King of Creation Chapter 1788 - 1773: The Retaliation Begins

Within the Qingzhou Western Patrol Office, West Patrol Xio Qiangu was scrutinizing a recently received joint document from the Heavenly Patrol Department and the Military Department. As he read, his expression grew increasingly grim.

"Hmph, a mere offset of merits and demerits, a year’s salary penalty?" Xio Qiangu licked his lips. "Such a significant issue, and it's dismissed like this. That Old Emperor truly does shield Ye Zhen."

With disdain, West Patrol Xio Qiangu tore the document into pieces!

"Indeed, it appears the Old Emperor is determined to target us in the West Patrol..."

Wei Gang responded with a nod, his expression then shifting. "Sir, this matter, as it stands, can only conclude here—it's a substantial setback."

"However, shouldn't we remain vigilant against revenge from Ye Zhen? Judging by Ye Zhen’s past actions, this fellow won't simply let things go."

"Revenge? Ye Zhen’s revenge?" Xio Qiangu glanced at Wei Gang.

"Yes, sir. In truth, this time, the Demon Clan's army's fully organized invasion, with its clearly defined objective, would lead anyone with even a shred of insight on Ye Zhen’s side to connect it with you."

"However, it's merely an association, lacking any concrete evidence."

"Still, the absence of evidence doesn't mean they won't retaliate against us," Wei Gang stated.

Xio Qiangu nodded. "That's plausible, but what means would Ye Zhen possess to retaliate against me?"

Letting out a cold chuckle, Xio Qiangu dismissed Wei Gang's further advice. "As you said, we cannot afford to be negligent regarding this situation."

"Issue directives to all Wind Patrol Envoys and government offices to enhance vigilance, and also dispatch personnel to closely observe the movements of various experts within North Sea County."

"Especially any synchronized actions by Martial Artists; these must be thoroughly investigated and reported!"

"Understood!"

....

As detailed in the documents received by the West Patrol Office, the Demon Clan organized a massive invasion; even though, on record, Ye Zhen completely annihilated this invading force.

The incident still incurred severe repercussions. The tragic loss of over twenty thousand civilians and the widespread panic among the populace—these are not matters that can be easily overlooked.

Impeachment reports against Ye Zhen, accusing him of dereliction of duty, flooded the court from Luoyi. Nevertheless, this time, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long showcased his formidable methods.

Initially, the Military Department supported Ye Zhen with military merits, subsequently attributing the cause of the Demon Clan’s organized invasion to the lax defenses of the Human-Demon Battlefield troops.

Later, to make an example, he commanded the Heavenly Patrol Department and the Secret Overseer to investigate the Imperial Censors within the Imperial Censorate who had been most vocal in their condemnations. These Imperial Censors might have maintained spotless records, or perhaps their past transgressions had been meticulously erased. However, upon delving into their families or relatives, infractions and misconduct were frequently unearthed.

Alternatively, using promotions as a guise for silent demotions, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long demonstrated considerable skill in this political maneuvering. Ultimately, after a week to seven days of intense debate in Luoyi’s court, the matter concluded with Ye Zhen receiving an offset of merits and demerits and a year’s salary penalty.

After all, those mid to lower-level Imperial Censors could not withstand the frenzied, dog-like counterattack from the Heavenly Patrol Department for long. When the reprimanding Imperial Decree reached North Sea County, neither Ye Zhen nor any of his subordinates took it overly seriously.

The truth of the matter remained clear, even if no one could expose it. What the residents of North Sea County, especially Ye Zhen’s staunch supporters, eagerly anticipated was the revenge Ye Zhen had previously vowed.

Retribution against the West Patrol. Whether it was the fallen comrades assassinated due to this incident within the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy, or the near-annihilation they narrowly escaped, or the outrage stemming from the obliteration of four towns into ruins, resulting in the horrifying spectacle of ten miles of spirit tents.

This devastation was wrought by the invading Demon Clan army, but the invasion itself was orchestrated by Xio Qiangu of the West Patrol. The Demon Clan and the Human Clan have been in opposition for a hundred thousand years, much like the Demon Beasts and the Human Clan in bygone eras—Demon Beasts preying on humans, and humans hunting Demon Beasts for sustenance and for refining pills and cultivating.

Such inherent antagonism between the two sides is natural, a racial, instinctual conflict. Yet, Xio Qiangu of the West Patrol, a human himself, facilitated this, slaughtering civilians for some unspeakable agenda.

On an emotional level, Ye Zhen’s loyalists harbored a greater resentment towards West Patrol Xio Qiangu than they did towards the Demon Clan. Consequently, everyone eagerly awaited their leader's strategy for retribution, preparing themselves to avenge the wrongs committed by West Patrol Xio Qiangu.

Yet, several days elapsed, and Ye Zhen made no overt move to mobilize his forces. Ye Zhen had only one instruction for them.

The priority was to bolster the position of the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy.

Within all governed territories, each state, county, and town was mandated to expand their Hidden Guard forces, enhance their stealth capabilities, and increase the number of Wind Scouts.

As their name implied, Wind Scouts were highly mobile and stealthy operatives, akin to the wind. However, due to budgetary and personnel constraints, they were typically stationed only in cities, with minimal presence in towns.

This recent incident, however, served as a stark warning to the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy.

Had the Hidden Guard of the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy been able to dispatch an alert after the initial attack on the first town by the Demon Clan,

the dire consequences that followed could have been largely averted. The Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy could have promptly alerted the State Office and the Border Army to mobilize forces for a counter-assault.

Regardless of the ultimate outcome, the situation would not have devolved into the passive state seen just days prior,

which nearly resulted in the entire mid to high-ranking command of the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy being placed under martial law.

Undoubtedly, an expansion of the Wind Scout force would place a strain on the finances of the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy.

Yet, Ye Zhen remained unfazed. No staff member within the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy would face any reduction in salary or benefits; the additional manpower costs would be personally financed by Ye Zhen, as the overseeing Lord.

This was not a matter of Ye Zhen squandering Spirit Stones recklessly, but rather a strategic investment. In Ye Zhen’s grand design, this increased expenditure would ultimately be recouped from Xio Qiangu.

The second significant action Ye Zhen took was to initiate covert contact with Ma Yuanjin, the Chief of the Inner Affairs Bureau of the West Patrol. Ye Zhen confronted him, demanding an explanation as to why such critical intelligence had not been conveyed to him sooner.

Should Ma Yuanjin prove to be an ineffective pawn or lack genuine loyalty, Ye Zhen would not hesitate to remove him from existence without a second thought.

Nevertheless, Ma Yuanjin vehemently protested his innocence, detailing his grievances.

He asserted that neither he, as the Chief of the Inner Affairs Bureau of the West Patrol, nor Chii Jingshan, the Left Assistant of the West Patrol, had any prior knowledge of the events. The entire operation, he claimed, was orchestrated by Wei Gang, the Right Assistant of the West Patrol.

By the time they were informed, they were only aware of an organized invasion by the Demon Clan’s army, but were completely ignorant of the specific details or the full extent of the plan.

Ultimately, Ye Zhen found Ma Yuanjin’s explanation plausible.

Indeed, Ye Zhen acknowledged that even when dealing with Xio Qiangu, he himself would proceed with extreme caution, as the fewer individuals privy to such sensitive information, the better.

"For this instance, I reluctantly accept your explanation. However, within the span of half a month, I expect a comprehensive intelligence report on every state and county under the West Patrol’s jurisdiction. The more detailed, the better," Ye Zhen commanded.

"This… I shall endeavor to do my utmost," Ma Yuanjin replied, a hint of reluctance in his tone.

Yet, Ye Zhen’s subsequent response instilled an unsettling sense of panic within Chief of Inner Affairs Bureau Ma Yuanjin.

"I have no use for incompetent individuals!"

This statement from Ye Zhen served as an implicit ultimatum to Ma Yuanjin; failure to accomplish even this task would brand him as utterly useless.

In such a scenario, Ye Zhen would find no reason to retain Ma Yuanjin’s services.

The implication was unmistakably clear.

After addressing these two crucial matters, and while Ye Zhen’s staunch supporters in North Sea County eagerly anticipated his next move for retaliation,

Ye Zhen, to their bewilderment, announced yet another period of seclusion for cultivation.

Under the perplexed gazes of his loyal followers, Ye Zhen once again entered the Silent Chamber to immerse himself in cultivation.

Unbeknownst to anyone, the announcement of Ye Zhen’s return to solitary cultivation was merely a stratagem, a diversionary tactic.

After meticulously setting up multiple layers of protective Formations within the Silent Chamber, Ye Zhen left behind a Mirage Avatar before vanishing abruptly in a flash of crimson light.

The operation of vengeance had officially begun!