Chapter 481 482: Gallant Cavalry General, Du Huan!
Chapter 482: Gallant Cavalry General, Du Huan!
The establishment of the Imperial City Bureau was like a stone cast into a calm lake for the Dao Court, instantly stirring ripples throughout Tianwu City.
Since the Imperial City Bureau operated entirely outside the Dao Court's official hierarchy, lacking any formal bureaucratic positions, it naturally remained beyond the control of the various ministry heads. Moreover, with the support of the Incense Qi Divine Path, its strongest members could reach Foundation Establishment Perfection—comparable to first-rank officials—which made many wary.
More importantly was the Imperial City Bureau's jurisdiction.
In short, it was responsible for security within Tianwu City, enforcing prohibitions on palace entry and exit, overseeing all matters related to imperial guard duties, and managing the opening and closing of palace gates.
This was no small matter.
Because these responsibilities originally belonged to the Dutian Department, but now fell under the Imperial City Bureau's purview. With their duties stripped away, so too vanished the corresponding authority.
How could the Dutian Department possibly accept this?
Tianwu City, Grand Protector's Residence.
"His Majesty clearly distrusts the Dutian Department!"
Ning Haohe, the current Commander of the Dutian Department, slammed the table in fury. "What Imperial City Bureau? A bunch of overseas beggars coming to Jiangdong to mooch! That Du Huan—just by flattering and currying favor, accomplishing a few minor feats to please His Majesty—managed to secure this appointment. Grand Protector, we cannot ignore this! How can the capital of Jiangdong Dao be handed over to monstrous cultivators from overseas? If this continues, the state will cease to be a state!"
At the head of the room, an elderly man sat with his eyes closed.
At first glance, he appeared to be just an ordinary old man. Yet the moment he opened his eyes, the impression he gave underwent a dramatic transformation—like a serpent evolving into a dragon.
With every breath, he resonated with the omnipresent [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes] of Jiangdong, drawing upon their boundless might to empower himself.
He was none other than the Grand Protector of the court—Hu Zhichun.
Wielder of [Flatland Wood], master of the [Heavenly Pillar Treasure Pole Dongtian]. Ning Haohe, as his disciple, had only attained the position of Dutian Department Commander through his recommendation.
"His Majesty is displeased," Hu Zhichun remarked calmly. "The Dutian Department has always been under the direct control of the Son of Heaven. Now that you lead it, it's only natural for His Majesty to seek an alternative."
Ning Haohe's appointment as Dutian Department Commander had been part of a behind-the-scenes deal between the Three Dukes and Emperor Jiayou. After all, for the mid-stage Golden Core Emperor Jiayou to break through to the late stage, he needed to assimilate at least three elemental phases—a process that required the Three Dukes' assistance. The Dutian Department had merely been one bargaining chip in this exchange.
Yet clearly, Emperor Jiayou harbored dissatisfaction with the arrangement.
Thus, he established the Imperial City Bureau, rooted in the Incense Qi Divine Path, and deliberately appointed a member of the True Dragon Clan—who had no existing ties within the Dao Court—to lead it.
More importantly, the source of the Incense Qi Divine Path lay solely in Emperor Jiayou's hands.
Under these circumstances, the Imperial City Bureau would undoubtedly obey only the Emperor's commands, unaffected by the influence of other officials—a blatant violation of the Dao Court's established order.
"Taian, what do you think?"
Hu Zhichun shifted his gaze to a young man beside him. Handsome and dignified, his every movement exuded an air of noble grace.
This was the current Junior Protector—Li Taian.
In time, when Hu Zhichun's lifespan ended and his dongtian collapsed, it would fall to this Junior Protector to uphold it anew—a testament to his immense importance.
"Replying to Your Excellency," Li Taian clasped his hands and spoke solemnly, "This humble official believes we should respond to change with constancy. The establishment of the Imperial City Bureau is His Majesty's will—likely also intended as a test of the court's reaction. If we feign compliance while secretly obstructing, His Majesty will notice and resort to even harsher measures. Instead, we should yield ground, allowing His Majesty to vent his displeasure first. Afterwards, we can impose restrictions. After all, His Majesty still requires Your Excellency's assistance. If we provide him a way out, he won't force the issue."
"And if His Majesty remains unsatisfied?" Hu Zhichun pressed gravely.
Li Taian's expression turned stern. "Then it would mean His Majesty has been misled by villains. We must petition with blood and tears, demanding the execution of these monstrous conspirators to rectify the court's order!"
Hu Zhichun nodded in satisfaction. "Well said."
He then turned back to Ning Haohe. "Did you hear that? The Imperial City Bureau is His Majesty's decree. If His Majesty orders your cooperation, you cooperate properly."
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from outside.
"Your Excellency, disaster—!"
A Strongman from the Dutian Department rushed in, panic-stricken. "That Du Huan from the Imperial City Bureau has brought his men to our Dutian Department headquarters!"
"What?!"
Ning Haohe immediately stood, requesting permission to leave. Only after receiving Hu Zhichun's approval did he swiftly depart the Grand Protector's residence, soaring away on a beam of light.
Soon, he arrived at the Dutian Department headquarters.
Yet the sight that greeted him was a towering column of divine incense light, and at its center, a tall figure surrounded like the moon amidst stars.
"Wang Xu, Banner Officer of the Dutian Department—guilty of embezzling the salaries of thirteen Strongmen under his command. Evidence irrefutable. Immediate execution!"
"Chen Dao, Banner Officer of the Dutian Department—"
As the booming proclamations continued, one Dutian Department official after another was dragged forward and forced to kneel. Their once-ruddy faces had already turned deathly pale.
Witnessing this, Ning Haohe hurriedly sent a voice transmission:
"Stay the executions—!"
Clang! Clang!
Almost the instant his words arrived, the executioners' blades fell, severing the heads of the kneeling officials.
"...Bastards!"
Ning Haohe was incensed beyond measure!
Yet the Imperial City Bureau cultivators carrying out the executions paid no heed to his fury. After all, they weren't eating his rice—why should they listen to him?
Most were monstrous cultivators who already disliked Ning Haohe.
Even the human cultivators, after receiving two hundred years' worth of salaries from Lü Yang in advance, would only obey Lü Yang—and the Son of Heaven's—commands!
Seeing their indifference, Ning Haoou's rage burned hotter. He pushed up his official hat, causing the insignia of [Commander of the Dutian Department] to manifest above him as a divine ability surged forth like a rising sun:
[Rising Sun Earth]!
This was a Xu Earth divine ability—Xu representing the furnace's treasury, the scorched earth where nobility dare not tread. Not only did it possess formidable offensive power, but it could also erode one's fortune!
Yet in the next instant, a massive hand formed entirely of incense qi thrust between Ning Haohe and the executioners. Waves of incense qi surged forth, each layer burned away only to be replaced anew—like snuffing out a candle—until Ning Haohe's divine ability was crushed outright!
"How is this possible...?"
The sight doused Ning Haohe's fury like a bucket of cold water, shocking him back to his senses.
Then, a black-robed monstrous cultivator strode forward proudly.
"Well, if it isn't Commander Ning."
Xiao Shan was practically glowing with triumph. As one of the first monstrous cultivators to pledge allegiance to Lü Yang and a founding elder of the [One Heart Society], he had naturally been heavily rewarded.
Beyond his salary, he had been granted a divine incense position.
Lü Yang had been exceedingly generous—allocating a full third of the Imperial City Bureau's newly established incense resources to Xiao Shan, elevating him to the rank of Foundation Establishment Perfection through incense empowerment!
With such power at his disposal, Xiao Shan now looked upon Ning Haohe and realized that this man—who had once seemed so lofty that even the servants at his gate dared to look down on monstrous cultivators—was nothing special after all. The [Commander of the Dutian Department] was only a third-rank position, and Ning Haohe wasn't even a late-stage Grand True Person!
'Indeed, only by following Lord Du Huan do we monstrous cultivators have a future...'
Xiao Shan's resolve grew firmer.
Meanwhile, Ning Haohe forced a smile onto his face—since he couldn't win a fight, he could hardly maintain his superior airs.
"What... exactly are you trying to do?"
"What are we doing?" Xiao Shan smirked coldly. "His Majesty has issued a decree appointing Lord Du Huan as Gallant Cavalry General, granting him authority over the Imperial City Bureau to investigate corruption within the Dutian Department!"
"In short—what the Dutian Department can handle, the Imperial City Bureau will handle. What the Dutian Department can't handle, the Imperial City Bureau will handle even more! Execution first, reporting later—by imperial privilege."
"Does Commander Ning understand now?"