Chapter 62

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"I hope that when all truths come to light, you won't regret your current choice."

Xueyi waved dismissively. "The Ten-Lords Commission does not welcome any who obstruct its duties. Hanya, see our guest out."

Tingyun let out a soft scoff. "No need, I remember my way out perfectly well."

Su Jinyan shook his head slightly. "Tingyun, it's best if Judge Hanya accompanies you part of the way. I'm concerned for your safety alone, knowing what risks lie ahead."

After a moment's thought, Tingyun nodded. "Since Benefactor insists, then please trouble Judge Hanya."

Hanya, holding the underworld envoy lantern, stepped forward. "Let's go. I shall escort you away from the Ten-Lords Commission."

"No, Judge Hanya," Su Jinyan interjected.

"What I mean is, I would like you to accompany Tingyun back to the Divination Commission."

Hanya gently shook her head. "Apologies, Mr. Su Jinyan, but I am under no obligation to do so."

Su Jinyan remained unfazed. "I owe you a favor; surely you understand my intent."

A flicker of emotion crossed Hanya's face. "Very well, we have a deal." She continued, "With this assurance, I will indeed safely escort Miss Tingyun to the Divination Commission."

She fully comprehended the meaning behind Su Jinyan's words. He was implying that he could feign ignorance about today's events at The Shackling Prison. Consequently, the deaths of those cultivators would be deemed inconsequential.

Hanya also needn't worry about Xueyi facing retribution from the Ten Lords. After Hanya and Tingyun departed The Shackling Prison, Xueyi calmly spoke up:

"Is this truly wise?"

"Shouldn't you use these prisoners' deaths as leverage to coerce me into sparing you?" Su Jinyan smiled slightly. "Even if I threatened with their demise, you wouldn't spare me, would you?"

Xueyi paused before slowly responding, "Separate matters should remain distinct, especially when dealing with cunning evildoers like yourself."

"I'd rather face punishment from the Ten Lords than let you go free," he continued. "I gave the Realm-Keeping Commissioner's deputy half an hour; your time limit is no different. You have little time left. Is there anything else you wish to say?"

Su Jinyan's gaze was contemplative. "Who gave you such a misguided impression? How about this, esteemed Judge?"

"Let's play a game—stake it on whether I can safely leave the Ten-Lords Commission today. If I lose, I'll submit entirely to your disposal.

"I won't use these cultivators' deaths to pressure you, nor will I report your actions based on procedural violations. But if I win, all I ask is for a sincere apology from you,

"and for you to serve exclusively as my personal mannequin for the next month."

Xueyi gently shook his head. "As you well know, this holds no meaning. A Judge of the Ten-Lords Commission cannot agree to such a wager."

"The Judges of the Ten-Lords Commission serve their duty; they cannot be at your beck and call."

Su Jinyan chuckled. "I assure you, I won't force you to do anything against your will.

"Furthermore, even if I win, given the conduct of Ten-Lords Commission Judges, you could easily renege on our agreement. Or perhaps—are you afraid? Surely not?

"As a prestigious Judge of the Ten-Lords Commission, with such strong suspicions against me..."

"Won't you still back down from this near-certain victory?"

Xueyi clenched her fists tightly, squeezing out a single word through gritted teeth: "Fine."

Pretending confusion, Su Jinyan asked, "Hmm? Speak louder, I couldn't hear."

Breathing shallowly, Xueyi's knuckles turned white from gripping her fist. "Fine," she repeated, "since you're so fond of gambling, let us wager!

"If I lose, my mannequin body is yours to dispose of as you wish.

"You can play with it however you please; I won't flinch for a moment.

"But if you lose, I swear to execute you personally—I'll ensure your death isn't swift or painless!"

Clapping appreciatively, Su Jinyan exclaimed, "As expected of a Judge from the Ten-Lords Commission, always going all-in when gambling.

"Let me raise the stakes then.

"If I lose, not only will I be at your mercy,

"I'll also reveal the contents of the 'Medicine King's Secret List of Cultivators' that I obtained."

Xueyi's gaze darkened, tightening her grip on the Demon-Breaking Awl. "...Indeed, there's something suspicious about you."

At that moment, an underworld envoy carrying a lantern hurried over.

"Lady Xueyi, head honchos from all six divisions have arrived for a visit, led by General Jing Yuan of the Divine Strategy Division."

Xueyi felt puzzled, her gaze filled with confusion. "Are they here to secure your release?"

"Care to guess?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if either Jing Yuan or Fu Xuan came individually. But how did you manage to enlist such influential figures to pressure the Ten-Lords Commission?"

Su Jinyan smiled faintly without answering. "Lady Xueyi, will you not let me out now? If the general sees this 'major suspect' imprisoned in The Shackling Prison..."

"...even as a Judge of the Ten-Lords Commission, it would be difficult for you to withstand the ensuing scrutiny, wouldn't it?" Xueyi silently pushed open the cell door. "Follow me."

Until the encrypted chat logs were deciphered, Xueyi maintained her suspicion of Su Jinyan. However, as a Judge, she could not detain him in The Shackling Prison merely on suspicion.

Following Xueyi's gesture, Underworld Military Officials respectfully escorted Su Jinyan to a side chamber within the palace.

Despite her reluctance, with Jing Yuan and others present, Xueyi couldn't treat Su Jinyan like a prisoner, nor could she bind him with chains.

"Gentlemen, please enjoy some tea."

"The Underworld Palace is modest; please bear with our limited hospitality." Xueyi's serene gaze indicated for Jing Yuan and his companions to partake in refreshments.

Fu Xuan spoke first, her tone brooking no dissent, "A-Yan, come sit beside this venerable one."

In her view, Su Jinyan was innocent. Why should he stand near the Judge like a suspect?

Xueyi frowned. "Imperial Diviner Fu, that is unacceptable."

"Unacceptable? And why is it so?" Fu Xuan retorted bluntly, showing no courtesy.

Xueyi's expression remained composed. "Su Jinyan is under significant suspicion and may have violated the Ten-Lords Commission's 'Ten Unforgivable Sins.'"

"Considering he has yet to be cleared of suspicion, refraining from binding him is already a courtesy extended due to Imperial Diviner Fu's presence."

The Ten-Lords Commission held immense responsibility, overseeing life and death for immortal cultivators, which elevated its status above even the six rulers. Consequently, it was crucial for the commission to maintain its independence and purity, avoiding any conflicts of interest with external societal influences.

However, today Jing Yuan dared to confront the Ten-Lords Commission precisely because he had sufficient confidence—thanks to the confidential file sealed within the Seat of Divine Foresight. This file contained irrefutable proof that Su Jinyan was indeed an undercover agent.

Only Fu Xuan and Jing Yuan were aware of this file; no one else knew of its existence.

Jing Yuan smiled faintly. "Our purpose here today is to exonerate Minister Su from these suspicions, Judge Xueyi. These are the confidential records pertaining to Minister Su, stored at both the Seat of Divine Foresight and the Divination Commission. Only Fu Xuan and I know his true identity. Minister Su is not a secret cultivator of Sanctus Medicus as believed. Instead, he was planted as an undercover agent by the Seat of Divine Foresight. The truth lies within these files; you need only read them to understand."

Xueyi's eyes widened in disbelief. Could it be...he truly was an undercover agent?! A storm surged within Dan Shu's heart, barely managing to keep his expression composed.

What? Su Jinyan was actually an undercover agent sent by the Seat of Divine Foresight?! If not for this venerable one intervening today, we would have been completely deceived.

How despicable! Never did I imagine such a traitor could emerge within our organization.

Once you return to the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, this venerable one will take great pleasure in ending your life.

Fu Xuan's lips curled slightly, his mood remarkably cheerful. "My obedient disciple, come sit by my side and pour me some tea."

Su Jinyan promptly obeyed, walking over to Fu Xuan and pouring tea for him and each attendant in turn.

Yukong nodded with a smile. "A-Yan, it's been a long time."

Su Jinyan bowed respectfully, expressing gratitude. "I must thank Yukong Siwo and all esteemed officials here today." He added, "Thank you for taking the time amidst your busy schedules to testify on my behalf at the Ten-Lords Commission. Oh, and if I may inquire, who might this distinguished official be...?"

Su Jinyan's gaze fixed upon Dan Shu's ample figure.

Dan Shu smiled mildly. "I am Dan Shu, Head Pill Master of the Alchemy Commission."

Hastily, Su Jinyan raised his teacup. "Many thanks, Official Dan Chu, for testifying on my behalf. Here's to you."

Yet beneath his polite demeanor, a profound doubt lingered—how could Dan Shu's physique resemble that of the leader so closely? Especially those full...

It wasn't merely similar; it was virtually identical to the leader of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. How best to describe it...

Everyone knows that when squeezing a perfectly ripe honey peach, its juices overflow effortlessly. With a firm pat, waves surge within—the epitome of a ripe honey peach.

Of course, compared to Miss Yue Shi's figure, this official's appeared somewhat less perfect. However, the Head Pill Master's voice sounded distinctly different from the leader's, making it impossible to suspect they were the same person.

Could I have been mistaken? Or is the leader being exceptionally cautious, always using a disguised voice?

Su Jinyan's doubts lingered.

Regardless, considering the two specific medicinal pills mentioned in the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, this Head Pill Master remained highly suspicious.

Assuming Dan Shu is indeed the leader of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus,

his identity has now been exposed, making it impossible for him to continue infiltrating undercover.

There might be ways to remedy the situation, albeit quite troublesome and requiring Jing Yuan's cooperation.

Fu Xuan's tone carried a subtle warning, "A-Yan, as a junior, you must maintain proper etiquette."

Seeing Su Jinyan's lingering gaze, Fu Xuan felt particularly displeased.

After all, you are still this venerable one's disciple—showing such infatuation with feminine beauty only brings shame upon me!

Dan Shu, however, was no stranger to Su Jinyan's impolite stares. He had observed similar behavior throughout their time in the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, even after leaving that organization.

With a warm smile, Dan Shu said, "It's quite alright. It seems Diviner Fu Xuan holds great affection for this disciple of yours."

Fu Xuan nodded slightly, "You're correct. A-Yan is indeed my most esteemed disciple."

"'Rather lose gold and jade than face the Nether Prison; 'despite impending calamity, never meet the Judge.' Based solely on A-Yan's fearlessness against the Judge's authority, his courage surpasses that of many others."

Fu Xuan's words were clearly intended for Xueyi to hear.

However, Xueyi appeared dazed, not absorbing a single word. As she accepted the file from Jing Yuan, her delicate hands trembled slightly.

With her years of experience, she could immediately tell that this was a sealed archive, showing no signs of tampering or opening.

As for forgery? It seemed even less plausible—the esteemed Divine Foresight General would never commit such a basic political error.

Until now, Xueyi had stubbornly believed that Su Jinyan must have deceived Fu Xuan and the general through some means.

But with this revelation, it appeared she might have been wrong. Could she truly have unjustly accused an upright and virtuous individual?

"Miss Xueyi, please proceed."

Jing Yuan's expression remained composed as he gestured courteously, indicating she could open the file.

Xueyi hesitantly unsealed the document and retrieved Su Jinyan's identity information. Upon seeing the word "undercover," her crimson eyes instantly lost their vibrancy, replaced by a deep sense of guilt.

It dawned on her that her unwavering conviction had indeed led her to wrongly accuse someone of noble character.

Wait—

At that moment, Xueyi noticed a discrepancy. The date mentioned in the file for when Su Jinyan began his undercover mission within the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus was distinctly recent. However, the encrypted chat records between Su Jinyan and the mysterious figure dated back much earlier.

Xueyi's feelings of guilt swiftly turned to astonishment.

Why would the dates not align?

Firstly, the possibility of forged records could be ruled out; General Jing Yuan would never expend such effort to exonerate a member of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus remnants.

It must have been Su Jinyan deceiving the general.

Jing Yuan asked gravely, "Well, has Judge Xueyi examined it thoroughly?"

With her brows deeply furrowed, Xueyi was about to respond when her phone suddenly vibrated.

She had received an email from an official at the Realm-Keeping Commission.

Could it be that the encrypted chat logs have been deciphered?

"Please remain calm, General. The truth will become clear once I've reviewed this message."

Taking a deep breath, Xueyi nervously opened the email.

Since becoming a mannequin, Xueyi's human emotions had gradually diminished. Such feelings would only resurface if harm befell Hanya.

Quickly, the decrypted chat logs appeared before Xueyi's eyes. Upon reading them, her pupils contracted involuntarily, and she clenched her teeth tightly. Her delicate cheeks flushed as red as dawn's first light reflecting off snow, and her body began trembling uncontrollably.

She was incensed!