The Court sent a special envoy to announce the "good news," and all officials of The Overseers gathered, naturally hosting a banquet for guests, and this time it was much grander.
Held at the Heavenly Patrol Hall.
Chen Yuan ordered everything to be prepared properly.
During the banquet, Chen Yuan introduced the identities of Xu Shaoqing and Gou Yue to the officials of The Overseers, saying they came together on an imperial mandate, which greatly surprised many civil servants of The Overseers, thereby deepening their trust in the imperial edict.
This demonstrated the Court’s high regard for the Nine Colonels, indicating no further pursuit of previous matters, allowing them to sleep peacefully.
At once, many congratulated Chen Yuan, offering toasts.
But Chen Yuan looked toward the closest table on his right side, smiled and said,
"Ah, everyone should toast not to myself, but to the Lamp Master Eunuch Li!"
"Lamp Master Li, following the imperial edict, traveled across vast distances, enduring the toil of the journey."
"Come, I’ll toast!" With this, his eyes carried a meaningful smile as he looked at this Lamp Master Eunuch.
"Eunuch Li, make sure to enjoy today’s banquet, for it’s prepared especially for you!"
"As for the other two, I’ve already hosted a wind-clearing banquet for them."
Li Huayu was somewhat absent-minded, tremblingly raised his cup, forcing a smile at the corner of his mouth,
"Thank you for your kindness, General Xie."
Saying this, he drank the bitter liquor from the cup.
And as this eunuch swallowed the strong drink with a bitter expression, beneath his table, Xu Liang and Gou Yue were placed after him. They noticed Li Huayu’s unusual behavior, and Chen Yuan’s overt demeanor, exchanging a glance, said nothing.
Thinking to themselves, this return to the capital won’t be peaceful!
The lively banquet at the Heavenly Patrol Hall, many seemed to have shed their burdens, enjoying a rare peace.
Some thought maybe Shu, having gained the Court’s attention, might lead to better days ahead.
Thus, the banquet slowly dispersed until 7 p.m.
By this time, the sun had already set, leaving only a faint red twilight in the distance.
Individuals left the hall, some leaving contented, having drunk to their heart’s content, stumbling away, some passed out drunk on the table.
Just like that Eunuch Li.
"Lamp Master seems quite happy today."
"Would you two mind escorting him to a room in your courtyard for some rest?"
Main table, Chen Yuan glanced, speaking to Xu Liang and Gou Yue.
Xu Liang and Gou Yue looked at Li Huayu passed out on the table, then bowed their hands to Chen Yuan, saying nothing, and helped carry Li Huayu away.
After taking Li Huayu away, they arrived at a villa halfway up the mountain, entered a room, then placed Eunuch Li onto a chair.
Next, Xu Shaoqing Xu Liang pinched a spell with his fingers, releasing a green light like a ripple, quickly enveloping the room.
He glanced at the figure seemingly passed out drunk, leaned over and said softly,
"Lamp Master, stop pretending!"
"Do you really think that Chen Longhu couldn’t see through this!"
Upon his words, the air inside the room remained silent, with no reaction.
Xu Liang looked at the unresponsive figure, smirked coldly, "Altering the imperial edict is a crime deserving of familial extermination!"
As the words fell, the originally drunkenly unconscious Eunuch Li’s body jerked, sprang up, and shrieked, "I did not!"
His eyes widened angrily.
Xu Liang only glanced at him sideways, speaking leisurely,
"Did His Majesty truly issue such an edict?"
"If you have no guilt, why act like this."
"Now, since everyone knows about this edict, it’ll inevitably reach His Majesty’s ears, whether it’s true or not, how could His Majesty not know?"
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Li transformed from furious to panic-stricken, then kneeled before Xu Liang,
"Please, Lord Shaoqing, save me!"
"I only have this wretched life. If I don’t follow Chen Longhu’s demands, you wouldn’t see me now."
"That man is truly capable of killing me!"
As he spoke, the servant portrayed a frightful expression of cowardice and eagerness to live.
Xu Liang looked at the Lamp Master, who fully demonstrated a servant’s character, his gaze was already on a dead man, and he spoke mildly, "You should convey these words to His Majesty directly yourself."
Then, he addressed Gou Yue, "Lord Gou, let us leave and let the Lamp Master sober up!"
Afterward, he briskly flicked his sleeve, and the door slammed open as he headed outside.
Gou Yue staggered slightly, following him out.
Li Huayu saw the two abandoning him, his spirit trembling with fear, tried to chase and plead, but was swept back by Xu Shaoqing’s reverse flick.
A gust of wind sent him flying, smashing tables and chairs, eliciting a miserable cry.
Then, "bang," the door closed!
Outside the door, Xu Shaoqing exhaled a stream of yellow gas, condensing quickly into a mist, rapidly enveloping the room.
Soon, a thin yellow light sealed the room!
Deputy Inspection Envoy Gou Yue observed, "Xu Shaoqing, what is this?"
"It’s to prevent him from escaping! He has to return the way he came, or as the chief, how would I explain to His Majesty if something happens." Xu Shaoqing stated expressionlessly, eyes cold. He definitely didn’t want to take the blame.
Gou Yue’s face carried doubt, "This surname Li just worked for Chen Longhu, would this action offend him!"
"I feel a bit uneasy. This man acts domineeringly with profound schemes, seemingly unperturbed by anything. If he wants to make things difficult for us, we wouldn’t be able to resist. I dare not ask him for anything now!"
Xu Shaoqing shook his head, "He won’t, this man did not hide anything, and didn’t even consider Li as anything. He’s treated him as a pawn, let us escort him back, the meaning is clear."
"He’s given us free rein to handle!"
Speaking this, a thick caution flashed in Xu Shaoqing’s eyes, "To ascend in Dragon and Tiger so quickly and have an entire cohort willing to die for him, controlling The Overseers. This man is unfathomable, every action has deeper meanings. I don’t know what he’s planning, nor do I wish to be involved."
"But you and I must ensure this Buddha reaches the capital. Gou Inspection Envoy, you should know what to do."
With these words, Xu Shaoqing stared straight at Gou Yue.
Gou Yue furrowed his brows, though being high-ranked, essentially Chen Yuan’s superior, he had to put his demeanor aside, sighed slightly, "We should properly attend to this man during the journey to Divine Capital!"
Xu Shaoqing said nothing, yet his eyes provided the answer.
While the two planned their strategy, night had just fallen upon Yunding Mountain, and a swift horse entered the mountain!
At this time, the banquet had just ended, dishes scattered, and the lights hadn’t been lit, giving the Heavenly Patrol Hall a somber darkness.
Finally, a few Colonels assisted the heavily drunk Pei Yanhu out of the hall.
This old man drank a lot today, managing to get himself thoroughly intoxicated.
Inside the hall, only a slightly intoxicated Chen Yuan sat at the center, surrounded by the eerie night, like a dragon crouched with tigers lurking.
Soon, outside the hall came footsteps rapid like drumbeats.
A figure hurriedly entered the dim hall!
The newcomer wore Green Armor, wrapped in a cloak, dusty and weary.
When he removed the helmet, exposing an aged face, battle-hardened, with disheveled hair.
He quickly approached,
"I received the general’s orders, to avoid attracting attention, I didn’t use the teleportation channel, hastened back day and night."
The newcomer spoke, then knelt on one knee, with a solemn and heavy gaze,
"Subordinate Gongsun Yang, reporting to the General!"
The newcomer was indeed Gongsun Yang, who stayed behind as a dark shadow at the frontline, observing demon activities.
Since following Chen Yuan from Qingshan County, he remained loyal, now becoming a strategic asset!
Now unbeknownst to many, he unexpectedly passed through the Heavenly Pass Taoist, achieving Tao Fruit at a rapid pace!
"Thank you for all your efforts, sir!" Chen Yuan observed Gongsun Yang’s presence, his eyes glowing intensely golden in the darkness.
"General, you’re heading to the Divine Capital?" Gongsun Yang looked up.
"Wasn’t I just waiting for you!"
Chen Yuan spoke, grinning.
A few days later, Jingguan City reported that Ninth Mountain’s Colonel went towards Divine Capital!

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