I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 625 What should we do now? The General is waiting for a reply! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
Li Chen looked at him and said calmly, "I am very pleased that you have such a heart. You have also worked hard recently. Go back and get some rest."

Hu Yanlan understood that His Majesty was not going to pursue the matter further.

He knelt down again, his voice choked with emotion: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

My heart was filled with the relief of surviving a disaster and the determination to die for it.

Li Chen's imperial tactic of not reprimanding someone for trivial matters but instead showing concern completely won over this powerful northern ruler.

After leaving the warehouse, Hu Yanlan felt a huge weight lifted from his heart, but a surge of anger suddenly rose within him.

He found Zhou Meng, his face ashen, and said, "Captain Zhou, lead the way! To the prison! I want to see that ignorant little beast myself!"

Zhou Meng dared not delay and quickly led the still furious Khan to the military prison.

In the dark and damp cell, Hu Yanxun was mocking Chu Xiang when he looked up and saw his clan chief uncle walking over with Zhou Meng by his side. He was overjoyed!

"Uncle! Uncle, you've finally come!" Hu Yan rushed to the prison bars, pointing to the bruises on his face where Li Chen had stepped on him, and cried out, "Uncle, you must do me justice! That Cheng Li is so arrogant and domineering, locking his nephew in this hellhole! Uncle, please get me out of here! You must tear that Cheng Li to pieces!"

However, before he could finish speaking, the cell door opened and Hu Yanlan rushed in like a furious lion!
"You beast! Shut your dog mouth!" Hu Yanlan roared, swinging his large, fan-like hand and slapping Hu Yanxun hard across the face!

With a sharp "smack!", Hu Yanxun was sent spinning around by the blow, collapsing headfirst into a dirty haystack. Half of his face swelled up instantly, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his ears were ringing. He was completely stunned by the blow.

"I sent you to Hantie Pass for training, not to cause me any trouble! How dare you offend me!" Huyan Lan was so angry that he could barely speak. Remembering that His Majesty's identity could not be exposed, he became even more furious. He raised his foot, which was clad in a leather boot, and kicked Huyan Xun on the ground!

"Ouch!" Hu Yanxun let out a pig-like scream, clutching his head and curling up in pain.

"How dare you spout such nonsense! I'll beat you to death today, you ignorant brat!"

Hu Yanlan grew angrier with each blow, his eyes turning red. Suddenly, with a "whoosh," he drew his curved sword from his waist, its cold light gleaming, the blade pointing directly at Hu Yanxun's neck. It seemed he truly intended to eliminate his own sect on the spot!
"Khan, please calm down! You mustn't! You mustn't!" Zhou Meng was terrified and rushed forward to hug Huyan Lan tightly from behind. "Khan! This is a military prison! You mustn't! Please calm down!"

Hu Yanlan was panting heavily, the tip of the knife only inches away from Hu Yanxun's throat.

Hu Yanxun was already terrified, his face pale, and his crotch was wet and hot, indicating that he had lost control of his bladder.

Hu Yanlan stared intently at his good-for-nothing nephew on the ground for a long time before abruptly sheathing his curved sword.

He pointed at the limp Huyan Xun and roared, "You little beast! Listen to me! You'd better stay here in this cell and reflect on your actions! If you dare to have even the slightest wicked thought again, I'll come in and kill you myself without anyone else having to lift a finger! Do you hear me?!"

Hu Yanxun was already terrified and could only nod frantically, tears streaming down his face.

Hu Yanlan then snorted coldly, straightened his robes which were slightly disheveled from his excitement, and said to Zhou Meng, "Captain Zhou, please excuse my rudeness." With that, he strode away, his face ashen.

There was dead silence in the cell.

After a while, Han Zhen, who was in the next cell, saw this scene and had a bad feeling. He had originally planned to laugh at Hu Yanlan, but he couldn't laugh at all, and he had a feeling that he was going to get beaten up too.

Just as Han Zhen was pondering, Han Qi, the captain of the personal guard of Han Wu, the commander of the Northern Army, had already led a team of elite Northern Army cavalry to Han Tie Pass.

As they were both part of the Northern Army system, Zhou Meng naturally came forward to receive them personally.

Han Qi and Zhou Meng had a very close personal relationship. Han Qi could be considered Zhou Meng's mentor and elder brother in his military career. Zhou Meng's current status is inseparable from Han Qi's support back then.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Han Qi explained his purpose: "Brother Zhou, I have come on the orders of the General. First, to check on the young master's condition, and second, to meet with that Commandant Cheng Li."

Upon hearing "want to see Cheng Li," Zhou Meng was startled and quickly pulled Han Qi aside to a secluded spot.

Lowering his voice, he subtly advised, "Seventh Brother, this matter... this matter is probably a bit inconvenient. Commander Cheng handles matters strictly according to military regulations, and Young Master Han has indeed gone too far this time. If there is any blame, he should bear it himself."

He knew His Majesty's status well and really didn't want to see this elder brother foolishly offend the Emperor's might.

Han Qi laughed heartily upon hearing this and patted Zhou Meng on the shoulder: "Brother Zhou, you're overthinking it! How could the General be such a petty person?"
Upon learning of this, instead of blaming Commandant Cheng, he praised him for his strict military discipline and fearlessness in the face of powerful figures, deeming him a rare talent! The General intended to transfer Commandant Cheng to the Northern Army camp and promote him directly to the rank of Assistant Commandant!
This is fantastic news! Even I, your older brother, am incredibly envious!

As Han Qi spoke, a genuine look of envy appeared on his face.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Meng became even more anxious, like an ant on a hot pan.

General Han is not petty, but he can't mess with this "Commander Cheng"!

He was extremely anxious, but unsure how to direct his thoughts, so he could only stammer, "I'm afraid... I'm afraid that's not appropriate."

Han Qi noticed his unusual expression and asked in confusion, "Oh? Brother Zhou, what's wrong? Could it be that you're reluctant to let go of your capable assistant?"

Zhou Meng steeled himself, leaned close to Han Qi's ear, and whispered rapidly, "Seventh Brother! My dear brother! Read my name, Commander Cheng, backwards! Once you read it, you'll know what to do! Don't tell anyone I told you!"

Han Qi was taken aback by Zhou Meng's mysterious and nervous attitude, and subconsciously murmured in his mind, "Cheng Li... Li Cheng... Li... Li Chen?!"

The name exploded in his mind like a thunderbolt, startling him so much that his legs almost gave way and he knelt down on the spot, his face turning deathly pale in an instant.

He grabbed Zhou Meng's arm suddenly, his fingers trembling, his voice low and filled with terror: "Brother! Really?! It really is that person?!"

"Just now, Khan Huyan Lan almost knelt down, and he was so respectful. Who else could it be but him?"

Zhou Meng nodded heavily, his eyes filled with certainty and lingering fear.

Han Qi gasped, his inner shirt instantly soaked with cold sweat. He steadied himself, swallowed hard, and asked in a low, urgent voice, "What should we do now? The General is waiting for a reply."

(End of this chapter)