Chapter 804: The Sacred Decree Descends Like Thunder
The Prince of Zhongshan and Tianhai Chengwen were the two highest-ranking individuals present today. They knew the most inside information and had even vaguely heard that someone had seen a black dragon at Gaoyang Town that night. However, due to some extremely complex reasons, they had dismissed it, only now confirming that the owner of the Cinnabar Pill was indeed Chen Changsheng.
Looking back, someone must have been covering up the true events of that night, or rather, misleading them.
In all the world, who could simultaneously deceive both the Prince of the Chen family and the Tianhai clan?
Naturally, it was the Daoist Master Shang Xingzhou, who resided deep within the palace.
So that night was a deadly trap set by Shang Xingzhou for his own student.
Zhu Yening and the Ten Guards were merely blades, or rather, a few pitiful blades of grass beside a surging flood.
But even Shang Xingzhou probably never imagined that his fine student hadn’t died.
Since Chen Changsheng hadn’t died, many people would have to die.
Even if Zhu Yening and the Ten Guards were already dead, they might have to die again, let alone those still alive.
The Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review wore an extremely grim expression. He walked up to An Hua, took the letter with both hands, and said with a trembling voice, “May I ask what decree His Holiness the Pope has issued?”
An Hua said, “His Holiness the Pope stated in the letter that Zhu Yening and the Ten Guards have committed acts tantamount to treason. The specific punishment will be handled by the imperial court.”
Hearing this, the Chief Minister breathed a slight sigh of relief, thinking that dealing with the dead was, after all, simpler.
An Hua continued, “His Holiness also wants me to ask how the Ministry of Military Affairs selects its talents.”
She was merely an ordinary instructor from the Azure Radiance Thirteen Divisions, but at this moment, she was speaking on behalf of His Holiness the Pope.
General Cheng Tao and General Jian Xi came from the two most important military commands of the Great Zhou, representing the military establishment.
Thus, this question was naturally directed at them.
How could Cheng Tao and Jian Xi dare to remain seated? They stood up, bowed their heads slightly, and listened in silent reverence.
An Hua’s gaze swept over the other dignitaries.
Tianhai Chengwen let out a self-deprecating laugh, gripped the armrest of his chair, and slowly stood up, looking exceptionally weary.
The Prince of Zhongshan, as an imperial envoy bearing the emperor’s decree, did not need to rise, but his expression grew several shades more solemn.
“His Holiness said he is very disappointed with the current state of Great Zhou.”
An Hua’s voice remained calm: “From the northern border to the imperial court, from the generals to the noble clans, everything is rotten to the core.”
These words were harsh, their tone lofty.
If an ordinary person said such things, it would be mere grumbling, but coming from His Holiness the Pope, it carried an entirely different weight.
The Prince of Zhongshan and Tianhai Chengwen exchanged glances again, their eyes growing increasingly wary—the Pope certainly had the right to say this; he could even curse everyone except the Emperor himself bloody. But when it came to state affairs, what meaning did such venting have beyond expressing emotion?
In their view, although the Pope was young, he shouldn’t engage in such pointless acts. There must be more to come.
As expected, An Hua shifted her tone and said, “Only the former commander of the Seven Mile Wandering Cavalry, Chen Chou…”
Chen Chou had remained silent all along, tense with anxiety.
He watched An Hua speak calmly before these powerful figures, feeling immense admiration.
He never expected to be mentioned so quickly.
Though he had mentally prepared himself somewhat, his mind still buzzed, and he didn’t catch what An Hua said next.
Outstanding military achievements? Well, he had indeed earned considerable merit with that guy at Seven Mile, but hadn’t the military command suppressed it all?
Loving soldiers like his own children? Sharing his clothes and food with them? Well, he did get along well with his subordinates, but when it came to wine and meat, how could he give them away?
Exemplary virtue? Well, he had indeed violated military discipline to save that young formation master, leaving the Songshan Military Command. But Your Holiness should know best… wasn’t that falling into the enemy’s trap?
Chen Chou finally snapped back to reality, just in time to catch An Hua’s final words.
“His Holiness believes that only soldiers like General Chen Chou can bear the heavy responsibility of defeating the demon race.”
An Hua addressed the dignitaries in the hall.
General Cheng Tao and General Jian Xi’s faces turned extremely ugly. Tianhai Chengwen even showed a look of shock, thinking, “No way?”
He prepared to interrupt An Hua, but it was too late.
An Hua concluded, “His Holiness the Pope believes that General Chen Chou should be promoted to the rank of general and is the best candidate to guard the Songshan Military Command.”
As these words fell, the room fell into utter silence.
It was even quieter than when they had confirmed that the owner of the Cinnabar Pill was Chen Changsheng.
The truth behind the bloody incident on Snow Ridge that night was unimportant to these dignitaries. The Pope’s whereabouts or life and death were not within their reach.
Wasn’t the real purpose of their visit to the Songshan Military Command this position of general?
What did His Holiness the Pope mean? Did he think he could snatch it away with a single sentence?
The Prince of Zhongshan’s expression grew increasingly dark.
Then, that low voice rang out at just the right moment.
At the most critical juncture, it was still the old fox Tianhai Chengwen who spoke.
“Punish the guilty as they deserve, but… even His Holiness the Pope cannot interfere in state affairs, let alone military matters.”
An Hua remained calm, showing no reaction.
She had completed all the tasks His Holiness the Pope had assigned her.
As for how things would develop from here, she didn’t know, but she believed that His Holiness the Pope must have made arrangements, and they would be thorough.
Just as she thought, a commotion arose outside the military command, and then a voice carried in.
“The Li Palace has never interfered in state affairs, but since someone in the imperial court dares to plot against His Holiness the Pope, an explanation must be given.”
“All officers and soldiers of the Songshan Military Command involved in this case must be arrested and handed over to me for interrogation in the capital.”
“Hanqiu City must be sealed off today. Not a single person from the Zhu family or the Peerless Sect is allowed to escape.”
“As for the Tianhai clan, after I return to the capital, I will naturally come to demand the culprits.”
The voice was extremely grim, yet it carried an infinite ferocity, and its words were unyielding to the extreme.
After speaking only four sentences, that person had moved from outside the military command’s gate into the hall.
He wore a blue Daoist robe, exuding an aura of murderous intent.
The Songshan Military Command was heavily guarded, yet no one dared to stop him.
Because he was the King of Linghai, the most ruthless and bloodthirsty of the Li Palace’s Holy Synod Archbishops.
Because Archbishop Anlin and the White Stone Daoist were right beside him.
Because the cold mountains roared like fury, and the sound of hooves thundered.
Three leaders of the state religion had arrived at the Songshan Military Command.
Two thousand cavalry of the religious guard were stationed outside Songshan Town!
A crow landed on the eaves deep within the military command, letting out a cawing sound.
Among the peaks further behind, white snow stood out starkly against the black cliffs.
The bitter winter wind howled, stirring up flurries of snow and ruffling its black feathers.
Compared to the wind, the area beneath the eaves was so quiet it could be called dead silent.