465: A pair of handsome men in the True Lord's Hall

Finally, Lu Jiuyuan's gaze fell upon the icy-cold Ximen Chuixue.

"Ximen Chuixue."

Ximen Chuixue raised his head, his ice-like eyes remaining devoid of emotional fluctuation, simply waiting quietly.

"Your Sword Intent is clear, dedicated solely to the sword and sincerity, cold as ice, and iron-faced and Emotionless. Such a Heart-Nature fits well with the strictness of the heavenly laws."

Lu Jiuyuan said slowly, "Under the command of the God of Justice Erlang Shen, although there are the Meishan brothers and the 1,200 Heavenly Gods, the Heavenly Realm is vast, and the power of Law enforcement requires a sharper edge."

"I appoint you as the 'Heavenly Law Enforcement General,' directly under the jurisdiction of the God of Justice, yet with the independent right to submit reports."

"Wielding the Ice Soul Sword, you shall patrol the Three Realms, specializing in apprehending serious offenders who violate the heavenly laws and purging traitors of the Heavenly Realm."

"Slay all evil spirits that defy order."

Heavenly Law Enforcement General!

Independent right to report, directly under the God of Justice yet vaguely holding him in check!

This position granted great authority and freedom, fitting Ximen Chuixue's aloof and cold nature even better; to enforce the Law with a sword, and to interpret the severity of the heavenly laws with the Ice Soul.

Ximen Chuixue was silent for a moment. Instead of immediately thanking him, he asked: "If the actions of the God of Justice violate the heavenly laws, or if there is any injustice, can this sword slay him?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Grand Supreme Elder Lord standing nearby raised his eyelids slightly.

Lu Jiuyuan laughed, his smile carrying appreciation: "Well asked. I grant you the independent right to report for exactly this reason."

"I permit you the right to monitor the actions of the God of Justice; if you have doubts, you may report directly to me. As for whether to slay or not..."

His gaze became suddenly sharp, "Act according to the Law, and I shall decide. But your sword must have the resolve to point at anyone who violates the heavenly laws... including the God of Justice!"

Upon hearing this, Ximen Chuixue knelt on one knee, holding the Ice Soul Sword horizontally before him: "I accept the decree. With this sword in hand, I shall obey only the heavenly laws and Your Majesty's orders."

"Good!"

Lu Jiuyuan flicked his sleeves and turned around, walking back toward the outer hall, his voice remaining in place:

"Assume your duties this day. A Fei, follow me."

"Shen Lang, take my imperial edict, immediately go to the Heavenly River to take command of the naval forces and reorganize the defenses."

"Ximen Chuixue, you may first go to the True Lords Divine Hall to report; Erlang Shen will understand my intentions."

"Go now, Venus will find you and deliver the imperial edicts!"

"Grand Supreme Elder Lord, I have disturbed you."

The Grand Supreme Elder Lord chuckled, bowed, and said: "Your Majesty is too kind. Being able to share Your Majesty's burdens is the duty of this old Daoist."

"The three young friends have bright futures, which is truly joyous and congratulatory."

Lu Jiuyuan said nothing more, and with A Fei, who had already risen and stood by his side, he took a step and vanished into the dense, purple mist of cinnabar clouds in Doushuai Palace.

Shen Lang and Ximen Chuixue exchanged a glance, bowed once more to the Grand Supreme Elder Lord, and transformed into two streaks of light—one heavy and yellow-brown heading straight for the Northern Heavenly River, the other a cold, icy stream of light sweeping toward the layer of heaven where the God of Justice resided.

Within Doushuai Palace, the tranquility of the past was restored. Only the flames in the Bagua Furnace continued to burn gently, reflecting on the Grand Supreme Elder Lord's thoughtful face.

"The General who rolls the curtains, the Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy, the Law Enforcement General; resolving Karma, removing old sentiments. The heavenly laws trap the hearts of gods, but it is the Heavenly Dao they truly imprison. The Heavenly Dao desires to have emotions, but the Great Heavenly Venerate does not allow it!"

"The Heavenly Dao has repeatedly schemed against the Great Heavenly Venerate, harmed Yao Ji, birthed Erlang Shen, and killed the nine Golden Crows, all to replace the Great Heavenly Venerate. Now, the Great Heavenly Venerate is finally beginning his counterattack!"

The Grand Supreme Elder Lord's murmurs dissipated into the curling fragrance of elixirs.

Two beams of light cut through the Heavenly Realm.

Shen Lang's body was surrounded by yellow-brown Qi, transforming into a heavy yet swift streak of light, heading straight for the vast Heavenly River that spanned across the Heavenly Realm.

The Heavenly River was magnificent, its surging waves silent.

The camp of the 80,000 naval forces was built along the river, with banners stretching endlessly and warships standing like a forest.

When Shen Lang appeared before the camp gate holding the Emperor's edict, the guarding naval officers were stunned. This person was unfamiliar, yet his aura was as heavy as a mountain. More importantly, the golden scroll in his hand radiated the pure aura of the Jade Emperor's decree.

"Who goes there?" a lieutenant stepped forward and shouted.

Shen Lang unfurled the imperial edict, his voice steady: "By the order of the Jade Emperor, I am the newly appointed Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy, Shen Lang, and I shall immediately take command of the 80,000 naval forces of the Heavenly River."

The moment the imperial edict was unfurled, golden light soared into the sky, and the waters of the Heavenly River trembled. All the naval soldiers felt a shiver in their hearts; this was real!

The lieutenant did not dare to delay and hurriedly bowed: "This subordinate greets the Marshal!"

Shen Lang put away the imperial edict, swept his gaze across the camp, and walked straight toward the central command tent.

Along the way, the naval soldiers gave way one after another.

Inside the central command tent, several veteran deputy generals had already gathered upon hearing the news.

Seeing Shen Lang enter, everyone's expressions varied; there was suspicion, scrutiny, and also defiance.

"We greet Marshal Shen." Everyone saluted, but not very respectfully.

Shen Lang sat down behind the commander's desk, placing his yellow-brown sword horizontally on the desk.

"I have just arrived and am unfamiliar with the military affairs of the Heavenly River."

"I give you three days to submit the roster of the 80,000 naval forces, defense maps, combat readiness reports, and daily patrol protocols."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "Three days from now, I will inspect the troops and formations. All officers must be present according to their ranks. Dismissed."

Concise and decisive, without unnecessary talk.

The officers looked at each other and had no choice but to acknowledge and withdraw.

When no one was left in the tent, Shen Lang let out a soft sigh.

Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy... what great authority, and what a heavy burden.

"Meeting the incarnation of the Heavenly Emperor is such a great Opportunity! It is a pity for Shangguan Jinhong; the Heavenly Emperor has no father, so this is a curse, not a blessing!"

...

On the other side, the God of Justice's True Lords Divine Hall.

This place was different from the clamor of the Heavenly River camp; there was only a cold, murderous aura.

The divine hall was entirely silver-white, standing above the layers of heaven, overlooking the swirling sea of clouds below.

When Ximen Chuixue, with his icy aura, stepped onto the plaza in front of the divine hall, even the celestial Qi floating in the air seemed to freeze.

The Grass-Head Gods guarding the divine hall all shivered in unison.

"Halt!" a Grass-Head God stepped forward to block him, but his voice trembled involuntarily.

Ximen Chuixue stopped, the Ice Soul Sword remaining sheathed, yet the surrounding temperature plummeted.

"Heavenly Law Enforcement General, Ximen Chuixue, by the order of the Jade Emperor, I have come to see the God of Justice."

His voice was colder than the Ice Soul Sword.

The Grass-Head Gods looked at each other. Heavenly Law Enforcement General? They had never heard of this position!

But that pure, extreme coldness and Sword Intent, along with those ice-like eyes, made them afraid to ask further.

"Please... please wait a moment, let us report this."

A moment later, the gates of the divine hall opened with a boom.

Kang Anyu, the eldest of the Meishan brothers, walked out quickly. The moment he saw Ximen Chuixue, his pupils contracted slightly.

Such strong Sword Intent! Such pure coldness!

"General Ximen, please enter. The Second Master is already waiting inside the hall."

Ximen Chuixue nodded slightly and stepped into the divine hall.

Inside the hall, it was colder than outside—not the cold of temperature, but a murderous aura brought about by strict Law.

Erlang Shen sat high on the main seat in the hall, his black cloak like the night, the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear standing quietly by his side.

He sized up the white-clad swordsman who had walked in, his gaze lingering for a moment on the Ice Soul Sword.

He took the decree and looked at it; it was indeed so, ordered personally by Your Majesty.

"Ximen Chuixue?"

"A new Law Enforcement General appointed by Your Majesty, directly under my command, yet with the independent right to submit reports."

"Is that you?"

"Yes."

Ximen Chuixue stood still, meeting Erlang Shen's gaze without any fear.

The gazes of the two handsome men collided in the air, as if invisible sharp edges were clashing.