"Dongdong——"

    With each chime of the morning bell echoing through the imperial city, the officials waiting outside entered the Taixi Hall through the white-stone avenue.

    For three centuries, the Empress had been neglecting her official duties. The morning court sessions, which used to be held every ten days, were changed to once a month, and later to once every hundred days. This move was well-received by the officials, as the less time they spent at court, the more rest they could enjoy.

    However, there were many loyal ministers who believed that this neglect of state affairs was detrimental to the empire, and repeatedly submitted petitions against it. Despite their efforts, these petitions were always rejected, and thus the rule of once every hundred days was established as inviolable. Any matter not deemed worthy of breaking this rule would have to be attended to in accordance with it, regardless of its importance.

    Years ago, the Empress vanished from the officials' view with the guise of self-imposed isolation, leaving the imperial power entirely under the control of Longling. Despite this, she adhered strictly to the rule of once every hundred days for court sessions.

    Today happens to be the hundredth day, and the officials entered the Taiji Hall in an orderly manner. With a loud clap of a bullwhip from the grand eunuch, the officials submitted their reports on state affairs as usual; yet their eyes couldn't help but fall upon an unusual figure in the corner of the Hall, who was dressed differently from the officials.

    Donned in a black Zhenwu Sir robe, emblazoned with golden aristocratic and fierce Fenghuang patterns, a crane-blade was suspended from his waist, his hands clasped behind him exuding an aura of indomitable strength. In comparison to the scholars seated in the Hall, he was undeniably an anomaly, one who entered without haste and wielded a sword at his side, embodying an unprecedented honor in the empire. There were but a handful of such distinguished figures — Grand Master Mia Tiannan and the two jiants of the empire. That anomaly among them was none other than one of the empire's two giants, Pei Nanjian.

    As one of the empire's two giants, Pei Nanjian had always guarded the restricted zone, and even after returning from it, he had been lazy to attend court. However, today he completely changed his usual behavior, which couldn't help but make the officials speculate on what could have happened to prompt this respected figure to come to court.

    As the officials reported on their matters, another figure slowly walked over, still entering the Hall without haste and carrying a sword and shoes.

    Grand Master Mia Tiannan.

    The officials were shocked. How could this person also be here? Did it mean that something major was about to happen in the empire?

    Miao Tiannan walked step by step to the front position on the left side of the Hall. As a favorite and powerful figure, he was ranked first among the officials. However, upon seeing the Grand Master arrive, he promptly stepped aside, making way for this honored person to take his place.

    At the main seat of the Hall was a throne with a dragon motif, and a curtain of pearls covered the empty throne. Below, a gold long chair was placed on the next step, where none other than the legendary Dragon Lord Longling sat.

    As Miao Tiannan entered the Hall, Longling, who had been dozing off, slightly opened his eyes and added a trace of respect to his gaze. He said not a word, but all trace of sleep had vanished from him.

    The officials' reports were quickly concluded. Longling gave a glance to the grand eunuch next to him, and with a flick of his whip, the eunuch's harsh voice echoed like thunder, "Any matters to report, speak up. If there is none, return to your posts."

    The officials fell silent as Pei Nanjian leisurely emerged from the right and bowed respectfully, saying, "May it please the Dragon Lord, Nanjian has a matter to report."

    As soon as the words were spoken, Miao Tiannan, who was at the top of the officials, couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly. Since he had learned that Pei Nanjian was coming to court, he had hurriedly rushed here, eager to see what this person intended to do.

    By Miao Tiannan's side, the Minister of the Interior was someone who knew how to read people. Upon noticing that the Grand Master's expression wasn't good, he immediately stepped forward and scolded, "Pei Nanjian, as one of the two great figures of the empire, you are responsible for guarding its security. However, you have disregarded court etiquette by not following protocol and by making a haphazard announcement without reporting it to the cabinet first. What is your intention?"

    Since the Empress had neglected official duties, the cabinet was established in the empire to handle all matters, both large and small. Pei Nanjian's action was clearly a breach of protocol.

    "This is a major matter; it is not inappropriate to bypass the usual protocol."

    Pei Nanjian straightened his posture, staring at the Minister of the Interior with a stern expression, asking in a low voice, "Someone is plotting to kill tens of thousands of people in Lin City. Should this matter be reported directly to the throne without going through the cabinet?"

    Boom——

    As soon as this statement was made, the Hall erupted in chaos. Everyone stared at Pei Nanjian in disbelief, their eyes wide with shock. Killing tens of thousands of people? If that were true, it indeed was a major matter and need not go through the cabinet. It could be reported directly to the throne.

    Once this matter came to light, the hundred-day session would likely have to be brought forward... But, could there be a plan to slaughter the city?

    The Dragon Sky Empire is the number one empire in Qingzhou, and this act would be tantamount to declaring war on the Dragon Sky Empire. Even the backing sect behind the first major sect in Qingzhou would dare not act so audaciously.

    However, as this matter came from Pei Nanjian's mouth, everyone had no choice but to believe it.

    Miao Tiannan raised an eyebrow, his expression slightly changing but he remained silent. The Minister of the Interior was rendered speechless by his retort, and at this moment, he too chose to stay quiet.

    After a moment of thought, Longling on the high platform said, "Who is behind this matter, Nanjian? Have you found out?"

    "There are some leads at the moment."

    Pei Nanjian nodded slightly, "However, to ensure everything goes smoothly, I will need to employ some people..."

    "Let them come in."

    Longling nodded in agreement.

    Pei Nanjian didn't hesitate to shout, "Come in."

    With the words spoken, two people walked into the Taiji Hall from outside, the two who had been waiting outside for a long time: Chen Mo and Sun Qian.

    Chen Mo was known for his low-key behavior, and he followed Sun Qian in without being the one to lead the way. However, as soon as he stepped inside, he felt a bit regretful. It seemed that this guy treated this place like his own home, and he acted rather flamboyantly, greeting people with a smile and a bow.

    "Pleased to meet you, I'm Sun Qian."

    He greeted everyone individually, treating the place as if it were his own, not acting like an outsider at all.

    Chen Mo shook his head in frustration and stepped forward to give him a swift kick in the buttocks, almost sending him flying to the ground. After a moment, Sun Qian turned around with a pout and glared at Chen Mo.

    "What's your problem? Just do what I asked."

    Chen Mo said with an exasperated sigh, while Sun Qian still wanted to continue chatting, after all, more acquaintances mean more connections, but upon seeing the former's gaze, he was scared and ran over to Pei Nanjian's side in a hurry.

    "I'm here, Your Excellency Pei."

    Sun Qian spoke with a serious expression.

    Pei Nanjian nodded slightly, then took out a sandalwood box from his space ring and gently opened it. Lying on top were several blood parasites that were barely breathing.

    Seeing this scene, Miao Tiannan's face changed again, and Pei Nanjian, with his sharp eyes, immediately noticed the other's gaze. Then he said in a low voice: "Does Your Eminence recognize this thing?"

    "Of course, I recognize it as a parasite. However, I am not sure what type it is."

    Miao Tiannan replied calmly and at a leisurely pace.

    Pei Nanjian coldly laughed, then looked up at the throne on the high platform, "Master Longling, this is the thing I captured after I killed the bandits in Lin City. This thing is called a blood parasite, and those bandits were planning to use it to kill the citizens of Lin City..."

    Pei Nanjian told the whole story from beginning to end to everyone present, and after listening, the officials all drew in a sharp breath.

    However, at this moment, someone suddenly spoke up, "May I ask, Mr. Pei, as you said, you have killed all the bandits. How then will you find the mastermind behind it?"

    "This question is well asked."

    Pei Nanjian opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by Sun Qian, who took the lead and stepped forward, excitedly stating, "Now it's time to show you what I'm capable of!"