Yellow Court Daoist

Purple Sun River.

This place is located to the west of Poison Dragon Pond and was once occupied by a ferocious crocodile. After the Poison Dragon Pond Water Monarch took office, he beheaded the crocodile and established a stronghold at Purple Sun River. He recruited soldiers and horses to protect the region.

For decades, he managed to build a certain level of influence.

On this day,

Poison Dragon Pond Water Monarch, Ao Zhan, Purple Sun Water Monarch, Zhang Shu, and Minister Turtle were in the hall discussing matters of military training and troop deployment.

"The three thousand navy soldiers of the River Patrol Camp have completed their training and are ready to be armed and enter battle at any moment."

Zhang Shu gave a fist salute to Ao Zhan seated at the head and reported.

He was supposed to stay in Min River, with a promising future ahead.

But, driven by his gratitude towards the Prince Consort, he resolutely resigned from his position as Yuan Lake Water Lord and followed Ao Zhan to Poison Dragon Pond in East Chen State. Skilled in military training, he stationed himself at Purple Sun River to train naval forces constantly deploying to the front.

The rapid establishment of positions and stability in their respective territories by Ao Lie and Ao Le were all closely associated with Zhang Shu's efforts.

However—

"Armor and arms."

Ao Zhan frowned and turned to Minister Turtle, "How many sets of armor and weapons are currently available in the armorer's camp?"

Hearing this, Minister Turtle took out a document from his bosom, slowly opened it, and read, "Five hundred sets of armor, two thousand spears, five hundred iron rods, five hundred long knives, and other various items like rope darts, meteor hammers, wolf-tooth hammers, dragon whisker hooks, flying claws, soft whips, brocade lassoes, iron lotuses, etc."

"These weapons are barely enough to equip one battalion of troops."

"The shortage of armor is too great."

Zhang Shu shook his head and said to Ao Zhan, "My training of troops prioritizes speed, thus they are not elites, merely enough to barely form an army. If the armor is poor, compared with the assembled Demons from all directions, the gap isn't big, they are all scattered soldiers, hard to gain the upper hand. We are only managing to barely cope."

While Zhang Shu was a talented military trainer, it's difficult to cook without rice.

Given the current situation, there's neither sufficient time, allowing only basic training of the naval forces, nor the ability to train them into rare elite forces. Additionally, the severe shortage of armor further dims the prospect; even well-trained troops would be at a disadvantage against well-armored demon forces.

"We just arrived at Poison Dragon Pond, armor should have been coordinated among the Three Armies."

"Yet, Earth Suppressing Army and Breaking Demon Army shirk responsibility, and Heaven Suppressing Army is far in East Xian State, leaving us no option but to forge our own. However, materials and craftsmen are scarce, and fifty years have only yielded this much."

Minister Turtle closed the booklet and sighed.

Hearing this, Zhang Shu scoffed coldly, "These Three Armies' supply officials and weapon handlers are just causing trouble because they see us demoted and at odds with Wujiang."

Ao Zhan remained impassive.

After pondering for a moment, he said, "We're in no rush for the armor. First, assign five hundred of the three thousand River Patrol navy soldiers and equip them with complete armor and blades, and send them to Yinchuan. Green Bull Mountain has a significant presence; Yinchuan has recently suffered a big defeat, urgently needing to stabilize the situation."

"Yes!"

Zhang Shu nodded in agreement.

Ao Zhan opened his mouth, about to arrange the remaining two thousand five hundred navy's movements, when suddenly a general rushed in from outside with a joyful expression, loudly proclaiming—

"Great victory!"

"The Yinchuan Army has subdued the Green Bull King and his sons of Green Bull Mountain, along with three thousand Demons under their command!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Zhan, Zhang Shu, and Minister Turtle looked at each other, their eyes filled with disbelief.

…

"Nonsense!"

Ao Zhan glared fiercely, his anger intimidating.

Standing at a lower position, Ao Le, somewhat afraid, spoke respectfully, "Father King, no need to worry. My husband didn't really join the Demons; by going to the Examination Department, he can clear his name of these false accusations."

Having learned the full story from Lu Qingfeng, Ao Le was quite confident about the situation.

"The Sky Illuminating Treasure records that he personally saw Guangyuan hiding in the Ghostly Wailing Mysterious Realm. After the capture of the Demons from Ghostly Wailing Mysterious Realm, Guangyuan's transformation into 'He Shan' and joining Blood Spring Demon Sect became undeniable."

"He was even the person in charge of setting up the Great Arrays inside and outside Ghostly Wailing Mysterious Realm."

"Merely hearsay."

"Going to the Investigation Department, where right and wrong can't be discerned, how could he possibly come out!?"

Seeing Ao Le's continued confidence, Ao Zhan, infuriated, couldn't help but scoff.

He had received the victory report from Yinchuan while at Purple Sun River and was surprised. Upon detailed investigation, he didn't delay and immediately rushed to Yinchuan Water Palace.

Yet, it was still a step too late.

"The Three Armies Examination Department has constantly watched with Demon Chasing General and Demon Hunting General. Even if Guangyuan returned, that would have been fine, but he dared to reveal his methods, truly ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth."

Thinking of Guangyuan, Ao Zhan's brow furrowed as he spoke to Ao Le, "Don't be too anxious about this matter; I'm going to find someone to speak on his behalf and will send someone to Yu Mountain to find Luo Fuzi. His guilt is difficult to cleanse, we can only try our best to save his life, aiming for him to serve his sentence but strive for meritorious deeds."

Saying this,

Ao Zhan didn't wait for Ao Le to reply and hurriedly transformed into tunneling light, rushing away.

"Father King."

Ao Le called out, but Ao Zhan's figure had already disappeared. Stunned momentarily, a smile then appeared on his face, "Perhaps, this is for the best."

…

Half a month later.

Yinchuan Water Palace.

Ao Lie, Ao Le, Zhang Shu, and Ao Jun were all present.

Suddenly, tunneling light flashed from the sky, landing in the hall to reveal the strenuously traveling figure of Ao Zhan.

"Father King, how did it go?"

Seeing him, Ao Lie quickly stepped forward to inquire.

Ao Zhan's expression was grim as he shook his head, "I went to the Heaven Suppressing Army to find Generals Zhao Bo and Wen Hu, both of whom I had some past connections with. Both are Third Grade Divine Generals of the Heaven Suppressing Army, but they said they couldn't help."

Not just that.

Those two Divine Generals also advised him not to interfere further, to avoid being convicted of colluding with Demons.

Left with no choice, Ao Zhan could only return.

"What about the Sect Leader of Yu Mountain—"

Zhang Shu, his expression changing, couldn't help but interrupt.

"I've already sent someone there. But it's a long journey to Yu Mountain, and still no news has come."

Ao Zhan spoke in a subdued tone, not holding much hope.

He knew well that over the years, Ao Le had sent people to Yu Mountain several times to seek an audience with Luo Fuzi, but they were always stopped with the excuse of 'in seclusion' and never met in person.

At this moment, seeking him out might just result in being turned away at the door.

"Isn't that uncle then in danger?!"

On the field, Ao Jun, the youngest and the lowest in rank, couldn't help but express his concern. Thinking of his uncle whom he had only met twice, he felt a surge of anxiety.

Five people were present on the field.

It was Ao Le, who had the closest relationship with Lu Qingfeng, who seemed the calmest, not showing urgency or panic.

"Little sister."

Seeing this, Ao Lie frowned, feeling somewhat worried. The younger sister who always missed Guang Yuan had suddenly reunited and then parted again, with great joy and great sorrow, potentially damaging her sensibility.

"Little sister."

"This time for Guang Yuan, it's truly more likely to be perilous than fortunate, you need to be prepared mentally."

After hesitating for a long time, Ao Lie decided to guide Ao Le to face reality.

"..."

Seeing the expression on their third brother, Ao Le blinked, instantly understanding his intention.

She felt a mix of laughter and tears.

Seeing that everyone was truly worried, she wanted to explain. However, remembering her husband's instructions, she had to hold back, fearing she might ruin the plan.

At that moment.

The sky was radiant with colors, auspicious clouds paving the way, cascading down from above the Nine Heavens.

Divine music played repeatedly, truly spectacular.

"Which Divine Monarch from heaven has arrived?"

Seeing the majestic scene from beyond the heavens, they dared not delay and hurriedly went out to welcome them.

In the horizon.

Two generals stood on either side.

The one on the left, with blonde hair, a blood-colored ghost face, wearing a Nine-leaf Fire Crown and a green jade cloud robe, tied at the chest with Inner Gold Diamond Armor, standing on two fire wheels, one hand holding a sword, the other holding a precious mirror.

The one on the right, with a black face and blue hair, wearing a Five-leaf Fire Crown and a black short robe, tied at the front with Golden Diamond Armor, standing on two water wheels, left hand holding a bag over the shoulder, right hand wielding a golden spear.

Truly brave and powerful.

In the middle stood one person.

Wearing a magnificent divine robe and the Wolong Crown on his head, it was—

...

"Guang Yuan?"

Ao Zhan looked towards Lu Qingfeng, then to the generals on either side, his heart stirring, "Investigation Department's Investigation Demon General?!"

Lu Qingfeng had joined the Investigation Department, and now he was leading the Investigation God Monarchs, there was a mystery in this, a deep and fearful thought.

"Guang Yuan pays respects to father."

"Greetings to third brother."

Unaware of what Ao Zhan was thinking, Lu Qingfeng bowed to Ao Zhan, then greeted Ao Lie, and nodded slightly towards Zhang Shu and Ao Jun at his side, before walking forward, intending to join Ao Le.

"Guang Yuan!"

However, Ao Lie quickly stepped forward, protecting Ao Le behind him, his eyes angrily glaring at Lu Qingfeng.

"What is third brother doing?"

Lu Qingfeng, confused, looked toward Ao Le peeking out from behind Ao Lie.

At first, Ao Le too was puzzled, but seeing the two Divine Generals from heaven, she quickly understood, motioning to Lu Qingfeng and raising her voice, "My husband has not yet introduced these two generals to us."

"In my excitement, I indeed forgot."

Reminded by Ao Le, Lu Qingfeng suddenly realized why his third brother Ao Lie and his father-in-law Ao Zhan were looking so unusually.

A bitter smile appeared on his face.

Before he could speak.

The two generals behind him stepped forward.

The one on the left addressed Ao Zhan and others, "I am Zhang Chi, the Mighty Thunder General under the command of the Investigation God Monarch Guang Yuan."

The one on the right also spoke out clearly, "I am Du Yuanqing, the Six Waves Water General of the Investigation God Monarch Guang Yuan."

"God Monarch Guang Yuan?!"

Not only Ao Zhan and others, even Ao Le had a look of surprise on her face.

...

In the Shang River Dragon Palace, the conquest of Chunshen Realm consists of Three Armies—

The Heaven Suppressing Army, the Earth Suppressing Army, the Breaking Demon Army.

Within the Three Armies lies the 'Investigation Department', overseeing all captured and uncaptured demons, investigating and determining their punishment.

Its power was large, yet also small.

Like Lu Qingfeng and Chi Bai who defected to the demons, they were subject to the Investigation Department's inquiry, trial, and sentencing.

The chief official of the Investigation Department, called 'Three Armies Demon Correcting Venerable Official', is a grand First-grade Divine Monarch, known as 'Investigation God Monarch'.

In terms of prominence.

Even above the Wujiang Dragon Lord and Min River Dragon Lord.

"The former Investigation God Monarch died on duty by unjust laws, almost causing a major disaster, was jointly reported by the Three Armies Grand Marshal to the Dragon Palace, and with a decree, was thrown into the Thunder and Lightning Examination Prison to undergo thunder punishment for three hundred years."

"The God Monarch is the new Investigation God Monarch, sealed personally by the Dragon King, just took office three days ago, now in charge of the Investigation Department."

At Yinchuan Water Palace.

The Six Waves Water General Du Yuanqing, with his black face and blue hair, introduced to Ao Zhan and others.

"Investigation God Monarch!"

Ao Zhan, looking at Lu Qingfeng, despite his extensive experience, was momentarily in disbelief.

Not long ago, he was worried that his son-in-law would be put into prison by the Investigation Department or even directly sent to the Slaughter Demon Platform for execution. Who could have thought that in just half a month, he would transform into the Investigation God Monarch in charge of the Investigation Department.

Such a transformation was indeed too abrupt.