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

Chapter 626 Bro! Why don't you come in and beat me up too? (Please subscribe, please vote with monthly tickets)
Zhou Meng whispered, "What else can we do? We absolutely cannot expose His Majesty's identity! Just go and ask Commander Cheng with utmost respect, saying that the General sent you to ask how to handle Han Zhen's matter. Just leave everything to his discretion!"

Han Qi immediately understood, and at that moment, all thoughts of being transferred to the Northern Army and being promoted to brigadier general were thrown to the winds.

He straightened his armor, took a deep breath, and tried to calm his expression before cautiously finding Li Chen, who was handling military affairs, with utmost reverence.

He stopped a short distance away, bowed respectfully, and only after receiving permission did he quickly step forward, bow deeply, and say in an extremely humble tone, "Commander Cheng, I am Han Qi, and I have come here on the orders of General Han Wu, Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Army."
The General said, "My unfilial son Han Zhen has violated military regulations and deserves his punishment. The Captain should handle the matter according to the law; there will be no objection! The General has specifically ordered me to come and consult the Captain: what do you think is the most appropriate course of action to deal with that unfilial son?"

He deliberately omitted all pleasantries and his original intentions, directly adopting the lowest possible stance.

Li Chen didn't even raise his head, still looking at the military register in his hand, and simply replied with three words: "According to military regulations."

Han Qi immediately understood, bowed again, and said in an extremely respectful voice, "This subordinate understands! I will obey the Commandant's orders!"

He dared not utter another word, slowly took a few steps back, and then turned and left.

As soon as he was out of Li Chen's sight, Han Qi immediately sent the message back to the Northern Army camp as quickly as possible.

Upon receiving the secret report and seeing the three-word instruction and Han Qi's hint that his identity was clear, General Han Wu did not hesitate and immediately rode at full speed to the Han Tie Guan military prison.

A day later, he went straight into the cell without alerting anyone.

Han Zhen was overjoyed to see his father arrive in person, but before he could even speak, Han Wu, his face ashen, launched into a merciless beating, leaving Han Zhen crying out in pain, even more miserable than Hu Yanxun.

After all, Han Wu knew that his son was in good physical condition and could really take a beating, so he wouldn't hold back when he did.

After the beating, Han Wu sternly shouted at his son, who was bruised and trembling, "You good-for-nothing! You'd better stay here and behave yourself for the rest of your days! If you dare to complain or make any further moves, you'll be dealt with according to military law!"

After saying this, he didn't even glance at his son's miserable state, as if he had only come to handle an official business. He turned around and left Hantie Pass to continue handling military affairs. The whole process was swift and efficient, and not many people even knew that he had come in person.

Han Wu knew that since His Majesty Li Chen had not summoned him, he should continue to work diligently.

Moreover, the situation in the north is tense, and if I make a mistake at this time, the problem will be much bigger.

Han Wu gained the trust of the late emperor and Li Chen because he was serious about his work and loyal to the royal family, rather than actively seeking to flatter His Majesty.

Li Chen will probably find out about this sooner or later; he just needs to do his job.

He will return to the capital to apologize once the situation in the north has improved.

Han Zhen was completely stunned in the cell, slumped in the corner, his last glimmer of hope shattered.

The scene unfolding before his eyes terrified Zhou Liang, a local thug in the same cell, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.

The imperial concubine's relatives, the Khan's nephew, and the general's son—these were the behemoths he usually looked up to. Instead of rescuing them, their powerful backers came in and gave them a brutal beating!
Zhou Liang shuffled to the edge of the cell bars, and said in a tearful voice to his older brother Zhou Meng, who was still outside, "Brother! Why don't you come in and beat me up too? Otherwise, I feel really uncomfortable sitting here, and my heart is pounding with fear!"

As someone who had also offended "Commander Cheng," Zhou Liang was so afraid that he felt he couldn't go to jail in peace without being beaten by his own family.

This wasn't due to any masochistic tendency, but pure fear—the fear that appearing "different" would lead to even more terrible consequences. Zhou Meng gave his brother a complicated look, thinking that although his words were absurd, upon closer examination they actually made some sense.

After all, he already knew Li Chen's true identity. Even if it were his own father who committed this crime, he would still have to stand up for the greater good and make a statement.

“Reasonable.” Zhou Meng nodded, opened the cell door expressionlessly, and went inside.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the surrounding playboys, Zhou Meng actually swung his fist and gave Zhou Liang a solid beating. Although his blows were much lighter than those of Hu Yanlan and Han Wu, they were still enough to leave Zhou Liang with a bruised and swollen face, grimacing in pain.

One was willing to hit, and the other was willing to be hit; the scene was extremely bizarre.

After this incident, the entire Hantieguan area and its surrounding region were in an uproar.

In teahouses, taverns, and alleyways, everyone was intensely discussing just how powerful and influential the mysterious Commander Cheng was.

From cultivation sects to secular families, and then to ordinary people, this became the only topic of conversation.

Inside Hantie Pass lies the residence of the reclusive sect, Sumeru Lingxiao Pavilion.

Dressed in a pale yellow dress and exuding a captivating aura, Lü Mumu opened her large, curious eyes and asked her elder, whose hair and beard were white and whose aura was profound: "Elder, what is the background of that Commandant Cheng? How could he make so many powerful figures in the North bow down and submit?"

The elder stroked his long beard, his eyes gleaming with a wise light that seemed to see through the ways of the world, and said slowly, "He may not have a background, but he himself is the greatest background for many people."

Lu Mumu frowned slightly, even more puzzled: "Elder, are you speaking in riddles again? What does this mean?"

She pressed for answers, but the elder only smiled mysteriously and said nothing more.

He had already guessed Cheng Li's true identity, but he knew that secrets should not be revealed lightly.

Seeing that she couldn't get the answer, Lü Mumu changed the subject: "Then... Elder, should we go and thank Commander Cheng? He did uphold justice for our sect last time."

The elder pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, it is only proper and reasonable for us to pay a visit to express our gratitude. Prepare some appropriate but not extravagant gifts and go in person. Remember to be respectful."

Lu Mumu obediently responded with an "Mmm," then turned around to carefully select a gift, her heart filled with curiosity and gratitude towards the mysterious captain.

Meanwhile, inside the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau).

As a saintess offered to the government by a fallen minor sect, Miss Lianxing is admired by thousands in this place for her aloof and refined temperament and stunning beauty.

Ever since Li Chen came to her rescue at the brothel and beat Han Zhen, her heart has been deeply tied to that domineering captain. These days, she has been living in constant fear, afraid that he will suffer revenge from General Han.

Today, she learned from the madam that even Khan Huyan Lan had returned defeated. While she was shocked by the depth of Commandant Cheng's background, she also felt an irrepressible urge.

(End of this chapter)