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Li Gonggong seemed to sense Zhang Yun's gaze, and the smile at the corner of his mouth grew wider. He slightly raised his head, looking at him with a provocative expression, as if to say, "Come on, hit me, let's see if you have the guts!"
Zhang Yun did not speak. He looked at Li Gonggong's hypocritical face, and a raging anger ignited within him. It was this man, this treacherous villain, who had incited the Emperor, manipulated the court, and pushed the Great Qian Dynasty toward the abyss!
He suddenly stepped forward and raised the jade seal high...
Zhang Yun's jade seal whistled through the air, about to come down. Li Gonggong's smile instantly froze on his face. He instinctively stepped back but forgot that he was standing right behind the Emperor.
"Stop!" The Emperor shouted angrily and struck towards Zhang Yun's wrist holding the jade seal. Zhang Yun felt a numbness in his wrist, causing the jade seal to slip from his grasp. It rolled through the air a few times before landing heavily on the ground with a thud.
The Emperor quickly supported the staggering Li Gonggong, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes. He slowly turned around and coldly looked at Zhang Yun, "Zhang Aiqing, you are quite bold!"
Zhang Yun knelt on the ground, lowering his head and remaining silent. His hands trembled slightly, still feeling the residual warmth from the Emperor's strike.
"I will overlook your actions today due to your youth," the Emperor said in a deep voice, though there was no hint of forgiveness in his tone. He reached out to help Li Gonggong up and said lightly, "Li Gonggong, go check if the jade seal is damaged."
Li Gonggong quickly nodded in agreement and bent down to pick up the jade seal carefully. After examining it closely, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the jade seal is undamaged."
"Good." A barely noticeable smile appeared at the corner of the Emperor's mouth as he looked at Zhang Yun kneeling on the ground. A complex expression flashed in his eyes. "Zhang Aiqing, do you know your crime?"
"Your Majesty... I know my crime." Zhang Yun gritted his teeth and managed to utter those three words. He understood that the Emperor did not truly intend to hold him accountable; rather, he sought to use this opportunity to remind him who the true sovereign of the court was.
"Since you know your crime, then tell me, do you know where you went wrong?" The Emperor pressed on, his tone sharp.
"I... I acted impulsively and offended Your Majesty. Please forgive me!" Sweat beaded on Zhang Yun's forehead. He realized he was in a dire situation today, but he was unwilling to yield, especially not to a treacherous person like Li Gonggong.
"Impulsive?" The Emperor scoffed. "I see you have been led astray by those ruffians from the rivers and lakes, unable to distinguish right from wrong!"
"Your Majesty, please see reason. I..." Zhang Yun attempted to defend himself but was interrupted by the Emperor.
"Enough! I will grant you a chance to redeem yourself today, considering your past contributions." The Emperor waved his hand. "The situation in the rivers and lakes is unstable lately. Go on my behalf and eliminate those who dare challenge the authority of the court!"
Zhang Yun's heart sank. He knew this meant the Emperor was sending him away from the court. However, he did not refuse; he simply knelt and accepted the order. "I accept the command!"
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction and dismissed everyone else from the hall. The resplendent palace now held only him and Li Gonggong.
"Your Majesty is wise," Li Gonggong said with a bow, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes. "Zhang Yun is ultimately a threat; once he pacifies the rivers and lakes, we should find an opportunity..."
He made a gesture across his throat, and the Emperor smiled faintly, though there was no warmth in his eyes. Li Gonggong understood and put on a fawning smile.
Inside the hall, candlelight flickered, casting shadows on their grim faces, as if foretelling an even greater storm about to unfold.
====================
Zhang Yun took the token handed to him by the Emperor, his knuckles turning white. He understood that the Emperor intended to send him away from this place of intrigue. Yet he did not refuse; he gripped the token tightly in his hand, his fingertips nearly piercing his palm. He raised his head, determination in his gaze. "I accept the command!"
The corners of the Emperor's mouth curled into a barely noticeable arc as he waved his hand. "You may leave."
Zhang Yun took a deep breath, suppressing the anger and humiliation within him, and turned to exit the Golden Throne Hall. Outside, the sunlight was blinding, yet he felt a chill throughout his body. He knew that Li Gonggong would not let him off easily; the journey to pacify the martial world would undoubtedly be fraught with danger. But he was unafraid, for there was a belief in his heart that sustained him. He had to return alive; he wanted to witness the day when Li Gonggong would face justice!
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