"I, Lin Ke, now wield this staff on Heaven's behalf to punish injustice in this world. Who are you? I... ow! What are you doing!"
Lin Ke was about to say more when Qi Tianxia snatched the Bamboo Staff from him and whacked him on the forehead with it.
"What do you mean, 'ow, what are you doing'? Can you be a little more sensible?" Dressed in official robes, Minister Qi widened his eyes and frantically shot Lin Ke meaningful looks.
Following his gaze, Lin Ke realized Minister Qi was signaling toward the other ministers behind him.
"Lord Qi, this young friend holds the Bamboo Staff and composed a Sage Appears poem. You must not treat him so."
"Indeed, Lord Qi. Besides, this young friend appears to be Lord Lin's descendant. You must not overstep!"
"Precisely, precisely. Lord Qi, have you grown too accustomed to being a brute?"
"This is the Lin Family's Qilin Prodigy!"
The people behind Qi Tianxia spoke up one after another, regarding Lin Ke with curiosity, solemnity, or kindly expressions.
Every one of them wore official robes and exuded a towering presence.
Lin Ke immediately recognized them.
These were the ministers of the Great Wei Sacred Dynasty's Twelve Departments.
With the Three Provinces and Twelve Ministries acting together, they could withstand even the Sage Emperor's wrath.
"His son?" Qi Tianxia looked at someone behind him. "Lord Lin Xuanji, have you acknowledged him as your son?"
Behind him, Lin Xuanji stood beside a short, plump middle-aged man, his aura surging, but he ignored Qi Tianxia's question.
"Heh! Let me tell you all..." Qi Tianxia laughed. "Lin Ke is a lowborn bastard of Prostitute Status, a Commoner."
The moment those words left his mouth, several ministers' expressions changed.
The curiosity, admiration, and affection they had shown before.
Instantly