CHAPTER 1086: CHAPTER 597: UNMASKING! I REQUEST ORDERS FROM THE THRONE!

The left hand slowly rose, placing itself on the pure white mask on his face.

"You question my rank, doubt my qualification to discuss state affairs? Attend court? Indeed, a mere Deputy Arresting Officer is unworthy, but..."

As the words fell, the white mask on his face was abruptly lifted, tossed aside onto the polished floor of the grand hall.

A revealing of true identity.

Zhao Douan scanned the gathered ministers, his gaze icy: "Is the status of Chaos Suppression Grand Commander sufficient?!"

Boom!

Like a thunderbolt crashing from the ninth heaven, striking hard upon the earth.

At that moment, when Zhao Douan unveiled his mask and revealed his true appearance, the vast chamber seemed to echo with thunder within the minds of all the officials, their thoughts blank, ears ringing. Almost everyone exhibited an expression of shock on their faces.

Zhao Douan!

Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince, Chaos Suppression Grand Commander, and appointed Imperial Consort... holding countless titles, since the beginning of the conflict, he had achieved numerous military successes, and not long ago, he killed Xu Jingtang, quelling the Huai River Western Front—Zhao Douan!

"How is this possible?!"

Someone unknown gasped in astonishment, and then, the deathly silent hall erupted fervently.

Commander Zhao has returned to the capital? When? Wasn’t he supposed to be stationed in the South? Why did he return quietly, without any sign?

No, if returning secretly to the capital, there’s no reason to pretend as a White-faced Arresting Officer... unless, that Lihua Hall Deputy Arresting Officer was Zhao Douan in disguise all along.

Only then can the scene before us make sense.

But... how? How was this achieved...

The supporting ministers of the Peace Negotiation Faction turned pale.

Grandmaster Dong, leaning on a cane, appeared stupefied.

The Vice Secretariat Envoy of the Privy Council widened his eyes.

The Six Ministers stood as still as petrified wood.

The Peace Negotiation Delegation, as if struck by lightning, their resolute momentum interrupted, many displaying panic.

Name of man, shadow of tree.

The name Zhao Douan had long carried immense weight in the "Eight Princes" camp.

Xu Wenyan’s expression changed drastically, his eyes finally revealing panic and fear.

He had confidence in threatening the Empress with the overall situation, but lacked any confidence to restrain Zhao Douan.

Even though he didn’t understand how the White-faced Arresting Officer became Zhao Douan, he recalled the scene that day outside Duke Chen Mansion when Zhao Douan met with both parties.

So... it wasn’t the Empress testing him, but the legendary Zhao Douan.

Recalling the siege by thousands of black-clad citizens upon entering the city, Xu Wenyan instantly broke into a cold sweat across his back, feeling dizzy and breathless, realizing this trip to the capital might be the worst decision of his life.

Xu Xueling’s little face also turned pale, completely devoid of arrogance, staring at Zhao Douan like seeing a ghost—though she hadn’t seen him in person, Zhao Douan’s portrait had long been spread across various royal mansions, something she’d seen countless times.

Thinking back to the daring act of the arresting officer within Jizhao Temple and the strange methods... everything finally made sense.

"Zhao... Commander Zhao... you... I didn’t know... I..."

The official who had just angrily rebuked Zhao Douan now had a face as white as ash, lips blue, body subtly trembling, the foremost in line no longer daring to show anger; only profound fear remained.

Zhao Douan stepped forward with a cold smile, sword in hand: "I asked you a question, is this Grand Commander worthy of attending court? Worthy of participating in peace negotiations?!"

The official was forced back by the sword’s tip, retreating several steps before collapsing pathetically onto the floor, momentarily voiceless from fear.

"Hmph!"

Zhao Douan cast a look of disdain in his eyes, throwing the sword with a "clang" onto the mirror-like floor tiles, immediately turning away from the ministers, bowing with respect, hands clasped in salute, and making obeisance to the Empress on the throne: "Your Majesty, I have something to say."

At this, the Empress of Yu Country, who had been as silent as a majestic statue, finally spoke, her voice coming from behind the pearl curtain: "Granted."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhao Douan straightened his back, withdrawing his gaze, surveying the ministers, speaking calmly: "Since the day the Second Prince Jian Wen incited the Xuan Sect rebellion, and Your Majesty quelled the tumult and ascended the throne, it has been three years."

"For three years, under Your Majesty’s rule, the government has been smooth and the society harmonious. Yet, Jian Wen’s remnants distort historical facts, wreaking havoc everywhere. The Kuangfu Society’s ringleader Zhuang Xiaocheng incited chaos, so I killed him."

"After Zhuang Xiaocheng’s death, Divine Dragon Temple’s Xuan Yin collaborated with Qingshan Martial Immortal Wu Xiankui to ambush Your Majesty at Luo Mountain. The Vassal Kings, biding time with ill intentions, took the opportunity to rebel, resulting in battle among bandits, causing the beloved land fractured, smoke and war fires everywhere, disaster victims living in misery, citizens homeless—this is the crime of the rebel Kings!"

"Subsequently, I was appointed by Your Majesty to quell the rebellion, successively destroying Prince Heng and Mu Prince, compelling Prince Huaian to submit. Beholding the unfavorable situation, the bandits proposed today’s peace talks."

Zhao Douan spoke eloquently, then his tone suddenly plunged:

"But! While I led soldiers on the front lines, fighting bravely to eradicate the bandits, painstakingly securing today’s situation, some in court use this as a bargaining chip to curry favor with the rebel Kings, intending to seek peace, even at the expense of losing authority and dishonoring the court! Not only that, these national traitors even have the gall to question this Grand Commander’s qualification to attend court. Is this not absurd in the extreme?!"

No one dared respond!

Grandmaster Dong, Ma Yan, and others nodded slightly, while the "Peace Negotiation Faction" officials had nothing to say, only maintaining silence.

"I know, some of you are indignant! Some believe negotiation is a makeshift strategy, even viewing it as honorable to carry infamy for the greater good, for the people... is it?"

Zhao Douan took a deep breath, his heart aching bitterly:

"I do not think so! Just a few days ago, as peace talks stalled, I roamed in plain clothes across the four marketplaces of the city, east, west, south, and north in the taverns and taverns. Do you know what I heard and saw? I saw citizens of the capital spreading the rumor that the court intends to cede land for peace; that Your Majesty swallows grievances; that our Yu country’s soldiers fighting valiantly on the front lines, achieving great victories, are all lies; even spreading that the Western Regions barbarians are coming to kill, causing people panic-stricken, hearts alienated from Your Majesty and the court, opinions diverging!"