Martial Cultivator

Han Pu submitted his report, and Li Heng walked over slowly, taking it and presenting it to the Great Liang Emperor.

The expressions of the court officials were complicated. Those who were unclear about what had happened that night lamented inwardly, while those who were aware of the incident were even more confused.

They had never imagined that things would develop this way. In their view, the truth of that night was unimportant, as long as that incident happened, His Majesty could smoothly take action to execute Chen Chao, eliminating future threats. For this reason, they had not exposed Chen Chao's identity to prevent the Emperor from bearing the infamy of killing a nephew.

But why had Han Pu ultimately uncovered the truth and disclosed it?

Many officials glared at Han Pu, feeling extreme loathing toward this Chief Judicial Officer.

The Dean also looked at Han Pu with a strange look in his eyes for some unknown reason.

“Marquis Huainan Song Ting, for reasons unknown, conspired to assassinate Deputy Commander Chen, even mobilizing many cultivators just to kill him that night. Fortunately, Deputy Commander Chen possessed extraordinary martial cultivation and fought his way out. It is likely that he learned afterward that this incident was orchestrated by Marquis Huainan and sought justice. However, Marquis Huainan, in his madness, refused to relent and ultimately fell to Deputy Commander Chen's saber.”

“This subject has investigated for a long time and arrived at this conclusion, the evidence is irrefutable.”

Han Pu's words implied that after the encirclement and killing, the truth was not for people to believe, but for everyone to know that the assassination was perpetrated by Marquis Huainan Song Ting. Thus, when Chen Chao killed again, it was reasonable and justified, even if somewhat extreme, and there would be no issues with it.

"How could this be possible?!" "Marquis Huainan has been in seclusion for many years and likely hasn't even met Chen Chao once, so how could he harbor murderous intent against him?!"

An official was outraged and unwilling to see the situation unfold this way, and could not help but speak up.

Han Pu frowned and replied, “Lord Wang, if that’s what you think, then Deputy Commander Chen has also never met Marquis Huainan, so why would he insist on killing him?”

"This..."

This Lord Wang's face turned unsightly, and he was rendered speechless.

By his own logic, if Marquis Huainan and Chen Chao were strangers, then why would the Marquis want to kill Chen Chao, and why would Chen Chao want to kill Marquis Huainan?

"Han Pu, you claim there is irrefutable evidence, where's the proof? Could it be that you received favors from Chen Chao and are now helping to absolve him of guilt?!"

Some officials, determined to solidify Chen Chao's guilt, had already lost their composure by this point.

“If Lord Han speaks of evidence, this marquis isn't sure, but this marquis can serve as a witness.”

Suddenly, a voice broke the silence at the banquet. The long-silent Marquis Zhongyong, Zhang Yu, stood up and spoke softly: “This marquis is guilty. This marquis was also involved in plotting the assassination of Deputy Commander Chen that night.”

Zhang Yu knelt on the ground and said calmly, “As the commander of the Patrol Camp, this marquis followed Song Ting's orders that night, blocking any path for Deputy Commander Chen to get help. This marquis has failed Your Majesty and has wronged Deputy Commander Chen.”

Hearing Zhang Yu speak, everyone fell silent. As the greatest contributor in the rebellion back then, Zhang Yu was not only one of His Majesty's closest officials but also the most respected among that group. With his testimony, the matter was almost certainly settled.

“Your Majesty, this subject, Yao Dao, Deputy Commander of the Right Guard, accuses Right Guard Commander Ye Dayuan of colluding with Marquis Huainan that night. Using the pretext of demons appearing in the Divine Capital, they drew away the Left Guard, leaving Deputy Commander Chen isolated and unsupported. This subject has letters as evidence of the collusion between Ye Dayuan and Marquis Huainan. Your Majesty, please investigate!”

Just as everyone was silent, Yao Dao suddenly stepped forward, directly exposing his superior, Ye Dayuan.

Ye Dayuan's face instantly turned pale. If he was still harboring any hope of escaping suspicion before, Yao Dao's accusation now pushed him to the edge of the cliff.

Ye Dayuan hurriedly knelt, his face ashen. “Your Majesty, this subject was coerced by Marquis Huainan!”

As Ye Dayuan spoke, nearly everyone understood that any attempt to use this incident to incriminate Chen Chao was now impossible.

At this point, Ye Dayuan shifting the blame onto Marquis Huainan was nothing more than a final act of desperation.

Li Heng took the letter from Yao Dao and handed it to His Majesty.

The Great Liang Emperor glanced at it briefly, showing no anger, merely smiling, “Truly, you're all Our loyal ministers.”

The court officials remained silent.

The Grand Historian's expression was rather ugly.

Only now, did he realize he had unwittingly fallen into a trap targeting Chen Chao. He felt some regret, though he was not worried about anything.

There was no collusion between himself and those people.

Many people were disappointed, and many realized belatedly that His Majesty had never intended to kill Chen Chao.

The Second Prince's expression shifted slightly, a fleeting, unreadable emotion flashing across his eyes, though he quickly concealed it so no one noticed.

"Since that’s the case, strip Song Ting of his title, and ban the Song Family's descendants from government service for ten years. Marquis Zhongyong, Zhang Yu, will be stripped of his title, relieved of his duties, and confined to his residence for one year. Ye Dayuan will be dismissed and sent to the prison of the Court of Judicial Review. As for the remaining individuals involved, Chief Judicial Officer Han Pu will handle their cases according to Great Liang's laws, without needing to consult Us further."

With a few words, the Great Liang Emperor settled this matter.

"Appoint Song Lian as Commander of the Right Guard, and Chen Chao as Commander of the Left Guard."

The Emperor's following decrees left everyone in shock.

Those officials who had earlier spoken against Chen Chao now felt utterly humiliated, all their efforts to ruin him had turned into a farce at this moment.

What unsettled them even more was the realization that they had entirely misjudged His Majesty's intentions from the start.

The Second Prince's gaze sharpened.

The hall fell into complete silence.

No one had expected that Chen Chao would not only emerge unscathed but would actually take another step forward.

After becoming the Commander of the Left Guard, the only position ahead of Chen Chao was that vacant seat.

It seemed that the position of Lord Warden Commander in the Great Liang Dynasty was practically within reach for this young military official, it was only a matter of time before he claimed it.

The Third Prince looked pleased.

The First Prince's expression became somewhat complicated.

Song Lian who could finally speak, stepped forward and joined Chen Chao in expressing their gratitude.

His Majesty's arrangements were nothing short of ingenious: Song Lian's prestige in the warden faction would firmly stabilize him at the Right Guard's office, while Chen Chao at the Left Guard's office, along with their close relationship, would mean far fewer obstacles for Chen Chao in any future endeavors within the Divine Capital.

“Now that everything has been clarified, dear ministers, please take your seats.”

The Great Liang Emperor waved his hand, indicating he had no intention of addressing the remaining officials any further.

The officials rose and returned to their seats.

The big shots who had remained silent throughout continued to hold their tongues.

"Your Majesty, this subject has a report to present."

After the officials had seated themselves, a voice broke the silence again.

Hearing this, the officials paused and looked toward the speaker, realizing it was an official from the Heavenly Imperial Institution.

Many of the influential figures who had stayed quiet now turned their heads in that direction, understanding that the real storm had finally arrived at this very moment.

Compared to what was about to unfold, the events leading up to this moment were truly not worth mentioning.

In fact, ever since the start of this banquet, many had been waiting for this very moment.

This storm had been brewing ever since Chen Chao returned to the Divine Capital, with rumors swirling throughout the capital; a prelude that had now built up to the grand opening of this crisis.

The official from the Heavenly Imperial Institution stepped forward, knelt down, and calmly declared, "This subject, Liu Tong, accuses Chen Chao, Commander of the Left Guard, of plotting treason."

The Great Liang Emperor remained expressionless upon hearing this.

The hall erupted into an uproar.

Compared to the charge of murder, the accusation of treason was far graver.

If it were simply murder, His Majesty could choose to overlook it. But if the charge of treason were proven, then no one could save Chen Chao.

For treason is synonymous with three other words:

Usurping the throne.

Throughout history, how many emperors could turn a blind eye to such a matter?

"Your Majesty, as far as this subject knows, Chen Chao is the younger brother of the deposed emperor of the former dynasty, and is of imperial bloodline! He entered the court to serve as an official to overthrow the realm right from the start!"

These words were even more earth-shattering!