18: The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and the Public Opinion Secretary, Gu Yue's awareness

Listening to the commoners' accusations against Qin Yuan in the courtroom and hearing the various deeds Qin Yuan had committed, Gu Jixiao's expression turned visibly ugly, and a low pressure emanated from his body.

"Qin Yuan, to act so lawlessly on my territory, you truly deserve ten thousand deaths!"

"Since you oppressed the commoners, then now, let you experience the feeling of being oppressed by them!"

With a strike of his palm, Gu Jixiao crippled Qin Yuan, then looked toward the commoners in the courtroom and spoke.

"Now he is handed over to you to deal with as you see fit; life or death does not matter!"

Hearing Gu Jixiao's words, the commoners looked at Qin Yuan with eyes full of killing intent.

It could be said that every commoner in Wugui City had suffered under Qin Yuan's oppression; each one naturally wanted to kill Qin Yuan as quickly as possible to vent their grievances.

Soon, the commoners swarmed forward, their fists and feet falling on Qin Yuan like raindrops.

After half a quarter of an hour passed, the commoners reluctantly dispersed.

Looking again at Qin Yuan lying on the ground, he had already been beaten into a pulp.

Watching this scene, Gu Jixiao was extremely satisfied. He then stood up and said in a serious tone,

"Everyone, I have come to Wugui City today for only three things."

"Fairness, fairness, and damn it, still fairness!"

"I do not allow such foul winds and noxious influences to appear within my territory!"

The courtroom was dead silent; none of them dared to speak.

At this moment, those two soldiers were the first to clap and shout.

"Good! Well said, Your Majesty! Your Majesty is wise and martial!"

As someone spoke up, the courtroom was instantly filled with admiration for Gu Jixiao, the sound being deafening.

Gu Jixiao merely raised his hand slightly, and they fell silent.

"I will establish a Department of Integrity and Governance in Wugui City to specifically supervise government officials. If anyone accepts bribes, they will be dismissed and exiled to the Lingnan, and their property will be confiscated!"

"Additionally, I will establish a Department of Public Opinion specifically to receive the voices of the commoners."

Hearing Gu Jixiao's words, the commoners in the courtroom were all stunned, and then their eyes filled with tears.

One after another, they began to shout to Gu Jixiao, calling him a 'Clear Sky Great Lord'.

Having been oppressed for so long, they had originally lost much interest in life, thinking only of living day by day.

But now, Gu Jixiao had come, giving them hope once again.

So how could they not be grateful to Gu Jixiao?

Watching his prestige value rise at a visible rate, Gu Jixiao's eyes showed a hint of satisfaction.

No wonder his prestige value had begun to stagnate after reaching over a hundred million; it turned out it was being blocked by the local regions.

After the new laws were announced, the commoners in the courtroom left one by one in high spirits, racing to spread the news.

Once the courtroom was empty, Gu Jixiao looked at the pulp on the ground. With a flick of his finger, a fireball shot out, incinerating it completely.

"Lu Zian."

"Your servant is here," Lu Zian hurried to appear.

"Go. Confiscate the properties of the four major families of Wugui City and execute them all."

Gu Jixiao waved his hand and said.

The so-called four major families included the Xu Family, as well as the Li, Lin, and Xu families.

These four families had been entrenched in Wugui City for many years, acting tyrannically and staining their hands with countless blood.

Previously in the courtroom, the commoners were basically all accusing the four major families, so no matter what, Gu Jixiao would not spare them.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Lu Zian complied, then soared into the air and rushed toward the four major families.

The so-called four major families could only act tyrannically in this tiny Wugui City; if they left Wugui City, they would be worth nothing.

The strongest among them was merely a minor Core Formation cultivator, naturally powerless to resist a Void Refining Cultivator.

In less than half an hour, the so-called four major families were completely wiped out by Lu Zian.

"Your Majesty, here are the foundations of the four major families."

Lu Zian returned and presented four storage rings, which contained the accumulated wealth of the four major families.

But Gu Jixiao didn't think much of them at all. He waved his hand and said,

"Take these and use them to compensate the commoners who were oppressed by the four major families."

"Your Majesty is benevolent and kind-hearted. Your servant bows to Your Majesty on behalf of those oppressed commoners."

Lu Zian bowed to Gu Jixiao with immense admiration.

He had never heard of a monarch like Gu Jixiao who cared so much for the Mortals within the Imperial Dynasty.

After all, how could a high and mighty monarch care about the ants at the bottom?

"Zian, you must know that before we stepped onto the path of cultivation, we were also mere Mortals."

"They are simply unable to step onto the path of cultivation, but that doesn't mean they aren't human."

"Well said, Your Majesty. Your servant understands."

Lu Zian's expression was serious; he had clearly taken Gu Jixiao's words to heart.

After Lu Zian withdrew, Gu Jixiao began to ponder how to make the subjects within the Imperial Dynasty love him even more as their monarch.

"I should first establish the Department of Integrity and Governance and the Department of Public Opinion."

After a long while, Gu Jixiao thought to himself.

From Wugui City, one could see most of the local problems currently facing the Ancient Heavenly Dynasty. As long as Wugui City was resolved, the problems in most parts of the Ancient Heavenly Dynasty could be solved.

With a wave of his hand, Gu Jixiao summoned the two Vice City Lords of Wugui City.

The two were named Mo Xie and Li Tian respectively.

"Your servant greets the Emperor!"

The two knelt on the ground trembling, fearing that Gu Jixiao would also execute them. Although they hadn't committed any acts of oppressing the commoners, what if? If they were beaten to death by Gu Jixiao, they would have no way to voice their grievances.

Looking at the two before him, Gu Jixiao picked up Lu Zian's investigation of them.

"Rise. There is no need to be so nervous. I have called you two here because I intend to appoint you as the commanders of the Department of Integrity and Governance and the Department of Public Opinion. I wonder if you are willing?"

"Of course, if you are unwilling, I will not force you."

"In response to the Emperor, your servants are willing!"

Mo Xie and Li Tian hurriedly agreed.

When the Emperor bestows a position, there is no reason not to accept.

If they didn't agree, they would likely be thrown into the dungeon by Gu Jixiao for the crime of disrespect in the next moment.

Seeing them agree, Gu Jixiao's face showed satisfaction, and he then waved his hand.

"Go then. I order you to build up the Department of Integrity and Governance and the Department of Public Opinion within two days. If you do well, I will have rewards."

"If you do poorly, go and receive your punishment yourselves."

"Yes, Emperor."

The two felt bitter in their hearts. They had no idea how to set up the Department of Integrity and Governance and the Department of Public Opinion, nor did they know what kind of result would satisfy Gu Jixiao.

But now, they could only bite the bullet and do it.

After they left, a figure appeared before Gu Jixiao.

"Master, someone has come from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion; it is a Peak Quasi-Emperor."

Everything in the entire Tiannan Dao Domain had nowhere to hide in Gu Yue's eyes. A Peak Quasi-Emperor arriving at the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion naturally drew Gu Yue's attention.

"Oh, a Peak Quasi-Emperor? This Heavenly Treasure Pavilion certainly thinks highly of me. Take me there."

Gu Jixiao's expression was somewhat playful, and he then waved his hand.

"Yes, Master."