He had to remind him. He feared Huang Ban would help him conceal what should not be concealed.
At this point, how could he fail to see that it could no longer be hidden? From the moment he saw the five of them brought in under guard, then saw them confess, he knew there was no need to hide anything further. The more they concealed, the more dangerous the consequences would become.
Yuan Se cheerfully glanced at his disciple's reaction.
Seeing the five kneeling nearby, Huang Ban guessed what had happened. Ding Wei's expression confirmed it. He no longer dared to be vague. "They went into the mountains thirty li southeast of the city."
Consort Yuan asked, "What did they go there for?"
Huang Ban pointed at the five kneeling beside him. "We discovered that five large flying birds had suspicious movements during the assassination attempt on Niu Youdao. We found that these five had deployed the birds. Mr. Ding summoned them to get to the bottom of it."
Consort Yuan asked, "Did you get to the bottom of it?"
Huang Ban said, "Yes. We found that Xuan Yao had arranged it."
Consort Yuan asked, "What did Xuan Yao arrange those five flying birds to do?"
Huang Ban looked at Ding Wei again, then answered with difficulty, "The person who assassinated Niu Youdao was Xuan Yao."
The five kneeling nearby trembled inwardly. When Ding Wei had found them, they had already suspected as much, though they had not dared to be certain. Everyone knew Xuan Yao had a grudge against Niu Youdao.
Hearing Xuan Yao finally dragged into it, Ding Wei felt heavy-hearted. Earlier, he had reported to his master that there had been no progress in the case. He had plainly deceived his master. He immediately interjected into the