Mountain Patrol Military Officer

"By the order of the Emperor of Daqian, summon Chen Yuan, the Colonel of the Ninth Mountain on Jiannan Road, into the hall!"

"By the order of the Emperor of Daqian, summon Chen Yuan, the Colonel of the Ninth Mountain on Jiannan Road, into the hall."

"....."

The voice echoed through the nine gates of the palace, resounding layer upon layer, as the bronze bells chimed the "Taixi Music".

Inside the Jinluan Hall, princes, generals, civil and military officials were lined up on both sides, their eyes sharp as they looked towards the outside of the hall.

Outside the hall, a golden light pierced the clouds, the deep palace walls, and the nine palace gates opened one after another. The bronze-studded palace doors rolled over the ground like scattered gold dust. The clanging of iron armor sounded from far to near, echoing like a sudden autumn rain striking the emperor's roof.

Passing through the nine palace gates, a figure ascended the heavenly ladder made of Han Baiyu steps, step by step upwards.

Until, outside the Jinluan Hall, a tall figure clad in silver armor slowly appeared, with golden light reflecting off the armor, flashing coldly, causing the officials in the court to squint their eyes involuntarily. Under the dazzling armor light, only a pair of pale golden eyes could be seen, capturing the soul.

At this moment, a common thought crossed the minds of the officials.

Under great renown, there is no false man!

The gazes of everyone in the court followed the silver-armored general as he entered the hall.

"Minister Chen Yuan pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Amidst the clanging of armor, Chen Yuan performed the rites of a minister before the Emperor who sat high above the nine heavens.

"Rise!"

On the dragon throne, Emperor Wu leaned forward slightly, an unnamed pressure emanating, with his gaze surging under the twelve beaded strings of the imperial crown,

"Minister Chen, you indeed carry yourself with such poise and cleanliness. I heard that my imperial guard was embarrassed by your trusted aides the other day. It seems the demeanor of a great general, with troops like pixiu, is indeed impressive."

In the grand hall, Emperor Wu's voice shook the Jinluan Hall, unpredictable in its majesty.

The civil and military officials below, upon hearing His Majesty bring up the events of the other day, reacted variously; some raised an eyebrow with a cold sneer, while others remained expressionless, watching how the General from Shu would respond.

See how he will handle it!

His Majesty's every word was a sharp edge, possibly implying that this border general from Shu arrogantly maintained his troops. If he responded poorly, he would likely leave an opening for criticism.

Among the ranks of officials, many already appeared restless, just waiting for this Colonel from Shu to speak.

"I dare not, the imperial guard of Your Majesty is the army of a benevolent ruler. That day, unwilling to fight among ourselves, some ill-intentioned individuals took advantage, resulting in a farce," Chen Yuan lied without blushing or gasping.

At this moment, facing the emperor and surrounded by all the officials, with the imperial heart unpredictable, Chen Yuan countered move by move.

Now, he was one step closer to his goal, having entered the court and seen the emperor, allowing him some room to maneuver.

Standing high in the temple, far from the worldly society, being up there was, in a way, a victory.

"Haha, Minister Chen, that's a fresh take. I wonder where these ill-intentioned individuals are," Emperor Wu's laughter seemed quite interested.

"Your Majesty, with your keen insight, those individuals have already been ordered by you to be flogged to death and hung in front of the Chengtian Gate, greatly pleasing the people," Chen Yuan bowed his hands.

As these words fell, the faces of many officials changed slightly. This Colonel from Shu was truly bold, openly shaming the Three Families in the court.

Yet, the Three Ministers at the front of the hall remained unmoved, their expressions calm, but someone under them jumped out.

An Imperial Censor from the Imperial Censorate stepped forward, shouting in the court, his eyes flashing coldly,

"Your Majesty, I have a report to submit, accusing this General Chen of disregarding royal law, plotting rebellion; such a criminal is unfit to stand on the court."

"Last year, during Jiazi, the court dispatched troops to support Shu. This scoundrel led a rebellion at Tianxiong Pass, publicly obstructing and killing the court's Heavenly Soldiers, resulting in thousands of casualties and causing an uproar throughout the court."

"A month ago, Lord Dongfang, the Inspector of the Three Dao Patrol Angels of Qin, Shu, and Liang, was ordered to investigate, but was publicly killed by this scoundrel with his troops, shocking the court and losing an inspection official."

"Such treasonous intent is evident. If this person is not captured, others in the realm will follow. The loyal ministers on the court will be disheartened, and then Your Majesty's majesty will be hard pressed to intimidate the world!"

"I beg Your Majesty to issue a decree, directly imprison this rebellious person in the Sky Patrol Department's prison, and send someone to Shu to thoroughly investigate, arrest all related individuals and bring them back to the capital, hold a court trial, punish them severely to set an example, and restore peace to Shu!"

As he spoke, the Imperial Censor's anger rose to the crown, openly calling Chen Yuan a treacherous minister and rebel in the great hall.

And as he finished, immediately several people from the civil servant line stepped out, each stating alleged crimes and loudly urging His Majesty to issue a decree.

In an instant, within the Jinluan Hall, they formed a siege, determined to squash this Colonel from Shu, the atmosphere murderous.

The officials above knew the most critical moment had arrived.

At this time, someone from the military line also stepped out.

From the military line, a general with fierce eyes, thick eyebrows, and huge ears stepped forward.

The appearance of this person made Xu Liang, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites in the civil servant line, who had kept himself behind closed doors to guests these past days, twitch an eyebrow.

"Minister Gou Yue also has a report to submit!"

"I accuse this General Chen of altering the imperial edict, deliberately guiding public opinion in Shu, and secretly killing the lamp holder to silence them."

"I ask Your Majesty to see clearly!"

The one accusing Chen Yuan was Deputy Inspection Envoy Gou Yue, who had previously accompanied him!

At this moment, Lord Gou expressed no emotion, recounting his experience accompanying him to Shu, adding another firewood to the crowd.

Within the Jinluan Hall, the charges listed by the officials became increasingly severe.

The Imperial Censorate, the Prime Minister's Mansion, the Sky Patrol Department, were all making efforts.

For a while, the atmosphere in the grand hall became tense and oppressive, with the imperial guards standing vigilant in the Jinluan Hall, all tense, eyes as fierce as wolves.

On the dragon throne, the high and mighty emperor, under the twelve beaded strings of the crown, his eyes slightly narrowed, looked at the Inspector who stepped out, his expression obscure, his voice low and resonant,

"Chen Yuan, do you have anything to say to the words of the ministers?"

On the platform below, Chen Yuan, standing straight in the center of the court, felt the fierce killing intent around him, his eyes painted with golden light. He slowly turned and looked at the officials who were either raging or confronting him with cold expressions,

"In response to Your Majesty, what I, Chen, do needs no explanation to these vulgar people!"

His gaze remained unwavering, looking towards the leading Imperial Censor with contempt,

"The matters of the world lie with Your Majesty and the soldiers shedding blood for the land of Daqian, not with you, or these people skilled only in words."

"Have you been to Shu, seen the overwhelming demons in the Ten Thousand Mountains, or ever been on a battlefield?"

"You stand here pointing fingers at the world but cannot wield a knife. In my eyes, you're nothing but foul-mouthed."

"Just pests!"

Chen Yuan was wild, wildly so.

These words try to sentence him, and he sees no need for restraint.

The Imperial Censor heard Chen Yuan dare to be so arrogant before the emperor, calling them pests, and was furious, wanting to rush forward,

"Your Majesty, please allow me to duel this treacherous minister!"

"I want to duel him!"

He, trying to preserve the dignity of the advisors, shouted angrily and was about to rush up but was quickly held back by those around him.