Chapter 504 505: Ironclad Evidence, Citywide Manhunt!
Chapter 505: Ironclad Evidence, Citywide Sweep!
Afterward, Lü Yang engaged in a lengthy discussion with Empress Xiao, exchanging insights on cultivation.
Given their current collusion, deepening mutual understanding through such exchanges was necessary, so Empress Xiao did not refuse.
Both parties benefited greatly, leaving host and guest thoroughly satisfied.
Only after half an hour did Lü Yang finally depart the Four Treasuries Dao Repository. Under Eunuch An's guidance, he left the palace, with Empress Xiao watching his retreating figure.
"Your Majesty..."
A palace maid approached softly: "This dragon is extraordinary and not easy to deal with. Your Majesty's actions... might risk nurturing a tiger that will turn on its master."
Empress Xiao glanced at the maid—a loyal servant brought from her maiden home—and thus paid no mind to the slightly impertinent remark. She replied indifferently, "No need to worry. Although His Majesty left in haste without leaving any instructions, he did not depart without leaving behind some safeguards."
With that, she spread open her palm.
Upon her warm, jade-like fair skin floated a radiant glow, filling the surroundings with a profound sandalwood fragrance.
[Seven Luminaries Heaven]!
"Before His Majesty departed, he left this in the inner palace. With it, the incense deities of the Imperial City Bureau pose no threat—their cultivation lies entirely at my whim."
"So Du Huan is of no concern."
As she spoke, a glint of desire surfaced in Empress Xiao's eyes: 'Given time, if I can seize this opportunity to perfect this embryonic Fruit Position...'
Perhaps she might even glimpse the realm of a True Lord!
For this reason, Empress Xiao secretly wished for the Imperial City Bureau's influence to grow ever larger. The greater its reach, the more incense offerings it would gather, and the more complete [Seven Luminaries Heaven] would become.
Once she attained the status of a True Lord, Empress Xiao cared little for the Dao Court's authority. If Du Huan wanted it, if Crown Prince Longxing desired it—they could have it.
'If only it were already complete.'
Empress Xiao sighed inwardly. If only this were a perfected External Dao Fruition rather than an embryonic Fruit Position—it would save her so much effort.
After leaving Tianwu Hall, Lü Yang immediately returned to the Imperial City Bureau's headquarters and descended to the underground interrogation chamber.
Both Chen Yuanli, the Vice Commander of the All-Heaven Department who had attempted to assassinate Emperor Jiayou, and Ning Haohe, the Commander of the All-Heaven Department whom Lü Yang had captured outright as a rebel, were imprisoned here—covered in wounds, clearly having endured countless rounds of torture, now barely clinging to life.
"My lord!"
The moment Lü Yang entered the chamber, the resting Imperial City Bureau cultivators sprang to their feet, bowing solemnly.
"How goes the interrogation?"
Lü Yang pulled up a chair and sat before Chen Yuanli and Ning Haohe. "Have they recalled how they assassinated Emperor Jiayou and who their accomplices were?"
"They... their lips are sealed tight."
Several Imperial City Bureau cultivators hung their heads in shame. "Especially Ning Haohe—he refuses to admit guilt no matter what. We beg your punishment!"
With that, they prostrated themselves, voluntarily seeking reprimand. Having received so much from Lü Yang, they would feel guilty if he didn't scold or strike them—almost embarrassed by their own rewards.
Yet Lü Yang merely shook his head.
"Punishment? If they refuse to remember or admit their crimes, that's their problem. You've worked hard—go rest."
He then produced a stack of thick red envelopes.
"You've been interrogating prisoners for a long time without cultivation. Consider this compensation—take it, everyone gets a share."
At that moment, one thought dominated their minds: Lü Yang's kindness was truly boundless!
After dismissing the cultivators, Lü Yang turned to the barely breathing Chen Yuanli and Ning Haohe. The latter cracked open his eyes:
"Traitor... villain..."
"Keep cursing."
Lü Yang smiled faintly, utterly unperturbed. "Last words are the only comfort left to the defeated... Besides, you won't get another chance."
With that, he seized Ning Haohe's head.
[Puppet on Strings]!
As a third-rank official, Ning Haohe was far from Foundation Establishment Perfection. [Puppet on Strings] took hold effortlessly, erasing all traces of hatred from his face.
"You write what I say."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Soon, a confession—personally written by "assassin" Chen Yuanli and his "accomplice" Ning Haohe, complete with Divine Sense imprints—was produced.
It implicated numerous high-ranking Dao Court officials in collusion with the Jiangbei Demon Sect, including the Five Armies Commander of the Capital Garrison and various officials occupying key positions. Lü Yang spared none except the highest-ranking Shaobao, Shaofu, and Shaoshi—names he deliberately omitted.
The contents were absolutely genuine, able to withstand any scrutiny.
Exiting the interrogation chamber, Lü Yang handed the confession to Xiao Shan, who waited outside, and said coolly, "Make copies and deliver them to the residences of Shaobao and the others."
"Now, mobilize everyone. Arrest all names on the list."
"Move out!"
Chaos swiftly engulfed Tianwu City.
Under Lü Yang's orders, the Imperial City Bureau—fresh from absorbing the All-Heaven Department and brimming with unprecedented morale—poured into the streets, sweeping through the entire city.
Initially, many officials failed to grasp the situation, some even believing the Imperial City Bureau had rebelled—that the inherently wicked demonic cultivators were staging a coup. They stepped forward to reprimand the intruders, only to be mercilessly beaten by Imperial City Bureau cultivators wielding court rods.
A single strike left officials grimacing in pain.
Eager to prove their loyalty to Lü Yang, the Imperial City Bureau cultivators grew furious: Damn it, you dare bare your teeth? This is no ordinary official!
Heavy measures are required!
The first strike silenced pleas for mercy, the second broke legs to prevent escape, and the third smashed heads—all to ensure Lü Yang witnessed their diligence!
"Ah! Murder!"
"Stop! I support the Imperial City Bureau—we're on the same side!"
Such cries soon echoed throughout Tianwu City.
Yet the officials were not entirely defenseless. Before long, a second-rank official could no longer restrain himself and boldly invoked his Official Position:
[Minister of Military Affairs of the Capital]!
"Outrageous! Demon cultivators rebel—"
"BOOM!"
Before he could finish, an even mightier roar drowned out his voice. Countless officials instinctively looked skyward.
There, they saw only one figure.
Lü Yang stood motionless as a statue, hand seals formed, torrents of fire surging from his sleeves to blanket the heavens.
Amid the fiery deluge, countless banners unfurled, manifesting scenes of clashing blades and neighing steeds—a veritable battlefield of carnage and bloodstained rivers—casting a terrifying shadow of destruction that crashed down upon the city!
[Beacon Fire and Sun Scripture]!
Empowered by the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes], Lü Yang had swiftly mastered this Daoist technique. Concealed in the skies, gathering strength in secret, he had waited precisely for such a moment to strike.
Now, he held nothing back.
The city trembled—countless gazes, filled with terror, fury, or awe, turned toward the cascading flames.
"CRACK!"
Like a silver vase shattering, like armored cavalry charging forth!
In the next instant, the [Minister of Military Affairs of the Capital] and his entire estate were engulfed in flames, leaving behind only a charred crater.
Having accomplished this, Lü Yang descended gracefully:
"Assassin Chen Yuanli and accomplice Ning Haohe have confessed—the evidence is irrefutable. By order of the Crown Prince and Empress, the Imperial City Bureau arrests all implicated officials."
"Faced with ironclad proof, the Minister of Military Affairs dared obstruct us—undoubtedly, the traitor has revealed himself!"
With that, Lü Yang reached into the crater and hauled out the barely alive Minister of Military Affairs—a deliberate act of restraint.
[Puppet on Strings]!
After covertly seizing control, Lü Yang said coolly, "Take him back for thorough interrogation. Make him disclose every last accomplice!"