Li Qingxian, You're Not Human!

Li Qingxian noticed Zhou Chunfeng glancing at him and immediately sobered up. Could it be that the Night Guard and the Inner Factory were working together to arrest someone? Such a big commotion meant it wasn't just about one or two big fish; it was likely a single net cast to catch a whole school of fish.

The enemy has already been alerted, and many people will be unable to make a secret arrest. It seems that we will have to act as soon as possible.

Li Qingxian forced himself not to look at Ge Chao, but glanced at Zhou Chunfeng instead.

Zhou Chunfeng remained calm.

Towards the end of the meeting, Li Qingxian heard a familiar voice.

"My Daren, I have already reported on the matter concerning the Imperial Prison Bureau and Li Qingxian. The Imperial Prison is a vital institution of the state, governed by strict laws. However, Li Qingxian is now disregarding the law, recklessly releasing people, Life Buying, and interfering in the internal affairs of the Imperial Prison Bureau. Once this precedent is set, the consequences will be dire."

Li Qingxian noticed that almost everyone was looking at him.

The Directors' Hall was completely silent.

"Li Qingxian, do you have anything to say?" Yu Xianhe asked.

Li Qingxian sat in his chair and said, "Since Lord Daren wants to ask, then I will tell you the truth. Ge Chao, you say I disregarded the law, so let me ask you, does Lord Zhou Chunfeng, as the Daren of the Imperial Prison Bureau, have the authority to transfer someone out of prison? I'll answer for you, yes. As for the release document, it bears the official seals of three Chiefs; they released the person, yet you blame me. Why ask me instead of asking them?"

"The three officials are only Daren this way because of your badge; this matter has nothing to do with them," Ge Chao said.

Li Qingxian sneered, "If it has nothing to do with them, then it has something to do with you and me. You mean you're imprisoning the innocent Shen Goudan?"

"Shen Goudan's detention has nothing to do with me."

"What does releasing him have to do with you?" Li Qingxian retorted.

Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Ge Chao calmly replied, "Shen Goudan has nothing to do with me, but as the Imperial Prison Bureau, your every word and action concerns me."

"Daren Ge, you really know how to be an official. The Imperial Prison Bureau is constantly being cursed at, and you do nothing about it; innocent people are arrested, and you do nothing about it; I'm releasing innocent people under pressure for the sake of the Emperor, the Imperial Prison Bureau, and the people, clearly helping the Imperial Prison Bureau regain its reputation, and you're unhappy about it? Could it be that the life of an ordinary citizen is worthless in your eyes?"

"Each department of the Imperial Prison Bureau shall perform its respective duties," Ge Chao said.

"Oh, so you mean that as long as the Imperial Prison Bureau break the rules and it goes undetected, it's your responsibility? Fine, I'm now reporting Zhang Fugui, the Left Commander and Imperial Prison Bureau, for breaking the rules. Daren Ge, please investigate thoroughly. If you can't find out the truth, what right do you have to say that my every word and action is related to you?"

"I am a minor official of the Subordinate Seventh Rank, and I do not interfere with my superiors," Ge Chao said.

"Daren Zhou, Ge Chao was referring to you, who also serves as the Director of the Imperial Prison Bureau, not your superior," Li Qingxian said.

Zhou Chunfeng turned to look at Ge Chao and said, "Daren Ge, is that what you mean?"

Ge Chao bowed slightly and said, "Daren Zhou, please don't misunderstand. This matter only concerns Li Qingxian and has nothing to do with Daren."

Zhou Chunfeng spoke softly and slowly, "He was carrying my badge, and everything he did was at my behest. What, you think I, the clerk of the capital, am not your superior?"

"Daren Zhou, you misunderstand. Everyone knows that Daren Zhou is kind-hearted. Releasing prisoners and changing cells are decisions that Daren Zhou has the authority to make, but humiliating Seventh Rank prisoner and forcing him to Life Buying was certainly not at Lord Daren's behest. Guards, take the prisoner Pang Mingjing!"

Ge Chao shouted loudly, and the sound of shackles dragging on the ground came from outside the Directors' Hall.

Li Qingxian narrowed his eyes slightly and looked towards the doorway.

As the morning light streamed through the doorway, Pang Mingjing walked to the threshold, knelt down with a thud, and burst into tears, wailing, "Please, my former colleague, do me Pang Mingjing! This Li Qingxian has gone too far! He's gone too far! Waaah..."

After saying this, he burst into tears in front of everyone.

Many officials were moved; a dignified Seventh Rank official even broke down in tears in court. What had driven him to such a desperate situation?

Ge Chao said, "Tell me slowly."

Pang Mingjing wiped away her tears, pointed at Li Qingxian, and said hatefully, "I'm going to sue Li Qingxian! First, he bribed the jailer, coerced prisoners, and forced them to Life Buying in large numbers, signing Fate Contract with seven people at once—how absurd! Second, he used Fate Arts to wreak havoc in the Imperial Prison. Everyone knows how difficult it is to Life Buying; even Middle Rank Fate Arts Master might fail. How could he, alone, Life Buying of seven people? He must be harboring malicious intentions, using these innocent prisoners to cultivate evil Fate Arts. Third, he committed insubordination and used his position to settle personal scores. Even though I have a criminal record, as long as the court hasn't issued an edict, I am still an official of the court. How dare Li Qingxian interrogate me every day and force me to sell my life?"

Everyone looked at Li Qingxian. If they could use Zhou Chunfeng as a shield before, this time it would be difficult.

Wei Yong smiled slightly, then quickly disappeared, Ye Han's eyes flickered.

Zhou Chunfeng said calmly, "I asked Li Qingxian to investigate Pang Mingjing under the pretense of Life Buying. Is there a problem with that?"

Upon hearing this, the officials of the Divine Capital Office lowered their heads and laughed.

The rest of the people were bewildered.

Pang Mingjing was convicted for harming Li Qingxian, and then you, Zhou Chunfeng, send Li Qingxian to investigate Pang Mingjing? Is that something a human being would do?

Pang Mingjing knelt outside, unsure whether to cry or not.

Ge Chao never expected Zhou Chunfeng to be so protective of his own. He took a deep breath and said, "Daren, I know you are kind-hearted and compassionate, and you are protecting Li Qingxian for Mr. Gangfeng's sake. However, this matter involves the rules of the entire Imperial Prison Bureau. Breaking the rules and incurring public wrath will make you, even if you, unable to escape responsibility."

"You can sue me," Zhou Chunfeng said in a slightly hoarse, gentle Jiangnan voice, sounding even more nonchalant.

Ge Chao was speechless.

A higher-ranking official can crush a lower-ranking person.

The officials of the Divine Capital Office lowered their heads even further, afraid of bursting into laughter.

The officials remained silent, as Ge Chao was completely outmatched by Li Qingxian and Zhou Chunfeng from beginning to end.

Pang Mingjing shouted, "Does this mean that Li Qingxian can act with impunity and ignore the law in our Great Qi Night Guard?! I beg you, my Daren, to uphold justice! I beg you, my Daren, to uphold justice!"

Wei Yong turned his head away, refusing to look at Pang Mingjing.

Ye Han clenched his fists, filled with righteous indignation.

Ge Chao sighed deeply, surveyed the hall, and said, "Gentlemen, you have all seen it. No one could remain indifferent to what Li Qingxian has done. I initially thought he was only rampant in the Imperial Prison Bureau, but I never imagined he could also wield absolute power in this Directors' Hall and among the Night Guard! I, Ge Chao, will investigate this matter thoroughly, even if it costs me my official robes! I refuse to believe that there is no law in this Great Qi, before the Emperor!"

Wei Yong glanced at Li Qingxian, moved his lips, thought for a moment, and then remained seated.

Ye Han's blood boiled, and he couldn't help but say, "Daren Ge is right. Is there no law in this world?"

Many officials looked at Ye Han; some frowned, some nodded slightly, and some smiled.

Li Qingxian was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized that Ge Chao was also quite righteous. On the surface, he was accusing Ge Chao, but in reality, he was just throwing mud at him. No matter what, he felt like he had lost.

Someone looked at Li Qingxian and gently shook their head.

This time, even Zhou Chunfeng might be implicated.

"The law? We're here to enforce the law!"

A sharp sound came from outside the main hall, followed by a flurry of footsteps.

A Fourth Rank eunuch, dressed in a bright red brocade robe embroidered with leopards, entered. He wore white-soled black official boots with gold patterns and a black cloak embroidered with white python patterns.

The man had a light layer of white powder on his face, his almond-shaped eyes were wide open, his brows and eyes held a fierce look, and he strode straight into the main gate with the air of an eagle and the gait of a tiger.

Li Qingxian was stunned. Wasn't this Yan Shixiao, who called him "Brother Spring Breeze" as soon as they met? He used to be such a cute and adorable guy, how did he suddenly become so manly?

Two groups of men followed Yan Shixiao on his left and right.

One group consisted of eunuchs dressed in red brocade robes, while the other group consisted of Night Guard dressed in blue brocade robes, each wearing a black cloak.

Two groups of men, gripping sword hilts and scanning the hall with menacing eyes, swiftly moved along the central aisle, surrounding everyone.

A cold wind blew through the Directors' Hall.

Everyone sat or stood, remaining completely still.

Some low-ranking officials were so frightened that their legs trembled and they broke out in a cold sweat.

Yan Shixiao seemed not to have seen Li Qingxian and Zhou Chunfeng. He stepped forward and scanned both sides.

Apart from high-ranking officials, all other officials dared not meet his gaze and bowed their heads respectfully.

Yan Shixiao's eyes gleamed coldly as he walked, seemingly casually appraising everyone.

An indescribable panic spread through the Directors' Hall.

The Inner Factory) was responsible for overseeing all officials and was a close confidant of the emperor.

The Night Guard handle both minor and major cases; once the Inner Factory is mobilized, it's bound to be a major case.

When the Inner Factory investigates cases, no one except the Emperor and the Cabinet can intervene, not even the Three Legal Offices or the Night Guard.

The Directors' Hall was quiet, with only the sound of Yan Shixiao's footsteps.

Yan Shixiao walked slowly until he reached a blind spot behind Ge Chao. Suddenly, he raised his hand, and twelve silver needles flew out silently, landing on Ge Chao.

He suddenly vanished from his spot, flashed behind Ge Chao, and struck all of Ge Chao's major acupoints, firmly restraining him.

"Take away!"

Two Factory Guards rushed forward and hoisted Ge Chao onto their shoulders like he was carrying a log.

Ge Chao was stunned, unable to move because his acupoints had been struck.

The officials in the Directors' Hall were dumbfounded. How could Ge Chao, who had been so imposing just moments before, have been suddenly arrested?

Li Qingxian realized that his earlier guess was correct. Those noises must have been due to resistance during the arrest. The Inner Factory was afraid that Ge Chao would get the news and escape, so they had no choice but to arrest him directly.

Yan Shixiao glanced around the Directors' Hall, snorted coldly, flicked his cloak, and turned to walk out.

Li Qingxian watched Yan Shixiao's retreating figure, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Pang Mingjing kneeling at the door, trembling.

As Yan Shixiao walked out the door, Li Qingxian coughed lightly and said, "Reporting to Your Daren, I am reporting that Pang Mingjing, who was kneeling at the door, is colluding with Ge Chao."

"Oh?" Yan Shixiao stopped, not turning around to look at Li Qingxian. He stood on the threshold, the light from outside shining on him, casting a long shadow behind him.

He glanced at Pang Mingjing and said, "Take him with you too."

The Factory Guards pounced and grabbed Pang Mingjing's arm.

Pang Mingjing froze for a moment, then turned to look at Li Qingxian, screaming with heart-wrenching pain, "Li Qingxian, you're not human! Even if I become a ghost, I won't forgive you! I..."

A eunuch struck, striking Pang Mingjing's pressure point to silence him.

Pang Mingjing, mouth agape and eyes wide, was dragged away by the Factory Guards.

The sun was shining brightly outside the door, and the sunlight was intense inside the hall.

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