Chapter 651: Ruthless to even sell out one's own people

The Embroidered Uniform Emissaries were already seething with anger due to Cheng Xiong's previous deliberate targeting, so they seized this opportunity without hesitation.

The Embroidered Uniform Emissaries quickly arrested Cheng Gang. Initially, Cheng Gang feigned ignorance, claiming he knew nothing about the matter. However, it was widely known that he had been in close contact with the courtesan Frost Moon for some time, staying at her residence almost every night. Who would believe his denials?

The Embroidered Uniform Emissaries then brought out their full repertoire of tortures, quickly making Cheng Gang "confess" his transgressions.

Cheng Gang was "tortured into confession," directly admitting that he had leaked information to the assassins, which allowed them to seize such a timely opportunity to enter the palace.

Zhu Xie Chixin, however, was not satisfied. He continued to dig deeper, and soon "uncovered" that Cheng Xiong had orchestrated everything from behind the scenes, having been bribed by the assassins long ago.

Upon hearing this, Zu'an clicked his tongue in amazement. This person was truly ruthless; Cheng Xiong had targeted the Embroidered Uniform Emissaries, and he retaliated tenfold.

For some reason, having such a teammate brought an inexplicable sense of security.

Of course, having such an individual as an enemy would be quite a headache.

Cheng Xiong was both shocked and enraged by this. Unable to interfere with the Embroidered Uniform Emissaries' investigation, he actively campaigned outside.

After all, he was an important figure in the Prince Qi Faction. Although the Qin brothers were very dissatisfied with what happened at the Imperial Music Bureau that night, they could not allow Zhu Xie Chixin to implicate Prince Qi.

Consequently, the Prince Qi Faction exerted its influence. Soon, during a court assembly, someone pointed out the animosity between Cheng Xiong and the Embroidered Uniform Emissaries, arguing that their involvement in the investigation would easily compromise impartiality.

In the court, members of the Prince Qi Faction and the Crown Prince Faction each cited various precedents and classics. Though they were practically cursing each other, not a single vulgar word was uttered, which truly inspired both respect and admiration.

Finally, the Emperor, exasperated by the arguments, ordered the Minister of Justice, the Imperial Inspector, and the Embroidered Uniform Emissaries to jointly try the case.

The Minister of Justice was one of the Nine Ministers, solely responsible for criminal cases and serving as the central government's highest judicial body. The later Grand Court of Revision in Chinese history originated from the Minister of Justice, making it equivalent to a supreme court in later eras.

The Imperial Inspector, moreover, supervised all officials in the capital region and maintained law and order in the imperial city, akin to a combination of a later Ministry of Public Security, Public Procuratorate, and Disciplinary Inspection Commission.

The Embroidered Uniform Emissaries, on the other hand, were the imperial secret police, similar to the historically notorious Jinyiwei and Eastern and Western Depots.

The joint trial by these three departments indicated an unprecedented level of importance.

The Minister of Justice's office soon took custody of Cheng Gang. In stark contrast to the severe torture inflicted by the Embroidered Uniform Emissaries, their officials were amiable, not only arranging for Cheng Gang's injuries to be treated but also providing him with good food and drink.

This was because the Minister of Justice, Jiang Boyang, belonged to the Prince Qi Faction.

The Minister of Justice's office quickly overturned the Embroidered Uniform Emissaries' verdict, accusing them of using torture to extract a confession and exact personal revenge.

Zhu Xie Chixin naturally declared this a slander, while simultaneously accusing the opposing side of forming cliques for selfish gain and abusing their power due to their personal ties with Cheng Xiong.

The two factions in court once again erupted into a furious debate, and then it was the Imperial Inspector's turn to try the case.

When Cheng Gang was transferred from the Minister of Justice's custody to the Imperial Inspector's prison, it was like falling from heaven to hell.

During his days with the Minister of Justice, he received various miraculous elixirs and meticulous care, and the injuries from the Embroidered Uniform Emissaries' torture had almost healed. However, upon arriving at the Imperial Inspector's office, he was immediately subjected to another round of torture.

His freshly scabbed wounds reopened, and he cried out, begging for mercy.

Having endured the hellish days with the Embroidered Uniform Emissaries, he realized that clenching his teeth was pointless; he would eventually have to speak.

The only difference was whether he would talk after enduring unbearable pain or spare himself the physical suffering.

Thus, the Imperial Inspector quickly obtained his confession: he had indeed colluded with the assassins and had also acted under his father's instruction.

Members of the Prince Qi Faction were both shocked and furious. The Imperial Inspector had originally been one of their own, but unfortunately, he had been reassigned as the Minister of the Imperial Household some time ago because the imperial fugitive Zu'an was assassinated on the eve of entering the palace.

The newly appointed Imperial Inspector, Cao Xing, was the father of Cao Hou, the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, firmly placing him in the Crown Prince's faction. Seizing this opportunity, he naturally pressed the case with extreme prejudice.

However, many officials in the Imperial Inspector's office were still former subordinates of Murong Tong. Soon, someone reported that Cao Xing had also used torture to extract confessions during the investigation, leading to another uproar in court.

After listening to Zu'an explain the recent events, Yun Jianyue, with her hair cascading to her hips, walked to the window and gazed towards the Golden Throne Hall. A cold sneer played on her lips as she remarked, "These esteemed officials in court, full of talk of benevolence and morality, are in reality all driven by self-interest. Such fierce factional struggles will inevitably lead to disaster one day."

Zu'an replied, "With the invincible Emperor keeping them in check, what major disaster could these people's factional struggles possibly cause?"

Yun Jianyue said meaningfully, "But the Emperor will eventually die."

Zu'an's heart stirred. "Why are you so certain?" he asked.

Yun Jianyue replied, "There have always been rumors that the Emperor sustained severe injuries in an early battle with the Demon Emperor, which weakened his foundation and caused the Five Signs of Decay to appear prematurely. No one knew if it was true, but after my recent encounter with him, I can confirm he is indeed injured."

"But you were still almost instantly defeated in one move," Zu'an couldn't help but retort.

Rage points from Yun Jianyue +444+444+444...

Yun Jianyue glared at him irritably. Why was this fellow so annoying sometimes?

After a moment, she grumbled, "Given the Emperor's cultivation level, if he weren't injured, I wouldn't have been able to escape at all."

Zu'an was somewhat surprised. "You're a Grandmaster, yet you couldn't even escape? Is the gap really that vast?"

"Why is he called an Earth Immortal? To some extent, he's already half an immortal. We cultivators, at our peak, are still mortals. There's naturally a world of difference," Yun Jianyue said with a hint of helplessness, her eyes also filled with yearning for that realm.

After a while, she regained her composure and cast a meaningful glance at Zu'an. "Fortunately, your Phoenix Nirvana Sutra doesn't truly grant immortality. Otherwise, if the Emperor doesn't die, none of us will ever have a chance to rise."

Zu'an knew she was still probing him, so he answered directly, "You can rest assured, he cannot achieve immortality through my Phoenix Nirvana Sutra."

Of course, whether I can achieve it myself is another matter.

Upon receiving this confirmation, Yun Jianyue finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Zu'an then refocused. Whether the Emperor lived or died was not his immediate concern; the primary issue now was Cheng Gang's case. "By the way, although Cheng Gang and his father are considered guilty by the Embroidered Uniform Emissaries and the Imperial Inspector, the Minister of Justice firmly maintains their innocence. The two sides are at a stalemate. Although Cheng Xiong has been temporarily detained, there's still no definitive evidence to seal the verdict."

Honestly, the series of actions taken to counter Cheng Xiong had been remarkably well-executed, almost instantly transforming the lofty Left Guard General into a prisoner. However, the Prince Qi Faction's influence was considerable, and it was uncertain if a conviction would ultimately be secured.

A mysterious smile flickered across Yun Jianyue's face. "A definitive piece of evidence? That's simple enough."

Zu'an had been listening intently, and seeing her deliberately draw out the suspense, he couldn't help but grow anxious. "Sect Leader Sister, tell me quickly! Are you trying to kill me with suspense?"

Seeing his anxious expression, Yun Jianyue felt a little more at ease. She had taken too many setbacks while with him these past few days, leaving her thoughts unsettled.

"Have you forgotten about the captured members of the Holy Sect?" Yun Jianyue said. "The evidence has always been there; it just depends on whether you know how to use it."

Zu'an felt a flash of insight in his mind, as if he was just on the verge of grasping something but missed it by a hair's breadth. He could only ask Yun Jianyue, "Please enlighten me, Sect Leader Sister."

Yun Jianyue seemed quite satisfied with his attitude. She then said, "Find a way to contact them. As long as they admit their connection with Cheng Xiong, he will surely die."

Zu'an looked at Yun Jianyue with a complex expression. This woman was ruthless enough to betray her own people. Those captured sect members were doomed to die, yet even before their deaths, she wanted to maximize their utility.