target was located.