Capítulo 1959: Chapter 1960: Mutual Opportunity

After Feng Jieyu gagged her, Le Niushang’s actions were entirely unexpected by Su Chengyu.

When he decided to come to the Jue King’s Mansion, Su Chengyu already understood that it would be impossible not to engage in a fight today.

And since they had to fight, Su Chengyu intended to resolve all the troubles he faced in the court in one go.

Su Chengyu’s gaze bypassed the many experts around and directly locked onto Xu Zijing.

Feeling Su Chengyu’s hostility, Xu Zijing was somewhat surprised and blinked, asking.

“Are you sure you want to use me as your whetstone? I must state in advance that although I don’t dislike you, this matter is of great importance, and I absolutely won’t hold back.”

Su Chengyu nodded and then turned his head to look at Xu Nanzhi.

Xu Nanzhi stepped forward and then spoke.

“ChengYu can fight, but if he is to fight now, we have one condition.”

“Speak.”

Le Niushang spoke very directly without hesitation.

“If ChengYu wins today, everyone present please jointly petition His Majesty to appoint ChengYu as the next Sect Master.”

“Demon Slayer Department Sect Master?”

Upon hearing this, Le Niushang couldn’t help but laugh and, looking at Su Chengyu, said, “Even if this kid really surpasses Zijing, with his current qualifications, does he deserve to sit in the position of the Demon Slayer Department Sect Master?”

Xu Nanzhi shook his head at her words: “No, Your Highness, you misunderstood. ChengYu does not aim to be the Demon Slayer Department Sect Master, but the Heaven Punishment Department!”

“Heaven Punishment Department?”

Le Niushang was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then instinctively turned her head to look behind.

In the crowd, Han Xiaotian, who was being watched by Le Niushang, only then appeared in everyone’s sight. He had made animosities with Su Chengyu several times in the past, naturally forming a staunch faction that did not want to see Su Chengyu rise. Recently, he had been secretly using a lot of the Heaven Punishment Department’s influence to stir trouble regarding Su Chengyu’s rumors.

But being brought to the forefront this way, he was visibly frustrated.

Up to this day, he somewhat sensed Su Chengyu’s rising momentum, so even if he was on the opposing side, he didn’t want to be the one standing out.

The saying goes that the gun strikes the bird that sticks its head out, and Han Xiaotian understood this principle well.

But when Su Chengyu mentioned the Heaven Punishment Department, Han Xiaotian knew he couldn’t avoid it.

Under the watchful eyes of many, Han Xiaotian had no choice but to step forward and question Su Chengyu.

“Even if you are a Demon Slayer Bureau Emissary, you by what…”

Before Han Xiaotian could finish speaking, a pitch-black token that had appeared since the establishment of the Heaven Punishment Department emerged in front of everyone.

“The Order of the Court of Heavenly Punishment? How did you come by this thing?”

Han Xiaotian, being a Secret Envoy of the Heaven Punishment Department, could naturally recognize the token, but he clearly couldn’t see anything special about the piece Su Chengyu had.

“No, this is not an ordinary Order of the Court of Heavenly Punishment.”

A voice emerged from further back, naturally drawing everyone’s gaze.

A woman walked to the front, having been in the Heaven Punishment Department even longer than Han Xiaotian, and knowing almost all the reforms and transitions the department underwent.

“This token is the general order of the Heaven Punishment Department, which only successive department heads can possess.”

“How can that be!”

Han Xiaotian exclaimed in excitement: “Wasn’t this thing long lost with the disappearance of the former head Qiu Tianlin? Didn’t you all say that old guy isn’t dead yet!”

In the Heaven Punishment Department, there is the Life Candle of the department head. Though Qiu Tianlin’s Life Candle has been waning, it hasn’t completely extinguished, which is the main reason a new Secret Envoy hasn’t been appointed.

Zigui didn’t even bother to pay attention to Han Xiaotian, simply gazing at the token in the air, stating.

“The Sect Master is not dead, yet the general order of the Heaven Punishment has changed hands. This can only mean Su Saint Envoy is the successor that Lord Chou found.”

Zigui’s words exploded like a bombshell among the crowd, and everyone looked at each other in disbelief at Zigui’s words. Among them, Han Xiaotian was especially agitated, stepping back and staring wide-eyed at the token.

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Absolutely impossible, isn’t this guy from the Demon Slayer Department? How could he have anything to do with our Heaven Punishment Department! He must have snatched it, he must have imprisoned the Sect Master and used some disgraceful means to take this token from the Sect Master.”

Zigui slowly shook her head, not offering any explanation.

The Three Departments of Xia Country, each with its own responsibilities.

Of them, the Heaven Punishment Department is the most unique.

Because its original duty was to supervise the Heavenly Son, the position of Sect Master naturally couldn’t be chosen by the Heavenly Son.

The first Sect Master of the Heaven Punishment Department was jointly recommended by Su Linyuan and Ye Wujiang to the late emperor, and Qiu Tianlin was personally chosen by the first Sect Master.

The succession of the Heaven Punishment Department Sect Master is entirely independent of Xia Country’s legislative bodies, so even though the responsibilities of the Heaven Punishment Department have been drastically altered by Zhao Xuanzhen over the years, it still cannot bypass the fundamental rules until Qiu Tianlin’s Life Candle extinguishes to appoint a new Sect Master.

This token is the lifeline of the Heaven Punishment Department. Unless the holder wills it, even on the brink of death, the token will return to the deepest part of the Heaven Punishment Department.

“Heaven Punishment General Order, succession orderly. I know many of you are unfamiliar with the former Heaven Punishment Department. But I believe you haven’t forgotten the rules set by the late emperor, have you?”

Feng Jie Yu stoked the flames from the side.

Zhao Xuanzhen feared them, he dreaded.

While the monarch who established Xia Country with his own hands remains purely revered and admired in the hearts of these venerable elders.

They might not acknowledge Su Chengyu, but none could deny the significance of this token, except for…

“We can’t let this guy inherit the Heaven Punishment Department, who does he think he is! What contribution has he made to the Heaven Punishment Department? We’ve been loyally maintaining its operation all this time, and now we have to let an outsider take over?”

Han Xiaotian, lacking special sentiments for the late emperor, exclaimed excitedly. He had only intended to see what fate awaited Su Chengyu someday, never expecting to find himself entangled in this matter.

“What? Does the current Heaven Punishment Department dare to defy rules even the late emperor adhered to?”

The Sect Master of the Heaven Punishment Department has the authority of Heaven Punishment, tasked with commanding the Heavenly Son and overseeing the world.

Though many outside had long forgotten, none familiar with the inner workings could be unaware of this.

“Everyone, please calm down.”

Xu Nanzhi spoke to quell the turmoil below, confident in Su Chengyu’s plan, she noticed the moment was ripe before continuing.

“ChengYu understands that even with Lord Chou’s endorsement, inheriting the Heaven Punishment Department still appears somewhat unfit in name and reasoning, hence ChengYu wishes to exchange his victory here today for your joint petition. As the Imperial Consort Chen said, Su Chengyu needs a chance to prove his strength. And I believe… everyone also needs an opportunity, to reassess Su Chengyu.”

Urging them to reevaluate him while he presents them a chance to realign their stance.

Fuente: Webnovel.com, actualizado en Leernovelas.com