The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 303 - 267, Lord, you’ve come back late...

"I understand, Ke Rou," you take people to escort him back to the Imperial Court, and wait for Lord Duan to deal with it," Zhao Douan said calmly, "and convey my thanks to the Commanders of each guard on my behalf, considering this a favor owed."

He didn't overstep his bounds to mete out punishment, after all, his immediate superior was Old Ma.

Of course, another reason to send the man back was to pass the hot potato to Ma Yan.

Hmm, as the immediate superior, it's quite reasonable to clean up after a subordinate, isn't it?

"Yes!"

The crowd from Lihua Hall and the military officer bowed respectfully and promptly went downstairs to carry out their duties.

Eunuch Hai couldn't help but ask curiously, "You're not going to meet that Chai Keqiao in person?"

No... right now, I just want to focus on cultivation, as inspiration is fleeting, if I don't seize it, I'm afraid I'll lose it... Zhao Douan muttered inwardly, yet his face was stern, "What's there to see in a man?"

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Eunuch Hai was momentarily stunned, then said with a smile, "I shall relay this sentiment to His Majesty."

Zhao Douan flattered with a smile, "I was joking, Your Majesty deals with countless matters daily, and shouldn't be troubled by such a trifle."

The switch in attitude was quite smooth.

Fortunately, Mr. Hai was accustomed to teasing the younger generation and didn't have any ulterior motives. He chuckled and said, "Well, it seems you have had a realization; suspend your cultivation for today, go back and reflect on what you have witnessed. Additionally, I really do have to discuss today's events with His Majesty."

One involved the Commandery Princess, the other involved Martial Emperor City... the former was easier to handle.

The latter, though not an "international issue", with a "Heavenly Being" presiding over Martial Emperor City, its status was no less than that of the Heavenly Master Mansion or Divine Dragon Temple.

However, since its influence was mainly within Jianghu, it seemed less prominent in the Capital.

"Farewell, Eunuch Hai," Zhao Douan said, bowing with his hands clasped.

As he lifted his eyes again, he found that the old eunuch had already disappeared.

Shaking his head, Zhao Douan lingered no longer and turned to look at the withdrawing imperial guard's steel torrent, then stepped down from the watchtower.

He declined a carriage ride, and alone on horseback, hurriedly returned home—

He had a feeling that he was only one crucial step away from a breakthrough in his Heart Realm and entering the divine chapter.

...

...

The drizzle continued.

Falling on the pitch-black roofs with upturned eaves, it looked oily and shiny.

"Amitabha,"

In the distance, the white-robed Monk Bian Ji clasped his hands together and gazed at the closing of the distant stage, lamenting, "What a pity, what a pity..."

Beside him,

The Heavenly Master's Fifth Disciple, standing on the roof ridge, looked irritated.

He took off the miniaturized lens from his eye socket and sneered, "Pity, what? Did you wish for the court's masters to lose? Well, I always knew you baldies were in cahoots with Martial Emperor City."

The handsome and elegant Bian Ji simply smiled, already immune to the other's words, shaking his head, "Not so, I only regret that I did not witness the Tributor act.

The Grand Ancestor Emperor and Martial Emperor City have always had significant disagreements in martial arts and even established a tradition of combat similar to the Buddhist Taoist rivalry.

It's just a pity that while disciples of Martial Emperor City are numerous in Jianghu, the Imperial Family's legacy rarely makes a public appearance."

Upon hearing this, Gongshu Tianyuan also felt a bit regretful…

He had originally followed Chai Keqiao here to assess the situation.

After all, with the upcoming Buddhist Taoist competition, both sects wondered if Martial Emperor City might try to intervene. Instead, they unexpectedly bumped into Bian Ji, who had come to observe as well.

He then spoke, "I've heard that, centuries ago, during our sects' struggles, it was the Imperial Family that stole the show. But as time passed, the Cultivation Methods of the Royal Family dwindled, gradually fading from the spotlight.

If the Royal Family were still at their peak, Chai Keqiao wouldn't have had his turn.

Heh, but since he got beaten up by Brother Zhao's men and got injured, I'm not so worried about him trying to stand out during the competition... Otherwise, if my Heavenly Master Mansion wins, I'd still have to face this Chai's challenge, which is quite troubling to think about."

Bian Ji glanced at him and said with resignation, "The competition hasn't started, and you already believe you will win?"

Gongshu Tianyuan snorted derisively, "Otherwise? Your Divine Dragon Temple has a bunch of old monks seizing positions, but do you let the younger generation take the lead?"

Without further ado, Bian Ji turned and walked away, leaving behind a fleeting remark, "To defeat the Heavenly Master Mansion, Tianhai alone is sufficient."

Tianhai... Gongshu Tianyuan's expression instantly turned solemn:

Has that young monk already returned to the Capital?

He tightened the hemp rope around him, reached up to grab the spinning umbrella he used for rain cover, and headed back to the Heavenly Master Mansion.

Intent on delivering this information.

From beginning to end.

Both Bian Ji and Gongshu Tianyuan believed that this year's Buddhist Taoist competition was merely a matter between their two sects.

At most, they were concerned about Martial Emperor City stealing the limelight.

But none considered that within the already decrepit Royal Family of Great Yu, there could be anyone who would clash with them.

Not even the slightest possibility had been taken into account.

...

As the imperial guard withdrew like a tide, the sensational stir, however, could not be concealed from the attentive eyes of various factions within the Capital.

Outside the gates of the Imperial Court.

A carriage hurried back.

As the curtain lifted, with a thin, haggard face and unruly, furious eyebrows, Ma Yan stepped out of the carriage with an ugly expression on his face.

In the morning, after a meeting, he went to the six ministries for some business and then rushed to the Imperial Palace.

When he emerged, he had only just reached the gates of the Imperial City before being met by a Jinyi, coming to report.

Learning of the news that Chai Keqiao alone had broken through the eight halls of the Imperial Court.

A surge of anger rose within Ma Yan, who immediately drove his carriage back.

"Lord!"

The young officer standing guard at the door hurriedly called out.

Yet Ma Yan did not even glance at him, striding directly towards the Governor Hall.

The fine rain sprinkled down, and the path was sparsely populated.

When he reached the Governor Hall, from a distance, he saw the eight unfortunate Masters sitting in the "meeting room," chatting while drinking their medicine.

"Lord? Have you returned?"

Zhang Han and the others struggled to rise, intending to salute.

"Everyone, sit down!" Ma Yan spoke sternly, halting the group.

His gaze swept over their shallow breaths and the bowls in front of each emitting strong medicinal fragrance.

His anger grew fiercer.

However, the more critical the moment, the calmer he became, his exterior remaining unruffled:

"Reportedly, that Wu Xiankui's disciple came to challenge you all at the government office and defeated all of you?"

The eight people inside the hall hung their heads in shame:

"Lord, I am incompetent..."

"Is it true..." Ma Yan cut them off, voice cold: "Where is that person now?"

He was already thinking about how to seek him out later and reclaim his dignity.

Haitang, seeing no one else speaking, was the first to say:

"Reporting to the Lord, the person is lying in the Imperial Court."

"Good... As long as I know where..." Ma Yan answered subconsciously, then his voice abruptly stopped.

His expression clearly froze for a moment, as if unable to comprehend, his eyes intently fixing upon the female detective:

"Where did you say he is?"

"… Imperial Court, hm, in the A-grade prison cells," Haitang replied with an honest expression.

Ma Yan's head slowly rose with a series of question marks, and the anger in his heart jammed for a moment.

He fell silent, frowning deeply:

"You lost... didn't you? How..."

"Oh, indeed, we all lost," Haitang said with some dissatisfaction yet a hint of relief in her explanation:

"But when Zhao Douan returned and learned of it, he used his authority as an officer of the Divine Mechanism Camp and called in experts from several other elite imperial guard divisions.

They beat up that Chai Keqiao, tossed him into the Imperial Prison, and said to wait for your return, so you could deal with it..."

She briefly explained the situation.

"..."

Ma Yan listened with a wooden face, then looked at the other Masters.

Zhang Han and the six others, each holding a bowl of medicine, nodded in unison, confirming the truth of her words.

Ma Yan remained silent for a while before finally asking the first question:

"That Chai... what's his name, he's not seriously injured, is he?"

Zhang Han coolly replied:

"It's not too bad, just half his ribs broken, his energy depleted, he can't move now, his injuries are more serious than ours, but not life-threatening."

That's good... Ma Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

For a moment, he had feared that Zhao Douan, that grandson, had directly killed the man...

"Where's that kid now?"

Ma Yan felt utterly conflicted, unable to help but ask.

"Oh, he seems to have gone home, saying that he doesn't dare overstep his authority here and left it for the Lord to decide." Haitang said.

Left for me to decide... it's leaving me with the mess... Ma Yan drew a deep breath, his vision darkening.

...

Inside a private room of a certain restaurant.

After lunch, Commandery Princess Xu Junling wiped her mouth with a handkerchief when she heard footsteps approaching.

Followed by a "thumping" sound of knocking and the call:

"Commandery... Miss."

Outside, accustomed to calling her miss, to avoid drawing attention.

"Come in." Xu Junling said softly, smiling towards the maid Lv Shui as she entered the private room:

"How is it, is there news from Zhao Douan's side? Did that Chai Keqiao beat him up?"