I have Immortality In The Cultivation World

Chapter 600: Chapter 439: Our Confidant
 

“Our family underestimated His Majesty.”

“Perhaps anyone who takes that position would change in the same way…”

Zhou Yi sat in the Taishi Chair, his eyelids drooping low like a fierce tiger resting on a desolate hill, exuding strands of dangerous and ferocious aura.

Previously, he never doubted Emperor Tianshun, after all, there was a blood feud for the murder of his father and son with the San Yang Sect.

Now, it seems that those in power no longer care about such enmities.

When needed, one is considered to have rendered illustrious military service, but when no longer needed, one is accused of overshadowing one’s lord. Now, the Emperor needs the San Yang Sect to restrain the Eastern Depot, so he can set aside the blood feud.

The lad mustered his courage and asked, “Godfather, how shall we deal with Eunuch Wu?”

“How to deal with him?”

Zhou Yi, with a smile that was not quite a smile, said, “Of course, we should carry and embrace him. Eunuch Wu is nobility, he is our family’s master.”

“How can someone of your dignity, Godfather, let others ride roughshod over you!”

The lad suggested, “Why not hide the dragon robe in Eunuch Wu’s home, and our family personally conduct a search, to eradicate the peril for Godfather?”

“Does our family need you to teach us how to handle matters?”

Zhou Yi saluted in the direction of the imperial palace, his expression solemn and respectful, “Always remember our place, and be loyal to His Majesty!”

“Not to mention being appointed by Eunuch Wu to walk among the Inspectorate, even if His Majesty asked our family to take Eunuch Wu as a godfather, there would be no hesitation!”

The lad asked in confusion, “Are we to let Eunuch Wu do as he pleases in the Eastern Depot?”

Zhou Yi replied slowly, “Our family has heard that Eunuch Wu is not of an arrogant nature.”

At that moment.

A ray of setting sun slanted through the palace door, casting its light upon Zhou Yi’s head, his white hair revealing traces of aging and decline, as if his life were soon to end.

The lad narrowed his eyes, suddenly realizing.

The Supervisor is old!

He was only twenty-seven, yet, due to excessive cultivation of the Epiphyllum Treasure Tome and the inability to break through to the Innate and extend his life, his days were numbered.

Zhou Yi muttered to himself, “Our family entered the palace to serve at a young age. In the span of seventeen years, I have witnessed the rise and fall through three dynasties, and now I just wish to live out my twilight years in peace!”

“Godfather, you shall enjoy blessings and longevity. Our family will surely take care of you until the end.”

The lad quickly kowtowed to show his loyalty, knowing these old men on their deathbeds have no cares and act unpredictably, demanding even greater caution in their service.

Zhou Yi nodded slightly, habitually making grand promises.

“Lad, our family has high hopes for you!”

The lad, with tears of gratitude, swore to regard his godfather as his real father and began to think about what Eunuch Wu might enjoy.

…

There are no walls that do not let wind pass through in this world, and the palace is no exception to having news spread.

In just three or five days’ time.

The conversation between Zhou Yi and the lad had spread throughout the capital, with many old courtiers lamenting that the once awe-inspiring Supervisor had aged.

The departure of a veteran of three dynasties brought about a surreal sense of the transience of the world.

Many more began to stir, especially those from the Inspectorate who privately took themselves for nobility.

Just at this time, Eunuch Yuan had a breakthrough in martial arts and went into seclusion to cultivate further, lacking the time to manage the palace affairs.

For a moment.

No one in or out of the palace had the power to restrain the eunuchs, and perhaps because they had been repressed for too long, the moment the reins were loosened, they began to run amok.

Their dominance soared as they gathered silver.

The palace eunuchs demanded money from capital officials, the provincial Inspectorate eunuchs extorted local authorities, who in turn loathed the extortion, then colluded with the eunuchs to plunder merchants and the common people.

Zhou Yi, listening to his godson’s report, sipped tea calmly.

“Eunuch Yuan is truly a kindred spirit of ours!”

…

By mid-next month.

News came from the palace that Noble Consort Shu was pregnant.

Emperor Tianshun dispelled the rumors of being without an heir, overjoyed, he decreed to bestow upon Eunuch Wu the title of Marquis of Enze, once again setting a precedent in the National Dynasty.

The day after the bestowal.

Eunuch Wu officially took office in the Eastern Depot, originally appointed to walk among the Innate, yet he dared not take a single step into the Eastern Depot.

Everyone knew that the dragon robe of the Eastern Depot was fraying at the seams!

It was noon.

Outside the main hall, two neat rows of eunuchs stood, both young and old, each wearing at least the scarlet official robes of a fifth-rank officer.

Everyone’s eyes were on their noses, and their noses on their hearts; no one dared show any expression on their faces, like two lines of human-shaped wood carvings.

Da-da-da…

A series of footsteps approached, with four young eunuchs leading the way, followed by a young marquis, dressed in a python robe and a jade belt.

With eyebrows like swords and stars for eyes, and a face as smooth as warm jade, if he were not a man without roots, he would certainly become a model for the National Dynasty.

The eunuchs all kneeled in unison: “Greetings to the Marquis!”

“No need for such formalities.”

Eunuch Wu hurried forward a few steps, smiling as he moved to support him.

Eunuch Sun, the officer in charge of the arresting officers and standing at the end of the line, saw Eunuch Wu’s hand reaching out and his face turned pale with fright, daring neither to dodge nor to show eagerness.

With a smile uglier than crying, he cursed himself for forcing a confession the night before, leading to his late arrival and failure to secure a position closer to the middle.

Right now Eunuch Wu was a hot potato; getting too close could mean death now, while distancing oneself would mean death later.

Eunuch Sun was about to speak when an elderly voice emanated from the hall.

“This humble servant pays respect to the Marquis.”

Zhou Yi walked forward, lowering his posture increasingly with each step, and seemed on the verge of kneeling before Eunuch Wu.

“As a junior, it is proper for me to greet the overseer.”

Eunuch Wu mirrored the gesture, sliding in a kneel toward Zhou Yi.

Midway, the two men met, each bending and supporting each other with arms intertwined, almost as if they were brothers who hadn’t seen each other in years, reuniting.

Zhou Yi said with a smile, “Please, Marquis.”

Eunuch Wu nodded and responded, “After you, Overseer.”

As they spoke, they walked toward the main hall together, their steps synchronized, neither before nor behind the other, both stepping over the threshold with the right foot first.

The eunuchs who had been kneeling like wooden statues felt as if clouds had cleared above their heads all at once, leaving the sky bright and clear.

Rising to their feet, they followed Zhou Yi, smiling towards Eunuch Wu.

Below the main hall, there was originally one Taishi Chair, signifying supreme importance. No one knew when an additional chair had been added, with a small table placed between them, already prepared with imperial tea.

Before sitting down, Eunuch Wu looked up at the portrait hanging on the wall, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Overseer, your valiant image hung here in the hall can deter petty villains. Whoever controls the Eastern Depot in the future should hang your portrait in the main hall as a sign of respect.”

A gleam flashed in Zhou Yi’s eyes as he sized up Eunuch Wu.

The previously reticent and soft-spoken youth had changed so much in just two years, daring to direct and comment within the Eastern Depot. It seemed power indeed had such an effect.

Zhou Yi showed a satisfied smile: “No wonder Eunuch Wu is graced with His Majesty’s favor, your words are most pleasing to hear, and it gladdens my heart.”

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Wu slightly relaxed and tried to quell the fear in his heart.

He had come to the Eastern Depot with great courage this time to test whether Zhou Overseer was truly considering relinquishing power and retiring, as the rumors suggested.

Securing control over the Eastern Depot would greatly aid his son’s ascension to the throne.

“The Overseer flatters me, there is much I must learn from you,” Eunuch Wu said.

With that, they took their seats.

Zhou Yi signalled with his eyes, and the officer of the secret register stood out, bowed, and reported.

“Reporting to the Overseer and the Marquis, we recently received a message from our secret agents. Led by Minister Lu of the Ministry of Rites, twenty-two officials have jointly submitted a complaint against the Marquis, requesting His Majesty revoke the Marquis’s title.”

Zhou Yi stroked his beard and offered words of consolation.

“Lu Linjian, that old wretch, is like a stone in a latrine, incessantly lodging complaints. Today it’s this person, tomorrow that; Marquis, do not take it too to heart.”

The eunuchs in the hall all turned their attention to Eunuch Wu, waiting to see what he would say.

Was this a declaration of loyalty or a stepping stone to test the waters?

A cold gleam flickered in Eunuch Wu’s eyes, aware that this was a test from the Eastern Depot. Any sign of weakness or retreat would make it difficult to seek power later on.

Yet control over the Eastern Depot was crucial to his heir’s succession.

“This Marquis was personally conferred by His Majesty. Those who dare to raise objections are committing insubordination and presumption,” Eunuch Wu stood up fiercely and declared.

“Overseer, I heard there is an extraordinarily meritorious imperial dragon robe in the Eastern Depot. I would like to borrow it!”