Chapter 1787 - 1772: The War Has Just Begun

"Hahahaha...."

Within the East Arrival Pavilion of the Luoyi Imperial Palace, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long of the Great Zhou laughed heartily, his voice echoing in all directions, as he listened to the answer Chief Eunuch Yu Chaoen had just brought back.

"I was saying, how could this young kid possibly find traces of the Demon Clan’s army that even the Void Hunting King couldn’t find? Turns out, it was all a sham.

However, this sham was constructed brilliantly, done exceedingly well!"

"But, on the other hand, this young fellow is still considered honest, knowing to truthfully confess to me; it wasn’t in vain that I cultivated him time and again."

Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long looked at the Jade Scroll in his hand, laughing jovially, which inexplicably baffled Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu.

He truly didn’t understand how Ye Zhen managed this, even pulling off a sham that made Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long laugh so heartily.

Thus, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu was very curious.

However, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu was also very clear that with his identity and position, the more curious he was, the sooner he would die. If the emperor wanted him to know, he would naturally let him know.

If the emperor did not want him to know, and he tried every method to find the answer, then death was not far away.

Fortunately, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long somewhat trusted Wu Yu.

"Wu Qing, no need to pretend, I know it’s hard to endure, I’ll let you have a look, but remember, Wu Qing, this matter is for your knowledge only. It must not be documented, and you must not speak of it to others.

If this affair is leaked, I’ll first hold you accountable."

Saying this, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long tossed the Jade Scroll in his hand to Wu Yu.

The latter caught the Jade Scroll, secretly lamenting.

Although he was very curious, after hearing Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s warning, he no longer wanted to know about this affair.

A secret that even Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long would urge caution about must be extraordinary.

If it truly leaked, whether or not it came from Wu Yu, he would still face trouble.

But now, with Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long having spoken, he had no choice but to look.

After just one glance, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu’s expression changed.

"So that’s how it is...."

Now, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu somewhat understood why Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long laughed so heartily after seeing this Jade Scroll.

Because the answer Ye Zhen provided was truthful and reasonable while also explaining the reasons behind Ye Zhen’s connections to the Demon Clan.

Actually, when Ye Zhen faced Chief Eunuch Yu Chaoen and was questioned by Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s Secret Decree, he was also a bit dumbfounded.

They asked how Ye Zhen found the traces of this Demon Clan army.

Why could so many Void Hunting Kings not find it, yet Ye Zhen could find and annihilate it in just half a day?

This question was very sensitive.

If Ye Zhen didn’t answer well, he would lose Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s trust and Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu’s support.

Without Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s trust and Wu Yu’s support, and with the West Patrol Xio Qiangu watching like a hawk, itching to kill Ye Zhen, solving him wouldn’t be far off.

But the problem was, the answer itself was also very sensitive and hard to answer.

Ye Zhen had thought of using the heads of Demon Clan slaves purchased from the Chaotic Sky Island Market to answer Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long.

But after some thought, he decided not to use this answer.

The physique and heads of slaves and warriors are entirely different.

In the end, Ye Zhen chose to answer truthfully.

Honestly answered, but selectively so.

Directly stated that this was obtained from enslaved Demon Clan leaders on that side. As for why Ye Zhen would have enslaved two Demon Clan leaders.

Ye Zhen also answered truthfully. It was from years back when he and Princess Changle were stranded in the Demon Clan territory, taking the opportunity to enslave the two Demon Clan leaders.

At that time, he and Princess Changle survived in the Demon Clan territory by relying on the enslavement of those two Demon Clan leaders and ultimately succeeded in escaping back.

This time, they were used again.

Coincidentally, after Ye Zhen and Princess Changle fled back then, Yu Chaoen questioned Ye Zhen and Princess Changle about the details, and both Ye Zhen and Princess Changle hinted at this event.

Thus, this matter completely aligned.

Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s doubts toward Ye Zhen were thoroughly dispelled, and he trusted Ye Zhen even more.

After all, among the people of Great Zhou, those who dared to frankly admit to enslaving two Demon Clan leaders before him, the emperor, were extremely scarce, one in a million.

Besides, there was also the testimony of Princess Changle.

No wonder Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long laughed heartily.

While Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long laughed heartily, in the Qingzhou Western Patrol Office, West Patrol Xio Qiangu was thundering with rage.

"Still no result?"

"Ye Zhen has completed the military order for a day, and you still have not found out how he completed it?

Useless, a bunch of useless people!"

It must be said Xio Qiangu was rather out of control.

But this was quite normal as well.

Xio Qiangu had waited over five years for this day, calculating and plotting for years, yet hadn’t made a move when the five-year term ended, waiting for the best time.

Six years of scheming, investing over twenty million High Grade Spiritual Stones in astonishing wealth, utilizing numerous manpower, resources, and connections, all to uproot Ye Zhen.

Yet in the end, Ye Zhen acted as if nothing happened, remaining undisturbed, which was indeed abnormal.

Weis Gang also understood his lord’s current mood. After enduring saliva like washing water for half a day, he spoke slowly after Xio Qiangu calmed down.

"Sir, this matter can only be investigated slowly. However, the immediate priority lies in punishing Ye Zhen. Though Ye Zhen completed the Grand Celestial Official’s military order, he was derelict in duty, allowing the Demon Clan army to massacre tens of thousands of Great Zhou people, which is an undeniable fact.

This charge, even if it can’t drive him out of the West Patrol, should at least cause him some heartache, at the very least, incapacitate a trusted subordinate of his, break an arm of his!" Weis Gang said with hatred.

To be honest, Weis Gang now hated Ye Zhen more than Xio Qiangu did.

The inheritance of the Weis Family’s house was gone just like that.

"Cut off an arm of his?"

Xio Qiangu’s eyes filled with hatred, "At present, it’s all we can do! I will immediately reach out to people to impeach him."

....

After overcoming the structured invasion crisis of the Demon Clan army, Ye Zhen’s first act was to lead his subordinates to the town slaughtered by the Demon Clan army to conduct an on-site inspection.

To speak truthfully, Ye Zhen was deeply troubled.

A land of ashes, not a single surviving soul!

Some residents from these towns had gone out for business or visited relative family events, only to return and find their homes destroyed, families gone, and their cries shook the heavens.

For families entirely wiped out, some distant relatives from nearby places came to establish grave markers.

The mourning pavilions stretched for ten miles, as tragic as it could be.

Ye Zhen’s accompanying crew felt a shared sense of melancholy.

"Sir, this Demon Clan army is truly devoid of humanity. If we ever get the chance to step onto the Human-Demon Battlefield, I vow to cut down the Demon Clan and avenge this blood ocean revenge!" said Military Commander Che Ben, his face filled with rage.

Hearing this, Ye Zhen turned back, fixing a gaze upon Military Commander Che Ben, "Is it solely the Demon Clan?"

The crowd was stunned, looking at Ye Zhen, who then slowly said, "The tragedy of this Ten-Mile Mourning Pavilion was caused not only by the Demon Clan but also by the insiders who paved the way for them!"

Everyone’s expression became solemn, for they knew what Ye Zhen was referring to.

"The lord’s right, but currently, we have no method of retaliation," Liuu Feng expressed with a dejected face.

"Who says there isn’t?"

Ye Zhen’s expression turned intense, "Since Xio Qiangu doesn’t follow the rules, then don’t blame me for not adhering to them either!"

Liuu Feng’s expression shifted, hastily asking, "What does the lord mean?"

"Sir, whatever needs to be done, just say the word. I, Gu Tieqi, absolutely will not even bat an eyelid," Gu Tieqi declared, patting his chest.

"You all absolutely can’t make a move, rest assured, I will make sure Xio Qiangu regrets doing this!"

"Heh heh, this is a war, a war initiated by Xio Qiangu’s disregard for rules, and this war has just begun!"

Ye Zhen’s sinister laughter echoed, causing the trusted lieutenants and allies by his side to shiver.

They understood that this retaliation from their Wind Patrol Envoy Ye—was coming.