Volume 1, Chapter 61: The Smell of Gunpowder

The lamps in the Palace of Heavenly Purity burned throughout the night. Zhu Youjian sat with a furrowed brow, tightly gripping a yellowed piece of paper—a replica of the roster, which served as his crucial weapon in exposing the crimes of the twelve noble clans. However, the true roster remained missing, filling his heart with anxiety and unease.

"Your Majesty, the agents of the Eastern Depot are fully prepared and can launch a clandestine search of the estates and merchant shops of the twelve noble clans at any moment," Wei Zhiren's voice echoed in the cavernous hall, tinged with firmness and resolve.

Zhu Youjian raised his head, his gaze burning like a torch, and spoke in a low, powerful voice, "Good, execute the plan immediately. Remember, you must proceed with the utmost caution and ensure the twelve noble clans are not alerted."

Wei Zhiren acknowledged the command and departed, leaving the Palace of Heavenly Purity to sink back into silence. Zhu Youjian knew this was a war without the smoke of gunpowder; he had to plan every step meticulously to ensure absolute success.

Yet, things were not as simple as Zhu Youjian had imagined. The search operations by the Eastern Depot agents met with repeated obstructions. The twelve noble clans seemed to have been alerted long ago, their estates and shops riddled with hidden sentries and traps. Every time the Eastern Depot agents approached, they triggered alarms, giving the noble clans ample time to transfer evidence and conceal the roster.

"Your Majesty, the situation is grim. The twelve noble clans appear to have detected our movements, and the clues leading to the roster have been cut off once again," Wei Zhiren said, his voice carrying a trace of helplessness and anxiety.

Hearing this, Zhu Youjian's heart sank. He understood that if things continued this way, they might never find the roster, and the crimes of the twelve noble clans would remain concealed forever.

Just then, an unexpected piece of news broke the deadlock. An elderly palace maid who had once served the late emperor decided to speak the truth. She had seen the roster with her own eyes and revealed the location where it was hidden.

"Your Majesty, the old maid states that the roster is hidden within the most clandestine secret chamber of one of the twelve noble clans, a place where only a handful of people know the way in," Wei Zhiren reported, a hint of excitement and anticipation in his voice.

A sharp gleam flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes upon hearing this. He immediately summoned the elite of the Eastern Depot, preparing to launch a surprise raid. He knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that he had to seize.

As night fell, the elite agents of the Eastern Depot silently surrounded the most covert estate among the twelve noble clans. Dressed in night-black garments and with their faces smeared in black paint, only their eagle-sharp eyes remained exposed.

"Execute the raid!" Zhu Youjian's voice rang out in the darkness like a sudden peal of thunder, shattering the stillness of the night.

Like phantoms, the Eastern Depot elites rushed swiftly into every corner of the estate. Relying on their superb martial prowess and sharp perception, they effortlessly bypassed the guards' line of sight and traps.

After a fierce battle and thorough search, the Eastern Depot elites finally located the hidden secret chamber. Pushing open the heavy doors, they found the interior brilliantly lit and filled with all manner of rare treasures, secret manuals, and confidential documents.

"The roster!" Zhu Youjian's voice echoed in the chamber, charged with urgency and anticipation.

The agents quickly searched the room. A moment later, one of them shouted in excitement, "Found it! The roster is right here!"

Zhu Youjian took the roster and began to review it carefully. The pages were densely packed with records of secret transactions and collusions between the twelve noble clans and the imperial court. The crimes listed were countless and shocking to the core.

"Good! Excellent!" Zhu Youjian said, his voice trembling with excitement and elation. "With this roster, we can thoroughly expose the crimes of the twelve noble clans and rid the realm of Great Ming of this scourge!"

Hearing this, the Eastern Depot elites burst into cheers. They knew their arduous efforts had finally paid off, and the realm of Great Ming would once again embrace light and justice.

However, matters were not so simple. Just as they prepared to withdraw, a group of loyal die-hards from the twelve noble clans suddenly stormed into the chamber, attempting to snatch back the roster.

"Protect His Majesty! Do not let the roster fall into their hands!" Wei Zhiren's voice rang through the room with unwavering determination and resolve.

The Eastern Depot elites stepped forward instantly, engaging the die-hards in a ferocious battle. Relying on their peerless skills and steadfast conviction, they successfully beat back the enemy, ensuring the safety of both Zhu Youjian and the roster.

Once the battle concluded, Zhu Youjian looked upon the littered ground and the exhausted elite agents, his heart filled with gratitude and respect. He knew these men were his loyal defenders and the guardians of the Great Ming dynasty.

"You have suffered greatly! This roster is the key evidence for exposing the crimes of the twelve noble clans, and your contributions are immeasurable!" Zhu Youjian said, his voice heavy with emotion and gratitude.

The elites bowed their heads, their voices low and resolute, "To serve Your Majesty and give our loyalty to the Great Ming is our unshirkable duty!"

Shortly after, Zhu Youjian ordered the Eastern Depot to launch immediate interrogations and investigations into those implicated. Under questioning, the suspects confessed without reservation; the crimes listed on the roster were laid bare one by one, exposing the vile deeds of the twelve noble clans to the light of day.

"Your Majesty, the crimes of the twelve noble clans have been thoroughly exposed. They can no longer escape the judgment of the law," Wei Zhiren declared with absolute firmness and resolve.

A powerful sense of justice surged within Zhu Youjian's heart. He knew he had to take action to rid the realm of the scourge and seek justice for the common people.

Consequently, he ordered all implicated members of the twelve noble clans to be arrested and brought to justice, with their crimes tried in an open court. This trial shook the entire Ming dynasty, bringing the heinous deeds of the twelve noble clans into the glaring light of public awareness.

During the proceedings, the crimes of the twelve noble clans were laid bare one by one, their depraved actions utterly abhorrent.

Watching the once lofty and arrogant scions of the noble families now kneeling in the courtroom to face judgment, Zhu Youjian felt a profound sense of emotion and vindication.

He knew that although this battle had been arduous and protracted, he had ultimately emerged victorious.

With the downfall of the twelve noble clans, the realm of Great Ming welcomed back light and justice once more.

Zhu Youjian understood that this was merely the beginning of his governance and maintenance of justice.

In the days to come, he would continue to strive, forging a far more prosperous and flourishing future for the empire of Great Ming.