Chapter 185: Bring the Imperial Edict!

The scent of blood thickened into fog inside the room, and in the blood‑soaked brocade pool a crimson inspector's official robe lay askew, its gold‑threaded cloud pattern and bird motifs stained dark red, while the blood crusts in the folds resembled snarling veins.

Where a black silk headdress should have been, emptiness hung, the broken neck twisted with shredded flesh, jagged white bones protruded, and dark‑red blood columns solidified into grotesque stalactite shapes.

Below the waist that should have been bound with a jade belt remained only a mangled torso; the arms, cut off by a Blade, dangled at twisted angles at the sides, their embroidered dark‑pattern cuffs drooping, and black‑red blood stains seeped from the empty sleeves.

The feet that should have been in the black boots were gone; the two remaining leg stumps had skin and flesh flayed outward at the cuts, and dark‑brown clots of blood piled at the edges of the wounds.

"Inspector's official robe… "

"Same stature… "

Xiao Lin stared in shock at the corpse in the blood pool; based on the captured information, he reached a horrifying conclusion: "He is the Ming Prefect?!"

"The Prefect has been murdered?!"

At that moment, Xiao Lin, who was the first to step into the room and witness the tragedy, froze in place.

In his eyes, various strange colors flickered…

"The Ming Prefect was assassinated?!"

"And his head and limbs were cut off?!"

Liu Yuanjing was also shocked, inhaled several breaths of cold air, and struggled to steady the tremor in his chest.

He was not unfamiliar with corpses…

But a corpse stripped of head, arms and legs like this was truly his first sight!

What deep hatred could drive this?

"Who dares to publicly use such cruel means in an office to assassinate a prefect of a commandery? Who could have such audacity?"

Wang Xiong stared unblinkingly at the body lying in the blood pool, remained calm, let his mind work, muttering, "How was this done again?"

He wore a plainly puzzled expression.

This is the prefectural office, the most secure place in Jingzhou, isn't it…?

Yet the dignified prefect, a high‑ranking provincial official, met a tragic death right here in his own office?!

It baffles the mind!

"Before the anti‑bandit campaign even began, the Jingzhou Prefect was killed in his office…"

"This is no good omen, office!"

He Ruodun looked at the corpse, a chill ran down his spine, his Adam's apple bobbed violently, his eyelashes trembled, his lower lip bore deep bite marks, and he stepped back several steps, sighing.

His words carried an indescribable terror.

Linking the odd events of the past few days, especially that gloomy ruined temple, He Ruodun became even more flustered…

His desire to return to Chang'an rose gradually…

As voices rose and arguments swirled, the atmosphere in the room began to head in an uncontrollable direction.

"Everyone shut up!"

"Quiet down!"

Chen Yan withdrew his gaze from the corpse, looked around, and shouted loudly.

"Silence!"

Zhu Yi, seeing this, also gathered his inner strength and echoed, temporarily suppressing the restless voices with force.

In an instant, the room fell deathly silent, only rapid breathing could be heard.

Chen Yan, expressionless, stared directly at Xiao Lin and Chief Sima Zu, and in an uncompromising tone ordered, "Chief Inspector Xiao, Chief Sima Zu, seal the news of the Ming Prefect's death at once!"

"Anyone present may not spread it!"

"Anyone who disobeys will be beheaded without mercy!"

Having spoken, his fierce gaze swept over everyone present.

That naturally included the group of aristocratic youths he himself had brought.

With trouble at hand, he would not tolerate any slip.

"Hiss~ What a powerful aura!"

"Is this his true face?"

Dou Luling felt his scalp tingle under that stare, thinking to himself.

Previously Chen Yan had been too easy‑going, leading him to subconsciously assume he was a gentle person…

At this moment, the oppressive pressure hit him, revealing the true bearing of a commander.

Dou Luling had seen this on his father; the two sides were even comparable!

"Lord Chen Yan, according to protocol, when a prefect is killed, the news should be reported to Chang'an immediately, and the Court should handle it…"

Xiao Lin, hearing this, seemed thoughtful, and cautiously questioned Chen Yan's order: "Blocking the news on your own violates regulations!"

Chen Yan's eyes hardened as he examined Xiao Lin, and in a deep voice said, "You should know, once the news of the Ming Prefect's gruesome death gets out…"

"Not only will Jingzhou's stability be shaken, the whole region will be filled with panic and unease!"

"If the bandits hear it, do you think the Qinghong Society will let this once‑in‑a‑century chance slip?"

Chen Yan enunciated with measured cadence, his words striking the ground.

Wang Xiong, Liu Yuanjing, Yuwen Ze and others nodded repeatedly.

Once the prefect's death spreads, Jingzhou's situation and morale will descend into chaos…

It will also fuel the relentless bandit scourge, and they may even seize the opportunity of weakness!

The consequences are unimaginable.

"Lord Chen Yan, you are right…"

Xiao Lin clenched his teeth, forced himself, and said, "But the responsibility of concealing the prefect's death is something neither I nor Chief Sima Zu can bear!"

"Your request is denied!"

Even if Xiao Lin is unwilling to offend Chen Yan, he does not dare to follow his orders.

This lord is the Favorite Minister of the Grand Treasury Minister, also commissioned to suppress bandits, yet he is not the Jingzhou chief official.

If they act on their own initiative, their official careers are ruined—at best they stall, at worst they are demoted and exiled...

The stakes are clear, so how could Xiao Lin not understand them?

"Indeed!"

Zu Ting also understood perfectly, and immediately clasped his fists, saying: "Lord Chen Yan, I hope you can understand the difficulties of us lower officials..."

The other Jingzhou officials in the room also repeatedly echoed in agreement.

"Brother Chen's response has no problem..."

Wang Xiong narrowed his eyes, involuntarily shook his head, and murmured to himself: "But the Jingzhou officials would never dare gamble with their own futures!"

This is a very thorny trouble...

Moreover, both sides' starting points have no problem.

A single-mindedness blocked at both ends.

If it were Wang Xiong in his place, he truly wouldn't know how to handle it in the moment...

After all, forcing it would inevitably spark a conflict between the two sides.

"Rest assured, I understand your difficulties..."

Chen Yan took it lightly and smiled calmly.

He paused, gestured to Zhu Yi, and continued: "Bring the imperial edict!"

He appeared composed and unhurried.

He showed not the slightest sign of haste.

Zhu Yi nodded, took from his bosom the item carefully wrapped in a Silk Scroll, and handed it up.

"The edict?"

"What edict?"

Both the Jingzhou officials and the Chang'an aristocratic youths were startled by the words, looking at each other in confusion.

After Chen Yan took it, unhurriedly he spread the edict before everyone and loudly said: "Chief Historian Xiao, Sima Zu, please examine this edict..."

"Your Majesty has granted me the authority to control Jingzhou's military and civil affairs, and also Execute Before Reporting!"

This edict was originally intended, should the situation turn unfavorable, to control Jingzhou...

But when plans cannot keep up with changes, Chen Yan must decide instantly, unveiling the two great powers early to stabilize the situation!

"Control Jingzhou's military and civil affairs?!"

"And Execute Before Reporting?!"

Wang Xiong, Liu Yuanjing and others were startled, feeling a buzzing in their heads.

The fifteen-year-old Your Majesty does not personally govern nor hold real power; affairs of the court are decided by the Grand Treasury Minister and several Pillars of the State...

What they did not expect was that the Grand Treasury Minister's trust and regard for Chen Yan had reached this level?!

What these two great powers mean, could those born of noble families still not understand?

"Indeed, control Jingzhou's military and civil affairs?!"

Xiao Lin and Zu Ting stared straight at the black-on-white words of the edict and repeatedly verified the Great Seal.

Their faces were full of disbelief.

These few short characters signify that this lord before us, though without the title of Jingzhou Governor, actually holds the authority of one.

His power in Jingzhou exceeds that of a Prefect!

But Yuwen Ze, He Ba Le and others showed little emotional turbulence, having long since become accustomed to such things...

After all, when they were in Qinzhou, they had already witnessed it...

"Gentlemen, you may now proceed as I have instructed, correct?"

Chen Yan examined their expressions, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, and said: "All responsibility rests on my own effort!"

He paused, shifted his tone, and continued: "Of course, if any trace of the Prefect's death news leaks out, you two will be held accountable!"

"Understood!" Xiao Lin and Zu Ting, upon hearing, responded in unison without hesitation.

Chen Yan raised his hand, pointed at the pool of blood on the ground, and ordered: "Zhu Yi, Lu Cangfeng, go examine this corpse's wounds and the fatal injury..."

"Yes." The two responded and moved.

After half a incense stick's burn.

Chen Yan, with both hands behind his back, asked: "How is it?"

"How did this corpse lose its head, arms, and legs?"

"Was it cut off with a sword?"