Mountain Patrol Military Officer

"...In consideration of their unwavering resolve, despite the false accusations they have remained steadfast, the Emperor is deeply moved. Hence, this edict is issued, ordering the Ninth Colonel to quickly proceed to the Imperial Capital, where I shall personally exonerate and appease him, utilizing his talents wisely, so that he may demonstrate his abilities... This is the imperial decree!"

Above Jingguan City, the sharp voice of the eunuch reverberated, echoing throughout the city.

This voice spread across every street and alley, with citizens stopping in their tracks, and windows opening one by one in the alleys, heads poking out to listen intently.

As the voice faded, cheers erupted across the streets.

"Oh my, the Emperor has personally ordered that the Ninth Colonel is not guilty of rebellion and will be summoned to the capital for favorable treatment. Everyone, this is indeed a good thing, the Emperor has finally opened his eyes. The Ninth Colonel has contributed so much to Shu, how could he possibly rebel!"

"Yes, indeed, with so many achievements, the Emperor should bestow even more favors upon this lord, or else it would be truly unreasonable. This person is the Dragon and Tiger from our Shu!"

"It should have been so!"

"..."

The neighbors, street peddlers, and common folk spread the news with great joy and clapped their hands in delight. They didn't believe a single word of the Ninth Mountain's rebellion, after all, tens of thousands fought valiantly on the Demon Battlefield, resisting demons, everyone saw it with their own eyes. Those young men came from among them, being their brothers, sons, and husbands. Not to mention the Ninth Mountain that achieved great battle merits, keeping demons at the front lines.

They are staunch supporters of that lord of the Ninth Mountain. Stories of the Ninth Colonel slaying demons, loving his soldiers, and saving countless commoners have been passed down by word of mouth.

Now, upon hearing the imperial edict from Cloud Peak, believing that lord's innocence has been proven, they are overjoyed, even showing not much respect to the distant Emperor, saying he finally opened his eyes, with underlying resentment.

All in all, people in the city were in high spirits.

But among the tall buildings and elegant courtyards, some outsiders were perplexed, posing soul-searching questions,

"That Ninth Colonel did indeed achieve unparalleled battle merits by slaying demons, but he also truly killed the Patrol Angel in front of the entire city, which is not simply about a court favorite but represents the dignity of the Heavenly Family."

"Does the current Emperor have such enlightenment?"

"Then why is the world so chaotic today!"

Amidst the city clamors, at the pavilion on Cloud Peak in the Heavenly Patrol Hall Square, the officials from the Overseers were kneeling and paying homage, reciting the decree once more.

Only Chen Yuan, leading the group, with his clothes fluttering, stood tall, looking at Eunuch Li, whose lips were trembling after finishing the proclamation, with a half-smile, waving his sleeve and supporting himself,

"This minister receives the imperial command and thanks the Emperor for his grace!"

Saying this, he feigned to open his mouth and said to him, "The Special Envoy has come a long way from afar, delivering the imperial command, it seems our Emperor is indeed wise!"

Saying this, he turned to the group of officials standing up behind him and smiled:

"Gentlemen, with the Emperor's command, you don't need to worry about those unfounded matters anymore, put your hearts at ease!"

However, reaching this point, his tone changed sharply, with a cutting edge, "If anyone dares to speak idle gossip about this matter again, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

The officials, both military and civilian, were steady, and those civil servants hurried to agree, many feeling relieved.

The Government Administrative Office had numerous personnel, far beyond just the Mountain-cutting Army, since it managed the affairs of a region, with a complex system involving hundreds of officials. During wartime, these people's presence was weak, yet they were indeed an indispensable part. The recent court purge left many trembling with fear, and Chen Yuan's act of killing the Patrol Angel made some officials anxious, spreading some idle talk.

The gossip was nothing more than about whether the Ninth Colonel was really planning to rebel by dictatorial control of the Overseers, leading to unease.

Today, he intended to kill three birds with one stone.

First, he wanted to use this so-called imperial edict to dissipate the rumors and stabilize the Overseers.

Second, naturally, was to have today's imperial edict spread across Jingguan City, then throughout Shu, and even reach the distant Divine Capital, right into the Emperor's ears.

By then, it would depend on how the Emperor would treat him?

The Emperor wanted him to clear his name and admit his mistakes, with lenient punishment, hinting that a good attitude might garner some small rewards, like a charity. However, he intended to use this imperial edict to deny everything, altering the imperial decree.

One could say Chen Yuan defied the law with arrogance!

But that's what Chen Yuan wanted, he could not wag his tail and beg before others, not even the current Emperor!

This brings us to his third purpose, preparing for both possibilities.

With this imperial edict issued today, the Emperor's decree itself, if the court harbored murderous intent when he entered the capital, Chen Yuan would have a justification for action.

Many matters in the world demand legitimacy, now that the Emperor decreed summoning Chen Yuan to the capital for appeasement, should they repent afterward, it would mean losing the trust of Shu, making it reasonable and legitimate for him to act rebelliously!

With these arrangements, Chen Yuan had made preparations to go to the Divine Capital, even feeling slightly expectant!

Meanwhile, Xu Shaoqing of the Taichang Temple and Deputy Inspector Envoy of the Sky Patrol Department, Gou Yue, stood at the great hall's entrance, watching Chen Yuan laughing heartily in the square, and the pale-faced Li Huayu, their expressions filled with doubts.

Then they exchanged a glance, a trace of shock flashing in their eyes.

The Emperor's decree, though they did not understand the specifics, felt that it should not have been said in such a way!

Moreover, they had come to Shu secretly, not intending to make the matter of this person's entry into the capital widely known. Thinking of this, a suspicion arose in their minds, causing their hearts to skip a beat.

Could it be that Chen Longhu had forced the lamp holder to alter the decree!

And in front of so many people?