After returning, he immediately personally took his loyal followers and the Jinyi Wei of the Capital City to investigate the God Slaying Punishment.

This object was originally designed to target the Earth Deity.

The current Earth Deity lives a truly miserable existence; even the highest-ranked Earth Deity is no more than a top expert, and once they leave their fiefdom, they become defenseless.

Everyone, whether human or ghost, dares to bully the Earth Deity.

The God Slaying Punishment was initially developed to interrogate the erring Earth Deity; it later evolved into a tool for executing the Earth Deity.

However, the number of these items is very few, and they are rarely seen outside.

Besides being expensive, materials are scarce, forging is difficult, and quantity is limited, yet the most significant reason is that in cultivator clashes of the same tier, its role is even less effective than ordinary Magical Treasure.

The tools in the death cell of the Jinyi Wei could be used as normal Magical Treasures by common cultivators.

Thus, having a target, Song Chengyue personally went to investigate and easily discovered the origin of the missing God Slaying Punishment.

But those two people had no clear target.

Treating them as two strangers to trace, the tracking result revealed that the pair were not from the Capital City.

They appeared in the downstream area of the Mother River and disappeared within that zone.

Nevertheless, these are sufficient.

Song Chengyue went to the palace to report.

He respectfully and truthfully stated that Qing Ziyu from Jinlan Mountain had just conveniently returned from the East Sea and asked for her help.

He presented two portraits and elaborately explained the various traced results.

The new Emperor glanced at the portrait, his expression calm.

"The abrupt change of the Mother River's course, the Mother River God, and the relevant River God has an inescapable responsibility.

If they are useless, why keep them?

Draft an edict to strip the Mother River God and several related branch River Gods of their Earth Deity rank.

Have them sent back to the Capital City, to the God-slaying Platform.

As for the rest, continue the investigation."

The new Emperor, expressionless, eyes unwavering, directly issued the decree.

Song Chengyue bowed his head, accepting in a deep voice.

The Mother River God possibly won't even make it to the God-slaying Platform.

According to what Qing Ziyu conveyed, the Mother River God suffered severe injuries affecting its Source.

If at this moment, the decree is proclaimed to strip its Earth Deity rank, it's feared it couldn't endure and might even vanish on the spot.

Song Chengyue's expression remained steady, but he understood in his heart.

For the new Emperor, doing this is actually the best option.

Quelling public anger, appeasing civil resentment, pacifying regions, stabilizing the political situation, and what he truly wants to do can wait until the situation calms down for a more leisurely reckoning.

At least the branch River Gods indeed deserve death.

To say they knew of nothing is simply impossible.

But particularly the Mother River God who ascended to the Mother River God's rank not long ago is truly somewhat wronged.

However, this is the status for Daqian's Earth Deity.

Especially considering the lesson learned from Dadui, the status of these Earth Deities is even more awkward than before.

Excluded from those Imperial Censors who dare not berate, those who seek presence will undoubtedly find it right to drag out some Earth Deity and criticize them.

Being vigilant against Earth Deity has become politically correct.

Although old Song feels that something might eventually go wrong if not vigilant, too much suppression also isn't right.

There should be a balance in all matters.

Yet he said nothing; he only performed his duty, reporting the facts traced down without adding personal opinions.

In his position, he can't have bias, or at least should only have bias toward the Emperor.

Would a word of plea slip from his mouth, his position would become unfounded.

After Song Chengyue busies himself with matters, before long, the Second Prince from back then, King Lian, receives a summons to come.

Deep within the perpetual calm of the new Emperor's gaze, craziness begins to stir.

Looking at King Lian, he speaks in a deep voice.

"Where have you patrolled recently?"

"Mother River had an incident; I happened to be inspecting and providing disaster relief nearby."

"There's something I need you to do.

I have already ordered the deprivation of the Mother River God's Earth Deity rank.

While on your patrol, mobilize the northern army.

Capture everyone on the list.

Resisters, kill without mercy."

A Jade Scroll flies out, landing in King Lian's hand.

King Lian takes one look, his heart skips a beat.

Initially hearing the disposal of the Mother River God, he indeed felt somewhat complicated.

His elder brother, indeed, is far more mature than when he was Crown Prince.

The interests entangle the downstream of the Mother River, from local bosses to courtiers to branch River Gods, even the Jinyi Wei in the local guardhouse, all twisted into one rope.

It's too much entanglement; now with disaster at hand, newly ascended to the treasure, it's truly not the time to handle it immediately.

Simply dealing with the Mother River God was indeed most appropriate.

But upon seeing the names on the list, King Lian couldn't help but tremble.

This is feigning open and honest action, concealing intentions; first, settle them one by one, then directly strike mercilessly.

Preparing to clear everything in that region all at once, to kill them all?

After examining the list carefully, even if not entirely killed, it's about the same.

How dare this Emperor?

Does he not fear complete chaos?

The craziness stirring beneath the calm surface of the new Emperor's gaze, the calmer the surface becomes, the more craziness lies beneath.

"Can it be done? If insufficient, further mobilize a part of the eastern army.

When Father was around, these guys were insubordinate and deceitful, year after year such large expenditures, yet all embezzled.

Embezzling some is acceptable, but embezzling money without doing anything is damning.

Let them accompany those innocent victims in death.

Go ahead; this time, with the river's course changed and the estuary rerouted, nothing can stop us.

Then there was a school caught in the celestial force, with its inner children, at least several of whom could eventually enter the Langya Institute."