A barrage of parallel statements crashed down. Song Yunhui's face darkened to the extreme, yet he couldn't utter a word in response.
Kong Zhongyun finally understood. Hong Tianming had held back all this time, waiting for this very moment to erupt.
Clearly, Hong Tianming hadn't said these things for the people present. He'd said them for the Lord God to hear.
Kong Zhongyun suddenly found himself admiring Hong Tianming. The man had staunchly advocated reforming the official system, which was tantamount to defying the heavens. Now that he'd seized this perfect opportunity, perhaps he really could shift the tide.
But that wasn't what concerned Kong Zhongyun.
He heard himself say, "Judge Hong is right. Peng Huizu can't bear all the blame for the fall of Starry Sky Prefecture.
"We need to investigate how Lu Zhongyi was transferred away, and who was pulling strings behind the scenes.
"As for whether the selection-based system should continue to expand, I'll seek guidance from the three Great Venerables and the Lord God.
"The most urgent matter now is whether Xu Yi can take the post, and whether he can produce results once he does.
"Judge Hong, do you dare to vouch for him?"
Hong Tianming replied, "I have confidence in Xu Yi, but ultimately, we need to hear what the man himself has to say. Kong Chengzhi, why not activate the star talisman and contact Xu Yi directly?"
Kong Zhongyun raised a hand to his forehead. "Look at me—I actually forgot about that. Xu Yi's token should still be in his possession."
He took out a jade disc and made several gestures. A hazy radiance spread across the entire hall wall, transforming it into an endless river of stars. With a whoosh, a dazzling white beam shot from the jade disc in his hand