How did a bastard like him become an immortal?

"In view of Li Muyun's merit in comprehending the formation and his bearing the national destiny of the Sun Moon Empire, it is hereby decided to bestow upon him the title of Yin-Yang Commander of the Sun Moon Empire, granting him the privilege of commanding the Yin-Yang Guards of the Imperial Cinema. This is hereby decreed!"

After the officials fell silent, Zhu Hongwu took out a golden edict covered with runes from beside the table and read it aloud, officially conferring titles.

Upon hearing this, the previously silent courtiers suddenly stirred slightly.

Many court officials looked at each other, and some even kept their eyes and noses to themselves. Their reactions varied, but most officials wore expressions of surprise.

"Li Muyun thanks Your Majesty for your great favor. Your subject accepts the decree!"

Completely bewildered, Li Muyun stepped forward, bowed deeply, and thanked the Sun and Moon Emperor.

He was new to the Sun and Moon Empire and not very familiar with its official rank system, so he felt lost and confused.

He was still unaware of his responsibilities, but judging from the reactions of the court officials, it seemed somewhat unexpected that this official position had fallen to him.

Zhu Hongwu, sitting at the head of the table, nodded with great satisfaction. Li Muyun, at the opportune moment, changed his title and bowed to become a courtier.

Thus, bearing the fate of the Sun Moon Empire and serving in the Sun Moon Empire, Li Muyun's relationship with the Sun Moon Empire can be said to be deeply intertwined.

He hasn't forgotten the strange, swirling, and boiling spectacle that occurred during the Dragon-Tiger Fire incident, caused by Li Muyun. Whether it was auspicious or inauspicious, being on good terms with Li Muyun now would reduce many uncertainties.

"Do any of my beloved ministers have any further suggestions?"

After bestowing titles upon Li Muyun, Zhu Hongwu felt a great weight lifted from his heart. He looked at the assembled officials and spoke leisurely.

The courtiers were immersed in a silent shock, and no one uttered a sound for a long time.

"Then let's call it a day..."

Zhu Hongwu waved his hand. The main event of the day was the investiture of Li Muyun, and now that it had been successfully completed, he could finally relax.

Li Muyun looked bewildered as he accepted the imperial edict and was led out of the palace along with many other court officials.

Along the way, court officials kept coming up to him to congratulate him on taking office.

Although he didn't understand what the Yin-Yang Commander was, the fact that so many officials flattered and befriended him meant that this position must hold real power and control the Yin-Yang Guard.

At this moment, he had many questions and wanted to go back and learn more about his job to understand what he actually did.

Halfway there, they spotted Zhu Jiutong in the crowd. Zhu Jiutong looked around as if searching for them. Upon seeing them from afar, he ran over with a joyful expression.

"Congratulations! Li Yinyang, you've taken office and are truly making waves! I never imagined that His Majesty the Emperor would value you so highly!"

Li Muyun was taken aback by the unexpected compliment, and then Zhu Jiutong put his arm around him and led him toward the side hall.

"There are many people here, so let me explain in detail..."

Upon entering the side hall, Zhu Jiutong had already prepared wine and dishes, including all kinds of delicacies from land and sea, as well as many unnamed rare and precious ingredients, with the fragrance of immortals and spiritual energy permeating the air.

"Brother Zhu, what's going on?"

When Li Muyun approached, he was also taken aback by the exaggerated scene for a moment. However, after smelling a strange aroma of wine, he was immediately moved and sat down.

"Stop keeping me in suspense...tell me properly."

From the moment he led Li Muyun to this side hall, Zhu Jiutong's smile never stopped. His previous restraint had lessened considerably, and he looked delighted.

"Ah, knowing that Brother Li loves to drink, this jar of wine today is made with great effort. It's the finest pure brew that's only available at Father Emperor's birthday banquet. Congratulations to Li Yinyang on his ascension to the throne, it's truly excellent!"

After saying this, Zhu Jiutong took the jar of fragrant pure wine. He opened his mouth, and the intoxicating aroma stirred and spread, its fragrance as refreshing as spring.

"Brother Li, fill your cup. This Yin-Yang Token involves many things. Please drink, and I will explain it to you in detail."

Li Muyun took the moonlight cup filled with wine, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. He drank it down in one gulp and was immediately filled with a blissful feeling of springtime. He said "Good."

"This Yin-Yang Token grants the privilege of dispatching the Yin-Yang Guards of the Sun and Moon Empire's Imperial Cinema. This Imperial Cinema can be described as an incomparably sharp imperial sword, obeying the Emperor's orders. Its duties, true to its name, are to carry out those shady or clandestine activities..."

Li Muyun was startled, but continued drinking without saying a word.

"The Imperial Cinema's responsibilities range from supervising civil and military officials to managing the daily lives of ordinary people. It oversees everything that might threaten or involve the royal family. Brother Li may not understand the sheer tyranny of the Imperial Cinema..."

At this point, Zhu Jiutong paused for a moment, looked around, and lowered his voice.

"The Imperial Cinema is fully aware of any unusual activity in the homes of the officials."

These few words perfectly capture the overwhelming power and domineering nature of the Imperial Cinema. It oversees all officials, even their personal lives. The scale of its oversight is immense, and its authority is undeniable.

"So...does that mean the power of the Royal Cinema has expanded arbitrarily and is completely unchecked?"

Li Muyun was somewhat puzzled. If what Zhu Jiutong said was true, then the power of the Imperial Cinema was practically all-powerful.

Zhu Jiutong took a small sip before speaking.

"Of course not. The Imperial Cinema obeys the Emperor and possesses such power, all of which comes from Father. Father will naturally not sit idly by and allow the Imperial Cinema to become the only dominant force."

"The art of balancing things out is particularly important here, including internal checks and balances, and external supervision and management."

"The Imperial Cinema is divided into eight sections: Yin and Yang Azure Dragon, Yin and Yang White Tiger, Yin and Yang Black Tortoise, and Yin and Yang Vermilion Bird. Each section has a manager, all under the unified management of the Imperial Cinema's Director, Wuming."

Li Muyun nodded upon hearing this, and after a moment of contemplation, he said.

"So much has been said about the Imperial Cinema, but what exactly are the specific powers of my Yin-Yang Token?"

"Your Yin-Yang Token is independent of the Eight Bureaus, on par with the head of the Bureau, and can mobilize the Yin-Yang Guards of the Eight Bureaus. It can be considered powerful and influential. More importantly, Father truly trusts you..."

At this point, Zhu Jiutong sighed a few times, which is why he was so excited when he learned that Li Muyun had become the Yin-Yang Commander, as this official position had great symbolic significance.

"I'm afraid it will take me more than a month to fully comprehend and master this formation. At that time, I can hand it over to the Great Emperor."

Li Muyun suddenly remembered this and asked.

"There's no rush. Father has already told me about this. There's no need to hand over the formation immediately. Father has gone to great lengths to find someone to break this ancient formation. Second brother owes a great deal of karma to him..."

Zhu Jiutong had already received this instruction, and spoke up to dispel Li Muyun's doubts, letting out a soft sigh.

"Second brother?"

"Yes, in fact, there has always been no dispute that my Sun Moon Empire has the best talent in formations. Of course, this was before my second brother, Zhu Yan, suffered mental damage..."

"Mental impairment?"

Li Muyun was increasingly confused and kept asking questions.

"My second brother is a genius in the art of array formations. His obsession with array formations has damaged his mind and left him with a missing soul. Father's intention is probably to use this divine array to heal my second brother's mental illness."