Chapter 548: 483: Compared to Father Emperor, I indeed still fall short by a lot!

Chapter 548: Chapter 483: Compared to Father Emperor, I indeed still fall short by a lot!

By the time Yang Zhenshan returned to Chunzai Hall, the battle there had already ended.

“Marquis!” Ding Qiu hurriedly approached to salute upon seeing Yang Zhenshan’s return.

“Hmm, how’s the situation?”

“Thirty-six people in total, twenty-eight killed, eight captured alive!” reported Ding Qiu.

“What about our brothers?”

“Twelve were injured, but none life-threatening. This humble one has already sent them to the medical hall!” Ding Qiu said again.

Yang Zhenshan looked on satisfied as the corpses were carried out of Chunzai Hall one by one.

“Marquis, what shall we do with these scholars?” Luo Jingsong came over and asked.

Yang Zhenshan glanced at the literati cowering inside the tower and said indifferently, “Take them all, hand them over to the Secret Martial Guards for processing!”

Who knew if there were any hidden spies among them? What if there were?

He definitely couldn’t let these people go. As for how the Secret Martial Guards would deal with them, that was their business.

“Yes!” Luo Jingsong responded and immediately directed the guards to herd the scholars out.

“Master, Master!”

Just then, Prince Dai emerged from somewhere, calling out to Yang Zhenshan.

“…”

Yang Zhenshan looked at the prince and was somewhat speechless.

“Your Highness, Prince Dai!”

“Master, you’re actually an Innate Martial Artist!”

“I am not your master!”

“Oh, that’s alright, I’ll go ask my imperial father again later. If he doesn’t allow it, I’ll just kneel in front of him and not get up!”

Prince Dai said, his face filled with excitement.

“Uh~~”

Yang Zhenshan didn’t know what to say; it must be quite a headache for Emperor Yanping to have such a son.

“This old man still has matters to attend to, so I won’t chat any longer with Your Highness!”

With that said, Yang Zhenshan mounted his horse.

Whinny~~

Red Cloud neighed at Prince Dai, as if saying, ‘Kid, you’re in the way. Move aside!’

Prince Dai looked at Red Cloud, and his excited mood became even more elevated, his eyes gleaming as they fixed upon Red Cloud as if he had seen an incomparable beauty.

Uh, probably in the eyes of Prince Dai, an incomparable beauty is less attractive than a fine steed.

“Fine horse!”

Whinny~

This great one doesn’t need your praise!

Red Cloud gave him a glare, circled around him, carrying Yang Zhenshan off towards the direction of the Imperial City.

The government office of the Secret Martial Guards was on the street outside the Wumen gate. By the time Yang Zhenshan arrived with people at the gates of the Secret Martial Guards’ office, he found that many people were already escorting a group and blocking the entrance.

“Brother Yang!”

Liang Chu rode over, laughing and said, “Haha, it seems you’ve had quite the haul!”

“Fairly decent, apart from this one, the rest were just petty thieves!” Yang Zhenshan laughed and said.

“Innate Martial Artist! Heh, truly unexpected!” Liang Chu glanced at the corpse Yang Zhenshan was carrying, a solemn expression flashing in his eyes.

Once Innate Martial Artists were involved, it meant serious business.

Especially since this time, so many rats hidden in the shadows had been uncovered, but Da Rong would definitely not let the matter rest about these people’s backers.

And a force that possesses Innate Martial Artists is certainly no small power.

Moments later, Liang Chu and Yang Zhenshan handed over both the people and corpses to the Secret Martial Guards, and went to the Imperial City to report.

Upon entering the Imperial City again, Yang Zhenshan noticed that the atmosphere was somewhat grave today.

From the Wumen gate to the Taiji Palace, there were soldiers from the Guards of the Feather Forest and Imperial Guard standing guard everywhere.

Upon reaching the entrance of Taiji Palace, Yang Zhenshan and Liang Chu were stopped at the door. Moments later, Duke Ning Zhou Mao, Duke Rong Duan Rui, and Marquis Nanyang Lu Baishu also arrived in succession.

The men nodded at each other, a gesture of mutual acknowledgment.

After a short wait, Chen Zhongshu came out from Taiji Palace, smiling broadly at the five men.

“Esteemed Dukes, Marquis, His Majesty has summoned you!”

“My thanks to Chen for the trouble,” Duke Rong Duan Rui said politely with a cupped fist salute.

“Not at all, please, Duke Rong,” Chen Zhongshu said with a smile.

Subsequently, the group entered Taiji Palace and arrived at the Imperial Study Room.

In the Imperial Study Room, Emperor Yanping stood at the window with hands tucked into his sleeves, a faint smile on his face as he watched the men enter.

Upon entering the study room, Yang Zhenshan casually glanced around the interior.

There didn’t seem to be any irregularities in the study room. A few little eunuchs stood by the side, and two figures in black flying fish robes were present as well.

Black flying fish robes?

The flying fish robe is a garment granted only by imperial favor; like the noble’s unicorn and bullfighing robes, one can only wear it if granted by His Majesty.

However, there are special cases, such as officials above the Commander rank in the Secret Martial Guards who can wear the flying fish robe, and also those from the Imperial Guard Department.

These two individuals before him were likely not from the Imperial Guard Department!

Bloody Blade!

Yang Zhenshan’s heart stirred as he thought of this highly secretive organization.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!” Everyone bowed.

“No need for such formalities,” Emperor Yanping said with a light smile. “I am aware of everything; all you ministers have done very well.”

His gaze swept across everyone’s face and finally settled on Yang Zhenshan.

“Marquis Jing’an, I didn’t expect you to have broken through to Innate so quickly!”

Yang Zhenshan bowed again and said, “Your servant owes it to the previous emperor’s blessing; without the three Yellow Plums granted by the former emperor, I would not have achieved breakthrough so quickly.”

The three Yellow Plums were given to Yu Qingyi, but it was no issue for Yang Zhenshan to use them as an excuse.

It was indeed surprising for him to have achieved breakthrough so rapidly, but if it were aided by the three Yellow Plums, then that would be an acceptable explanation.

Hearing this, Emperor Yanping’s face showed an enlightened look, “So that’s the case, I indeed forgot that the previous emperor had also granted Marquis Jing’an three Yellow Plums.”

“Alas, compared to my father, I indeed still have much to learn!”

The more outstanding Yang Zhenshan was, the better it reflected on Emperor Chengping’s judgment.