The moonlight painted the edge of the sky, suspended high above the celestial do.
As night fell, Cangyun City was, as always, a lavish riot of color. The bustling night market drew countless young n and won, as well as tipsy revelers.
Only now, the night in Cangyun City seed tinged with the color of blood. An oppressive atmosphere, as if heralding an impending storm, silently descended over the prosperous city. The streets were filled with more patrols than usual, an unprecedented sight that left outsiders wondering about its cause. If they were patrolling, who were they guarding against?
Everyone knew that the Forr Chief Military Commander, Chen Yang, who had just concluded the national war, was about to return to Cangyun City.
Overnight, all sorts of discussions rolled in like a torrential downpour.
At this mont, Chen Yang had already arrived in Cangyun City. He remained completely detached from the outside world's rumors and gossip, as if the current and impending events had nothing to do with him.
A pot of wine.
A bright moon.
A rattan chair that offered complete relaxation.
Within the Mountains Rivers Villa, Chen Yang lay on the rattan chair and asked Yang Hu, who stood beside him, "Have you found Luo Yunhai's location yet?"
"The Extre Sea Villa," Yang Hu replied.
Chen Yang smiled faintly. "That place again."
"We'll pay a visit tomorrow."
"You got it!"
「The next day.」
After brewing overnight, the public's excitent over the increased patrols and Chen Yang's imminent return to Cangyun City had reached a fever pitch. Amidst this, there was naturally no shortage of speculation about the Falcon Master.
「At nine in the morning.」
A piece of news from the Elders' Court exploded across Cangyun City in an instant. It stated that there was severe infighting within the Hanyun Valley Martial Guard, which had even resulted in an extrely serious bloody incident. To ensure the stability of this ace unit, the newly established Falcon Army had launched an overnight raid to make arrests.
Ning Kun, the bearer of the commander's flag and the main instigator of the turmoil, was stripped of his duties and handed over to the Discipline Inspection Team for investigation.
"I, Tu Huan, have always acted decisively and with keen observation," Tu Huan explained, his words fierce, like those of an impartial, iron-faced judge. "Although the Hanyun Valley Martial Guard has an illustrious record of achievents, if they dare to disrupt military morale, I will not hesitate to make an example of them."
Such official rhetoric fell on deaf ears. Besides, considering the successive controversies stirred up by this newly appointed helmsman of the Elders' Court, it was obvious who his actions were targeting.
This grand display of power, arresting soone so directly... is he flaunting his authority?
Since ancient tis, those whose achievents overshadow their master seldom et a good end.
This was sothing one used to only read about in stories. Is it now about to unfold in reality?
Upon receiving the news, Yang Hu let out a string of curses, his face twisted with rage. "If you've got the guts, co directly at us! What kind of skill does it take to arrest him?!"
"Let's go. To the Discipline Court."
Without another word, Chen Yang changed his plan to visit the Extre Sea Villa.
「At the sa ti.」
「The Discipline Court.」
This seemingly ordinary compound was mockingly called the "Martial Guards' Grave" by those in the Martial Departnt. Once taken inside, almost no one ever left in one piece.
Early this morning, Ning Kun had been taken into custody by the Falcon Army and locked up in the Discipline Court. Ning Kun was one of Chen Yang's n, and it was Tu Huan who had ordered the move against him. As a result, the entire Discipline Court was thrust into an extrely awkward situation.
The atmosphere within the court was incredibly tense.
Su Yan, the Director of the Court and also Su Ling's grandfather, paced back and forth in the courtyard, his brows furrowed tightly. Although he had so personal connection with Chen Yang, he truly could not afford to ddle in this fight between titans.
If Chen Yang cos, do I release the man or not? If I do, it will be a public slap in Tu Huan's face. If I don't... Who is Chen Yang? If I provoke him, the consequences will be unimaginable.
Su Yan was incredibly astute; he saw clearly that Tu Huan had thrown Ning Kun here for the sole purpose of forcing him to choose a side. In this struggle, no one could remain a bystander.
"Director, still worried?" a man in his thirties asked with a smile, handing Su Yan a cup of hot tea.
His na was Jin Ke. He was once Su Yan's deputy before being transferred to a supervisory division as a mid-level core mber. He was slick and worldly, an expert in flattery and skilled at discerning people's thoughts. Su Yan had him transferred precisely because he disliked this shrewd aspect of his personality.
"Director, the situation is already quite clear," Jin Ke said with a smile. "Tu Huan's thods are far more ruthless than Luo Yunhai's, and his background is terrifyingly powerful. His purge is completely unstoppable. On the other hand, there's Chen Yang. His accomplishnts have overshadowed his superiors, and quite a few people want him dead! His reputation is indeed vast, but it's ultimately confined to the common folk."
Su Yan's brows knitted deeper, but he remained silent.
Jin Ke raised his hand and made a slicing gesture across his own neck, his face full of ferocity.
"Heh..." Su Yan, however, just chuckled. He nonchalantly lit a cigarette and said sothing that completely bewildered Jin Ke, "Have you ever t Chen Yang?"
"No," Jin Ke shook his head. "Does that matter?"
Su Yan scoffed. Then again, how could a low-class toady like this ever be qualified to et the exceptionally distinguished Forr Chief Military Commander?
The corners of Jin Ke's mouth twitched. He deeply disliked Su Yan's condescending attitude, but since the man was the Director, he could only maintain a polite and courteous smile.
"When you do et him, you'll realize just how ridiculous your words were," Su Yan said.
Jin Ke nodded, a servile smile plastered on his face. But the scorn and contempt filling his eyes did not escape Su Yan's notice.
So short-sighted, and a weathercock to boot. How could soone like this ever be entrusted with great responsibility?
"Director, the facts are laid bare. Aren't you overthinking this?" Jin Ke asked, his tone humble but laced with unconcealed defiance. "That Chen Yang is a re brute without a place in this vast world. How big of a splash can he possibly make? To be blunt, given his current circumstances, even I, Jin Ke, could point at his nose and teach him to recognize reality and submit obediently."
Su Yan said nothing, rely watching him with a faint, unreadable smile. This not only annoyed Jin Ke but also stoked a fla of anger within him.
Why is this old fool so obstinate?
THUD, THUD, THUD.
Suddenly, a series of heavy footsteps echoed from the front courtyard, punctuated by the grating sound of clashing weapons.
"Hm?" Su Yan's eyebrows shot up. Sensing sothing, he quickly walked over.
The Discipline Court was now on full alert. At the main entrance, two young figures stood as the center of attention. The man walking in front, his hands clasped behind his back, caused all the Martial Guards to tremble nervously, their faces pale.
Logically, this shouldn't be happening. This was the Discipline Court's territory, and they had a significant nurical advantage.
The mont Su Yan's gaze fell upon them, his heart trembled slightly. He's here already?
Beside him, Jin Ke naturally guessed what was happening. A savage grin spread across his face as he waved his hand grandly. "What are you all standing around for? They dared to force their way into the Discipline Court! Apprehend them!" he bellowed. "All of you, together!"
His command was t with a wall of silence.
The Martial Guards either lowered their heads or stared at Chen Yang with complex expressions filled with extre reverence.
"I order you, seize these two imdiately!" Jin Ke's expression contorted as he yelled once more.
Still, no one responded.
Jin Ke was left speechless.
Chen Yang smiled. "Elder Su, it's been a while. You're looking as spry as ever."
"The last ti I saw you, you were the Zhennan Prince," Su Yan replied with a smile, his heart filled with a tide of emotions.
Nearby, Jin Ke's gaze darkened. If I manage to apprehend Chen Yang here today, the Falcon Master will surely appreciate , won't he? From then on, I'll soar to great heights...
Just the thought of it was enough. Jin Ke could no longer contain his excitent and lunged forward, shouting, "I'll say it one last ti! Seize them for right now!"
"Director?" The Commander of the Martial Guards completely ignored Jin Ke, looking at Su Yan with a mixture of hope and apprehension.
"In my heart," Su Yan declared decisively, "he is, and always will be, the Supre Martial Commander. When faced with the Commander, how must you act?"
"Kneel!"
CLANG.
The Commander of the Martial Guards sheathed his sword and imdiately dropped to one knee. "This subordinate pays his respects to the Commander."
"The Martial Guard of the Discipline Court pays respects to the Commander!"
Jin Ke was speechless. He watched, stunned, as every single person before him knelt in perfect unison, their expressions filled with awe and profound respect.
"The Director of the Discipline Court pays his respects to the Commander!" Su Yan raised his right hand high, saluting him with the honor befitting a National Scholar.
"To fail to kneel before the Commander is an offense punishable by death!" The Martial Guard Commander's icy gaze stabbed into Jin Ke like a dagger. "Are you courting death?"
Jin Ke's mind went blank.
This... this... how did things turn out like this?!
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