Bestowment

The Emperor also looked at Li Chen Zhou.

Inside the Golden Luan Hall, Li Chen Zhou's voice was like an ice-tempered blade, each word piercing the assembled officials: "The Censorate oversees all officials, yet allowed Prince Jin to collude with key members of the Six Ministries as if he were in an unpopulated land; the Five Armies Commandery controls military power, yet its subordinate generals were infiltrated without any awareness; the Ministry of Justice is known as the Iron Prison, yet allowed assassins to come and go freely—esteemed sirs, is this the empire you are guarding for His Majesty?"

He turned abruptly, the hem of his python robe sweeping across the golden bricks, stirring up a chilling aura.

Minister of Justice Wang Huanzhi's face was ashen, the tablet in his hand cracking with a faint "snap": "You impudent child! The Ministry of Justice Prison has three layers of black iron gates, with guards rotating every twelve hours..."

"And yet you allowed an assassin to swagger in with a poisoned dagger?" Li Chen Zhou suddenly closed the distance, the Blood Demon Blade at his waist humming, "Perhaps the Minister would like to see if this humble official can walk into your office with a weapon?"

On the dragon throne, the Emperor's fingertip paused, causing subtle ripples in his teacup.

"Insolence!" Left Military Guard General Zhao Tieshan shattered two golden bricks, his armor clanging, "The border has been peaceful for three years, and Prince Jin has been secretly buying people off..."

"So the General's scouts can't even keep an eye on their own backyard?" Li Chen Zhou suddenly smiled, "Should this official help you investigate whether the cook in your residence has also received silver from Prince Jin?"

Just as Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate Zhang Yan was about to speak, Li Chen Zhou turned to him: "Lord Zhang's memorial impeaching the Ministry of Works for embezzlement last month, was it based on the account books provided by Prince Jin's cronies?" These words were like a soft knife, instantly causing the old Censor to stagger backward.

The assembled officials knelt in unison, their pale faces reflected in the gilded beams. Wang Huanzhi's official hat was askew, revealing sweat-soaked sideburns: "Your Majesty, please be the judge! The Ministry of Justice in recent years..."

"Enough." The Emperor's voice was soft, yet it sent a chill down everyone's spine.

He looked at Li Chen Zhou with a playful glint in his eyes: "Li Qing, what do you think should be done with these good-for-nothings?"

Li Qing Shan opportunely added, "According to the Great Zhou Law, gross dereliction of duty is punishable by death."

Li Chen Zhou's words were just an opening; the main point was that the Emperor hadn't interrupted him. Could it be that he really had such thoughts?

This frightened everyone, and they began to rage, trying to prove their innocence.

The Emperor watched as the civil officials were so angered by Li Chen Zhou that their lungs were about to explode, and the military generals were so enraged that they wanted to draw their swords. At this point, the purpose of the warning had been achieved.

So he quickly stepped forward to mediate: "Alright, alright. There are reasons for everything, so let's not pursue it."

"As for Li Chen Zhou, there are also reasons for his actions, so he should be punished leniently. You don't have an official position yet, so We will punish you to serve the country. See which department you want to go to."

Li Chen Zhou cupped his fist: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Ding... Mission completed, rewarding the host with twenty years of internal energy cultivation.

Li Chen Zhou glanced at the system panel:

Host: Li Chen Zhou

Martial Arts Realm: Sixth Rank Early Stage (30/50)

Skills: Thirteen Guardian Golden Bell Shield (Mastery), Three Abyssal Slashes (Mastery), Thousand Faces (Mastery), Soaring Illusionary Steps (Mastery)

Internal Energy Cultivation: 30 years (calculated as one year of basic cultivation for an ordinary person)

Lifespan: 29 years

Weapon: Blood Demon Blade

Then, Li Chen Zhou looked at the leaders of the various departments in the court, and everyone avoided his gaze.

The Minister of Justice, who had just been impeached by Li Chen Zhou, quickly said, "Our Ministry of Justice is small and cannot accommodate a great Buddha like you."

Ding! Triggered quest

In the void, a scroll, an imperial edict, and a token appeared:

From the Eastern Depot scroll, a withered hand of a disabled eunuch stretched out, the bloody words Celestial Boy Skill dripping from its fingertips;

The Western Depot edict transformed into a skull opening its mouth, a Star Absorbing Art black hole swirling within;

The Brocade Guard token shattered into a blood eagle, Hell Soul Exchange Scripture Sanskrit appearing where its feathers fell.

This choice gave Li Chen Zhou a hint that he would be a leader in the future. The directors of the Eastern and Western Depots were all eunuchs, which was not suitable.

So he said, "Your subject wishes to join the Brocade Guard."

As soon as he finished speaking, in the blink of an eye, the blood eagle transformed back into the token, its runes flashing with a mysterious aura.

The token trembled slightly, then turned into a stream of light, instantly disappearing into his brow.

Ding... Do you want to integrate the Hell Soul Exchange Scripture?

"Not for now."

After saying that, Li Chen Zhou raised his head and began to smile at Prince Rong, the Minister of Justice, and others who had argued with him earlier.

The Brocade Guard Commander Wei Wuji was a bit curious. Based on Li Chen Zhou's performance just now, he wouldn't be a peaceful person if he came to the Brocade Guard, but the Brocade Guard didn't want peaceful people.

The Emperor looked at Wei Wuji: "Wei Wuji, what do you think?"

Wei Wuji: "Reporting to Your Majesty, if Young Master Li wants to join the Brocade Guard, this humble servant naturally welcomes him. However, joining the Brocade Guard can only start from the position of a Squad Leader. I wonder what Young Master Li thinks?"

Li Chen Zhou: "I have no problem with that."

Not arrogant or impatient, very good, the Emperor nodded in satisfaction: "Then you can report to Wei Wuji after the court session. Today's court meeting ends here. If there's nothing else, let's dismiss."

The officials all said, "Your subjects take their leave."

Just as he left the palace gate, the Minister of Revenue walked up to Grand Secretary Yan Shifan and said, "Grand Secretary, that Li Family kid—"

Yan Song smiled and said, "Hmph, the Emperor wants to use the Li Family kid. Arrange for the Brocade Guard to make some small moves. I want to see if that Li kid has the guts."

The Minister of Revenue instantly understood: "This humble official understands—"

On the white jade steps before the palace gate, Li Chen Zhou suddenly gripped the handle of his blade—a faint fragrance cut through the air.

The madder-red figure in the ginkgo rain was as swift as an arrow, yet it halted abruptly three steps away from him, the pearl on the tip of her embroidered shoe barely brushing the gold thread of his Brocade Guard uniform.

"Lord Li has such impressive authority," Princess Xuan Yi said, twirling a fragment of tile between her fingers. "When I counted to the four hundred and eightieth piece, I was wondering..." She suddenly leaned closer, her breath carrying the sweet scent of crabapple honey. "Since your blade can slay rebels, can it also slay those who break their word?"

Li Chen Zhou choked, taken aback by her petulant question.

Settle the rebellion, then go see you late at night? Someone who isn't even an official.

Li Chen Zhou's Adam's apple bobbed, and the dew that had condensed on his scabbard dripped onto the golden bricks between them.

He suddenly recalled the system's earlier prompt:

"Ding—Target's emotional fluctuation value 87%, it is recommended to take soothing measures."

"Your Highness is wise," he said, retreating half a step and bowing. The tassels hanging from his official hat concealed the dark currents in his eyes. "After quelling the rebellion last night at midnight, the Black Tortoise Gate's guard records indicate..." Before he could finish, the princess slapped the tile fragment against his chest, her glass-like eyes reflecting his astonished face.

"That's not what I want to hear!" As she turned, the twelve panels of her Xiang skirt swept across the steps, like a water lily suddenly closing its petals. "Lord Li, remember the debt you owe me..." Her voice trailed off in the wind, tinged with a maiden's unique petulance and grievance.