An Imperial Guard hurried in from outside and quickly recounted the scene that had just unfolded in the Capital City.
"What did I tell you?"
Duke Wei said coldly, "The boy just arrived in the Capital City, and he’s already causing trouble."
Qin Shiyue said, "From the sound of it, you can’t really blame him for this."
"Mm, from the looks of it, it must have been Marquis Jingzhong’s men colluding with the Martial Artists from Mo Country. They wanted to kill him at the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground, but he killed them instead," Duke Wei nodded.
Qin Shiyue murmured, "He’s already been taken to the Capital City Government Office..."
Duke Wei said suddenly, "He’ll most likely be thrown in the dungeons."
Qin Shiyue turned her head to look at the Duke of Wei and said, "It seems I’ll have to trouble you to make a trip and get him out."
Hearing this, Duke Wei shook his head and said, "A storm is brewing. I cannot stray too far from Your Highness and give others an opportunity to strike."
"So be it."
Qin Shiyue said, "Have the Dragon Guard take my written order and bring that Lu Bai to the palace. The Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion is imminent; it’s best to prevent him from causing any more of a stir."
「Capital City Government Office.」
Inside the government office, Lu Bai had sensed something was wrong the moment he walked in.
Before anything had even been decided, the Prefect, Ling Bai, had already ordered a constable to bring a chair for Mo Yuanting to sit on.
Meanwhile, he and Luo Qing were left standing to the side, flanked by constables who stared at them with menacing, unfriendly expressions.
"I am already aware of the ins and outs of this matter."
Ling Bai spoke slowly, then suddenly slammed the gavel in his hand, letting out a sharp CRACK. He bellowed, "Murderer Lu Bai, do you plead guilty!"
Lu Bai’s expression was calm as he retorted, "I ask you, my lord, what crime have I committed?"
Ling Bai sneered. "Before your conflict with the Martial Artists from Mo Country, someone had already beaten the drum to report a crime. At the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground, you didn’t just kill a Snake Demon—you also killed three people. Did you really think you could get away with it!"
Luo Qing’s heart sank.
Lu Bai, however, remained unfazed. He said flatly, "I don’t understand what the Prefect means. It’s true that several people from Jingwu Academy died. Some were killed by a Pig Demon, and others by that Snake Demon. Many Martial Artists present witnessed this with their own eyes."
Luo Qing nodded. "That’s right. If you don’t believe us, my lord, you can summon the other academy Martial Artists who went to the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground and question them here."
Ling Bai’s gaze was sharp as he said coldly, "Still trying to argue? Then let me ask you, where is Jiang Tao, the dean of Jingwu Academy?"
"I don’t know."
Lu Bai shook his head. "Dean Jiang heard the Snake Demon’s commotion and left ahead of us. After I killed the Snake Demon, I was worried about Dean Jiang’s safety and went to look for him, but I couldn’t find any trace of him. Perhaps he was killed by that Snake Demon."
"Utter nonsense!"
Ling Bai shouted, "Jiang Tao was clearly killed by you! The two people with him also died at your hands! Someone witnessed this with their own eyes!"
Ling Bai’s gaze was like a sword, fixed on Lu Bai’s face, trying to find any crack in his composure.
Unfortunately for him, upon hearing these words, there wasn’t a hint of panic in Lu Bai’s eyes. In fact, he looked somewhat innocent, a little confused, and even wronged...
’When I killed Jiang Tao and the other two, I was certain no one was nearby to witness it, let alone escape my senses.’
’Unless that person’s Cultivation was far above my own, at the Nascent Soul Realm.’
’But if a Nascent Soul True Monarch had seen this, they would have just intervened and stopped me. Why would they watch me kill everyone, only to run to the Capital City and report it to the authorities?’
’That course of action would be too bizarre.’
’Besides, after killing the three of them, I even cleaned up.’
’I threw their bodies into a Demon Beast’s lair and only left after watching the beasts devour them.’
’Even if someone found their bones, they wouldn’t find any evidence or clues.’
The deaths of Jiang Tao and his two companions weren’t hard to guess.
With so many disciples from Jingwu Academy returning safely, what happened at the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground naturally couldn’t be kept secret.
And since Jiang Tao and his two companions didn’t return, they were most likely dead.
Since Lu Bai was capable of slaying the Snake Demon, if the three of them met with misfortune, Marquis Jingzhong would naturally suspect Lu Bai first.
"I don’t understand what you’re talking about, my lord."
Lu Bai shook his head. "Whoever witnessed this, why not have them come out and confront me?"
"Still not being honest, even in my government office? Torture him!"
Ling Bai waved his hand.
Lu Bai frowned.
’They’re clearly targeting me. This isn’t a normal investigation at all. The murder accusation is just a pretext.’
’With my temperament, how could I possibly endure such an injustice!’
’Am I going to have to fight my way out of this government office today?’
’Or should I take the Dust Silk from my Storage Pouch and summon Yu Daoxuan?’
Lu Bai’s face was expressionless, but killing intent began to swell in his heart.
"Lord Ling."
Just then, a refined voice came from outside. "This isn’t how you conduct an investigation, is it?"
The atmosphere in the grim, tense hall changed abruptly.
The group of government constables, who had already drawn their chains and were about to charge Lu Bai, seemed to feel an invisible pressure, an aura that rooted them to the spot, unable to move a muscle!
When Ling Bai heard the voice, his Heart and Spirit trembled. He subconsciously stood up and looked toward the entrance of the hall. Forcing a smile, he said, "Duke Jing, what brings you here?"
Everyone followed the sound of the voice with their eyes.
A middle-aged man was strolling in. He wore white official robes and had a handsome, scholarly face. Embroidered on his robes, however, was a ferocious, menacing tiger. This somewhat conflicting combination created a unique temperament about him.
The Mountain Monarch Envoy of the Evil Extermination Bureau, Duke of Jing, Ning Dao Yuan.
Lu Bai had spent time in the Evil Extermination Bureau, so of course he had heard of this figure.
Today, however, was the first time they had met.
This Duke of Jing truly had an extraordinary bearing, one that could captivate anyone who looked upon him.
Behind the Duke of Jing followed a familiar face.
Mo Tang.
Upon seeing Lu Bai, Mo Tang gave him a slight nod.
Lu Bai returned a grateful look.
From the looks of it, Mo Tang must have heard the news and specially requested Duke Jing’s presence.
"Duke Jing, please, take the seat of honor."
Ling Bai didn’t dare to be disrespectful. He hurried down from his high seat and gestured to the side, inviting him up.
"There’s no need."
Duke Jing’s expression was indifferent as he said softly, "I was just passing by and thought I’d drop in to see how our dynasty’s Capital Prefect passes judgment."
Ling Bai looked awkward, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Who would believe that he was "just passing by" and "dropping in"?
The Duke of Jing’s tone was as placid as still water, but his words carried a clear warning that left Ling Bai deeply unsettled.
Mo Tang walked over to Lu Bai’s side.
Lu Bai asked in a low voice, "My lady, did my situation really cause such a big commotion?"
"Ling Bai is one of Duke Zhong’s men."
Mo Tang whispered, "Unless my master had stepped in, I wouldn’t have been able to protect you even if I came myself."
The waters of the Capital City run as deep as the sea, with various factions and powers intertwined like the gnarled roots of a tree.
Lu Bai didn’t understand any of this.
But with that one reminder from Mo Tang, Lu Bai understood instantly.
Marquis Jingzhong was one of Duke Zhong’s men. Back then, the only reason the Marquis had managed to save his own skin was because Duke Zhong had led numerous officials in petitioning to protect him.
By taking down Marquis Jingzhong, Lu Bai had already offended his backer, Duke Zhong.
And since Ling Bai was one of Duke Zhong’s men, his earlier actions now made perfect sense.