The poorest member of the Imperial Guard, the Empress begged me to embezzle.

Yang Mansion.

The steward of the Yang family arrived at the outside of a courtyard deep within the Yang family mansion and bowed respectfully, saying, "Reporting to the master, news has arrived from Yizhou."

squeak...

Less than a moment.

Yang Yan, the head of the Hongnong Yang clan, pushed open the door, put on a robe, looked at the barely bright sky, and said, "What news?"

"Reporting to the master, Chu Xiu, alone with his sword, first assassinated Murong Zhi in the prefectural governor's residence in Yuejun County, and then infiltrated the demon army camp to kill Jiang Tiansheng, the patriarch of the Jiang family, and Jiang Yue, the head of the family!"

"According to the information sent by our people."

"Whether Chu Xiu entered the city of Yuejun County, infiltrated the prefectural governor's mansion, or even the military camp, he was not discovered by anyone."

"Even after the inspection of Murong Zhi's room, Chu Xiu did not enter the room through the window or the door."

"If the windows and doors have been opened, there will be traces left."

"However, he appeared in the room as if out of thin air and killed Murong Zhi."

"Then it disappeared again, as if it could burrow underground."

After a moment's thought, the steward of the Yang family spoke with a solemn expression.

"Earth-遁 (遁地 is a type of underground escape technique)?"

"Is it possible that he is an underground burrower?"

A glint of light flashed in Yang Yan's eyes as he spoke meaningfully.

"Master, what do you mean?"

The steward of the Yang family's expression changed drastically, and he said with a look of horror, "Is this the legendary earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a type of magic or technique)?"

"If this person really appeared out of thin air in the room, killed Murong Zhi, and then disappeared into thin air."

Yang Yan stroked his gray beard and said, "Then it must be the legendary Earth Escape Technique, or even the legendary Five Elements Escape Technique!"

The steward of the Yang family narrowed his eyes and said, "Master, wasn't the Five Elements Escape Technique supposed to have disappeared long ago? How could he know such a miraculous martial art?"

"When a country is about to fall into chaos, there will surely be monsters."

"I wonder if Chu Xiu can protect the Great Zhou Dynasty, which appears prosperous on the surface but is actually on the verge of collapse."

Yang Yan said calmly.

Upon hearing this, the steward of the Yang family's eyes narrowed, but he kept his head down and remained silent.

This is no longer something he can say.

"This child has indeed grown up."

"The Wang family of Taiyuan ultimately chose the wrong person."

"The current head of the Wang family in Taiyuan lacks the necessary courage."

"I'm certain that a prodigy like Chu Xiu wasn't at a high level of cultivation before!"

"But for a prodigy like him, the speed at which he grows in such a chaotic world will be incredibly terrifying!"

"Anyone who underestimates him will surely suffer the consequences!"

"I wouldn't be surprised if the Wang family of Taiyuan were destroyed in his hands in the future!"

Yang Yan sighed deeply and said.

"Master, what about us?"

The steward of the Yang family asked tentatively.

"This matter has nothing to do with us."

"At least for now, we don't have any direct conflict with Chu Xiu."

Yang Yan shook his head and said, "Our Yang family should remain in hiding for now."

We must never do what it means to be a pioneer for the king!

What we need is to wait!

Our Yang family doesn't necessarily want to rebel.

Our Yang family can also stand on His Majesty's side, just like Chu Xiu.

Or, when the time is right, we can also support the dragon!

There are no dynasties that last forever, only powerful families that last forever!

As long as we choose the right team.

Whether it was His Majesty who suppressed those rebellious officials and traitors, or whether a true dragon emerged from among them and ultimately ascended to the throne.

With the prestige and power of our Yang family, they have to take us seriously!

"Yes, the old slave understands."

The steward of the Yang family looked enlightened and said with admiration.

Yang Yan remained silent.

The steward of the Yang family bowed and then quietly withdrew.

"Imperial Observatory, Yan Qingfeng, now that you have the support of the Imperial Preceptor, you may be able to act arrogantly."

"But chaos will come sooner or later."

"After the great chaos arrives, unstable factors like the Imperial Advisor will become targets of the masses, and it is only a matter of time before they rise up to attack him."

"I don't need to lift a finger to kill Brother Hong; you'll die the same way!"

After watching the steward of the Yang family leave, Yang Yan turned his gaze to the Imperial Observatory and said quietly.

Noon.

The headquarters of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Jiang Wan'er led a group of Imperial Guards riding their dragon-blood horses and galloped over, stopping outside the headquarters of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Greetings, Lord Jiang."

Upon seeing Jiang Wan'er arrive, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard responsible for guarding the headquarters of the Embroidered Uniform Guard quickly bowed.

Jiang Wan'er dismounted, waved her hand, and said with a cool expression, "No need for formalities."

"Thank you, Lord Jiang."

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard thanked him and said...

Has Lord Chu returned?

Jiang Wan'er looked at the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and asked.

"Reporting to Lord Jiang, the Lord has returned and is handling affairs at our Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters."

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard spoke with a respectful expression.

"Please inform Lord Chu that His Majesty has issued an imperial edict."

Jiang Wan'er nodded slightly and spoke to the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Yes, Lord Jiang, please come in."

The commander of the Imperial Guard nodded and extended his hand to invite Jiang Wan'er.

Jiang Wan'er moved gracefully towards the headquarters of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

A centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard personally led Jiang Wan'er to the main hall of the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters, while a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard used his lightness skill to report to Chu Xiu.

Not long after.

Chu Xiu strode into the main hall of the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters, a smile on his face, and said as he walked, "Lord Jiang, it is an honor to have you here. I apologize for not being able to greet you properly."

"How could Wan'er dare to trouble Lord Chu to personally greet her?"

Jiang Wan'er gracefully stood up, rolled her eyes at Chu Xiu, and said.

"Lord Jiang is the Grand Chancellor of our Great Zhou Dynasty, so it is only right to welcome him."

Chu Xiu smiled and said.

"Lord Chu, from today onwards, Wan'er will address you as Lord Marquis."

Jiang Wan'er smiled, took out an imperial edict from her sleeve, and handed it to Chu Xiu, saying, "My lord, I won't read the edict aloud. You can read it yourself."

"Master Hou?"

Chu Xiu was taken aback. He naturally knew that Empress Murong Si had previously decreed that anyone who could kill Murong Zhi would be granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households.

However, when he killed Murong Zhi, he really didn't think about this matter, nor did he intend to be ennobled.

His original intention was simply to suppress the rebellion and prevent Murong Zhi's rebellion from triggering a chain reaction that would cause the Great Zhou Dynasty to fall apart and the people to suffer.

"Master Hou..."

Jiang Wan'er smiled gently and called out to Chu Xiu once more.

"The title of Marquis is not my intention, but I hope the sea will be peaceful."

Chu Xiu sighed, took the imperial edict from Jiang Wan'er's hand, slowly opened it, and began to read.

"Becoming a marquis is not my wish; I only wish for peace on the seas."

Jiang Wan'er was stunned for a moment, and finally understood why he had paused when she called out to Marquis Chu Xiu.

She admired Chu Xiu even more, and looked at him with admiration in her eyes.

"The Marquis of Champion?"

Chu Xiu stared in astonishment at the imperial edict in his hand. He had never expected that Empress Murong Si would bestow upon him the title of Marquis of Champion.

Although the Marquis of Champion is a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households, the title of Marquis of Champion usually carries special significance.

This signifies that it is unparalleled in the entire army!

This is the second time since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty that the Marquis of Champion has been conferred this title.