Chapter 1 The Puppet

In the blood-soaked courtyard, a narrow, dilapidated cart entered everyone's sight.

On it was a wooden barrel, half a man's height, containing a humanoid, stick-like figure with its ears, nose, and limbs removed. The figure's lower body was submerged in a dark purple medicinal mud, and various carrion-eating insects crawled all over it.

This was a common sight for Gu Masters. After achieving minor success in Gu arts, they had created so many insect puppets that they themselves had lost count.

But now, looking at the familiar yet strange figure on the cart, they completely broke down!

The Gu Master leader knelt down, trembling, his hideous expression replaced by bewilderment: "Master, Master... This is impossible, impossible!"

The other Gu Masters, surrounded by the Imperial Guards, stared blankly ahead, as if in a dream, completely unwilling to believe this was reality.

That Outer Territory Gu Master who controlled their lives and held sway over the Western Regions and the Great Wei... was he, was he, just crippled like this?

And crippled in the most vicious way, made into a human pig, kept alive, yet worse than dead, in a wooden barrel?!

Realizing this, their fear of Jiang Chen instantly reached its peak. Some Gu Masters with weak resolve were even so frightened that they lost control of their bowels on the spot, collapsing on the ground like mud, completely不敢 to meet that imposing gaze.

Ignorance is bliss.

As masters of poison and Gu, they knew too well the pain of being turned into a human pig. Even if it meant being Jiang Chen's dog, licking his shoes, they absolutely couldn't fall to such a fate!

"Spare me, Your Majesty, spare me! I was forced, it's not my fault!"

"Your Majesty, I know many secrets! Please spare me, Your Majesty! I can tell you everything!"

"Your Majesty, me too! I'll confess right now... Our leader was lying just now. The people sent by Noble Consort Shu were very cautious and checked carefully. They didn't give us a chance to hide poison!"

"The palace is very safe! There are no Gu insects at all!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Gu Master leader, who was still in a daze, suddenly erupted: "You brainless idiot! Do you want to kill us all!"

After roaring, he didn't even bother to confront the Imperial Guards. He turned around and rushed in front of that person, grabbing his neck with bloodshot eyes.

He was actually trying to commit murder right under Jiang Chen's nose!

"Dog thing, you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin."

"You've all seen the fate of your teacher, yet you still dare to be so arrogant... You really don't know the meaning of death!"

Jiang Chen said coldly, walking towards the encirclement.

Although he liked to see these rebels fighting among themselves, dogs biting dogs.

But as the saying goes, you beat a dog, you look at its owner. This Gu Master had just defected to him, even revealing a secret that concerned their lives. If he died just like that, wouldn't it be a slap in Jiang Chen's face?!

The unhurried footsteps approached, the Gu Masters' pupils contracted, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably, even the Gu Master leader was no exception.

Clearly, he could take the traitor's life with a flick of his finger, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. It was as if his brain was controlled by an invisible force, and he dared not disobey that supreme voice.

Just as he hesitated, Jiang Chen, surrounded by the Imperial Guards, stopped in front of him.

*Ching!*

With a clear sound, a flash of bright light streaked across everyone's vision.

Accompanied by a shrill wail, a surge of fresh blood burst out, staining the courtyard's stone slabs red.

Jiang Chen, who had chopped off the Gu Master leader's arm, indifferently turned his head, glancing with disgust at the blood-splattered corner of his robe: "Tsk, unlucky!"

"Someone, take this group of people to the imperial prison. I'll interrogate them after I change my clothes... Oh, right, stop the bleeding for this guy. Don't let him die so easily."

After speaking, Jiang Chen glanced at the Gu Master leader who was screaming and rolling on the ground, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, and then turned and left.

The Imperial Guards present could all feel his displeasure, and dared not make a single extra sound. They respectfully acknowledged the order and watched Jiang Chen leave, and only dared to draw their swords and subdue the Gu Masters after he had completely walked away.

Half an hour later, in the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Jiang Chen, dressed in casual clothes, sat high behind the imperial desk, and ordered in a deep voice: "Jing Yue, go to the imperial prison yourself."

"These Gu Masters were able to sneak into the palace, and there must have been someone with ulterior motives pushing them. I don't trust anyone else to interrogate them."

As he spoke, a coldness emerged in Jiang Chen's eyes: "Also, mobilize the Dark Guards to thoroughly investigate the palace!"

"Noble Consort Shu has always been well-behaved and has lived in the deep palace for a long time. It is impossible for her to come into contact with these martial world people, let alone send someone to invite them."

"The way she is acting, she must have been bewitched by a traitor. We must find out who is playing tricks in the dark."

Hearing this, Jing Yue frowned slightly: "Your Majesty, the Noble Consort's family has been in business for generations, so it's not surprising that they know about the affairs of the Western Regions. Now the Dark Guards are short-handed, why do such a pointless..."

Before she could finish speaking, a soft cough suddenly sounded from above, interrupting her thoughts.

Jing Yue's heart tightened, thinking that Jiang Chen was unwell. She was about to step forward to show concern, but at the moment she looked up, she met his meaningful gaze and instantly understood.

She changed her words: "Yes, Your subordinate understands your meaning and will go and do it!"

"Your subordinate will definitely make a big deal out of the thorough investigation of the palace, and will definitely let the people of the former dynasty know that there are rebellious traitors lurking in the palace, daring to bewitch the Noble Consort."

"We must make sure that everyone's anger is focused on the traitors, and not harm the Noble Consort and the Xu family's reputation."

These words were exactly what Jiang Chen wanted.

He revealed a satisfied smile and said, "Jing Yue, you understand me best!"

"If the commotion this time wasn't too big and couldn't be suppressed, I wouldn't want to waste the Dark Guards' energy at this critical moment."

"Now the Xu family is already in the eye of the storm. If it comes out that the Noble Consort invited murderers into the palace for treatment, then things will really be out of control."

"At that time, even if I can silence the officials in the court, those people whose daughters were killed will not let it go... Xu Changqing, and the Noble Consort will be completely in danger."

Understanding the seriousness of the matter, Jing Yue solemnly nodded and said coldly: "The person who planned this series of schemes is truly vicious."

"If it weren't for Your Majesty's brilliant planning and thinking of a way to exonerate the Xu family in advance, even if we captured this group of Gu Masters, I'm afraid that General Xu would also be affected by the rumors and, under the pressure of the people and the court, would resign from his official position and give up his military power."

Speaking of this, Jing Yue's tone became more stern: "At that time, Your Majesty, your power will be severely damaged!"

Jiang Chen had already predicted his opponent's next move, and was not as激愤 as Jing Yue.

He said calmly: "My imperial uncle has some ability."

"If he were to change to a different opponent, the chance of him ascending the dragon throne would be not small... But, he is too unlucky, he just happened to meet me, so he has no chance of winning in this life!"

After a few words of感慨, Jiang Chen turned the topic back to business and said seriously: "By the way, before investigating the palace, first take my edict and let Xu Mu personally go and monitor Jiang Zuo Wang!"

"Without my authorization, he, or the people in his mansion, are not allowed to leave a single step."

"Those who disobey will be killed on the spot!"