“Your Majesty, we two humble officials have a matter to report!”
As soon as these words fell, the atmosphere in the Pilgrimage Hall suddenly froze and became unusually quiet.
Behind the six Department Masters, two white-haired elders slowly stepped out, stood in the middle of the aisle, and bowed to the Empress Xia Mingyue above.
Their appearance immediately drew the attention of the entire court.
These two were precisely the Department Master of the Inspection Department, Sun Cheng, and the Vice Department Master, Luo Gongli, who wielded the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty’s inspection authority—a status by no means trivial.
And the Empress Xia Mingyue on the imperial throne merely swept her gaze over the two of them indifferently before uttering a single word, brief yet supremely majestic.
“Speak!”
Sun Cheng bowed slightly, but did not immediately speak. Instead, he glanced at Luo Gongli beside him out of the corner of his eye.
That look carried a trace of urging and hinting.
The naked meaning was clearly signaling Luo Gongli to hurry up and report.
Luo Gongli’s old face twitched slightly, and he cursed Sun Cheng inwardly.
This old fox, even at this point, still pretending to be cautious!
It’s just that fellow Lu Xuan, isn’t it? Our Luo family really doesn’t take him seriously!
The reason the two of them had stepped forward today was precisely for that homicide case from over half a year ago—the case of the Anzhou Inspection Envoy Luo Jin’s unnatural death.
Luo Jin was a member of the Luo family, and moreover an important figure in the Inspection Department. His death was undoubtedly a slap in the Luo family’s face.
Half a year ago, the Mirror Bureau had used mirror-light technique to extract images of Lu Xuan committing the murder from the brains of several captured Luo family servants.
However, at that time, Lu Xuan had suddenly gained the favor of the Empress Xia Mingyue and leaped to become the Vice Department Master of the Dark Bird Guard, his status prominent.
This Lu Xuan had not only become the Vice Department Master of the Dark Bird Guard, but also possessed the strength of a Divine Mansion realm great-achievement primordial spirit true person. His strength was far beyond what the two of them could match.
Facing such a powerful Lu Xuan, Sun Cheng and Luo Gongli had no choice but to suppress their inner fury, reweigh the pros and cons, and choose to shelve the case.
After all, Luo Jin was from the Inspection Department, and the two of them, as the Department Master and Vice Department Master of the Inspection Department, could suppress this case with ease.
Because in their eyes, for the sake of a Luo Jin, they would not go to war with a fellow like Lu Xuan.
But now it was different!
Several ancestral elders of the Luo family had suddenly come out of seclusion and sought out Luo Gongli, telling him to cast aside all concerns and dig up everything about Lu Xuan.
This meant.
The Luo family was going all out against Lu Xuan!
And this was far from all. Luo Gongli had also learned from those ancestral elders.
The Wu family, the Jiang family, the Tang family, and among the five transcendent forces, the Xuanyin Immortal Palace and the Extreme Flame Holy Sect, all planned to make a move against this Lu Xuan.
Luo Gongli thought of having the support of several ancestral elders and the various great forces, and naturally felt full of confidence, with no more concerns.
“Your Majesty!”
Luo Gongli straightened his back, his voice loud and clear, and continued, “Do you still remember that homicide case from over half a year ago?”
“The Anzhou Inspection Envoy Luo Jin once died miserably at the hands of villains!”
“You once instructed us two humble officials to spare no effort in tracking down the murderer.”
“Now, the Mirror Bureau has evolved the true face of the mastermind from the memories of several fleeing Luo family servants!”
Luo Gongli’s words were like a heavy hammer, striking upon the court, causing the civil and military officials to turn their heads.
Luo Gongli’s gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Lin Youya, his tone carrying a hint of deeper meaning: “Department Master Lin!”
“This official remembers that the true face of the mastermind seems to be precisely…”
“The current Vice Department Master of the Dark Bird Guard.”
“Lu Xuan!”
At this moment, Luo Gongli’s voice echoed within the Pilgrimage Hall, his tone carrying an aggressive momentum.
His gaze was fixed directly on the civil officials’ ranks, at a position very far forward, where stood the Mirror Bureau Department Master, Lin Youya.
The corners of Luo Gongli’s mouth curved slightly upward, revealing a smug smile, as if victory was already in hand.
The reason he mentioned the Mirror Bureau Department Master Lin Youya was naturally to drag this old fellow into the water as well.
This old fellow Lin Youya, his strength was also unfathomable.
If he could be made to also take action against that Lu Xuan, that would naturally be for the best.
At this time, the court was already in an uproar.
The civil and military officials looked at each other, many revealing expressions of shock.
And the three at the very front—Left Chancellor Chang Mingsheng and Right Chancellor Bi Zhengzhi—looked composed, as if they had not taken it seriously at all.
Only Duke Pillar of State Fu Shengyuan had a flash of sharp light in his eyes, his hands hidden under his long sleeves tensed, his five fingers slowly clenching.
Very good!
Excellent!
Lu Xuan’s name was now thunderous within the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty.
He was not only the Vice Department Master of the Dark Bird Guard, but also the confidant personally promoted by the Empress Xia Mingyue, with profound strength, and his martial arts aptitude was simply peerlessly monstrous!
If he really was the murderer of Luo Jin, then things would become very interesting.
In an instant!
The Pilgrimage Hall fell into a deathly silence.
And Luo Gongli, who had just finished speaking, raised his head slightly, his gaze fixed directly on the Empress Xia Mingyue, his tone carrying a hint of coercion.
“Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. Please investigate thoroughly!”
“If that Lu Xuan truly is the murderer, then please handle it impartially and give Luo Jin justice!”
The atmosphere in the Pilgrimage Hall grew increasingly tense.
Within the Pilgrimage Hall, everyone’s gaze was focused on the Empress Xia Mingyue, awaiting her response.
However, the Empress did not immediately respond to Luo Gongli’s accusation. Instead, she placed her gaze on the Mirror Bureau Department Master, Lin Youya.
“Minister Lin, do you have any objection to what Minister Luo has said?”
As the Empress asked, the gazes of the civil and military officials quietly turned toward the forward position in the civil officials’ ranks.
There, an elder in a purple official robe slowly stepped out from the civil officials’ ranks.
The elder had silver hair like snow, was hale and hearty, with a transcendent bearing, like a hidden sage.
If one did not know his identity, no one could connect him with the highly positioned Mirror Bureau Department Master.
Lin Youya looked composed, walking steadily to the center of the hall, bowing respectfully to the Empress Xia Mingyue, his voice extremely steady and powerful.
“Replying to Your Majesty, the memories of those Luo family servants are all with this old official.”
“Please examine them, Your Majesty!”
With that said, Lin Youya showed not the slightest hesitation.
He lightly flicked his sleeve, and a brilliant white light like the Milky Way flew out from his purple long sleeve.
The dazzling white radiance instantly cut through the void, transforming into a crystal-clear illusory image suspended in midair within the Pilgrimage Hall.
In that image was precisely the scene extracted from the Luo family servants’ memories.
Lu Xuan’s figure was clearly visible, a black great saber hanging at his waist, standing before those Luo family servants, his expression cold, his gaze like a blade.
This scene instantly made the atmosphere in the court even more solemn.
What!
This old fellow Lin Youya, what is he going crazy about!
He actually really released it!
Now this is going to blow up!
The atmosphere in the Pilgrimage Hall, with the appearance of that image suspended in midair, became subtle and tense.
Although the civil and military officials did not dare to speak openly, they each harbored their own thoughts.
In the entire Great Xia Imperial Dynasty today, who did not know of the Empress Xia Mingyue’s regard for Lu Xuan?
For this young man, the Empress had even broken multiple conventions.
She had not only promoted him to Vice Department Master of the Dark Bird Guard, but also granted him immense power.
This extraordinary favor naturally sparked speculation and discussion among many in the court.
Some people were secretly speculating.
Although this Lu Xuan was young, he had a remarkably handsome appearance and outstanding bearing, in no way inferior to the sons of any great clan.
Combined with his extraordinary talent and surpassing strength, it was hard not to associate certain ambiguous things.
Could the Empress have taken a fancy to this Lu Xuan!
The wicked era of judging by looks!
Truly damnable!
This Lu Xuan!
Unfair!
Do us ugly fellows have no chance of rising at all!
Some court officials anxious about their own appearance frantically complained inwardly.
And expressed that they had been hurt by this Lu Xuan!
Hurt mentally!
Of course, these rumors did not circulate openly, but were buried deep in the heart of every old fox.
At this moment, Luo Gongli’s accusation and Lin Youya’s response had undoubtedly pushed Lu Xuan to the forefront of the storm.
And the Empress Xia Mingyue’s attitude was even more unfathomable.
A smug smile appeared on Luo Gongli’s face, as if he had already seen Lu Xuan convicted.
This old fellow Lin Youya’s mirror-light technique had already been cultivated to the peak of the third layer.
Tracing Back to the Source!
The mirror-light technique was divided into four levels: Bright Mirror on High, Viewing Flowers in the Mirror, Tracing Back to the Source, and Broken Mirror Reunited!
And it was not that Lin Youya could not cultivate Broken Mirror Reunited, but that it required a higher realm to truly understand the essential power of the mirror-light technique.
The fourth layer, Broken Mirror Reunited, could only be performed with the heaven-and-earth law power of a Cave Void True Lord.
Broken Mirror Reunited did not even need any medium—it directly evolved time-space images out of thin air, recondensing elapsed time.
Of course, that was only a matter of an instant, and would not linger for long.
However, after the image above disappeared, Lin Youya did not stop there.
He raised his head slightly, his gaze calmly looking at the Empress, and continued: “Your Majesty, although this image is clear, this old official believes there is still something suspicious about this matter.”
“Although the Luo family servants’ memories were extracted, matters of memory may not be entirely trustworthy.”
“Please investigate thoroughly, Your Majesty, and do not jump to conclusions.”
“Sometimes, seeing is not necessarily believing!”
The atmosphere in the Pilgrimage Hall once again became strange.
As soon as Lin Youya’s words fell, the faces of Sun Cheng and Luo Gongli, standing to the side, changed drastically.
Luo Gongli finally caught the implied meaning in Lin Youya’s words, and a surge of unease and anger welled up in his heart.
He could no longer hold back. He fiercely stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Lin Youya, and even disregarding court etiquette, pointed at Lin Youya and cursed.
“Outrageous!”
“Lin Youya, you old fellow, what nonsense are you spouting!”
“Your Majesty, the evidence is now conclusive. Please immediately issue the decree to arrest that murderer Lu Xuan and bring him to justice!”
“This humble official…”
Pfft!
However, before he could finish his words.
A cold, piercing voice suddenly rang out, interrupting his speech.
“Hmph!”
“Insolent!”
It was the Plum Blossom Guard Department Master, Man Qingqiu, standing beside the imperial throne, her pretty face like frost, cold light flickering in her eyes.
She gave a heavy cold snort. The next moment, she raised her hand and waved.
In the void before Luo Gongli, ripples instantly appeared.
Immediately after, Luo Gongli’s spirit seemed to suffer an impact, and he staggered back several steps.
Man Qingqiu’s voice was cold as ice, carrying unquestionable majesty.
“How dare you be so rude in court!”
“Luo Gongli, you have lost decorum before the hall and shown no respect for your superiors. What punishment do you deserve!”
At this moment, Luo Gongli’s face was pale, cold sweat seeping on his forehead. He had clearly been overawed by Man Qingqiu’s aura.
He opened his mouth, but did not dare make another sound.
The Empress Xia Mingyue sat upright upon the imperial throne, her expression still calm, as if she had foreseen all of this.
She slightly raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Luo Gongli, her voice clear and majestic: “Minister Luo, for losing decorum before the hall, you are fined three months’ salary as a warning to others.”
Although the Empress Xia Mingyue’s tone was calm, it carried unquestionable pressure.
Upon hearing this, Luo Gongli could only bow and retreat. Even if he was unwilling in his heart, he did not dare say more.
Lin Youya looked calm, as if the one Luo Gongli had just cursed was not him at all.
“Your Majesty, within the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty’s billions of miles of territory, capable and extraordinary people emerge endlessly!”
“Among them are not lacking those powerful ones who can manipulate the strange and bizarre of heaven and earth, and subdue exotic beasts.”
“Therefore, methods for altering appearance and disguise are countless.”
“Perhaps some madmen with ill intentions deliberately borrowed Department Master Lu’s appearance to frame him, thereby disrupting the court and sowing discord between ruler and subject.”
As Lin Youya’s words fell, the court immediately fell into dead silence.
Even the Left Chancellor Chang Mingsheng and Right Chancellor Bi Zhengzhi, who had remained silent all along, could not help but feel ripples in their hearts at this moment.
The two looked strange, their gazes carrying a hint of surprise and deep thought.
As if truly recognizing for the first time this Mirror Bureau Department Master who was usually extremely low-key.
The gazes of the civil and military officials also fell squarely on Lin Youya, their eyes full of inquiry.
This elder who usually showed neither mountain nor dew actually possessed such deep scheming.
Sure enough, among those who could make it in the court, not one was a simple lamp.
Good, good, good!
You’ve said everything there is to say!
Isn’t this just being shameless?
According to what Lin Youya said, then what use are you people of the Mirror Bureau? You might as well disband on the spot.
If every murderer said someone else disguised themselves as him, then what the hell would there be to judge!
However, before the crowd could react.
A purple graceful figure had already slowly stepped out from the void, her posture graceful, her bearing transcendent, like a fairy of the nine heavens descending to the mortal world.
The newcomer was precisely the Dark Bird Guard Department Master, Zi Yao.
Zi Yao landed in the center of the hall and bowed slightly: “Your Majesty, since this concerns the Dark Bird Guard, then let this humble official handle it.”
When the Empress Xia Mingyue saw Zi Yao, the corners of her lips lifted lightly, revealing a faint smile.
“That is excellent!”
“Then let Minister Zi be in charge.”
“I am tired!”
“All of you, withdraw!”
The Empress slowly rose, walking calmly toward the stairs of the rear hall, her figure gradually disappearing from everyone’s sight.
Below, Luo Gongli and Sun Cheng, seeing this, their faces instantly turned the color of pig liver, their hearts extremely stifled.
But the two of them did not dare show the slightest disobedience. They could only bow together with the other civil and military officials, crying out in unison.
“We humble officials, respectfully see Your Majesty off!”
