You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 139 Wherever the imperial decree reaches, none in the land dare to disobey.
Prime Minister's House.

After leaving court, Prime Minister Yuan Bo returned to his residence and sat in the main hall, deep in thought with a furrowed brow.

Just now in the court, some officials reported that the military pay for this year's border troops has not yet been distributed, and the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Marquis of Xiliang have already submitted memorials urging payment.

But the one on the dragon throne simply said "I understand" and that was it.

This made Prime Minister Yuan Bo think deeply.

Is the person on the dragon throne signaling that he intends to take action against the garrison commander of the border town?

After all, Emperor Zhou Chen has recently taken action against both the court and local authorities one after another, which has made Prime Minister Yuan Bo think twice.

Just as Prime Minister Yuan Bo was deep in thought, the steward of the mansion hurriedly walked in.

"Master, a letter has arrived from the clan." The steward entered and handed a letter to Prime Minister Yuan Bo.

"Oh!"

Prime Minister Yuan Bo snapped out of his daze and immediately took the letter from the steward's hand.

I opened it and started reading.

Prime Minister Yuan Bo was waiting for a reply from his clan, wanting to know their decision regarding the palace official's actions against the aristocratic families.

Although Cui Yongyuan and the Cui family of Boling were exterminated, preventing them from being implicated for the time being, no one can guarantee that the person in the palace will stop there.

After reading the letter from the clan, Prime Minister Yuan Bo's expression became extremely solemn.

Prime Minister Yuan Bo never expected that his clan would make such a risky decision.

One careless move could plunge the entire Yuan family of Runan into utter ruin.

After a moment of contemplation, Prime Minister Yuan Bo glanced at the steward and said, "Go and summon the people from Xiliang and Beijiang who sent the memorials urging payment. Tell them that I wish to see them."

"Yes, sir."

The butler turned and left.

……

The Ministry of Revenue's Office.

The Minister of Revenue looked at the secret letter in his hand, his expression shifting with a serious look.

The Minister of Revenue was surprised that the clan's decision did not adopt his suggestion, but instead followed the wishes of Cui Yongyuan, who had already died in the Eastern Depot prison.

This is no small matter!

"It seems I need to find an opportunity to discuss this with the Prime Minister."

The Minister of Revenue's eyes gleamed.

……

"The Divine Fist Sect was actually wiped out by the imperial court! That's unbelievable!"

"Yes! After all, the Divine Fist Sect was a major force in the martial arts world, and now it has been wiped out of the martial arts world."

"What's this? Daring to provoke the imperial court is just courting death!"

"I heard that because of this incident, many martial arts forces have gathered at Wuliang Mountain to discuss the intentions behind the imperial court's move."

These days, after the Divine Fist Sect and Fuyun Manor, these martial arts forces, were wiped out by Lü Bu and Cao Shaoqin, the matter has been the talk of the martial arts world.

Many people in the martial arts world are secretly speculating whether the imperial court's crackdown on martial arts forces has ulterior motives.

The imperial court wants to take this opportunity to extend its reach into the martial arts world.

……

Wuliang Mountain.

The Wuliang Sword Sect is located on Wuliang Mountain.

Compared to the Divine Fist Sect, the Boundless Sword Sect is the top force in the martial arts world, and can be said to be the leading force in the martial arts world.

In the martial arts world, if the Wuliang Sword Sect issues an edict, no one in the martial arts world dares to disobey.

Today, many martial arts factions have gathered on Wuliang Mountain to discuss the matter of the Divine Fist Sect being wiped out by the imperial court.

Inside the main hall of Wuliang Palace.

More than twenty representatives from various factions in the martial arts world sat on the left and right sides, with more than a dozen people standing around them.

A middle-aged man dressed in an endless robe walked out from the side and took the seat of honor.

"Greetings, Sect Leader Wuchenzi."

Upon seeing the figure taking the main seat, the more than twenty representatives from various factions in the martial arts world stood up and bowed to Wuchenzi in a gesture of respect.

Wuchenzi, the leader of the Wuliang Sword Sect, is a renowned figure in the martial arts world. His Wuliang Sword Technique is so powerful that he has yet to be matched by anyone.

"Please don't be shy, everyone, please sit down!"

Wuchenzi waved his hand and sat down in the main seat.

The twenty-odd representatives from various factions in the martial arts world on the left and right sides below also sat down.

The once noisy hall suddenly fell silent, and everyone's eyes were fixed on Wuchenzi, who sat in the main seat.

After sitting down, Wuchenzi glanced at everyone present and said loudly, "It is an honor for Wuliang Mountain that you have come from afar to come with us."

"I, Wuchenzi, have a rough idea of ​​why you have come here."

"You've all come here because of the destruction of the Divine Fist Sect and Fuyun Manor by the imperial court, haven't you?"

Wuchenzi swept his gaze across everyone present.

The twenty-odd martial arts figures sitting below all nodded.

"Sect Leader Wuchenzi is right, we did come here for this very reason."

"The imperial court wiped out the Divine Fist Sect and Fuyun Manor on the pretext of being implicated in the death of the Grand Tutor."

"And no one was spared, not even men, women, children, chickens, or dogs. This court is far too domineering and bloody."

One of them stood up and said.

"That's right. The imperial court's suppression of our martial arts forces is simply treating our martial arts world as nothing."

"What if the imperial court takes action against all of you present here next?"

Another person stood up and said in a deep voice.

Yes!

What should we do if the imperial court takes action against the martial arts world again?
The others in the room began to whisper among themselves, each with a furrowed brow and a tense expression.

They were indeed people who lived on the edge of danger, but they also had families and relatives.

They are not worried about their own safety, but that does not mean they do not consider their relatives and friends.

"So what is the meaning of your decision to come up to my Wuliang Mountain together?"

Wuchenzi glanced at everyone, his gaze calm, revealing no trace of his true thoughts.

Faced with Wuchenzi's calm gaze, the more than twenty representatives of various martial arts forces present below fell silent.

For a moment, I didn't know how to answer Wuchenzi's question.

They can't exactly say that going up Wuliang Mountain together means they want the Wuliang Sword Sect to lead a fight to the death with the imperial court!
"Sect Leader Wuchenzi, the Wuliang Sword Sect is a renowned sect in our martial arts world, and a pillar of our martial arts community."

"He is the leader of all forces in the martial arts world."

"We came to Wuliang Mountain today to ask Sect Leader Wuchenzi for advice, so that we, the people of the martial arts world, can have a leader to rely on."

"If the imperial court takes action against the martial arts world again, how should we respond?"

A martial arts practitioner with a few gray hairs stood up and bowed to Wuchenzi, who was in the main seat.

His words were met with agreement from the others present.

The other martial arts figures present all nodded.

They all came to Wuliang Mountain today so that the Wuliang Sword Sect, a pillar of the sect, could act as a leader, make a decision, and discuss this matter.

Upon hearing the words of this martial arts expert, Wuchenzi raised an eyebrow slightly.

To be honest, this idea was not easy to come up with, and being the key figure in this endeavor was also difficult.

If the imperial court is truly determined to disrupt the martial arts world, then even the Wuliang Sword Sect is not qualified to confront the imperial court.

at this time.

Sudden.

A sharp, whispering voice rang out from outside the hall and entered the main hall of Wuliang Palace.

"Let me, an ordinary person, give you all some advice!"

"who?"

"How dare you be so presumptuous in my Wuliang Mountain."

The moment the shrill voice entered the hall, everyone inside was startled.

Wuchenzi, who was sitting in the main seat, suddenly stood up, disappeared from the main seat, and rushed away.

The other martial arts figures were also quick, following closely behind Wuchenzi as they rushed out of the Wuliang Palace main hall.

When Wuchenzi and the representatives of various martial arts factions rushed out of the Wuliang Palace, the first thing they saw was the disciples of the Wuliang Sword Sect confronting a group of people.

Eagle suit.

Crescent-shaped dagger. Jade belt.

Eastern Depot and its guards?

Upon seeing the distinctive markings on this group of people, Wuchenzi and the representatives of these various martial arts factions immediately changed their expressions.

They never expected that the Eastern Depot's guards would suddenly go to Wuliang Mountain.

What is the Eastern Depot trying to do?
Do you really intend to wipe out the Wuliang Sword Sect as well?
Wuchenzi stepped forward, glanced at the several injured disciples lying on the ground, and looked at Cao Shaoqin with a grim expression; "You Eastern Depot actually dared to trespass on my Wuliang Mountain and injure my Wuliang Mountain disciples."

"What does the Eastern Depot want to do?"

"Does your Eastern Depot want to start a war with all the gangs and factions in the martial arts world?"

Wuchenzi looked at Cao Shaoqin and said with a grim expression.

His Wuliang Sword Sect is, after all, a famous and prestigious sect in the martial arts world, a pillar of the nation.

These people from the Eastern Depot actually showed up uninvited, barged into Wuliang Mountain, and even injured his Wuliang Sword Sect disciples.

This Eastern Depot is truly extremely arrogant.

Go to war?
Cao Shaoqin's lips curled into a disdainful smile.

"You think you're worthy?"

“I remember someone speaking to our Eastern Depot in the same tone a few days ago, but now their graves are overgrown with weeds.”

Cao Shaoqin gave Wuchenzi a effeminate look.

Wuchenzi's face flushed red and turned extremely gloomy.

Threat.

This is a blatant threat.

He, the dignified leader of the Wuliang Sword Sect, a highly renowned figure in the martial arts world, was actually threatened by the Eastern Depot in public.

This is really unreasonable.

Cao Shaoqin ignored Wuchenzi's gloomy face and instead glanced at the more than twenty martial arts figures behind Wuchenzi.

"I have come uninvited because I have some things to tell you in the martial arts world."

"Since there are so many martial arts figures like you on Wuliang Mountain, that's perfect."

"From this moment forward, you martial arts practitioners are not to disobey the imperial court's orders."

"Furthermore, one must not violate the laws of the imperial court or provoke its authority."

"Wherever the imperial decrees go, whether you are inside or outside the martial arts world, you must obey the orders and abide by the rules of the imperial court."

"Anyone who dares to cause trouble, who doesn't respect the imperial court, and who opposes and opposes the imperial court."

"Hehe, the Divine Fist Sect and Fuyun Manor are a prime example of what happened to them."

Cao Shaoqin coldly surveyed all the martial arts figures, his effeminate voice echoing throughout the entire square outside Wuliang Palace.

Upon hearing Cao Shaoqin's words, Wuchenzi and the other martial arts figures' faces immediately darkened to an extreme degree.

Cao Shaoqin's arrogant words threatened not only one person or one force, but the entire martial arts world.

Wuchenzi looked at Cao Shaoqin with a gloomy expression; "Your Eastern Depot is far too domineering."

"The imperial court does not interfere with the martial arts world; this has always been the rule."

"We, the people of the martial arts world, have always kept to ourselves and your imperial court."

"Our martial arts world has its own rules."

"Why must your Eastern Depot force people to do things they can't, and be so aggressive!"

Wuchenzi looked at Cao Shaoqin and said in a gloomy tone.

Jianghu matters, Jianghu matter.

This has always been the rule in the martial arts world.

But now, the imperial court is actually going to interfere in the martial arts world, forcing it to obey orders and follow the court's rules. Isn't this going to put a tight rein on the carefree martial arts community?
"Humph."

Cao Shaoqin snorted coldly.

"rule?"

"The imperial court's word is law."

"Under the whole world, is it not the king's land."

"Within the whole land, all are subjects of the king."

"This world belongs to my Great Zhou Dynasty, and no one can escape the control of the imperial court."

"The martial arts world is no exception."

"Wherever the emperor's decree goes, none in the land dare to disobey."

"Anyone who dares to disobey will have their entire clan exterminated."

After uttering a cold remark, Cao Shaoqin led the imperial guards and turned to walk down the mountain.

Cao Shaoqin went up Wuliang Mountain to convey the imperial decree to the martial arts world and to intimidate the martial arts community, not to fight with these people.

Now that the objective has been achieved, there is no need for Cao Shaoqin to stay any longer.

As for whether these people in the martial arts world would listen to him, that was not something Cao Shaoqin should worry about.

If there are truly those who are not afraid of death and do not take Cao Shaoqin's widely circulated words in the martial arts world seriously, then there is only one outcome awaiting them.

That would be genocide.

"Asshole."

"These people from the Eastern Depot are so arrogant."

"They simply don't take us江湖人士 (jianghu people) seriously."

Watching Cao Shaoqin's departing figure, one of the martial arts figures said with an ugly expression.

The other martial arts figures also looked grim, their faces filled with extreme anger.

But no one dared to rush up and directly fight the people from the Eastern Depot.

Because they all knew that if they did that, the consequences would be far more serious than just the death of a few people.

Wuchenzi's face was the most gloomy and unpleasant.

On Mount Wuliang, in the heart of the Wuliang Sword Sect's stronghold, he was actually threatened by the Eastern Depot, a group of imperial henchmen.

If word gets out, the Wuliang Sword Sect will lose face big time.

"bump."

Just then, a figure fell from a distance onto the square.

The figure opened its mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Ancestor."

When Wuchenzi saw the figure that had fallen, his expression changed, and he immediately flew over to pounce on it.

The other martial arts practitioners also saw clearly that the person who fell was an elderly man with gray hair, and immediately recognized his identity.

This white-haired old man was none other than Wuliang Elder, the patriarch of the Wuliang Sword Sect, and one of the few remaining half-step Celestial Realm experts in the world.

"Grandpa, are you alright?"

"Who hurt you?"

Wuchenzi rushed to the old man's side and quickly helped him up.

"Greetings, Boundless Ancestor."

Other martial arts figures also rushed over immediately and greeted the old man in unison.

He wondered who it was that could have injured the patriarch of the Wuliang Sword Sect.

It should be noted that the patriarch of the Wuliang Sword Sect was a powerful expert who was half a step into the Celestial Realm.

The person who could injure this old man must be at least a half-step Celestial Being.

The old man stood up, ignoring Wuchenzi and the other martial arts figures, and looked up into the distance.

"Remember my words, Lü Bu."

"Wherever the imperial decree goes, none in the land dare to disobey."

“Those who do not respect this rule will have their entire clan exterminated.”

At that moment, an extremely domineering voice came from afar, ringing in everyone's ears.

Lu Bu?

The flying general who killed two half-step celestial beings, Old Monster Du and Li Chengjiao, the leader of the Yellow Heaven Sect, with a single halberd strike.
Everyone's expression changed upon hearing this extremely domineering voice.

Now these people in the martial arts world know who injured the patriarch of the Wuliang Sword Sect.

It turned out to be Lü Bu.

……

(End of this chapter)