The crowd stared in disbelief.
"Going to arrest someone at Marquess Valor's estate?" The onlookers exchanged glances between Nathan Ye and the elderly man on the ground, their faces marked with astonishment.
"Sir, you're not joking, are you?" one of them asked.
Nathan offered a faint smile. "An official's duty—at the very least—is not to toy with the people's grievances."
He had made up his mind to visit the estate. According to Commissioner Wei's account, The Marquess Valor's arrogance knew no bounds. His household defied authority, disregarding even those from the imperial palace. Everyone knew that in these times, it was the Immortal Sect, not the emperor, who held true power. With the backing of the Yuhua Sect, the Marquis's estate had become an untouchable monolith.
To most, the Marquis's household was a fortress of despair, but to Nathan, it was a beacon of opportunity. If anyone would kill him, it would be these untouchables. His plan was simple: seek justice, uphold the law, and surely no one—not even the system—could label it as misconduct. And as expected, there was no reaction from the system.
Perfect, he thought. This time, nothing would stand in the way of his goal.
"Sir, are you really going to the Marquis's estate?" Wei's face was drenched in sweat. It wasn't fear—it was pure shock. Wei had assumed Nathan was just another official with empty rhetoric. Over the years, he'd met many high-ranking officials adept at making grand speeches without any intention of action. But Nathan had shattered Wei's expectations.
"Afraid to come along?" Nathan smirked, his gaze sweeping over the gathered officials. They averted their eyes, whether out of shame or fear, unwilling to meet his gaze. Observing his "subordinates," Nathan felt a wave of satisfaction. A bunch of useless officials, he thought—hardly a threat to his plans.
"Sir, you could die going there!" The old, wiry official spoke up, his tone unusually earnest, devoid of his typical sarcasm. He seemed to be delivering a solemn fact.
"We all face death one day," Nathan replied softly, looking at the charcoal seller crouched on the ground. "But some deaths have purpose."
Gesturing to the old man, he continued, "He's a citizen; I am an Censor. My duty is to advocate for the people. When Emperor Taizu established this Ministry, he was telling the world there would always be a place for justice."
"If even the Ministry of Supervision has lost its way, what hope remains for justice in this world?"
Justice and fairness... words that sent a ripple through the officials' hearts. When was the last time anyone had dared to speak of such ideals? In these troubled times, most officials were focused solely on survival, casting aside any notions of justice.
Nathan's words stirred memories of long-forgotten ideals, breaking through layers of cynicism and despair. For a fleeting moment, the officials glimpsed a world where purpose and dignity could still hold meaning.
"Do you know why I called you useless?" Nathan turned to Wei. "You only dare to raise your blade against the weak! The truly strong raise their blades against the strong."
Pointing at the elderly man, Nathan continued, "If I hadn't arrived in time, you would have ruined your life with that swing."
He straightened his hat and turned toward the Marquis's estate, his steps resolute.
Watching Nathan's retreating figure, Commissioner Wei felt his eyes sting with unexpected tears. "Sir Nathan is right. I am a failure." He remembered his younger self, full of ideals, hoping to bring justice to the world. But reality had crushed him, leaving him bitter and angry, until today.
"Sir, Commissioner Wei is with you!" he shouted, his voice filled with renewed purpose. He knelt to help the elderly man up, then followed Nathan with resolute steps.
"Count me in too!" A low, eerie laugh sounded from the hulking figure of Jackson Niu, who trailed after Wei.
Wei and Jackson Niu's departure left the wiry elder fuming. "You two idiots! Do you have any idea what you're doing? You're courting death!"
Rationality told him this was a fool's errand, a reckless venture sure to end badly. But as he watched them walk away, his eyes filled with emotion he hadn't felt in years.
"Fools! You're all fools!" he cursed, but he couldn't resist. He, too, stepped forward, leaving the Ministry courtyard behind.
For the first time in years, the Ministry emptied itself in a united, fervent pursuit of justice. Blood may cool over time, but something always stirs it back to life.
As the group moved forward, Gavin Tsai stood frozen, his mind racing. "Victor Wei, Jackson Niu... why do those names sound so familiar?"
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