Chapter 506
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 506
Chapter Title: Ironclad Evidence, Great Search of the Entire City!
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Afterward, Lu Yang chatted freely with Empress Xiao, engaging in a profound discussion of the Dao.
After all, the two were currently in cahoots, and such exchanges were necessary to deepen their mutual understanding. Thus, Empress Xiao did not refuse.
Both sides gained much from it, parting in high spirits.
It was not until half a shichen later that Lu Yang left the Four Libraries Dao Repository. Under Eunuch An's guidance, he departed the palace, while Empress Xiao watched his retreating figure.
"Your Majesty."
A palace maid stepped forward softly.
"This true dragon is no ordinary foe—far from easy to handle. Your Majesty's actions here... might invite the danger of raising a tiger that could turn on you."
Empress Xiao glanced at the maid upon hearing this. The girl was from her natal family and had always been loyal, so she paid no mind to the slightly impertinent words. She replied indifferently,
"No need for concern. Although His Majesty left in haste without a single word, he did not depart entirely without contingencies."
With that, she unfurled her palm.
There, on her fair, warm-jade-like hand, a dazzling gleam hovered, drawing forth wisps of deep sandalwood incense from the surrounding air.
【Seven Luminaries Heaven】!
"Before His Majesty departed, he left this in the rear palace. With it, the Imperial City Division's incense-fire gods pose no threat— their cultivation lies wholly within my thoughts.
"Thus, Du Huan is no cause for worry."
At this, a flicker of longing appeared in Empress Xiao's eyes. 'Given time, if I can seize this opportunity to perfect this embryonic authority...'
She might even aspire to True Lord status!
To that end, Empress Xiao actually hoped the Imperial City Division's influence would grow as vast as possible. The greater the Division, the more incense and fire, the more perfect the 【Seven Luminaries Heaven】.
And once she achieved True Lord, she cared not a whit for the Dao Court's positions. If Du Huan wanted them, if Crown Prince Longxing wanted them, she would yield them freely.
'If only it were fully perfected.'
Sighing inwardly at the thought, Empress Xiao reflected that if it were not merely an embryonic authority but a complete outer-Dao fruit, it would save her much effort.
After leaving Tianwu Hall, Lu Yang headed straight back to the Imperial City Division's yamen. He descended layer by layer to the underground interrogation chamber.
Both Chen Yuanli, the Deputy Commander of the Capital Heaven Department responsible for assassinating Emperor Jiayou, and Ning Haohé, the Commander whom Lu Yang had directly branded a rebel traitor, were imprisoned here. Covered in wounds, they had clearly been tortured countless times and now teetered on the brink of death, gasping out their last breaths.
"My lord!"
As Lu Yang entered the interrogation chamber, the resting Imperial City Division cultivators rose at once, saluting him solemnly.
"How fares the situation?"
Lu Yang pulled up a chair and sat before Chen Yuanli and Ning Haohé.
"Have they recalled how they assassinated Emperor Jiayou? Named their accomplices?"
"These bastards have ironclad mouths."
The Imperial City Division cultivators bowed their heads in shame.
"Especially that Ning Haohé—he refuses to admit his crimes to the death. Please punish us, my lord!"
With that, they knelt to the ground, proactively begging forgiveness. After all, they had received no small benefits from Lu Yang thus far. Honestly, with such treatment, if he did not berate or beat them, they would feel guilty, as if they had taken advantage.
Yet the next moment, Lu Yang shook his head.
"Punish you for what? If they cannot recall or admit their crimes, that's their failing. You've worked hard—go rest properly."
As he spoke, Lu Yang produced a thick stack of lavish red envelopes.
"You've been interrogating prisoners here for so long without time for cultivation. Take these as subsidies. Everyone gets a share."
In that instant, a single thought filled their hearts: Lord Du Huan's kindness can never be repaid!
After dismissing the Imperial City Division cultivators, Lu Yang turned to the barely breathing Chen Yuanli and Ning Haohé. The latter now opened his eyes.
"Traitor... vile scum."
"Keep cursing."
Lu Yang smiled faintly, utterly unperturbed.
"Cursing at death's door is the loser's last consolation—especially since you'll have no chance afterward."
With that, he gripped Ning Haohé's head.
【String Puppet】!
A third-rank official like Ning Haohé was no peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. The 【String Puppet】 took hold smoothly, instantly erasing all hatred from his face.
"You speak, I'll write."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Soon, a confession penned personally by "assassin" Chen Yuanli and his "accomplice" Ning Haohé, complete with their divine sense imprints, was ready.
It implicated numerous high Dao Court officials in ties to the Jiangbei Demon Sect—including the Five Armies Commanders of the Capital Garrison and officials occupying key Dao Court posts. Save for the topmost Junior Guardian, Junior Tutor, and Junior Preceptor, whom Lu Yang spared implicating, he pulled no punches with the rest.
The contents were utterly authentic, able to withstand any scrutiny.
Exiting the interrogation chamber, Lu Yang handed the confession to the waiting Xiao Shan, then said coolly,
"Copy it and deliver to the Junior Guardian and others' mansions.
"Now, muster everyone. Arrest per the names on the confession list.
"Move out!"
Before long, Tianwu City descended into chaos.
At Lu Yang's command, the Imperial City Division—fresh from absorbing the Capital Heaven Department, at unprecedented scale and morale—poured forth en masse, sweeping the entire city.
At first, many officials did not grasp what was happening. Some even assumed the Imperial City Division had rebelled—that these innately wicked demon cultivators meant to revolt—and stepped forward to berate them. The outcome was predictable: without exception, they were mobbed and beaten by the staff-wielding Imperial City Division cultivators.
One strike, and the officials howled in agony, teeth gritted.
The Imperial City Division cultivators, eager to prove their loyalty to Lu Yang, flew into a rage at the sight: Damn it, you dare grit your teeth? This is no mere official!
Heavy blows were called for!
First strike to the mouth to silence pleas, second to the legs to prevent flight, third to the head—purely so Lord Du Huan could witness their tireless efforts!
"Ah! Murder!"
"Stop, stop—I'm a supporter of the Imperial City Division! One of your own!"
Such cries echoed across Tianwu City.
Yet the officials were not entirely helpless. Soon, a second-rank official could bear it no longer and brazenly invoked his authority:
【Capital Heaven Minister of Military Affairs】!
"Insolence! Demon cultivators rebelling—"
Boom!
Before he finished, a far grander roar drowned him out. In that moment, countless officials instinctively looked to the heavens.
All they saw was one man.
Lu Yang stood motionless like a statue, fingers forming a seal. Torrents of flowing fire surged from his sleeves, instantly blanketing the sky.
Amid the sky-filling blaze, banners unfurled in droves, manifesting legions of soldiers, the whinnying of warhorses—a vision of a blood-soaked asura battlefield, projecting deep shadows from above with an aura of terrifying destruction. It crashed down outright!
【Beacon Fire Suiyang Scripture】!
Empowered by 【Immortal Kingdom Dao Law】, Lu Yang had swiftly mastered this Dao art, lying in wait aloft, building power in secret for just such a bird to fly out.
Now, he unleashed it without mercy, at full force!
The city trembled, inner and outer wards alike. Countless gazes—fearful, furious, awestruck—turned to the cascading firestreams.
Bang!
The silver flask shatters, spilling its slurry; iron cavalry bursts forth amid ringing blades!
In the next instant, the 【Capital Heaven Minister of Military Affairs】—and his entire mansion—were engulfed in the blaze. Nothing remained but a charred crater.
Having done this, Lu Yang descended gracefully.
"Assassin Chen Yuanli and accomplice Ning Haohé have confessed. Evidence is ironclad. By Crown Prince's order, by Empress's order, the Imperial City Division arrests all implicated officials.
"With ironclad evidence before us, the Capital Heaven Minister of Military Affairs dares obstruct? Unquestionably, a treacherous minister has revealed himself!"
With that, Lu Yang reached out and plucked the half-dead Capital Heaven Minister of Military Affairs from the crater—this despite his deliberate mercy.
【String Puppet】!
After manipulating him in secret, Lu Yang said coolly,
"Escort this man back for thorough interrogation. Make him name every last accomplice!"