Wait a minute, where is my master?

Inn's main hall.

The female cultivator in armor, whose credentials had not been verified by Xu Qian, was reporting to her superior from afar, with a group of subordinates around her.

"The thief was taken away by the night watchman, and that little Taoist is mighty strong, also having ties with a cultivator from the night watchman in the Golden Core Realm."

After a moment, a jade token in her hand flickered.

"Understood, bring your people back first."

Seeing the response from her superior, the female cultivator prepared to lead her group to evacuate Yanyu Building.

At that moment, a timid figure suddenly appeared before her - it was the young lad who had guided them earlier.

"My lord, about... about the rewards for reporting criminal cultivators as dictated by the Great Xia's laws, would you consider my case..."

The innkeeper said cautiously, with a smile.

"Oh, the law does state that. However, since the thief was taken by the night watchman, you should ask them according to the law."

The female cultivator finished speaking and efficiently led her subordinates away.

The youngster stood in the center of the main hall, his face gloomy.

"That little Taoist clearly has a good relationship with the night watchman. How could I have dared to go! Ah, if only I had not sought those few spirit stones as a reward. Now, I have not received the money and have offended that guest."

It was only then that the innkeeper began to regret, albeit a bit too late.

...

Shangjing City, Mu Royal Mansion.

In the back garden surrounded by unusual flowers and spiritual birds, a scene of leisure unfolded.

Deep within this garden stood a small pavilion with redwood beams and blue tiles; three figures were inside.

One was sitting, and two were kneeling, all men.

The seated man, dressed in a black robe with golden stitching, featured a pale complexion and a short beard, presenting a refined appearance.

In his hands, he held a folding fan made from ebony bone, gently waving it.

The two kneeling before him were the auction's manager Shi and another, a resolute man in martial attire with a long face.

"Your Highness, my subordinates have just sent word that the little Taoist was taken by the night watchman, and he seems to have an old acquaintance there in the Golden Core Realm."

The long-faced man respectfully reported to the seated man, who was the superior of the armored female cultivator.

Prince Mu, continuing to fan himself, turned to look at Manager Shi.

The elder, seeing the Prince glance at him, bowed hurriedly.

"Your Highness, about the matter with Master Li, I had advised him at the time, I..."

Hearing Old Man Shi's words, Prince Mu snapped the folding fan shut and gently tapped it on the stone table in front of him, causing Manager Shi to immediately stop talking.

"Alright, no need to kneel anymore, both of you rise."

Prince Mu then reopened his fan, his gaze fixed on the fan as he pondered.

Both men stood as instructed, remaining silent.

A moment later, Prince Mu concluded his contemplation and instructed Manager Shi, "Let's hold off on Master Li's matter for now. Have you not yet determined the origin of that little Taoist? Fetch the Golden Core Realm night watchman and inquire. Losing some men doesn't matter; what's important is what we learn."

After speaking, he then turned to the long-faced man and asked, "How many of our men are there now in the Shangjing army?"

"To respond to your Highness, currently, one-third of the soldiers are loyal to you."

Prince Mu nodded slightly, then remarked,

"It's not enough."

Hearing this, the long-faced man quickly bowed deeply, speaking lowly, "I will go back and speak with the remaining officers again."

"Alright, stand up, don't be so tense. Both of you may go back to your duties. Oh, and on your way out, dispose of these things for me."

Prince Mu indicated toward some ice sculptures nearby. After speaking, he closed his eyes to rest.

On one side of the pavilion were neatly arranged dozens of ice sculptures, some standing, some sitting or lying, and others prostrate on the ground.

Despite the various poses, one similarity among all the ice sculptures was that each encased a living person, smiling.

These were a few "small toys" Prince Mu had created upon learning of Master Li's affairs.

The raw materials were ice and the family members of Master Li.

Prince Mu did not care much about not capturing the little Taoist or not obtaining the Bone Marrow Cleansing Spirit Liquid. What mattered was that his subordinates, despite precise orders and leveraging their high cultivation, had acted independently.

Master Li died at Longevity Mountain, hence his family received some "small punishment."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Manager Shi bowed and then stored the ice sculptures in a magical storage item, exiting Mu Royal Mansion with the long-faced man.

After leaving the mansion, the martially-dressed long-faced man said to his colleague, "Have you noticed that His Highness has become more brutal lately? Even when his subordinates made mistakes before, he wouldn't involve their families."

The elder named Shi signaled for silence with his fingers, then looked around before whispering, "Talking about this at the Royal Mansion's gate—are you seeking death?"

He then pulled his colleague into a deserted alley to continue, "A big event is near, and His Highness naturally intends to kill a chicken to warn the monkeys. Otherwise, if everyone disobeys orders, wouldn't it be chaos? And the master only executed the family of Master Li, while the families of other deceased cultivators received compensations."

The long-faced man nodded in understanding after hearing this.

Manager Shi's words made sense, and since they were both already involved, it was too late for regrets; the only option was to proceed.

The two exchanged a few more words and were about to part when suddenly, a roar sounded from the direction of the Great Xia Palace.

...

Great Xia Palace, an open area at the city's entrance.

The Luan family's eldest son was standing with the imperial palace guards, eyes fiercely fixed on a Confucian scholar holding a scroll in front of him.

His useless brother had inexplicably gotten involved in the arson at Tianxiang Building the day before, adding to his annoyance.

Today on duty in the Imperial City, I encountered such a stubborn man.

"Brother Li, you might as well go back. We all eat from the same bowl; don't make it difficult for your brethren."

Commander Luan approached Li Mi and whispered his advice.

The man in front of him had just suddenly appeared at the gate of the Imperial City, declared his identity, and said he wanted to see Emperor Min of Great Xia, the founding emperor.

That's ridiculous.

Let alone a mere Fourth Grade night watchman, even the current Emperor of Great Xia can't just meet someone on request.

However, knowing that the other party had come from Gusu City, Commander Luan didn't want to make it difficult for Li Mi.

His Luan family also subscribed to reports from Tingfeng Building and knew what had happened in those four cities recently; they also knew that it was a trap set by Emperor Min.

And the person before him, it was clear, had come to seek justice.

Seeing that the Fourth Grade night watchman remained silent, Commander Luan continued to plead, "Brother Li, I know what you're here for, and I am also aware of the situation with those four cities. But due to my duties, I truly cannot let you in today. Moreover, if you are really intent on seeking justice, it would be better to find the commander of the night watchmen than to come here by yourself..."

The two were strangers who met by chance, and with these words, Commander Luan had spoken more deeply than usual.

After hearing the other party's words, Li Mi silently turned around and started to walk back the way he had come.

Watching him depart, Commander Luan thought his persuasion had worked. However, he noticed that after taking a few steps, the man turned back.

Then, he let out a roar that shook the entire Shangjing City!

...

Li Mi's trip to Shangjing was direct to the Imperial City. He neither sought the highest commander of the night watchmen nor his own teacher, Prime Minister Qin, because he did not want to involve others. He had journeyed from Gusu through four cities, and now here. All he wanted was an explanation for the citizens of these four cities of Great Xia!

In theory, in the Cultivation World, the strong rule, and it is not his place to question or seek justice.

The four cities of Great Xia were attacked; apart from Ling City, which was completely destroyed, there were survivors from the other two cities.

Why did no one from them come to Shangjing to demand this justice, only you, Li Mi, insist on demanding it!

"You are merely in the Void Refinement Realm, you're just a small Fourth Grade night watchman."

Throughout the journey, Li Mi kept telling himself these two sentences, but today, he still came.

Why?

Because you enjoyed the Dragon Energy and national fortune condensed by the countless citizens of Great Xia!

Because I, Li Mi, have stayed in Great Xia due to admiration for your principles!

Because you, Emperor Min, declared at the establishment of Great Xia, "The founding of Great Xia is rooted in the people; cultivators and mortals are treated with equal respect!"

Because... someone had to come.

Thus, before the gates of the Great Xia Imperial City, the Fourth Grade night watchman, Li Mi, unleashed his hoarse and booming question.

"I, Li Mi!

Today, on behalf of the countless citizens of the four cities of Great Xia, I ask Emperor Min:

'Does the founding of the Xia Dynasty today truly prioritize the people? Or does it prioritize you, Emperor Min yourself?'

He channelled the Vast Righteous Qi of Confucianism in his shout, giving it a powerful penetrating force that spread very widely.

The first to hear this voice was the eldest son of the Luan family standing right in front of him.

By the time he realized what was happening, it was too late to stop the spread of the sound.

"Damn, you're really screwing me over here!"

Commander Luan's thoughts were indeed sincere.

...

Outside the Taiji Palace, within the Imperial City.

Xia Yunzhao, who was currently sending a message back to the young Taoist Jin Xu, paused, his hand freezing in surprise as he looked in the direction from which the voice came.

She recognized it as the voice of Mr. Li from Gusu City.

Inside the Taiji Palace.

Emperor Min was in the back hall, accompanying a portrait of a lady. Upon hearing this hoarse question, he initially froze.

Then he quickly realized the situation.

Had he taken action, there was a chance to stop the sound from spreading too far, but for some reason, he did not make a move.

...

In a small alley

Manager Shi and a long-faced man also heard the voice.

The two looked at each other, excitement apparent in their eyes.

Manager Shi said jubilantly, "Emperor Min used the four cities as bait, but his plan has finally started to backfire!"

The strong-faced man also said excitedly, "With this, can my lord not take this opportunity to consolidate people's hearts?"

...

As the roar gradually spread, the entire Shangjing City heard Li Mi's challenge. Old men and children in alleys, street vendors and passers-by, as well as cultivators and mortals coming and going in the city, were all stunned as they listened:

'Does the founding of the Xia Dynasty today truly prioritize the people? Or does it prioritize you, Emperor Min yourself?'

They all turned their gazes toward the direction of the Great Xia Imperial City.

...

And the most shocked was the Left Chancellor, Prime Minister Qin.

He was resting in his study when he suddenly heard Li Mi's roar, and he immediately sat bolt upright.

"My lord, didn't that night watchman who came yesterday say that my student had died!"