With the Blade

But even having committed such outrageous behavior, that person still did not receive any punishment. Or rather, no one in this world could punish this person—the reason, simply put, is strength.

Because of strength, no one dares to make a move; because of strength, no one can subdue.

Because of strength, one can trample the imperial throne; because of strength, one can even face the entire empire alone.

Because of strength, even having committed such outrageous deeds, the emperor would still bestow the title of Grand Preceptor, calling him a loyal minister and good general.

The once-old eunuch still harbors some resentment towards this matter. He personally brought this person back to Jiankang, and they even had pleasant conversations along the way. But precisely because of their good relationship, he found it even more intolerable for the other’s outrageousness, the disregard for etiquette, and the trampling of the royal dignity, which precisely touched his bottom line.

He was angry, he was puzzled, he didn’t understand why the other party would do such a thing. But with his abilities, in the end, he couldn’t demand an explanation from the other party—in the end, maybe he was still somewhat fearful. Facing a monster of this level, he might be killed in an instant.

Anger intertwined with fear, without an outlet for release, this twisted emotion finally solidified into some kind of relentless nightmare in his heart.

Yet at this moment, when the prolonged anger gradually faded, just as the old eunuch himself realized he had become a strong person, he suddenly understood some things.

"The very existence of the strong already tramples the rules."

Indeed, he should have realized this earlier. Why, when the emperor is young, the officials are unruly, and these profit-driven courtiers don’t dare act recklessly in the court?

Is it really because of his exceptional skills in political governance? Or is it because of his superior palace intrigue?

Obviously not.

The answer has always been only one, that he truly dares to kill.

No one is willing to risk their entire family’s life to fight a eunuch, no one wants to. So when he shows his intent to kill, even the Grand Secretary, who’s subtly becoming the leader of the officials, would still choose to keep silent.

This method is naturally not aligned with normal rules, bringing bloody slaughter into the court is also extremely against etiquette.

However, it is very effective.

Especially when certain ill-intended individuals want to take advantage of the young emperor, and stir up trouble to delude His Majesty with superficial talk.

"So, I too have long since..."

The old eunuch fell silent for a moment.

An arrogant Grand Preceptor, a eunuch with political power, is there really a difference between them?

It seems, there isn’t much difference.

They’re just using their own overwhelming force, using those tough methods, to impose their ideas and will on those who can’t defeat them.

"So this is what it means to be strong..."

Thinking of this, the old eunuch took a deep breath.

And those strands of thread scattered around him, at this moment, moved on their own without wind, flying back to his side.

In an instant, the old eunuch was once again dressed in his old palace attendant’s robe.

But this time, the color of the robe was not the previous festive bright red.

It was a deep, blood-like dark red.

The intense scent of blood surrounded him, it was the blood-stained from the threads cutting through flesh, but the old eunuch, known for being a clean freak, did not feel any discomfort at this moment. Instead, his expression showed some enjoyment.

However, what he enjoyed was not this bloodiness after killing, but the future after having this strength.

First of all, after becoming strong, at least the Great Chen can be preserved. If those grassland people really dare to march south, he might just assassinate their king and break through their formation alone—yes, recruiting soldiers no longer matters, nor does provisioning; as long as a strong person strikes at the enemy commanders, that’s enough. The enemy army is merely a source of Evil Qi, nourishment to enhance strength.

Secondly, now that he has become strong, he can suppress those petty men inside. If anyone dares to act rashly, he could just capture and kill them. After all, he has become strong, even ranked first in the Hundred Weapons Chart, meaning no one except those real masters and the emperor above him has the right to judge him, much less the ability to sanction him.

As long as one is strong enough, one can secure external and internal peace, so as to revive Great Chen!

"Bless the Great Chen!"

Thinking of this, the old eunuch’s face became even more flushed.

At this moment, he even faintly felt something that could be called manifest destiny.

As long as he unwaveringly steps forward, the road will stretch indefinitely, and Great Chen will last forever!

Of course, this is just a thought.

The reason it’s a faint feeling is that the old eunuch soon realized some more practical matters—like the current situation, having become strong, but should he first secure external or internal stability?

If he were to secure the outside first, he would definitely have to march north, a one-man army to wipe out the grassland people; he might become the first eunuch general, or even the first eunuch ennobled for military achievements. Indeed, it seems wonderful, but what then?

Then the young emperor in distant Jiankang would be surrounded by slander from the officials, and he, a loyal defender of the nation, would be labeled a eunuch amassing personal power... According to his understanding of those courtiers, these people might even prepare to move south when he achieves great victory at the front. They’re capable of such actions.

Simply put, fighting would be akin to fighting in vain. No matter how good the results are, there will always be people ready to send him back.

But if he secures internal stability first, he must guard Jiankang, at least not leave the city—in fact, this is the safest thought. After all, just looking at these four corpses on the ground shows that the so-called deep palace interior is virtually undefended against masters.

It was only because he was in the palace today that he stopped these four people himself. If he weren’t in the palace someday, and a master from the Hundred Weapons Chart sneaked into the emperor’s sleeping quarters...

The mere thought of the scene made him break out in a cold sweat.

However, the problem lies here.

He guards Jiankang, protects the imperial palace, who can go north for him to face the enemy?

"This..."

The old eunuch was gagged on the spot.

Imagination time was over.

Becoming strong doesn’t seem to mean being able to do everything.

At least he can’t split himself in two right now, one to guard the palace and one to go fight on the front line—of course, he could actually select some masters for help, like the recent commanders fighting against the monsters, could also be used in battle formations, but how should I put it...

He doesn’t trust these people.

On one hand, he doesn’t trust these people’s abilities. Heading north to fight the grassland people, he feels confident, but that doesn’t mean the commanders can do it. One must know that the grassland people also use Evil Qi, which they have applied in their army long ago. These so-called masters struggle against monsters; do they really stand a chance against the structured grassland people?

On the other hand, he doesn’t trust these people’s loyalty, after all these commanders are under his command. How could he not know that these commanders, who wield Evil Qi, though masters, are also unstable disasters, uncontrollable when their Evil Qi flares and enters their brain, becoming a disaster comparable to a monster descending—such dangerous things must never be placed near the emperor, just the thought of it makes his scalp tingle.

"Even the most unreliable Grand Preceptor Du is much more reliable than them."

With this thought, the old eunuch couldn’t help but glance into the distance.

Yes, it’s been some time since the last meeting.

He wondered how that man named Du Chengfeng is doing now?