Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

“I smiled and said I had no money and couldn’t afford tea. But you offered me a bowl of sweet water.”

The old man nodded, wiping away tears: “How could I forget?”

“You drank the sweet water, inquired about the livelihood, and I told you about the officials in Xuanlin City being negligent, corrupt.”

“You were asking for details, but I was senile and thought you were defending those corrupt officials, so I knocked over your bowl of sweet water in anger.”

“Hahaha.” Zhu Xuanji laughed heartily, “I’m glad you remember!”

He clasped his hands in respect: “If I may, can I ask the old man to offer me another bowl of sweet water?”

The old man was taken aback.

Seeing Zhu Xuanji’s sincere and earnest expression, his vision blurred again, tearfully nodding: “Please, please! It’s my honor to offer you tea again, Lord Zhu.”

Zhu Xuanji shook his head: “No tea, I just want a bowl of sweet water.”

The old man took out a storage bag, and right there, made a bowl of sweet water for Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji held the rough pottery bowl, took a large gulp, and laughed heartily: “Such sweet water!”

The guards, seeing this scene, remained silent.

After bidding farewell to the old man, Zhu Xuanji continued his journey.

No one intercepted the prisoner, and the journey was uneventful.

Upon entering the capital, he hadn’t rested before being summoned by the Monarch.

Meeting the Monarch, he knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in salute, and declared loudly: “Your subject went to Xuanlin City, investigated the details of the corruption, fortunately fulfilling the mission…”

Bang.

The Southern Bean Monarch slammed the table, rebuking: “Zhu Xuanji! You entered the capital, handed over the prisoner, and didn’t think to report back to me. Did I have to summon you myself?”

“Fortunately fulfilling the mission? Haha.”

“Before you left, how did I instruct you?”

“You went to Xuanlin City, yet still acted according to your own will, disregarding my instructions. And you call it fortunately fulfilling the mission? Do you think I summoned you to praise you?”

“Your subject dares not.” Zhu Xuanji smiled bitterly.

The Southern Bean Monarch sighed: “Zhu Xuanji, Zhu Xuanji… You are a member of the Royal Family. Don’t you know the weight of the Su Family in our country?”

“By arresting a Golden Core subordinate, you’ve disgraced the Su Family. Several old ministers from the Su Family have already submitted their resignations, claiming that the Su Family’s reputation cannot be sullied.”

“I ordered you to investigate the case, not to cause an upheaval in the court!”

Zhu Xuanji raised his head, his expression serious: “What the Monarch said, I cannot agree with. I believe that the major families in Southern Bean Country have already become deeply entrenched and overly powerful. The Su Family, for instance, controls multiple Immortal Cities and many hold key positions in the court, marginalizing newcomers and monopolizing state affairs.”

“If this continues, they will become a major crisis for our Southern Bean Country.”

“As part of the Royal Family, we should support new families and newcomers more, rejuvenating the court, taking care of the common people, and recruiting talents from the civilian population to balance the old powerful families.”

The Southern Bean Monarch coldly snorted: “Nonsense! Back in the day, the Emperor laid the groundwork for the country; how many sacrifices did the Su Family make? Such founding merits should not be treated harshly. How would foreign talents perceive our country?”

“People call you ‘Zhu Xuanji, the Hidden Detector who calms the people,’ and you truly take pride in it, don’t you?”

Zhu Xuanji lowered his head: “Your subject dares not.”

The Southern Bean Monarch sighed softly: “Enough.”

“Maybe I’ve been expecting too much of you. This time you handled things better than before.”

“I have read your secret report.”

“It is clear to everyone in the court that the Su Family’s City Lord cannot escape responsibility.”

“But this matter should stop here. The Golden Core Cultivator will be beheaded at the vegetable market and displayed publicly to conclude it.”

Zhu Xuanji volunteered: “I am willing to serve as the executioner!”

The Southern Bean Monarch shook his head: “The court is unstable. As a member of the Royal Family, you must consider on my behalf.”

“If you, with your status, serve as the executioner, will it seem like the will of the Royal Family? Will it seem like my will? How can the court officials and citizens not wildly speculate?”

“Don’t stay in the capital; leave.”