Journey to the Kong Family's Secret Realm

Nearly the entire town turned out: the people who had witnessed Fang Xun lay down his life in the line of duty atop East Mountain's highest peak that day.

For a time, the crowd outside the Fang Xun Ancestral Hall packed the place so tightly that not even water could pass through.

Before the grief-stricken, indignant crowd, Li Shun once again recited the memorial tribute with stirring passion.

After offering incense, he quietly stepped aside and let the people, whose weeping shook the earth, pay their respects.

When he saw that Kong Zhao and Zhao Cheng had both arrived, he knew they had come to see him about something.

Once the memorial rites drew to a close, the three went to the East Mountain government offices.

Kong Zhao waved a hand and cast a ward, shutting out any eavesdroppers.

Zhao Cheng opened with news of Yin Fengshuo's fate. "Yin Fengshuo has been stripped of his post as governor of Former Tomb Commandery, thrown into death row, and sentenced to execution after autumn." Li Shun was surprised. "He was actually sentenced to death? I thought he'd be demoted to a commoner at worst."

Zhao Cheng nodded slightly. "Your memorial tribute stirred public anger and helped fan the flames, but at most, that could only have convicted him of dereliction of duty. What truly cost him his life was his collusion with a descendant of the Jun Family."

"He really was involved with the Jun Family? I thought someone had framed him." Li Shun was taken aback.

Zhao Cheng gave a derisive smile. "Whether he was or not, he confessed after a round of harsh interrogation. The truth is, someone at court needed him to shoulder the blame."

"Martial Uncle, what do you mean?"

"The disaster of Heavenly Dao Severed Qi in