Count Zhongyong

As Li Wanqing departed, Li Chen Zhou lay on the table and began drawing his reward.

"Ding... commencing random skill extraction."

"Ding... congratulations to the host for drawing the Heaven-Rank Demonic Path blade technique, Three Abyssal Slashes."

"Initiate fusion?"

"Fuse."

In an instant, a violent power raged within Li Chen Zhou's body.

The blade intent of the Three Abyssal Slashes surged like a storm within his consciousness, churning and merging, with a massive amount of information flooding his mind.

The essence of the blade technique, its flow, the techniques to exert its power... all were clearly presented. Beads of sweat rolled from his forehead, soaking the sheets beneath him. He clenched his teeth, his body trembling slightly, as he fully endured the impact and fusion of this power.

Li Chen Zhou slowly opened his eyes, a sharp, chilling killing intent flashing within them.

The fifth watch drum pierced the night.

As the east grew white, blade intent and morning light awoke together.

In the imperial court, sunlight streamed through carved window lattices, scattering patches of light on the golden brick floor. The Emperor spoke with authority, "Bring Prince Jin forward."

Prince Jin was brought forward, disheveled and unkempt, having long lost his former princely demeanor.

The Emperor's gaze was like a torch as he coldly asked, "Prince Jin, do you know your crime?"

Prince Jin's expression was disdainful as he coldly snorted, "The victor is king, the loser a villain; there's nothing to say. But I didn't lose to you. If it weren't for the Li family, I would be the one sitting in your seat now."

The Emperor's face showed displeasure as he angrily shouted, "Take Prince Jin away! Execute him at the Meridian Gate and display his head to the public! Execute it immediately!"

Two guards entered and dragged Prince Jin out. As he left, Prince Jin burst into loud laughter, "Hahahaha, well done, Li family! You hid yourselves well!"

The Emperor sneered, "Even at this point, he still wants to sow discord."

As soon as he finished speaking, a dignified old man stepped forward, "Hold on."

The Emperor looked at the old man, "Prince Rong, what is it?"

"Your Majesty," Prince Rong said with a slight bow, "Prince Jin is of the imperial bloodline; how can he be subjected to blades? As a member of the imperial family, even if he is guilty, he should be handed over to the Imperial Clan Court for disposition."

At this moment, Duke Zhen Guo, Li Qing Shan, stepped forward, "Prince Rong, Prince Jin has committed no small crime, but the great crime of treason and rebellion."

Prince Rong did not give him any face, "Prince Jin is the son of the late Emperor and the current Emperor's younger brother; he is of the imperial bloodline. Anyone of the imperial family who commits a crime should be handled by the Imperial Clan Court according to the ancestral laws."

Li Qing Shan changed his tone, "Hand him over to the Imperial Clan Court? Hahahaha, what a joke! The Imperial Clan Court is responsible for managing and supervising the imperial relatives, but Prince Jin's rebellion was such a big matter, and the Imperial Clan Court had no news of it at all. Should I say you're derelict in your duty, or that you're in cahoots with him?"

Li Qing Shan's words immediately broke Prince Rong's composure, "Duke Zhen Guo, please watch your words! The Great Qian governs the country by law; what's wrong with this Prince acting according to the law?"

Li Qing Shan raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Acting according to the law? Then what is the punishment for dereliction of duty?"

Standing at the end, Li Chen Zhou watched the two sides argue. He wasn't very interested in when Prince Jin would die.

Right now, he was just hoping the system would release the next stage of the mission.

The Emperor watched the two argue before him with great interest. He didn't care, but the ministers standing there couldn't stand it anymore.

At this time, Prince Rong was quite angry.

Finally, Censor Lai of the Censorate, unable to bear it any longer, stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."

The Emperor, seeing Censor Lai about to join the argument, quickly said, "Please speak, esteemed minister."

"This humble subject believes that Prince Jin's rebellion involves many people. It may be better to postpone the execution and first hand him over to the Imperial Clan Court for custody. After the people involved have been identified, Your Majesty can deal with them all together."

After all, he was his younger brother. Killing him directly wouldn't be good for the Emperor's reputation, so he immediately made a decision: "Alright, let's do as esteemed minister says. Royal Uncle and esteemed minister Li, stop arguing."

"Your subject obeys."

"This old minister obeys the decree."

The Emperor nodded slightly, indicating his satisfaction, and continued to speak with authority, "Prince Jin, colluding with important ministers and generals in the court, defying his superiors, and disrupting the court. Yesterday, all of you fought to the death, and I am very pleased. Now, let us reward those who have rendered meritorious service."

"Where is Duke Zhen Guo?"

Li Qing Shan stepped forward, "I am here."

The Emperor nodded slightly, and the eunuch beside him stepped forward with the imperial decree, "Esteemed Minister Li has rendered meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion. Awarded a Jingxin Jade Ruyi, a Tianshan Snow Lotus, a Greater Revitalization Pill, ten thousand taels of gold, and a thousand acres of fertile land. The court dress is promoted to a three-clawed python robe. This is my decree."

A group of courtiers exclaimed in surprise. This reward was not insignificant. Rewarding him with some gold, silver, and treasures was fine, but a three-clawed python robe was a unique honor for a Duke.

Li Qing Shan cupped his hands and thanked him, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The eunuch continued to read, "Where are Li Chen Zhou and Liu Xian?"

"This commoner is here."

"This servant is here."

Li Chen Zhou and Liu Xian walked out from the very back.

This time, "Li Chen Zhou and Liu Xian have rendered meritorious service in capturing the rebels.

Award Liu Xian a thousand taels of gold, a hundred bolts of silk, bestow a Profound-Rank sword, the Heart Severing Sword, and promote him to a chiliarch in the Eastern Depot.

"I hereby bestow upon Li Chen Zhou one thousand taels of gold, one hundred bolts of silk, one Lesser Revitalization Pill, and the title of Count Zhongyong. This is my decree."

"This servant thanks you for your boundless grace."

"This subject thanks you for your boundless grace."

Upon hearing the rewards, the assembled officials were shocked. A noble title? Two noble titles in one family? The Li family was about to soar!

"Hold on."

The Emperor glanced at the speaker; it was Prince Rong again.

Prince Rong said, "Your Majesty, it is true that Li Chen Zhou has rendered meritorious service in protecting you, but Li Chen Zhou also broke out of the Ministry of Justice's prison, releasing all the prisoners, including heinous criminals and important court offenders, causing heavy losses to the Black Armor Army.

Breaking out of prison and privately releasing important court offenders are both serious crimes.

Rewarding him without punishment would be inappropriate."

The Emperor looked at Li Chen Zhou. "Li Chen Zhou, have you heard? What do you have to say?"

Ding... System issued quest: Evade punishment, reward: twenty years of internal energy cultivation.

Li Chen Zhou: "This subject agrees with Prince Rong's statement."

Li Chen Zhou's answer stunned the Emperor.

"Rewarding merit and punishing demerit is perfectly reasonable. However, this subject implores Your Majesty to punish the Minister of Justice, the Censorate's Censor, the General of the Left Military Guard, the General of the Right Military Guard... together."

Li Chen Zhou's words directly caused the assembled officials to widen their eyes. This kid had directly dragged half of the court officials into the water, and all of them were important officials.

Li Qing Shan, standing beside him, couldn't help but admire the boy's audacity.

Even the Emperor was a little surprised, thinking to himself that this kid was crazy. "Do you know what you are saying? Do you know what your punishment will be if your accusations are false?"

Li Chen Zhou: "Naturally, I know. This subject only asks one question. Do all of you esteemed ministers know that Prince Jin intends to rebel?"

Everyone was immediately dumbfounded. Who would dare say they knew? They all readily admitted they didn't know.

Li Chen Zhou solemnly cupped his fist towards the Emperor. "Your Majesty, you see, they admit it."

Censor Lai, with his fiery temper, retorted, "How dare you spout such nonsense, you little brat? We admitted no such thing!"