The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun.

As the elder revealed their misdeeds one by one, the officials' faces turned ashen.

Faced with the facts, they can no longer deny it.

After speaking, the elder turned to look at Jiang Ning.

"Master Jiang, what should we do with these people?"

Jiang Ning said expressionlessly.

"The leader was killed, the rest..."

Upon hearing that he was to be killed, the leading official's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly said...

“Even if you are the Heavenly Venerable personally appointed by His Majesty, you have no right to punish us. I want to see the Emperor in the capital. I want to…”

Bang!

Before he could finish speaking, a bloody hole appeared on the official's forehead.

Jiang Ning withdrew his hand, his face expressionless.

The official collapsed and remained motionless, turning into a corpse.

The other officials were terrified and trembled.

"Take them away and tell the emperor what they have done."

Jiang Ning said expressionlessly.

"Yes."

The disciples from each faction obeyed the order and escorted these people away.

These people no longer dared to cause trouble and obediently allowed themselves to be taken away.

Their matter soon reached Zhu Houzhao's ears.

Not long after, Zhu Houzhao's decree arrived.

Zhu Houzhao's imperial edict was very simple: Jiang Ning was free to deal with the matter. In addition, he gave Jiang Ning an imperial sword, which gave him the power to execute corrupt officials without reporting to the emperor.

Upon learning this news, all the major sects and other martial arts practitioners felt a sense of pride and vindication.

As for the remaining officials, they naturally became obedient and dared not have any more ulterior motives.

At the same time, Zhu Houzhao sent another group of people to assist him. However, these people were not court officials, but members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The leader of them was Luo Ding.

In addition, Zhu Houzhao also brought a large number of titles and honors, such as Yue Buqun being given the title of Taihua Zhenren.

The leaders of the other sects were also awarded titles, which can be seen as the court's affirmation of the righteous path.

Under these circumstances, the leaders of all factions accepted Zhu Houzhao's rewards. After all, Zhu Houzhao was the emperor, the official, and they had to give him face.

In addition to the imperial edict and the bestowed treasures, Luo Ding also brought a letter from Zhu Houzhao, specifically addressed to Jiangning.

"Your Majesty, this is a letter that His Majesty has ordered me to deliver to you."

Luo Ding respectfully presented it with both hands.

"Yes, thank you."

Jiang Ning said as he took it.

Luo Ding was flattered and overwhelmed.

"No, no, I am but a rough and uncouth man. How could I, Your Majesty, be so polite?"

Jiang Ning had mentioned him to Zhu Houzhao back then, which led to his current situation. Luo Ding was already grateful to Jiang Ning, not to mention that Jiang Ning was the Demon-Slaying Celestial Venerable personally appointed by the emperor and held a super-rank position in the court, equivalent to a prince. How could he possibly deserve a word of thanks from Jiang Ning?

Jiang Ning didn't say anything upon seeing this, and then opened the envelope. But after only a moment, Jiang Ning couldn't help but laugh.

Zhu Houzhao's letter is interesting. First, he clarifies that the officials sent earlier were sent by the imperial court. These people are used to being greedy and still want to be greedy after they came here. They deserve their fate.

Zhu Houzhao then wrote a long passage, but the core content of the entire piece can be summarized in just two words.

ask for money.

The terrifying amount of gold and silver in the Demonic Sect's treasury also reached Zhu Houzhao's ears, making him very envious.

In his letter to Jiang Ning, he described the sweeping changes he was making, including training troops and controlling the court. Money was needed for everything, and Zhu Houzhao's expenses were running out.

At the end of the letter, Zhu Houzhao even more confidently stated that his younger brother had a large family business and needed money everywhere, hoping that Jiang Ning, as the older brother, would help him out.

Jiang Ning couldn't help but laugh after reading it.

Luo Ding was also secretly observing Jiang Ning's expression. Seeing Jiang Ning's smile, he was visibly relieved, even though he didn't know what was written in the letter.

After reading the letter, Jiang Ning put it away and said to Luo Ding.

"When you get back, tell His Majesty that I understand."

Luo Ding was puzzled by what he heard, but he didn't say anything and replied respectfully.

"Yes, Tianzun."

Luo Ding hadn't left after he finished speaking, and Jiang Ning looked at him in surprise.

"Is there anything else?"

"His Majesty also has an imperial edict, which I have instructed to deliver to the Heavenly Venerable."

Luo Ding forced a smile.

"what's up?"

Jiang Ning asked.

"His Majesty has issued an edict stating that the court is currently short of manpower and urgently needs talented individuals to serve the court. He requests the Heavenly Venerable's assistance."

Luo Ding said.

Jiang Ning understood.

Zhu Houzhao wanted to invite martial arts masters to serve him and strengthen the court.

But he was afraid that those people wouldn't listen to the imperial court, so he wanted Jiang Ning to help him.

Jiang Ning pondered for a moment, then said.

"I am aware of this matter, but Your Majesty need not worry too much. If necessary, you can explain it directly to the leaders of the various sects."

In fact, after the imperial court and the righteous path joined forces to suppress Ren Woxing last time, the relationship between the two sides eased due to the foundation of the previous cooperation. Although it was only temporary, the major factions were no longer so resistant to the imperial court.

At this critical juncture, it wouldn't be as difficult for Zhu Houzhao to recruit members from various factions as one might imagine.

It could even be said that if other sects are not interested in this, then the Kunlun Sect certainly is.

Chapter 794: But It Begins

"This... I understand."

Luo Ding hesitated for a moment, but still nodded.

The situation became much more stable after that. With Zhu Houzhao's decree, the officials sent from the court lost their arrogant attitude and became very obedient, not daring to do anything underhanded.

With the contents of the Demonic Sect's treasury mostly dealt with, Luo Ding prepared to take his leave, and the officials breathed a sigh of relief.

When Luo Ding left, he took with him three million taels of silver, four hundred thousand taels of gold, and a considerable amount of treasure.

The various factions had no objections to this, after all, the imperial court is the imperial court, and the emperor had recently bestowed titles and rewards upon them. In addition, Jiang Ning was nominally the emperor's sworn brother, so they had to give him face, and they were not exactly at a disadvantage.

It is worth mentioning that after listening to Jiang Ning's words, Luo Ding contacted various sects. Apart from the Hengshan Sect, the Emei and Taishan Sects all expressed their willingness to send their disciples to work in the imperial court, especially the Kunlun Sect.

After meeting with Luo Ding, Zhen Shanzi showed great interest, especially when Luo Ding expressed that Zhu Houzhao was willing to reserve a mountain in the Central Plains for the Kunlun Sect as a base. Zhen Shanzi almost shouted "Your Majesty is wise!" on the spot.

Zhenshanzi immediately said that he would send many of his disciples to the imperial court, and even sent several elder-level experts.

As Jiang Ning had expected, the Kunlun Sect was indeed very interested in this matter. As for the other sects, although they were not as enthusiastic, they still gave the emperor face.

Luo Ding was overjoyed that things went so smoothly.

However, he also knew that the reason these sects cooperated so well was mostly because of Jiang Ning. Without Jiang Ning's identity, even if the emperor himself recruited them, the effect would probably not last long.

As for the thoughts of the various factions, they were very simple. They knew that no matter how much they disliked the imperial court, they had to acknowledge its status. Moreover, Jiang Ning was now the undisputed number one in the world and the emperor's sworn brother. The future of the martial arts world belonged to Jiang Ning.

Now that the Demonic Sect has been completely eradicated, no force will dare to commit evil deeds during the reign of Jiangning. The martial arts world will experience a long period of peace, and they will inevitably have to deal with the imperial court.

Since we'll have to deal with the imperial court anyway, sooner or later, we might as well do it sooner.

In this mutually beneficial arrangement, both sides are relatively satisfied.

Zhenshanzi, in particular, has been beaming with joy lately.

Several more days passed. After the funeral arrangements were completed, the various factions took their leave one after another. Jiang Ning and Huashan factions also embarked on their journey back to Huashan.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, such a flourishing scene in the martial arts world will not reappear for nearly a century.

Meanwhile, news of the righteous forces' conquest of Blackwood Cliff and complete annihilation of the demonic sect had spread throughout the martial world, causing great shock throughout the entire region.

As a powerful and influential sect that has stood in the martial arts world for centuries, the Sun Moon Sect has long been deeply ingrained in the hearts of the martial arts community. They never imagined that one day they would witness the destruction of the sect, but this fact is undeniable, and now cheers are being heard throughout the martial arts world.

Of course, some people have different feelings.

Shaolin.

"Senior brother."

Fang Sheng then went to Fang Zheng's meditation room and said.

"Jiang Ning and the others have returned to Mount Hua."

"Ah."

Fang Zheng nodded without saying anything.

Fang Sheng frowned and said, "Now that the Demonic Sect has been destroyed, the rise of the Huashan Sect is inevitable, and no one can stop it."

Fang Zheng laughed.

"The Huashan Sect has already risen to prominence."

The Huashan Sect had already risen to prominence when Jiang Ning broke through to the Innate Realm. Especially after the Huashan Sword Tournament, it recruited eighteen top-tier experts and hundreds of disciples. The Huashan Sect is now completely different from what it used to be. Even excluding Jiang Ning himself, the overall strength of the Huashan Sect can be said to be unmatched by many sects. Not to mention that the Huashan Sect is the leader of the Weiyi Alliance and is already the number one power in the world.

Fang Sheng was aware of the reality, but he felt unwilling to accept it.