Great Zhou Martial Immortal

Chapter 61 Cruel Officials Govern the Jianghu

"Be flat."

The sound was neither hurried nor slow, yet it was like an ice blade slicing through the stagnant air.

Two palace maids in plain clothes silently parted the curtain, revealing the inner chamber—Empress Wu Zetian, dressed in a blue robe, leaned against a rosewood armchair, reading a memorial. Although she was nearly seventy, she had mastered the art of preserving her youth, and her face looked like that of a woman in her forties, with a broad face and full cheeks, radiating beauty without the need for makeup.

Her lowered eyes and brows lacked any sharpness; she resembled an ordinary housewife reviewing account books.

Until she looked up.

A glance swept across, like a sword being drawn from its sheath, chilling and intimidating.

"You're Lu Chenyuan?"

Wu Zetian suddenly closed the memorial, her expression quite meaningful, and said, "Come closer, let me take a good look."

Xue Huaiyi's heart tightened.

He was all too familiar with that tone of voice—five years ago, when they first met in the Zichen Palace, the current Empress, then the Empress Dowager, had summoned him before the Emperor to scrutinize him in the same way. Now, seeing Wu Zetian's gaze lingering on Lu Chenyuan with an inquisitive look he had never seen before, a surge of jealousy rose within him.

Another Shen Nanqiu?!
Li Lingyue, however, sensed something else in that tone and lowered her head shyly.

Lu Chenyuan took seven steps forward and stopped three feet away from the imperial desk.

From this distance, he could clearly see the handwriting on the documents on the table and smell the ambergris mixed in with the inkstone on the desk.

Wu Zetian observed for a moment and said, "You've practiced the 'Gold-Swallowing Treasure Book' quite well. Your aptitude is ordinary, but your comprehension is very high... Taiping and Wan'er arrived late, and Yan Bingning was poisoned and trapped in the illusion. Only you... witnessed the entire process inside the Mechanized City. Tell me about it. I want to hear the details."

Lu Chenyuan paused for a moment.

How to say this?
It's all because you were blind to the truth and let in a traitor from the Netherworld Palace. Otherwise, none of this would have happened today.

She couldn't just say it directly. She released him to gather opinions from all sides. Xiao Hanchuan was able to endure for six years, which shows he is indeed a ruthless person and hard to discern. Even if there are suspicious points about Xiao Hanchuan, as long as he can break the Four Symbols Heart Wheel, he won't be able to escape the Mechanized City under heavy encirclement. On the contrary, it can help the Heavenly Craft Scroll be born, which is also a good thing.

They simply underestimated his ruthlessness.

Besides the art of divination and strategy, this guy also absorbed two other great martial arts techniques, willingly giving up three of the seven emotions, and hiding a move called "Phantom Spider Devouring Dreams" that is impossible for anyone to defend against...

Overall, judging from the timely activation of the "Zhou Tian Xing Dou Da Zhen" and the immediate arrival of Wang Xiaojie, Qiu Shenji, Li Lingyue, and Shangguan Wan'er, Wu Zetian was prepared. However, she did not expect that after the Taiyi Yuan Chen appeared, a third-grade divine talisman, the "Liu He Feng Yu Talisman," would also appear. Otherwise, not only would Xiao Hanchuan not be able to leave, but those people would also have to stay!

Lu Chenyuan paused for a moment before speaking.

He first highlighted the groundwork laid by Zhang Xuanxiao, Zhuge Yun, and Dongfang Ming, then detailed his own "difficult" process of breaking the code, demonstrating that he had never deceived the emperor before. He then briefly mentioned the Empress's recognition of her as her master, describing Xiao Hanchuan's schemes and the open and covert struggles among various parties. In summary, the Martial Emperor was a brilliant strategist who lured the traitor out of his hole and laid a trap. He had already captured the rebel in one fell swoop, but unexpectedly, he encountered Gu Yunsheng [Liuhe Fengyu]. This time, the traitor's escape was truly a twist of fate, not a failure of the battle!

There was silence in the hall for a moment.

Wu Zetian looked at him with a playful gaze, seemingly somewhat surprised, and sized him up.

Li Lingyue lowered her head slightly, suppressing a laugh. This girl certainly knows how to act; she's eloquent and her words are pleasant to hear. But her true nature has long been known to her by her mother. It's too late for her to feign humility now…

Xue Huaiyi stood beside a pillar in the palace, and the whisk handle he was holding cracked open with a "crack".

He stared intently at Lu Chenyuan's retreating figure, his eyes burning with jealousy—this kid had not only won the princess's favor, but was now stealing the spotlight from the empress! Most infuriating of all was that handsome face; he was younger, more eloquent, and more talented than him…

And that "Gold-Swallowing Treasure Book," I heard it can make you a golden spearman...

"Huaiyi".

Wu Zetian suddenly spoke, startling Xue Huaiyi.

You don't look well.

The Empress's voice was calm and unhurried, yet it instantly sent a chill down Xue Huaiyi's spine.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty only..."

He hurriedly bowed, speaking cautiously: "I was studying Buddhist scriptures last night and went to bed a little late..."

Wu Zetian's gaze swept over him, then turned to Lu Chenyuan. Suddenly, she seemed somewhat disinterested and waved her hand, saying, "Then you may leave. Since you are not feeling well, go to the Imperial Medical Bureau for a checkup."

"Yes……"

Xue Huaiyi's face turned pale and then red. He bowed respectfully and slowly left the main hall.

Wu Zetian turned her gaze to the mechanical puppet standing solemnly behind Lu Chenyuan, a hint of amazement flashing in her eyes.

She rose and walked to the Empress's side, carefully examining the runes engraved on the armor. She nodded, "As expected of the Hidden Immortal's Secret Technique, it is indeed exquisite, especially those eyes..." She exclaimed, her finger pausing before the Empress's precious pupils, a flash of azure light in her eyes, "...Truly the pinnacle!"

She suddenly turned around and looked directly at Lu Chenyuan: "Minister Lu, would you be willing to present this mechanical puppet to the imperial court?"

The air in the hall suddenly became stagnant.

Li Lingyue's fingers, hidden in her sleeve, clenched unconsciously. She knew all too well the arrogance in Lu Chenyuan's bones and was afraid that he might inadvertently offend the emperor.

Lu Chenyuan remained calm and cupped his hands, saying, "I owe this mechanical device entirely to Your Majesty's great fortune. If the court requires it, I will certainly..."

"That's all."

Wu Zetian waved her hand to interrupt, a meaningful smile playing on her lips: "The 'Heavenly Crafts Scroll' is not something everyone can learn, nor is the Hidden Immortal Puppet Armor something everyone can use... Go back and make a copy to present to the Emperor, and you can go to the Xuanji Pavilion to receive your reward. As for this puppet armor... just keep it with you to help you comprehend the mysteries of the Heavenly Crafts."

At this point, she looked out of the hall, her tone suddenly turning stern: "Recently, the four barbarian tribes have been in turmoil. The Turkic traitors attempted to assassinate the emperor, and the Tibetans are also making moves on the tributary route to the Western Regions. I want you to quickly understand the intricacies of these matters and forge powerful weapons for our Great Zhou to prepare for any eventuality. Do you understand?" Lu Chenyuan bowed and said: "Your subject will do his utmost to live up to Your Majesty's expectations."

Wu Zetian nodded in satisfaction: "Zhaohua, draft the decree."

In a corner, Li Zhaohua, a court lady, picked up her pen, awaiting Empress Wu Zetian's reply.

Wu Zetian: "From this day forward, all funds and materials needed by the Suiming Pavilion shall be supplied by the Imperial Workshop with priority." After saying this, she turned to Li Lingyue, a smile flashing in her eyes: "Taiping, you shall personally oversee this matter."

Li Zhaohua couldn't help but laugh.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Li Lingyue's ears immediately flushed crimson. She bit her lower lip lightly and said, "Your subject obeys the decree..."

Wu Zetian immediately suppressed her smile and turned cold: "Zhou Guanfu of the Buqi Sect has colluded with the traitors of the Netherworld Palace. I hereby appoint Qiu Shenji, the Grand General of the Golden Guard, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and lead 30,000 elite troops from the Left and Right Valiant Guards and the Left and Right Martial Guards to suppress them immediately!"

By imperial decree: All disciples of the Unyielding Sect who resist will be executed without exception; those who abandon the darkness and embrace the light will be pardoned! All their sect's scriptures, manuals, and diagrams of mechanisms are to be sealed and sent back to the capital!

Li Zhaohua wielded his brush with lightning speed, the purple brushstrokes creating sharp, incisive lines on the silk.

"His Majesty!"

Li Lingyue was taken aback and quickly said, "This person's identity is questionable; he may be in disguise..."

Wu Zetian raised her hand to stop them, her voice like the clash of cold iron: "Issued by the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace to the whole world: All regional inspectors and prefects shall immediately post notices announcing that any martial arts sect or aristocratic family that has colluded with the Netherworld Palace shall have their entire clan exterminated! The informant shall be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold and granted a seventh-rank military rank! Lai Junchen shall establish the 'Exorcism Division' under the Judicial Office to handle this matter. Anyone who provides clues about the Netherworld Palace, regardless of their background, may come to the capital to claim the reward!"

Li Zhaohua's brushstrokes made a rustling sound as they scraped across the silk.

Li Lingyue grew increasingly alarmed; a bloody storm was about to break out.

Empress Wu Zetian's phoenix eyes flashed with murderous intent as she continued, "Post arrest warrants in all prefectures and counties, and publish all known intelligence about the Netherworld Palace. All those who rebel against it, whether dead or alive, will be rewarded! Whoever captures its leader will be granted a noble title and a reward of ten thousand gold pieces!"

Her face was grim as she spoke, each word distinct and deliberate: "I will let those demons and monsters know that this world will not tolerate their stirring up trouble!"

The hall fell silent.

Lu Chenyuan sighed inwardly, "Cruel officials govern the court, cruel officials govern the martial world."

There's a master in the Netherworld Palace. He accurately predicted that Wu Zetian would use the Unyielding Sect to establish her authority, so whether he was disguised or not is no longer important.

As for Qiu Shenji, it seems he can still use those dirty gloves for a while.

Of course, this is all predicated on being able to withstand the counterattack from the Unskilled Sect...

Li Zhaohua added at the opportune moment: "Your Majesty, shall we establish an anonymous complaint system in accordance with the 'copper box system'?"

"allow."

Wu Zetian sneered, “Re-establish the ‘Evil-Slaying Copper Box’ in the government offices of each prefecture and state, and all clues that are reported can be secretly put into the box.”

Looking at her mother's fierce profile, Li Lingyue thought, "This is the wrath of the emperor, which can cause bloodshed for thousands of miles."

She glanced at Lu Chenyuan without making a sound, noticing that he still maintained a respectful posture, but a strange look flashed in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

Li Lingyue stepped forward and gracefully bowed.

"Go."

Wu Zetian nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping between the two: "Lu Qing..." Her expression subtly changed, her sharp imperial majesty softened considerably, and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes revealed a hint of helplessness typical of a mother. She said, "Taiping is stubborn, please bear with her."

Li Lingyue's eyes welled up slightly, and she turned her head away.

Lu Chenyuan's expression softened, and he bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand."

After leaving the Zichen Palace, Li Lingyue remained silent until she returned to the Princess's bedroom with Lu Chenyuan and the Empress. Only when the heavy palace doors slowly closed behind her did her tense shoulders finally relax.

She pressed Lu Chenyuan down onto the soft couch—perhaps because the phrase "Come here" had become so easy to say, she was increasingly used to "forcing" Lu Chenyuan into the posture she wanted, then casually tumbled into the couch, leaning against his shoulder, her fingers automatically finding his palm, interlocking their fingers, and muttered, "Mother is trying to use this as an excuse to make trouble..."

"This is not unexpected..."

Lu Chenyuan lowered his head to smell the fragrance of her hair and casually said, "At the beginning of the month, a major assassination attempt occurred, which was witnessed by envoys from various countries. Now, this incident has happened, allowing the Netherworld Palace traitors to wreak havoc in the Mechanized City and then retreat with a clear conscience. People only care about the result, not the process. They won't care about hidden immortal techniques or divine talismans; they only see the court losing face and prestige. Therefore, the Martial Emperor will inevitably make an example of someone. It just so happens that Zhou Guanfu knows the secret techniques of the Unarmored Sect. Even if it's not him, he must have some connection to it. We can take advantage of this to establish our authority..."

Li Lingyue understood this principle as well.

"But……"

Li Lingyue still found it hard to accept: "Once that copper box is set up, and the culture of informing becomes rampant, won't the martial arts world become another imperial court? Won't all the major sects be in danger? Martial arts practitioners are not like those submissive civil officials; martial artists are already breaking the law with their martial arts. If we push them too hard..."

Her voice carried a hint of anxiety.

It's as if I can see a scene where江湖人士 (jianghu figures) frequently kill officials and even rebel!
There's nothing we can do about it; your mother just loves using this method, it's a kind of path dependency.

"Since things have come to this, we can only try to think positively."

Lu Chenyuan pondered and said, "It is true that people in the martial arts world are used to breaking the law with their martial arts, but they are also a disorganized bunch. They are all vying for fame and profit. They would fight to the death for a ranking in the Hundred Weapons List of Baixiaolou. If you give them a little bit of profit, they might beat them out of their wits. In the end, there are too few 'heroes'. Everywhere there are hypocrites who are righteous and true villains who only care about profit. Take me for example."

(End of this chapter)