CHAPTER 454: CHAPTER 185: THE EMPRESS CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE! CHEN MO SURROUNDED!

As soon as these words were spoken, it was as if a stone had stirred up a thousand waves, and the lecture hall instantly became noisy.

"Yunfu State is plagued by famine, corpses litter the fields, and ten out of ten households are empty in many villages. Have you ever taken a look at the Northern Territory?"

"The disaster relief grain was delayed for three entire months, and it turned out they mixed it with the dregs of Goddess Earth!"

"Last year, the court mobilized tens of thousands of laborers for canal dredging, but Qing Province’s Transportation Commissioner embezzled thirty percent of the grain. Are you unaware of this?"

"You speak of loyalty to the emperor and serving the country, of benevolence and morality, yet behind closed doors, all you do are filthy deeds!"

"In my opinion, this lecture should be directed at those idle and gluttonous high officials!"

The sect only recruits based on talent, without regard for background. Many of them were once common folk, familiar with the harshness of the world, naturally having no favorable impression of the court.

Originally forced to Tiandu City for "lessons," they were already fuming inside. After that martial cultivator ignited the initial spark, the atmosphere was instantly set ablaze!

The attendees showed no mercy at all, their words extremely caustic!

Wu Shuhong’s face was livid, his expression grim, as he fiercely slapped the ruler onto the lectern.

Smack—

"Silence!"

Wu Shuhong’s voice was filled with anger, chastising, "The corrupt actions of certain officials cannot represent the entire court! The court constructs water conservancy, consolidates border defenses, suppresses Southern Barbarians, and quells demon calamities... which action isn’t beneficial to the country and its people? How can you negate them all with a single sentence?"

"Moreover, the court has its own system of oversight. This is absolutely no reason for you to disregard court laws!"

"Oversight? Heh, all crows under the sky are black."

The Sword Sect disciple who spoke first wrapped his arms around himself, sneering disdainfully, "I’m originally from Nantu State, used to seeing the ugly faces of you officials. If it weren’t for the bureaucratic extortion, why would border people be selling their sons and daughters?"

"We are Jianghu people, dedicated to chivalry and justice. It’s impossible to see eye to eye with someone like you who only talks about hollow righteousness."

"Fix the administration first, reduce taxes, and let the people be fed and clothed before you talk about so-called ’moral principles’!"

"You!"

Wu Shuhong was furious for a moment.

He knew these sect disciples were unruly, but didn’t expect them to be so arrogant!

If the issues were escalated, these outrageous statements could easily be deemed as "disrespect to the emperor" and punished severely!

However, after calming down, he hesitated.

Surely, they couldn’t really arrest them all?

They were all core disciples of major sects, and with two Holy Sect leaders present, arresting people might provoke a strong backlash from Jianghu forces... to say the least, this new subject might not even continue in the future!

Who would be responsible for this?

"Damn it, had I known, I wouldn’t have started this..."

Cold sweat seeped from Wu Shuhong’s forehead, unsure of what to do.

Yu Hongyin lay on the table, yawning in boredom.

"These martial cultivators are all stubborn, each more obstinate than the last. It can only be said that the court’s plan was sound in theory, but too idealistic."

"Unless Zi Lianji and Ling Ningzhi are willing to take the lead in cooperation, otherwise..."

"Hmm? Wait a minute?!"

Yu Hongyin suddenly thought of something, abruptly sitting up.

When the Blood Demon self-destructed back then, Ling Ningzhi went missing together with Chen Mo... how is she suddenly here?!"

Previously, all her attention was focused on Chen Mo, completely overlooking this point. If Ling Ningzhi was unharmed, doesn’t it mean Chen Mo might also be alive?!

Yu Hongyin turned her head to look at the cultivator behind her, speaking urgently, "You just said, which Mr. Chen booked out the Imperial Music Bureau last night?"

The cultivator replied, "Who else? Of course, it’s Mr. Chen Mo of the Sky Scale Guard."

Yu Hongyin’s throat moved slightly as she struggled to speak, "Isn’t he dead?"

The cultivator laughed and said, "Who told you that? We were drinking together just last night, with dozens of people, all of whom can testify."

"..."

Yu Hongyin looked somewhat perplexed.

They dug through the Southern Border, even summoned wandering souls from a thousand miles around, and found nothing.

They thought Chen Mo’s body and soul had vanished, yet never expected he was alive and well?!

Suddenly, she sensed something, and raised her head abruptly towards the doorway.

...

...

At the back of the lecture hall, the Empress was expressionless, her gaze icy.

She knew that the implementation of this new course would inevitably face numerous difficulties, but hadn’t expected a blow right from the start!

Yet, the worst part was, these people were speaking truths... shown clearly from the case of the Gu God Sect, Nantu State was rotten to the core, and officials elsewhere likely weren’t any better!

This was what enraged her the most!

"Auntie, do you want me to deal with that troublemaker?" Lin Jingzhu asked softly.

"Making a move now would only further escalate the conflict, even if you could handle him, could you silence the multitude?" The Empress shook her head, sighing, "Forget it, it seems this session can’t continue for today, let’s leave first..."

Just as she finished speaking, footsteps sounded from outside the door.

Immediately after, two figures walked into the lecture hall.

A man and a woman, the leading man wore a scaled black robe with scarlet embroidery on his sleeves, his posture upright and his eyes like stars, strikingly handsome.

The woman following wore a martial robe, her black hair tied into a high ponytail, looking valiant and exceptionally competent.

"Chen Mo?" The Empress was momentarily stunned, the task of maintaining order was assigned to Households Commander Ye of the Tusi, why had he suddenly come over?

"Mr. Chen!"

Lin Jingzhu’s lips curled into a radiant smile, proving that this trip was indeed worthwhile!