179: Royal Treasury

Heavens, my Old Duke! Are you leading the charge again?

How can a person be this brave?

A Soul Transformation Cultivator just died; are we going to see a repeat of that?

The imperial court was silent at this moment, but everyone's hearts were churning.

Those who could stand in this court were naturally not foolish.

Their earlier loss of composure was essentially a way of discrediting themselves to distance themselves and avoid implication.

Now, this Former Emperor, a new official taking office with three fires, had used the first fire to burn down the Minister of Revenue, the second fire aimed directly at the Truth Cult, and the third fire hadn't even been lit before the Chancellor pushed it back.

Everyone had originally thought that they would just go back and wait for some unlucky soul to take on this third fire, and that would be the end of it. Who knew that the Duke would jump out at this moment, as if he couldn't read the situation?

If His Majesty took this opportunity to reignite the fire, it would be troublesome.

Although many people were not of the same faction as the Duke, they understood that if one's lips are gone, one's teeth will be cold. The Duke could die in factional struggle, but he could not die from the Former Emperor's wrath.

As long as the three fires were extinguished, the Former Emperor's actions should no longer be so swift and decisive.

After that, even if something happened to them, the leaders of their respective factions could step forward to mediate.

But if even the three giants fell in these three fires, even if the Former Emperor became more restrained in the future, their backers would no longer be able to balance imperial power.

So everyone was prepared.

Once the Former Emperor made a move against the Old Duke, they would all act together to support him.

This way, due to group pressure, they might be able to suppress this fire.

As for whether the Former Emperor would then feel that the Duke was too powerful and his achievements overshadowed the ruler, that would be none of their concern. Once he left the court, it would be the Duke's own business.

Only those from the Duke's faction would be worried.

Everyone in the hall, except for a few martial generals who couldn't see the situation clearly, couldn't help but break into a cold sweat, staring intently at the Duke, wanting to see what he intended to do.

Zhou Yan was also a bit awkward.

He hadn't expected that even after acting so arrogantly, Chen Jingyuan would still dare to probe?

If it really was a probe, what should he do?

Should he use his remaining power to kill this Soldier Soul?

Dealing with a Soul Transformation Cultivator and a bunch of miscellaneous soldiers had already consumed a lot of power. Although he still had enough reserves, he couldn't just waste it.

Zhou Yan also broke into a cold sweat in his heart.

Of course, Chen Jingyuan was also not at ease at this moment.

He knew it wasn't the right time to step forward, but if he didn't speak now, it would be too late once the moment passed.

There was nothing he could do; he could only step forward first and then figure something out.

The silence lasted only a moment before Chen Jingyuan thought of his words.

"The Truth Cult is truly a great menace to our nation! Your Majesty's decision to eradicate them is indeed brilliant and mighty, fully demonstrating the demeanor of an enlightened ruler."

Everyone heard that he was flattering and just breathed a sigh of relief.

"But—"

Everyone sucked that breath back in.

"Your Majesty has just descended and is not yet familiar with the current Great Yu, so oversights are inevitable."

"If we directly engage the Truth Cult, I fear it will be difficult to achieve success."

"However, I have a plan!"

"Oh?" Zhou Yan changed his sitting posture, looking slightly lazy but still majestic. "You also have a plan? Tell me about it."

This posture appeared profound and unfathomable in everyone's eyes, but in reality, the Dragon Throne was uncomfortable. Zhou Yan had intended to shift, but seeing so many people staring, he could only lean to the side.

Seeing that Zhou Yan seemed interested, Chen Jingyuan continued.

"The Truth Cult is like a gangrene attached to the bone, difficult to eradicate."

"That's why Your Majesty said to first clear out the cult members in Kaifeng and its surroundings. But if we clear them directly, they will surely hide, and the variables are too great."

"Why don't we take this opportunity to host a nationwide martial arts competition?"

"We can gather talented young people from all over the world to the capital, then set up an arena outside Kaifeng, and also invite Censor Zhou to participate."

"This way, the Truth Cult, which just had one of its strongholds destroyed, will definitely seize the opportunity to cause trouble."

"Whether it's to take revenge on Censor Zhou or to make up for their losses, they will have no choice but to surface."

"This is an overt scheme."

"And our dynasty has always had a tradition of holding nationwide events. If it's interrupted this year, it will inevitably lose credibility."

"The Truth Cult will seek revenge sooner or later, and they will likely target such events."

"If the Truth Cult is not completely dealt with by the time Your Majesty returns to the High Heavens, the price we will have to pay will be even greater."

"It's better to hold the event while Your Majesty is here."

"This way, we not only continue tradition, but also force out the Truth Cult, and allow the people of the world to witness Your Majesty's invincible might, showcasing the grandeur of a great nation."

"Of course, this move might put Censor Zhou in danger, but with Your Majesty and us presiding, this is but a small matter."

"This is a plan that kills several birds with one stone. What does Your Majesty think?"

After speaking, he smiled and looked at Zhou Yan.

"This matter benefits the nation and the people. What does Censor Zhou think?"

This old geezer, his guts are truly fat.

I've put this much pressure on him, and he still dares to operate, not feeling any pressure at all?

Could this Duke Zhenguo also be a 3000?

Zhou Yan hadn't forgotten that Duke Zhenguo would gather The Emperor and the other two giants every year to do certain things to cover up what he did with Soul Crystals, and the next time was soon.

But he didn't expect that even after he caused such a stir, the other party would still dare to do this.

Especially since the chosen location this time was near Kaifeng, which indicated that this old fellow still wanted to cause trouble, and he wanted to cause trouble for me.

Everyone could see the connection between the Truth Cult and Duke Zhenguo. The so-called "forcing them out" wouldn't just be a matter of him going back and saying hello, would it?

However, Zhou Yan looked at "Zhou Yan." If the young emperor really borrowed the power of his ancestors, then I would most likely be the one to suffer.

But now my identity is being taken by the young emperor, and he still has Soul Transformation combat power... "I think Minister Chen's plan is good. What do you think, Minister Zhou?"

Upon hearing Zhou Yan speak, Song Yan stepped forward again, stating that he would bear The Emperor's worries as he enjoyed The Emperor's salary, and for such a matter that benefited the nation and the people, he would not hesitate even if it meant death.

After this last matter was handled, no one dared to submit another memorial.

After the great Cultivator, a half-step man of the Dao realm, made the announcement, the officials adjourned from court.

And Zhou Yan, as soon as court was dismissed, headed straight for the Royal Treasury.

"The Emperor! The Emperor, please wait!"

The Director of the Inner Palace hurried after him, but Zhou Yan seemed not to hear, continuing his brisk pace.

The reason Zhou Yan knew where the treasury was located was because Emperor Taizong's armor was stored there, and by following the few Legacy memories of Emperor Taizong, Zhou Yan could roughly confirm the location.

Seeing that words couldn't stop him, the Director gritted his teeth, accelerated again, rushed in front of Zhou Yan, and knelt down to block him.

"Your Majesty! Oh dear!"

As soon as the other party knelt down, Zhou Yan's Divine Sense detected his movement.

Before he could kneel steadily, Zhou Yan put his hands on his back, performed a goat jump, and smoothly leaped over him.

Watching Zhou Yan's retreating figure, the Director could only shout helplessly.

"Your Majesty! Opening the treasury requires the approval of the imperial clan; you cannot go there lightly!"

Zhou Yan didn't turn his head, shouting back.

"I am their ancestor! Now I shall establish an ancestral decree."

"The ancestral decree is that no one shall interfere with Emperor Taizong's actions, and its validity is until I leave."

"If anyone disagrees, let them find Emperor Taizu and have Emperor Taizu use an ancestral decree to suppress me!"

Before his voice faded, he was already out of sight.

The Director of the Inner Palace, however, was no longer nervous.

He had already tried to stop him; the rest was none of his business.

His greatest fear was being slapped to death by this unpredictable monarch while trying to stop him. Now that the most difficult hurdle was passed, all was well.

Recalling the other party's agile movements and amiable speech, he could clearly feel that this Emperor did not treat him as a servant, nor did he regard him as an incomplete person. His treatment of others was surprisingly amiable, completely different from how he was in court.

"Truly the mark of an enlightened ruler... What a pity, you came too late..."

He stared blankly in the direction Zhou Yan had departed.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yan had already arrived at the treasury.

This place was located in the heart of the imperial palace, so naturally, no guards were needed.

Here, besides The Emperor, who bore the national destiny, outsiders who trespassed would be shot dead by the Incarnation of national destiny in the form of "lasers" because their cultivation was too low.

Unfortunately, it could guard against external thieves, but not against "a son selling his father's fields without a care."

Zhou Yan pushed open the treasury door with anticipation.

It was strange to say, but the treasury door was not large or ornate, looking exactly like a storage room.

Then, as soon as the door opened, Zhou Yan was dumbfounded.

He repeatedly confirmed that his memory was correct, then closed the door and looked at the plaque again.

"Royal Treasury."

The plaque material was extraordinary; this didn't seem fake either.

But inside the door, it was only about thirty square meters, with some bookshelves and miscellaneous items that didn't look very important.

Because there was dust, indicating that most of them were mundane objects.

Zhou Yan repeatedly opened and closed the door, finally giving up on his fantasy.

Damn it, I've been set up by the young emperor!

He slammed the door shut, and disbelievingly flipped through every book, finding that most were palace history and secret anecdotes.

This is the Royal Treasury?

So it turns out it's protecting his family's diaries and dark history?

"Damn it! This is a scam!"

Zhou Yan furiously threw down the autobiography of a certain emperor who dressed as a woman to entertain guests at a brothel, and turned to leave.

But that book happened to hit a certain spot.

In an instant, oil lamps lit up one after another, illuminating the entire room.

Zhou Yan was surprised, but then felt his feet give way.

"Holy crap!"