Several weeks slipped quietly by before anyone knew it.
Lin Long, who had been appointed Governor of Yu Province, had long since taken up his post, managing the military, government, and taxes across Lin Changqing's fiefdom on his behalf.
With the strength of an early Ninth-tier Martial Saint backing him, and Prince Wu'an's appointment edict in hand, none of the civil or military officials in Yu Province dared show the slightest neglect.
In just a few short weeks, he had brought the fiefdom into perfect order, and every affair had fallen into a steady routine.
As for Lin Changqing in the Capital City, he was living a life more carefree than an immortal's.
After foiling two of the Holy Demon God Sect's operations in a row, the other side seemed to have settled down considerably.
At least, no demonic presence had appeared in the Capital City again.
Lin Changqing didn't care much either way.
If they didn't come looking for trouble, he couldn't be bothered to seek them out. If they dared come again, he wouldn't mind claiming a few more heads.
His Ninth-Rank Martial Saint Peak cultivation was his greatest confidence.
His daily life was extremely regular.
He slept until he woke naturally, enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast, then rode Golden Radiance around the Capital City.
Sometimes Su Wanqing came to see him, and the two of them would go to a teahouse to listen to stories, try new dishes at a restaurant, or venture outside the city to enjoy the scenery.
When Su Wanqing didn't come, he would go alone to browse the ancient books in the Imperial Scripture Pavilion. But though they were also Ninth-tier Supreme Grade, they fell far short of the cultivation techniques and martial skills granted by the system.
Besides, there was no way to gain perfect comprehension of them directly, so Lin Changqing couldn't be bothered to cultivate them.
Or he would soak in the hot spring in the rear courtyard.
Lin Hu, Lin Que, and Lin Wu usually either meditated and cultivated in the courtyard or followed him around wherever he went.
The three early Ninth-tier Martial Saints had been turned into his attendants just like that.
The three didn't feel slighted, either. On the contrary, they thoroughly enjoyed this leisurely life.
Late that night.
The rear courtyard of Prince Wu'an Mansion.
The bright moon hung high, its silvery light spilling across the entire courtyard.
The hot spring shimmered, reflecting the full moon in the sky.
Lin Changqing sat in the pavilion, with a pot of Spirit Tea and several plates of exquisite pastries before him.
He ate pastries as he gazed up at the moon, looking as relaxed as if he were on vacation.
Just as he popped a piece of osmanthus cake into his mouth, the system's notification suddenly rang in his mind.
["Ding! This month's sign-in opportunity has refreshed. Host, would you like to sign in now?"]
Lin Changqing paused mid-chew, a hint of delight appearing on his face.
After waiting so long, his sign-in opportunity had finally refreshed!
A month had passed since his last sign-in. Though he'd been living carefree during that time, he'd kept thinking about it.
"Sign in now."
He responded in his mind.
["Congratulations, Host! Sign-in successful! Reward: Perfect comprehension of the Ninth-tier Supreme Grade fist technique Great Wilderness Demon-Subduing Fist!"]
["Great Wilderness Demon-Subduing Fist: A Ninth-tier Supreme Grade martial skill that draws on the primordial spirit of the Great Wilderness and uses power to shatter all laws. Each punch is like the Great Wilderness crumbling apart; its force can shatter the void and has an additional suppressive effect against demonic power.
It consists of seven forms, each possessing the might to collapse mountains and split the earth. The seventh form, 'Great Wilderness Return to Void,' is the ultimate killing move. Its fist intent transforms into primordial chaos and can suppress any opponent of the same rank."]
["Would the Host like to claim it now?"]
Lin Changqing's eyes lit up.
A Ninth-tier Supreme Grade fist technique!
It would perfectly complement the Green Lotus Sword Art.
Though he already had plenty of ways to attack, his only true ultimate move was the Green Lotus Sword Art.
Now he had another Ninth-tier Supreme Grade martial skill, and one with an extra suppressive effect against demons, to boot.
That meant his combat options had effectively doubled. The next time he encountered a demonic expert, he could settle things with one punch without even drawing his sword!
"Claim it now."
The moment the thought crossed his mind, a vast flood of martial-skill knowledge surged into his brain.
Every form of the Great Wilderness Demon-Subduing Fist, every path along which its force flowed, every technique for exerting power—all of it came together in an instant.
It was as if he had painstakingly practiced the fist for hundreds of years, with it deeply imprinted in his muscles and bones.
Lin Changqing closed his eyes and took a moment to absorb it, then slowly opened them.
He looked down at his fist, a satisfied smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
"Not bad. I've got another killing move."
He drained the last of his Spirit Tea and stood up.
His mood was so good that even the moonlight seemed brighter than before.
"Now I just need to find a suitable opponent and test the power of this punch."
He murmured to himself, then turned and went back to his room to rest.
The next morning.
The Imperial Palace, Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The bell summoning the court had just rung, and the civil and military officials were already lined up in order of rank.
The atmosphere in the hall was far more somber than usual.
The Demon Suppressing Division's sweeping investigation had been underway for days, and more than a dozen officials had already been taken into custody.
They were all minor officials, but every arrest left the other officials on edge for days.
Who knew if they would be next?
Su Gan sat upright on the imperial throne, his expression revealing nothing of his mood.
But those who knew him understood that the more expressionless His Majesty was, the more furious he was inside.
"Read the edict."
Su Gan spoke calmly.
The old eunuch unfurled a scroll of the Imperial Edict and read it aloud.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Following days of investigation by the Demon Suppressing Division, it has now been confirmed that the following officials secretly colluded with the Holy Demon God Sect. The evidence is conclusive, and their crimes are unforgivable."
"Ming Wenyuan, a Director in the Ministry of Revenue; Sun Maocai, a Vice Director in the Ministry of Rites; Zhao Huaian, a Ministry of Works official; He Yongnian, a scholar of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices; Ma Decheng, a judicial officer of the Capital Prefecture..."
One name after another came from the old eunuch's mouth.
Each time a name was read, one person in the hall went limp and collapsed to their knees.
Some looked ashen, some trembled all over, and some kowtowed frantically, trying to beg for mercy.
But Su Gan didn't give them a chance to speak.
When the last name was read, seven or eight people were already kneeling in the hall.
Su Gan rose to his feet and swept his gaze over the officials on their knees. His eyes held no anger, only a cold killing intent.
"My esteemed officials."
His voice was low and icy.
"Since ascending the throne, I have always believed that I treated you well."
"You serve in the court, draw salaries from the government, and live off the people's support. Yet in secret, you colluded with demonic forces, sold state secrets, and provided shelter to the Holy Demon God Sect."
"The Director in the Ministry of Revenue was in charge of state funds and provisions, yet secretly diverted them to the Demon Cult. The Vice Director in the Ministry of Rites was responsible for receiving foreign guests, yet leaked intelligence on envoys from other nations to the Demon Cult. The Ministry of Works official oversaw the production of military equipment, yet secretly handed weapon blueprints to the Demon Cult."
"Tell me... how should I deal with you?"
With every sentence he spoke, the officials kneeling on the floor trembled more violently.
"Y-Your Majesty, spare my life! I was forced! I—"
Zhang Wenyuan, the Director in the Ministry of Revenue, hadn't finished speaking when Su Gan cut him off.
"Forced?"
He gave a cold laugh.
"When Qian Youde was taken into custody, why didn't you come forward on your own? Did you think Qian Youde could withstand the Ministry of Justice's methods and wouldn't give you up? Did you think the Demon Suppressing Division wouldn't trace the trail back to you? Did you think I was blind and deaf?"
He slammed a hand down on the armrest of the throne.
"Guards!"
The Demon Suppression Guards, who had been waiting outside, surged into the hall in unison.
"Seize every one of these treacherous traitors! Lock them in the Ministry of Justice Prison, and execute them alongside Qian Youde in three days!"
"Confiscate all their property for the treasury. Arrest every member of their nine clans. Let not one escape!"
The Demon Suppression Guards pounced like wolves and tigers, dragging out every official who had knelt and begged for mercy.
The hall echoed with their shrill cries before soon falling silent again.
The officials who remained kept their heads lowered, not daring to make a sound.
Many had soaked the backs of their court robes with cold sweat, but not one dared wipe it away.
Su Gan sat back on the throne and surveyed the entire hall.
"My esteemed officials need not panic. In this investigation, the Demon Suppressing Division is only pursuing the guilty. If you are innocent, nothing will happen to you."
"But if anyone is still counting on luck, thinking they can deceive heaven and cross the sea—"
He paused, his voice turning three degrees colder.
"Qian Youde's fate is a warning to you all."
The hall was utterly silent.
A moment later, the assembled officials fell to their knees in unison.
"His Majesty is wise!"
Su Gan nodded slightly and raised a hand, signaling for the officials to rise.
He paused, his tone shifting from icy severity to gravity. "There is one more matter to discuss today."
He looked toward the seat of the Minister of Revenue.
"Though the Qian Youde case has been resolved and the Capital Branch Sect has been destroyed by Prince Wu'an, the Holy Demon God Sect has operated within Great Yu for many years. There is no way the Capital City is its only branch. Its minions are likely lurking in every province and commandery."
"These traitors who have sided with demons must be eliminated. As long as even one remains, Great Yu will not know a day of peace."
His voice suddenly rose.
"Convey My Imperial Edict."
"Starting today, the Demon Suppressing Division will take the lead. Inspectors in every province and local garrisons must give their full cooperation as we launch a purge throughout Great Yu."
"Every confirmed stronghold of the Holy Demon God Sect is to be uprooted. Every official or martial artist suspected of colluding with the Demon Cult is to be seized and rigorously interrogated."
"No matter how much manpower or resources it takes, I will spare no expense!"
His words sent a shock through the entire hall.
Several ministers' faces changed on the spot.
A purge throughout the entire realm? Spare no expense, no matter how many resources it took?
This was no joke!
Great Yu had fourteen provinces and one hundred and twenty-six commanderies. Merely mobilizing the troops and personnel of the Demon Suppressing Division would cost an astronomical sum.
Not to mention the damage and upheaval that might result from the purge, or the possibility that the Holy Demon God Sect's various branches would launch a desperate counterattack before their destruction!
The Minister of Revenue was an elderly official with white hair and beard. He stepped forward unsteadily and bowed.
"Your Majesty... this old official has a word of advice."
Su Gan looked at him.
"Please speak, my esteemed minister."
The Minister of Revenue took a deep breath, carefully weighing his words.
"Your Majesty, this old official knows well that the Holy Demon God Sect is indeed a serious threat. I, too, was heartbroken by the Capital Branch Sect affair. A purge of the Demon Cult is imperative."
"But the fighting at the front is fierce, and more and more demons are pouring through the Seal Rifts. The military expenses for the defenses at the Northern Border and in the Western Regions have already reached astronomical levels."
"If we now launch a large-scale purge throughout the realm, every expense—provisions, manpower, weapons—will be enormous. The treasury, already stretched thin, will be in even worse straits."
He raised his head, his tone earnest.
"This old official does not oppose the purge. I only beg Your Majesty to think it over. Could we focus on the Capital City for now, and have the outer provinces and commanderies conduct preliminary inspections? Once the pressure at the front eases, we could then carry out the full purge."
Several other ministers also stepped forward to voice their support.
"Your Majesty, the Minister of Revenue speaks sense."
"The fighting at the front is fierce. If we stir up trouble on a large scale in the rear as well, we may not be able to handle both fronts."
"That's right, Your Majesty. The Demon Cult is certainly a serious threat, but the demons at the front are the greater danger."
Su Gan listened to the ministers and fell silent for a moment.
Then he slowly shook his head.
"I understand your concerns."
His voice was calm, but carried an unquestionable resolve.
"But before we repel the enemy outside, we must first secure our own house!"
"These traitors who have sided with demons may be no less dangerous than the demons at the front."
"The demons at the front attack with drawn blades, but the traitors in the rear strike with hidden arrows."
"They secretly spy on military intelligence, turn officials against us, sabotage supplies, spread rumors, and even exploit the chaos for personal gain."
"If we do not root them out completely, how can our soldiers at the front fight with peace of mind? How can I entrust the rear to people who harbor ulterior motives?"
He looked at the Minister of Revenue, his tone firm as iron.
"Our soldiers at the front are fighting with their lives. I cannot let them face the enemy both in front and behind."
"My mind is made up on the purge of the Demon Cult. There is no need for further discussion!"
"If the treasury is short, funds will come from the imperial coffers. If we lack manpower, we will mobilize the local garrisons."
"In short, the money that must be spent will be spent, and those who must be killed will be killed!"
The Minister of Revenue opened his mouth, but in the end only sighed and bowed as he returned to his place in the ranks.
"This old official... will obey the edict."
Su Gan surveyed the hall, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"Do any of you still object?"
The hall fell deathly silent. No one spoke again.
Su Gan slowly settled back onto the dragon throne.
"If there are no objections, then the matter is settled."
"Court is dismissed."
The assembled officials knelt and bowed once more, then carefully filed out of the hall.
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