Ximen Zhenghao ignored the chattering crowd, his face stern, his sharp black eyes scanning the masses with a bloodthirsty gaze.
He had two purposes for holding the trial in the martial arts field today. Firstly, the Su family was too large to accommodate so many people.
Secondly, he wanted to force out the mastermind behind it all. With Su Zhan captured, those people should have come to his rescue. Unfortunately, his plans went awry.
As Ximen Zhenghao was contemplating his strategy, an old monk, looking half-dead, was brought from the other side of the martial arts field. His usually benevolent face was stained with blood, and his legs could not bear his weight. Supported by two soldiers, he was led towards the center of the field.
His appearance caused another stir, and the crowd erupted in shouts.
Ximen Zhenghao surveyed the noisy crowd and suddenly stood up. His voice, full of authority, boomed like thunder:
"Quiet down, everyone, please stop your noise. This old monk is a notorious criminal of the court, a rebel. His original name was Su Zhan, a member of the Su family. A large number of weapons have been discovered underground at the Moon Enlightenment Temple he presided over. His crime of rebellion is thus established. Now, I, General, acting on the Emperor's decree, demand that he reveal the mastermind. However, he stubbornly refuses. Therefore, do not blame me for being ruthless. If he does not hand over the mastermind today, all members of the Su family will perish."
As Ximen Zhenghao finished speaking, a deathly silence fell upon the surroundings. The previously chattering citizens dared not utter a sound. After all, the charge of rebellion was no trivial matter.
The citizens fell silent, but many members of the Su family began to cry out and scream at the old monk.
"Su Zhan, what evil have you committed? Why are you dragging us down? Weren't you already a monk? How can you still be involved in such heinous acts?"
The one shouting was a very old man, Su Zhan's elder brother. His lips trembled, and he could barely speak coherently.
The old monk, Su Zhan, groggy and disoriented, heard the clamor and weeping. He struggled to open his eyes and looked around. He saw many people kneeling on the wide training ground, young and old, among them some familiar faces. Su Zhan's head buzzed.
"Heavens, what have I done? God, if you have retribution, let it fall upon me. Do not torment my family anymore. This old monk already regrets it, sacrificing Hao'er and all those innocent people.
This is all due to my one moment of error. I am willing to endure any hardship, just please do not torment my family."
Seeing Su Zhan awake, Ximen Zhenghao's voice boomed.
"Su Zhan, the lives of the 108 members of the Su family are now in your hands. If you still refuse to reveal the mastermind, do not blame me for slaughtering the Su family one by one."
The old monk Su Zhan's eyes suddenly burst open, and tears of blood streamed down. He laughed at the sky, then struggled to speak.
"There is no mastermind. All of this was done by this old monk. It has nothing to do with the Su family. Please, General, execute this old monk and spare the Su family."
As soon as Su Zhan finished speaking, Ximen Zhenghao paid no heed. He sneered and waved his hand to the side, giving a bloodthirsty order: "Bring him."
As soon as he spoke, soldiers immediately brought forward an elderly man, Su Zhan's elder brother. The white-haired old man, his face etched with wrinkles, had tears streaming from his cloudy eyes, looking at Su Zhan in agony.
"Su Zhan, what sin have you committed? You are not even a true member of the Su family. If you were, you would confess and prevent the Su family from being wiped out!"
As the old man finished speaking, Ximen Zhenghao roared, "Su Zhan, will you confess or not?"
A deathly silence fell around the martial arts field as everyone looked at Su Zhan.
The old monk looked up at the sky and laughed. He suddenly broke free from the two men holding him, gathered his internal energy, and jabbed two fingers directly into his own eyes. In an instant, his eyes were hollow, and two bloody eyeballs rolled out. He gasped in pain but still struggled to speak, "This old monk is the perpetrator." With that, he fainted.
At this moment, screams erupted from the martial arts field. Many were terrified by the bloody scene, followed by a cacophony of noise.
Ximen Zhenghao completely ignored the onlookers and turned to command the soldiers beside him, "Wake him up."
"Yes, General."
A bucket of water was brought over and unceremoniously doused on Su Zhan. The sticky blood mixed with the water, splattering everywhere, a truly gruesome sight.
"Su Zhan, if you still do not confess, I will slaughter every last member of the Su family today," Ximen Zhenghao declared with a bloodthirsty tone, radiating a powerful aura of malevolence.
Prince Nan'an, Murong Liuzun, who had long been disgusted by his brutal methods, suddenly stood up. "General Ximen, is this not too cruel?"
"Cruel? What does Prince Nan'an know of cruelty? When I fought in battles, how many heads did I take with a single spear thrust? That was not cruel. Now, merely asking this old scoundrel Su to reveal the rebels is considered cruel? If Your Highness cannot bear to watch, then please step aside to avoid offending your dignity."
Ximen Zhenghao spoke with arrogance and extreme haughtiness. Prince Nan'an, Murong Liuzun, his face extremely displeased, turned and left the martial arts field.
Seeing that no one else spoke, Ximen Zhenghao continued his 'punishment'.
Prince Nan'an, Murong Liuzun, stood at the edge of the dense forest, looking at the crowded martial arts field, and then at the people wailing in the center. Today, it seemed none of the 108 members of the Su family could escape. Not to mention the 108 Su family members, even the young monks of the Moon Enlightenment Temple would likely not be spared.
What should be done? Prince Nan'an paced anxiously. His imperial brother had entrusted this matter to Ximen Zhenghao, indicating his approval of harsh methods, otherwise Ximen Zhenghao would not dare to be so arrogant. Was he truly to stand by and watch innocent people die in vain?
Prince Nan'an's eyes suddenly lit up. There was one person who could save them now. He hoped she would help. He immediately beckoned his subordinate, Geng Han.
"Geng Han, enter the palace immediately, and be quick about it. Rush to Fengluan Palace and invite the Empress."
"Your Highness? Can the Empress stop General Ximen? He is handling this case on the Emperor's orders. The Empress is a consort in the inner palace; she might not be able to halt his actions."
"No, I remember His Majesty once said before the envoys of the five nations that the Empress of Da Xian is equivalent to the Emperor. As long as the Empress comes, Ximen Zhenghao will surely not dare to act. You must ride quickly to the palace."
"Yes, Your Highness." Geng Han clasped his hands in salute, mounted his horse, and galloped away, disappearing in an instant, stirring up dust.
In Fengluan Palace, Mu Qingyao was watering flowers with the princess in the garden, while several young maids watched nearby. The Empress and the princess laughed as they watered, seemingly very happy.
Just then, a panicked eunuch ran over, shouting as he came, "Your Highness, Your Highness, something is wrong! Prince Nan'an has sent someone to the palace!"