Chapter 150: Is Lu Chen

It was already noon!

The three of you entered the Imperial City Office!

At the vermilion gate, two guards leaned lazily against the wall, spears in hand, dozing off, unaware of your three.

Lu Yu found it peculiar to see this.

He had assumed that the Imperial City Office, one of the capital's two factories and three offices, would be heavily guarded and strictly disciplined.

Yet the scene before him left him deeply disappointed.

He quietly used spiritual energy to project his voice, then let out a sudden roar, like a tiger's bellow or an ape's cry.

The two guards jolted awake at the unexpected sound, their weapons clattering to the ground, their posture comically startled.

They widened their eyes, scanning everywhere, trying to locate the source of the noise.

"Damn it, I thought it was thunder!"

Lu Yu spoke calmly: "We've come to strike the Heavenly Drum."

The two guards paused, then took another look at the three of you.

One of them waved his hand impatiently: "Go away, don't cause trouble—we're on duty here."

"If you're bored, go find girls at Chunyue Pavilion."

With that, they closed their eyes again, ready to doze off.

Wei Yue watched this scene, helpless. She knew the Imperial City Office had long become a hollow shell—neither the capital's citizens nor the guards took it seriously.

She couldn't fathom why she'd ever thought to come here to strike the Heavenly Drum.

Back then, she had been out of options!

The two guards suddenly noticed Wei Yue wiping her eyes.

Familiar!

Isn't this the little girl taken away by the Western Factory a few days ago?

She walked into the Western Factory's den and came out alive? How strange!

At that moment!

A man emerged from the Imperial City Office gate, accompanied by four or five guards.

The man was fat-faced and big-bellied, a middle-aged man with a jade ring on his thumb.

His gaze was cruel.

With just one glance, the two guards straightened their spines instinctively, bowing respectfully: "Your Excellency Zhang, Vice Commander."

Zhang Lin, Vice Commander Zhang.

Zhang Lin came from humble origins but had been a servant in the Second Prince's residence, a loyal lackey willing to die for his master, mediocre in ability but addicted to gambling, unfit for serious duties.

Zhou Zhen, recognizing his unwavering loyalty, repeatedly saved him from danger and eventually promoted him to Vice Commander of the Imperial City Office.

The post was idle, unimportant, yet well-paid.

He had just lost money, and his face was dark and sour.

"What's all this shouting?" Zhang Lin barked impatiently. The two guards dared not delay, quickly answering: "These three want to strike the Heavenly Drum."

Zhang Lin's expression darkened. He coldly demanded: "Who are you, daring to strike this Heavenly Drum?"

"Don't you know? Under His Majesty's rule, the realm is peaceful and prosperous."

"Get out now, or you'll feel my whip."

As he spoke, the men behind him revealed hostile expressions, eyes fierce, gripping their wrists, ready to shove forward.

At that moment!

A furious shout came from behind: "I dare anyone to move!" The voice brimmed with urgency.

All his men froze.

Zhang Lin turned, frowning slightly, to see Xie Linghao arriving with Jiao He, the Commandant of Punishments.

The women inside did not appear.

Xie Linghao, this "fallen-from-heaven" Vice Commander, Zhang Lin had always disliked.

Though both served under Zhou Zhen, Zhang Lin was unafraid—he had served His Majesty since childhood.

Yet for Xie Chunan, the Minister Xie, Zhang Lin dared not show the slightest disrespect.

He knew Xie Chunan's power well; though he resented him, he preferred to keep a respectful distance.

Today, Zhang Lin had lost money and was already in a foul mood; now, with his men watching, he felt his dignity insulted.

He sneered at Xie Linghao: "Minister Xie, do you intend to meddle in my affairs?"

Zhang Lin then noticed the eunuch behind him, startled—both had known each other since the Prince's residence, and he knew this man was the Master's confidant. He quickly said:

"Commander Jiao, you've come."

Jiao He ignored him, merely bowing respectfully to you, his expression calm.

Jiao He thought that only the old Lord Lu, the former Protector, deserved such a bow; this one did not. After bowing, he said nothing.

Xie Linghao likewise dared not speak your name.

Zhang Lin was baffled, curious about your identity—especially Jiao He's demeanor. This man was the second most powerful in the Eastern Depot.

Few in the capital merited such deference from him.

You merely smiled, gesturing for Lu Yu to toss Chen Sanzhong's wrapped head onto the ground with a dull thud.

A head rolled out from the cloth!

Zhang Lin glanced at the head on the ground, expression unchanged—he'd killed men before.

But the two guards turned pale again; they'd never seen a head delivered in broad daylight.

Zhang Lin studied the white-haired old man more closely—it seemed…

Zhang Lin's eyes widened, stunned into near-silence.

A name flashed in his mind—Chen Sanzhong, Head of the Western Factory, the man whose power was immense and whose martial cultivation was unfathomable.

"Chen… Sanzhong!"

Jiao He also saw the head on the ground—his face instantly turned ashen.

As a top enemy of the Eastern Depot, he knew Chen Sanzhong well—he recognized him at once, filled with hatred, fear, and awe.

Chen Sanzhong had risen to lead the Western Factory, granted the title "Nine Thousand Years," the pinnacle of eunuch power.

Now his head rolled before his own feet—unbelievable.

Jiao He looked at you again, now with deeper fear.

This Protector had entered the capital on his first day and killed Chen Sanzhong.

Xie Linghao was equally stunned—the Nine Thousand Years was dead. If this news spread, the entire capital would shake.

Lu Yu stepped forward, clapping Zhang Lin on the shoulder:

"Open the gate."

Zhang Lin trembled as he looked at you: "What is your esteemed name?"

Jiao He and the others raised their heads, watching you intently—here, in this place, would you dare speak your name?

The Protector enters the capital, accuses the Imperial City Office—the city erupts.

You smiled, composed: "Lu Chen. Is the name Lu Shenzhou enough?"

Lu Chen?

Lord Lu? What joke is this?

Zhang Lin sometimes, drunk, called himself "Imperial City Office Lu Shenzhou."

You're Lu Shenzhou? Then who am I?

Zhang Lin looked around—the others' faces were grave, not joking.

Zhang Lin's expression hardened. He asked cautiously: "What are you accusing?"

You spoke slowly: "I accuse the Son of Heaven of moral failure, and the Empress Dowager of conspiring with the Northern Wind, plotting to betray the people of the realm!"

Xie Linghao's eyes widened—he was finished. The inevitable had come.

Jiao He's face changed—this was high treason.

Accusing the Empress Dowager. Accusing the Emperor.

What is the Lord of the Lu family thinking?

Zhang Lin was paralyzed—The Emperor lacks virtue? The Imperial Family rebels?

Accuse the Grand Empress Dowager and the Son of Heaven.

Your Majesty, why rebel?

Drafted last night, discarded. Now restructured.

【Resurrect, my readers.】 (Whisper from the Abyss)

Your Majesty, why have you plotted rebellion?

The evening draft was scrapped! I've just restructured it now.

(End of Chapter)

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(End of Chapter)