The Court's Actions

He Ping left the funeral arrangements to the servants of the Sheng Estate. After giving them a few hasty instructions, he mounted his horse and returned to Yujing City.

Yujing was the capital, and the court had its own rules. Even masters who had entered the Dao would not normally rely on their magical power to fly openly through the skies. Thus, he could only ride a horse and make his way honestly to the north gate outside the imperial city.

This was also the Northern Office of the Evil-Slaying Bureau, the government authority of Great You tasked with overseeing demonic and uncanny disturbances among the populace, as well as investigating criminal cases.

The Northern Office also possessed Heart-Returning Prison. It could make arrests, conduct interrogations, carry out punishments, and execute criminals on its own, without passing through the ordinary judicial system. Its authority was immense, answerable only to the Emperor of Great You; no other government office had any jurisdiction over it.

The moment He Ping arrived outside the Northern Office, he saw a massive stele erected before its gates, bearing eight great characters: "When righteous qi abides within, evil cannot assail."

"When righteous qi abides within, evil cannot assail?"

He Ping dismounted, a cold smile curling across his lips.

"This inscription ought to have been erected by the second Emperor You. Those words originate from the Plain Questions, a medical classic. That Emperor of Great You was an enlightened ruler. After the first Emperor You 'passed into the heavens,' he ascended the throne while still young. Since taking the throne, he reduced corvée labor and taxes, promoted learning and moral education, advocated frugality, abolished corporal mutilation, and earned an excellent reputation among the people... When righteous qi abides within, evil cannot assail. Yet the following line is, 'Where