If I, a death row inmate, am not to become a demon, am I to become a member of the Imperial Guard?

The wheels rolled over the bluestone slabs.

Clunk, clunk.

We've arrived in the capital.

The air was devoid of the pungent smell of the grasslands and the bloody stench of the riverbank. Only a mixture of perfume, dust, and damp moss remained. Zhou Yang lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked out the window. The streets were wide, teeming with people. The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, horses' hooves, and children's cries mingled together.

It's very lively here.

It's also very noisy.

Qin Shuang sat opposite him, tending to the wound on her arm. It was a wound left by Batel; it wasn't deep, but it was still bleeding. She wrapped it tightly with strips of white cloth, her fingers steady without a tremor.

"Does it hurt?" Zhou Yang asked.

"It doesn't hurt," Qin Shuang said without looking up. "I'm used to it."

Zhou Yang looked at her. Her face was still pale, and her lips were almost bloodless. From the grasslands to the capital, she had traveled a long way and had barely slept.

He reached into his pocket, took out a small porcelain bottle, and handed it over.

"Wound medicine. Top quality."

Qin Shuang paused, then looked up. She gazed at Zhou Yang, her eyes holding something she couldn't quite explain. She took the porcelain bottle, her fingertips brushing against his. A fleeting warmth.

She didn't speak, but silently unwrapped the bandages she had just put on and sprinkled the medicinal powder onto the wound. The powder was very fine, and it stung intensely when it touched the wound. Qin Shuang's brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"Between you and me, we don't need this," Zhou Yang said.

He lowered the carriage curtain, shutting out the noise from outside. The carriage fell silent instantly, with only the two of them breathing evenly.

"Qin Shuang," Zhou Yang suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

"Once we're in the palace, no matter what happens, don't act impulsively," Zhou Yang said, looking at her. "The pools of power in the capital are deeper than we imagine. If you jump in, you might not be able to swim back up."

Qin Shuang finished wrapping the last strip of cloth and tied a knot. She raised her head, her gaze calm.

"I only recognize you," she said.

Zhou Yang laughed. He felt that this woman was sometimes even more ruthless than him.

"Okay." He only said one word.

The car stopped.

A eunuch's shrill voice came from outside: "Qin Shuang, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Zhou Yang, captain, are here to see you—"

……

Fengtian Temple.

It was very quiet.

It was so quiet you could hear everyone's heartbeats.

Zhou Yang stood below the hall, feeling countless gazes piercing him like needles. Some were scrutinizing, some curious, and some hostile. He lowered his head slightly, looking at the tips of his boots. The boots were still covered in the yellow sand of the northern frontier.

He liked this feeling.

He was being watched by everyone.

Then, to their utter surprise...

The emperor sat high on the dragon throne. Zhou Yang dared not look closely, only catching a glimpse of a corner of his bright yellow dragon robe. Beside the emperor stood an old eunuch, holding a whisk in his hand, his back ramrod straight.

"I am aware of the situation in the Northern Frontier," the Emperor said. His voice was not loud, yet it resonated throughout the hall. "Bater rebelled and invaded our borders. Qin Shuang and Zhou Yang fulfilled their mission, slaying the traitor and pacifying the Northern Frontier. This is a great achievement."

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Qin Shuang and Zhou Yang knelt down in unison.

"Rise," the Emperor said. "Qin Shuang has performed many outstanding deeds since joining the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Her contribution in suppressing this rebellion is even more remarkable. I am very pleased."

"It is a subject's duty to share His Majesty's burdens." Qin Shuang's voice was clear and loud.

The emperor hummed in agreement, his gaze seemingly shifting to Zhou Yang.

"Zhou Yang".

"Your subject is here."

"You, a newcomer to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, have already achieved such a remarkable feat. Clearly, you are a capable person." The Emperor's tone was unreadable. "What reward do you wish to request?"

coming.

Zhou Yang's heart sank.

He knew this was a test. To say too much was greed. To say too little was hypocrisy. To say nothing was arrogance.

Before he could speak, an old voice suddenly rang out in the hall.

"Your Majesty! This old minister has something to report!"

Zhou Yang glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and saw an elderly man with white hair and beard. He wore a purple robe and held an ivory tablet. It must be Li Si, the current prime minister.

"Speak," the emperor said.

Li Si stepped forward, bowed to the dragon throne, then suddenly turned around and pointed at Zhou Yang.

"Your Majesty! This man's origins are unknown! His background is unclear! To place him in the court based solely on his merits in one battle is not a blessing for the country!" His voice was loud and carried an unquestionable authority.

Zhou Yang lowered his head, but a slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

really.

"Prime Minister, you are mistaken!" another loud voice rang out.

A burly man in armor stepped forward. He was General Chen Wu, the Grand General Who Guards the Nation. He exuded a strong aura of menace, clearly having just returned from the border.

"General Zhou Yang's killing of Batel is a genuine military achievement! The people of the northern frontier are all grateful to him! Why shouldn't such a meritorious official be rewarded?"

Li Si sneered, "General Chen, I only have one question: what is Zhou Yang's background? Where did he learn his skills? Who was his teacher? The Great Zhou Dynasty selects officials based on their impeccable family background. Does His Majesty dare to employ someone who seems to have sprung from a rock? And do you, General Chen, trust him?"

Chen Wu blushed; he truly couldn't answer.

All he knew was that Zhou Yang was a good fighter.

"Military achievements are the best background!" Chen Wu said, sticking out his neck.

"Absurd!" Li Si waved his sleeve. "His achievements overshadow the emperor, a path to disaster! Your Majesty, this man must not be given important responsibilities! Otherwise, the consequences will be dire!"

"Your Majesty! Now is the time when talent is most needed! We should appoint capable people regardless of their background!"

"Your Majesty! Ancestral rules must not be abolished!"

"Your Majesty! The border is of utmost importance!"

Inside the main hall, the crowd suddenly split into two groups. The civil officials, led by the prime minister, spoke vehemently. The military officials, led by the general, argued their case logically.

It was noisy and bustling, like a vegetable market.

Zhou Yang stood in the eye of the storm, but remained silent.

He is waiting.

Waiting for an opportunity.

The emperor did not stop their argument. He sat quietly on the dragon throne, as if watching a play. After a long while, he coughed softly.

The hall fell silent instantly.

"Enough," the emperor said. "Zhou Yang's merits must be rewarded. Zhou Yang's suspicions must be investigated."

He paused.

"I hereby appoint you as a Dragon Cavalry Captain, a fourth-rank military officer. You will not hold any official position for the time being, and will remain in the capital awaiting orders."

Dragon Cavalry Captain.

A prestigious-sounding title, but with no real military power.

What a clever move – a promotion in name only, a demotion in reality.

What a masterful scheme of emperors!

Zhou Yang sneered inwardly. He understood the emperor's meaning. This was both appeasement and a warning. Giving you a title while keeping you out of the capital. Watching you, but also wary of you.

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty." Zhou Yang bowed and accepted the decree.

He behaved with utmost deference, without the slightest hint of dissatisfaction.

Li Si seemed satisfied. He believed his words had worked. Chen Wu, on the other hand, looked regretful and wanted to say something more, but was stopped by a glance from the emperor.

The morning assembly seemed to be coming to an end.

Everyone felt that this matter was over.

Just then.

Zhou Yang straightened up.

"Your Majesty," he said.

The emperor raised his eyelids slightly: "Is there anything else?"

"Your Majesty, I have another matter to report," Zhou Yang said. "This matter concerns the very foundation of our Great Zhou Kingdom."

National origin.

The moment those two words were uttered, everyone in the hall held their breath. Li Si's expression changed instantly.

Zhou Yang ignored everyone's gaze.

He slowly walked to the center of the main hall.

He took something out of his pocket.

It was a letter.

The envelope was already crumpled, and the corners were stained with dark brown blood. It was Batel's blood.

"This letter was found on the body of the traitor Batel," Zhou Yang said loudly. "The contents of the letter are related to a prince."

boom!

The entire Fengtian Hall seemed to have been struck by a thunderbolt.

Dead silence.

I couldn't even hear him breathing.

Li Si swayed slightly, staring intently at the letter in Zhou Yang's hand, his eyes seeming to want to kill.

Chen Wu looked stunned for a moment, then became extremely excited.

The emperor, who sat high on the dragon throne, finally straightened his body.

"Bring it here." The emperor's voice trembled slightly.

The young eunuch scrambled down the steps, took the letter from Zhou Yang, held it with both hands, raised it high above his head, and presented it to the emperor.

The emperor accepted the letter.

His fingers were somewhat white.

He opened the envelope.

Pull out the letter inside.

The letter was written on thin paper in Mongolian. But next to it, someone had translated it with a vermilion pen.

The emperor's eyes scanned the text from top to bottom, word by word.

His face, initially filled with doubt, turned ashen. From ashen, it turned deathly pale.

Finally, he clenched his fist tightly.

The thin sheet of paper was crumpled into a ball in his hand.

Inside the main hall, you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone was looking at the emperor.

Looking at that face, contorted with extreme rage.

Zhou Yang lowered his head, a cold smile playing on his lips.

The storm in the capital.

This is just the beginning. And he has already thrown in the first stone.

The letter paper was thin, and the translated content was even shorter.

There are only three lines.

Khan Canglang promised that if the Third Prince helped him march south, he would willingly become a vassal and pay tribute annually. In return, the Third Prince would have to eliminate the Crown Prince within the year and install a young ruler to maintain control.

The seal at the bottom is the private seal of the Third Prince.

The main hall was very quiet.

The Third Prince spoke first: "Father, please be wise! This is a forgery! Your subject has never exchanged any letters with Canglang!"

His voice was trembling.

The emperor remained silent.

The Third Prince then pointed at Zhou Yang: "This man! This man must have been instructed by someone to forge letters and frame the prince! If Father doesn't believe me, he can have someone examine the paper and the ink!"

"Inspect?"

Zhou Yang chuckled.

"The Third Prince secretly met with the Canglang envoy before the palace, as evidenced by photographs. The letter was found in the tent of the Right Wise King of Canglang, and there are Canglang documents to prove it. Your Highness just said 'never'—may I ask what you mean by 'never'? Never colluded? Or never killed to cover it up?

The Third Prince's expression changed drastically.

"You're spouting nonsense!"

That's enough.

The emperor finally spoke.

The sound was very soft.

But no one dared to make a move.

The emperor rose from his dragon throne. He walked down the steps, one by one, until he stood before the third prince.

The third prince knelt and took a step back.

"Father..."

"You have disappointed me greatly."

The emperor bent down and picked up the crumpled letter from the ground.

He stared at the Third Prince for a long time.

Then straighten up.

"Issue the imperial decree. The Third Prince has behaved improperly and is hereby confined to his residence. He is not to leave without an imperial edict. The Embroidered Uniform Guard shall take over the defense of the Third Prince's residence and thoroughly investigate all correspondence within the residence."

These words shocked the entire court.

The Third Prince froze.

"Father! Father! Your son is innocent—"

"Drag it down."

The emperor straightened up and stopped looking at him.

Two Imperial Guards stepped forward and dragged the Third Prince out of the main hall.

The palace gates closed.

The emperor turned around and his gaze fell on Zhou Yang.

"Zhou Yang".

"Your subject is here."

"You've done a great service. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

Zhou Yang did not answer immediately.

He glanced at the Prime Minister first.

The prime minister stood at the head of the civil officials, his face ashen, and he remained silent.

Zhou Yang understood the situation.

"I dare not take credit. I only did what I was supposed to do."

"explain."

The emperor returned to his throne and sat down.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to continue serving you. The Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is short of a commander of a thousand, and I would like to fill that vacancy."

These words sparked another round of discussion in the court.

The Northern Garrison Command was in charge of criminal justice and supervised all officials.

This position wields immense power.

The Prime Minister finally couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, this matter needs further consideration. Zhou Yang is still relatively inexperienced, and it may be difficult for him to gain the respect of the people if he is suddenly placed in such a high position."

The emperor glanced at the prime minister.

"The Prime Minister's words make sense."

He paused for a moment.

"But I remember the Prime Minister said the same thing last time. Back then, I asked you to investigate evidence of the Third Prince's collusion with Canglang, and you said there was none. Now that the evidence is right in front of you, what do you have to say?"

The prime minister's face stiffened.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty knows your crime."

"It's good that you admit your guilt."

The emperor waved his hand.

"Issue the imperial decree. Zhou Yang has rendered meritorious service in pacifying the grasslands and is promoted to Commander of the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a rank of fifth grade. Qin Shuang is promoted to Commander of the Southern Garrison, the same rank as Zhou Yang."

He paused for a moment.

"Both of them obey my commands and need not go through anyone else."

The last sentence is quite meaningful.

Zhou Yang immediately knelt down: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Qin Shuang also stepped forward and knelt beside him.

"Your subject obeys the decree."

The emperor stared at them for a moment.

"Everyone, step back."

"Yes."

The two walked out of the main hall.

The palace doors closed behind him.

The sunlight shone on her face, and Qin Shuang squinted.

She turned to look at Zhou Yang.

"Did it work?"

"It's done."

Zhou Yang let out a breath.

Beizhen Fusi Thousand-Household Commander.

Rank 5.

They were directly under the emperor's command.

He had waited a long time for this step.

Qin Shuang stood up and patted the dust off her knees.

"The Prime Minister will not let this go so easily."

"Of course not."

Zhou Yang smiled.

"But now, he has to find a way to protect himself first. With the Third Prince's downfall, all those who supported him will be purged. The Prime Minister will be the first to be affected."

"Did you plan this all along?"

"It's not exactly scheming."

Zhou Yang shook his head.

"I just did what I was supposed to do."

Qin Shuang glanced at him but didn't say anything more.

The two walked out side by side.

The palace walls are very long.

The sunlight stretched their shadows long.

Zhou Yang suddenly spoke up: "What are your plans next?"

"Go back to the centurion's office first. Hand over the things that need to be handed over."

Qin Shuang paused for a moment.

"Then?"

"Then?"

Zhou Yang repeated it.

He raised his head and looked ahead.

"We'll talk about the rest later."

The sky in the capital is very high.

The clouds are very thin.

The wind swept through the palace walls, carrying a hint of coolness.

Zhou Yang reached out and grasped Qin Shuang's hand.

Her fingers were still a little cold.

But it wasn't pulled open.

The two continued walking like that.

Step by step, we climb towards that higher peak.