Chapter 79

"Wait, what? He kicked the doors of ninety-nine martial arts schools in Luoyang?" Xiao Sheng was slightly surprised and said, "Is this true?"

"Absolutely true," Prince Xian said solemnly. "Aoying Manor, Zixuan Pavilion, Tongxin Alliance, Aoji Alliance, Hulong Manor, Xianmeng Valley, Fengshen Gang, Xianyu Tower, Yesterday's Affection, Yi Shui Wang Tianya, Qingxin Residence, Diwu Pavilion, Haifeng Pavilion, Zhenao City, Guying Hanfeng, Bihaichao Pavilion, Qingfengyu Pavilion, Fengxue Yuanmeng Pavilion, Lianhua Pavilion, Chenfeng Mushue, Mohan Pavilion, Jinmen Family, Qingyi Axe Gang, Longfeng Hall, Meishi Pavilion, Blue Cat Group, Cai Paradise, Zhanhun Zixuan Pavilion, Longkong Mountain, Shangjian Cottage, Qingyi Alliance, Shaocheng Pavilion, Zhui Meng Alliance, Longyuan Tianxia, Dao Thirty-Three, Yan Yu Tower, Qingfeng Xueyu, Wolong Association, Tixue War Alliance, Tiannuo Society, Xuangate Association, Mieshi Kuangwu Group, Lingyan Pavilion, Mingyue Association, Wuyu Cangxue Pavilion, Han Yue Changkong, Aotian Association, Lengyue Manor, Friendship Years Association, Fox Kingdom, Jianzhen Hanlin, Mingjian Association, Jiangmen Haogqi Alliance, Xueji Huazang, Yijian Qincheng, Xiaoyao You, Qingfeng Mingyue Pavilion, Qingwu Feiyang Association, Luqing Society, Jinlan Alliance, Huanyou Association, Shangguan Manor, Dongcheng Wei, Lijian Tianxia, Game Enthusiasts Association, Donglong Youmi Association, Meng Shishen Temple, Taoyuan Fairyland, Mingjian Manor, Luojia Association, Qinghong Gang, Mo Wu Tianxia, Yue Ruhuan, Dianzhi Fentianxia, Yan Yu Cottage, Meng Ran Jiangshan, Xianshi Alliance, Shiguang Ruozhi Association, Wushuang Association, Fengzhong Lingluan Association, Hei Hun Association, Baofeng Association, Jiu You Association, Longyin Association, Nizhan Association, Yiyu Zhi Dian, Leige, Tiangang Baye, Yan Yu City, Yelian Mingju, Momo Xiaoge, Yinxian Residence, Wuyou Xiaozhu, Bancheng Yan, Hengqi Yajian, Fanyin Zhan Pavilion, Qingyou Pavilion, Yundu Mengjun."

"All of these ninety-nine schools were defeated by Chen Suibian."

"Wait, wait, wait. Eighth Brother, you... you have such a good memory and such a smooth tongue." For a moment, Xiao Sheng was speechless, then he couldn't help but laugh, and finally, he was completely in awe. To be able to list all ninety-nine martial arts schools in a few moments, clearly and without stumbling, was definitely not something an ordinary person could do. It required special training.

But honestly, was it necessary to practice for this? Xiao Sheng wasn't illiterate; if you wanted to tell him which schools Chen Suibian had defeated, couldn't you just write it down on paper? It seemed that either Prince Xian had reached a certain level of idleness, or he was really meticulous about the details and didn't want to be perfunctory with Xiao Sheng.

But, regardless of the reason, Xiao Sheng could only say, "Eighth Brother, I admit defeat."

Prince Xian's brows showed a hint of pride as he waved his hand and said, "The founding emperor taught us that anything can be achieved with seriousness. I don't have any outstanding talents, so I can only put in the effort to be serious."

"Moreover, they are all martial arts schools. If we don't even mention their names, wouldn't that be disrespectful? If someone asks in the future, 'Which schools were among those ninety-nine in Luoyang?' and I can't even name one, just saying 'ninety-nine' would be too perfunctory."

"Right, right, right. The founding emperor's words are definitely correct." Xiao Sheng composed himself and asked, "I rarely leave the palace to interact with the martial arts schools. But logically, the schools that can stand in Luoyang must be quite strong. Chen Suibian, to be able to defeat ninety-nine schools alone, must be extremely powerful. But... why haven't I heard of this person before? Is he from one of the five families of Donghuang?"

Prince Xian said solemnly, "Chen Suibian claims to be from Yiliu Manor and is the sworn brother of Jiben. After Jiben went missing, he took over the power of Yiliu Manor. The problem is, no one had heard of him before. According to our Ministry of Justice, Jiben doesn't have such a sworn brother. Unfortunately, now even Huangpu Yu and Sima Tianxia have come forward to vouch for Chen Suibian. So even if his identity is suspicious, we can't say anything more."

"I see. So it's him." Xiao Sheng was taken aback, his brows showing a hint of realization. Chen Suibian, Jiben's sworn brother? It must be him. This Chen Suibian is—Donghuang's Son!

Prince Xian, seeing the expression on Xiao Sheng's face, asked, "Hey, Fourteenth Brother, have you heard of Chen Suibian?"

Xiao Sheng collected his thoughts and smiled, "Of course not. How could I have? So, Eighth Brother, what do you need me for? Do you want me to stop Chen Suibian from causing more trouble?"

Prince Xian said solemnly, "If Donghuang continues to kick the doors of schools, Luoyang will surely be in chaos. The Ministry of Justice has the responsibility to maintain order and stability in Luoyang, so we can't just sit by and do nothing. I have already arranged to meet the people from Donghuang at the Ministry of Justice around noon. We need to make them agree to stop. But to achieve this, we need a powerful expert to back us up. So, Fourteenth Brother, who else could I turn to?"

He paused, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice, "In about ten days, it will be the Empress's birthday. At the banquet, you will participate in the martial arts competition for the pearl. It seems that the representative Donghuang will send is likely to be Chen Suibian. By going today, we can first suppress his arrogance and see what skills he has. If you have a clear understanding beforehand, you will have a better chance of winning at the banquet."

Xiao Sheng smiled, "Eighth Brother, you are truly thoughtful. Alright, I'll go with you to see what this Chen Suibian is capable of."

——

The Ministry of Justice is one of the six ministries, responsible for law and criminal justice. In terms of power, it ranks below the Ministries of Personnel, Revenue, and War, but above the Ministries of Rites and Works.

Within the Ministry of Justice, there are various departments such as the Supervision and Capture Department, the Criminal Justice Department, the Autumn Review Office, the Reduction Office, the Prison Administration, the Confiscation Treasury, the Redemption Office, and the Law and Regulations Office. Among these, the most powerful and important is the Supervision and Capture Department.

The Supervision and Capture Department oversees all the constables and sheriffs of the Da Hao Dynasty. Their duties include investigating criminal cases, apprehending criminals, and maintaining social order. In essence, the Minister of Justice is the head of the Ministry, while the Director of the Supervision and Capture Department (who usually also holds the rank of Deputy Minister of Justice) is the second-in-command.

Xiao Ji, styled Bo Fu, has been the Director of the Supervision and Capture Department for three years. Although he is a member of the Da Hao Dynasty's royal family and is a cousin of the current emperor, Xuan Di, no one would doubt that his position is solely due to his family background if they saw him in person.

In fact, although Xiao Ji inherited the title of Nanwang Gong at the age of eighteen, his current position as Director of the Supervision and Capture Department is entirely due to his solid achievements and gradual promotions. He has held every top position in all the functional departments of the Ministry of Justice.

Especially in the Criminal Justice Department, which oversees prisons, Xiao Ji spent a full ten years. The mention of "Prison Warden" is enough to make even the most vicious criminals tremble and break out in cold sweat.

Indeed, Xiao Ji is tall and muscular, with a physique that looks like it is cast in bronze and iron. His head is completely bald, with not a single hair. He has a thick, well-groomed mustache on his upper lip. His eyes are like copper bells, and he has a large, prominent nose and a wide mouth. His appearance is indeed fierce and intimidating. However, what truly makes people fear him is