Transcending the Nine Heavens

Chu Yang stood quietly by the lake as he felt a familiar strength rallying within his body. He appeared to be waiting for something to happen…

Morning arrived. The massive construction by the lake provided noise pollution for the entire area. Since last night, the six great families did not dare to come and ask about those properties anymore after the two officials had been reprimanded by Tie Bu Tian. However, they were not shying away from seeking justice. Afterall, their guards and servants had either died or sustained injuries. All their housekeepers had also been detained.

This had sparked a great uproar amongst the aristocrats of Iron Cloud Citadel.

People came to seek justice. People came to watch the excitement. Some officials even had to come to mediate the situation. It was utter chaos!

However, this chaos barely lasted five minutes because a thunderous voice that rumbled from all four directions surfaced unexpectedly. A group of guards appeared from all directions. The leader shouted, "His Majesty has decreed that Emerald Flow Lake will be a place to recruit new soldiers. Anyone who dares to get in the way will be charged with treason and will have all their properties confiscated. Further, all nine generations of his family will be killed!"

The group of guards walked around the lake a few times and shouted out the royal decree for a total of ten times. Thereafter, they dismounted from their horses and stood guard in each direction in pairs. The remainder of the guards headed back to the palace.

Throughout the entire saga, the troublemakers did not dare to look up at the guards for even a moment. It was obvious that this decree had brought about an immense fear from within.

The members of the great families simply looked at each other in sorrow and left.

From the pavilion, Chu Yang shut his eyes and pretended to be asleep, not making any sound. He waited till the guards had left before he opened his eyes and smiled in satisfaction.

Tie Bu Tian's actions were most appreciated.

This proved how important Chu Yang was to him.

"In this case, I will help you with your internal affairs at once!" Chu Yang smiled softly and stood up.

Chu Yang arrived at Bu Tian Pavilion at noon. When he arrived, Cheng Zi Ang's men were busy trying to discover if there was anything suspicious from the information they had received yesterday.

From morning till now, they had already sent out three groups to do their jobs. When they saw Chu Yang arrive, everyone in the pavilion turned to look at him with admiration.

"Inform the three groups that have been sent out to record everything along the way, even the smallest details. They must not let others know that they are making notes of details during the process!" Chu Yang ordered, "Additionally, anyone who goes through Bu Tian Recruitment House must have his identity verified."

Chu Yang's eyes scanned the room, "All those master that have been recruited by Bu Tian Recruitment House must sign their names after having passed the verification process. Understood?"

Cheng Zi Ang and Chen Yu Tong were startled, "You… You… mean to say… that there are spies within Recruitment House?"

"That's not what I meant! It's just better to be cautious! This way, we will be able to investigate and find clues that we might not have noticed before if something were to happen." Chu Yang smiled, "On another note, there is some helpful support in the Cultivation House. Anyone who is not on a mission must go and cultivate."

Cheng Zi Ang and Chen Yu Tong rolled their eyes. Was he using military rules to manage Bu Tian Pavilion? Was this going to work?

"Furthermore, the prince has decreed that anyone that accepts Recruitment House's invitation who is over Martial Warrior level will receive one hundred taels of silver upon confirmation. Anyone who makes a great contribution will be rewarded with gold and silver accordingly. Additionally, they can also be assigned to official positions as high as royal officials in the court or generals on the battlefield. What's more, they may even be made honorary royal family members!"

"What?! Royal officials in the court? Generals on the battlefield? Honorary royal family members?! Cheng Zi Ang and Chen Yu Tong's eyes grew wide, "Minister!!! This... This is too…"

Chu Yang continued casually, "Who would risk their lives for you without great rewards, money or material wealth? Do you truly believe that everyone who has come to Bu Tian Pavilion chose to do it for their people or country? Even the strongest patriots need food, wish to get married, have a family, and desire wealth and luxury as well!"

He smiled as he looked at the pair, "The same goes for the two of you!"

Cheng Zi Ang and Chen Yu Tong turned to look at each other. They both saw a flash from within each other's eyes.

"Did the prince really say those things?" Cheng Zi Ang couldn't help but remain suspicious. He thought that with his Revered Saber Artist cultivation, although not a top-level master in the Lower Three Heavens, he would be able to contribute adequately by ruling a region with ease.

If Tie Bu Tian really promised those terms, then I must work and try even harder!

"I can testify to this!" Chu Yang exclaimed in earnest.

An uncontrollable delight appeared on the faces of the pair.

"Enough! Send me all the documents of every Iron Cloud official. Let's begin with Iron Cloud Citadel. I only need the documents of the officials who are ranked fifth and above; I don't need those who are ranked lower!" As he spoke finish, Chu Yang immediately turned and left.

There was one thing that he had not mentioned, which was that Diwu Qing Rou would not waste his time with the lower ranks anyway!

With regards to Chu Yang's mention of the rewards, although one hundred taels were not much, becoming royal officials in the court, generals on the battlefield, or even honorary family members… These were extremely attractive to potential members. In such a crucial period, leaders and officials were greatly valued. This was especially attractive to those in Jiang Hu who would normally resort to robbery or theft!

Chu Yang had a rough sensing of the kind of sensation that would be created after these notices went out.

News of Chu Yang's request for the documents of the officials quickly spread to Tie Bu Tian. With great haste, the prince went to see Chu Yang instantly, as if there was a fire burning at his bosom.

"Senior Chu, you wish to cleanse… the royal court?" Tie Bu Tian asked hastily before he could even take a seat.

"Ah! Is that not alright?" Chu Yang questioned.

Tie Bu Tian smiled softly. He had always felt that he had a peculiar relationship with Chu Yang.

Although he had been extremely busy of late, he did not cease to practice the Emperor Saintly Technique. Hence, he carried with him a majestic aura of a ruler, causing all who faced him to be intimidated.

However, Chu Yang unexpectedly treated him like an ordinary person. Tie Bu Tian could not imagine how fortified Chu Yang's mind must have been. According to the information he had of Chu Yang, he was only a youth and seventeen-years-old!

"Iron Cloud's royal court has already been through three cleansings! It would be too soon to do this again now…" Tie Bu Tian explained with a hint of bitterness, "Many officials have even left their Iron Cloud posts now that Iron Cloud has fallen into such a weak position. Especially at the borders, many of them have moved over to Great Zhao, attempting to enter its political arena…"

Tie Bu Tian already had intentions to straighten out the royal court. Nonetheless, he had not expected Chu Yang to make his move so quickly.

"Do you believe that those kinds of people are of use to Iron Cloud?" Chu Yang smiled as he asked skeptically, "Like a phoenix, it will live again after burning to ashes. This country can only be truly powerful with great suffering. The only path will be that of destruction if its path is smooth-sailing!"

"Do you think I don't know that?" Tie Bu Tian replied miserably, "We have such a lack of people now that we can't even replace them!"

"It is better to have a trustworthy few!" Chu Yang exclaimed assertively.

Tie Bu Tian lowered his head and pondered for a moment, before he lifted his head again and said, "Let's do this! I will hand you a list of a few hundred old families. If you have to deal with any of these people during the cleansing process, at least let them have a way out!"

Tie Bu Tian laughed at himself, "These families are deeply rooted in Iron Cloud. I am afraid that Iron Cloud will be shaken if they attempt to rise up. Years ago, Second Uncle had tried his best to avoid them for two consecutive cleansings. You should take notice!"

Chu Yang considered for a while and said, "Alright! I will use a softer approach if I really can't avoid it."

Tie Bu Tian pretended to not understand what Chu Yang meant, "That would be good! A hint of gentleness is always a bonus, be it to rule a nation or to do anything at all!"

The two looked at each other and smiled. Finally, they had come to an agreement. Although Tie Bu Tian understand what Chu Yang meant when he used the word 'gentle', he refused to say it. While an unspoken understanding was wise, proclaiming something out loud would be most foolish!