Path of God Worship, God Slaying Department

Seeing Fang Heng's interest in the courtesans, Yun Menglan spoke with a hint of sourness.

"This concubine will have those little enchantresses serve Your Highness right away."

"Ahem! Aunt Yun, you've misunderstood."

"This lonely one is a true gentleman. How could I indulge in such romantic pursuits?"

"This Lin Ye, a dignified Director of the Ministry of Justice, instead of thinking about serving the emperor and the country, spends all his time on such frivolous things."

"This lonely one simply must criticize him thoroughly."

Seeing Fang Heng's righteous demeanor, Yun Menglan rolled her eyes.

A man's words are like a lying devil.

Hopefully, his "criticism" doesn't end up in bed.

Before long, Fang Heng met the twelve courtesans sent by Director Lin.

They were exquisitely beautiful, though not quite as stunning as Yun Menglan, but certainly first-rate beauties.

These courtesans had clearly been trained; their eyes were captivating and especially alluring.

Dressed in light gauze, revealing their slender waists, every movement exuded charm.

Most importantly, this was twelve times the pleasure.

Seeing Fang Heng's eyes widen, Yun Menglan decided not to make a fool of herself.

She stood up and bid Fang Heng farewell.

"Your Highness, this concubine will return to her room first."

"Ahem, Aunt Yun, wait."

Fang Heng stopped Yun Menglan, startling her.

Could His Highness want me to serve him along with these courtesans?

Fang Heng had no idea what Yun Menglan was thinking.

At this moment, Precognition of Danger activated.

Something is off!

The source of the anomaly was actually one of the courtesans.

And this anomaly was quite peculiar.

It wasn't dangerous, but it was directed at him.

"You stay, the others may withdraw for now."

Fang Heng pointed a finger at one of the beautiful courtesans.

The other eleven courtesans showed faint disappointment in their eyes, along with intense jealousy.

They seemed to be asking, Why can Yue Mei do it, but we can't?

Once the others had left, Fang Heng feigned a frivolous attitude.

"Come closer!"

"Let this lonely one take a look!"

"This servant will attend to Your Highness."

Yue Mei seemed a bit nervous, her pretty face constrained, as she rose and approached Fang Heng.

She took a few steps closer, and at that very moment.

A crackling sound rang out.

Accompanied by a thunderous roar, a bolt of azure lightning shot out from Fang Heng's fingertip.

It was as fast as lightning.

After leaving a lingering afterimage in the air, it plunged into Yue Mei's chest.

Before Yue Mei could even react.

A translucent, jade-like seed shot out from her chest.

Upon seeing this seed, the Wood-Thunder Divine Lightning was like a shark that smelled blood, chasing directly after it.

"Scatter!"

Fang Heng roared.

The Wood-Thunder Divine Lightning transformed into a net of lightning, falling down on it from above.

Like a tightly woven net, it left no escape.

It directly caught the seed.

Seeing this scene, Yun Menglan's pretty face changed slightly, and she blurted out.

"A Divine Seed!"

A Divine Seed is a unique method cultivated only by those who follow the Path of God Worship.

Yue Mei having a Divine Seed planted within her means she's essentially a clone of the Divine Abomination behind the scenes.

This woman, with a Divine Seed planted in her, was then sent to the imperial manor.

What was the purpose?

Surveillance?

Or to drag His Highness into trouble?

Yun Menglan's heart tightened, her pink fists clenched, knuckles slightly white.

After Fang Heng saw the Divine Seed, his mood sank, and his eyes grew cold.

The Path of God Worship actually dared to target him.

"Notify the God Slaying Department and the Ministry of Justice."

Fang Heng said in a deep voice.

The God Slaying Department was an yamen established by the Great Qian Founding Emperor specifically to apprehend Divine Abominations.

During Emperor Taizong's reign, the God Slaying Department was also granted the authority to oversee all officials.

They could bypass the Three Ministries, set up private tribunals, and interrogate officials.

Their power was immense, comparable to the palace guards.

Their formidable reputation was enough to make even three-year-olds cry at night upon hearing their name.

Any case related to Divine Abominations had to be reported to the God Slaying Department.

As for the Ministry of Justice…

Lin Ye was a Director in the Ministry of Justice, and the singing girl he sent had issues.

This matter was undoubtedly connected to Lin Ye.

Notifying the Ministry of Justice was only natural.

A quarter of an hour later.

Peng Xiaochuan, a Battalion Commander from the God Slaying Department, and Yin Tingshu, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, arrived at the imperial manor.

"This subject pays respects to Your Highness!"

"You two officials may rise."

The two stood up, their expressions solemn.

On their way, they had already learned about the case.

Cases involving Divine Abominations were all major cases.

Moreover, this case involved the Ninth Prince, who held a special place in the Emperor's heart, as well as a Director from the Ministry of Justice.

The far-reaching implications of this case were beyond what ordinary officials could handle.

The arrival of the God Slaying Department Battalion Commander and the Ministry of Justice Vice Minister showed the importance placed on the case.

"Your Highness, please allow this humble official to examine the Divine Seed," Peng Xiaochuan said.

"Battalion Commander Peng, please take a look!"

With that, Fang Heng handed the already sealed Divine Seed to Peng Xiaochuan.

Peng Xiaochuan's pupils slightly constricted as he examined it.

"It is indeed a Divine Seed!"

"And its divine essence is rich, clearly indicating that the Divine Abomination has been in contact with the singing girl within the last three days."

"This humble official will go and investigate everyone who has been in contact with Yue Mei in the past three days."

As the God Slaying Department began their work, Fang Heng turned his gaze to Yin Tingshu.

"Vice Minister Yin, regarding the Ministry of Justice…"

"Your Highness, rest assured, the Ministry of Justice will fully cooperate."

"I have already sent people to apprehend Lin Ye, and the entire Ministry of Justice will conduct a self-inspection."

Seeing Yin Tingshu's attitude, Fang Heng nodded slightly.

"For Lin Ye, a high-ranking court official, to collude with a Divine Abomination, it's truly…"

"Your Highness, after Lin Ye's beloved son died two years ago, he became somewhat eccentric."

"Perhaps the Divine Abomination used the resurrection of his beloved son as leverage to bewitch Lin Ye."

Resurrection of the dead?

Fang Heng was momentarily stunned, then asked suspiciously, "Can Divine Abominations truly resurrect the dead?"

"Of course not!"

"Those are just deceptions by the Divine Abomination to bewitch people."

"Besides raising the dead, promises of Eternal Life and eternal youth are also common."

Yin Tingshu shook his head dismissively.

If the evil god worshipped by the Divine Abomination truly had the power to raise the dead, then Great Qian's imperial court wouldn't be ruling the Central Plains; it would be the Path of God Worship.

Soon, news came from the Ministry of Justice. Lin Ye was dead!

When he was found, he had already turned into a pool of blood.

"Heh—serves him right!" Peng Xiaochuan sneered, mocking Lin Ye and subtly criticizing the Ministry of Justice.

Yin Tingshu's expression naturally soured. A high-ranking official from the Ministry of Justice colluding with a Divine Abomination and meeting such an end meant their ministry had completely lost face.

Fang Heng shook his head, his expression grim. "The Path of God Worship is so arrogant, killing imperial officials in Yujing City in broad daylight as if they were slaughtering dogs."

"Your Highness, rest assured. Lin Ye's collusion with the Divine Abomination was his own undoing."

"Anyone who colludes with a Divine Abomination will have a Divine Seed planted within them. Their life and death are entirely at the Divine Abomination's whim."

"The God Slaying Grand Array protects the skies above Yujing City."

"As long as one doesn't actively collude with a Divine Abomination, even if it has immense power, it won't be able to stir up any trouble."

Peng Xiaochuan said with a smile. He had absolute, almost blind, faith in the God Slaying Grand Array. Any Divine Abomination that entered Yujing City would be slain by the God Slaying Grand Array. This had been the case without exception for nearly ten thousand years.

The three conversed in the main hall. Peng Xiaochuan's occasional jibes at the Ministry of Justice made Yin Tingshu's face turn ashen, though he felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

The animosity between the God Slaying Department and the Ministry of Justice did not escape Fang Heng's notice. To be precise, the God Slaying Department was the Emperor's personal blade. It was at odds not only with the Ministry of Justice but also with the Three Prime Ministers and the Seven Ministries.

Half an hour later, a God Slaying Guard came to report.

"Reporting, my lord, all those who had contact with the courtesan Yue Mei within the last three days have been imprisoned."

"It's just…"

"Just what?" Peng Xiaochuan frowned.

The God Slaying Guard lowered his head, giving a wry smile. "My lord, we haven't found any Divine Abomination."

Peng Xiaochuan's mood sank, and he immediately ordered, "Then imprison everyone who had contact with Yue Mei within the last month."

"My lord, your subordinate has already done so."

"However, the Divine Abomination is cunning; there isn't a single clue."

This time, Peng Xiaochuan was completely defeated. He had intended to showcase the capabilities of their God Slaying Department to the Ninth Prince and Yin Tingshu, but instead, he had made a fool of himself.

Seeing that the God Slaying Department had found nothing, Fang Heng looked at Yin Tingshu. "Vice Minister Yin, what are your thoughts?"

Yin Tingshu's expression was solemn. He held a white jade teacup, the tea within it cold and still full. After a moment of contemplation, Yin Tingshu slowly said, "This humble official is incompetent and has no better solution."

"For now, the only option is to request an imperial decree from His Majesty, ordering the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to intervene and deduce the whereabouts of the Divine Abomination."

The Heavenly Mechanism Masters of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau paid a price in lifespan to deduce heavenly secrets. Therefore, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau only obeyed the Emperor's commands.

Aside from the Emperor, not even the Crown Prince or the Three Prime Ministers could command the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

In Yin Tingshu's view, as long as the Director of Imperial Astronomical Bureau took action, he would surely be able to locate the Divine Abomination.

However, no sooner had Yin Tingshu finished speaking than Peng Xiaochuan voiced his opposition.

"Absolutely not! Under no circumstances!"

Peng Xiaochuan vehemently opposed the Imperial Astronomical Bureau's involvement.

Their God Slaying Department was the sharp blade in His Majesty's hand.

If the blade were to dull, what value would it still have?

Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Emperor Yuanchu's voice rang out.

"Grand Eunuch, go to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau!"

"Your servant will go at once!"