Whether Feng Luan was a direct disciple of the Medicine King Valley was unimportant. What mattered was that Ji Jinmo believed he was. Therefore, the more Ji Jinmo cared about him, the closer the rumors would be to the truth.
Ji Jinmo was gravely ill.
Upon seeing the memorial Ji Hong had handed him, Nan Chaoyin understood Ji Hong's intent: to torture Feng Luan and test Ji Jinmo's reaction.
The more anxious he became, the more he revealed his need for Feng Luan.
This news was cause for celebration for both Ji Hong and Nan Chaoyin.
However, this battle was merely the sounding of the horn; the real war had just begun. Ji Hong immediately ordered the deployment of the Xuanjia Army.
This was the first time the Xuanjia Army had officially appeared before the public.
At the Ministry of Justice, standing before the demon-hunting troops, Ji Jinmo wore no armor. Dressed in a black and gold brocade robe, his black hair tied high, even without the formidable soldiers behind him, his piercing aura alone was enough to instill awe. Now, positioned before the assembled generals, his presence was overwhelming. His exceptionally handsome countenance, akin to a deity's, exuded a divine coldness and ruthlessness, viewing all beings in the world as mere ants.
The gates of the Ministry of Justice were crushed by cavalry. The匾额, representing the court's authority, shattered into two halves, only to be trampled underfoot. Sharp long blades gleamed menacingly in the moonlight.
With blades at their throats, the Ministry of Justice officials trembled uncontrollably from the icy chill. Among them, one man shook as if caught in a gale.
Ji Jinmo approached the man and asked casually, "Was it you who administered the torture?"
The words struck the man's ears like a scythe slicing through the air, landing on his neck. A primal fear of imminent death and a suffocating dread spread through his heart. He stammered, unable to form a coherent reply. The cruelty and abandon he had displayed while torturing Feng Luan were now mirrored by his own abject panic.
Knowing he could offer no defense, Wei Wuxian placed his hands on the ground, prostrating himself. His voice trembled, "Your subordinate, your subordinate was merely following imperial orders…"
"Imperial orders?" Ji Jinmo scoffed. "So you disregarded this prince's command?"
"Your subordinate dares not, your subordinate dares not!"
Wei Wuxian quivered violently, his voice ragged with fear.
"Dares not?"
Ji Jinmo's voice held a smile, but his phoenix eyes seemed frozen, a layer of frost creeping from the corners of his eyes, tinging his eyelids with a blush of cold.
Wei Wuxian felt as if a basin of ice water had been poured over his head, chilling him to the bone. The icy aura emanating from within him caused his body to tremble involuntarily.
"Bang bang~"
He kowtowed forcefully, his forehead striking the hard ground, instantly drawing blood. The crimson fluid trickled down his brow and dripped onto the earth.
"Your Highness, spare me, Your Highness, spare me!"
He cried out for mercy, casting aside all thought of wealth, status, or a promising career. Had he known Feng Luan was so important to the Prince, he would never have dared to torture him, even if given a thousand lifetimes.
Wei Wuxian was consumed by both fear and anger. He had wondered why those men had been so reluctant to take on such a seemingly good assignment. Now he knew. But those men, aware of the situation, had said nothing, not even a hint. Had they offered even the slightest suggestion, he would not have ended up in this predicament!
Wei Wuxian harbored intense hatred for the other officials in the Ministry of Justice, completely forgetting how eagerly he had snatched this assignment from their hands after receiving the imperial decree. Now that disaster had struck, he was blaming everyone else.
Ji Jinmo raised his hand, his long, slender, white fingers making a gentle gesture backward.