Mountain Patrol Military Officer

"Dong"

"Dong"

"Dong"

The palace gate bell rang.

At one quarter past the hour of Si, the court meeting ended, and officials retreated from the court.

Outside the Jinluan Hall, in the vast square, people gathered in groups of three or five, heading toward the palace gates. Hidden glances were cast at a silver-armored figure among them, walking alone, isolated and out of place with the red walls and white bricks of the Dragon Court. The person's back was tall and imposing, the aura somber; ordinary people gave way, leaving in large strides.

There were murmured whispers.

Surviving the tongue of the advisors instead of being condemned, with the Emperor's generous grace, he rose several ranks, appointed as the Three Road Patrol Angels, a special grant of imperial power, which ought to be enviable, yet the Shu General seemed not to be pleased.

On the Heavenly Ladder stood two figures, strong like ancient trees of a thousand years, stationed on the steps, watching this figure's back as he walked away with indifferent eyes.

The passing officials tread cautiously and respectfully, not daring to disturb, even lowering the sound of their footsteps.

Then, the two people's eyelids moved, and their gaze shifted downward, only to see at the foot of the Heavenly Ladder, Gou Yue, who had just received the decree and was appointed as Shu Demon Suppression Envoy, being stopped by a eunuch who said two words to him, straightening Gou Yue's posture, then following the eunuch away, disappearing within the deep palace walls.

That was the eunuch by the Emperor's side!

It seems he was summoned by the Emperor alone!

"Brother Huangfu, can you now understand His Majesty's intentions?" Imperial Censor Meng Ziyi said with his hands behind his back, his gaze flowing, seemingly thoughtful.

"His Majesty did not kill this man, probably considering possible changes in Shu, appointed him as Patrol Angel, keeping him in the Divine Capital, removing his command of Shu's military power. This person killed the previous Patrol Angel, naturally causing dissatisfaction among subordinates, and with several deputy envoys leaving, there'd be no one to use for a while, naturally making it difficult to establish a foothold in a short time."

"When the time comes, the people sent by His Majesty will purge Shu and control the situation, naturally settling accounts as needed."

Prime Minister Huangfu Liuyun, with eagle-sharp eyes, watched the silver armor recede, a cold smile at his lips,

"Our His Majesty is never one to be easily swayed by words!"

"The Emperor's Heart Skill is the most terrifying. This newly appointed Patrol Angel will soon understand the Emperor's means. He should have realized it by now, but so what? In the end, he will not escape death. This person is not to be feared! He killed so many of our people, yet he's unknowingly become a tool for His Majesty to deal with us. In the end, he too will suffer the fate of the cunning rabbit and the cooking dog. In a few days, just watch."

"My current concern is whether we will end up the same, as Mr. Meng has noticed these past days, His Majesty is unhappy. My family's sons, deserving punishment will be punished, deserving death will be killed."

"No feelings spared!"

Upon hearing Prime Minister Huangfu's logical reasoning, Meng Ziyi, understanding that there's resentment in his heart, raised one eyebrow, with implied meaning,

"Today's events seem to have greatly stimulated Brother Huangfu. What do you plan?"

Seeing this, Huangfu Liuyun suddenly retracted his posture, the sharpness in his eyes vanished, his voice was leisurely,

"Mr. Meng, you're overestimating, what plan could I have."

"It's just that in the court, someone is bewitching people's hearts, blurring loyalty and treachery, they should be given a lesson, let's not let them think we are old!"

....

Xuankong Temple.

Qingshan's flowing clouds, the valley's deep tranquility.

The ancient temple of a thousand years, the resonant bell echoes.

Shortly after the court meeting dispersed, outside the ancient temple, a sharp voice shouted.

"By decree of the Emperor of Daqian, Chen Yuan, Colonel of Jiannan Road Ninth Mountain of the Government Administrative Office, Shu's merits and demerits are mixed, causing controversy in the court, now specially appointed as Southwest Three Road Patrol Angels, to patrol and survey the important areas of the Southwest on behalf of Heaven, to redeem past faults by future accomplishments. Assume the position in three days, do not fail to meet the lone hope, command of the Emperor!"

At the front gate of this ancient millennia-old temple, an Imperial Eunuch of Ritual Supervision, holding a Bright Yellow Scroll, announced shrilly, with a dozen imperial guards arranged behind, four of them carrying a gold-painted lacquer box.

As the imperial edict ended, the Ritual Supervision eunuch put away the decree and turned to personally place the heavy seal box into Chen Yuan's palm, laughing softly,

"Congratulations to General Chen, blessed by imperial favor, His Majesty overcame objections to appoint you as Three Road Patrol Angels. The seals and documents are all prepared, assume office in three days, when someone will guide you to the Sky Patrol Department for duties."

Chen Yuan accepted the imperial decree and lacquer box, showing no expression, "Thank you for your hard work, eunuch!"

With that, he cast a sidelong glance, and Gongsun Yang, understanding, gently nudged the eunuch's arm.

The Imperial Eunuch felt his sleeve, his eyes brightened, his smile deepened, and he looked at Chen Yuan's face again, bowing slightly.

"I must return to the palace to report, I won't disturb any longer."

Saying so, he gave a slight bow and left with the wind with his entourage.

After they left, Chen Yuan looked at the lacquer box in his hand, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

"General!"

Gongsun Yang called out, since returning from the court meeting, the General's expression had been off.

"Return to the room."

Chen Yuan paused for a moment.

A dozen breaths later, in the side room where Chen Yuan lodged, settings barred outside investigation with prohibitions.

Chen Yuan placed the lacquer box containing the seal on the low table, the emotionless face suddenly laughed.

Seeing this, Gongsun Yang was somewhat surprised.

"Why did the General suddenly laugh? I recall your expression wasn't so good when returning from court."

"That was naturally the face shown to His Majesty and those courtiers!" Chen Yuan stroked the gilt lacquer box, sneering coldly.

As he spoke, he glanced at Gongsun Yang, "Mister's legacy is indeed unique, saving me much trouble. This time, when I entered the palace for an audience, there were numerous strong practitioners secretly observing from the depths of the Dragon Court."

"But my Incense Fire Avatar wasn't exposed, Mister has made another contribution."

He couldn't help feeling fortunate for having recruited Mr. Gongyang back then. Initially, he had prepared for being exposed in the court.

Gongsun Yang did not claim credit, his eyes moved, "I am slightly confused, what did the General mean just now?"

"Why did the General suddenly take up the Patrol Angel role, does His Majesty value you so much? I thought this audience might..."

"What might, Mister thought this Patrol Angel is a good position? Our His Majesty wishes to strip military power over a cup of wine, trapping me in the Divine Capital, slowly settling old scores. If I still hold value to His Majesty, I can live longer, otherwise, hehe."

Chen Yuan waved, storing the lacquer box, a chilling golden gleam in his eyes.

"What?"

Gongsun Yang was first shocked, then realized something, suddenly clear,

"This trick doesn't seem to work on you, General."

"What is the General planning to do next?"

"Our His Majesty has appointed me as Patrol Angel, and we as ministers naturally shall perform well."

"This was unexpected for me, but with this new title, the ensuing plans have a pretext, and I can mobilize more resources, achieving this unexpected joy."

"The plan can commence!"

"When the time comes, His Majesty wanting me to stay here in the Divine Capital might not matter."

.......

That afternoon, tens of thousands of miles away in Shu, outside Jingguan City in Anping County, that Ancestor Mountain suddenly began to stir!

Several massive stone tablets erupted with light, rushing out.