"What... do we do about this now?"
Lampbearer Xu spoke slowly, his hoarse voice breaking the silence in the hall.
Shi Haixuan narrowed his eyes slightly:
"A Fourth-Rank official of the Divine Guard Office was beaten to death by a colleague before the full circumstances could be investigated, regardless of whether he betrayed the Great Dream Dynasty.
This is absolutely the most egregious incident in recent years.
Yang Ling cannot leave. He must remain at Golden Lion Ridge and await Chen Zhangyin's decision."
The two Lampbearers exchanged a glance, then looked at Yang Ling.
"I first apprehended Shi Tianhu, then slew Xian Donglai. I've acted honorably and have nothing to hide. What harm is there in staying at Golden Lion Ridge?"
Yang Ling glanced at Xian Donglai's corpse:
"I will take his corpse away and keep it under strict guard until Division Supervisor Bai of the Myriad Manifestations Office arrives to deal with it."
Lampbearer Xu gave an awkward smile. "The dynasty has decreed that the bodies of all its officials who die in the Abyssal Beast Cavern must be placed in the custody of the Cicada-Holding Directorate.
If they held no office in the dynasty, their bodies are to be collected by their respective sects.
Lord Yang, there is no reasonable justification for you to take custody of Xian Donglai's corpse."
"There's a rule like that?"
Yang Ling looked at Eunuch Chen.
Eunuch Chen nodded and said quietly:
"It's an inviolable law."
"Fine," Yang Ling said ruefully. "Then the two Lampbearers can take custody of Xian Donglai's corpse."
"Master Yang, your Registered Rank file lists your cultivation as Upper Fifth Rank. When did you advance to Lower Fourth Rank?
When an official of this dynasty advances, failing to register the new rank immediately is a violation of the law."