Inside the study, absolute silence reigned. A powerful current of cold air flowed through the room. The Emperor, wordless, coldly scrutinized the few ministers below him. In such a situation, who would dare to speak?
Outside the study door, Ah Jiu’s voice sounded, "Your Majesty, General Ximen has arrived."
"Announce him."
The Emperor's chillingly beautiful words were spoken, and the King of Beijin inside the study couldn't help but tremble.
What did the Emperor want the old scoundrel Ximen for? That old fellow had always been at odds with the Chu family. No, he was at odds with many people in the court. Believing himself to be highly accomplished and having served diligently, he simply didn't regard ordinary people with any respect.
Ah Jiu swiftly led the old General Ximen into the study. Ximen General, though aged, was still robust and powerful. His tall, imposing physique showed no signs of old age. His face, square-jawed, featured sharp brows and eyes that gleamed with spirit.
Upon entering the study, he respectfully greeted the Emperor seated above.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
"Minister Ximen, you may rise and be seated," the Emperor's cold, stern tone softened by a fraction.
The three individuals below were unable to fathom the Emperor's intentions and could only watch as Ximen Zhenghao completely disregarded others, sitting down brazenly. What's more, the Emperor actually tolerated his arrogant demeanor.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, all one hundred and eight members of the Su family have been apprehended and brought to justice."
As soon as Ximen Zhenghao sat down, he dropped a bombshell. Of course, this bombshell sent the King of Beijin into a dizzying spin. Others, however, were somewhat bewildered. What offense had the Su family committed this time?
"Good," the Emperor, seated on his throne, displayed a smile on his handsome face, and then issued a decree:
"From today onwards, the case of Yuejue Temple will be presided over by Old General Ximen. Prince Nan'an, the King of Beijin, and the Ministry of Justice will serve as assessors. It is imperative that the individuals hidden behind Yuejue Temple are apprehended. I shall be watching."
Murong Liuzun cast a cold glance at those below, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. Now, he needed to eliminate the King of Beijin, and then deal with the one surnamed Chu. He was confident that the military power would return. Only when all military power was unified would he have the ability to unify other nations.
"Your subjects obey your decree."
Inside the study, the several individuals simultaneously stood up to receive the order, but Prince Nan'an and the Minister of Justice were somewhat out of their depth.
Though the Minister of Justice was puzzled, he dared not ask further. Prince Nan'an, however, was different. He cupped his fist and respectfully spoke.
"Your Majesty, what is the matter with the one hundred and eight members of the Su family?"
The Emperor's dark gaze casually swept towards Ximen Zhenghao. General Ximen, receiving the Emperor's signal, immediately spoke in a loud voice.
"The abbot of Yuejue Temple, Liaokong, whose original name is Su Zhan, is from the Su family of the Eastern Suburb Textile Workshop. He is now a traitor plotting rebellion. All one hundred and eight members of the Su family have been imprisoned. I believe that if Su Zhan sees his entire family being killed, will he not hand over the mastermind?"
Ximen Zhenghao spoke with unwavering resolve. He was a general who had fought on the battlefield, accustomed to iron-fisted methods. He considered this the most effective approach, believing that the old monk Liaokong would definitely reveal the mastermind.
Prince Nan'an and the King of Beijin both furrowed their brows. The former disapproved of these cruel and bloody methods. If Liaokong remained resolute and refused to confess, would all one hundred and eight members of the Su family be killed?
The latter, however, felt a chill of fear. A hidden gloom flickered in his eyes, and he inwardly seethed. Who would have thought that someone would discover Liaokong was Su Zhan? He had become a monk over twenty years ago.
Just as Prince Nan'an was about to speak, the Emperor, seated on his throne, waved his hand and spoke with an ominous tone, "All of you may withdraw. I hope this case is resolved swiftly."
"Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured. This old minister will surely make that wretch speak the truth."
Ximen Zhenghao, still a man of military background, spoke crudely. Furthermore, he was eager to earn merit, as his beloved daughter, Ximen Xinyue, was in the palace. As a father, he would naturally help his own daughter.
"Your subjects take their leave."
The group exited the study.
Outside the study door, Prince Nan'an’s face was frosty, colder than usual.
The King of Beijin's face was even paler, his eyes dark. The Minister of Justice was sweating profusely. Among everyone present, the only one happy was Ximen Zhenghao, who departed with a triumphant smile.
The Minister of Justice stood behind the King of Beijin and Prince Nan'an, muttering softly.
"What kind of people are these? How did he find out that Liaokong was Su Zhan? I didn't expect him to snatch the first merit this time."
Prince Nan'an and the King of Beijin both glared at him. At such a time, he was still thinking about snatching merit, and it involved the lives of one hundred and eight people.
If Su Zhan refused to confess, would not one hundred and eight innocent lives be wrongfully lost? If Su Zhan was willing to confess, he would remain silent even under torture.
The Minister of Justice’s scalp tingled. He quickly put on a fawning smile and sheepishly followed the two princes out of the study.
Ximen Zhenghao, still a man of military background, always acted decisively. Moreover, for this case of the Yuejue Temple rebels, he wished to earn merit in front of the Emperor to secure an opportunity for his daughter to enter the palace.
Therefore, as soon as he received the Emperor's decree, he led a large group of people to the Ministry of Justice prison to rigorously interrogate Liaokong, also known as Su Zhan.
Unfortunately, Liaokong kept his eyes slightly closed and said nothing. No matter how they threatened or enticed him, or even subjected him to torture, he remained unshaken.
Around ten of the eighteen types of torture in the Ministry of Justice prison had been used. He looked utterly enfeebled, his appearance ghastly. Bloodstains covered his body. Yet, even after being tormented to the brink of death, he still said nothing.
Ximen Zhenghao, Prince Nan'an, the King of Beijin, and others toiled for a day and a night, yet could not extract a single word. Exhausted, they tossed the wretched Liaokong back into the prison, preparing to continue the interrogation the next day.
Liaokong had sustained such severe injuries. For an ordinary person, even if he didn't die, he would have committed suicide. But he, instead, clung to life, barely breathing.
The next day, the military training ground was bathed in the sun. Although not scorching, it was still blinding.
The perimeter of the training ground was guarded by soldiers. Ximen Zhenghao intended to interrogate the key prisoner here, so the training ground was cleared early in the morning.
In the vast open space, on the highest platform in the center, sat the fierce Ximen Zhenghao. Prince Nan'an, the King of Beijin, and high officials from the Ministry of Justice were seated in order.
Around the training ground, the crowd was bustling, a sea of people. Everyone craned their necks curiously, watching the events unfold, wondering what was happening. The soldiers’ layered containment only slightly reduced the commotion.
Ximen Zhenghao saw that it was getting late and that all the necessary people had arrived. He gave an order.
The one hundred and eight members of the Su family, old and young, the oldest being seventy or eighty years old, the youngest only a few years old, were all bound with iron chains and brought forward.
Immediately, cries and pleas filled the air. They were soon brought to the center of the training ground and made to kneel one by one. Many had no idea what was happening, their hair disheveled as they cried, creating a scene of utter misery.
The surrounding crowd began to murmur. Many recognized the Su family from the Eastern Suburbs; they were merely honest and hardworking people. No one knew what had happened to them that they were all arrested and subjected to such inhuman treatment.