Yu Xingzhi, Dong Qing, and Gu Shiyu — these three murderers related to the Bai Residence's extermination case had appeared one after another, and they were all officials of the imperial court. Their positions were all very important.
Yan Li sat on the bed, deep in thought.
Currently, it was known that Yu Xingzhi was a spy of the underworld, and Dong Qing couldn't possibly be innocent either. They were all related to the underworld, so to what extent had the imperial court been infiltrated? Just how many people were spies sent by the underworld?
What were they trying to do? Overturn Great Xia and become the master?
There seemed to be an invisible hand manipulating all of this from behind.
Thinking of this, Yan Li frowned. This was different from what he had expected. The enemy might be unexpectedly terrifying. In addition, the "person" that Gu Shiyu mentioned was also thought-provoking.
Just as he was thinking, he suddenly heard two hurried footsteps. Before he could react, one of them had already pushed open the door. It was Zhan Mu, and he said unhappily, "What are you doing?"
The other person was Chang Shan, the current manservant of the Resentful Yuan Tower. He had a face full of schadenfreude.
"What are you doing?"
Zhan Mu rolled his eyes and said, "Handing in a blank paper for the written exam, what are you trying to do? Rebel against the rules and traditions of the Martial Emperor? "
"Blank paper?" Yan Li narrowed his eyes slightly. "I don't remember handing in such an interesting paper."
"You still won't admit it!" Zhan Mu took out a roll of paper and opened it. It was today's paper.
Yan Li took a look. The name column was indeed his name, and it was indeed his handwriting, but the answer column was blank.
He carefully touched the place where the name was written. There was nothing strange about it, as if it was real.
But he had just finished answering the paper, so it couldn't be blank. He must have been tampered with. There were all kinds of cultivation methods and all kinds of strange abilities.
"Then what do we do now?" Yan Li put down the paper unhurriedly.
Zhan Mu had a strange look in his eyes. "You ask me what to do, but how would I know? Do you know that this action has violated a great taboo of the imperial court? Someone has accused you of being arrogant and blasphemous. The people to arrest you will soon arrive. "
Yan Li raised his eyebrows. "There's such a crime?"
"The problem isn't whether there is or not!" Zhan Mu sighed. "You killed Zhang Zhixiong. Those who were friendly with the Martial God Manor and tried to curry favor with the Martial God all came to me to report you. Even if you didn't have any in the first place, you would create something out of nothing."
Chang Shan sneered, "Of course, it's just handing in a blank paper. It's not a crime punishable by death. At most, you'll be locked up for eight to ten years."
Yan Li didn't want to explain. It was useless to say anything at this time.
It was enough to know that someone didn't want him to take the next exam.
At this moment, more hurried footsteps came from outside the door.
Zhan Mu knew in his heart that the people who captured Yan Li had arrived. He said in a low voice, "Don't resist. Resisting at this time is equivalent to defying the will of the imperial court. Even if His Majesty stands on your side, I'm afraid you won't be able to participate in the second round of examination. You go to the capital governor's office and stay there for a while. I will enter the palace to see what His Majesty has said. "
As soon as he finished speaking, a short and skinny man in a scarlet robe walked in with large strides. His gaze swept across the three of them and then fixed on Yan Li. "You're Yan Li?"
This man looked to be in his early forties. His eyes weren't big, and when he squinted, only a thin line could be seen. However, it was precisely this small gap that at this moment, there was an incorporeal sharpness like frost seeping out, causing one to tremble in fear.
Yan Li said, "Yes."
"This official is Zhang Huanfa. Someone is accusing you of breaking the rules of a Martial Emperor and looking down on the spirit of a Martial Emperor. Come back with me to assist in the investigation." He waved his hand as he spoke. "Lock him up and take him away."
Several officials swarmed forward and shackled Yan Li's hands and feet, taking him away.
Zhang Huanfa swept a glance at Zhan Mu and said, "What relationship does this person have with Master Zhan?"
Zhan Mu shrugged and said, "He's my guest, that's all."
"Then this lowly official will take his leave." Zhang Huanfa nodded slightly and left without saying anything.
Chang Shan sneered. "This bastard also has a day where he has to eat in prison. How satisfying! I've long since seen that he's inexperienced, and it's as expected. "
Zhan Mu said, "This matter still depends on His Majesty's attitude. Go find Tang Sanghua. She has a good relationship with Yan Li. Tell her to go find Shen Liuyun and plead for leniency. "
"Master Zhan, you're not related to this kid in any way. Why are you helping him?" Chang Shan frowned.
Zhan Mu glared at him and said, "Why do you care so much? I'm telling you to go, so go!"
Chang Shan reluctantly agreed.
…
In this place, there were newly lit torches on all four walls. If one were to ask Yan Li how he knew that they were newly lit, it was because he had been here last night.
How else would it be said that every dog has its day? Yesterday, Yu Xingzhi and his son were fish on the chopping block.
Today, it was his turn.
Shiny black chains bound Yan Li to a rack. This was a black iron chain that even a first-grade martial artist could forget about breaking free from.
Then, all kinds of torture tools were brought in one after another, including long whips soaked in salt water. The skin of the long whips was covered with fine barbs. It was hard to imagine how painful it would be to whip a person.
The skin was brown. Who knew how many people had been whipped to death, so there were so many layers of blood stains that couldn't be washed off.
Zhang Huanfa quickly arrived. He wasn't the only one. There were two people who had nothing to do with this place.
Wang Yuanqing and Lu Tiansu.
"Hahaha, isn't this my good classmate, Yan Li? We heard that you were arrested, so we immediately came to visit you. Are you touched? "
Lu Tiansu laughed unscrupulously.
"Did you rinse your mouth?" Yan Li turned his face away. "It's even stinkier than this dungeon. Did you eat shit?"
Lu Tiansu's smile froze, then he laughed again. "I also forgot."
Finishing, he actually spat at Yan Li's face.
Then he laughed strangely. "How is it? Did I rinse my mouth today?"
Yan Li smiled. "I was wrong. So not only did you rinse your mouth, you must do it more than three times a day. Otherwise, why would there be a milk smell."
"Courting death!" Lu Tiansu's eyes suddenly turned cold. He fiercely punched.
Yan Li's abdomen suffered a heavy blow. "Wa", he spat out a mouthful of bitter water.
"Yan Li, do you recognize your lowliness?" Wang Yuanqing calmly tidied up his clothes. "Maybe you will never understand. The difference in status is an insurmountable gap."
His eyes were filled with pity. "The real bigwigs only need to use a little trick. A lowly commoner like you, what can you do?"
Yan Li raised his head. He was still smiling. "Mr. Bigwigs, we are not young anymore. Childish tricks are not suitable for us."
Wang Yuanqing shook his head. He turned around and took out a long whip from the salt water bucket. "Pa", he whipped Yan Li. "Maybe you think it's childish. But I think it's quite interesting."
With just one whip, the place where he was whipped started to bleed. The salt water seeped into the wound. It was so painful that Yan Li almost cried out.
If he cried out, it would be equivalent to showing weakness. He clenched his teeth and did not want to make a sound.
"Still a hard bone. I like hard bones." Wang Yuanqing smiled.
Then, the long whip moved like a snake. In the blink of an eye, he had whipped out ten times. Yan Li's body was badly mutilated.
Wang Yuanqing smiled. "Can you still smile?"
Yan Li's whole body was drenched in cold sweat. He could not open his eyes. But he still smiled. "So little … strength. Did you … forget to drink milk today?"
"Ai!"
Wang Yuanqing sighed. "Actually, I am your classmate. I have no enmity with you. Why would I be so heavy-handed? However, my uncle's husband is different. "
Finished, he handed the whip to Zhang Huanfa.
…
When Tang Sanghua got the news, it was already an hour later.
She hurried to the Phoenix Mountain Garden at the back of the mountain of the Academy, where Shen Liuyun lived.
Shen Liuyun knew why she came. She raised her eyebrows and said, "Why should I plead for that pig?"
Tang Sanhua held her arm and said tenderly, "Big Sister Yun, just treat it as helping me this once."
Shen Liuyun frowned and said, "What is your relationship with him?"
Tang Sanghua blinked and said, "Classmate and good friend."
Shen Liuyun said lightly, "I want to hear the truth."
Tang Sanghua tilted her head and thought for a while. She said softly, "Sister, there are not many good men in the world. Unpolished jade like Yan Li is even rarer. His hobby is to carve unpolished jade and let it shine. "
"And then destroy it with your own hands?" Shen Liuyun said inexplicably.
Tang Sanghua smiled and said, "Don't think of me as scary! In my hometown, I'm famous for loving small animals and flowers. I'm innocent, kind, and lovely. "
"Shameless." Shen Liuyun rolled her eyes and added, "You're so mischievous."
"Sister!" Tang Sanghua shook her hand and acted coquettishly.
Shen Liuyun said lightly, "Wait here."
"Long live Sister Yun!" Tang Sanghua smiled and hugged her, "I love you so much!"
…
It was nothing new for Shen Liuyun to enter the palace. She was directly brought to the Zichen Palace without being informed.
Ji Zhiyuan was reading the endless memorials as usual. Hearing the news of her arrival, he was in a good mood and immediately invited her in.
"Aunty, why haven't you come for so long?" She held onto Shen Liuyun's hand and sat down on the throne.
The throne was large to begin with, so it wasn't crowded for two people to sit on.
She didn't need to say anything for the palace maids would deliver fruits and snacks.
"Indigo Collar, long for my heart. Even if I don't go, Zining won't have a voice?" Shen Liuyun sat down naturally.
Ji Zhiyuan's faint smile lit up the room. "Aunty is cultivating in seclusion. How can I disturb you?"
She rarely smiled and would only reveal her girlish demeanor in front of the people closest to her. To the people of the world, she was the sovereign of the Nine Five and a father. Only in front of Shen Liuyun was she a child.
Shen Liuyun raised a finger and tapped her forehead. "Stop making excuses."
This intimate action made Ji Zhiyuan feel a strong sense of warmth. He couldn't help but bury his head in her chest. "Aunty, don't be an instructor. Come to the palace and keep me company, okay?"
"I don't like this place." Shen Liuyun refused.
She stroked Ji Zhiyuan's hair. "I know it's tough for you, but this is fate. You were born with the greatest fortune in the world. If you don't let down the world, who will? This is fate. You'll be thankful for this experience when you go far in the future. That will be your most precious experience. "
Ji Zhiyuan nodded and didn't press the issue.
She had known since a young age that Shen Liuyun wouldn't be bound by anyone.
"Don't act like a child." Shen Liuyun patted her back. "If someone sees you, the prestige you've built up will be greatly reduced."
Ji Zhiyuan looked up reluctantly and said softly, "It'll be his death anniversary in two days."
"Him?" Shen Liuyun was somewhat dazed.
After a while, she said indifferently, "I'm here for something else."
"What is it?"
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
