Exterminating nine generations, the grand show begins

Mingdu.

The Imperial Palace.

"Your Majesty, I request that the Hall Master Jing be punished."

Among the officials in the imperial court, Xu Jiangliu, dressed in a jet-black python robe, stood out from the ranks, his solemn voice resounding throughout the vast palace.

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, exchanging bewildered glances.

So, it really is coming after all?

Many people turned their attention to Kong Deming, who stood at the very front, his hands hidden in his sleeves, his face calm and composed, his eyes closed as if resting. This was the most trusted disciple of the empire's Sea God, about to be punished, yet he remained silent.

"After much deliberation, I realize that my punishment of Hall Master Jing a few days ago was perhaps too harsh. After all, he was a veteran minister from my father and brother's time, and he has made great contributions. If I had treated him like this, I wouldn't have been able to find out even the so-called crime of treason you mentioned. Wouldn't that have chilled his heart?"

The old emperor then uttered a startling statement.

Many ministers secretly grumbled, watching the emperor and his minister, uncle and nephew, put on an act.

"No, Your Majesty, I have something important to report!"

Xu Jiangliu hurriedly knelt down and shouted.

"Explain."

"The evidence of Hall Master Jing's treason has been found!" Xu Jiangliu took out several letters from his pocket, as well as a Storage Soul Tool containing all the evidence he had "plundered" from the Illustrious Virtue Hall.

"Bring it here!" The old emperor sat up straight, his gaze intense.

Please take a look...

Xu Jiangliu presented it personally, then respectfully returned it to its original position.

"How audacious! Truly audacious! Well, no wonder the Sun Moon Empire is so corrupt, from the highest-ranking military officers to the city 'Sun Moon garrison commanders. It turns out there are such figures behind the scenes, acting as a protective umbrella, willing to sacrifice the very foundation of the Sun Moon Empire for their secret dealings with the Shrek Academy!"

The old emperor flew into a rage and slammed the letters onto the table.

Meanwhile, many ministers were completely dumbfounded.

What are you going to do?

Are you trying to kill Jing Hongchen?

The Sun Moon Empire's smuggling and embezzlement of rare metals is a legacy of history. To pin this enormous burden on Jing Hongchen Jing Hongchen is truly giving him too much credit. However...

Many were secretly alarmed; as expected of the old emperor, his mastery of balance was unparalleled.

By pressuring numerous leaders of the Soul Guidance Corps and high-ranking military officers, he not only secured the extremely lucrative rare metal sales channel for himself but also completely cut off Jing Hongchen's path to survival.

After all, the smuggling of rare metals in the Sun Moon Empire has always been a huge problem. Compared with the countries of the original continent, the Sun Moon Empire also has a complex and intertwined royal family power structure. Even the previous emperor did not sort it out and was unable to bring it under his control, let alone the old emperor who murdered his brother to seize the throne and whose position was illegitimate.

This is a thorn.

The smuggling of rare metals has long been a mess, so messy that no one can sort it out. If it were to be investigated, the entire military of the Sun Moon Empire would suffer. To put it bluntly, it could even lead to a rebellion.

Either someone takes the blame and completely wipes out this mess, then everyone's happy.

The person who takes the blame cannot be of too low a status or position, otherwise no one will believe them.

It can't be too high either. If it's as high as Kong Deming, would you dare let him carry it?

Jing Hongchen happened to be at this juncture and made a huge mistake, practically offering himself up to take the blame.

All the ministers remained silent. Among them, a minister who was on good terms with Jing Hongchen swallowed hard, wanting to speak, but was quickly stopped by those around him.

The tide is rolling, and no one can stop it.

The old emperor, having seized control of almost the entire military, intended to pin this mess on Jing Hongchen. Meanwhile, a sharp sword of Damocles hung over the military's heads, ready to fall at any moment and leave them bleeding profusely. Now that someone had "voluntarily" taken the blame, they were naturally happy to see it happen, even if it meant being completely controlled by the old emperor in the future...

To stand up now to vindicate Jing Hongchen is to be an enemy of the Sun Moon Army.

Of course, there are solutions.

Many people cast hopeful glances at the tall, imposing figure at the very front. This man held terrifying prestige in both the Illustrious Virtue Hall and the military. If he could step forward to clear Jing Hongchen's name, everything would fall apart without a fight.

Even though those people were eagerly waiting, Kong Deming stood quietly in place, closing his eyes to rest.

He didn't say a single word in defense of his chief disciple.

The old emperor sighed Youyou, "It's lamentable how much my father and brother trusted Jing Hongchen, yet he committed such a foolish act of treason. So be it. Since the evidence is irrefutable, I have nothing more to say. Then..."

The old emperor's eyes were icy cold, looking down at his ministers like a venomous snake.

"Beheading at Empire Square!"

"Exterminate their entire family!"

The officials below the stage were all terrified. This was the old emperor whom the people called cowardly, indecisive, and soft-hearted—not a single word could describe him.

It's a pity that Jing Hongchen died so mysteriously, and even dragged his family down with him.

Sun Moon Empire Royal Academy

playground.

Lu Cheng, somewhat bored, chewed on a blade of grass, gazing into the distance. Dark clouds gradually rolled in, obscuring the sky and bringing a chill. Beside him, Meng Hongchen frowned slightly, "A-Cheng, I have a feeling..."

Before Meng Hongchen could finish speaking, a group of female guards clad in bright red heavy armor and fully equipped with Soul Tool appeared from afar in the sky. The Flying Soul Tool emitted a series of buzzing sounds that echoed through the sky.

The once bustling playground instantly fell silent.

"Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion, First Battalion, Third Squad Leader, Huo Ling."

The woman at the head of the group landed in front of Lu Cheng first, and said calmly, turning her gaze to Meng Hongchen beside her. "Come with us."

After saying that, the Fire Phoenix Guards on both sides rushed up, grabbed Meng Hongchen, and were about to take her away.

"My grandfather is Jing Hongchen, the Illustrious Virtue Hall! How dare you treat me like this?!" Meng Hongchen roared.

"Hmph, we only found you because your grandfather is the Illustrious Virtue Hall. Don't you understand? Your grandfather... committed treason, which resulted in the execution of nine generations of your family. You used to be the eldest daughter of the Illustrious Virtue Hall, but now... you're nothing but a prisoner."

The captain chuckled and waved his hand dismissively, "Take him away!"

"Grandpa is innocent, Grandpa he..." Meng Hongchen panicked, subconsciously glancing at Lu Cheng. Beheading, the extermination of nine generations of relatives—this was completely beyond her expectations. Now she felt like a drowning person, desperately trying to grasp anything she could.

"Stop!!"

A cold glint flashed.

"Bang!"

One of the men escorting Meng Hongchen cried out in alarm, narrowly dodging the sword energy. Ji Juechen and Jing Ziyan arrived just in time, standing protectively in front of Meng Hongchen. Jing Ziyan coldly declared, "Your Sun Moon Empire military has no right to run wild in the academy!"

Ji Juechen held the black meteorite iron sword, his eyes fixed on the person opposite him.