Chapter 621: Hidden Official

For some reason, when True Person Taiyi departed the Guangming Hall atop golden auspicious clouds, accompanied by Grand Tutor Zuo Hanyuan and Grand Marshal Xiao Pingfu, everyone involuntarily exhaled a breath of relief.

This Daoist exerted unbearable pressure; being near him felt like a sharp sword hanging above one's head, ready to fall at any moment and take one's life—and this oppression sank deep into the soul, making every additional moment feel like the mind was crumbling.

They had assumed True Person Taiyi's mission to subdue demons and eradicate monsters would take a long time, during which they could devise a way to expel him from court and strip him of his state advisor title—but unexpectedly, mere moments later, another golden auspicious cloud descended from the sky and landed outside the Guangming Hall.

The civil and military officials saw True Person Taiyi return, accompanied once more by Grand Tutor Zuo Hanyuan.

"What's going on? He came back so soon—did True Person Taiyi abandon slaying the millennium spirit? But why is only the Grand Tutor back? Where's the Grand Marshal?"

Everyone was now deeply astonished.

They had just caught their breath and did not want True Person Taiyi to return again.

Yet Li Yi and the Grand Tutor had already reentered the Guangming Hall; before anyone could speak, Grand Tutor Zuo Hanyuan hurried forward two steps and bowed to Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, seated upon the dragon throne: "Your servant pays homage to His Majesty. Just now, I traveled with True Person Taiyi atop the clouds and witnessed firsthand his transcendent Daoist power—he effortlessly slew a millennium spirit. His appointment as state advisor is truly deserved; I submit wholeheartedly."

Hm?

At these words, everyone's expressions changed.

What?

How could your attitude shift so drastically after just one outing? You weren't like this before—how are we supposed to act, Grand Tutor? Do we continue opposing him, or support him now?

Zuo Hanyuan had no time to care about the other officials' thoughts; his priority now was to save his own life.

True Person Taiyi killed without blinking, reducing men to smoke and ash, erasing their souls entirely—even denying them the chance to become ancestral spirits through incense offerings.

Before death, nothing is too great to change.

"Grand Tutor, don't force yourself. If you still harbor doubts about the state advisor, voice them—I will consider them carefully," said Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, calmly. He now understood: the Grand Tutor had been fully subdued by Xiao Yi and could no longer stir trouble.

But this was better—no more chaos, no more wasted time.

As for the Grand Marshal—he was likely killed as an example.

Zuo Hanyuan immediately adopted a solemn expression: "Your servant does not speak under duress. Having True Person Taiyi as our state advisor is a blessing for the realm and the people. Your Majesty's wisdom and martial prowess have discerned this true immortal—under his guidance, the Shenwu era shall surely flourish."

"Since the Grand Tutor supports True Person Taiyi as state advisor, the matter is settled. Does anyone else still harbor doubts regarding the state advisor's identity?" Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, scanned the other officials.

The officials remained silent.

Even the Grand Tutor had changed his stance—they sensed something was amiss and dared not speak further. Moreover, the Grand Marshal had vanished after leaving and was likely dead. If so, the state advisor's appointment had become taboo: oppose him, and you die.

"Your Majesty, I have no objection to True Person Taiyi becoming state advisor, but this matter is of great consequence—should we not send a memorial to the former emperors of past dynasties?" a low-profile official stepped forward.

This official wore a robe unlike any other—out of place, as if not from this dynasty.

Others turned to look.

Without doubt, he was a Hidden Official.

Hidden Officials were a peculiar presence in court: holding no official rank or authority, yet possessing the right to observe court proceedings, for they served not the reigning emperor, but the deceased former emperors.

After death, emperors became gods through incense and belief, dwelling as Yin Emperors. Fearing their successors might be incompetent or debauched, they appointed Hidden Officials as their eyes and ears in court, monitoring the new emperor's actions and changes in state policy.

Most often, Hidden Officials did not interfere in court affairs.

After all, Yin Emperors were dead—even if deified by incense, they dared not meddle in mortal affairs, intervening only when great matters arose to question the current ruler's policies.

Clearly, Li Yi's existence was too extraordinary and transcendent; his power had alerted the Hidden Official to an unprecedented threat, prompting him to speak out.

"The position of state advisor has been rare throughout history. Your Majesty, please submit a memorial to your ancestors," another Hidden Official stepped forward.

"I concur," said a third.

Then a fourth, then a fifth.

Within moments, eight Hidden Officials had voiced their opinion—neither approving nor opposing, merely demanding the matter be reported to the Yin Emperors.

If the former emperors had no objection, they would remain silent; if they disapproved, even a formally appointed state advisor would be stripped of his title.

"Yin Emperors?" Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye,'s gaze darkened.

He knew the imperial court was peculiar: emperors did not vanish upon death but became gods through incense and belief, continuing to dwell in this world—some residing in subterranean mausoleums, others in blooming forests, still others wandering the land as mortals.

Over time, each generation of emperor formed a formidable power.

Deeply entrenched, nearly impossible to uproot.

For they had received incense offerings from the entire realm since the dynasty's founding, sharing its fate, growing stronger with time—some even discovering paths of cultivation.

Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, had assumed this matter would never reach the Yin Emperors—but now these Hidden Officials had emerged.

Li Yi also looked at the Hidden Officials. He had discussed this with his father aboard the painted boat: the court's waters ran deep, with tangled factions—even an emperor was bound and constrained. The Yin Emperors were the most difficult to handle, for every emperor was bound by the national fortune and incense, sharing glory and ruin alike.

If pushed too far, Yin Emperors could issue sacred edicts, deposing the reigning emperor.

Conversely, the reigning emperor had no power to strip the Yin Emperors of their titles.

Thus, there was only one way to break the deadlock.

Wait until Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, cultivated to a level where he could oppose the Yin Emperors without relying on incense and belief—or let an outsider like Li Yi shatter the stalemate.

But across the vast realm, who could rival the incense and belief amassed by emperors?

"Since the Hidden Officials have spoken, I grant this request," said Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye. "Ten days from now is an auspicious time. I shall personally write the memorial to inform the ancestors of the state advisor's appointment. If they do not object, the title shall be final and unchangeable; if they do, we shall reconsider. Agreed?"

"Your Majesty is wise," said the Hidden Official.

The other Hidden Officials echoed their approval.

Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, continued: "The investiture ceremony for the state advisor will take place in ten days. Before then, I bestow upon True Person Taiyi the Wuji Palace—he may reside there."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Li Yi bowed.

He knew these ten days were his father's gift—during this time, he would still receive a steady flow of incense and belief energy. If he could elevate his cultivation within these ten days, the Yin Emperors' threat would vanish.

If he could not, then the plan was not yet ready.

Wuji Palace?

Upon hearing the palace's name, Crown Prince Zhao Jing's gaze flickered.

This Wuji Palace stood directly opposite his own Donggong, newly built, magnificent in grandeur—its name, location, and cost all proclaimed its uniqueness. To hand such a palace so casually to this True Person Taiyi?

What merit did he possess to earn such imperial favor?

Li Yi sensed Crown Prince Zhao Jing's piercing gaze and glanced briefly in his direction—he had already recognized the man's identity, for the aura of the young dragon could not be faked.

"Where are the Golden Iris Guards?" Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, suddenly spoke. "Escort the state advisor to Wuji Palace. See that he rests well."

"Yes, Your Majesty," two Golden Iris Guards stepped forward from outside the hall.

"Your servant takes his leave," Li Yi said, understanding he must no longer waste time entangled in court politics—he must use this incense and belief energy to cultivate swiftly, strengthening himself against the coming crisis.

He bowed immediately and departed with the Golden Iris Guards.

After Li Yi left,

everyone finally relaxed fully. Their spirits had been damaged—they could no longer face True Person Taiyi. One glance filled them with dread, making composure impossible. They had already displayed enough disgrace; further blunders would leave them too ashamed to show their faces.

"The state advisor matter is settled. Are there other matters to report? If not, today's court session is dismissed," Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, resumed his usual cold, imposing demeanor, even a trace of anger in his tone.

He had not anticipated such fierce resistance to a single decision—even the Crown Prince and Grand Tutor had opposed him.

He must purge the court soon—otherwise, being emperor was unbearable.

Meanwhile,

Li Yi, guided by the Golden Iris Guards, arrived at Wuji Palace.

A golden, magnificent, exquisitely luxurious palace.

Embroidered Uniform Guards patrolled its surroundings; Golden Iris Guards stood guard within—numerous, clearly prearranged.

"Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, Yang Ling, pays homage to True Person Taiyi."

"Golden Iris Guard Wang Ning, pays homage to True Person Taiyi."

Two men hurried forward upon Li Yi's arrival and bowed respectfully.

"His Majesty's decree: from this day forward, Commander Yang Ling of the Embroidered Uniform Guards and twenty Golden Iris Guards are placed under True Person Taiyi's command," said the Golden Iris Guard who had escorted Li Yi.

Li Yi nodded slightly: "Follow the regulations. For the next few days, I shall enter seclusion to cultivate—do not disturb me unless absolutely necessary."

"Yes, True Person," they replied in unison.

After speaking, Li Yi strode into Wuji Palace. Soon after, the celestial spiritual energy surged like a storm, rushing into the palace.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards and Golden Iris Guards stared in shock at the main hall.

A crimson aura shot skyward, igniting the heavens, refining into a brilliant golden light that descended.

Two pillars of light—one crimson, one golden—illuminated the imperial palace with overwhelming grandeur.

"Truly a celestial being—even cultivation stirs such commotion," said Commander Yang Ling of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, his pupils contracting sharply.

Wang Ning of the Golden Iris Guards had never witnessed such an anomaly. She dared not stare too long—the light was searing and sharp; prolonged exposure might damage her Golden Eyes. Yet undeniably, merely standing guard here, she felt the celestial energy washing over her body, cleansing it.

Even without cultivation, her body was rapidly evolving.