Xu Yi hadn't expected things to spiral so far beyond what he'd anticipated.
Before reporting the series of events surrounding his killing of Deputy Director Zhao to Guan Zongyuan, he had already put the case files in order.
Guan Zongyuan had been dumbstruck. After standing there dazed for a long while, he'd told Xu Yi to go back and wait for news.
But instead, the news that came was that he was to face a joint hearing by the three departments.
The hearing was kept very quiet because news of Deputy Director Zhao's death had spread only among a small circle of high-ranking officials. But the hearing itself was a grand affair.
Just look at who had shown up:
All three deputy directors of the Discipline Department were present. Even Han Xuedao, the First Deputy Director, whom Xu Yi had never met, had come, as had Deputy Director Tong Potian, who controlled the department's finances.
Three other stewards had also come to observe the case.
The Civil Administration Department was still led by Deputy Director Xu Mingyuan, accompanied by six Second-rank Star Officials, at least all of steward rank.
The Household Registration Department had sent the largest contingent. Both deputy directors were present, along with all six division chiefs.
There were also people from various other places, most of them with stars embroidered on their chests.
All told, there were more than thirty people, all Star Officials. Those of First-rank Star Official rank made up only a tiny fraction.
The hearing was held at Immortal Martial Cliff, which belonged to the Civil Administration Department.
Xu Yi belonged to the Discipline Department, while Deputy Director Zhao belonged to the Household Registration Department.
The hearing could only be held on the Civil Administration Department's turf.
As it happened, the Civil Administration Department