Chapter 339: Forced Rebellion

The deathly silence in the main hall lasted for well over a dozen breaths.

The Inspector of Secluded Prefecture, Cui Yuandao, was the first to react.

His well-maintained face, usually wearing a false smile, had now grown so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it.

He fixed his stare on Gu Yuan, seated at the place of honor, his eyes flashing with thinly veiled mockery and resentment.

"Governor, you've just arrived; you may not yet fully understand the local conditions of Secluded Prefecture."

Cui Yuandao rose to his feet, hands clasped in greeting, yet his back remained ramrod straight, showing not the slightest deference a subordinate owes a superior,

"Investigating land holdings has always been a major taboo through the ages. Most of Secluded Prefecture's fields are the sacrificial and reward lands painstakingly cleared by generations of the great clans; a rash investigation would surely provoke a popular uprising."

"As for military authority…"

Cui Yuandao gave a cold snort, his gaze flicking to Zhao Rui standing beside Gu Yuan,

"The troops of the Secluded Prefecture Great Camp are the heavy weapons guarding against the demon clans of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains; they have always been under dual control of the Inspectorate and the Ministry of War. For you to seize military command with a single word is not only improper, it violates the ancient statutes. If trouble erupts on the frontier, can you bear the responsibility for such a colossal crime?"

"Moreover, those demon case files are nothing but old scores. Most of those demons have already been executed or fled; reopening these files would only waste the people's money and effort—what could you possibly uncover? Do you really think the officials of Secluded Prefecture, from top to bottom, are sheltering demons?"

Cui Yuandao's words were laced with barbs, each sentence striking at the heart.

Not only did he invoke public opinion and the ancient statutes, he directly slapped a big hat on Gu Yuan for being ignorant of the rules and acting recklessly.

Seeing Cui Yuandao take the lead, the other officials in the main hall chimed in one after another.

"Inspector Cui is absolutely right! Governor, this must absolutely not be done!"

"Secluded Prefecture is not like Clear Prefecture; this is a vital border stronghold where a single move affects the whole. You'd do well to reconsider before acting."

"If you insist on going your own way, we officials can only jointly memorialize the capital and beg His Majesty's supreme judgment!"

For a moment, the entire hall of the Inspectorate seethed with indignation, as if Gu Yuan had proposed some tyranny that provoked heaven and angered the people.

They tried to use this show of force to give the young Governor a taste of their power, letting him know who really calls the shots in Secluded Prefecture.

Yet, faced with the officials' pressure, Gu Yuan's face showed not a trace of panic or anger.

He remained seated in the Grand Tutor's chair, his fingers tapping the table in a steady rhythm, not even lifting an eyelid.

"Have you finished speaking?"

Gu Yuan's voice was not loud, yet it rang clearly throughout the hall in the crisp click that accompanied his finger tapping the table.

The hubbub in the main hall came to an abrupt halt.

Gu Yuan slowly lifted his head, his gaze deep as an abyss, sweeping over everyone present.

That gaze was not that of a novice scholar just entering officialdom; it was more like a lofty deity looking down on a bunch of clueless ants.

"Inspector Cui, you seem to have gotten something wrong."

Gu Yuan curled the corner of his mouth into a cold arc,

"I summoned you today not to consult with you, but to issue orders."

"I am the Governor of Secluded Prefecture, appointed by His Majesty as a fourth‑rank official, Heaven's Patrol, Overseer of Secluded Prefecture's military and civil affairs. My word is the law of Secluded Prefecture. As for the ancestral statutes and local conditions you mentioned…"

"Before me, there are no ancestral statutes—only my orders!"

"If anyone refuses to comply, go ahead and wash your neck clean—let's see whether your necks are harder or my demon‑slaying sword is!"

Cui Yuandao was forced backward half a step by that aura, his face alternating between green and white.

He never imagined that this brash youngster from a humble background would dare to be so arrogant, completely disregarding the usual officialdom playbook!

"You… you are acting arbitrarily! This is tyranny!"

Cui Yuandao pointed at Gu Yuan, his finger trembling slightly,

"I am a fourth‑rank Inspector; you have no authority…"

"Zhao Rui."

"At your command!" Zhao Rui stepped forward, hand on his sword hilt, releasing the full killing aura of a fifth‑rank military officer without reservation.

"Convey my order: effective immediately, the Governor's Office will take charge of the defense of Secluded Prefecture's capital. No official of the Inspectorate, high or low, may leave the capital without my permission, not even a single step. Anyone who defies this will be charged with rebellion and executed on the spot." Gu Yuan's tone left no room for jest.

"As you command."

Zhao Rui drew his waist‑worn blade; a flash of bright steel swept past, the tip pointing directly at Cui Yuandao and the others.

The fifty Imperial Guard behind him likewise drew their weapons in unison, sealing off the hall's exits.

These Imperial Guard, transformed by Gu Yuan with the Myriad Dao Time Light Lamp, now had eyes filled only with absolute loyalty to him.

Not only would they stop a group of civil officials, but even if Gu Yuan ordered them to chop Cui Yuandao into mincemeat, they would hesitate not at all.

"Gu Ziyuan! You've gone mad! You're trying to rebel against Secluded Prefecture!"

Cui Yuandao shouted in furious exasperation.

"Rebel?"

Gu Yuan gave a light chuckle, stepped up to Cui Yuandao, and looked down at him from above.

"Inspector Cui, don't think too highly of yourself. The realm of the Great Yin Divine Dynasty would run better without you bloated, brain‑full worms. Go back and prepare the case files and military tallies I demand. My patience is limited."

Having said that, Gu Yuan flicked his sleeve, turned, and strode out of the Inspectorate.

Zhao Rui and the others gave the officials a cold glance, sheathed their swords, and followed closely behind.

In the now‑empty main hall, only Cui Yuandao and a group of officials with ashen faces remained.

"This is sheer bullying! Utter bullying!"

A prefect trembled with rage,

"Inspector Cui, this Gu Ziyuan knows no official decorum; he's out to exterminate us to the last man!"

Cui Yuandao stared fixedly at Gu Yuan's retreating back, a flicker of extremely venomous killing intent flashing in his eyes.

"What a Heaven's Patrol, what a thunder‑handed method!"

Cui Yuandao gritted his teeth and said,

"Since he won't leave us a way out, don't blame us for being ruthless. Tonight at midnight, notify all the clan heads to come to my manor's secret chamber for a meeting. I'll make him learn just who really rules Secluded Prefecture!"