I Have A Qi Fortune Altar.
Chapter 619: 421: The Altar's Abnormal Movements, The Powerful Qi Fortune on Jingtai!

Chapter 619: Chapter 421: The Altar’s Abnormal Movements, The Powerful Qi Fortune on Jingtai!

A faint trace of murderous intent flitted through Yang Yuanqing’s eyes as he stood beside Jingtai.

“Then why did you not kneel today?”

Jingtai continued to ask.

Chen Yuan furrowed his brows and let out a long breath:

“Your servant…”

“Enough, if you do not wish to kneel then let it be. Martial Artists should possess a fearless heart; I will not compel you,” Jingtai said indifferently.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Chen Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. If Jingtai had insisted, he felt that today he might have had no choice but to kneel, yet he truly did not wish to bow to anyone.

Some might call it pretentiousness, among other things.

But to him, kneeling as a form of salute was somewhat unacceptable, making him feel like a servant.

The murderous look in Yang Yuanqing’s eyes grew more vigorous. He had been reprimanded by Jingtai and made to kneel like a dog, while Chen Yuan was granted permission not to kneel,

How could he not feel jealous?

“I hear you held absolute authority in Tangshan, controlling both the military and governance. Is this true?” Jingtai’s tone shifted, from somewhat approving to a touch colder.

A push and a release, perfectly capturing the Emperor’s Dao.

“Indeed, it is true.”

Chen Yuan did not conceal the fact and instead responded with honesty. One lie would require countless other lies to cover, and besides, if Jingtai dared to ask thus, he surely knew something.

Chen Yuan’s candor surprised everyone present, their gazes turning to him with astonishment.

One must know this was a grave accusation of conspiracy!

Why does the imperial court separate powers?

It is to prevent any one person from monopolizing power, harboring rebellious thoughts, something the imperial court is most vigilant about, even more so than explicit conspiracies.

After all, the Sima Family had usurped the throne in this manner.

They seized control of an entire province, holding all power in hand. With such, how could they not harbor ambitions of challenging the world?

Upon hearing this, Jingtai’s expression remained unchanged as he said indifferently:

“State your reasons.”

His implication was clear; if one could not give a convincing rationale, this matter would not be so easily dismissed.

Yang Yuanqing watched Chen Yuan intently, eager to hear what exceptional reasoning he might provide.

“Your Majesty, the reason your servant held absolute power was due to Tangshan entering an irretrievable state. If we did not eradicate the traitors swiftly like thunder, they would become a major threat!”

“The previous Magistrate colluded with demon folk from the No-Life Sect, draining the souls and flesh of the common people for Alchemy, the previous Green Envoy was their wing, conspiring with all the Jianghu Martial Artists in Tangshan,

suppressing the Military Equipment Army to the point of paralysis.

When your humble servant first arrived in Tangshan, there were formidable enemies without and dire perils within. Ultimately, I had no choice but to resort to iron-fisted tactics, first to execute the ringleaders, then eliminating their wings,

and with the help of the Golden Envoy, within a month, Tangshan Prefecture was cleansed, with no more demon chaos throughout Tangshan. However, being adjacent to Blood State, there were always demons crossing through Tangshan into Qingzhou, so your servant had to use extraordinary measures, uniting the imperial force to stop them. Hence, rumors spread outside about your servant monopolizing power and harbouring great ambition.

But in truth, your servant has only a heart full of ardor, wishing to serve the country, and begs for Your Majesty’s discernment!!!”

Chen Yuan spoke with passionate vigor, painting himself as a lone official and changing Jingtai’s gaze into something grave as he said solemnly:

“Chen Aiqing is indeed a loyal and good official of Great Jin. In the future he shall certainly become a pillar of our dynasty.”

“Your servant dares not. Your Majesty is too kind. Your Majesty’s glory is as the sun and moon, while your servant’s light is but that of a firefly. Despite knowing my modest abilities, I also wish to expend my last drop of blood for the court.”

Chen Yuan bowed with his hands clasped solemnly.

His words were exceptionally graceful, earning a glimpse of appreciation from Zhang Yantong.

As he spoke, Chen Yuan revealed the object he had been concealing behind his back, unveiling his true countenance—it was the Civilian Umbrella, given by the people when he left Tangshan Prefecture.

Originally, he intended to present this item to Jingtai, but he did not anticipate being questioned about it.

“What is this?”

Jingtai inquired.

“Your Majesty, this is the Civilian Umbrella, woven by the common people when your humble servant was leaving Tangshan Prefecture. Though your servant has been brutal against the Jianghu Martial Artists over the past half year, I have never harmed the civilians. Establishing porridge stands, cleaning up the officialdom, pleading for the common folk, they gave me this item out of gratitude for my modest contributions.”

“Why are you so good to the common people?” Jingtai asked, puzzled.

In his view, these junior officials were supposed to exploit the people, squeezing them for profit; Chen Yuan was an exception.

“In your servant’s eyes, the public is like water, and the imperial court is like a boat. They can carry the boat and also overturn it. The common folk are the foundation of the imperial court, only with a strong populace can the country be wealthy.”

Jingtai raised his hand to stroke his beard, his gaze turning contemplative. After a long while, he nodded and said:

“They can carry the boat and also overturn it. Well said. Chen Yuan, bring your Civilian Umbrella for me to see.”

“Please look, Your Majesty.”

Chen Yuan advanced a few steps, handing over the Civilian Umbrella to Jingtai.

He casually reached out to receive it, but upon contact, he suddenly felt a burning warmth, prompting an instinctive aversion in his heart.

His hand, suspended in the air, quickly retracted as Jingtai said indifferently:

“Since it is a gift from the people to you… I… will not look at it.”

“Stand up now,” Jingtai waved his hand, and a powerful invisible Gang Qi lifted Chen Yuan, astonishing him with a demonstration of his terrifying control over the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Chen Yuan clasped his fists and bowed, then slowly stood up. Although curious as to why Jingtai did not continue to inspect the Civilian Umbrella, he did not dwell on it and wrapped it up again to place on his back.

Jingtai remained expressionless, with no change in demeanor. He looked at Chen Yuan for a moment before his gaze shifted to Cao Zhengxian, and he spoke:

“Cao Qing, what do you think of Chen Yuan?”

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhengxian’s gaze shifted and rested on Chen Yuan. After sizing him up, he laughed and said:

“Chen Qing Envoy is loyal to the state, a pillar of the nation, and a man of talent. Your Majesty might well consider transferring him under this old servant’s command.”

“The Imperial Factory is in need of talents like him!”