"Slay Perfected Mingzhang..."
Huo Chuan stared blankly at the mirror, speechless with shock.
Returning Balance Academy is by no means some unknown Dao Lineage!
According to his father, the Perfected Iron Face, the Dean Perfected Mingzhang, was among the most skilled True Person in the Green Luo Continent!
Otherwise, how could one person have maintained the academy's status for so many years?!
But now, the opponent had actually been killed by the excessively young Supreme Clarity Palace Son himself!!
"Young Prefectural Lord Huo, did you hear me?!"
The Manager in the mirror was still giving instructions, speaking urgently with spittle flying everywhere:
"Whatever you do, don't fight him!"
"Du Yuan and his group also cited the rules of the Alliance Association) back then, but what happened? Not a single one of them survived!!"
Huo Chuan's mind went completely blank!
The killing of the Yin-Yang Sect's Wuguang True Cultivator and the killing of the Returning Balance Academy's Perfected Mingzhang are completely different things!
Moreover... even those in Manager within the Alliance Association were killed without exception?!
What exactly is this person here to investigate?!
On the other side.
Qiao Suying's expression was also not very good.
She looked at the figure in the Green Robe in her line of sight, only to meet his casually sweeping gaze.
There seemed to be a hint of disdain in those eyes.
Qiao Suying a chill run down her spine and quickly lowered her head.
Could this person be someone invited by the Green Luo Continent Alliance Association?!
Since it was inconvenient for them to personally attack the Wave-Subduing Residence, which had achieved numerous military exploits, they sent this notoriously unscrupulous Supreme Clarity Palace Son instead!
But isn't the number of people a bit too small?
Even if Perfected Mingzhang came in person, he probably couldn't destroy Wave-Subduing Residence. Do you really think Ye Li and An Ziqing could investigate them?
Or is there actually another powerful figure waiting outside?!
Thinking of this...
Qiao Suying grew increasingly uneasy and quickly whispered a reminder:
"Young Prefectural Lord, they're still waiting for your reply."
"... ah?"
Huo Chuan then came to his senses and forced a smile at the Manager:
"I see.
"I'll have to trouble you with this matter; please come over as soon as possible."
The Alliance Association Manager in the mirror looked at him, his expression somewhat complicated, and said:
"I will report to my superiors first."
"Please don't act rashly. Talk to Palace Heir Ye properly about what's going on!"
As for when they would arrive, the other party never gave a definite answer.
The light faded, and the Communication Transmission ended.
In the past, as long as the name of [Wave-Subduing Residence] was mentioned, this Manager would always be very enthusiastic.
Even if the matter is outside his authority, he can always help pass on the message.
Now they won't even give a straight answer!
Huo Chuan held the jade mirror, and after a moment looked at Ye Li again, forcing a smile:
"Your Palace Heir is here to thoroughly investigate Wave-Subduing Residence, isn't that right?"
"Um."
The words had barely left his mouth.
Before Huo Chuan could even speak, Qiao Suying abruptly stood up and spoke first:
I agree!
"A clear conscience fears no accusation. Palace Heir Ye has come from afar for alliance affairs, so naturally we should fully cooperate!"
"Vice Hall Master Qiao is right!"
"That's exactly how it should be!"
The surrounding cultivators nodded in agreement. "Please feel free to ask whatever you wish, Palace Heir Ye. We will answer all your questions to the best of our ability!"
They were originally brought here by Huo Chuan to keep the place company and to support Wave-Subduing Residence.
Who would have thought something like this would happen?!
If they had known this person was here to investigate a case, they should have stayed far away!
A bunch of opportunists... Huo Chuan's lips twitched slightly as he cursed inwardly.
He glanced at Qiao Suying, but she didn't look at him.
Qiao Suying had calculated everything clearly in her mind.
It's always better to protect yourself first.
Even if Ye Li didn't find anything afterward, she could explain to Huo Chuan that she was afraid he would act impulsively, and that she made that statement in order to save his life.
It's acceptable from both sides!
Huo Chuan received no response, so he could only look away and then smiled:
"That's right, I agree."
"If there's anything Palace Heir 'd like to ask, please feel free to ask."
"Very good."
Ye Li nodded slightly and chuckled:
"The first question."
"Has there been any recent cases of fraudulently claiming military merits or accepting bribes in your Wave-Subduing Residence?"
Huo Chuan's back immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
Asking this right off the bat?!
You've come to the right person.
In the entire Wave-Subduing Residence, he was the one who loved to claim military merits the most!
The credit for yesterday has just been recorded, and the money for the repair of the armor hasn't been allocated yet. If we were to tell the truth, neither I nor Qiao Suying would be able to escape responsibility!
But if I don't say it...
Huo Chuan looked into those Golden Eyes, and the words he had prepared were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back.
His lips moved slightly, then he forced a smile:
"Palace Heir, every military merit in my household is recorded. As long as you bring me the merit register, the truth will naturally come to light."
Boom!!!
But before he could finish speaking, a palm strike descended from afar, sending him flying directly from his seat!
Huo Chuan coughed up blood and crashed heavily to the ground, smashing several tables along the way!
The armor on his body suddenly lit up with a divine light, but was violently shattered in the next instant!
Large pieces of armor shot out and embedded themselves deep into the surrounding stone pillars!
The expressions of everyone in the hall changed drastically!
What a terrifying method!
The cultivators who had been agreeing with him just moments before all froze in their seats, staring intently at the empty space in front of them!
Ye Li said calmly:
"Last chance."
Yes or no?
"..."
Huo Chuan braced himself against the ground, feeling not only excruciating pain but also a bit dazed.
His armor was so strong that even a cultivator in the Late Path Opening Realm might not be able to break through it even with their full strength.
It was shattered into pieces by Ye Li's palm strike from a distance!
What is this strange thing?!
Huo Chuan raised his head with difficulty.
Feeling the boundless and majestic divine power emanating from the hall, a deep sense of dread finally welled up in my heart.
He didn't know how Mingzhang died.
But he'll probably find out how he died very soon!
Huo Chuan immediately replied, "Yes!"
"Recently, several military merits have been misappropriated and transferred to other people's names, and there have also been cases of people accepting bribes in the supply department..."
He dared not reveal everything, and could only admit to the less serious parts first.
Ye Li then asked:
How many people were involved in this?
"Tell me everything you know."
Huo Chuan's throat bobbed.
Upon hearing this, Qiao Suying's previously composed expression gradually changed.
If you keep asking like that, the next question will probably involve yourself!
Her lips moved slightly, and she finally managed a forced smile:
"Palace Heir, the distribution of military merits sometimes involves pre-battle preparations, and it's not necessarily only those who personally participate who get the credit—"
Boom!!!
The void trembled as yet another palm strike came crashing down from afar!
Qiao Suying was slapped all the way down the hall!
Blood gushed from her mouth, and she leaned on the ground, not daring to lift her head for a long time!
"I didn't ask you, so just sit still."
Qiao Suying trembled and dared not speak up to help Huo Chuan out of the predicament.
Everyone lowered their gaze, afraid that the next question would be directed at them.
Huo Chuan watched this scene, his despair grew even stronger.
What young Prefectural Lord, what deputy hall master?
It's completely useless against them!
Just then...
Boom!!
A loud bang suddenly came from outside the hall!
A burly, heavily armored man burst through the air and strode into the hall, meeting everyone's gaze!
The heavy armor still carried the lingering aura of military formation.
He glanced at the two people below the hall, and his face immediately darkened:
"What happened?!"
The newcomer was none other than Ding Lie, the Commander-in- Wave-Subduing Residence!
As that aura of Fortune-Mastery spread out.
The many cultivators inside the hall finally had a chance to catch their breath!
Huo Chuan was overjoyed and quickly sat up:
"Commander Ding, you've come at the perfect time!"
"This is Palace Heir Ye from the Supreme Clarity Palace, who has come specifically to thoroughly investigate my Wave-Subduing Residence!"
"Supreme Clarity Palace Son?"
Ding Lie narrowed his eyes and turned to look at Ye Li.
Many rumors I had heard before flashed through my mind.
That young junior from the Cold Sea Continent who killed a True Person Immortal?
They actually came to the Green Luo Continent and even sought out Wave-Subduing Residence?!
Huo Chuan was eager to tell Ding Lie the news he had just heard, but before he could even open his mouth, Ding Lie raised his hand and stopped him from saying anything more.
"So it was Palace Heir Ye."
Ding Lie pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice:
"But since you are investigating this case on behalf of the Alliance Association, please present the relevant documents first."
"While our household is willing to cooperate, we cannot be questioned without a valid reason."
Upon hearing this statement...
Huo Chuan and the others felt a little relieved.
The same words carry a completely different weight depending on True Person says them!
Ye Li chuckled softly:
"I am the official."
"I'll give you the paperwork later. Now go downstairs and wait patiently until I finish asking you my questions."
"... What did you say?"
Ding Lie was taken aback at first, then laughed in extreme anger:
"Palace Heir Ye, aren't you taking my Wave-Subduing Residence far too lightly? You want to investigate a case without proper procedures?!"
Before he could finish speaking...
Too lazy to say anything more, Ye Li raised his palm and unleashed a beam of golden light!
"Presumptuous!!"
Ding Lie's eyes widened in anger, and a surge of powerful Immortal Essence erupted from his body!
A colossal, armored Dharma Form emerged from behind him, raising its arm to grab at the golden light!
But the next moment...
A scripture suddenly unfolded from the golden light emitted by Ye Li!
Countless ancient characters burst forth from the scripture, shattering the arm along with the Dharma Form behind it!
Ding Lie's expression changed drastically!
Immediately afterwards, a hand landed on his shoulder!
Boom!!!
The heavy armor shattered on the spot!
Ding Lie's knees slammed heavily into the hall, the ground beneath his feet cracked, and the surging Immortal Essence energy was forcibly forced back into his body!
He struggled desperately.
But under the pressure of that hand, he was unable to get up!
Such a sight sent chills down Huo Chuan, Qiao Suying, and the others' spines!
In his rage, Ding Lie heard a familiar mocking voice beside him:
Fellow Daoist Ding.
"Your methods still aren't working."
"...?!"
Ding Lie turned his head with difficulty, and looking at the refined and smiling face in front of him, a look of horror finally appeared in his eyes!
"Perfected Mingzhang?!"
What are you doing here?!
The entire room was filled with shock.
Ye Li rose from his seat and said calmly:
"You've almost worn out my patience."
"Since you've come to me yourself, I'll ask you first."
"Old man, have you ever been involved in fraudulently claiming military merits or accepting bribes?"
At this point, his tone grew increasingly cold:
Within three breaths.
If you can't answer, then you might as well die.