Sovereign Power and Ministerial Power, Yin Zhong's Night Talk

"Ah? The Jianghu Monthly Report is backed by the Azure Dragon Society? If that's the case, aren't they your subordinates, Godfather?"

"That's right! Are you still planning to go after the Jianghu Monthly Report?"

Zhou Ming naturally didn't dare to say he was. However, as he thought about it, this was actually a good thing.

The Jianghu Monthly Report had extremely strong publicity capabilities.

If he could use the Jianghu Monthly Report to promote his new book, why would he need to chase any trends?

He himself was the trend!

Thinking this, Zhou Ming quickly said, "In that case, Godfather, when my new book is released, could you have the Jianghu Monthly Report lend a hand?"

"Still talking about your trash book!"

Pei Ju was so angry he unleashed a palm strike, an invisible surge of energy blasting towards Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming shifted his feet, dodging to the side.

"Hmm?"

Pei Ju's gaze sharpened. He beckoned with his hand, and the energy he had just unleashed circled around and returned.

As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Zhou Ming spun around and dodged it again.

"Lingbo Weibu... you've actually mastered it? And you can use it so freely to dodge my attack?"

Pei Ju said, "Hmph! You only have some talent in martial arts!"

Although this was just a casual strike from him.

At their current distance, with his level of strength, even a Grandmaster might not be able to dodge it.

Yet Zhou Ming, who was only at the Innate True Qi Realm, could easily and freely dodge his back-and-forth attack.

It was clear his Qinggong was superb.

Zhou Ming plastered on a smile, not daring to mention his novel or the Jianghu Monthly Report again. He quickly changed the subject.

"Godfather, now that the power has been returned to the Emperor, Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi probably won't be content, right?"

"Indeed." Pei Ju nodded.

Zhou Ming asked, "Then Godfather, what are your plans?"

"My plans? Sit back and watch the tigers fight..."

"Godfather is wise."

Zhou Ming now understood that Pei Ju's position in the current court was unassailable.

The power within the court could be simply divided into imperial power and ministerial power.

This world was jointly governed by the Emperor and his ministers. As the Grand Secretary, the foremost of the civil officials, Godfather Pei Ju held ministerial power firmly in his grasp.

As for imperial power, before this, it had been divided among Cao Zhengchun, Zhu Wushi, and Pei Ju.

Now, returning power to the Emperor was merely returning what belonged to the Emperor.

And it was only being returned bit by bit, not all at once.

Pei Ju returned imperial power, but still held ministerial power.

In contrast, Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi, while one commanded the Eastern Depot and the other the Dragon Guard Manor, actually held no other real power.

The Eastern Depot had only a few hundred men.

The Dragon Guard Manor might be more formidable, but on the surface, it had about a thousand men, and perhaps ten thousand in secret.

But what use was that?

If the two of them gave up the power they held, they would be left with virtually nothing.

Therefore, when Yang Yuxuan first submitted his memorial requesting the return of power to the Emperor, Pei Ju agreed, Zhu Wushi was ambiguous, and only Cao Zhengchun vehemently rejected it.

Because Pei Ju was a minister, and Zhu Wushi was the Emperor's uncle, only Cao Zhengchun was a eunuch.

If he relinquished the power he held, he would just be a dog under the Emperor.

However, when the ministers jointly submitted their memorial, with Pei Ju's support, Zhu Wushi also seemed to have changed his mind during the Lantern Festival.

With only Cao Zhengchun left, he could only be forced to agree.

However, how could Cao Zhengchun be willing?

He would definitely retaliate fiercely.

Even Zhu Wushi would.

It's just that their temperaments and situations were different. Cao Zhengchun's retaliation might be overt, while Zhu Wushi's would be conducted in secret.

And on the Emperor's side, although he had regained some power, he had simultaneously offended both Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi.

In this situation, who could he rely on?

Naturally, it would be the only one who supported the return of power.

The Grand Tutor of the court, the Grand Secretary, Pei Ju!

This was Pei Ju's plan.

"Retreat to advance" was the perfect description!

"In the next few days, these two will surely make a move. Whether you can uncover the true identities of the Dragon Guard Manor's Four Great Secret Agents depends on you."

Pei Ju added, "If you do well, I can also have the Jianghu Monthly Report lend you a hand."

"Yes, Godfather."

Zhou Ming left the study and headed towards his living quarters. He bumped into Yin Zhong on the way.

"Second Uncle."

"Ah, it's my nephew!"

Yin Zhong asked, "Have you learned the Sword Qi Finger I gave you before? I told you to ask me directly if you had any questions. Why haven't you come by in so many days?"

Zhou Ming cupped his fists. "Thank you for your concern, Second Uncle. It's just that your nephew has a bit of talent in martial arts. I've already learned the Sword Qi Finger."

"Oh?" Yin Zhong exclaimed, "Is that so? Then demonstrate it for me, let me see how it is?"

"It is my fortune that Second Uncle is willing to guide your nephew."

The two arrived at the training grounds. Zhou Ming began to demonstrate the Sword Qi Finger. With a flick of his finger, sword energy flew, true qi circulated through his internal organs, and sword qi of different attributes—gold, wood, water, fire, and earth—erupted forth.

Following that, he displayed mastery of the Seven Ultimate Sword Forms and their various applications.

Yin Zhong watched, praising him repeatedly. "Good! I didn't expect my nephew to cultivate the Sword Qi Finger to such a level in just ten days. If your cultivation had reached the Innate Gang Qi Realm, you could probably already gather qi into a sword!"

"Second Uncle flatters me. Your nephew merely has a little talent in this area."

"Hahaha, you don't just have a little talent, you have a lot. Even your other skills are not weak, far stronger than Tianqi's!"

As Yin Zhong spoke, he slapped his forehead. "Right, do you know who Tianqi is that I mentioned?"

"I do. Second Uncle mentioned him before as my uncle's son, the heir to the Imperial Sword Manor, Yin Tianqi!"

Yin Zhong nodded. "Yes, he's the heir to the Imperial Sword Manor. It's a pity that Tianqi's martial arts aptitude is poor, and his strength is lacking. But that's not all; he's also not good at managing things and is still naive. He's almost twenty years old, yet he still... doesn't understand the dangers of the Jianghu!"

"I've told my elder brother before to let Tianqi go out and gain some experience, to start some ventures. Whether he succeeds or fails, he'll at least accumulate some experience."

Speaking of this, he couldn't help but look at Zhou Ming.

"My dear nephew, I shouldn't be saying this, but as an elder, I still need to say a few words... Your situation is actually similar to Tianqi's, but even more perilous. I see you every day... Young man, sometimes you need to have some ambitions. Don't be afraid of failure. With your Godfather behind you, what is there to fear?

Even if not for others, you should do something for yourself. As the saying goes, having parents is not as good as having yourself. When parents don't understand or support something you want to do, and you still want to do it, you can't just give up, right? You have to do it yourself!"

"Sigh! I'm getting old and tend to ramble about pointless things. If you don't like hearing it, dear nephew, just pretend you didn't hear me."

Zhou Ming quickly cupped his fists. "Thank you for your guidance, Second Uncle. Your nephew has benefited greatly!"

"Hahaha, I knew you were much better than Tianqi."

Yin Zhong smiled. "If you have free time in the future, you can come to the Imperial Sword Manor in the Ancient Shu State to find me. I'll introduce you to Tianqi then. Also, there's a continuation to the Sword Qi Finger. If you come, I can have my elder brother teach it to you."

"Thank you, Second Uncle. Your nephew will visit in the future!"