Chapter 480: Presenting the Captives

Chapter 480: Presenting the Captives

The next morning, as the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner entered the bureau, he greeted Chu Liang with a smile. "I heard you saved a poisoned city patrol guard last night?"

"To be honest, I wasn't entirely confident," Chu Liang replied modestly. "It just happened that I was there, so I had to give it a try."

"You did well," the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner praised, nodding in approval. "If someone had died within the walls of the Imperial Supervisory Bureau, our reputation would have taken a hit."

When did it become "our" reputation... Chu Liang silently grumbled to himself. I haven't even seen a single penny from you as payment for the work I've done.

Standing beside Chu Liang was Jiang Yuebai, her expression composed. She had just returned from investigating the situation at Black Pine Ridge and now had to report her findings to the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner since she was still officially handling the case on behalf of the bureau.

"This matter..." the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner muttered, his expression darkening as he listened to Jiang Yuebai's account.

The annihilation of a major sect was not a small matter. Incidents of such a heinous nature hadn't been seen in the nine provinces for quite some time.

The last time something like this occurred was over a decade ago, during the Jiang Family's annihilation. When the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner thought about this, he glanced briefly at Jiang Yuebai and chose not to bring it up.

Instead, he said, "This matter is indeed perplexing, and there are still hidden truths that need to be uncovered. Miss Jiang, your swift capture of the key points shows remarkable talent. How would you feel about working with the Imperial Supervisory Bureau for a period in the future?"

Chu Liang smiled upon hearing this. This old man truly never misses a chance to recruit people.

"Let's wait until Chu Liang's matter is resolved first," Jiang Yuebai replied calmly.

"It should be soon," the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner said. "After this incident, the Red River Sect should realize that this case is far from simple. They probably won't hold him responsible anymore. In a few days, even if there are no further developments, he can leave."

That would be great, Chu Liang thought, a flicker of delight crossing his face as he heard the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner's words.

He said, "Sir, having received your teachings these few days, I'm almost reluctant to leave."

"After you’ve represented Mount Shu in the Assembly of Immortal Sects, you’re welcome to stay as long as you wish," the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner replied. "The capital of Yu is far more vibrant than those secluded immortal sects of yours; it's the perfect place for young people to mingle and thrive."

"Indeed," Chu Liang said as he glanced out the window. "I heard quite a commotion early this morning. It’s not a festival, so what could they be bustling about?"

"Tomorrow is the day when the East Sea General presents captives in the capital of Yu. The citizens have been preparing to line the streets for the welcome," the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner explained. "After that, there will be a grand court assembly in the palace, which I will attend. For today, handle the documents from various places. When you are done with them, place them here, and I will review them when I am back."

"..." Chu Liang was inwardly shouting a string of curses, but he still managed to keep a warm smile on his face. He replied calmly, "Alright."

"Don't worry." The Imperial Supervisory Commissioner smiled as well. "I won’t let your efforts these past days go unrewarded. Here, these are for you."

As he spoke, he raised his hand, casting out two beams of light.

Chu Liang and Jiang Yuebai each caught one, revealing two identical pieces of jade in their palms. The jade was smooth and lustrous, warm to the touch, and brimming with spiritual energy—enchanted tools, without a doubt.

"What is this?" Chu Liang asked.

"These two pieces of jade are called the United Hearts Jade," the Commissioner explained. "With these, two people can communicate their thoughts across thousands of li through the domain within the jade. I thought they would make the perfect gift for you two."

"United Hearts Jade..." Jiang Yuebai murmured, her gaze lowering slightly.

Chu Liang, however, casually slipped the jade into his chest pocket and flashed a warm, innocent smile. "This is truly too much... I feel so embarrassed to accept the gift."

...

Once everything was settled, Jiang Yuebai set off to return.

After seeing her off, Chu Liang went back to the office of the Imperial Supervisory Bureau to continue his tasks. Now that he had received some benefits, his attitude toward the work assigned to him had completely changed.

Previously, Imperial Supervisory Commissioner Qi Yingxuan had been more than satisfied with Chu Liang's work efficiency. But now, he was stunned to realize that Chu Liang had only been using half of his potential before. With his current speed, even the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner—who was no stranger to witnessing genius—was left in awe.

"Haha," the Imperial Supervisory Commissioner chuckled. "If you keep honing yourself like this for a while longer, I might as well hand over the position of Imperial Supervisory Commissioner to you."

The few fish it offered in tribute each year were hardly worth the Yu Dynasty’s attention. However, if such an unfavorable precedent went unaddressed, what would happen if other neighboring vassal states decided to follow suit in the future?

Thus, the court dispatched a seventh-realm Eminent One as an envoy to confront and rebuke them. Given how small the Roupu Kingdom was, this so-called "envoy" could strip off his outer robe to reveal the insignia of "General of the Eastern Expedition" beneath if the questioning did not go as the Yu Dynasty hoped. The envoy would become the general leading the army to punish the rebellious Roupu Kingdom.

It wouldn't be difficult for a seventh-realm envoy to destroy this small kingdom.

However, when he arrived, the Roupu Kingdom received him with utmost sincerity and respect.

The Roupu Kingdom subtly pointed out that they were separated from the land of the nine provinces by a vast ocean, yet only a short boat ride away from the Fuyao Kingdom. They hinted that they lived entirely at Fuyao’s mercy, with no choice but to obey its commands. Between the lines, it was more than clear that everything was dictated by the will of the Fuyao Kingdom.

The Yu Dynasty had expected this, but dealing with the Fuyao Kingdom was not as simple as handling the Roupu Kingdom. After all, the Fuyao Kingdom had a formidable military and had the support of Penglai. It was much more challenging to subdue the Fuyao Kingdom.

As for the Roupu Kingdom...

Even if they wiped it out and sent troops to occupy the land, the annual yield of two fish wouldn't be enough to cover the military expenses.

And so, the matter of the Roupu Kingdom was temporarily shelved.

Naturally, the tension between the Yu Dynasty and the Fuyao Kingdom in the East Sea only escalated from that point onward, and it has persisted ever since.

But recently, news of the Demon God's return began to spread like wildfire across the nine provinces and the four seas.

People that lived near the borders of the Western Regions started migrating inland, and countless citizens of the small kingdoms there fled to the Yu Dynasty in search of refuge.

Amid this, chaos erupted within the Yu Dynasty itself. Strange incidents occurred one after another, and the air grew heavy with resentment.

In such troubled times, nothing could divert this brewing discontent and boost the people's morale quite like a war against an external enemy.

At this moment, the small island of Roupu, the sole kingdom among the four seas that was no longer paying tribute to the Yu Dynasty, naturally caught the attention of the imperial court.

The officials within the court exchanged sinister, hee-hee-hee laughter as their eyes turned toward Roupu Kingdom.

When the Roupu Kingdom stopped paying tribute over a decade ago, hardly any of the Yu Dynasty's citizens took notice. After all, the effect on their daily lives was nothing more than a noble’s dining table missing a single fish. Who would care about such a trivial matter?

However, with the court's deliberate propaganda, the matter spread like wildfire within days, as though it had only just occurred. The situation with the Roupu Kingdom was elevated to a direct challenge against the dignity of the Yu Dynasty.

How dare such a tiny speck of a nation act so audaciously?

Amidst public outrage, His Majesty the Emperor made a sweeping decision. With a wave of his hand, he appointed General Wu Anmin as the East Sea General.

With thirty thousand elite soldiers, ten towering ships, and several Eminent Ones under his command, Wu Anmin charged straight toward Roupu Kingdom.

Though the Roupu Kingdom was small, its people responded with surprising tenacity.

Their first move? A swift and decisive wave of surrender. What could the Yu Dynasty possibly do now?

In fact, they had already surrendered long before Wu Anmin and his troops even set foot on their shores.

As the East Sea General approached the borders with his vast army, he was met with an unexpected sight.

There, on the beach, a large crowd of Roupu citizens knelt, led by their king. Each had already packed up their belongings, with a small bundle strapped to their back.

They had even laid out the few pieces of gold, silver, and other valuables on the side, offering them up as travel expenses for the army.

It was as if they were saying, "No need to lift a finger. All the valuables are right here."

They were so well-behaved that it made one's heart ache for them.

Wu Anmin couldn't even bring himself to accept these funds.

You toil under the scorching sun year-round just to sell a few fish. How much could you possibly earn? Just keep it for yourselves, he thought. But you all still have to come with me, he added. The Yu Dynasty needs a grand ceremony of presenting captives to lift public morale. I am sorry for the trouble.