Chapter 769: Dawn Stolen

Silence instantly fell upon the Phoenix Grand Hall.

All eyes simultaneously turned to Xu Qing, and Princess Anhai's expression also changed.

The Imperial Capital's great bell had rung nine times, which was the absolute maximum. This signified an event of immense gravity with extremely severe consequences. And at this very moment, the Human Emperor's personal guards had arrived to summon Xu Qing to the palace.

While seemingly an invitation, the solemnity of the gold-armored guards clearly conveyed a grim and austere undertone.

Most importantly, if one were to be drawn into this vortex, thinking of the worst-case scenario, even a slight misstep could lead to a fatal disaster.

Even though Xu Qing possessed an astonishing background and controlled a half-domain, if the matter at hand concerned the very lifeline of humanity, then in the Human Emperor's judgment, the priority was clear without needing further explanation.

Thus, Princess Anhai's expression shifted; she hesitated initially, but then her eyes revealed resolve. She stood up and spoke with a cold demeanor.

“Presumptuous!”

At Princess Anhai's words, the gold-armored guards remained unfazed, still looking at Xu Qing. However, one of them stepped forward and bowed to Princess Anhai.

“Your Royal Highness, this is an imperial decree.”

“What has happened that requires Senior Xu to enter the palace at this moment?” Princess Anhai frowned, looking at the speaking guard. She wanted to help Xu Qing inquire about the reason; this was the only thing she could do for him.

Knowing the reason beforehand would facilitate Xu Qing's subsequent arrangements and handling of the situation.

The guard hesitated, glanced around, then, seeing the severity in Princess Anhai's expression, took a few steps forward and transmitted a message silently.

These unheard words made Princess Anhai's body tremble, her breathing quicken, and her face change dramatically once more. She then looked at Xu Qing with a complex expression and fell silent.

Xu Qing watched all of this, his mind also pondering what had gone wrong. Although he couldn't figure it out immediately, his expression remained unchanged. He calmly stood up, walked forward, and joined the group of gold-armored guards.

These gold-armored guards dispersed around Xu Qing, seemingly escorting him, but also with an implied sense of apprehension, as they walked towards the hall exit.

Just as they were about to step out of the hall, Princess Anhai gritted her teeth, her lips moving slightly as she transmitted a message to Xu Qing.

“That guard just told me he doesn't know much, only that… the Creation Palace is sealed, suspected to have been stolen from!”

Xu Qing paused, turned, cupped his hands in greeting, then stepped out of the hall and headed towards the imperial palace.

In the imperial capital that night, heavy rain persisted, and thunder occasionally roared in the sky. Normally, at this hour and in such weather, few people would be out, but tonight was different.

Xu Qing saw numerous shadows of guards hurrying through the rainy night, their destinations scattered. An ordinary person would find it difficult to discern their general purpose, but Xu Qing, having come from the Bureau of Crime Investigation, gradually noticed some clues.

“This appears to be a widespread lockdown.”

“A lockdown of the imperial capital?”

Xu Qing pondered, recalling Princess Anhai's transmitted message. As he considered the matter, his first thought was of his senior disciple brother.

After all, given his understanding of Er Niu, the possibility of him having stolen something from the Creation Palace was not small. Although such an act would be highly irrational, and if the captain were involved, he surely wouldn't leave such obvious clues that would trace the case back to Xu Qing.

Therefore, after this thought surfaced in Xu Qing's mind, he dismissed it.

“So, with that possibility excluded, what could have been stolen from the Creation Palace that would make the Human Emperor summon me immediately?”

Xu Qing reflected, thinking of the Sun of Dawn. This was the only thing on him that others might perceive as having a connection to the Creation Palace.

After all, he also possessed a Sun of Dawn.

However, he had already explained this matter clearly in the imperial palace previously, so any entanglement stemming from it shouldn't be cause for a summons.

“Then, are people around me involved?”

There were many possibilities, Xu Qing mused, and without precise clues, he couldn't find an accurate answer.

As Xu Qing pondered, the journey quickly shortened. Soon, with flashes of lightning illuminating the sky, their group arrived at Rainbow Bridge, and the distant imperial palace suddenly became clear under the lightning's glow.

Xu Qing's eyes narrowed. He saw another group of gold-armored guards escorting someone into the imperial palace gate.

It was Ning Yan.

The answer was now clear: Ning Yan was involved in the theft from the Creation Palace, and the stolen item must be incredibly important, most likely the Sun of Dawn.

But if this were truly the case, there were significant inconsistencies.

First, Xu Qing knew that Ning Yan had been almost exclusively cultivating during this period.

Second, with Ning Yan's cultivation level, how could he possibly commit such a major act, and then not flee after the incident?

Finally, if it was truly the Sun of Dawn that was stolen, the matter became even more absurd.

The Sun of Dawn was a precious treasure of humanity; it couldn't be easily stolen. It would certainly be heavily guarded, and there would be no need to store it in the Creation Palace.

These thoughts surfaced in Xu Qing's mind. His gaze darkened as he walked towards the imperial palace, arriving at the Immortal Ascent Plaza in front of the Grand Hall.

The plaza was surrounded by gold-armored cultivators, their strong killing intent making the entire atmosphere incredibly oppressive.

Furthermore, thunder rumbled in the sky, creating a suppressive sensation where heavenly might and human power merged, causing the falling raindrops to tremble.

Trembling along with them was Ning Yan.

He was currently being held by two gold-armored guards on his shoulders, kneeling on the plaza, allowing the rain to pour down and drench him completely.

He felt nervous, his eyes filled with bewilderment. He didn't know what had happened; he had been cultivating in his mother's ancestral hall when imperial guards burst in and forcibly brought him here.

And it wasn't just him kneeling there; there were many others.

They were all cultivators from the Creation Palace, numbering several dozen.

Among them was the Ninth Prince, also forced to his knees by two gold-armored guards. He hung his head, his expression bitter.

The moment Xu Qing arrived and stepped through the imperial palace gate, gazes from the surrounding guards converged on him, following him as he approached those being apprehended.

Upon seeing Xu Qing, hope arose in Ning Yan's heart, accompanied by surprise and an overwhelming sense of apprehension.

Xu Qing looked at Ning Yan, nodded slightly, said nothing, and stood to the side.

The gold-armored guards behind him were about to raise their hands to restrain his shoulders when Xu Qing turned and gave them a calm glance.

Under his gaze, the two guards fell silent, eventually bowing and stepping back.

Thus, Xu Qing became the only one standing among the group, with the rain dissipating above his head and not falling on him.

Time slowly passed, and the thunder grew louder.

From time to time, figures hurried in from outside, entering the imperial palace's grand hall ahead. Inside the brightly lit hall, official proceedings were underway.

Concurrently, the imperial capital's array formations had been fully activated, encompassing and thoroughly sealing off the entire capital, allowing entry but no exit.

Xu Qing closed his eyes, his thoughts turning, confirming his suspicions in his mind.

Just as dawn approached, an aged figure emerged from the imperial palace's grand hall; it was the Grand Tutor.

He stood before the hall, looking down at the plaza below, his gaze sweeping over those who knelt. After a long moment, his deep voice resonated.

“Tonight, the Creation Palace was robbed. A Sun of Dawn, placed within a specific array formation in the palace and permitted for research to enhance its power, has been lost.”

“You all are the initial suspects in the investigation.”

“Especially the Twelfth Prince.”

The Grand Tutor's voice echoed, his last sentence exceptionally stern. As it rang out, heavenly thunder exploded, causing reverberations in all directions.

Ning Yan trembled, lifting his head with an expression of disbelief.

“Impossible, I’ve never been to the Creation Palace, I…”

He was about to speak, but the next moment, a cold snort emanated from within the imperial palace.

This voice, surpassing heavenly thunder, shook the plaza, unsettling everyone. It was the Human Emperor's voice.

“Grand Tutor, show this rebellious son the evidence!”

Upon hearing this, the Grand Tutor before the hall raised his right hand and waved. A jade slip floated out, hovering mid-air, shimmering with brilliant light to form a scene.

The scene showed a secret location, somewhat blurry and distorted, but a distant retreating figure was remarkably clear.

That figure's back resembled Ning Yan's, and just as the scene was about to end and the figure about to disappear, it paused slightly, turned, and revealed a side profile.

It was identical to Ning Yan!

Subsequently, all images vanished, and with the Grand Tutor's hand seals, an aura was formed.

This aura also belonged to Ning Yan.

“This is a scene seen through the reversal of time, by the Celestial King's spell to trace back the Creation Palace's history.”

“As for the aura, it was extracted from time by the Imperial Capital's grand array, focused on the Creation Palace.”

“The entire process was observed under the Emperor's Eye.”

After speaking, the Grand Tutor lowered his head, and the Human Emperor's cold voice came from within the imperial palace.

“Rebellious son, what more do you have to say?”

Ning Yan was bewildered. He knew nothing of this matter and hadn't done it, yet that face and aura pointed all suspicion towards him.

At this moment, the rising sun appeared on the distant horizon. Although dark clouds still permeated the sky and heavy rain persisted, the light of the nascent sun forcefully cast its rays upon the world, falling also upon the Immortal Ascent Plaza.

Amidst the mist, a great bell materialized in the blend of night and day, hanging in mid-air above the plaza.

It was the Immortal Inquiry Bell.

Beneath the Immortal Inquiry Bell, Ning Yan wanted to say something, but the evidence was irrefutable, leaving no room for defense. He could only force a bitter smile.

Xu Qing raised his head, looking at the imperial palace. He had seen the previous scene, but there were too many questions. He didn't believe the Human Emperor would be so negligent in this matter, so he took a few steps, stood beside Ning Yan, and was about to speak.

Ning Yan clutched Xu Qing's sleeve, slowly raising his head. His expression was somewhat distorted, his eyes filled with disappointment towards the Human Emperor and anger at this absurd situation. He glared at the imperial palace and roared.

“Father Emperor, I know you don't favor me!”

“I know that in your heart, I, your twelfth son, am dispensable.”

“My aptitude is poor, I'm not eloquent, I'm not likable, and no one is willing to approach me. I don't care about any of that!”

Ning Yan's voice was hoarse, his emotions fluctuating wildly, echoing across the plaza. His body slowly rose from its kneeling position!

This act of standing, for him, was unprecedented. It meant he had suppressed his inherent fear of his Father Emperor and his awe of the Human Emperor.

He shattered his subservience, unleashing a roar that had been suppressed within him for years, amidst the rain.

“Father Emperor, you are high above, like a cloud in the sky, while in your eyes, I am utterly insignificant, no different from dirt. But so what? This place is my home, yet it is not my home. Compared to here, I prefer Fenghai County. Compared to being a prince with the surname Guyue, I prefer the identity of Ning Yan!”

“If you hadn't summoned me back this time, I would never have returned!”

“And today, to accuse me of something I had no part in, I… refuse to accept it!”

“I, Ning Yan, did not do this!”

“Let the Immortal Inquiry Bell bear witness!”

Ning Yan roared, fully standing up, and fiercely slammed into the Immortal Inquiry Bell above.

The sound of the bell, deep and resonant, echoed across the plaza.

Proving his words, proving his true heart.