"Captain Jia!"
Jiang Shengyu and the others greeted the middle-aged man in military uniform before them.
Captain Jia quickly waved his hands. Looking at Jiang Shengyu, he said,
"You must be the Marquis of Tianyue, correct?"
"That's me," Jiang Shengyu nodded.
Captain Jia continued,
"I've already heard from His Lordship Fànxīng about what happened here. The Marquis of Tianyue leading his men to purge evil soul masters—this is an excellent thing! It's just… next time you carry out such an operation, could you inform us beforehand? Otherwise, it's rather hard for us to handle matters on our end."
Hearing Captain Jia's slightly teasing tone, Jiang Shengyu nodded repeatedly.
"My apologies. Speed is of the essence in military matters, so I didn't have time to notify you. Next time we carry out such an operation, we'll be sure to include you!"
"Well… it would be best if there isn't a next time here in Mingdu, wouldn't you say?" Captain Jia blinked awkwardly. "As for His Majesty, I trust the Marquis of Tianyue and His Lordship Fànxīng will have an explanation ready."
As a patrol captain of Mingdu's garrison forces, Jia's rank was not low—but in front of a marquis and a Title Douluo, neither of whom he could afford to offend, he knew better than to meddle too much in such affairs.
"Rest assured, there will be one. My teacher and senior brother have already gone to explain things to His Majesty," Jiang Shengyu said, nodding to ease Captain Jia's worries.
Hearing that, Captain Jia finally breathed a full sigh of relief.
Anyone who knew of Kong Deming's existence would never doubt his standing in the Sun–Moon Empire. With him personally explaining, there was indeed nothing to worry about.
No wonder the Marquis of Tianyue and the Fànxīng Douluo dared to make such a commotion within Mingdu, even bringing out the Starlight Celestial Mirror, a weapon of mass destruction. With the Silvermoon Douluo Kong Deming backing them, it all made sense.
Yes… no wonder.
After sending Captain Jia on his way, Elder Hong turned to Jiang Shengyu.
"Well? Is everything down below taken care of?"
Jiang Shengyu nodded.
"Mm, all handled. And, to make things easier to explain to His Majesty, we've preserved some evidence."
"You little fox—crafty as ever!" Elder Hong chuckled, waving his hand. "Alright then, let's go! You and Na Na will come with me into the palace to see His Majesty. The rest of you, return and rest."
"Alright!" Jiang Shengyu agreed.
Inside the imperial palace, Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen each sat to the left and right of the hall. The emperor sat upon the dragon throne. This was not a formal court assembly, so aside from them, there were only a few attending servants and the emperor's personal guards.
The crown prince, Xu Tianran, had arrived with Jiang Shengyu's group—they'd met in the corridor and entered together.
"The crown prince as well?" the emperor asked when he saw Xu Tianran come in with them.
Xu Tianran nodded.
"Your son heard something had happened in Mingdu and was worried for Father's health, so I came to check."
"I am fine," the emperor said, shaking his head. He waved for Xu Tianran to stand aside, then fixed his sharp, aged gaze on Jiang Shengyu and the others below.
"Tianyue Marquis, you say that place was an evil soul master stronghold. The proof?"
The emperor was not an ambitious ruler, but he was extremely sensitive to anything that might threaten his power. Whether it was the presence of an evil soul master base in Mingdu or Jiang Shengyu's unilateral operation, both had touched his bottom line.
If Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen had not first explained the situation to him, the emperor would not have been questioning Jiang Shengyu so calmly—he would have likely ordered them detained on the spot.
Jiang Shengyu had anticipated this. He motioned for Na Na to take out the evidence they had collected from her storage soul tool and display it.
"Your Majesty may also send people to inspect the site—the traces underground remain."
Looking at the skull in Na Na's hands, still tainted with an aura of evil, the emperor's brows furrowed. Xu Tianran's gaze lingered on Jiang Shengyu, his expression unreadable.
Only after a long moment did the emperor wave his hand.
"I understand. No need to leave these filthy things out—put them away. As Silvermoon and the Hallmaster of Hongchen have already explained the circumstances, I will not pursue the matter of Fànxīng and the Tianyue Marquis deploying a ninth-rank soul tool bombardment inside Mingdu."
Jiang Shengyu immediately signaled Na Na to store the items away, taking the opportunity to flatter:
"Your Majesty is wise!"
"However…"
The emperor's tone shifted as he looked at Jiang Shengyu again.
"That the evil soul masters dared to build their stronghold within Mingdu is truly outrageous! Tianyue Marquis, I authorize you to see that the evil soul masters are completely eradicated from the city!"
He was making Jiang Shengyu the target of the evil soul masters.
From the side, Kong Deming spoke up:
"Shengyu will be going to Shrek Academy for an exchange soon. Your Majesty might wish to assign someone else."
"No matter—he can see to it when he returns. I will prepare certain items for you to use in your operations. That is all; I am feeling tired," the emperor said, waving a hand to end the short audience.
As the emperor departed surrounded by guards, Xu Tianran stepped up to Jiang Shengyu.
"Congratulations, Marquis of Tianyue—destroying an evil soul master stronghold is another great merit for you."
"Purging heretical cults is everyone's duty, Your Highness—no need to praise me," Jiang Shengyu replied with a smile. "I believe that if the Crown Prince knew of such a stronghold here, he too would have cleared it out… am I right, Your Highness?"
Seeing that faint smile on Jiang Shengyu's lips, Xu Tianran was silent for a moment before nodding.
"Of course. I have matters to attend to—so I won't keep you. Farewell."
After Xu Tianran left, Kong Deming came to Jiang Shengyu's side.
"You should have informed the emperor before acting. At the very least, you wouldn't be in such a passive position now, being pushed forward as a target."
"It's fine. Evil soul masters must be eliminated regardless. I've already been marked by their leader—what's a few more coming after me?" Jiang Shengyu said with a shake of his head, clearly unconcerned.
Kong Deming chuckled.
"I'll see that you're outfitted with a few more ninth-rank soul tools. That way, even if an Ultimate Douluo-level evil soul master strikes, you can still escape. Let's go."
"Thanks, Teacher! … Or maybe you could just give me the cash instead?" Jiang Shengyu said with a grin.
"You brat—looking for a beating!" Kong Deming rapped him on the head.
Meanwhile, Xu Tianran returned to the Eastern Palace. Entering his study, he dismissed his attendants, closed the doors, and was left alone.
From a corner shadow, a figure oozed forth like spilled ink, taking shape before him.
"The Marquis of Tianyue's operation—did Your Highness truly have no prior knowledge?" the figure asked.
Xu Tianran's brows furrowed slightly at the tone of the question.
"You think I deliberately kept it from you? I only learned of it just now! That brat Jiang Shengyu—why would he ever go out of his way to report to me?"
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