Nathan Ye's words, laden with moral righteousness, stirred a profound force of integrity. Fueled by his own immense resolve, his declaration ignited an extraordinary response.
A gentle, warming wind swept through the Ministry courtyard, melting away winter's frost. Withered trees burst into new buds, and the entire grounds seemed to transform, shedding their previous decay and filling with a fresh vitality.
"Living off the people's sweat and blood, yet the heavens cannot be deceived!" Nathan's words echoed through the air, resonating with a dormant power embedded by Emperor Taizu himself. The Ministry's plaque, bearing Taizu's own calligraphy, began to glow as a long-lost, majestic voice seemed to reverberate through the space.
"To wrong the people is to wrong the heavens; deceive no one but yourself. Betray your country, betray its people—who could bear to do so?" The voice of Emperor Taizu intoned, evoking awe among the onlookers, who felt a sacred presence filling the Ministry.
Wei, the Commissioner standing closest to Nathan, staggered and spat blood, his drunkenness evaporating in an instant. "This... this is a sacred utterance! His words have somehow resonated with the power Taizu left here. How can this be?!"
As if mesmerized, everyone stared at Nathan in shock. Taizu's seal of approval left no room for doubt; Nathan's conviction had invoked Taizu's presence. A sense of undeniable reverence emanated from him, leaving the crowd in awe. After some time, the supernatural echo finally faded.
"Nathan has earned the approval of Taizu himself!" Gavin Tsai, wide-eyed, could barely contain his admiration. Though this miraculous display would remain within the Ministry, Gavin felt an unshakeable devotion bloom within. He pledged silently, I may lack the brilliance to do great deeds, but I will follow Nathan's lead, come what may—even if the road is paved with thorns.
Many among the Ministry's ranks were shaken, yet too disillusioned to be wholly moved. Their hearts, long accustomed to corruption and apathy, found it difficult to feel more than a brief moment of doubt. Still, there was one thing they all admitted: "The Censor is unlike other officials. He genuinely seeks justice."
Nathan felt his own energy swell as a result of his words. His conviction would have propelled him to a higher state in the world of scholars—if only the Academy were not sealed. But he was undeterred. He approached Commissioner Wei with steady resolve. "Do you understand your wrongs now?"
Wei shook his head, his resentment lessened yet stubborn. "Censor, you are truly righteous, but what can you actually change?" He pointed at the old man. "I called him lowly not out of error but out of reality. He is insignificant—a nobody. And no one will help him."
He glared defiantly. "This is reality. Idealists like you talk of justice, but you can't change a thing. Whether by starvation, cold, or neglect, he will perish, and no one will care. His death would be no more noticed than a drop lost in the ocean."
This struck a familiar chord with the other officials. They, too, saw themselves as powerless and expendable. In this world, submission was survival.
"Who says no one will help him?" Nathan asked, sweeping his gaze across the crowd.
Wei sneered, "I do." He explained the situation. "The one who stole his charcoal was the steward of Marquess Valor's estate. Are we really going to confront the Marquis over a common charcoal seller? For a single load of charcoal?"
A single load of charcoal, and a lowly wood seller—such a small matter. The Empire saw countless cases like these every day, each one dismissed as trivial.
"This is a major issue," Nathan said after a moment. "That one load of charcoal represents this family's entire hope of survival."
"What you dismiss as trivial could mean the world to someone else."
"No other authority may challenge the Marquis over this," Nathan declared, "but the Ministry of Supervision will." Taking a deep breath, he bent down, picked up his official hat, and looked at the officials.
"I am going to Marquess Valor's estate now to bring his steward to justice. Will any of you join me?"
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