Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 247 Natural Disaster? No, it's Man-Made Catastrophe!

In front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the melodious tolling of bells heralded the end of this grand court assembly, which was rife with undercurrents.

When Empress Wu Zhao's figure disappeared behind the beaded curtain, the officials, who had been suppressing their emotions for so long, seemed to come alive and burst into a buzz of discussion.

Almost everyone's gaze, intentionally or unintentionally, was drawn to the young military officer who held the Dragon-Slaying Blade and stood tall and straight like a pine tree.

Jealousy, surprise, regret, schadenfreude... a complex mix of emotions swirled in the eyes of these high-ranking officials.

"The Imperial Envoy for Disaster Relief in Nanhe County, overseeing all matters, bestowed with the Dragon-Slaying Blade, and granted the authority to act expediently... Hiss, this imperial favor is a bit too grand!" An official gasped, his voice filled with undisguised envy.

"Grand? I think it's more like a death warrant!" A slightly older official next to him sneered. "What kind of state is Nanhe County in now? The land is barren, corpses of the starving are everywhere, disaster victims have turned into bandits, and the local government is rotten to the core. So this job is a pit of fire; whoever goes there will die!"

"That's true, but we can act expediently and report later! What kind of power is this? Since the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Taizu, apart from the generals who expanded the territory, who has ever received such treatment? Therefore, as long as he can come back alive, this merit is enough to make him rise to the top in one step, at least to the rank of a third-grade official!"

"Back alive? Heh, easy for you to say. Didn't you see the faces of Grand Tutor Zhou and Grand Protector Lin? They were as black as the bottom of a pot. You know, they originally went for the Chen siblings today, but Her Majesty the Empress interfered, and not only did they not harm them in the slightest, but Chen Ye gained a huge benefit. Do you think they will let this go?"

"That's true... Nanhe County is far from the capital, and if something unexpected happens on the way, no one can say for sure."

The officials gathered in small groups, whispering and discussing amongst themselves.

Many people felt a strong sense of regret.

If they had known that Her Majesty the Empress attached such importance to the matter of Nanhe County and would offer such generous terms, they should have stepped forward earlier.

After all, that's the power to act expediently!

Even if Nanhe County is a den of dragons and tigers, it's worth taking the risk.

But it's too late to say anything now.

At the front of the civil officials' procession, Grand Tutor Zhou Xuanqing and Grand Protector Lin Hai had faces so gloomy they could almost drip water.

They exchanged a glance, both seeing intense killing intent and resentment in each other's eyes.

Today, their joint attack was a sure thing, a situation where victory was assured. They were prepared to suppress the arrogance of the Imperial Party in one fell swoop and, incidentally, give a warning to the Empress who was increasingly disregarding them, her old ministers.

Who could have imagined that the Empress would use the disaster in Nanhe County as a preemptive strike, not only easily defusing their offensive but also pushing Chen Ye to an unprecedented height.

"We'll see!" Lin Hai spat out the three words through gritted teeth, then flicked his sleeves and walked out of the palace without looking back.

Zhou Xuanqing didn't say anything, but just took a deep look at Chen Ye's back before leaving as well.

On the other side, Grand Tutor Wu Daofu, who had been resting with his eyes closed, had a meaningful smile on his face.

This game of chess is getting more and more interesting.

Chen Ye seemed oblivious to the gazes, both overt and covert, around him. He calmly walked out of Taihe Gate, mounted his horse, and galloped off towards Tinglan Pavilion.

At the same time, the news of his appointment as the Imperial Envoy for Disaster Relief in Nanhe County spread like wildfire throughout Yunzhou City after he left the palace.

Teahouses, taverns, entertainment venues, and streets and alleys—almost everyone was talking about this newly promoted court official.

Some say he achieved early success and has a bright future.

Some say he's courting death and doesn't know what's good for him.

But in any case, the name Chen Ye resounded throughout the city once again today.

……

Tinglanxuan.

The atmosphere inside the mansion was completely different from the hustle and bustle outside; it was so quiet it was almost oppressive.

In the front hall, Chen Ye's father, Chen Fangshi, paced back and forth anxiously with his hands behind his back.

Although he had long since stopped concerning himself with court affairs, he still possessed a keen political sense after living most of his life.

The news from the grand court assembly left him feeling very uneasy and unable to relax.

The title of Imperial Envoy of Nanhe County sounds prestigious, but he knew better than anyone the dangers involved.

Xie Weining sat to the side, her face showing some worry, but compared to Chen Fangshi's anxiety, she appeared much calmer.

Because she trusted her husband.

Just then, a servant's joyful announcement came from outside the door.

"The young master is back!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Chen Ye, dressed in a black official robe and carrying a long brocade box, strode in from outside the door.

His steps were steady and powerful, his face was calm as still water, and his deep eyes showed no ripples, as if he had just attended not a court assembly that would determine his fate, but a routine roll call.

"Wild Child!"

"Husband!"

Chen Fangshi and Xie Weining stood up at the same time and quickly went to greet him.

"Are you...are you alright? Her Majesty...she really wants you to go to Nanhe County?" Chen Fangshi grabbed Chen Ye's arm and asked anxiously.

Chen Ye handed the Dragon-Slaying Blade to the maid behind him, then smiled and nodded, "Father, I'm fine."

"You don't need to worry. This matter is not as dangerous as the rumors say. I have a good grasp of the situation."

Chen Ye didn't explain much about the power struggles in the imperial court, because that would only make his family more worried.

"You...you..." Chen Fangshi looked into his son's unfathomable eyes, a bellyful of words on his lips but he didn't know where to begin. In the end, he could only let out a long sigh, "Never mind, you've grown up and have your own ideas now. As your father, I only hope that you will be careful in everything you do and that you will come back safely."

"I understand," Chen Ye nodded solemnly.

After calming his father down, he turned to Xie Weining and said softly, "Weining, help me prepare some things. This trip is urgent, so I need to start preparing tonight."

"Okay." Xie Weining didn't ask any more questions, but nodded vigorously, her eyes slightly red.

She knew that from this moment on, all she could do for her husband was to take care of everything at home so that he would have no worries.

Just as Chen Ye was about to return to his study to begin planning his trip to Nanhe County in detail, the gatekeeper of the mansion rushed in again.

"Young Master, the young master of the Marquis of Anyuan's mansion and the young master of the Earl of Zhongyong's mansion have arrived."

Soon, two figures rushed into the front hall.

"Brother Chen!"

Hou En and Qian Yi both called out to Chen Ye as soon as they saw him, their faces full of eagerness and excitement.

Instead of their familiar fine clothes, they wore smart short-sleeved outfits and long swords at their waists. They didn't look like guests; they seemed more like they were preparing for a fight.

"What are you doing here...?" Chen Ye looked at the two of them, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

"Brother Chen, we've all heard!" Hou En, an impatient man, spoke first. "You're going to Nanhe County as an imperial envoy, isn't that right?"

Chen Ye nodded.

"Then what are we waiting for!" Hou En slapped his thigh and said excitedly, "Count us in! We'll go with you!"

“That’s right!” Qian Yi nodded heavily. He was more composed than Hou En, but his eyes were burning with the same fire.

“Brother Chen, we made a promise back at Zuiyun Tower: we’d share the good times and the bad! Now that you’re heading to that den of dragons and tigers in Nanhe County, if we two brothers were still hiding in Yunzhou City enjoying our good fortune, what kind of brothers would we be!”

Looking at their faces, which were filled with sincerity and determination, Chen Ye felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He knew that although these two were sons of noble families and seemed carefree on the surface, they actually possessed a strong sense of brotherhood and loyalty.

Since the founding of the Drunken Cloud Society, these two have been his most loyal supporters, unconditionally supporting whatever decisions he makes.

Now, as he was about to head to Nanhe County, they chose to accompany him without hesitation.

This friendship is truly precious.

However, despite being moved, the trip to Nanhe County was no trivial matter, and he could not risk them into danger because of a momentary impulse.

Chen Ye's gaze turned serious, and he asked in a deep voice, "Do you know what the situation is like in Nanhe County now? It's not Yunzhou City. There's no fine wine or beautiful women there. There's only famine, plague, and countless desperate fugitives. If you go there, you might not come back. Aren't you afraid?"

"I'm scared!" Hou En gritted his teeth and admitted frankly, "It would be a lie to say I'm not scared! I haven't even gotten married yet! But I'm even more scared that I'll live such a pathetic life, and when I get old I'll only be able to brag to people about my ancestors' trivial matters, just like my father!"

"Brother Chen, it was you who led us, allowing us illegitimate sons who could never hold our heads high in the family, to live like human beings for the first time! Now, who in Yunzhou City doesn't respect us? And all of this is thanks to you!"

Qian Yi chimed in, "We're just worthless lives, our deaths are nothing to regret! But if we can follow you, Brother Chen, and accomplish something truly earth-shattering, even dying in Nanhe County would be worth it! At least decades from now, people will still say, 'Back then, the two of us were there to quell the great disaster in Nanhe with Imperial Envoy Chen!'"

After saying this, the two of them knelt down on one knee before Chen Ye, clasped their hands in a fist and said, "Please grant our request, Brother Chen!"

Chen Ye remained silent as he looked at the two people kneeling before him.

He could tell they were speaking from the heart.

This wasn't just out of brotherhood, but also a desire to achieve something and prove himself. Therefore, after a moment of contemplation, Chen Ye slowly nodded.

"Alright, since you've made up your minds, then come with me."

"However, let me make this clear first." Chen Ye's tone became unusually stern. "From now on, you are no longer Young Master Hou and Young Master Qian, but two of my personal guards. You must obey my orders unconditionally. Can you do that?"

"We can do it!" Hou En and Qian Yi were overjoyed and shouted in unison.

"Get up." Chen Ye helped them up, a smile on his face. "Go say goodbye to your families, and come find me later."

"Yes!"

The two responded excitedly and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute." Chen Ye called them back. "Tell the brothers of the Drunken Cloud Society to behave themselves after I leave Yunzhou and not to cause any trouble."

"understand!"

After Hou En and Qian Yi left, the front hall fell silent again.

Chen Fangshi looked at Chen Ye, opened his mouth, but in the end just sighed and said nothing.

He knew that his son had grown up and had his own faction and followers, and he could no longer control him as he used to.

"Father, we'll need your help with the Drunken Cloud Society." Chen Ye bowed to Chen Fangshi.

"Go ahead without worry, I'll take care of things at home." Chen Fangshi waved his hand, turned around and walked into the back room, his back view looking somewhat lonely.

Chen Ye watched his father leave before saying to Xie Weining, "Weining, please prepare some high-quality wound medicine and antidote pills for me, as well as some warm clothes. The more the better."

"Okay, I'll go to the warehouse to get it right away," Xie Weining replied.

Grand Master's Mansion.

Inside the study, Wu Daofu was leisurely sipping a cup of freshly brewed tea.

His daughter, Wu Mengwei, sat quietly beside him, grinding ink for him.

"Mengwei," Wu Daofu put down his teacup and slowly asked, "what are your thoughts on what happened in court today?"

Wu Mengwei paused slightly as she ground the ink, and replied softly, "I don't understand politics, but I know that His Majesty values ​​Young Master Chen very much."

"Hehe, it's more than just being valued; it's practically an unparalleled imperial favor," Wu Daofu said with a smile, stroking his beard.

"His Majesty has always acted in a free and unconventional manner! Today's move may seem risky, but it is actually a brilliant move. It not only gave Zhou Xuanqing and his old gang a warning, but also gave Chen Ye, this young man, a chance to show himself. It can be described as killing two birds with one stone. It is truly amazing."

Wu Daofu praised the Empress's methods highly, his words filled with admiration.

But Wu Mengwei didn't listen at all.

Those few words kept repeating in her mind.

Nanhe County is a living hell, a place where one has a slim chance of survival.

The thought of her lover going to such a place made her heart clench, and she even found it difficult to breathe.

"Chen Ye is an exceptional young man in terms of temperament, methods, and courage," Wu Daofu continued. "If this trip to Nanhe County is handled well, his future achievements will be limitless."

"Father." Wu Mengwei finally couldn't help but interrupt her father.

"Huh? What's wrong?" Wu Daofu looked at his daughter with some surprise.

"Is Nanhe County very dangerous?" Wu Mengwei bit her lip, her eyes full of worry.

"There are certainly dangers, but risks and opportunities go hand in hand. If he can overcome this hurdle, the future will be bright."

"But……."

"There's no 'but' about it." Wu Daofu waved his hand. "A man should strive to achieve great things in this world. How can he be afraid of death and content with pleasure?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Mengwei lowered her head and remained silent.

She knew her father was right, but reason was reason, and worry was worry.

She couldn't control her heart.

"Father, I'm not feeling well and would like to go back to rest first," Wu Mengwei said, making an excuse as she stood up.

"Go ahead." Wu Daofu nodded without asking any further questions.

Watching his daughter leave dejectedly, Wu Daofu picked up his teacup, gently blew on it, and his eyes became somewhat profound.

Alas, daughters are gone once they grow up!

Meanwhile, Wu Mengwei returned to her boudoir, dismissed all the maids, and sat alone in front of her dressing table, lost in thought.

A pretty face with tears streaming down its face was reflected in the bronze mirror.

The thought of Chen Ye heading off to a dangerous place made Wu Mengwei's heart ache terribly, and tears uncontrollably streamed down her cheeks, dripping onto the dressing table and spreading out in small circles of water stains.

……

South of Yunzhou City, a tofu workshop.

Yuan Xiao'e kept her head down, diligently stirring the stone mill.

She felt like she was living in a dream these past few days.

My father's illness miraculously disappeared, and the once empty rice jar and bean bag were now full. Even his tofu-making skills seemed to have improved considerably, producing tofu that was white and tender, attracting neighbors to buy it.

Everything was going well, but she still had a lingering sense of unease, as if another person was living inside her body.

Just as she was lost in thought, several women who were buying tofu huddled together, whispering amongst themselves.

"Have you heard? The young master of the Chen family has been appointed by His Majesty as an imperial envoy to provide disaster relief in Nanhe County!"

"My God! I heard that the people of Nanhe County are almost all dead, so hungry that they've started eating each other. Going there is just suicide!"

"Who can argue with that? But that Lord Chen is a formidable figure; he might actually succeed."

Lord Chen…

Upon hearing these three words, Yuan Xiao'e, who was stirring the stone mill, trembled violently and then stopped moving.

The next moment, a completely different aura awakened from the depths of her soul.

Yuan Xiao'e's eyes, which were originally clear but tinged with a hint of confusion, first became empty, and then were replaced by an extreme chill and allure.

It was a gaze that looked down upon all living beings, full of amusement and indifference.

She slowly straightened up, her previously slightly hunched back becoming upright, and her entire demeanor underwent a dramatic transformation in an instant.

If Yuan Xiao'e was a pitiful little white flower before, then at this moment she is a blood-red demonic lotus blooming amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, exuding a deadly allure.

Bai Yingluo has awakened.

"Nanhe County... Imperial Envoy?" She parted her lips slightly, her voice barely audible, yet carrying a chilling aura.

The women who were still talking suddenly felt a chill run down their spines, as if they were being watched by something. They instinctively shut their mouths, hurriedly paid the money, and fled as if they were escaping.

Bai Yingluo ignored them.

Information about Nanhe County was flashing through her mind.

Others may not know, but she, the Holy Maiden of the Nine Nether Sect, knows it all perfectly well.

The natural disaster in Nanhe County was actually a large-scale, man-made disaster!

It was the Wrathful Soul Sect, one of the six sects of the demonic path, that was responsible for this.

The Wrathful Soul Sect needs a massive amount of living souls as materials to forge a magical artifact.

But now that Dachen is peaceful and prosperous, where can we find so many wronged souls?
So they devised this wicked plan.

First, they used a secret method to manipulate the weather, causing a severe drought. Then, they controlled Prefect Li Mu to conceal the disaster and allow the famine to spread. In the end, they turned the entire Nanhe County into a living hell so that they could harvest the materials they needed.

Therefore, Chen Ye was not facing any disaster victims or corrupt officials, but a group of devils who had long lost their humanity, and a death trap that had been carefully set up for a long time!

For some reason, the thought that Chen Ye might die at the hands of those filthy devils stirred up a sense of displeasure in her heart.

It's like having a beautiful toy you've set your sights on, only to have it snatched away and broken by another kid before you've even had a chance to play with it enough.

“My prey is not something that just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can lay a finger on.”

Bai Yingluo stuck out her tongue and gently licked her lips, a flash of crazy possessiveness in her eyes.

(End of this chapter)