The next morning, the sun was just beginning to rise.
After a sleepless night, Ye Li left the Quiet Room. After giving brief instructions to the servants in the manor, he mounted the Demon Horse he had borrowed from Tong Feng again and headed straight for the majestic Imperial City in the center of the Capital City.
His spirits gradually lifted.
Although the rat that was spying on him was not caught, there were only so many suspicious targets in the Capital City. They were either the bald monks of the Great Brahma Palace or those important figures related to the royal family.
He silently exhaled, dispelling his distracting thoughts—he would investigate slowly and surely, and eventually catch them.
They soon arrived at the Imperial City gate.
With the princess's credentials and the Dragon-Sealing Gold Token on his person, no one dared to stop his journey, and he entered the Imperial City without any hindrance.
Follow the path you remember.
The Qingxin Hall I had seen that day soon came into view.
The Third Princess Li Yingluo, had been waiting in front of the palace for a long time.
She was dressed in a solemn crimson court robe with gold trim, her small face tense, only relaxing slightly as Ye Li approached, though her voice still carried a barely perceptible hint of nervousness:
"Lord Ye, you've come at the perfect time. Quickly come with me to court to receive the imperial decree."
"I can go too?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow slightly.
Yesterday, after hearing Baiyue's arrangements, she thought she would be sitting in the Side Hall waiting for news today.
"Originally, it shouldn't have been possible." Li Yingluo said, lifting her chin, a hint of smugness in her laughter:
"But my Father Emperor sent someone yesterday to say that if I wish to bring you to court to observe the proceedings, you may bring you!"
Clearly, she was showing off how much favor she was receiving.
Baiyue nodded in agreement from behind, "That's exactly right."
"General Ye, do you think... we should go over and take a look?"
Upon hearing this, Li Yingluo immediately pouted.
To be able to attend court and receive one's official title immediately upon entering the government is an immense opportunity for most people!
If Baiyue were to say these words to someone else, she would certainly ridicule them mercilessly.
Unfortunately, the person in front of me is Ye Li, who certainly has the right to not take this matter seriously.
Therefore, she had no choice but to patiently glance at the boy and wait for his reply.
"Then let's go take a look."
Ye Li replied casually, he didn't have any other thoughts, after all, he was already here.
It's a good thing to go and broaden your horizons while you're there.
Blue Star is a society governed by the rule of law; he had never seen such a grand court assembly as that of a cultivation dynasty.
Inside the Golden Phoenix Hall Palace of the Great Sheng Imperial City.
Nine Dragon Coiled the gilded pillars supporting the majestic dome. Civil and military officials, dressed in court robes, stood solemnly below the High Platform according to their rank, creating a dignified and solemn atmosphere.
The ministers exchanged glances in secret, and even without explicit words, a subtle restlessness gradually filled the air.
"..."
The Eldest Princess stood High Platform, her eyes lowered, but she understood what was going on in her heart.
Clearly, the news of the Mo Family's swift and brutal annihilation yesterday has stirred up a huge wave in the turbulent officialdom of the Capital City.
Suppressing the Sword Sect, slaughtering Great Scholar, annihilating the Mo Family... Ye Li is now infamous throughout the Capital City!
The mere mention of the name made those high-ranking officials uneasy.
This is only what she can see on the surface. If it's like this, the discussions about this matter are probably even more serious inside the Four Extremes Twelve Gates.
Just then, the Boy in Black who was at the center of the storm followed Li Yingluo into the main hall. Countless gazes, some open and some hidden, instantly focused on him.
... It doesn't feel the same as last night at all.
Ye Li glanced at the gazes around him and couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.
However, this is normal.
If it were so easy to find the real culprit, he wouldn't have been so anxious last night to prepare to unleash his full power.
He arrived suddenly.
The Eldest Princess was taken aback at first, then nodded in acknowledgment before turning her gaze away.
However, not far behind her.
The Second Prince Li Xuanyu, appeared calm on the surface, but a lingering shadow of gloom flickered deep in his eyes. "..."
Ye Li...
Li Xuanyu was naturally familiar with the executioner who had just killed his trusted confidant.
What annoyed him was that even after he told the masters at the Great Brahma Palace about it, they did not show excessive anger.
Instead, he earnestly told him to calm down for the time being, that now was not the time to care about a confidant of a respected figure, as they had more ambitious goals.
Although he agreed with this statement, he still felt uneasy.
At this moment, a sense of oppression gradually spread.
A tall figure gradually loomed over the dragon Dragon Throne high above.
It is none other than the current Emperor of the Great Sheng Dynasty!
His face was calm, his eyes deep and unfathomable, and his aura equally unfathomable. His gaze, sweeping over the prince, carried a heavy, oppressive force that made it difficult to breathe. "..."
Although there is a legend that the current Emperor of Dasheng often discusses the Great Dao with the immortal of the Shangqing Palace.
However, such power is still too exaggerated.
If it weren't for the fact that his Imperial Aura was so powerful that it couldn't be ignored, people would probably believe he was the current supreme being of some Ancient Immortal Mountain Sect.
All the officials bowed in unison and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
"..."
Emperor Sheng's gaze lingered briefly on Ye Li, who hadn't uttered a word, and a slight smile crept onto his lips, but he said nothing more.
The court assembly then began.
Following the basic reports from his ministers, the Emperor of Dasheng first handled a few routine government affairs in an orderly manner.
However, everyone in the hall knew perfectly well that most of the recent major events were inextricably linked to that influential Commander Ye, and therefore were bound to be discussed in court!
As expected, after the trivial matters were discussed...
Emperor Sheng finally raised his gaze slightly and said calmly, "The Dragon Sealing Guard reported yesterday that..."
"The Mo Family in the Capital City not only practiced forbidden techniques in secret, but also colluded with foreign enemies with treacherous intentions. The evidence is conclusive, and the newly appointed deputy commander Ye Li has led his troops to execute them on the spot, exterminating the entire clan."
"Do any of you have anything to say about this matter?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Although rumors had circulated beforehand, the emperor's personal confirmation still sent a Killing Intent down the spines of many ministers.
The Mo Family, a behemoth with High-ranking Venerable in charge, had dominated the Capital City for many years. How could it be wiped out in a single day?!
This Ye Li...
The emperor, oblivious to the deathly silence in the hall, turned his gaze directly to the Regent Eldest Princess, Li Huaian, and said:
"Huai'an, you are in charge of Regent's Seal, and the Dragon Sealing Guard also reports to you. You are most familiar with the whole story."
Tell me about it.
Upon hearing this, Eldest Princess Li Huaian took a deep breath, stepped forward, her phoenix eyes calm, and clearly recounted the "process" of the Mo Family's crimes and Ye Li's operation with the Dragon Sealing Guard.
She deliberately emphasized Ye Li's excellent style of acting swiftly and decisively.
And Tong Feng's report highly praised Ye Li's ability to act.
"... In my opinion, although Vice Commander Ye's methods are ruthless, his actions are decisive and insightful, and he has rendered meritorious service in upholding the law of the land."
"The destruction of the Mo Family is enough to deter villains and demonstrate the strictness of the laws of our Great Sheng Dynasty," Li Huaian concluded, though a bitter feeling lingered in his heart.
These words, rather than defending Ye Li, were more of an attempt to affirm Ye Li's abilities and contributions before the emperor.
This can be seen as some compensation for missing out on talented individuals in the past.
Thud!--
Upon hearing this, Emperor Sheng's face remained expressionless, his fingers merely tapping lightly on the armrest of his Dragon Throne, producing a dull thud.
He remained silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials before finally settling on the composed Ye Li, and slowly began to speak:
"Ye Li, I've heard that you come from Xianjing Longtan. You've only been in the capital for a little over a month, yet you first quelled the troubles in Longtan, killed the traitorous Buddhist Disciple, then uncovered the secrets of the Sword Sect, and ranked among the top three in the academy's entrance examination."
"Now that the Mo Family's treasonous case has been resolved, even I have to acknowledge your abilities."
Such praise, uttered by the Emperor of the Great Sheng Dynasty, though spoken in a calm tone, still caused a stir throughout the court and the entire Golden Palace:
"Whether in terms of skill, cultivation, or temperament, you are of superior quality."
"It seems the position of Deputy Commander of the Dragon Seal Guard is beneath you."