The stolen magic is a bit magical

"Grand Commander!" His Majesty exclaimed.

"Chen is here!"

"Sheathe your sword!"

"Yes!"

Grand Commander He Xin slowly sheathed his longsword and stepped back to stand beside His Majesty.

Lin Xiaosu said, "Your Majesty, I do not mean to disrespect you, but merely to remind the Grand Eunuch not to disappoint the late Emperor. I hope Your Majesty will forgive my abruptness."

His Majesty nodded slowly: "Indeed, Father Emperor had a favor to bestow upon us. The Grand Steward's actions were in defiance of Father Emperor's will. It was not inappropriate for Marquis Xueyi to punish him."

The chief steward on the ground trembled all over.

His leg was broken, right in front of His Majesty, and His Majesty actually said there was nothing wrong with it…

Lin Xiaosu said, "When Your Majesty ascended the throne, I was not in the Great Wilderness and received no news. I missed Your Majesty's enthronement ceremony. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

The ministers' hearts pounded...

This statement carries extraordinary significance.

The message being conveyed is that he supports His Majesty's ascension to the throne!
He didn't attend the ceremony, not because he had any ulterior motives, but because he hadn't received the information...

Prime Minister Li Lie suddenly spoke up: "If Marquis Xueyi was not in the Great Wilderness that day, where was he? He didn't even know about His Majesty's enthronement ceremony."

Song Lifu raised his eyes.

Is this old bastard stirring up trouble?
He was unwilling to see Marquis Xueyi reconcile with His Majesty?

Using this sensitive matter to get to the bottom of things, they aim to sever ties between the new emperor and the Marquis of Xueyi.
"At that time, I was still in Cangyuan."

"Cang Yuan?" Li Lie's pupils contracted, and everyone in the hall was shaken...

"Yes, on the first day of the third month, I followed Cangyuan Liuye into Cangyuan. After discussing some matters with the Lord of Cangyuan and the Elder Council, the Seven Heavenly Generals invited me to visit their respective dojos. Time flew by in a daze. Until three hours ago, the Holy Maiden of Cangyuan made a special trip to see me and informed me that the late emperor had passed away and the new emperor had ascended the throne. Only then did I have the Heavenly Generals of Heyuan open the passage and return to the capital as soon as possible."

Everyone's expression changed.

He casually mentioned something that elevated his status to an unprecedented level.

He entered the Azure Abyss to discuss matters with the Abyss Lord and the Elders.

The Seven Heavenly Generals invited him to the Daoist temple.

The Holy Maiden of Cangyuan specially sent him a message.

He Yuantian opened the door for him...

Cangyuan, the "one" who has been on the path of cultivation for ten thousand years.

The birth of any one of them is a VIP of the most powerful forces.

The Thirteen Heavenly Generals of Cangyuan are the administrators of the world.

Each person's status must be higher than that of a king...

Before him, however, were only people vying to invite him...

The pressure was put on Li Lie.

Li Lie took a deep breath: "Does Marquis Xueyi still consider himself a subject of the Great Wilderness?"

Lin Xiaosu turned her gaze to him: "Prime Minister, what you say is so puzzling. If you do not consider yourself a subject of the Great Wilderness, why did you cross the border to return to the capital? If you do not consider yourself a subject of the Great Wilderness, why did you immediately enter the palace to pay homage when His Majesty summoned you?"

"So, Marquis Xueyi is willing to share His Majesty's burdens and relieve the Great Wilderness from its predicament?"

"As a subject of the Great Wilderness, is it not my duty to share His Majesty's burdens and relieve the Great Wilderness from its difficulties?" Lin Xiaosu said.

“Excellent!” Li Lie turned to face His Majesty: “Your Majesty, this old minister believes that Marquis Xueyi is the best candidate to quell the rebellion of the Qingqiu Fox Clan. I request Your Majesty to issue an edict ordering Marquis Xueyi to lead the Zhentian Iron Cavalry to crush Qingqiu!”

The Minister of War stepped forward: "Your Majesty, this old minister believes that Marquis Xueyi is a master strategist and utterly loyal to the dynasty. He is indeed the best candidate to quell the rebellion in Qingqiu. I hereby submit the Prime Minister's suggestion!"

"My lord, second the motion!"

"My lord, second the motion!"

In an instant, among the dozens of people in the hall, apart from Song Lifu standing alone on one side, all the other officials of the second rank and above seconded the motion.

Your Majesty's gaze fell from the distant high platform, lost in thought.

Lin Xiaosu frowned slightly: "I am deeply grateful for the Prime Minister's high regard for me, but... what has happened in Qingqiu?"

"The chaos in Qingqiu began the month after the Marquis left the capital..." the Minister of War explained.

Qingqiu suddenly took action against Zuozhi Lake, completely sealing it off in just one month.

They murdered countless merchants and travelers and expelled local officials.

In this desolate land, how can we tolerate such unbridled behavior from sects?

The imperial court sent an envoy to Qingqiu to negotiate, but the Qingqiu fox clan went berserk and killed the imperial envoy, throwing his body into Zuozhi Lake...

"Lord Su!" The Minister of War stared intently at him: "Tell me, is this sect even worse than the one in Jiangnan that was destroyed by you, Lord Su?"

Lin Xiaosu's eyes shone brightly: "Is there even a question?"

"Should we destroy it?" asked Prime Minister Li Lie.

"Anyone who dares to disrupt the laws of the dynasty shall be exterminated!" Lin Xiaosu said coldly.

"Very well!" Li Lie turned to His Majesty: "Please issue the decree, Your Majesty!"

His Majesty on the high platform slowly turned his gaze to Lin Xiaosu: "Imperial Edict!"

"exist!"

"By imperial decree! Marquis Xueyi is ordered to lead the army of Zhentian Pavilion to annihilate the Qingqiu Fox Clan!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Lin Xiaosu bowed and accepted the order.

"Marquis Xueyi, please begin preparations for battle!" His Majesty said.

"Your humble servant takes his leave!" Lin Xiaosu left the Wenling Hall.

Lin Xiaosu left the Golden Hall and was about to take flight.

A voice entered his mind: "The Marquis has not brought a carriage. How about I escort the Marquis on his way?"

Song Lifu, Minister of Justice.

This was the first thing he said when he met Lin Xiaosu.

"Excellent!" Lin Xiaosu stepped into Song Lifu's carriage.

The carriage slowly drove out of the palace.

Neither of them uttered a word.

When they reached the boundary between Qinglong Avenue and Zhuque Avenue, Song Lifu spoke up: "It's still early, would Your Excellency be interested in taking a stroll by Mirror Lake?"

"It seems I've missed the spring scenery of Mirror Lake this year. Fortunately, there are still late spring flowers blooming on the shores of Mirror Lake. It would be a pleasure to take a stroll there! Lord Song, please!"

"please!"

The carriage turned and sped towards Zhentian Pavilion, stopping at the lakeside.

The two got off the carriage and stood side by side under the shade of a willow tree.

A gentle breeze blows, and the willow branches sway lightly.

The sounds of the wind and music that filled the city suddenly vanished completely.

Vanished with a gentle flick of Lin Xiaosu's finger...

"Lord Song, I have cut off all surveillance, but please feel free to speak your mind!" Lin Xiaosu slowly turned to the side, looking at the haggard-looking Minister of Justice beside her.

Song Lifu sighed deeply: "Many years have passed since we parted from Jiangnan, and things have changed so much lately... Lord Su, do you feel the sense that things have changed and people are no longer the same?"

"Lord Song, your poem is excellent, but unfortunately it's incomplete. How about I complete it for you?" Lin Xiaosu said with a smile.

"Lord Su, please!"

Lin Xiaosu said, "Many years have passed since I left Jiangnan, and things have faded away. Only the Mirror Lake in front of my door remains unchanged in its spring breeze!"

"I admire Lord Su's magnanimity!" Song Lifu sighed. "However, can the spring breeze truly keep the ripples of this Mirror Lake in front of the gate unchanged? The dust has already settled, and the vicissitudes of life are all set in stone!"

"Why has it become a foregone conclusion?" Lin Xiaosu turned her gaze from the distant Zhen Tian Pavilion to Song Lifu's face.

Song Lifu said, "I once had a grand ambition, and I believe you, my lord, share the same aspiration... But alas, it was all just a mirage!"

He didn't explicitly state what his grand ambition was, but both he and Lin Xiaosu understood.

This grand ambition is to jointly assist a wise ruler in ascending the throne and to govern the vast wilderness together.

That wise ruler could only be the former seventh prince, Prince Yun, Hong Yun.

This was the only heir to the throne whom Song Lifu favored.

He was also the person Lin Xiaosu got closest to after entering officialdom.

Unfortunately, he is dead.

The entire Yunwang Mansion was reduced to ashes.

The one sitting at the end of the golden palace was not one they liked.

It could even be said that it was this very emperor who personally extinguished their hopes...

"If Lord Song has such feelings, I believe there is someone else who shares them," Lin Xiaosu said. "How about Lord Song first visits Lord Lei Tianlun, while I go to see the other person first, and then we can meet at the Lei residence for a more in-depth discussion?"

"Whom does Your Excellency wish to see?"

"I am currently at the Zhen Tian Pavilion. As for the task assigned by the court, I must first make an appearance and meet with Li Yafu, the head of the Military Affairs Department."

"Very well! I will head to Lei's residence now." Song Lifu turned and got into the carriage.

His carriage then departed, while another carriage was returning to Zhentian Pavilion from the direction of the palace.

The driver was petite and had a delicate figure.

It was none other than Youying.

Inside the carriage, the curtain was lifted slightly, and Lin Weiyang quietly looked at Lin Xiaosu by the lake through the curtain.

"Do you need to stop the car?" Ghostly voice pierced his ears.

Lin Weiyang gently shook her head.

The carriage passed by, traveling far away until it entered the shadow of Zhentian Pavilion...

"Teacher, I heard about what happened in the Golden Hall today. He actually broke the chief eunuch's leg because of a single sentence. Is that true?" Youying asked softly.

"Yes!"

"Teacher, what... does this mean?"

A smile appeared on Lin Weiyang's face: "Establishing authority and testing! This kid's actions are still as unforgivable as ever."

“Establishing authority, testing…” Youying’s eyes widened: “A subject facing the new emperor, establishing authority plus testing?”

"Normally, establishing authority and testing power should be a tactic commonly used by those sitting at the far end of the imperial court. But he did the opposite, using his position as a subject to test the emperor, and using his rank of third grade to establish authority in the court. It seems absurd and ridiculous, yet he truly did establish that authority." Lin Weiyang sighed with some emotion...

The passing of the late emperor and the ascension of the new emperor—the biggest event in the Great Wilderness—was quite awkward for Lin Xiaosu.

Why?

Because Lin Xiaosu's official position was promoted by the late emperor with lightning speed.

He had a good relationship with the late emperor and Prince Yun.

If the new emperor truly murdered the monarch and usurped the throne, he would certainly be extremely wary of this Marquis Xueyi and would want to get rid of him as soon as possible.

The people of the city could see this clearly. Xueyi Hou was as cunning as a rabbit, how could he not understand?

He could foresee that every step he would take from now on would be fraught with difficulties. What would an ordinary person do? They would simply keep a low profile, relying on their caution and leaving no room for criticism to silence any potential accusations—that's exactly what Song Lifu did.

And what about him?
Instead of doing the opposite, upon entering the Golden Hall, he proactively presented the new emperor and all the court officials with a grand gift of retribution—breaking the chief eunuch's leg in front of His Majesty!

If Your Majesty has the intention to get rid of him, this is the perfect excuse to give Your Majesty. This is the test!

Testing whether the new emperor intended to eliminate him...

Without a backup plan, this would be a foolish path to certain death, but unfortunately he did have one, and that backup plan was a deterrent.

He Xinzhu, the commander of the Imperial Guards, personally intervened and repelled the attacker with a single palm strike.

Even the imperial seal couldn't subdue him.

This means that his combat strength has already surpassed the first realm of Dao Mastery and entered the second realm of Dao Mastery.

Even in the grand imperial palace, the two rulers were not enough to suppress the entire scene and do whatever they wanted. However, he had a backup plan, which was his relationship with Cang Yuan.

He told the assembled officials and His Majesty that he had entered Cangyuan, discussed matters with the Lord of Cangyuan, discussed matters with the elders, that the Seven Heavenly Generals vied to host him, and that the Holy Maiden of Cangyuan had personally delivered a message for him…

Which dynasty would dare to kill someone like that?

The new emperor dares not!

The court officials dared not!

His authority was established simply by daring not to do so.

The new emperor must abandon the idea of ​​dealing with him...

Originally, when the new emperor ascended the throne, countless court officials were sharpening their knives, intending to take action against Xueyi Hou. However, Xueyi Hou, by being slightly unrestrained in the Golden Hall, gained an extremely relaxed environment in return.

Can you say this kid is ignorant?

This is top-notch control!
Lin Weiyang and Youying entered Zhentian Pavilion.

Afterwards, Lin Xiaosu also entered Zhentian Pavilion and went directly to the Military Hall.

During this period, Zhen Tian Pavilion was in chaos.

Because Pavilion Master Lei Tianlun has been chronically ill—can you believe a super expert at the Dao-Holding Realm is ill? However, since he's so seriously ill, everyone exchanged bewildered glances, sensing an impending crisis, and could only reluctantly admit that the Pavilion Master is indeed sick…

In this situation, all the hall masters were at a loss.

Zhentian Pavilion, the pavilion used by the imperial dynasty to suppress the entire world.

But the emperor himself was very wary of Zhentian Pavilion. What were you going to do with these ambitious hall masters who wanted to do great things?
Only sitting in the hall and enjoying tea is the safest option.

The same applies to Li Yafu, the head of the Military Hall.

Besides being uncertain about his own future, he couldn't help but think about the future of his daughter, Shengnan (Kuanglang)...

This girl is not a proper woman and would never have gotten married in her entire life, but she ended up with someone anyway.

The person I followed wasn't exactly a respectable figure.

Whether the snow-clad marquis's snow-clad robes will turn into "blood-stained robes" is something even the fortune tellers of the Zhen Tian Pavilion's Daoist hall can't predict...

Just as he was sipping his third cup of tea that day, still feeling unsettled, the doorman came to report: "Master, Marquis Xueyi has come to visit!"

Li Yafu suddenly stood up: "Marquis Xueyi?"

"Yes, Master!"

"Please!"

As the doorman left, Li Yafu also took three steps toward the door, but in the end, he did not step out of the hall.

He was struggling with something: whether he should keep his distance or get closer to him at this time...

As he hesitated, a figure in white crossed the threshold...

"My Lord!" Li Yafu composed himself, bowed, and paid his respects.

"Master Li!" Lin Xiaosu also bowed in greeting.

"Your Excellency's presence at Zhen Tian Bing Hall is truly a great honor!" Li Yafu said, "Please come inside for tea."

"Please, Master!"

The two entered side by side.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, and a figure appeared.

The newcomer was none other than Mad Wolf, and behind Mad Wolf was another person, Zhang Tao.

Both of them had a blush on their faces.

Zhang Tao was clearly excited, while Kuang Lang, besides being excited, also seemed a little shy...

He is back!

As soon as she returned, she went straight to her father.

How can you not feel ashamed of this girl who has lost her chastity before marriage?

"My lord!" Mad Wolf composed himself, suppressing his panic and shyness, and gave a military salute, just as he always had.

"My lord!" Zhang Tao also came over: "My lord, you're finally back..."

His voice was filled with excitement.

"Come in, all of you!" Lin Xiaosu said. "Let's talk about the imperial decree I just received."

Imperial edict...

The expressions on the faces of the three people simultaneously froze.

“My lord, please!” Li Yafu said.

The four of them entered the inner hall at the same time.

With a wave of her hand, several maids left the room. Lin Xiaosu flicked her finger, and a drop of tea flew up, setting up a blockade.

"I just entered the Golden Hall and received an imperial edict," Lin Xiaosu said. "It orders me to lead the Zhen Tian Pavilion army to wipe out the Qingqiu clan!"

"Qingqiu?" Mad Wolf exclaimed softly.

Zhang Tao's expression also changed slightly.

They both knew that among the people who went to Jiangnan that day, Fufu was the seventh princess of Qingqiu, and that's how their master became associated with Qingqiu.

However, now the new emperor intends to launch an attack on Qingqiu, and the person leading the army has been identified as this Marquis.

Regardless of the meaning, the key point is that this is a difficult problem!
Li Yafu pondered, "Qingqiu's recent actions have indeed been quite out of line. They suddenly mobilized a large number of elders and elites to blockade Zuozhi Lake, effectively eliminating Zuozhi within a thousand miles of the lake. If this were a matter of the martial world, it wouldn't have affected the imperial court. However, the imperial court sent an envoy to Qingqiu, and Qingqiu actually killed the imperial envoy. The conflict is now irreconcilable. Sending troops is in accordance with the laws of the court, but I still didn't expect that the Marquis would personally eliminate them."

Zhang Tao said, "The imperial edict orders the Marquis to take action. I have thought of that. Qingqiu is an ancient clan with many members at the realm of 'Zhijing'. Ordinary commanders and soldiers would find it difficult to win. Only the Marquis can win in one battle. However, Fufu is the seventh princess of Qingqiu. The Marquis's relationship with Qingqiu is known to all. This imperial edict is asking the impossible."

Lin Xiaosu said, "The decision to blockade the Left Guard in Qingqiu was originally a suggestion I made to the Qingqiu clan chief."

Everyone was shocked...

“My lord, you…” Zhang Tao’s voice trembled.

Lin Xiaosu said, "Why is Zuozhi Lake called Zuozhi Lake? It's because for thousands of years, the entire lake surface and shoreline have been controlled by the Heart Dao and Heart Gate. I had Qingqiu suppress it to restore a clear sky to that land! What crime has it committed?"

"My lord, did you... did you mention this to His Majesty in person in the Golden Hall?" Li Yafu's face was ashen.

Lin Xiaosu slowly shook his head: "The late emperor passed away, and the princes died from poisoning. Although it was the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect that did it, the mastermind behind it was the second-in-command of the Heart Path, 'Tianyan Half-Dao Master'! The new emperor sitting on the Golden Hall is a puppet of the Heart Path. Apart from Song Lifu and Pavilion Master Lei, the prime minister and all the court officials are accomplices of the Heart Path. Hall Master Li, do you think it's necessary for me to waste my breath on them in the Golden Hall?"

There was deathly silence in the field.

Everyone's expression shifted dramatically...

Before Lin Xiaosu revealed this secret, everyone actually had their own internal account.

Everyone guessed this level.

But no one dared to say it.

Now he's said it.

Furthermore, it revealed the person behind the scenes.

"My lord, what... what should we do?" Mad Wolf's voice was very low.

“I’ve told you what to do, and you’ll follow me all the way, right?” Lin Xiaosu said.

"I definitely will!" Mad Wolf turned his gaze to her father: "Father, you will too, right?"

This was a title she had never used in public.

In the past, she would never have called him "father" in front of others.

Li Yafu's gaze was filled with madness as he turned to Zhang Tao.

He knew that Xueyi Hou was his family's son-in-law.

From the perspective of family ties and the greater good, he has already made a plan, but what will Zhang Tao do?
Zhang Tao knelt down with a thud: "This disciple has studied the military arts under the Marquis and has long considered himself a disciple of the Marquis. If Master does not despise me, please accept me as your disciple today!"

This is propaganda.

He didn't follow with empty vows, but chose to become an apprentice!

These days, the master and apprentice relationship is not the ordinary kind; it's like that of father and son!
Lin Xiaosu smiled: "Very good, today, I will accept you as my disciple!"

All three of them felt their hearts pounding...

"To set things right and restore order to the land, today is the day!" Lin Xiaosu said. "The number of us is not enough. Let's go and pay a visit to Pavilion Master Lei!"

Lei Mansion.

The door was closed tightly.

After all, the official public statement was that the head of the household was ill and refused to accept outside guests.

In fact, visitors from outside the family were also refused entry to the Lei residence.

Those in the imperial court have long been shrewd and calculating in officialdom; who can't see the winds blowing in their face?
When the new emperor ascended the throne, Lord Lei fell ill and did not even attend the enthronement ceremony. What a foolish and stubborn old man he is! How could the new emperor tolerate him?

What normal person would want to associate with someone like that?
For this reason, the Lei residence has been deserted for more than a month.

Today, Song Lifu came to visit.

Upon hearing that it was this person who had come, Lei Tianlun stopped pretending to be sick, got up, and welcomed the guest inside.

When asked about his purpose, Song Lifu frankly admitted: "This humble official does not know why I have come!"

Lei Tianlun's eyes widened immediately, but Song Lifu's next words were: "Marquis Xueyi asked me to come over first; he will be here shortly."

Lei Tianlun was utterly shocked: "He's back?"

"He just returned three hours ago. His Majesty summoned him urgently, and he already acted recklessly in the Golden Hall..."

As he recounted an unbelievable incident at the Golden Palace, Lei Tianlun's heart pounded...

After speaking, Lei Tianlun turned his gaze to the window and remained motionless.

"Lord Lei, what have you noticed?" Song Lifu took a sip of tea.

"Is this to establish authority, or to test it?" Lei Tianlun sighed softly.

"Perhaps all of these are true, or perhaps there are still mysteries we haven't yet figured out. Let's wait a moment; he should arrive soon..."

About half an hour later, a servant came to report: "Lord Xueyi requests an audience!"

At a signal, Lin Xiaosu, along with Li Yafu, Kuanglang, and Zhang Tao, appeared in the reception room.

After the pleasantries were over, the door was closed, sealing off the entire area.

Lin Xiaosu cut to the chase: "My lords, you may have long suspected that the deaths of the emperor and the princes concealed a sinister plot by the Heart Path and the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect. Now, I, this Marquis, responsibly tell you that your suspicions are correct. Everything was orchestrated by the Heart Path at the behest of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect. The entire court is now under the control of the Heart Path. The new emperor they painstakingly supported is nothing but a lackey of the Heart Path!"

"Do you have any irrefutable evidence?" Lei Tianlun asked, his eyes wide with anger.

“Of course! I’ve planted some spies within the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect. This is detailed information about their plots to murder the kings and their regicide…”

A stack of documents was handed to the three bigwigs.

The fingertips of all three powerful figures trembled slightly. (End of Chapter)