At the third quarter of the Hour of the Rat, the Xingyi Sect Master Hall was brightly lit.
The candlelight illuminated the entire hall as brightly as broad daylight. Six figures sat separately on red sandalwood chairs, and the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed almost tangible.
Cen Qianfan sat upright in the seat of honor. On the three-zhang-long red sandalwood table before him, three things were laid out in a row.
A green jade token, smooth and lustrous throughout, bore the character "Chang" on its front. It was the very token found in Cao Xiong, the vice hall master of the Netherworld Hall.
Three secret letters, their paper yellowed and their edges bearing traces of sealing wax. The covert guards had intercepted them over the past three days at seventeen hidden outposts the Chang Family had scattered throughout and beyond the city. Each letter bore Chang Wanshan's personal seal beside its signature.
A confession, written in tiny, densely packed characters across three pages. At the end was pressed a bright-red fingerprint—the mark Cao Xiong had personally left.
Han Shuitian stood beside the long table with his hands behind his back. His gray-white hemp robes fluttered faintly in the draft passing through the hall.
He swept a glance over the three items, then raised his eyes and let his gaze fall upon the five sect masters.
"The Chang Family colluded with the Demonic Sect. The evidence is ironclad."
His voice was not loud, but in the silent hall, every word rang exceptionally clear.
Lie Qingyang abruptly rose to his feet.
The hem of his crimson robe slid off the grand chair. He slapped a palm against the armrest beside him.
"Bang!"
The red sandalwood armrest shattered on impact, sending splinters flying in all directions.
Lie Qingyang's sharply defined face was