Trace Time

The Jiang Family acted swiftly, clearing that space completely in just half a night, then spent two days and two nights repeatedly checking to ensure no loose ends remained. Only then did they leisurely inform City Lord Zeng that the court could be reconvened for a new trial.

As Jiang Clan Leader had anticipated, without evidence the two were powerless. City Lord Zeng could openly cover for the Jiang Family, claiming insufficient proof to convict Jiang Yixing, and even pursuing charges against Jiang Li and Yuan Wu Xing for intentionally harming Jiang Yixing.

The only thing Jiang Clan Leader hadn't expected was that their Old Ancestor, Jiang Yixing, remained unconscious. Even the physicians summoned could not explain the cause.

"This official rules Jiang Yixing not guilty. If the two of you do not accept this ruling, you may appeal to the Prefect within fifteen days from today."

Jiang Li stepped forward and handed City Lord Zeng a piece of paper, as if he had been waiting for this moment all along.

"This is the appeal."

City Lord Zeng was annoyed by Jiang Li's calm demeanor, and even more annoyed when he pulled out an appeal on the spot.

Clearly, Jiang Li had anticipated this outcome long before the court session began and had prepared the appeal in advance.

But so what? The Prefect who would handle this case had also risen from the position of Qing City Lord and had helped the Jiang Family cover up the baby theft.

And even if the Prefect were an upright man, without any evidence, how could these two clueless fools win? By sheer stubbornness? ...

The Great Zhou Dynasty was divided into twenty-six prefectures, each governing dozens of major cities. Qing City was one such major city, under the jurisdiction of Tianqing Prefecture, and the appeal naturally had to be submitted to Prefect Gong Peng of Tianqing Prefecture.

After receiving the appeal, Prefect Gong summoned Jiang Clan Leader and City Lord Zeng, questioned them in detail about the events, and felt greatly reassured.

"Zhang Li, Yuan Wu Xing, before the court session begins, I must inform you that this official's ruling is final. Unless new evidence emerges that can overturn the original ruling, you may not appeal further. Do you understand?"

Prefect Gong sat in the center of the Main Hall, with Zhang Li and Yuan Wu Xing on one side and Jiang Clan Leader on the other. Since Jiang Yixing was still unconscious, bringing him up would be useless.

Though Jiang Clan Leader wore his usual expressionless face, Yuan Wu Xing felt certain he was secretly laughing inside.

Outside the Main Hall, a sparse crowd of a few dozen people had gathered—far fewer than before, since everyone knew the lack of evidence meant Jiang Li and Yuan Wu Xing couldn't win. City Lord Zeng stood among them, ready to watch the show.

"Understood," Jiang Li replied clearly, and Yuan Wu Xing echoed with an "understood."

"However, before the session begins, I wish to add another defendant."

"That is permissible, but this official's ruling remains final. You may not use the addition of a defendant as grounds for appeal."

Jiang Li nodded to indicate he understood, lifted his chin slightly, and clasped his hands behind his back. "I wish to accuse Qing City Lord Zeng. During his tenure, he abused his authority, used his position for personal gain, covered up Jiang Yixing's theft of infants, and destroyed crucial evidence. I request Prefect Gong's judgment!"

Jiang Clan Leader's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately sensed trouble. To accuse a City Lord, the presiding official needed to be of the third rank or higher. Prefect Gong was a third-rank official, so the move was legal, but he couldn't figure out what Jiang Li was trying to do. Could adding another defendant really help him win?

He felt like he was forgetting something.

Jiang Clan Leader was unfamiliar with the law and didn't understand Jiang Li's purpose, but City Lord Zeng and Prefect Gong grasped it instantly. The two Nascent Soul Cultivators, normally Unaffected by Cold and Heat, felt a cold sweat break out across their backs.

"I suspect that the destruction of the space where the blood sacrifice of the infant took place—the most crucial piece of evidence in this case—was the work of City Lord Zeng. I request that Prefect Gong submit a memorial to the Imperial Court, applying to Trace Time and restore the scene!"

Jiang Li's words shattered the last shreds of their hope.

This matter was going to be brought before the Imperial Court! They had no overwhelming backing in the court! Among the Nine Great Dynasties, only the Great Zhou Dynasty dared to govern by law, and only the Great Zhou Dynasty had the capability to rule by law. The fundamental reason was that the Great Zhou royal family was proficient in the Time Dao, able to ascend the river of time!

However, the Time Dao carried heavy karmic consequences and could not be used lightly. Therefore, the Great Zhou had stipulated several special circumstances under which the Time Dao could be employed—for example, when a case had a massive impact on the nation, or when the case involved the integrity of officials above the seventh rank...

And City Lord Zeng was a fifth-rank official.

"You're slandering me!" City Lord Zeng lost his composure and burst into curses.

City Lord Zeng genuinely wanted to cry out in injustice. It was the Jiang Family who had destroyed that space; he was at most a witness. How had this brat twisted it into him being the culprit? Jiang Li turned a deaf ear.

Whether City Lord Zeng had actually gone to destroy the space didn't matter. What mattered was his position as the defendant in this case.

"Zhang Li, do you truly wish to apply for the Imperial Court to Trace Time?" Prefect Gong stared at Jiang Li, his gaze icy. He felt he had been outmaneuvered by Jiang Li.

More importantly, Tracing Time would not only reveal that the Jiang Family had destroyed the space node, but also show Jiang Yixing cultivating demonic arts in that space!

Once Jiang Yixing's cultivation of demonic arts was exposed, everyone who had served as Qing City Lord would be investigated by the Imperial Court. None of them would escape! Yuan Wu Xing also realized why Jiang Li had allowed the Jiang Family to destroy the space node—this was the trap he had set.

"I am certain."

"Do... you... truly... wish... to... apply?!" Prefect Gong repeated the question, word by word, releasing the aura of a Nascent Soul Peak cultivator like a roaring tiger. The yamen runners' legs trembled; they were the first to collapse to their knees, followed by Jiang Clan Leader and Yuan Wu Xing.

"I am certain." Jiang Li remained as indifferent as ever, as if he hadn't noticed Prefect Gong's murderous intent. He even pulled a pre-written application from his sleeve and placed it before Prefect Gong.

Seeing the still-damp ink on the application, Prefect Gong barely restrained himself from killing Jiang Li on the spot! But in the end, he didn't dare make a move.

If he struck now, everything would truly be lost.

"Zhang Li, is it? Very well, very well indeed!" Prefect Gong slammed his palm down, shattering the desk, and stormed off in fury. Jiang Clan Leader and City Lord Zeng, no longer bothering to maintain appearances, followed with grim faces.

As Prefect Gong retreated, the oppressive killing intent gradually faded. Yuan Wu Xing finally regained some strength and staggered to his feet.

"Prefect Gong didn't even make a move, and his killing intent alone scared you like this. And you call yourself a Golden Core Peak—aren't you ashamed?" Jiang Li scolded with a mix of frustration and amusement.

Yuan Wu Xing gave a bitter smile. "Senior Zhang, Prefect Gong is a Nascent Soul Peak. Facing that level of killing intent, a Golden Core cultivator can't hold up."

Jiang Li curled his lip. "Excuses. When I was at Golden Core Peak, I've killed Nascent Soul Peaks before."

Yuan Wu Xing was stunned. It took him a long moment to force out, "Senior's skill is admirable."

Yuan Wu Xing truly admired Jiang Li. Look at him—as a Dao Sect Emissary, his status was even half a step above that of a Great Zhou prince. First- and second-rank officials would greet him with smiles. Yet he chose not to use that identity, following the Great Zhou Law step by step to corner the Jiang Family to death. Impressive!