Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector

This man’s name was Jia Ye, a scion of the Jia Family, one of the top Noble Families. At only thirty years old, he had already attained a high position.

Before his departure, he had even been granted a personal audience with the Emperor, who bestowed upon him an Imperial Sword and the authority to execute first and report later. He was basking in imperial favor, arrogant and full of himself.

Along the way, as he gazed upon the prosperous scenery of Great Liang, he drooled with greed, wishing he could immediately claim all this land and wealth for himself.

Therefore, as soon as he arrived in Luojing, he rushed to the Jiedu Envoy’s Mansion without stopping, eager to complete the transfer of power, fearing that any delay might bring unforeseen complications.

When he saw the dense crowd of weeping commoners kneeling before the mansion’s gates, Jia Ye’s brow furrowed, his face filled with unconcealed disgust.

Then, his gaze fell upon Chen Ye.

At this moment, Chen Ye’s clothes were soaked by the rain, and he looked quite haggard and pathetic.

This couldn’t help but bring a flash of disdain to Jia Ye’s eyes.

’This is the Marquis Zhen Xi who once held immense power and was feared by all the ministers in the Court?’

’Other than being a bit tall, there’s nothing remarkable about him. Just a down-and-out country bumpkin.’

He couldn’t even be bothered to get out of the carriage. Leaning back inside, he looked down on him and asked, "You’re Chen Ye?"

Before Chen Ye could answer, he continued, "Chen Ye, the Emperor’s grace is vast. He spared your life and merely stripped you of your official post. You should be grateful. So hurry up and hand over the Jiedu Envoy’s seal and the military tally. From now on, I will be taking over Great Liang for you."

He said it as if it were a matter of course, as if this land and everything on it were already his for the taking.

When the surrounding commoners heard this, a commotion instantly broke out, and anger ignited in many of their eyes.

Chen Ye’s expression, however, remained calm, as if he hadn’t detected the humiliation in the other man’s words. He simply cupped his hands in a salute and asked in a tone that was neither servile nor overbearing, "May I ask for your esteemed name, my lord?"

An attendant beside him immediately jumped forward, announcing loudly with a face full of arrogance, "This is the legitimate grandson of Duke Dingguo, Mr. Jia—the new Jiedu Envoy, Lord Jia Ye!"

"So, it is Lord Jia."

Chen Ye nodded, a look of sudden realization on his face.

In truth, from the moment this contingent had set foot in Great Liang’s territory, Chen Ye had known their every move—even how many times Jia Ye had stopped on the road and changed his clothes.

Chen Ye had even calculated their arrival time in advance, all for the purpose of staging a grand play of ’an official forcing the people to rebel’ for the entire city to see.

"Lord Jia," Chen Ye’s voice was exceptionally clear in the rain, "I wonder if you’ve heard a story?"

"What story?" Jia Ye retorted impatiently.

Chen Ye spoke slowly, "Once, there was a shepherd who worked tirelessly to raise a flock of skinny lambs until they were fat and strong. Then, a wolf came from the mountains. It didn’t want to do any work; it just wanted to open its mouth and devour the entire flock."

As his voice fell, the surroundings instantly went silent.

Jia Ye’s expression changed. No matter how foolish he was, he understood the story’s meaning and flew into a rage. "Chen Ye, what is the meaning of this? Are you questioning the Emperor’s decision, saying that I am that wicked wolf?"

"I wouldn’t dare." Chen Ye lowered his head slightly. "I am merely telling a story. I only ask that Lord Jia think of the people of Great Liang and refrain from being the wolf that eats the sheep."

"Hmph! It’s not your place to lecture me on what I want to do!"

Jia Ye’s face was ashen as he sneered, "Chen Ye, I advise you to know your place. Pack your bags and go to the Capital City to beg the Emperor for forgiveness. Maybe then you can save your own life!"

With that, he shouted to the carriage driver, "Go! Into the mansion!"

The carriage started to move slowly, but it stopped again after just two paces.

Because dozens of commoners had surged forward again, using their own bodies to block the carriage’s path.

"You... what do you think you’re doing?" Jia Ye was stunned by the sight. Then, rage consumed him, his face twisting in fury. "Get the hell out of my way, all of you!"

But the commoners did not back down.

It’s unclear who started it, but a furious roar echoed through the rain.

"Get out! We only recognize King Liang!"

"That’s right! Get out! We only recognize King Liang!"

"Get out!"

The roars merged into a torrent of sound, leaving Jia Ye utterly humiliated.

He had been born into nobility; when had he ever suffered such humiliation? Trembling with rage, he snatched the whip from the driver’s hand and viciously lashed out at the crowd.

"I’ll teach you to shout! Guards! Seize them! Seize all of them and drag them away for severe punishment!"

The whip cut through the air and struck an old, white-haired man hard across the face. The old man cried out in pain, staggering and falling into the mud.

This scene was the final spark that ignited the powder keg.

From within the crowd, someone gathered all their strength and roared.

"To hell with this damn Court! Let’s rebel!"

That one word, "Rebel!", exploded like a clap of thunder.

In an instant, hundreds echoed the call.

"Rebel! Rebel!"

"Kill this corrupt official!"

The tsunami of voices turned Jia Ye’s face deathly pale. He never dreamed that this flock of meek-as-sheep commoners would actually dare to make a move.

He scrambled to shrink back into the carriage, screaming, "Go! Go now!"

But it was too late.

From within the crowd, dozens of seemingly ordinary, sturdy men suddenly drew Steel Sabers hidden beneath their clothes. Like tigers descending a mountain, they pounced on the posturing cavalrymen.

These men were swift, their coordination flawless, and every slash was a killing blow. They were no ordinary commoners; they were clearly a unit of battle-hardened elite soldiers.

Before Jia Ye’s guards could even react, they were cut down, men and horses sent toppling in chaos as a river of blood flowed.

Amidst the chaos, a figure leaped up with the agility of a cheetah, landing directly on the carriage.

The carriage curtain was ripped aside, and Wang Xing’s murderous face appeared before Jia Ye.

"You... you stay away!"

Jia Ye was scared out of his wits, cowering in a corner and trembling like a quail in the wind.

Without a word, Wang Xing dragged him out of the carriage and threw him roughly into the mud.

Only when the cold blade was pressed against his neck did Jia Ye snap back to his senses. He shrieked with all his might, "I am an imperial envoy from the Court! I am the legitimate grandson of Duke Dingguo! If you dare kill me, the Emperor will have you torn to pieces and your entire clan exterminated!"

"Noisy!"

Wang Xing didn’t hesitate for a second. His hand rose, and the saber fell.

SQUELCH!

Jia Ye’s head splashed into the mud, an expression of terror and disbelief still frozen on his face.

The entire scene fell silent. The cavalrymen who had accompanied Jia Ye were especially dumbfounded, but the slaughter soon resumed.

The men Wang Xing brought were all battle-hardened elites. With Jia Ye dead before their very eyes, the cavalrymen panicked and were routed in an instant, suffering near-total casualties.

Meanwhile, Wang Xing wiped the blood from his face, strode over to Chen Ye, and pulled a Yellow Robe from his tunic—one he had clearly prepared long ago. Without a word, he draped it over Chen Ye’s shoulders.

Then, he dropped to one knee, his voice booming like a great bell as it echoed to the heavens.

"The Court is inept and the new Emperor is unjust! They persecute the loyal and prey upon the people! We wish to enthrone King Liang as Emperor, to restore order to the court and remake the world!"

His kneeling was a signal.

SHUFFLE!

In front of the mansion gates and all along the street, every Personal Guard and commoner knelt as one.

"We wish to enthrone King Liang as Emperor!"

"We implore the Prince to ascend the throne!"

Chen Ye looked at the kneeling soldiers and civilians before him, tugging lightly at the Yellow Robe on his shoulders as if it were uncomfortable.

Then he sighed with feigned helplessness, "Wang Xing, what are you all doing?"

"We implore the Prince to ascend the throne!" Wang Xing shouted again.

At the same time, people began to cry out, "Long live the King!"

Seeing this, Chen Ye gave a wry smile. With a flick of his sleeves, he said, "Alas... you have all put Us in a truly difficult position!"