Chapter 1416: Chapter 1416 - 1401: The Dragon King Attacks

"Xio Family is utterly audacious, daring to touch even my border army! Yu Chao’en, tell me, in the west, how many commanders of border camps are like the Pingyi Border Defense Camp, colluding with the West Patrol Office?"

Inside the Water Essence Hall of Luoyi Imperial City, Ren Venerate Emperor erupted in fury holding the newly received report.

The West Patrol Office actually tried to exonerate Chen Keping, and nearly succeeded.

Chief Eunuch Yu Chao’en bowed deeply, speaking softly, "Please calm your anger, Your Majesty. The Xio Family’s growth in the west has persisted through three reigns. If there was no entanglement with the commanders of the garrisoning western border army, no one would believe it.

However, in recent years, Your Majesty has strengthened the rotation of commanders stationed in the west. While the western border army may have ties to the Xio Family, it is largely due to coercion or temptation by the West Patrol Office. Nevertheless, in the face of major issues, this old servant believes these border commanders can still be trusted!"

Hearing Yu Chao’en’s words, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s anger subsided slightly, "I recall the rotation of western border commanders happens once every 60 years; how many years has it been since the last rotation?"

"In response to Your Majesty, the last rotation of commanders for the western border was thirty-eight years ago."

"Thirty-eight years, and already there are problems. It seems this rotation period is too long! Issue my decree: Chen Keping has colluded deceitfully with the West Patrol Office, misleading the divine ear. To nip trouble in the bud, the Military Department shall rotate commanders across all border garrison armies. The case involving Chen Keping and Chii Jingshan shall be investigated by the authorities."

At this point, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s expression shifted slightly, "For the position of commander of the Pingyi Border Defense Camp, select a general from the Imperial Guard; you know what to do, understand?"

The Chief Eunuch instantly bowed lower, "This old servant understands!"

"Ye Zhen has barely established a foothold over at the West Patrol Office. How could I not offer him some assistance? By the way, has the Military Merit Division confirmed Ye Zhen’s military merits for the last campaign?" Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long asked.

"Your Majesty, the Spirit Shadow has verified, the specific number of merits has been confirmed, there should be no mistake! However...."

Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long raised an eyebrow, "However what?"

"Your Majesty, some of the heads within the Secret Overseer have detected something unusual from several reports concerning Ye Zhen, and this old servant hesitates to speak?" Yu Chao’en said hesitantly.

Upon hearing this, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long was displeased, "You old dog, stop playing these games in front of me, speak quickly if there are doubts!"

"Your Majesty, a year ago when Ye Zhen was employed at Princess Changle Mansion, he was attacked by Blood Spirit Death Soldier. Upon investigation, it was found that Blood Spirit Death Soldier was linked to Duke Tian, Tian Jiayu.

But just days after the assassination attempt on Ye Zhen, Duke Tian, Tian Jiayu’s mansion was struck by disaster, invaded by Blood Demon. His firstborn son, Marquis Songshan Tian Shan was killed, causing an uproar in Luoyi. The Blood Demon disappeared at the residence of Marquis Anling Ji Jia, leading to Ji Jia being stripped of his title!

In this case, Marquis Anling Ji Jia and Duke Tian Tian Jiayu have grudges against Ye Zhen!"

"Additionally, a few days ago, according to reports from the Secret Overseer, Chen Keping attempted to seize military merits from Ye Zhen with the power of his army, nearly succeeding. However, at the moment of success, Blood Demon suddenly emerged, storming Chen Keping’s camp and turning everything upside down, leading to severe charges on him!"

"Days later, Chen Keping forged evidence, and as Ye Zhen went to arrest him, Official Chii Jingshan from the West Patrol arrived at that moment to accuse Ye Zhen of three major crimes, attempting to leverage them to take down Ye Zhen, almost succeeding.

Yet, at the same moment, Blood Demon emerged again, very conveniently breaking Ye Zhen free from the siege, causing a remarkable reversal of the situation! Although each time Blood Demon appeared seemed legitimate and reasonable.

Yet every time, it was related to Ye Zhen, always thwarted Ye Zhen’s opponents, always allowed Ye Zhen to escape his predicament! This seems quite unusual!" Yu Chao’en said slowly.

"Therefore, the heads presume that very likely, Ye Zhen has connections with the Demon Clan, if not, also with this Blood Demon!"

Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long showed no change upon hearing this presumption, "So then, do you suspect Ye Zhen has some connection with the Demon Clan!"

"Your Majesty, Ye Zhen’s actions are extremely audacious. Upon arriving at the County City of North Sea, he immediately detained the Divine Souls of County Captain Tang Biao and Captain Qiao Hong. Secret Overseer investigated privately and found Ye Zhen’s skill in detaining Divine Souls to be very sophisticated.

Hence, the heads suspect with seventy percent certainty, Ye Zhen might possess a Demon Slave! Naturally, he might have other ties with the Demon Clan!"

"Has connections with the Demon Clan? Even dares to use Demon Slaves to frame and harm others, truly bold! Nevertheless, without such boldness, how could he establish himself in the West Patrol Office?"

After reflecting for a moment, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long declared, "This matter doesn’t need further investigation; as long as Ye Zhen continues to contest the West Patrol Office and remains useful to me, even if there are some Demon Slaves or more, what of it?"

"This old servant complies with the decree!"

......

Compared to the atmosphere in the Imperial Palace, the Mansion of the Duke of the Secret Kingdom felt oppressively tense.

In a fit of fury, West Patrol’s Xio Qiangu tore a maid to shreds in front of Weis Gang, evident of his anger.

Such reactions are understandable.

Just days ago, Ye Zhen had disrupted the West Patrol Office, gaining a privilege of five years exempted from orders and summons. Yet within moments, not only did he get the commander of the Pingyi Border Defense Camp removed, but also jeopardized Official Chii Jingshan of the West Patrol Office!

The removal of the commander of the Pingyi Border Defense Camp exposed the relationship with the West Patrol Office. One can imagine, the successor will be meticulously selected, making it difficult to win them over again.

However, this does not harm his foundation.

But with the involvement of the West Patrol Office’s Official Chii Jingshan, it made him extremely furious.

The position of the West Patrol Office’s Official is crucial, not requiring much talent, but one essential point is loyalty, absolute loyalty to their Xio Family!

This point is extremely difficult.

Once Chii Jingshan is removed, he can’t find a suitable candidate for the position for a while.

After venting his anger, Xio Qiangu slowly washed his hands clean in the water basin that Weis Gang brought over, his expression becoming as gloomy as water.

"This time, I underestimated that Ye fellow; I didn’t expect that he still had this move, always having a Demon Clan member to clean up after him. Seems like we know too little about this opponent!" Xio Qiangu said.

"Sir, I have already sent people into the Demon Clan’s territory to investigate that Ye fellow’s background, but as you know, the power over there is limited and this will take time!"

"I understand! However, this time things are getting tricky. If our West Patrol Office gets into trouble, the old Emperor won’t let go easily. This matter concerning Jingshan might be quite troublesome!

And I can’t leave here for the time being. Tonight, you will set out to oversee the major affairs of the West Patrol Office. Remember, your main task in the short term is to guard the West Patrol Office; you must not let any more mistakes occur, as for that Ye scoundrel, in a few days, when I return, I will personally deal with him!"

"Yes, Sir! But, Sir, Official Chii is our staunch supporter, highly knowledgeable of our affairs, if left unchecked..."

Xio Qiangu stood up, his face gloomy, "I understand, I have already sent invitations to several Princes of Political Affairs, just to protect Chii Jingshan!"

.....

The handling speed in Luoyi was extremely fast; barely a day later, when Ye Zhen returned to the County City of North Sea from the Pingyi Border Defense Camp, Luoyi had already issued their verdict on Chen Keping and Chii Jingshan.

The Pingyi Border Defense Camp General Chen Keping deceived the Emperor, punished by beheading and his family was exterminated, the punishment was severe.

Ye Zhen understood the meaning behind this verdict, killing the chicken to scare the monkeys. However, Chii Jingshan’s punishment appeared lacking, which highlighted the capability of the West Patrol’s Xio Qiangu.

During the court meeting, the West Patrol’s Xio Qiangu strongly testified that Chii Jingshan was deceived by the Pingyi Border Defense Camp General Chen Keping, gaining the support of several Princes of Political Affairs, resulting in a charge of negligence, loss of position, a hundred lashes of the Punishment Whip, and a three-year salary penalty!

But ironically, just half a day later, Ye Zhen received a secret report from Junior Director Zhan**** Jin, whom he had installed in the West Patrol Office; the West Patrol’s Official Chii Jingshan was removed from his position, subsequently demoted by West Patrol’s Xio Qiangu.

He succeeded the vacant Directorship position of the Chief of Inner Affairs Bureau, left by the last Interior Director whom Ye Zhen injured.

Moreover, during the briefing aimed at the subordinates of the West Patrol Office, he emphasized that Chii Jingshan simply had a change in title name and still held the duties of the West Patrol Official position.

This result was something Ye Zhen had long anticipated.

If the main backbone within the West Patrol Office were easy to eliminate, the West Patrol Office wouldn’t become a major concern for Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long.

Moreover, this particular incident, especially the one involving the mutual entanglement of the West Patrol Office and the Border Defense Camp, proves that the power of the West Patrol’s Xio Qiangu might be far greater than it appears.

Ye Zhen began to understand where the Ren Venerate Emperor’s dread lay.

"Sir, Spirit Scout Niu Er urgently reports that near North Sea, a large number of Water Demons with extremely formidable Cultivation have landed, merely the Realm King Realm experts number in the hundreds! According to Niu Er’s judgment, the leader should be the Blue-scaled Dragon King of the Green-scaled Dragon Palace!" The Heavenly Patrol Divine General Fengg Jiumo and Liuu Feng hurriedly reported.

"How long until they reach the County City of North Sea?" Ye Zhen asked.

"Two to three days!"

"Urgently monitor, and once the Blue-scaled Dragon King appears within ten thousand miles of the County City of North Sea, report directly to me!" Ye Zhen commanded.

This order left Liuu Feng and Fengg Jiumo dumbfounded, "Sir, that Blue-scaled Dragon King is not ordinary, he is comparable to a Dao Realm master, possessing vast Divine Skills!

Not to mention the hundred plus Realm King Realm beings he brought, even just the Blue-scaled Dragon King alone is beyond what we can deal with! It’s impossible to kill the Blue-scaled Dragon King even if there are a thousand or ten thousand Sky-Breaking Dragon-Slaying Crossbows!" Fengg Jiumo exclaimed.

"So what?" Ye Zhen replied, appearing indifferent.

"Sir, while we still have time, we should seek reinforcements from Luoyi, and from the Ancestor God Temple!" Fengg Jiumo suggested.

"Reinforcements? Will they be useful? The Ancestor God Temple can protect us temporarily, but can it shield us forever?"

"All of you, leave, I have my considerations!" Ye Zhen ordered.

Filled with doubt and uncertainty, Liuu Feng and Fengg Jiumo slowly departed.