The court lackeys of the eight-hour workday

Chapter 262 Rules
Li Miao is not a young and reckless person like Shen Xunning.

Coincidence is the most unbelievable explanation in the world.

According to Ji Tianrui's estimation, including the four celestial beings who escaped, there were only ten celestial beings left in the world at this time, and no more than fifteen at most.

It sounds like a lot, but according to the brochure submitted by the Ministry of Revenue two years ago, Dashuo had 10 million households and more than 60 million people paying taxes. If we add in refugees, military households, and hidden households, the entire Dashuo would probably have more than 100 million people.

Oh, Li Miao ran into these few celestial beings the first time he entered the city in the past half month? Even if Duan Jue didn't reveal the time loophole, Li Miao would not believe that this was a "chance encounter".

But it doesn’t really matter, it’s just right.

Originally, Li Miao had planned to end this trip in Dali, so Duan Jue's coming to see him actually saved him a lot of effort.

Duan Jue frowned.

Li Miao's attitude is too domineering.

The things that Ji Tianrui and Li Miao did during the New Year were basically confined to the imperial mausoleum, and almost no one had ever seen Li Miao take action.

Since Li Miao started to walk the martial arts world, he had only fought in front of others a few times. Most of the audience were either the heads of famous sects or had been recruited by Li Miao, so they naturally would not go out and say anything.

To be honest, Li Miao only had one and a half records of fighting in public. One time was when he saved the people in Tai'an City, showing his extraordinary level; the other time was when he saw Xing Chi off in Shaolin, forcing back more than a dozen first- and second-rate masters with one move.

This resulted in the fact that, except for Ji Tianrui, no one in the entire martial arts world knew the true level of his martial arts skills.

Although they were strong, they let the Ming Cult throw that punch at the emperor. Although they were weak, the Sword King Pavilion did shrink its power and no longer compete with the Tang Clan.

Therefore, Duan Jue and other celestial beings who wanted to "encounter" Li Miao by chance actually had two thoughts in mind -

If Li Miao is strong enough, then what they are testing is his "attitude";
If Li Miao is not strong enough, then they will test him with "force".

But Li Miao's realm was hidden by his skills, so even the emperor couldn't detect it, let alone Duan Jue. Unless he turned hostile and started fighting, he had no way of judging Li Miao's martial arts ability, and could only test Li Miao's attitude.

Li Miao's attitude was as if he didn't take all the gods and people seriously. Duan Jue was unsure whether Li Miao was bluffing or just taking it easy because of his domineering attitude.

His mind raced, and Duan Jue sighed softly.

"I was too scheming, and ended up being defeated."

"That's fine."

He stood up and bowed respectfully to Li Miao.

"Speaking of this, I have not yet informed you of my name and master. I am sorry for my impoliteness. I will make up for it now."

"My name is Duan Jue. I am from the Duan family of Dali and I am the current head of the Duan family. For the sake of family inheritance, I have no choice but to come and meet you, sir. I hope you will forgive me for any impoliteness."

After saying that, he stood up.

"However, I need to clarify the issue just now with you, my Lord."

"Those few people just happened to be there. They have nothing to do with me."

"My Dali Duan family is the former royal family of Dali. Even though I was a little rude today, I would never do such a thing as sacrificing human lives!"

Li Miao glanced him up and down.

"Really?"

"..."

Duan Jue straightened his back, as if he was not willing to answer at all.

"Then assume that what you said is true."

Li Miao put down the wine glass and it made a light sound on the table.

"Sit down."

Duan Jue sat down slowly.

"You are 'Xumi', how many celestial beings are there in your family?"

Li Miao asked casually.

Duan Jue frowned.

There's that attitude again.

This kind of question is as abrupt as Li Miao asking a stranger in his previous life “How many times did you do it last night?”

There are only two possibilities for asking such a question. Either the person is an ignorant fool, or he does not regard the person he is asking as a human being.

"Which one..." Duan Jue slowly raised his wine glass, took a sip, and used this time to think for a moment before answering.

"It's just me."

Li Miao tapped him with chopsticks.

"I also believe what you said is true."

"Tell me, what do you want?"

Duan Jue could hardly maintain his expression.

No, we've talked about this already and you're asking this?

I just came here to test the waters and get to know you. Why are you talking so much, as if you want to set some rules for my Duan family today?

You are not the emperor!

Even in the Jinyiwei, there is a commander above you!

What do I, Duan, want? Can I tell you?
But Duan Jue definitely couldn't say this, otherwise it would be a slap in Li Miao's face. When a fight broke out, Duan would be the one who got involved.

No matter how weak the imperial court was, it was not something that a single martial arts sect could contend with. The Ming Cult, which had first launched a punch at the imperial court, had already been destroyed, and now the imperial court was in urgent need of a target to reestablish its prestige.

The Duan family cannot become this target.

He hesitated, weighing his words.

"Sir, there are too many people here, and you have important matters to attend to. How about we find a quiet place later when it is convenient for us? I will explain the situation to you and you can report to your superiors. How do you think?"

He bit the words "report to the higher authorities" very lightly.

No one noticed except Li Miao.

Li Miao sneered.

"Are you afraid that I can't make the decision?"

Duan Jue couldn't hold it anymore.

No, is it ever going to end?
Before he could react, he heard Li Miao say lightly.

"You can rest assured about this."

"I have no control over the court of Dashuo. But I can decide the world of Dashuo with my own words."

Li Miao glanced at Duan Jue.

"Were you wondering just now why I asked so abruptly, as if I was going to set rules for your Duan family right now?"

"You're right."

"Today, I am going to set some rules for your Duan family."

"You didn't tell me what you wanted just now, and now I don't want to hear it either - you have to follow my rules."

Li Miao stretched out a finger and gently stroked the table top. In an instant, wood chips rolled up, leaving a deep scratch.

"Don't attack someone who doesn't know martial arts."

"You see this dead line clearly."

"It's better to clear it than to block it. I'm too lazy to go door to door and kill people one by one. You must keep this line firmly in mind and don't forget it."

"Otherwise, I will come to your house in person and break the necks of every member of your Duan clan, young or old. Then I will hang their heads on a flagpole and have my subordinates carry this flag and travel throughout the world."

Duan Jue's expression changed drastically, his eyes became deep, and he stared at Li Miao's eyes.

Li Miao withdrew his hand and picked up the wine glass.

"After drinking this glass of wine from me, your Duan clan can start traveling around the martial arts world and accept disciples to teach martial arts. As long as you don't cross this line, I, the Jinyiwei, will treat you as an ordinary martial arts sect."

"But if you drink this glass of wine, I will take it as your acceptance of my rule. When I come to kill someone, I will not inform you again."

Li Miao raised his glass and looked at Duan Jue, whose expression was uncertain.

"Master Duan."

"You can drink this glass of wine."

(End of this chapter)