You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

After a moment of doubt, shouts rose and fell in the hall. Some people looked excited, while others had doubts.

Cai Jing stood respectfully with his head bowed, his face expressionless, but his heart was in turmoil.

Should the tribute of rare stones and flowers be abolished, and the release of ferocious beasts be quelled?

Your Majesty has always been indulging in pleasure, especially in rare stones and flowers, yet today you have taken the initiative to issue an edict to abolish them.

And there were even words of apology in his speech...

This is definitely not His Majesty's usual temperament!

What triggered you at Zui Xing Lou last night?

still is……

What unforeseen events have occurred in the palace that we are unaware of?

I should report this to Master An later...

Gao Qiu stood in the ranks of military officers, staring down at the gold bricks beneath his feet, but a fine layer of sweat seeped from his back.

What is Your Majesty up to?

The Flower and Stone Tribute is His Majesty's favorite, and in the past, who dared to say a word against it?

Those "spiritual objects" are absolutely forbidden to be touched!

Today they actually issued an order to arrest and kill him?

He glanced up and noticed that the emperor on the throne had a solemn and composed demeanor today, a stark contrast to his usual frivolous manner.

Could it be that he listened to the advice of some ignorant and outspoken official and acted on a whim?

still is……

There's a deeper meaning behind this; who is being warned?

At this moment, the eunuch delivering the imperial edict read aloud: "Furthermore, I, the Emperor, personally oversee all affairs of state and am eager to find worthy men."

"We have now found the reclusive genius Mr. Lu Zuo, whose talent surpasses that of heaven and man, whose virtue benefits all, who has the strategy to bring peace to the country and the ability to save the world and protect the people."

"I am delighted, admiring his lofty ideals and embracing his profound wisdom."

"By special decree: I hereby appoint Mr. Lu Zuo as the Grand Preceptor of the Great Song Dynasty, ranking above the Three Dukes, to assist in state affairs and support my personal conduct."

"In addition, the Imperial Preceptor Lu Zuo was appointed to concurrently lead the affairs of the Imperial City Guard, overseeing all matters related to the Imperial City Guard's investigation, interrogation, protection, and ceremonial duties."

"The inner and outer palace guards, as well as the officials in charge of the capital region, are all under his command."

"A proclamation was issued, both domestically and internationally, so that everyone may know."

"So be it!"

ha?

Upon hearing this, Manchu civil and military officials were completely baffled.

Who is Lu Zuo?

How did he suddenly become the Imperial Preceptor?

And he's in charge of such an important government office as the Imperial City Guard?

Who is it?

Where did they come from?

Some people wanted to step forward and advise His Majesty that such an important matter should be discussed with his senior ministers before a decision is made.

But then I thought again, the situation is unclear now, it would be better to wait until I find out Lu Zuo's identity before making any plans...

......

The morning court session lasted for about an hour before all the civil and military officials left the Golden Palace.

As soon as they left the main hall, the officials gathered in small groups to discuss the "Imperial Preceptor Lu Zuo" and speculate about his identity and relationship with the Emperor.

"Lu Zuo?"

"I've never heard of this name before!"

"The position of Imperial Preceptor is extremely prestigious; only a scholar of high moral character and profound knowledge of the universe can hold it."

"How can someone who appeared out of nowhere be entrusted with such a heavy responsibility?"

A nearby imperial censor lowered his voice and said, "It's not just the Imperial Preceptor!"

"What kind of crucial government office is the Imperial City Guard?"

"The task of investigating officials and guarding the palace has now been entrusted to someone of unknown origin..."

"Your Majesty's actions are far too rash!"

Another official in a blue robe leaned closer, looking worried: "I heard that His Majesty went out of the palace incognito yesterday and visited the Drunken Apricot Pavilion at night..."

"Could it be that you met this person in a brothel?"

"If that were truly the case, wouldn't it be child's play!"

"Should we jointly submit a memorial to Your Majesty, urging you to reconsider?"

A slightly younger compiler at the Hanlin Academy shook his head and said, "Perhaps..."

"This person possesses extraordinary skills; is he truly a genius capable of governing the world?"

"Otherwise, why would His Majesty have made such an extraordinary promotion?"

"But the phrase 'compassing heaven and man' is too abstract; one must have some real achievements to convince the public."

Not far away, several men dressed as military officers were also gathered together, talking in hushed tones.

A burly-looking general, arms crossed, said in a deep voice, "The Imperial City Guard has always been defended by our Imperial Guard brothers. Now you're letting someone whose background we don't even know take charge?"

His colleague beside him whispered, "Let's wait and see."

"If this Grand Preceptor Lu is truly capable, then things will naturally be easier to discuss."

"If it's just an empty reputation..."

"Heh, the Imperial City Guard's business isn't so easy to take on."

The crowd was buzzing with discussion, their faces filled with doubt and confusion, but their eyes were all unconsciously glancing at Cai Jing, Gao Qiu, and other important officials walking at the front, as if trying to glean some clues from their expressions.

The bigwigs, however, remained calm and composed, walking with ease, as if they hadn't heard the whispers behind them, making it even more difficult to fathom their true intentions.

……

At dusk, in the lobby of Anjia.

At this moment, Cai Jing knelt on the cold, hard ground, his former dignity as a high-ranking official in the imperial court long gone.

His official hat was tilted slightly, his scarlet official robe was soaked with cold sweat, his shoulders trembled slightly uncontrollably, and he even breathed very softly and slowly, as if afraid of the person in front of him.

tread, tread, tread...

Not far away, An Yunshan, holding a white jade cane, paced back and forth in the hall, his face extremely gloomy: "Lu Zuo..."

"The emperor first ordered Zhuge Zhengwo to establish the Divine Marquis's Mansion, and now he has suddenly appointed a national advisor."

"Could it be...?"

"Did they already realize something and send them to deal with the An family?"

At this point, he turned to Cai Jing and asked, "Don't you know who this Lu Zuo is?"

Cai Jing shook his head: "This is the first time I've heard this name today."

"but……"

"I suspect that Lu Zuo is some country bumpkin who popped up out of nowhere."

"This person may have some skill, but how could he possibly be even a fraction of what you, Master An, possess?"

This isn't a joke, it's a recommendation for the treasure book "Wandering Among the Heavens as a Tyrant, You Don't Understand My Happiness":

"Master An, you have been strategizing for decades. This Lu fellow has no foundation and has suddenly gained power. He is nothing more than water without a source and a tree without roots."

"Before a towering tree like you, Master An, I am nothing but a weed that can be easily pulled out!"

"not to mention……"

"In this city of Bianjing, from the Three Departments and Six Ministries to the Imperial Guards, where is An Jia's informant not present?"

"Even if Lu Zuo had three heads and six arms, once he stepped into the Imperial City Guard, he would be nothing more than a deaf and blind man. How could his every move escape your discerning eyes, sir?"

"If he knows what's good for him, he might be spared."

"If they are ignorant of their own mortality and dare to oppose Master An..."

"That would be courting death!"

snort!

An Yunshan snorted coldly: "Although you are full of bad ideas and only know how to flatter, it is still quite pleasing to listen to you."

"That's right."

"Since the Divine Marquis's Mansion is going to be destroyed anyway, one more Lu Zuo won't make a difference!"

"As long as all the emperor's wings are clipped..."

Boom!

Before An Yunshan could finish speaking, a loud bang echoed from afar, followed by a series of screams that grew louder as they approached.

What happened?

Cai Jing's expression changed slightly. The Divine Marquis's Mansion had come looking for them?

Or is it some fool who's trying to cause trouble here?

Bang!

The heavy nanmu wood door suddenly shattered, sending wood chips flying everywhere!

A tall, imposing figure walked in, sword in hand, followed closely by Ji Yaohua.

An Yunshan's pupils contracted sharply, his grip on the white jade cane tightened abruptly, and he demanded in a stern voice, "Who are you?"

"Ji Yaohua! What are you doing here?!"

Lu Zuo stepped over the threshold, his footsteps landing on the broken pieces of wood, and coldly uttered two words: "Lu Zuo".

"As for your precious son An Shigeng, I have already killed him."

These words were like a thunderclap!

An Yunshan trembled violently, the color draining from his face instantly, turning into a terrifying pale bluish-white. For the first time, his once piercing eyes revealed disbelief, horror, and rage!

His robes fluttered even without wind, and a palpable killing intent swept through the entire hall. His voice trembled with extreme rage: "You..."

"What did you say?!"

Cai Jing, kneeling on the ground, had a face full of terror and absurdity!

Lu Zuo?

Is he Lu Zuo?

He actually stormed the An family's residence?

And...and killed An Shigeng?

really!

Just as Master An had guessed, the Emperor had already realized that the situation was not right and ordered him and Zhuge Zhengwo to deal with the An family together!

This person was able to kill An Shigeng, which shows that he was quite powerful.

Although Master An is powerful, he might still be no match for Zhuge Zhengwo and his combined forces...

Tsk!

While Lu Zuo was pondering, the Demon Blade Thousand Blades in his hand had already pierced An Yunshan's heart meridian, the cold blade protruding from his back.

A single, decisive strike!

The whole process was so fast that An Yunshan didn't even have time to react!

"The three elements have been initially formed..."

"Ha, I overestimated you."

boom!

Lu Zuo kicked An Yunshan's corpse away, then drew his long sword and said, "However..."

"Even if he has just reached the initial stage of the Three Elements, he can still fight me for five or six rounds."

"It's a pity you were distracted by An Shigeng's death."

This scene horrified Cai Jing!

One, one cut?

Master An's martial arts skills are unfathomable. He has dominated the court for decades. Even Zhuge Zhengwu would not dare to claim victory over him lightly...

Lu Zuo actually killed him with a single strike?

Where did Your Majesty find such a wicked spirit?

Although Ji Yaohua stood quietly to the side, her heart was already churning with turbulent waves!

She understood An Yunshan's terror better than Cai Jing; he was a behemoth that could silence the entire martial arts world, a nightmare she had been unable to escape for many years.

That was the true pillar of the An family, its power unfathomable, far surpassing that of its son, An Shigeng!

She originally thought that even if Lu Zuo could win, it would be a thrilling and fierce battle.

But.......

An Yunshan didn't even have a chance to react!

His strength...

Just how far has it come?

Compared to him, I'm probably no different from an ant...

"Kill this treacherous minister."

Lu Zuo gave a brief instruction and then turned and left the hall.

"Yes."

A cold glint flashed in Ji Yaohua's eyes, and with a slight movement, she had already darted to Cai Jing's side like a ghost.

"No!"

Cai Jing, lying on the ground in utter terror, scrambled backward on all fours, his official hat askew, tears streaming down his face, screaming hoarsely, "Grand Preceptor Lu, spare me! Spare me!"

"This old man... no, this humble one is willing to serve the Imperial Preceptor!"

"I know all the secrets of the An family! I..."

Tsk!

With a flash of light and a spurt of blood, Cai Jing's pleas for mercy came to an abrupt halt.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked down at the thin red line on his throat. Then his body went limp, and he collapsed heavily to the ground.

……

At this moment, the An family compound was a scene of bloodshed, with corpses strewn everywhere, all killed by the experts of the Imperial City Guard.

Of course……

And then there are the women under Ji Yaohua's command.

They originally planned to infiltrate the Six Doors with Ji Yaohua, but now they have all become Lu Zuo's subordinates and members of the Imperial City Division.

Upon seeing An Yunshan's dead body in the hall, the women's expressions changed drastically, and they stood frozen in place, their faces filled with horror.

The strength of this new master...

Isn't that a bit too terrifying?