It can be said that this person is extremely loyal and honest, yet also exceptionally capable.

Ye Luo did not pay attention to Xin Chengying’s confession of guilt; instead, he said, "Lord Xin was coerced by threats to his family into securing official positions for two candidates. However, you assigned two county officials to counterbalance them. Subsequently, under certain individuals’ threats, you stood firm and resisted repeatedly. Although, due to your ignorance of the larger picture, your good intentions often led to bad outcomes!"

"Lord Xin, you are indeed guilty. Your guilt lies in being overly timid and overly stubborn! Enough, I won’t bother explaining further. Now, I offer you an opportunity to redeem yourself through meritorious service. Whether you seize it or not is up to you!"

Meritorious service to redeem guilt!

Xin Chengying’s eyes lit up suddenly, and he immediately asked respectfully, "Your Highness, please instruct me!"

No one truly wants to die, no matter the reason. As long as there’s a chance to live, surely no one would willingly choose death!

So at this moment, Xin Chengying naturally eagerly inquired of Ye Luo.

"The solution is actually quite simple. Assist Xiaoyao King. As long as you can cooperate with him to handle the matters of the Demon Clan successfully, your guilt will naturally be forgiven!"

"I am willing!"

Xin Chengying had no reason to refuse, even feeling profound gratitude towards Ye Luo.

...

"I—I too wish to redeem myself through meritorious service. I beg Your Highness to grant me a chance!"

"And me as well, Your Highness. I swear by my life that I will give my absolute effort..."

Unfortunately, this person’s words were cut short, silenced by Ye Luo’s piercing cold gaze.

"Hmph! Not everyone facing death deserves a chance to repent. Now that you’re regretting it, did you even consider this day when you committed those deeds?"

Ye Luo harbored no pity for these individuals. After speaking lightly, he ignored them entirely.

After all, Ye Luo had already raised his concerns. Whatever the Emperor of Great Tang was thinking now was no longer Ye Luo’s business.

The Emperor of Great Tang furrowed his brows in thought for a moment, then understood that what Ye Luo suggested was likely the best solution. The appearance of a Demon Clan member in the Imperial Capital was impossible to ignore. Even though everyone had been tacitly aware of it before, it had not been brought to light. Now that the Pearfall Palace’s Young Master had been captured, the situation was undeniably exposed.

No matter the consequences, an immediate investigation was required!

In fact, one might say that from this moment on, the Great Tang Empire and the Da Yue Empire had completely fallen out!

"Xiaoyao King, receive the decree!"

The Emperor of Great Tang rose abruptly.

Xiaoyao King knew that he now had no room to decline. Whether he was willing or not, he had no choice but to accept the command!

"I accept the decree!"

Xiaoyao King stepped forward to accept the appointment, and following that, the Emperor of Great Tang continued making arrangements. Originally, Ye Luo had thought that his involvement would end there. However, things did not go as he wished—the Emperor of Great Tang evidently had no intention of letting Ye Luo off!

After all, with the Soul Searching Technique at Ye Luo’s disposal, enemies before him had no secrets left unexposed. How could the Emperor possibly relinquish such a trump card?

"Ye Luo, step forward to receive the decree!"

The sudden summons caught Ye Luo completely off guard.

Nonetheless, Ye Luo was fully aware that he had no right to refuse—this was an order!

Seeing Xiaoyao King’s smug expression, Ye Luo felt somewhat displeased!

"I appoint you, Ye Luo, as General of the State, commanding ten thousand imperial guards, establishing the Western Palace, and assisting Xiaoyao King in addressing the Demon Clan’s crisis. Whomever you and Xiaoyao King deem guilty, you may punish directly without reporting!"

What!

As the Emperor’s words rang out, the entire assembly erupted in astonishment. After all this, it turned out the Emperor was ultimately entrusting Ye Luo with managing the Demon Clan’s affairs!

Everyone knew that Xiaoyao King was practically disengaged from responsibility; evidently, he was merely given a title while Ye Luo bore the actual authority!

True power—this was truly real authority.

What is the Western Palace?

Generally, everyone knows of the Eastern Palace, which is the Crown Prince’s domain. However, the Great Tang Empire is unique. Historically, the Great Tang Empire also had the Western Palace, which held power second only to the Eastern Palace. In fact, before the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the Western Palace could wield even greater authority than the Eastern Palace!

Yet for hundreds of years, the Great Tang had not reestablished the Western Palace. Why was it being reopened now?

The gathered officials and generals couldn’t help but ponder deeply—could it be that the Emperor was dissatisfied with the Crown Prince and intended to cultivate the Ninth Prince? 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Such speculation was unavoidable, as the sudden reopening of the Western Palace was indeed peculiar.

The Crown Prince’s face also changed drastically as he stared at Ye Luo, his mind filled with unresolved thoughts.

Of course, Ye Luo thought otherwise.

When Ye Luo heard this appointment, his first reaction was that his deployment to the Da Yue Empire was drawing near!

Why did Ye Luo have such a feeling?

Because Ye Luo understood very well that he was not truly a son of the Emperor of Great Tang, merely a pawn in their hands.

No matter how favorably the Emperor treated Ye Luo now, it was inevitable that Ye Luo would eventually be sent away.

It seemed that the Emperor of Great Tang’s current kindness toward Ye Luo was aimed at boosting Ye Luo’s reputation and authority within the Empire, ensuring no one dared hinder him when the time came for his appointed mission.

Secondly, it appeared that Ye Luo was being used to both discipline and refine the other princes.

What mastery—the Emperor of Great Tang played his hand flawlessly.

Fortunately for Ye Luo, his unique circumstances allowed him to perceive the hidden intentions behind it all!

Of course, even with such insight, Ye Luo found it acceptable. No matter their plans, Ye Luo would take advantage of this opportunity to utilize the resources around him to strengthen his own power—that was what mattered most.

Thus, Ye Luo did not refuse but instead accepted the imperial decree outright.

...

After the court session ended, Ye Luo stepped outside. From civil ministers to military officials, all cast peculiar glances his way. Whether friendly or hostile, one thing was certain: in just one session, Ye Luo had become a figure known by every official throughout the Great Tang Empire!

Meanwhile, the Emperor of Great Tang, having ended the court session, contacted Border Guard Li Long.

"Brother, is raising Ye Luo’s status to this extent really appropriate? If Ye Luo’s power swells and he harbors disloyalty, it could entirely disrupt our plans!"

The Emperor of Great Tang began, evidently revealing that the current arrangements were not his original intent.

"Your Majesty need not worry. Ye Luo is merely a pawn for us. Elevating him domestically is harmless. Soon, he will be sent to the Da Yue Empire. The better we treat him today, the more diligently he will serve us tomorrow. Regarding rebellion? He wouldn’t dare, nor does he possess the capability. My border guards have crafted a secret poison, unrivaled under Heaven. So long as he cherishes life, he has no choice but to remain obediently under our control!"