The man rose, his robes billowing, and stepped over Hui Jingxian's head to the doorway. He pushed the door open, and the eagle perched on the branch fluttered down, landing on his shoulder.
"From this day forward, you will only carry the poison of Feng Luan!"
With that, he pushed off the ground and soared into the air, disappearing into the darkness in an instant.
Hui Jingxian tilted his head back, gazing at the silent winter night outside the door. A cold wind swept into the room, swirling and seeping into his collar. His skin felt as if it had been rolled over by ice, and Hui Jingxian shivered uncontrollably.
He pushed himself up from the ground and slowly sat up.
He crossed his legs and regulated his breath. Internal energy flowed through his dantian, encountering no further obstruction.
The opponent had removed the Asura Ghost煞 buried within him!
Hui Jingxian should have been happy, but he couldn't bring himself to be. The Ghost煞 Gate Master had gone to such lengths, sacrificing one of their Nine Vein Lords, Chi煞, to set up this scheme, only to legitimize the integration of Ju De Manor into the opposing faction.
Why?
Hui Jingxian couldn't fathom the reason!
But by escaping the control of the Ghost煞 Gate Master and falling into Feng Luan's hands, could they truly guarantee the lives of everyone in Ju De Manor?
Hui Jingxian clenched his fists. Even though he had carved a bloody path for himself in the martial world, he was still nothing more than an ant at their mercy.
...
News regarding Chang Ming Mountain, Wu City, and the Wu City Lang Huan Army reached the capital like scattered leaves.
The news spread through every street and alley of the capital.
The reports from Wu City were delayed. The version the capital's citizens were now hearing was that Feng Luan had ordered the arrest of Wu City's magistrate, Wang Xun, without the court's permission!
In the imperial court, officials impeached him.
Liu Wanjun kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, remaining silent.
He was merely fortunate that Feng Luan had already departed for Wu City when he requested the assignment. Otherwise, he would be the one with a headache today!
Who would have thought that the foggy events at Chang Ming Mountain would be linked to some missing persons case.
Over the years, thousands of women and children had disappeared in and around Wu City. How large was Wu City's population? Fortunately, Feng Luan had not disclosed the reason when ordering the arrest. Otherwise, if it were revealed that the very official meant to protect the populace was the mastermind behind human trafficking, it would not only bring shame to the court but also cause the common people to lose faith in the court and the country. Worse, it might even incite rebellion.
Liu Wanjun had already submitted a memorial to the Emperor regarding this matter. He expected that Feng Luan's reason for arresting Wang Xun would soon become known to all.
Wang Langji craned his neck to glance at Old Master Liu. Seeing his grandfather appear detached from the proceedings, he lowered his head.
He decided to ponder whether he would eat lunch at home or at Dong Bo Tower!
Facing the officials' impeachment, Ji Hong did not seize the opportunity to question Ji Jinmo. Instead, he pursed his lips and remained silent.
"Your Majesty, that Feng Luan..."
"Enough!"
Ji Hong interrupted the persistent impeachment of the censors. His expression turned cold as he sat on the dragon throne, his gaze slightly lowered. A palpable pressure emanated from him, making it difficult for the officials to breathe. Impeaching Feng Luan to question the Regent should have been in accordance with the Emperor's wishes. The officials couldn't understand why the Emperor was angered by this. Since Yin Nan Chao was punished with house arrest in You Mansion, the officials had clearly felt that the Emperor's moods were becoming increasingly unpredictable.
"This matter will be discussed another day, Imperial Uncle!"
Ji Hong turned his gaze to Ji Jinmo, who stood with his hands behind his back.
Ji Jinmo looked up slightly, lifting his eyelids.
"What matter?"
As usual, he paid no regard to Ji Hong. Ji Hong reached out, and the attendant accompanying him to court pulled a memorial from his怀 and handed it to Ji Hong. Ji Hong violently threw the memorial at Ji Jinmo, his voice sharp as a knife, thundering with rage, "What matter? Qin Qiancheng has rebelled and defected! He opened the city gates of Huai City during the battle!"
"Boom~"
As Ji Hong's words fell, the court was struck as if by a hurricane. All the officials were stunned.
At this moment, the censors who had just impeached Feng Luan understood why the Emperor had suppressed the discussion earlier. It was because Ji Jinmo would bear an even greater sin.
His former subordinate, the candidate he had recommended to resist the enemy, had defected.
Compared to this, what was Feng Luan's affair?
Ji Jinmo bent down and picked up the memorial. His slightly upturned sleeves revealed his wrist, with veins bulging slightly. He turned the pages slowly, yet read them quickly, scanning the entire memorial almost at a glance.
"Who submitted this memorial to His Majesty?"
The corner of his mouth curled upwards, his clear voice devoid of any mirth.
"What, does Imperial Uncle intend to settle scores later?" Ji Hong questioned angrily.
Ji Jinmo shook his head. "The person who submitted this memorial is certainly not the magistrate of Huai City. I suspect it is someone Your Majesty planted. However, this person is truly too cowardly, fleeing Huai City after only seeing Qin Qiancheng open the city gates. Otherwise, he would have surely seen how my Demon Hunter Army ambushed the Da Li army within Huai City!"
"Your Majesty, please do not rush. Wait a moment. The official report of our great victory will soon be sent to the capital."
Ji Jinmo discarded the memorial as if it were refuse. He turned and surveyed the officials, who all lowered their heads, daring not to meet his gaze. The hands hanging by their sleeves began to sweat, and their shoulders felt unable to bear the weight of their necks and heads. Their bodies hunched and trembled lightly.
Ji Jinmo lowered his head and meticulously straightened his folded sleeves. Without looking up, he asked again, "Then can Your Majesty now tell me who submitted the memorial?"
"I cannot!"
Ji Hong did not fly into a rage at Ji Jinmo's contempt. He merely spoke calmly, but his words were more chilling than any past fury.
Has His Majesty become so overbearing?
"Very well!"
Ji Jinmo suddenly let out a laugh. He turned and walked towards the hall's exit. "If news of death arrives, I hope Your Majesty will find solace!"
"You..."
Ji Hong stood up in anger, his eyes blazing with thunderous fury. He looked at the Imperial Guards outside the hall, wanting to speak several times, but ultimately swallowed his words completely, watching Ji Jinmo's figure disappear down the steps before the hall doors.
Within the great hall, the officials were as silent as cicadas in winter.
They had expected a battle of judgment, but it ended before it even began.
However, it remained unknown whether Qin Qiancheng had truly defected or merely feigned defection.
...
Just after noon, the official report of the great victory at Huai City reached the capital. Several hours later, a prisoner cart slowly entered the capital. The Demon Hunter Army team escorted Qin Qiancheng back to the capital!
The officials' doubts from the morning court were answered.
Qin Qiancheng had indeed defected!