The old man ignored the trembling eunuch, merely waving his hand casually.
"You may withdraw first."
"Yes... yes!"
The Old Eunuch, as if granted amnesty, scrambled out of the great hall.
The Emperor straightened his back, his expression respectful, yet unable to hide the anxiety in his eyes.
"Great Ancestor, that strange phenomenon just now..."
"No need to investigate."
The old man walked to a nearby chair and sat down, his expression calm. "That was movement from within the Martial Temple."
"Martial Temple?"
The Emperor was startled, then his face changed drastically. "Could it be that some peerless demon has infiltrated the Martial Temple?!"
If that were the case, things would be dire.
The Martial Temple was the Foundation of the Great Tang's martial Luck. If something were to go wrong... "Demon?"
The old man scoffed, raising his eyelids to glance at the Emperor.
"What demon? It's just a little girl."
"…"
The Emperor was completely dumbfounded.
A person could cause such a commotion?
White Dragon turning clouds, fierce tiger treading air, Black Bear suppressing the world... Which part of this seemed like something a person could do?
"A girl? Is it Jiang... Jiang Yuechu?!"
"Precisely her."
The old man put down his teacup, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
"This girl is extraordinary. I didn't expect that after so many years, our Great Tang would once again produce a Qilin child who independently found a Spiritual Seal between heaven and earth."
The Emperor stood rooted to the spot, speechless for a long time.
Myriad spirits resonate, seals seek out people.
This was not only exceptional talent but also a sign of possessing great Luck!
"My Great Tang..."
The Emperor murmured to himself, "...has actually produced such a figure?"
"Use her well."
The old man stood up and tidied his robes. "Perhaps, the future of the Great Tang for a thousand years will depend on her."
"If she isn't used well..."
The old man didn't finish his sentence, merely giving the Emperor a deep look.
His figure gradually faded until it vanished.
Peace returned to the hall.
The Emperor stood in place, unmoving for a long time.
At this moment, his mind was filled with the image of that young girl.
Cold and aloof.
If such a person could truly be loyal to the imperial court, why would the Great Tang not prosper?
"Someone."
The Emperor suddenly spoke.
The hall doors were pushed open, and the Old Eunuch cautiously walked in.
"Your Majesty?"
The Emperor looked up, his gaze profound.
"The case of Jiang Xun, is Wei Wenda handling it now?"
The Old Eunuch was startled.
Why was he suddenly asking about this again?
A few days ago, hadn't Your Majesty complained that Wei Wenda was slow in his work, reluctant to close the case, and even sent him to deliver an edict to urge him on?
Thinking of this, the Old Eunuch's heart sank.
Could it be that Your Majesty was going to hold him accountable again?
He quickly bowed, cautiously replying, even trying to make a few excuses for Duke Wei.
"Reporting... Reporting to Your Majesty."
"Duke Wei's side... it seems there are some new clues to verify, so... so the case has not yet been closed."
After speaking, the Old Eunuch buried his head low, preparing for a scolding.
However.
The expected furious scolding did not come.
"Not closed?"
The Emperor's voice actually held a hint of undetectable surprise.
"It's good that it's not closed... it's really good that it's not closed!"
The Old Eunuch looked up blankly.
He saw the young Son of Heaven let out a long breath, a smile actually appearing on his face.
"Deliver my imperial decree."
"The case of Jiang Xun is of great importance, full of doubts, and must not be hastily judged!"
"Let him investigate it thoroughly for me! Judge it slowly!"
"If he lacks manpower, transfer from the Ministry of Justice! If he lacks silver, allocate from the imperial treasury!"
"In short..."
The Emperor narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.
"This case, hold it for me first."
"Without my imperial decree, no one is allowed to close the case!"
The Old Eunuch's mouth hung open, his face full of disbelief.
What kind of play was this?
Just a few days ago, he was rushing people to behead him as if his life depended on it.
Why today did he suddenly change his tune and want a detailed and slow investigation?
"Aren't you going quickly?!"
Seeing the Old Eunuch in a daze, the Emperor frowned and scolded.
"Yes, yes, yes! This servant will go now!"
The Old Eunuch jolted, quickly scrambled up, and stumbled out.
Serving a ruler is like accompanying a tiger.
The ancients truly did not deceive me!
...After the world-shrouding phenomenon a few days prior.
The clamor in Chang'an not only did not diminish but intensified.
In teahouses and taverns, storytellers slapped their gavel, spitting as they concocted tales of auspicious signs descending.
The common people whispered to each other, debating which deity's mounts the White Dragon and Black Bear were.
Amidst this city-wide fervor.
Da da da—
A flurry of hoofbeats came from the official road outside the city.
The guards at the city gate were about to shout a halt, but upon seeing the figures on horseback, the scolding words instantly caught in their throats, and they hastily moved the chevaux de frise aside.
"Move aside! Everyone move aside!"
Pedestrians on the roadside scattered, looking at the rising dust with surprise and uncertainty.
A line of dozens of riders, like black arrows, shot into the city gate.
None of these people wore armor; instead, they were all dressed in uniform black brocade robes.
They rode sturdy demonic horses with black coats and red eyes. Their faces were stern and weathered from travel.
"This is... a Demon Suppression Division Inspector Envoy?"
Someone recognized their attire.
However, this was just the beginning.
In less than half a cup of tea's time.
Figures, either riding alone or in groups of three to five, poured into the city.
Their attire was either black, white, or silver.
Their destination was singular.
The Demon Suppression Headquarters, towering like a giant beast on the east side of the imperial city... As the last figure in white robes stepped over the threshold, the two heavy profound iron gates, weighing over a thousand catties, slowly closed.
With a muffled thud, the outside clamor was completely cut off.
Sunlight was blocked outside the door, and the vast main hall suddenly grew dim.
Only a few eternal lamps burned quietly in the corners of the walls.
At this moment, inside the great hall, hundreds of figures stood in two rows.
At the end of the hall, on a high platform, sat an old man.
He wore a loose black everyday robe, with a slightly open collar, appearing somewhat disheveled.
His eyelids were half-drooping, his expression indifferent.
He seemed to be dozing, or perhaps listening to the report from below.
After an unknown amount of time.
Zhao Zhongliu slowly opened his eyes: "Not bad."
Upon hearing this, the tense atmosphere seemed to relax slightly.
Many people secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
But what followed was a deeper confusion.
Several Silver Robe standing in the front row exchanged glances, their brows slightly furrowed.
If it was merely for reporting duties.
Why were all Inspector Envoys near the capital, regardless of Rank, suddenly summoned back?
Just as everyone was feeling bewildered.
Zhao Zhongliu on the platform suddenly straightened his body.
His previously lazy and casual posture vanished instantly.
"There's one more thing I called you back for."
"I intend to promote a Silver Robe Inspector."
Upon hearing this, everyone instantly stirred.
Unlike the Demon Suppression Division stationed in various regions, most Inspector Envoys acted independently, at most in groups of a few.
Furthermore, Inspector Envoys monitored the world, not only dealing with tricky demons that local authorities couldn't handle but also investigating dereliction of duty in various Demon Suppression Divisions.
And within this Inspector Envoy system, the Ranks were strict.
Black, White, Silver, Gold.
To reach the Silver Robe Rank, one must possess terrifying strength, capable of suppressing a calamity alone, to be qualified.
Looking at the entire General Bureau, the number of Silver Robe could be counted on two hands.
Now, another one was to be added?
Below the platform, a middle-aged man in a Silver Robe stepped forward.
His brows were slightly furrowed as he cupped his hands and asked, "May I ask Deputy Commander, which White Robe colleague is it?"
Those who could be promoted to Silver Robe must be veterans who had served as White Robe for several years, accumulating sufficient qualifications and merits.
The others also nodded, their gazes lingering on several senior White Robe Inspector Envoys in the crowd.
Several White Robe also straightened their backs, a faint expectation in their eyes.
However.
Zhao Zhongliu shook his head.
"No."
No?
Everyone was startled.
The Silver Robe man was also somewhat taken aback. "Not a White Robe? Could it be... that a Black Robe has achieved an immense Meritorious Service and is to skip two Ranks?"
As these words came out, the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat strange.
Skipping two Ranks?
Such a thing, though it had occurred in the Demon Suppression Division's hundreds of years of existence, was extremely rare.
Everyone exchanged glances, racking their brains to recall if any Black Robe colleague had recently distinguished themselves.
Zhao Zhongliu seemed too lazy to watch this group play guessing games any longer.
He raised his eyelids, waving his hand somewhat impatiently.
"Summon Jiang Yuechu to enter."