Investiture of the Gods: Childhood Sweetheart Daji, Starting with Quasi-Saint Cultivation

King Zhou sneered inwardly.

What do you mean by "the people are too weak"? It's clearly something that has threatened their interests!

"System," he murmured to himself, "Scan the loyalty of the officials who submitted memorials today."

[Ding! Scanning...]

[Target: Fei Zhong]

Loyalty: 45 (Uncertain)

[Current Status: Under the influence of the remnants of the Dongbo Marquis's forces, they are dissatisfied with the new policies]

[Target: You Hun]

Loyalty: 40 (Dangerous)

[Current Status: Secretly in contact with Xiqi, and has accepted bribes from Xiqi]

【Target:……】

A series of scan results made King Zhou's face darken.

Good, very good!

Fei Zhong and You Hun, whom he had personally promoted, were the first to betray him!

And those nobles, outwardly respectful, secretly colluded with Xiqi!

"His Majesty."

Wen Zhong's voice came from behind.

The old minister, entrusted with the care of the young emperor, walked up to the observatory with a solemn expression.

"The Grand Tutor has arrived." King Zhou turned around. "What brings you here?"

"The scouts report that Xiqi is amassing troops on the border, on a scale far exceeding that of the past."

"Jiang Ziya brought back a large number of magical treasures from Kunlun Mountain and distributed them to various armies. The Western Religion also sent more monks, and it is said that a Bodhisattva-level figure was secretly overseeing things."

King Zhou frowned.

"How's Su Yunbai doing?"

"General Su will be heading to the Blood Sea tomorrow to investigate the collusion between the Western Sect and the Blood Sea Ancestor," Wen Zhong said. "Fairy Yunxiao will accompany him."

King Zhou nodded.

With Yunxiao there, there shouldn't be any major safety concerns.

"Your Majesty, this old minister has something to say." Wen Zhong suddenly knelt down.

"Grand Tutor, please rise. Speak frankly."

Wen Zhong remained unmoved and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty is implementing new policies, and this old minister fully supports them. However, with internal and external troubles looming, Your Majesty, perhaps... should postpone them?"

King Zhou looked at him.

"Does the Grand Tutor also think I'm acting too hastily?"

"No."

"I know that the new policies are beneficial to the country and the people. However, the power of the nobility is deeply entrenched. If we push too hard, it may cause unrest. It would be better to proceed slowly and wait until the external threats are quelled before making any changes."

King Zhou remained silent for a moment.

"Grand Tutor, do you know why I'm in such a hurry?"

"This old minister does not know."

"Because I have no time left."

"The great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods is approaching. Xiqi has the support of the Chan Sect and the Western Sect. If I do not quickly strengthen the nation and unite the people, the Shang Dynasty will surely perish when the calamity fully erupts!"

He helped Wen Zhong up.

"Grand Tutor, I know you are doing this for the good of the Shang Dynasty. But in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken."

Looking at the young emperor before him, Wen Zhong suddenly realized that the child he had watched grow up had become a true monarch.

He has courage, a sense of responsibility, and... ruthlessness.

"Your Majesty understands." He bowed. "Whatever Your Majesty decides, I will follow you to the death."

"Very well." King Zhou nodded. "Then please ask the Grand Tutor to do something for me."

"Your Majesty, please give your orders."

"Investigate Fei Zhong and You Hun thoroughly." A cold glint flashed in King Zhou's eyes. "If there is solid evidence, arrest them directly without seeking instructions."

Wen Zhong felt a chill run down his spine.

Is this... a way to make an example of someone?

"yes!"

The next morning, the court session began.

The atmosphere in the Golden Palace was oppressive.

Officials such as Fei Zhong and You Hun stood at the front, looking calm and composed, seemingly certain that King Zhou would compromise.

"If you have something to report, please do so; if not, the court may adjourn," the eunuch announced.

Fei Zhong stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, regarding the matter of postponing the new policies that I proposed yesterday, I wonder if Your Majesty...?"

"I have read it," King Zhou interrupted him. "Minister Fei's concern for the country and its people greatly comforts me."

Fei Zhong was overjoyed.

It seems His Majesty is about to back down!

But King Zhou's next words plunged him into an icy abyss.

"However, before I give my approval, I would like to ask Minister Fei about another matter."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"Last year, the Ministry of Works allocated five million taels of silver for the Yellow River dike repairs. How much was actually spent?"

Fei Zhong's expression changed.

"This... I remember it should be four million eight hundred thousand taels."

"Is that so?" King Zhou sneered. "But I have an account book here that clearly records that the actual expenditure was only three million taels. Where did the remaining two million taels go?"

He took an account book from his sleeve and threw it in front of Fei Zhong.

Fei Zhong picked it up with trembling hands, but after turning just one page, his face turned ashen.

These are top-secret internal ledgers of the Ministry of Works. How did they end up in His Majesty's hands?!

"And you, You Hun," King Zhou said, turning to another man. "Last year, you embezzled 1.5 million taels of silver from the salt and iron monopoly. Is that true?"

Youhun knelt down with a thud.

"Your Majesty! I am innocent!"

"Injustice?" King Zhou took out another stack of letters. "These are your correspondence with the spies from Xiqi. They detail the bribes you received and the secrets of the court you revealed."

You Hun collapsed to the ground.

it's over...

It's all over!

The entire court was in uproar!

No one expected that His Majesty would possess such irrefutable evidence!

"Fei Zhong and You Hun, you two have embezzled from the national treasury and colluded with foreign enemies; your crimes are unforgivable!" King Zhou rose to his feet, his voice like thunder. "Guards!"

The Imperial Guards poured in.

"Throw both of them into the imperial prison, confiscate their property, and exile their entire families!"

"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!"

Amidst cries and wails, the two were dragged away.

King Zhou surveyed his officials.

"Is there anyone else who thinks my new policies are inappropriate?"

No one dared to answer.

"Since there is no such thing, then proceed as planned," King Zhou said calmly. "Anyone who obstructs will be punished for treason!"

"Court adjourned!"

The Imperial Study.

King Zhou sat at his desk, reviewing memorials.

A system notification sounded:

[Ding! Corruption has been eradicated, and the atmosphere in the court has improved!]

[Human Race Luck +5000!]

[Current Luck Points: 14000!]

[Ding! The emperor's imposing aura intimidates all officials, boosting his prestige!]

Human Prestige: 86 → 88!

King Zhou nodded in satisfaction.

Making an example of someone to deter others is a very effective method.

"System, exchange for the second level of the 'Human Emperor Scripture'."

[Ding! 8000 Luck Points consumed to exchange for the "Human Emperor Scripture" (Second Layer)!]

[Current Luck Points: 6000!]

More profound techniques flooded into his mind.

The second level of the Human Emperor Scripture has already touched upon the method of utilizing Qi and destiny.

It can draw upon the luck of the human race to empower oneself and enhance combat power.

It can condense a golden dragon of fortune to protect the body and kill enemies.

Even... one could temporarily resist the oppressive power of a saint by relying on luck!

"Good!" King Zhou's eyes gleamed.

With this method, he was no longer the "mortal emperor" who needed Su Yunbai's protection.

Evening, Tian Ce Mansion.

Su Yunbai and Yunxiao are ready and will set off for the Blood Sea tomorrow.

King Zhou visited incognito.

"Why has Your Majesty come?" Su Yunbai greeted.

"We've come to see you off," King Zhou said. "The journey is fraught with danger; please be careful."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured."

The three of them sat down.

King Zhou looked at Yunxiao and said, "Fairy, thank you for your help this time."

Yunxiao shook his head: "It's my duty."

She paused.

"I have heard about what happened in court today, Your Majesty. Your swift and decisive actions deterred the villains; you did a very good job."

King Zhou smiled bitterly.

"I apologize for making this a laughingstock of you, Fairy. I would not have done this if I hadn't been forced by circumstances."

"In times of chaos, harsh measures are necessary."

"However, Your Majesty should be aware that although the noble forces are temporarily dormant, resentment has arisen, and there is a risk of retaliation."

"I know," King Zhou nodded. "That's why I want to ask the fairy for help."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"Your mastery of music is extraordinary; could you perhaps set up the 'Pure Sound Array' in Chaoge?"

"This formation requires no attack; simply purify your mind to prevent being bewitched by evil spirits or incited by nobles."

Yunxiao pondered.

"Yes. I have a set of 'Nine Shao Pure Sound Array' which I have placed in all directions of Chaoge. It can purify evil spirits and bring peace to the people."

"Then I will trouble you, fairy." King Zhou clasped his hands in greeting.

"Your Majesty is too kind."