Chapter 1661: The Number One Backer of Tianzi

Yan Wang stood motionless. With a casual grab, he cast a shadow over the Embroidered Uniform Envoys as if dark clouds had suddenly covered the sky.

Zu An grunted and met the attack with a direct palm strike.

With a tremendous bang, nearby houses shook, and Yan Wang's terrifying claw shadow dispersed and vanished.

Everyone nearby was stunned. While golden-badge Embroidered Uniform Envoys were legendary for their power, this level of strength seemed excessive.

To think he could withstand a Grandmaster's blow?

Yan Wang must not have used his full power...

Yan Wang, however, was now filled with uncertainty and surprise. He hadn't used his full power, but to snatch the crucial ledger, he had exerted at least 70% of his strength. He had thought this would be more than sufficient for a golden-badge Embroidered Uniform Envoy, whose average abilities he was quite familiar with.

Yet, in their recent clash, he felt the vital energy from his grab being sucked away by something, like air escaping from a punctured balloon.

He figured it must be Zu An's life-saving technique; golden-badge Embroidered Uniform Envoys were, after all, not to be underestimated.

So he attacked again, vanishing from his spot. This time, he dared not be careless; he used almost his full power, determined to seize the ledger back from Zu An.

The terrifying pressure made everyone nearby gasp for breath, let alone attempt to dodge.

Xiao Jianren wanted to rush forward to help, but his body felt as if it were frozen, completely beyond his control.

Governor Zhang's expression changed drastically. He had never anticipated Yan Wang using his full power. Although Governor Zhang's cultivation was not low, there was still a significant gap between him and Yan Wang.

After a moment of hesitation, he ultimately did not step forward to help.

Everyone thought this golden-badge envoy was doomed to pay the price for his recklessness. Who knew he suddenly raised his hand?

Yan Wang was momentarily stunned. How could this fellow move, and so quickly, under his oppressive aura?

What kind of move was this? He couldn't make heads or tails of it.

Just as he was about to disable the raised hand, he clearly saw the golden badge in Zu An's palm. A legend suddenly came to mind, and his pupils instantly constricted.

Embroidered Uniform Envoys inspect all corners of the land. Their cultivation isn't particularly high, so why do all officials across the realm fear them like tigers?

Because they can directly petition the Emperor!

Legend has it they can even summon the Emperor to intervene!

However, he reassured himself that legend also said summoning the Emperor required a lengthy ritual. That amount of time would be more than enough for him to snatch the ledger from Zu An dozens of times over.

He could even take the opportunity to consider whether to take the life of this ignorant golden-badge Embroidered Uniform Envoy.

But just then, an even more terrifying pressure suddenly surged from the golden badge.

Yan Wang's previous aura was already terrifying, but compared to this new one, it was like the difference between a firefly and the sun and moon.

A golden phantom appeared in mid-air, emanating an immense and unparalleled imperial aura that spread throughout the area.

Everyone who had barely managed to stand under Yan Wang's pressure now fell to their knees, trembling.

"You... you..." Even Yan Wang was so terrified that his hair stood on end. He simply couldn't comprehend how Zu An had summoned the Emperor so quickly.

Only Zu An remained perfectly calm in the field, standing still and gazing at the phantom in mid-air, which was identical to Zhao Hao.

Back in Brightmoon City, when he first witnessed Zhao Hao's move, he could only exclaim in awe.

But now, having grown so much and especially after learning descriptions of realms beyond Grandmasters from true top experts, he had a deeper understanding of the phantom in mid-air.

Was that Zhao Hao's Yin Spirit or Yang Spirit?

Though he didn't fear Yan Wang, why would he fight when there was a powerful, free helper available?

Earlier, when he defeated Elder Xu of Qingxu Manor on Purple Mountain, Elder Xu was at least a Master, and Zu An's own level wasn't too far off, so that victory could be somewhat explained.

But if he were to fight Yan Wang to a standstill, the trouble would be immense.

Yan Wang was a genuine, seasoned Grandmaster!

If that happened, he wouldn't be able to stay low-profile at all; Emperor Zhao Hao would certainly become exceptionally wary of him. Attracting the attention of such a terrifying existence was not a good thing.

"What is it?" Zhao Hao's phantom slowly opened its eyes in mid-air, scanned the entire scene, and then its gaze settled on Zu An.

Zu An pointed to Yan Wang nearby and declared, "Yan Wang intends to rebel!"

Zhao Hao frowned, his gaze encompassing Yan Wang.

Yan Wang nearly spat out a mouthful of blood and glared furiously at Zu An. "Nonsense! How am I rebelling?"

Before the Emperor, he didn't even dare to refer to himself as "this king."

Rage points from Yan Wang +444 +444 +444...

Zu An grunted. "I am the golden-badge Embroidered Uniform Envoy personally appointed by His Majesty, inspecting all corners of the realm on behalf of Heaven. How is your act of attacking me any different from rebellion?"

Yan Wang quickly retorted, "I wasn't attacking you at all! It's just that you were speaking nonsense earlier, and I merely wanted to have a word with you."

"Reason with me? Or perhaps to destroy evidence?" Zu An said, raising the ledger in his hand.

Yan Wang's heart sank. Zhao Hao then asked, "What exactly happened?"

Zu An replied, "This ledger contains evidence that Yan Wang colluded with the demon race, smuggled military supplies, and maintained private armies."

"This is a false accusation! He found some inexplicable ledger from who knows where and framed me! I have diligently guarded this region for Your Majesty all these years and absolutely harbor no disloyal intentions!" Yan Wang protested almost simultaneously, knowing that at this moment, he absolutely couldn't admit to anything if he wanted a sliver of hope for survival.

"Oh?" Zu An smiled. "If that's the case, then why did Your Highness suddenly erupt and directly attack me, attempting to snatch this ledger from my hands?"

"It was merely because you casually slandered a vassal prince; I simply wanted to teach you a lesson. There was no act of destroying evidence at all," Yan Wang retorted quickly. He felt he had never reacted so fast in his life. Cold sweat poured down him; facing Zhao Hao's piercing gaze, even if it was just a phantom, the pressure was enough to make him breathless.

Zhao Hao looked away from Zu An and turned to Governor Zhang. "Zhang Jie, you tell me, what exactly happened?"

Governor Zhang's expression flickered, caught between hesitation and resolve. If he supported Yan Wang now, the golden-badge envoy would likely be ruined; if he supported the golden-badge envoy, Yan Wang would be ruined.

However, once he supported the golden-badge envoy, there would be no turning back; he would have completely severed ties with Yan Wang. If this incident failed to definitively prove Yan Wang's guilt, he would face Yan Wang's brutal retaliation.

After much hesitation, his eyes finally hardened. "Reporting to Your Majesty, these past years, while this humble official was in Yi Commandery, I did indeed hear some rumors concerning Yan Wang..."

Although he had expressed support for the golden-badge envoy, he didn't commit entirely. He stopped short of explicitly stating that he had discovered Yan Wang colluding with demons to rebel, ensuring he would have room to maneuver if any unexpected developments arose later.

"Zhang Jie, you scoundrel!" Yan Wang exclaimed, both shocked and enraged. So, today...

...it truly was a trap set by Zhang Jie.

Zhao Hao's expression darkened. "First, arrest Yan Wang. Zhang Jie, you will cooperate with the golden-badge envoy to investigate the relevant evidence of his crimes."

"Your humble servant obeys the command!" Governor Zhang exclaimed with delight. His sworn enemy, with whom he had contended for years, had finally fallen.

In contrast, those from Yan Wang's manor were utterly distraught, as if they had lost a parent. Although fiercely loyal to Yan Wang, if only the golden-badge envoy or Governor Zhang were present, they would have protected Yan Wang and fought their way out at any cost.

But with the Emperor's presence, they completely lost the courage to resist.

For so many years, Zhao Hao's status in the hearts of everyone across the empire was akin to a deity, invincible!

Yan Wang's expression shifted; he seemed to be contemplating a desperate struggle. After all, this wasn't Zhao Hao's true body, so perhaps he wasn't entirely without a chance...

The moment this thought arose, the phantom in the air cast a faint glance at him. His hair stood on end, and he immediately collapsed to his knees in despair. "Your subject is wrongly accused! I await the court to clear my name!"

Zu An winked at Xiao Jianren and Zhang Zhitong. "What are you staring for?"

Only then did they seem to awaken from a dream, rushing over with Soul-Reaping Ropes to bind Yan Wang.

Even though he was a Grandmaster, once bound by the Soul-Reaping Ropes, he could not utilize his cultivation.

They were still somewhat dazed, unable to believe that they had just captured Yan Wang, who had held sway over an entire region.

Governor Zhang, however, remained clear-headed, signaling his subordinates to help them capture Yan Wang's accompanying attendants.

Otherwise, these individuals would become a source of trouble later.

Seeing Yan Wang bound, Zhao Hao nodded slightly, then said to Zu An, "Come here, I have something to ask you."

Zu An followed him to a distant courtyard. The enormous head in mid-air transformed into a golden light, finally taking on Zhao Hao's form. Aside from being somewhat shimmering gold and translucent, he was essentially indistinguishable from Zhao Hao himself.

Zu An secretly clicked his tongue in amazement, marveling at this unexpected ability.

No wonder it was said that Earth Immortals could travel thousands of miles with their spirit in a single night. He wondered if Zhao Hao's actual strength in the palace was affected at all.

"How is the renovation of the Purple Mountain palace progressing?" Zhao Hao asked casually, hands clasped behind his back.

"Everything is proceeding in an orderly manner," Zu An replied, knowing full well that this wasn't what Zhao Hao truly wanted to ask. He added, "However, with the recent Grand Competition of the Nine Daoist Sects, Purple Mountain is swarming with experts. Are you concerned they might pose a threat to His Majesty?"

"Are they even worthy?" Zhao Hao sneered after hearing this.

Zu An thought to himself, *This guy is quite the show-off, almost matching my style.*

"Continue observing. I'll take my leave now." As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Hao's golden figure vanished.

Zu An then muttered to himself, "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

Almost immediately, Zhao Hao's figure reappeared, looking at Zu An with a rather displeased expression.

"Do you know how many Embroidered Uniform Envoys in this world have never dared to summon me in their entire lives?" Zhao Hao tried to maintain his composure, but the murderous glint in his eyes was unmistakable.

Rage points from Zhao Hao +666 +666 +666...

It's important to know that ordinary Embroidered Uniform Envoys usually do not have the authority to summon the Emperor; they are typically granted an imperial decree for special missions.

Even then, many often choose not to use the imperial decree; firstly, because the decree's deterrent power is usually sufficient, and secondly, because they don't want to leave an impression of incompetence on the Emperor.

Golden-badge Embroidered Uniform Envoys, however, are different. They don't need an imperial decree; they have the opportunity to summon the Emperor using their golden badge. Of course, the Emperor must specially empower the golden badge before they leave the capital.

Zhao Hao recalled that he had been summoned only a few times over so many years, yet this young man had already summoned him several times, and this time even twice in quick succession!

For a moment, he even felt like he was being played for a fool.

"I just wanted to see if there were any restrictions on using this summon," Zu An said with an earnest expression. "Otherwise, if a situation like today's were to happen again without His Majesty's intervention, I would be quite uneasy."

"Do not summon me for anything less than an emergency! This is the last time!" Zhao Hao snorted coldly, his figure vanishing instantly.