Chapter 654: Fierce Enough to Sell Out Our Own People

Having been deliberately targeted by Cheng Xiong previously, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was seething with pent-up anger. When an opportunity arose, they certainly wouldn't let it go.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard swiftly arrested Cheng Gang. At first, Cheng Gang adamantly denied any knowledge of the matter. However, it was common knowledge that he had been closely associated with the courtesan Frost Moon recently, often staying at her residence almost every night. Who would believe his claim of innocence?

The Embroidered Uniform Guard then employed a series of their specialized interrogation techniques, quickly forcing Cheng Gang to cooperate. Under duress, Cheng Gang "confessed," admitting that he had leaked information to the assassins, which allowed them to choose such a precise moment to infiltrate the palace.

Zhuxie Chixin, however, did not stop there. He continued to dig deeper, and it wasn't long before it was "uncovered" that Cheng Xiong had masterminded everything from behind the scenes, having been bribed by the assassins.

Upon hearing this news, Zu'an clicked his tongue in astonishment. This man was truly ruthless; Cheng Xiong had merely targeted the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Zhuxie Chixin retaliated with tenfold ferocity.

For some reason, having such a teammate was inexplicably reassuring. Naturally, having such a person as an enemy would be a considerable headache.

Cheng Xiong was both shocked and enraged by these developments. Unable to interfere directly with the Embroidered Uniform Guard's investigation, he actively sought support elsewhere. As a key figure in the Prince of Qi's faction, Cheng Xiong's situation was critical. Although the Qin brothers were highly displeased with the events at the Imperial Music Bureau that night, they could not allow Zhuxie Chixin to implicate the Prince of Qi.

Consequently, the Prince of Qi's faction also exerted its influence. Soon, during a court assembly, someone raised the issue of the personal animosity between Cheng Xiong and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, arguing that their involvement in the investigation would easily compromise its impartiality.

In the imperial court, members of the Prince of Qi's faction and the Crown Prince's faction engaged in heated debate, citing scriptures and historical precedents. Although they seemed on the verge of hurling insults, not a single vulgar word passed their lips, which was truly both admirable and respectable.

Eventually, the Emperor, exasperated by the constant bickering, ordered a joint investigation into the case by three departments: the Grand Judge (Tingwei), the Colonel Director of Retainers (Sili Xiaowei), and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Grand Judge (Tingwei) was one of the Nine Ministers, exclusively responsible for judicial and penal matters, serving as the highest central judicial and trial authority. In later Chinese history, the Dali Temple evolved from the Tingwei, akin to a modern-day supreme court. The Colonel Director of Retainers (Sili Xiaowei) was responsible for overseeing officials in the capital region and maintaining public order within the capital area, essentially combining the functions of a modern-day ministry of public security, public prosecutor's office, and disciplinary inspection commission. The Embroidered Uniform Guard, on the other hand, was the imperial secret intelligence agency, akin to the infamous historical Jinyiwei (Brocade-Clad Guards) and the Eastern and Western Depots.

A joint investigation by these three departments represented an unprecedentedly high level of authority.

The Grand Judge's office swiftly took custody of Cheng Gang. In stark contrast to the brutal methods of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they treated him with kindness and cordiality, not only arranging for his injuries to be treated but also ensuring he received good food and drink. The reason was simple: Jiang Boyang, the Grand Judge, was a member of the Prince of Qi's faction.

Soon after, the Grand Judge's office overturned the Embroidered Uniform Guard's ruling, accusing them of using torture to extract a confession out of personal vendetta. Zhuxie Chixin naturally denounced this as slander, simultaneously counter-accusing them of forming factions for self-serving purposes and perverting justice due to their existing personal relationship with Cheng Xiong.

The two factions once again engaged in a heated uproar in the imperial court, after which it was the Colonel Director of Retainers' turn to review the case. When Cheng Gang was transferred from the Grand Judge's custody to the Colonel Director of Retainers' prison, he felt as though he had fallen from heaven to hell.

During his few days with the Grand Judge, he had received various miraculous elixirs and meticulous care, and the injuries he sustained from the Embroidered Uniform Guard's torture had almost healed. However, upon arriving at the Colonel Director of Retainers' facility, he was immediately subjected to another round of interrogation and torture. His newly scabbed wounds reopened, and he cried out, begging for mercy.

Having endured the hellish days with the Embroidered Uniform Guard previously, he understood that there was no point in stubbornly resisting; he would eventually have to speak. The only difference was whether he would confess after being beaten to the brink of collapse or spare himself the physical pain by cooperating earlier.

Thus, the Colonel Director of Retainers swiftly obtained his confession: he had indeed colluded with the assassins and had acted under his father's instruction. The Prince of Qi's faction was both shocked and enraged. The Colonel Director of Retainers had originally been their ally, but unfortunately, due to the assassination of the imperial fugitive Zu'an the night before he was to enter the palace, the previous official had been reassigned as Grand Master of Ceremonies (Guangluxun). The newly appointed Colonel Director of Retainers, Cao Xing, was the father of Cao Hou, the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor, making him firmly aligned with the Crown Prince's faction. Seizing this opportunity, he naturally pressed the case relentlessly.

However, a considerable number of officials within the Colonel Director of Retainers' office were still former subordinates of Murong Tong. Soon, someone reported that Cao Xing had also used torture to coerce confessions during his investigation, igniting yet another heated debate in the imperial court.

After listening to Zu'an recount the recent events, Yun Jianyue, her long hair cascading to her hips, walked to the window. Gazing towards the Golden Throne Hall in the distance, a sneer played on her lips. "Those esteemed officials in court, while constantly preaching benevolence and morality, are in reality all motivated by self-interest," she remarked. "Such intense factional struggles will inevitably lead to a great disaster one day."

"With the invincible Emperor keeping them in check," Zu'an replied, "what great disaster could these factional struggles possibly cause?"

Yun Jianyue responded meaningfully, "But the Emperor will die eventually."

Zu'an's heart stirred. "Why are you so certain?" he asked.

"There have long been rumors that the Emperor sustained severe injuries in an early battle with the Demon Emperor, which weakened his foundation and brought on the Five Decays of Heaven and Man prematurely," Yun Jianyue answered. "No one knew the truth, but my recent encounter with him confirmed that he is indeed injured."

"Yet you were still defeated almost instantly by a single move," Zu'an couldn't help but point out.

Yun Jianyue shot him an annoyed glare. *Why* was this man so infuriating at times? After a moment, she replied irritably, "Given the Emperor's cultivation, if he hadn't been injured, I wouldn't have been able to escape at all."

Zu'an was somewhat surprised. "You're a Grandmaster, at least. You couldn't even escape? Is the disparity truly that immense?"

"Why are they called Earth Immortals?" Yun Jianyue replied, a hint of helplessness in her voice and a yearning in her eyes for that higher realm. "To some extent, they are already half-immortals. We cultivators, at our peak, are still mere mortals. There is naturally a world of difference."

After a moment, she collected herself and gave Zu'an a meaningful look. "Fortunately, your *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra* doesn't truly grant immortality," she said. "Otherwise, if the Emperor were immortal, none of us would ever have a chance to rise."

Knowing she was still probing him, Zu'an replied directly, "You can rest assured, he cannot achieve immortality by means of my *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra*."

With this renewed confirmation, Yun Jianyue finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Zu'an refocused. The Emperor's mortality was not his primary concern; the immediate issue was Cheng Gang's case. "By the way," he said, "although Cheng Gang and his father have been deemed guilty by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Colonel Director of Retainers, the Grand Judge's office firmly maintains their innocence. The two sides are at an impasse. Even though Cheng Xiong has been temporarily imprisoned, there's still no definitive, conclusive evidence."

To be honest, this series of counter-measures against Cheng Xiong had been remarkably executed, almost instantaneously turning the lofty General of the Left Guard into a prisoner. However, given the Prince of Qi's faction's considerable influence, a successful conviction was far from guaranteed.

Yun Jianyue's lips curved into a mysterious smile. "A definitive piece of evidence isn't hard to come by," she said.

Zu'an had been listening intently. Seeing her deliberately draw out the suspense, he grew impatient. "Leader Sister, please tell me quickly," he urged. "Are you trying to make me die of anticipation?"

Seeing his anxious expression, Yun Jianyue felt a slight sense of satisfaction. She had endured too many setbacks during their recent time together, which had left her feeling unsettled.

"Have you forgotten about the captured members of our Sacred Cult?" Yun Jianyue asked. "The evidence has been there all along; it just depends on whether you know how to use it."

Zu'an felt a sudden flash of insight, as if he was just on the cusp of understanding but couldn't quite grasp it. He could only ask Yun Jianyue, "Please enlighten me, Leader Sister."

Yun Jianyue seemed quite satisfied with his attitude. "Find a way to contact them," she said. "As long as they confess their connection to Cheng Xiong, he will be doomed."

Zu'an looked at Yun Jianyue with a complex expression. This woman was so ruthless she would even betray her own people. Those captured cult members were already doomed to die, yet she still intended to maximize their utility before their demise.