Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector

On the reviewing stand, the night wind whipped fiercely, causing the bright yellow Dragon Robe on Chen Ye to flap and snap.

He didn’t give a long speech, nor did he offer any grand, inspiring principles.

There were no fools in this day and age. Trying to trick people into dying for you with a few empty words was nothing but a pipe dream.

Instead of feeding them empty promises, it was better to offer something tangible.

"Men, bring forth the wine, meat, and silver coins!"

Soon, barrel after barrel of mellow, fragrant wine and basin after basin of copper coins—some worth ten, some worth a hundred—were brought out and distributed according to rank.

More than enough wine and meat, more than enough money—this was Chen Ye’s message.

The Imperial Guard Soldiers, whose eyes had previously held a mix of complex feelings and hesitation, were now eating until their mouths dripped with grease. Their pouches were stuffed with their newly issued rewards, and the way they gazed at the figure on the high platform underwent a subtle change.

’Perhaps this Emperor really is dissolute and benighted, but he’s undeniably good to his own people.’

And that was enough.

This was precisely the effect Chen Ye wanted.

First, get them to feel that their emperor wasn’t so bad. That was the first step.

At his side, Tong Lei, both shocked and bewildered, stole a glance at the Emperor before him. He felt that His Majesty’s figure seemed especially profound and inscrutable this night.

Meanwhile, news that the Emperor had inspected the Imperial Guard late at night and lavishly rewarded the Soldiers spread rapidly among the upper echelons of Great Zhao.

Cui Mansion.

"What is he trying to do? What in the world is he trying to do!?" Wang Yuanzhi’s usual composure was gone, replaced by unconcealable alarm.

"First he feigned illness to avoid seeing us, then he issued a secret decree to send Master Xuanji away, and now he’s actually gone to inspect the Imperial Guard! Brother Cui, this is no longer just abnormal. This is a show of force directed at us!"

Cui Lang’s expression was equally grim; he too was wondering what on earth this Yang Zhao was trying to do.

"Brother Wang, please calm down. Even if this Yang Zhao wants to turn over a new leaf and restore order, it’s too late. After all, the situation has deteriorated to this point. I don’t believe he has some miraculous way to turn things around."

"But... what if?" Wang Yuanzhi understood the logic in what Cui Lang was saying, but he was still deeply worried.

"The ’what if’..." A vicious glint flashed in Cui Lang’s eyes. "If it really comes to that, then they can’t blame us for being merciless."

Late at night, within the cozy warmth of Yangxin Hall, fragrant incense smoke curled into the air.

Chen Ye had taken off his Dragon Robe. Now wearing only a simple, bright yellow robe, he reclined on a soft couch with his eyes closed, resting.

A Chief Eunuch with white hair and a white beard entered silently, taking small, mincing steps. He held an ebony tray, upon which dozens of green-tipped ivory plaques were neatly arranged.

"Your Majesty, it is late. Will you be choosing a plaque?" The Chief Eunuch’s voice was high and thin, his face wreathed in a fawning smile.

Chen Ye slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the ivory plaques, and then waved his hand.

"That won’t be necessary. I am tired today."

The Chief Eunuch froze.

’Tired?’

’That wasn’t His Majesty’s style. In the past, wasn’t every night filled with carnal revelry?’

The Chief Eunuch instinctively raised his head and met Chen Ye’s gaze.

And what a pair of eyes they were!

They were no longer the murky, crazed eyes of the past, but as deep as an ancient well, and they were staring at him with a scrutinizing gaze.

The Chief Eunuch shuddered in terror. He quickly bowed his head, not daring to breathe too loudly.

"Yes, this servant will withdraw!"

He didn’t dare say another word, hastily bowing and retreating from Yangxin Hall.

Once he was outside the hall, the night wind hit him, and the Chief Eunuch realized his back was drenched in a cold sweat.

He realized His Majesty had truly changed. He was no longer the manic, frenzied Monarch who was fierce in appearance but timid at heart. Instead, he was like a savage beast lying in wait in the darkness, ready to choose its prey and devour it—a truly terrifying thought.

A few moments later, in a secluded corner, the Chief Eunuch met with Situ Wang Yuanzhi, who had come personally.

Wang Yuanzhi stuffed a heavy gold ingot into the other man’s sleeve and asked in a low voice, "How did it go?"

The Chief Eunuch wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, lowered his voice, and recounted what had just transpired.

After hearing the report, Wang Yuanzhi’s expression became as dark as a thundercloud.

He had realized the gravity of the situation.

An emperor who indulges in wine and women is not frightening. An emperor who seeks immortality and the Dao is not frightening. What’s frightening is an emperor who suddenly becomes chaste and abstinent, and even starts to consolidate the military!

This was no longer a matter of losing control; it was a sign of impending backlash!

He could no longer remain calm. He immediately turned and rushed to Cui Mansion under the cover of night.

"We can’t wait any longer. We must make our move at once! To delay is to invite disaster!"

While these treacherous currents were swirling on one side, Chen Ye had already slipped quietly out of Yangxin Hall on the other.

He changed into the dark purple Eunuch Robe, his features reverting to the sinister and intimidating visage of the old eunuch. Then, he navigated the intricate maze of alleys deep within the Imperial City, finally arriving outside the Cold Palace where the thousand young women were imprisoned.

"Old Ancestor!"

The eunuch on duty was so frightened at the sight of him that his legs gave out. He came scrambling and stumbling over to offer his greetings.

Chen Ye let out a cold snort through his nostrils, taking that as a sufficient reply.

"The people inside, are they behaving?"

"Replying to the Old Ancestor, they are, they are! Very well-behaved!" the eunuch replied, bowing and scraping. "Especially since His Majesty issued a decree the day before yesterday that they be treated well. We servants wouldn’t dare show the slightest neglect. They’re served with good food and wine at every meal!"

"Mm," Chen Ye nodded nonchalantly. "Well done. We are all His Majesty’s dogs, so naturally we must carry out his decrees perfectly."

"The Old Ancestor is right!"

After dismissing the eunuch, Chen Ye strode inside.

An oppressive aura washed over him.

Hundreds of girls, all in the bloom of their youth, were huddled like a flock of frightened lambs in the corners of the cold palace. When they saw Chen Ye’s deathly pale and sinister face, they were instantly filled with overwhelming terror, each one shaking like a leaf.

Chen Ye’s gaze swept over the faces of the young women, finally landing on one person in particular.

She was a fair-skinned girl with a defiant look in her eyes. It was none other than Little Lingdang, Wu Xiaorui, from the Colorful Character Sect.

Upon seeing her, Chen Ye couldn’t help but give a slight nod to himself.

’Good, she’s all right.’

However, he said nothing more, merely turning to instruct the eunuchs on guard duty.

"Watch them well. These people are all valued by His Majesty. Their food, clothing, and provisions must not be lacking in any way. If I find out anyone dares to neglect them, I’ll have your hides!"

"Yes, yes! Rest assured, Old Ancestor, we servants understand!" the guards chorused.

Chen Ye said no more. With a flick of his robe’s sleeve, he turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing into the deep darkness of the night.

Only after that suffocating, chilling presence had completely faded did the young women in the Cold Palace seem to come back to life. Their tense bodies went limp, and many began to sob quietly again, an atmosphere of despair hanging over them all like a dark cloud.

Only Wu Xiaorui and a few other girls from the Colorful Character Sect managed to maintain some composure. After all, as women who had braved the Martial World, their Heart Nature was far more resilient than that of ordinary, sheltered ladies.