"What? Are you out of your minds?"
Inside the Imperial Extreme Sect, Proud World Dragon Emperor looked utterly incredulous at the celestial official from the Ministry of Rites before him. It had only been a day since he was appointed the North Star Lord, and now they were revoking the decree.
"I was personally appointed by the Gouchen Emperor! What right do you have to revoke it?"
Proud World Dragon Emperor protested loudly.
"This is His Majesty's decree. Are you defying an imperial order?"
The celestial official from the Ministry of Rites, expressionless, addressed Proud World Dragon Emperor. With a light tap of his finger, he withdrew the official seal representing the North Star Lord.
"Meow!"
As the seal was taken back, Beiluoshimen, which Proud World Dragon Emperor had sealed within it, let out a joyful cry and vanished in a flash of white light.
"Farewell."
Having completed his task, the celestial official, holding the North Star Lord's seal, said to Proud World Dragon Emperor before turning and leaving.
"Damn it! This has to be Jiang Yuan's doing again!"
After the seal was revoked, the exclusive attire of the North Star Lord on Proud World Dragon Emperor also disappeared, infuriating him to the point of cursing loudly.
Proud World Dragon Emperor had worked hard for half a month, finally reaching level 140 to obtain the celestial position of North Star Lord, which greatly boosted his stats. Now, in just one night, he was back to square one—how could he not be furious?
"Boss, should we go settle the score with Jiang Yuan?"
One Slash Breaks Ten Thousand Laws, Proud World Dragon Emperor's most loyal underling, immediately suggested.
"What's the point of finding him? Do you have proof?"
Proud World Dragon Emperor shot One Slash Breaks Ten Thousand Laws a glare, hands on his hips, speaking irritably.
"Then I'll go warn him in real life."
One Slash Breaks Ten Thousand Laws added another suggestion, but it was also shot down by Proud World Dragon Emperor. He didn't want One Slash Breaks Ten Thousand Laws to end up like Proud World Little Rage!
"Come on, accompany me to see the Gouchen Emperor."
Proud World Dragon Emperor ultimately decided to go to the Gouchen Emperor to understand the situation and then ask him to plead with the Jade Emperor.
The Gouchen Emperor's residence in the celestial realm was called "Gouchen Palace," reachable only via a teleportation array.
Proud World Dragon Emperor and One Slash Breaks Ten Thousand Laws stood outside Gouchen Palace, slipping a few celestial crystals to the guards at the gate. The guard immediately went in to report, and soon they were led inside.
About half an hour later, no one knew what Proud World Dragon Emperor and One Slash Breaks Ten Thousand Laws discussed with the Gouchen Emperor, but when they came out, Proud World Dragon Emperor had a smile on his face, looking quite pleased.
At the Celestial Criminal Investigation Bureau, Jiang Yuan sat in the main hall, joyfully holding the recovered Beiluoshimen, kissing it repeatedly.
"Excuse me, is Investigator Jiang Yuan here?"
Just then, an unfamiliar voice came from outside the bureau.
"Who's outside? Please, come in!"
Hearing this, Jiang Yuan immediately let go of Beiluoshimen, instructed the attendant standing below, and sat up straight.
"Your humble servant pays respects to the Investigator."
The newcomer, dressed like a household servant, was very respectful upon seeing Jiang Yuan, kneeling in the hall and bowing.
"Please, rise. What brings you here with your advice?"
As the saying goes, a smiling face invites no hostility. Seeing the other party so polite, Jiang Yuan naturally responded with courtesy.
"Reporting to the Investigator, I am a servant of Gouchen Palace, sent by the Gouchen Emperor to invite you for a visit."
The Gouchen servant cupped his hands toward Jiang Yuan, speaking with a respectful demeanor.
"So you're from the Emperor's household. My apologies for not recognizing you."
Jiang Yuan was startled by the revelation, quickly cupping his hands in return.
"Investigator, I've delivered my message. I dare not disturb your duties, so I'll take my leave."
The Gouchen servant said politely, bowed, and withdrew.
"Oh no, the Gouchen Emperor is already looking for me so soon. He's definitely going to cause trouble. What do I do?"
After the Gouchen servant left, Jiang Yuan couldn't sit still. He jumped down from his chair and paced back and forth in the hall, pondering whether he should go meet him.
Yesterday, to persuade the Jade Emperor to revoke the North Star Lord's appointment, Jiang Yuan had stirred up discord between the Jade Emperor and the Gouchen Emperor. News had reached the Gouchen Emperor's ears so quickly, and now summoning him was surely to call him to account.
"If I don't go, won't that make me look guilty? No, I have to go!"
After pacing for a while, Jiang Yuan decided to head to Gouchen Palace to gauge the Gouchen Emperor's attitude toward him.
Waiting until the end of his shift, Jiang Yuan used the teleportation array to reach the vicinity of Gouchen Palace. Out of respect, he neither rode a mount nor summoned a flying sword, walking instead to the palace gates.
"Please announce me. Investigator Jiang Yuan of the Criminal Bureau seeks an audience with the Gouchen Emperor."
When the guards heard that the visitor was the head of the Criminal Bureau, they dared not delay and quickly went in to report.
Soon, a middle-aged man dressed like a steward came out and said politely to Jiang Yuan, "Investigator, my master invites you. Please follow me."
"Much obliged!"
Jiang Yuan cupped his hands in thanks and followed him into the Gouchen Emperor's palace.
Gouchen Palace was vast, a four-courtyard mansion lavishly decorated, showcasing the Gouchen Emperor's prominent status as one of the Four Celestial Sovereigns.
After winding through the halls, the steward led Jiang Yuan to the main hall, where he saw the Gouchen Emperor seated in the place of honor.
"Your subordinate pays respects to the Emperor!"
Jiang Yuan bowed deeply, not daring to rise, and secretly glanced at this Celestial Sovereign, one of the Four Celestial Sovereigns.
The Gouchen Emperor was tall and imposing, clad in a blue dragon robe and an imperial crown, his expression exuding authority without anger.
"So you're the Investigator appointed by the Jade Emperor? Why don't you kneel before me?"
The Gouchen Emperor looked at the bowing Jiang Yuan with displeasure, his voice cold.
"Your Majesty, I have the Jade Emperor's permission to forgo the kneeling ritual."
Jiang Yuan maintained his bowing posture as he addressed the Gouchen Emperor.
"The Jade Emperor may permit it, but I do not. Kneel!"
The Gouchen Emperor snorted coldly, immediately putting Jiang Yuan in his place.
"Your Majesty, please hear me out. I only kneel to heaven, earth, and my parents. I beg your forgiveness!"
Facing the Gouchen Emperor's intimidation, Jiang Yuan remained unyielding, still bowing as he spoke.
"A mere Investigator, and so arrogant! Kneel!"
But the Gouchen Emperor refused to relent. With another cold snort, he suddenly released an immense pressure, bearing down on Jiang Yuan like a tidal wave!
"Crack, crack!"
Under the Gouchen Emperor's terrifying pressure, Jiang Yuan's bones creaked, and a tremendous force pressed on his knees, as if a thousand-pound weight was on his back.
"Will you kneel or not?"
The Gouchen Emperor stared coldly at Jiang Yuan, maintaining the oppressive force.
"I... will not kneel!"
Jiang Yuan's back was already bent, but he still strained to keep his legs straight, refusing to fall to his knees.
However, Jiang Yuan was only at the Earth Immortal level. As the Gouchen Emperor's pressure intensified, he could no longer stay upright. His legs gave way, and he knelt before the Gouchen Emperor!