Chapter 22: Reaction
"Scoundrels!"
Atop the Golden Throne Hall, the Son of Heaven hurled his cup, his imperial countenance filled with great fury.
Murdering an official, and one who had died was a Prefectural Governor overseeing more than a hundred counties, towns, and villages, directly affecting millions of commoners. In the annals of Great Zhou's Imperial Dynasty that stretched over a thousand years, this could be counted as a major case.
Such an incident had not occurred for who knows how many years, and if not handled properly, it would not be long before villains followed suit, or even rose in rebellion, further shaking the foundation of Great Zhou. By then, countless lives would be lost.
If it really came to that, he would have to issue an imperial edict admitting his faults, which would be nailed to the pillar of shame of the royal family for future generations to witness.
"Your Majesty, please quell your anger, and take good care of the dragon body."
"Such great evil must be swiftly captured and the uprising suppressed to avoid involving more common people."
"This humble official suggests: Luofeng City should be put under lockdown from all sides, troops dispatched from the county city, funds allocated from the Mansion's Treasury to guide the scattered populace back to their original places, and provide partial compensation for consolation. The priority should be to appease the people's hearts in order to prevent the chaotic situation from expanding, and to prevent the culprits from seizing the opportunity to incite the refugees into causing trouble."
Many ministers spoke out with their advice, orderly and without chaos, placing all methods before the Son of Heaven.
The Son of Heaven soon regained his composure, and after a moment of contemplation, gave his orders:
"Send five hundred Vermilion Bird Guards to Luofeng City, with the Chief Commander leading the team. Within one month... no, within half a month, the whole affair must be clarified, the ringleader arrested and brought to the Imperial Capital. Anyone who obstructs the investigation shall be punished as an accomplice!"
"Your Majesty is wise."
After the Son of Heaven spoke, regardless of what suggestions the ministers had previously made, no one spoke further, and all praised the imperial decision as exceptional.
"Additionally, summon the King of Guangyun to the capital, command him to come quickly!"
......
......
In Wuyang County, Guangyun Royal Mansion, the study.
Within the room, only the father and son of the Guangyun King were present. Zhao Yunheng, wearing a python robe, sat behind the desk, his brow slightly furrowed, fingers tapping lightly on the table, muttering to himself:
"Song Tonghai is no ordinary person; this king has indeed underestimated him."
Hearing this, Zhao Jichang next to him couldn't help but be somewhat surprised:
"Father, do you mean... Yuan Xingcai and Luo Wang were killed by Song Tonghai?"
On that day, the impression Song Tonghai gave him was extremely amiable, not at all like someone who would be bloodthirsty, let alone commit a high treason by murdering an official.
"Not so."
Zhao Yunheng waved his hand and said, "Without any evidence, such words must not be spoken recklessly."
"I request Father to enlighten me," Zhao Jichang said, somewhat puzzled: "If there's suspicion, why not arrest him directly? After the investigation, the truth will be clear."
"The matter is not as simple as you think; it may even alarm the Immortal Sect."
Zhao Yunheng shook his head slightly, with a soft sigh: "Regardless of whether this was done by Song Tonghai or not, he has landed himself in great trouble."
At this point, it was no longer something he could suppress.
Even a Great Grandmaster wouldn't dare to kill an Imperial Court official; it's an act of lèse-majesté.
It doesn't matter who died or how many died, the act of lèse-majesté is something that the Imperial Court cannot tolerate.
Just like ordinary people, when injured by a violent thug, most would choose to swallow their anger and avoid further trouble, but if bitten by an insect, they would often be enraged and without hesitation, crush the insect.
Bullying the weak and flaunting power has always been thus since ancient times.
Class hierarchy is the iron law of this world. To offend those above one's station is the greatest intolerable crime; even upon entering the Immortal Sect, this iron law remains in effect.
Seeing Zhao Jichang's somewhat understanding yet not understanding look, Zhao Yunheng was about to explain further when suddenly, a loud shout came from outside the mansion:
"Imperial edict has arrived."
The voice was sharp, and the echo vibrated through ten miles of streets, evidence of profound inner strength.
Zhao Yunheng's eyes slightly narrowed, and he stood up, saying, "Get ready, and prepare to accompany me to the Imperial Capital to face the Son of Heaven."
......
......
Luofeng City, Song Residence.
Yesterday, Song Lingxue had spent the last of the gold and silver in the mansion's treasury, converting anything of value into cash.
The surviving escort masters had mostly chosen to take the money and leave, with only a scant two or three remaining; the servants had scattered, with eight or nine out of ten gone.
In just one night, the population had dwindled, and the vast Song Residence was filled with broken walls and remnants, with hardly any living people to be seen.
Now was the best time to leave.
The impact of killing an official was significant, and with Luofeng City currently leaderless, countless people were leaving the city, and slipping out amidst these individuals posed no danger.
In the face of such chaos, Chu Zheng felt a tranquility settling in his heart; he was no longer torn and went about his cultivation methodically, refining Qi and performing the Circuit of Qi daily, striving to reach the realm of Spirit Transformation as soon as possible.
The local officials of this city were dead, although he did not know who was responsible, it had indeed bought the Song Residence a significant amount of time,
He had made his plans, and presently nothing had happened yet; by the time the Imperial Court would have cleared up the case, a lot of time would have passed. He was now only seventy-three days away from the Hundred Days Qi Cultivation, just two and a half months.
With some caution, he should be able to hold out over this period, and there should still be some opportunities.
Once he reached Spirit Transformation, his abilities would undergo many changes, and he could attempt to master the true divine skills of a Qi Cultivator.
The techniques within the Qi Refining Lineage were vast and complex, impossible to be explained in just a few words; there were more than a dozen divine skills related to the five senses alone.
Just speaking of the Heavenly Eye, there were techniques for observing Qi, discerning yin and yang, diagnosing pulse, telepathy, and beyond that, more profound skills like Riding the Clouds and Driving the Mist.
Although he yearned for these divine techniques, Chu Zheng could only proceed step by step for now.
Song Lingxue followed him every day, never leaving his side, and taking care of his every need with great attention.
Chu Zheng did not bring up leaving, and neither did Song Lingxue; it was as if they had reached an unspoken understanding.
After learning that Chu Zheng had cultivated the Dragon-Tiger Body and thus underwent such a shocking transformation, Song Yun began to harbor some thoughts.
As soon as his injuries had stabilized somewhat, he had begun to attempt to practice external skills, hoping to discover any unnoticed talents within himself and to astonish everyone at once.
As could be expected, he was deeply disappointed; his talent for external skills was as unremarkable as his looks.
......
......
In the blink of an eye, several days had passed.
Chu Zheng's stable state of mind did not last long.
Once Song Tonghai had dealt with his injuries, he found his way to him.
Inside the study, the two men sat facing each other, this being the first time they directly communicated face to face.
"Family Head..."
After a long silence, Chu Zheng cleared his throat.
"Chu Zheng, you extended your hand to save me from a dire situation, for which gratitude cannot be expressed in words. I do not wish to hide anything from you, so let us speak frankly."
Before he could finish, Song Tonghai interrupted him with a raise of his hand:
"The Song Family is in great trouble now, and I have already transferred most of our wealth in batches. Lingxue knows where it is—all I ask is that you take care of her, and the two of you flee far away as soon as possible. I will stay behind to buy you some time."
Chu Zheng waved his hand and spoke calmly, "Family Head, there's no need to rush. Now that the Prefectural Governor of Luofeng City has been assassinated, that's the real problem. Before the Imperial Court figures out what happened, we might have some time."
Hearing this, Song Tonghai was silent for a moment, gazing at Chu Zheng:
"Who do you think killed those two men?"
Chu Zheng: "..."
Looking at Song Tonghai's calm face, Chu Zheng suddenly found it difficult to maintain his composure; from the reaction of the man before him, the identity of the murderer was self-evident.
In an instant, Chu Zheng raised his hand to massage his temple, feeling utterly overwhelmed.
To kill an official... was this a rebellion?