Chapter 79: I

Li Chen returned to the palace as evening approached.

As soon as he reached his resting quarters, the Chief Eunuch, Grand Eunuch Cui, rushed over.

Seeing no one around, he handed Li Chen something.

“Your Majesty, this is an item the Fifth Prince entrusted me to deliver to you.”

Li Chen picked it up and saw it was Volume One of the Emperor Dragon Sacred Scripture.

It seemed Li Ran still remembered his promise and had begun acting swiftly, proving he was truly trying to please Li Chen.

Because Li Ran knew that if he wanted revenge, he best sought Li Chen’s help.

For a Saint Realm cultivator, it’s better to please than to offend.

As always, who in their right mind would dare make an enemy of a Saint Realm cultivator? That’s just asking for trouble.

Especially since Li Chen is the Emperor, wielding terrifying power.

“Tell Li Ran to focus on his cultivation. If he needs anything, let me know.”

After speaking, Li Chen returned to his room to study the Emperor Dragon Sacred Scripture.

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Capital government office.

These past few days, Lin Yue’e had become infamous.

At first, she only arrested the second-generation scions of the capital; now she was arresting their fathers too.

As long as she had evidence, she arrested them; once verified, she handed down the proper judgment, regardless of who they were.

In Lin Yue’e’s view, the Emperor’s token was in her hands—it was the Emperor’s trust in her, not a decorative ornament.

The more I arrest, the more it proves my capability.

The Imperial Capital government office’s prison had never been so full; even serving officials had been thrown inside.

Don’t ask why Lin Yue’e dares to arrest them—ask whether those arrested dare to resist.

Normally, these people were arrogant and tyrannical, abusing their power to plunge regions into chaos.

While studying at the Firebrand Combat Academy, Lin Yue’e always remembered one saying.

To eat the ruler’s grain is to bear the subject’s duty.

Lin Yue’e was a straightforward person; having taken office and salary, she held to her principles and professional ethics.

Now, as she led her team through the streets, commoners felt reassured seeing her, and some even approached to greet her.

Children passing by spoke of wanting to become like her one day.

That deep affection filled Lin Yue’e with satisfaction.

In contrast, the second-generation scions and officials avoided her entirely, fearing they’d be noticed and dragged off to jail.

At the Imperial Capital government office, just before quitting time, the Chief Constable arrived at Lin Yue’e’s office.

At this hour, Lin Yue’e had just finished reviewing case files and was preparing to leave.

“Chief Constable, what do you need?”

“It’s not anything major, but could we speak privately?”

Lin Yue’e held a decent impression of the Chief Constable; it was said he, too, had graduated from the Firebrand Combat Academy.

When Lin Yue’e first faced trouble, he, as her ‘senior,’ had repeatedly lent aid.

Lin Yue’e nodded and followed the Chief Constable out.

The two reached a secluded courtyard inside the government office, where the Chief Constable spoke earnestly: “Yue’e, if you keep arresting like this, they’ll retaliate against you—you must think carefully.”

The Chief Constable meant the powerful figures; in his view, if Lin Yue’e wanted to boost her record, she should target those with weak backing.

Even fallen noble families or top-tier cultivation clans—arresting them wouldn’t cause much trouble; the government office could handle them.

But now you’re escalating, arresting imperial relatives and nobles.

The Chief Constable felt a chill just thinking of them. Hearing this, Lin Yue’e replied solemnly: “Chief Constable, how can you be sure I’ll remain just a constable forever?”

The Emperor gave me the token because he wants me to act for him.

He sees I dare to arrest— the more fiercely I arrest, the more he’ll think I’m capable!

As long as my record improves, my future rank won’t be low.

If I used the Emperor’s token to bully minor players, what’s the point of the token? What would the Emperor think of me?

I’m just straightforward—I’m not stupid!

These words left the Chief Constable stunned.

Right—I was worrying about this junior, trying to teach her how to navigate society, fearing she’d make too many enemies.

But what if her future power surpasses theirs? Then they’d never dare retaliate.

For someone else, this would be laughable.

But don’t forget—Lin Yue’e has Li Chen, a Saint Realm Emperor, backing her.

As long as Li Chen remains unshaken, Lin Yue’e has nothing to fear.

!

Who would’ve thought this fresh-out-of-school junior actually understood the true meaning of the token?

Truly, the younger generation is formidable!

Finally, the Chief Constable sighed and said: “Fine, you’re right. Regardless, the government office supports you. Don’t let the Viceroy’s constant anxiety fool you—he’s been collecting hefty fines lately, and he’s delighted, having renovated the government office’s interiors and raised our salaries. Hahaha.”

After saying this, the Chief Constable felt at peace.

He had truly underestimated Lin Yue’e.

Recalling his own days after graduating from the Firebrand Combat Academy.

Full of ambition, he once fought the powerful for the sake of fairness—even bleeding and bruised.

Back then, he was fiery and proud; yet somehow, he’d become this slick, cautious man.

It was time to change, to reclaim the young man he once was, and to pour fresh blood once more for the Imperial Capital!

As if reading his thoughts, Lin Yue’e patted his shoulder and said earnestly: “Chief Constable, don’t go doing anything reckless—I have the token, you don’t.”

Chief Constable: “.”

Fine, I’ll go back to being the slick version of myself.

Lin Yue’e isn’t joking—I can cause trouble because the Emperor backs me, but if you cause trouble, you bear the consequences yourself. Think carefully.

Different people live differently.

Besides, the Emperor has only one token, and I have no authority to give it to you.

After chatting with the Chief Constable, Lin Yue’e left the government office, preparing to find someone.

Because she hadn’t yet completed today’s “main quest.”

Li Chen had instructed the palace eunuchs to tell her to target Prince Xu Zifeng of the Southern Pacification Prince.

Though Lin Yue’e didn’t understand why, if the Emperor said it, there must be a reason.

Whatever the Emperor said, she did.

I have to say, Lin Yue'e's efficiency is truly impressive.

That same night, as Li Chen studied the Emperor Dragon Sacred Scripture, a eunuch from the Empress Dowager’s retinue came to report someone wished to see him.

Since it was the Empress Dowager’s eunuch, the meaning was clear: she asked Li Chen to grant her another favor.

Such a small matter, the Empress Dowager herself couldn’t bear to come personally.

Moments after receiving Li Chen’s permission, a graceful woman in elegant, simple robes entered the study.

Her face was weary, her eyes filled with anxiety and hope—she had come for a reason.

“Your servant wife pays homage to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years.”

(End of Chapter)