79: With the Empress's backing, let's crush the Sword Inquiry Sect!

In a flash, three days passed!

Great Qi Imperial City.

The Imperial City was originally a place of stability; even though Various Demon Sects and Ghost Dao Sects caused chaos throughout the Great Qi Dynasty, it remained incredibly prosperous, and its citizens were unharmed.

However, this did not mean they were unaware of what was happening outside; they were equally worried and awaited news of victory from the imperial court.

Ever since Shen Tianxing’s great victory in Tianyuan City, the Eight Directions Dragon Suppressing Division, in conjunction with experts from the Three Departments, had continuously sent back reports of different victories, causing the Imperial City’s populace to marvel at the Great Qi Dynasty’s strength!

And this time, Shen Tianxing, while in the Luoying Mountain Range, was besieged by Prodigies and Disciples from Various Demon Sects and Ghost Dao Sects, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Great news! Wonderful news!!!”

“Lord Shen, the Grand Minister of Justice of the Purgatory Division, has slain multiple Prodigies from Demon Sects and Ghost Dao Sects in the Luoying Mountain Range!”

“Furthermore, he used this battle to step into the Carefree Realm in one fell swoop!”

“He slew a Carefree Realm Prodigy from the previous generation within the valley!”

“This is Heaven’s blessing upon our Great Qi; to achieve such power at sixteen!”

“Who dares to say our Great Qi has no Prodigies? Who says our Great Qi’s martial Dao is broken!”

“Great Qi shall prosper!!!”

Throughout the Imperial City, in streets and alleys, wine shops, tea houses, inns, or even pleasure quarters and markets, Shen Tianxing’s name spread to every corner!

A sixteen-year-old Carefree Realm expert!

That was beyond what a Prodigy could describe!

That was a true Prodigy!

While the common people were moved, many noblewomen and courtesans from pleasure quarters developed immense curiosity about Shen Tianxing!

They eagerly sought news of him; his old residence was even dug up, and every day, young maidens filled with spring fever gathered there, waiting.

Unfortunately, Shen Tianxing would certainly not know about these matters.

When he returned, what he encountered might not be a pleasant surprise, but rather a shock!

...Within the Imperial Palace, Phoenix Heaven Grand Hall!

The civil and military officials of Great Qi gathered in the Grand Hall!

At the head of the Grand Hall, Empress Yan Yuzhu of Great Qi wore a bright yellow dragon robe and a dragon crown, sitting high above.

Her exquisitely beautiful face, with eyes full of domineering authority, gazed down upon her officials!

Though seemingly just a woman, Yan Yuzhu’s image on this imperial court was completely different from her image outside!

At this moment, she was an unrivaled, supremely majestic Empress!

With power in her hands, the world submitted!

“Reporting to Your Majesty, news recently arrived from the Baitu Division that Grand Minister of Justice Shen Tianxing killed several Prodigies from Demon Sects and ghost cultivator Sects, and even the Dao Protector Lin Lang was slain by him!”

“Such a feat is unprecedented; this old subject respectfully requests that he be generously promoted and heavily rewarded!”

At the head of the officials, Prime Minister Wen Zhengyuan of the Cabinet stepped forward and spoke with great passion.

Wen Zhengyuan had entered the Carefree Realm through the literary Dao and held the esteemed position of Prime Minister, giving his words more weight than anyone else’s!

“Your Majesty, Shen Tianxing’s ability to enter the Carefree Realm before reaching adulthood is truly a heaven-sent talent!”

“This is due to the blessings of past emperors; with such a young powerful figure, how can our Great Qi Dynasty not prosper?”

“This old subject agrees with the Prime Minister’s words; he should be heavily rewarded!”

Qi Yuanming, Minister of Personnel and head of the Six Ministries, also stepped forward.

It must be said that these loyal officials were entirely unconstrained when it came to promoting talented individuals in the imperial court.

Although Shen Tianxing was young, his strength was formidable enough to undertake great responsibilities!

With these two old officials speaking, the other civil and military ministers echoed their sentiments.

Below the imperial throne, Xing Yao, Chief Director of the Qimen Division, saw this scene and couldn’t help but recall Shen Tianxing’s appearance in her mind.

“Is that fellow so formidable now?”

“What Opportunity did he encounter to enter the Carefree Realm in such a short time?”

“When he returns this time, I might have to meet him properly.”

Xing Yao still remembered the first time she heard that name; he was just entering the Vajra Realm.

She never expected him to grow so quickly!

She was extremely curious, and her thoughts were no longer on the imperial court.

“This Empress grants the words of all you old subjects!”

“However, internal and external troubles remain unresolved, so matters of enfeoffment will be decided after his triumphant return.”

“Today, I have summoned you all because this Empress has a matter on which I wish to hear your opinions.”

Although Yan Yuzhu was young, both her cultivation and her methods of governing the Imperial Dynasty were top-notch!

Without such skill, it would have been impossible for her to so quickly win over these old officials after inheriting the imperial throne.

It could be said that on this imperial court, she had always been absolute!

“Your Majesty, what matter do you wish to discuss? Please speak so that this old subject and others may share the burden.”

Wen Zhengyuan took the initiative, asking on behalf of the officials.

In his heart, however, he wondered, “What’s wrong with Your Majesty today? She used to make all decisions herself. Today, she’s actually giving this old man a chance to speak?”

Yan Yuzhu’s beautiful eyes swept over the officials, and she spoke: “You are all aware of the matter in the Luoying Mountain Range, so what are your thoughts on Wenjian Sect Prodigy Disciple Ye Wuyang openly defying an imperial edict?”

Ye Wuyang of Wenjian Sect?

That unlucky fellow who was slain by Shen Tianxing’s blade?

Why bring him up?

They understood!

The officials were all intelligent people; having followed Yan Yuzhu for so long, how could they not understand her intentions?

The Twelve Orthodox Sects were nominally under the jurisdiction of the imperial court, but they often feigned compliance and were very uncooperative.

Especially the Wenjian Sect; it was the most disobedient of all the Sects!

Presuming upon its deep foundations, it used to only make secret maneuvers while outwardly obeying.

This time, Ye Wuyang obstructed the Prodigies of various Sects from acting, clearly intending for Shen Tianxing to die!

Regardless of whether it was the Wenjian Sect’s intention, the Wenjian Sect would have to bear this blame!

“Your Majesty! This old subject believes that the Wenjian Sect, for indulging its Disciple in defying an imperial edict, should be severely punished!”

Wen Zhengyuan felt that this was the answer Her Majesty desired.

The Wenjian Sect enjoyed an extremely high reputation among the Twelve Sects, and seizing this Opportunity to suppress it was the perfect timing!

Firstly, it could demonstrate the Great Qi Dynasty’s majesty, which was not to be infringed upon!

Secondly, it could also serve as a warning, making other Sects weigh their own importance and act smarter.

The assembled court officials also nodded, agreeing that Wen Zhengyuan’s words made sense.

But they did not know that the Empress desired far more than mere severe punishment, and she certainly did not want to waste this excellent Opportunity that Shen Tianxing had provided her.

“Severe punishment?”

“How to punish?”

“After punishing them, what then?”

“Will we wait for them to repeat their old tricks and conspire to harm the pillars of our Great Qi again?”

The Empress’s voice echoed in the Grand Hall, a series of four questions that left many officials dumbfounded and utterly at a loss.

They had misjudged the situation!

“The Wenjian Sect defied this Empress’s imperial edict, acted rebelliously, and secretly conspired to harm a vital minister of our Great Qi!”

“Any one of these offenses is enough to warrant extermination of the nine familial generations!”

“Moreover, among the Twelve Sects, the Wenjian Sect has long harbored rebellious intentions; how can this Empress tolerate it?”

“Issue an imperial edict!!!”

“Command Xie Tianjian, Chief Director of the Martial Suppression Division, to lead the Three Departments to suppress the Wenjian Sect!!!”

Suppress the Wenjian Sect!!!

This was the Empress showing her backing for Shen Tianxing, to prevent the Wenjian Sect from secretly retaliating!

She was seizing the Opportunity to eliminate the Wenjian Sect!

For many years, no matter how extensive the Wenjian Sect’s secret activities were, the Great Qi Dynasty had always turned a blind eye!

Now, the Empress was going to be serious this time!!!

Among all the civil and military officials, who dared to say no?

“Your subjects obey the imperial edict!!!”

There was only one course of action: issue the imperial edict immediately and carry it out at once!