Become a king right from the start, beginning with receiving rewards from all the heavens.

Since learning that His Highness Prince Ni was to take up a post in the Heavenly Punishment Bureau, an organization that was almost invisible.

Finally, it was remembered by people again and quickly became one of the focal points of attention in the government and among the public.

In fact, Prince Ni's popularity in Daxia is currently surpassing that of many other princes.

Since he lost his eligibility for a higher position, the question that people should be concerned about is whether he is simply giving up or preparing to change the Heavenly Punishment Division.

Whether in romantic settings, restaurants, or on the street, you'll often see people discussing this issue.

"I believe that King Ren will definitely find a way to change the Heavenly Punishment Bureau. This is his foundation in the court. Although he doesn't have the qualifications to rise to power, who would give up power?"

"I agree with your point of view. After all, His Majesty's choice of the Heavenly Punishment Division has its reasons."

『...』

Various speculations arose, and even high-ranking officials and nobles turned some of their attention to the Heavenly Punishment Division.

But no one expected that, just as people were waiting and watching Xia Zhaoyan's next move...

The entire Prince Ren's residence remained completely silent, and for several days in a row, Prince Ren was not seen leaving the residence.

This disappointed most people, who secretly thought they had guessed wrong.

Niou has completely given up!

When the sun rose again, Xia Zhaoyan ended his cultivation.

Having experienced their current strength, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Why..."

"In the end, I am still not as good as my other brothers. It seems that it will take me at least several months to break through to the Blood Exchange Perfection stage."

Even after being crowned king, with all resources significantly more abundant than before.

"Hongyang!"

A figure appeared silently in front of Xia Zhaoyan.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Xia Zhaoyan got up slowly and went to the pavilion in the backyard.

"What's everyone talking about these past few days? Is there any news about me?"

Hongyang was the centurion of the hundred guards. These days, Xia Zhaoyan had arranged for these men to stay in the backyard of the mansion.

In a short period of time, it is unlikely that anyone will notice.

"Your Highness, as you predicted, everyone has been concerned about your next move."

"But they didn't expect that Your Highness was in no hurry to take up your post."

"People don't care about you anymore."

After listening, Xia Zhaoyan had a faint smile on his face.

I still felt a sense of pride; I had expected this all along.

He didn't want to be the center of attention; he'd rather leave that kind of attention to someone else.

If you want to completely and secretly control the Heavenly Punishment Division, you must never become the center of attention.

These past few days have been enough time for the outside world to shift its focus.

The persona of the "Prince Who Resigns to His Duty" has likely been initially established.

As for whether his father had any other intentions in entrusting the Heavenly Punishment Division to him, none of that mattered to him.

"Now that all eyes are on us, let's head to the Heavenly Punishment Division today!"

When Xia Zhaoyan was heading to the Heavenly Punishment Division, the entire Prince Ren's Mansion sprang into action.

The once lifeless and desolate Prince's mansion was now bustling with activity, with carriages and guards in place, thanks to Eunuch Fan's arrangements.

After getting into the carriage, Xia Zhaoyan waved his hand and lowered the curtain.

Then several unicorns pulled the chariot at breakneck speed, surrounded by fifty cavalry guards.

The Heavenly Punishment Bureau is located in the northeast corner of the inner city, where some of the least powerful government agencies are situated.

Walking on the dedicated official road, this was the first time Xia Zhaoyan had taken a close look at the inner city.

The inner city itself has a small population, and with the addition of various institutional controls, the first impression it gives is one of oppression.

The carriage beneath him was reserved for royal use, and there was no bumpy ride inside.

At the gates of the Heavenly Punishment Division, all the high-ranking officials were already standing there waiting.

"They're here!"

As a sound rang out, everyone saw a carriage speeding towards them from afar.

Everyone bowed respectfully, waiting for the carriage owner to appear.

A slender, white hand gently lifted the carriage curtain, and Xia Zhaoyan appeared before everyone.

Everyone's eyes involuntarily turned to the boy in front of them.

She wore a jade hair crown, with a white hairpin piercing through it.

Two golden hair ribbons, along with a strand of hair hanging down on either side of her temples.

Her long, jet-black hair billowed in the wind behind her.

That noble air is something that ordinary families simply cannot cultivate.

"Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Highness, may Your Highness be well!"

A gentle breeze blew by, ruffling the strands of hair and hair ribbon hanging down Xia Zhaoyan's temples.

"Everyone, please rise!"

Having said that, he stepped forward and personally helped Mu Wenhan, the supervisor of the Heavenly Punishment Bureau, to his feet!

Strictly speaking, this is his current boss.

"Lord Mu, you are too kind to me. You are the Supervisor, how can you bow to me!"

"Your Highness is too kind. Even if I am the Supervisor, I am still a subject of the Great Xia Dynasty." Mu Wenhan smiled, his weathered face revealing no trace of hypocrisy.

A glint flashed in Xia Zhaoyan's eyes; this old man was quite interesting.

It seems that taking control of the Heavenly Punishment Division is going more smoothly than I expected.

Mu Wenhan's words conveyed a clear meaning: from now on, the Heavenly Punishment Division will be officially under my control, but in private, Your Highness, the Benevolent Prince, will still be in charge.

A very clever old man, no wonder he's a cunning old fox who's been navigating the Great Xia court for nearly a century.

"Gentlemen, let's not gather in front of the gate. Let's all go about our own business."

"From now on, Lord Mu will accompany me."

Some people's eyes dimmed instantly. They had originally wanted to show their faces in front of Niou, but it seems they can only wait for the right opportunity.

As Xia Zhaoyan walked along, he looked around the Heavenly Punishment Bureau with great interest. This declining institution occupied a much larger area than his own royal palace.

In the main hall of the Heavenly Punishment Bureau, only Xia Zhaoyan and Mu Wenhan were present at the moment.

"Is Your Highness quite disappointed?"

The old man gently put down his teacup and suddenly said something thoughtfully.

This surprised Xia Zhaoyan slightly, then he smiled and shook his head.

This lack of explicit expression stirred a huge wave in Mu Wenhan's heart.

Throughout the journey, he had been secretly observing the actions of this benevolent king.

Gradually, he discovered that Niou was not the "playing it off" character that the outside world had been spreading recently.

The glint of light that flashed in his eyes from time to time clearly showed that he had a great interest in the Heavenly Punishment Division.

And his actions just now perfectly confirmed his guess.

This Prince Ren is unwilling to be a king who just gives up.

Mu Wenhan never doubted his own judgment. For decades, he was a minister in the court, but due to his defeat in a political struggle, he became the supervisor of the Heavenly Punishment Bureau.

He has met too many people in his life, and some people can tell what kind of person someone is just by looking into their eyes.

"Your Highness, the Heavenly Punishment Division's potential resurgence is comparable to the Great Xia Dynasty's ability to survive the Epochal Calamity!"

From ancient times to the present, ever since the concept of Heaven's Way began to reap the benefits of all living beings.

Most forces will be unable to survive the epochal calamity. Without the support of their middle and upper-level powerhouses, they will soon disappear from the world.

Even the oldest powers on the mainland have only survived three to five times.

Even so, each time, the strongest members of the force either fall or are reincarnated, leaving only a handful of people to maintain the declining power.

As for the Great Xia Dynasty, everyone knew that it simply did not have the strength to overcome this disaster.

Only ten thousand years remain until this epochal catastrophe.

Xia Zhaoyan wasn't surprised at all; he didn't have the energy to care about the Heavenly Harvest right now.

I thought the old man had discovered my desire to seize the throne, but it turns out he just realized I wanted to restore the Heavenly Punishment Bureau to its former glory.

Thankfully, it gave him a good scare!