Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 506: This Can’t Be the Bhagavat, Can It?

Lü Yang’s tactic of making an example of someone was undoubtedly effective, especially after the Three Ministers’ Disciples confirmed that the "evidence" he provided was indeed authentic.

"What investigation? This is clearly a purge of political opponents!"

At the Young Tutor’s Mansion, the Young Protector, Li Taian, slammed his hand on the table, his face a mask of disbelief. "How could Ning Haohai possibly be a Demon Sect spy who tried to assassinate His Majesty?"

But no matter how much he questioned it, the "evidence" Lü Yang provided was right before their eyes. It clearly bore the Divine Sense Marks of Chen Yuanli and Ning Haohai. Such a mark was impossible to leave unless cast by the person themself; its presence was indeed irrefutable proof.

"Could he have been tortured into a confession?" the Junior Tutor asked in a low voice.

The Young Protector instinctively shook his head. "Unlikely. Haohai is a good friend of mine, and he’s always been strong-willed. He’s not the type to yield to brutal torture..."

His voice trailed off.

’Not the type to yield to brutal torture? Then how could they explain this iron-clad proof?’ For a moment, the Junior Tutor, Young Protector, and Junior Master couldn’t help but look at each other in dismay.

Finally, it was the Junior Tutor who broke the silence.

"This time, the Imperial City Department’s city-wide sweep not only has evidence, but also the backing of the Empress and the Crown Prince. The entire procedure is, for all intents and purposes, flawless."

Li Taian slammed the table. "I knew that Demon Dragon was up to no good..."

"I’m not so sure."

The Junior Tutor shook his head. "The Imperial City Department is just a blade. The ones truly wielding it, the ones who want to deal with us, must be the Empress and the Crown Prince."

If it were just the Imperial City Department, they would never allow Lü Yang to arrest officials like this. Even with solid evidence and legal procedures, they would have to intervene. But with the Empress and the Crown Prince involved, they had to consider their options carefully and not act rashly.

Just then, Li Taian’s expression suddenly changed.

While they were talking, he had been using his Divine Sense to spy on the Imperial City Department’s movements. At that moment, he detected something amiss. "This is bad! That Demon Dragon is heading to the Commander-in-Chief’s Mansion!"

........

「Inside the Commander-in-Chief’s Mansion.」

Lü Yang walked into the spacious hall with a calm expression and unceremoniously took the head seat. Below him were the five Commanders of the Capital Camp, who had been summoned by the Empress.

"Greetings, Lord Du Huan."

"You may rise."

Lü Yang smiled faintly, seeing through the veiled thoughts of the five commanders below. Empress Xiao had mentioned intelligence on these five during their previous discussion.

In short, three of the five were die-hard loyalists of Emperor Jia You, while the other two were Disciples of the Three Ministers. This was part of an unspoken understanding between the Emperor and the Three Ministers. It was therefore conceivable that even with the backing of Empress Xiao and the Crown Prince, he would not be able to command these five commanders.

Fortunately, he couldn’t be bothered to do so anyway.

The five Commanders of the Five Armies, with their five Official Positions combined with the Emperor’s Token, could form the Position of "As if I were present," suppressing all other Official Positions, including that of the Crown Prince.

It was indeed powerful.

However, it was only powerful within the Dao Court system. Outside of the Dao Court, these five were merely Third-Grade Officials at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Perfection.

To put it bluntly, they were only brave on their own turf.

Experts at infighting, but incompetent against outsiders.

Dealing with them would be even simpler than dealing with the Minister of the Imperial Army. For the latter, Lü Yang at least had to perform a finger technique and cast a spell. For the former, all he needed was—

"Puppet!"

A brilliant flash of splendid light washed over them like a gale-force wind across their faces, instantly blowing away the suspicion from the commanders’ expressions, leaving only loyalty.

Just then.

"Stop!"

A streak of Flying Light descended from the sky, landing with a BOOM inside the Commander-in-Chief’s Mansion. It dissipated abruptly, and from it emerged the Young Protector, Li Taian.

"Well, if it isn’t the Lord Protector." Lü Yang smiled faintly and proactively stood to bow. "I wonder what brings you to see me, my lord. Is there something unsatisfactory about the Imperial City Department’s work in rooting out Demon Sect spies? Please, rest assured, Lord Protector. Feel free to point out any issues, and I will personally see to it that my subordinates correct them!"

At these words, Li Taian’s face darkened.

"Du Huan... the Commander-in-Chief’s Mansion is of critical importance. Those who can serve as the Commanders of the Five Armies are bound to be loyal subjects and fine generals. Do you really think they would collude with the Demon Sect?"

"Of course not!"

Lü Yang looked astonished, waving his hands dismissively. "My lord, you misunderstand! I am merely here to issue an order from the Empress and the Crown Prince to the Commanders of the Five Armies."

"An order? The Commanders of the Five Armies obey only a Holy Decree from the Emperor, not an edict from the Empress’s palace!"

Hearing this, the Young Protector decided not to waste any more words with Lü Yang. He turned directly to the two Commanders of the Capital Camp who came from the Three Ministers’ Disciples and said in a grave voice, "Come with me to the Young Protector’s Mansion."

With that, he turned to leave.

But in the next second, he froze.

The two Commanders of the Capital Camp had shown no intention of moving. Li Taian looked back, only to see them wearing expressions he had never seen before.

"Lord Protector."

"Since we have been commanded to take charge of the Capital’s five armies, it is our duty to serve the nation with utmost loyalty. Now that His Majesty is absent, we must naturally follow the edict of the Empress."

Li Taian was stunned.

"You...!"

For a moment, Li Taian felt a chill shoot from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. He looked at Lü Yang with horror in his eyes, and after a long pause, he cautiously uttered:

’A Bhagavat?’

Lü Yang: "...?"

’Who do you think you’re insulting?!’

On the other side, however, the more Li Taian thought about it, the more his suspicion seemed plausible.

There was no other explanation. It was just too similar!

Whether it was Ning Haohai or the two Commanders of the Capital Camp before him, they were all people Li Taian had considered completely trustworthy—unquestionably his own men.

But what was the result? Ning Haohai had suddenly confessed, triggering a city-wide wave of arrests. Now, even these two commanders had chosen to side with Lü Yang. Such sudden changes in personality and attitude, with no prior warning, made it incredibly difficult for Li Taian not to think of the notorious Bhagavat.

What’s more... the Bhagavat had a record of doing this!

He had done this once before! Although the current Celestial Wu Royal Family were the beneficiaries of that event, the Zouyu Royal Family of the previous dynasty would certainly have a few choice words to say about it.

RUMBLE!

The next second, Li Taian’s figure vanished from the spot.

If he stayed any longer, he was afraid that he, too, would suddenly "awaken" and spout some nonsense like, "Heh! To think I was an incarnation of the Bhagavat all along!"

Seeing this, Lü Yang couldn’t be bothered to give chase.

’With the Commander-in-Chief’s Mansion secured and the Empress’s Emperor’s Token, the two will complement each other. Celestial Wu City is now under my control.’

BOOM!

Raising his head, Lü Yang suddenly saw a glimmer of starlight flash across the firmament. Though it was faint and fleeting, it had appeared for a moment:

The Fruit of Celestial Fire!

Lü Yang knew perfectly well that as Celestial Wu City, the hub of the East, fell into his hands, the Fruit of Celestial Fire was paying more and more attention to him. Although he was still a long way from the stage of Seeking Gold, the trend was positive. To advance further, he would have to take control of the entire East.

However, the Three Ministers were an inevitable obstacle on that path.

’A pity that just Killing them is useless.’

Lü Yang shook his head. The essence of the Dao Court lay in the Official Position; the person holding it was meaningless. If he had gone all out just now, he might have been able to kill Li Taian.

But even if Li Taian died, the Official Position of Young Protector would not disappear.

Within the Dao Court’s system of officials, the Position of Young Protector was passed down through succession and didn’t require appointment by a Holy Decree. A new Young Protector could take over seamlessly.

This was the terrifying aspect of the Dao Court. No matter how strong you were, as long as you hadn’t reached a level where you could overwhelm the entire Dao Court, you had to play by its rules. And this was what the Dao Court did best: drag you down to their level and then defeat you with their vast experience.

Of course, it wasn’t as if Lü Yang couldn’t force the issue.

He still had one chance to use the Fake Holding of the Fruit of Lamp-Cover Fire. If he used it here to kill all the Three Ministers’ Disciples in one go and suppress their Official Positions, it wasn’t an impossible feat.

But what would be the point?

The best outcome would be control over the East, but to attain the Fruit of Celestial Fire, his goal was the entire realm. That would be the proper time to use the Fake Golden Position.

’In the Dao Court, only titles and tools—or rather, one’s position within the hierarchy of Official Positions—are of the utmost importance.’

Fortunately, he had already obtained half of what he needed.

’I control the Commander-in-Chief’s Mansion. As long as I can get the Emperor’s Token from the Empress, then short of the Emperor or the Three Ministers themselves appearing, I will be at the top of the Dao Court’s hierarchy.’

’At that time, I’ll catch them all in one fell swoop and brand every one of these Three Ministers’ Disciples a traitor!’

As for the evidence... well, he could just have the recently captured Minister of the Imperial Army, along with the two Three Ministers’ Disciples among the commanders, provide the confessions...