Chapter 450

449. Chapter 444: The Main Villain

Treason? If this charge is upheld, the Imperial Chancellor's mansion and Ying Fang's household will be utterly exterminated—not a single ant will be left alive.

Even the Great Emperor Wu Chang cannot stop it.

The rules are universally accepted; once established, even the Heavenly Emperor cannot sway them.

Unless his Heavenly Court no longer wishes to play.

As long as he's not foolish, the Great Emperor Wu Chang knows how to weigh his choices.

Bu Yue's face turned pale—how can this still be played?

Ying Fang's forehead dripped with cold sweat—was this the outcome: total annihilation of his entire clan?

Previously, it was always his opponents who were left bewildered and helpless under his pressure—today it was his turn?

He merely accused Lu Chongdao of insubordination, and now he faces total extermination. If he presses further with charges of embezzlement against Lu Chongdao, won't he end up digging up and slaughtering every ancestor for eighteen generations?

No, quickly refute it, quickly refute it…

The four words kept flashing in Ying Fang's mind, yet he couldn't find a single legal clause to counter them.

For other crimes, as long as no Dao-verse principles are invoked, rebuttals can be made through combined statutes. But when treason is involved, there is simply no legal means to escape guilt.

Not just the celestial ministers present, but even the Great Emperor Wu Chang felt a chill at the base of his spine.

If someone later used my imperial decree to slaughter those I disfavor, wouldn't the Heavenly Court descend into chaos?

No, this loophole in the Nine Courts Celestial Code must be patched.

Regardless of whether the Great Emperor Wu Chang intends to fix the loophole in the Nine Courts Celestial Code, it cannot be changed now.

For Ying Fang at this moment, he no longer cares about Lu Chongdao's case—he's consumed by one thought alone.

How can he extricate himself?

The more desperate he is, the less he can think.

No matter how hard Ying Fang racked his brain over the Nine Courts Celestial Code, he couldn't find a single clause that would spare him punishment.

Ding Huan saw Ying Fang's expression and felt a wave of exasperation.

You fool, if you can't find a clause to exempt yourself, why not first think of mitigating the punishment, then slowly clear your name?

He had planned to deliver an even harsher blow after this one was broken.

Who knew Ying Fang couldn't even break this one? You're the Flag-Bearer of the Celestial Law Department? Pfft!

Emperor Jinhe stared at Ding Huan in disbelief—he'd heard from his granddaughter Qin Zhinan that Ding Huan was exceptionally skilled in the Five Elements Dao-verse, which was why he'd greeted Ding Huan upon his arrival.

In plain terms, he wanted Ding Huan to keep teaching his granddaughter and his direct heir.

Now he saw Ding Huan, in just a few words and without lifting a finger, pinning Ying Fang down with no way to fight back—without even invoking Dao-verse principles, merely using celestial law to crush him.

And it was the very first clause of the Nine Courts Celestial Code.

How could this be called merely strong?

This was absurdly strong.

Previously, when Ying Fang had charged Lu Chongdao, no one believed Lu Chongdao could escape guilt.

Now they realized Lu Chongdao's escape had been effortless—this was the extreme opposite.

To master the Nine Courts Celestial Code to this degree reveals just how terrifying Ding Huan's talent is.

The Great Emperor Wu Chang is the presiding judge.

According to standard procedure, it is now the Great Emperor Wu Chang's duty to prompt Ying Fang to rebut.

But this time, the Great Emperor Wu Chang remained silent—his opening his mouth would mean the total extermination of both Ying Fang and Bu Yue's households.

The Celestial Court Hall fell into silent stillness—as if time itself had frozen at this moment.

The Great Emperor Wu Chang sighed deeply—no matter what, the dignity of the Nine Courts Celestial Code must not be trampled.

Just as the Great Emperor Wu Chang was about to speak, an abrupt voice rang out: "Your Majesty, your servant has something to say."

The Great Emperor Wu Chang perked up, recognized the man bowing before him, and immediately said gently: "Star Lord Wu Chengxing, rise. Speak plainly."

Star Lord Wu Chengxing bowed to Ding Huan: "Ding Luguan, Chang Yi did not intend to target you—only to perfect the Nine Courts Celestial Code. I beg your pardon, Ding Luguan."

Wu Chengxing was one of the Ten Star Lords, yet he showed such humility toward Ding Huan—no matter how arrogant Ding Huan was, by all propriety, he should have bowed in return and spoken humbly.

To everyone's astonishment, Ding Huan merely stood with his hands behind his back, coldly staring at Wu Chengxing: "Star Lord Wu Chengxing, do you know what it means for you to speak out now?"

Ding Huan himself hadn't expected Wu Chengxing to deliberately step forward to aid Bu Yue and Ying Fang.

This man was the black-robed cultivator who once slaughtered the entire Qianyuan Celestial Villa—Ding Huan had planned to inform Helian Aodong at the right opportunity.

After all, he didn't fully understand the grudges involved, and he had no intention of meddling.

Since this fool has the audacity to stand against him, he won't mind avenging the Luodaoxian Sect.

He remembered the Luodaoxian Sect was wiped out by this man—the trigger being their core disciple Wei Suojian killing his nephew Chang Chang Zihe.

Looking at this man's simple, honest face, he was truly ruthless.

Wu Chengxing still wore his innocent expression: "No matter what it means, as one of the Ten Star Lords, I must contribute my effort to perfecting the Nine Courts Celestial Code."

Ding Huan understood—this man wasn't acting for Ying Fang or Bu Yue; he'd realized the Great Emperor Wu Chang didn't want to exterminate Bu Yue's entire household, so he stepped forward to speak.

What a skilled sycophant.

Ding Huan chuckled: "Let me remind you again—you can speak after the case concludes. Speak now, and you're declaring war on me."

After Ding Huan spoke, the Celestial Court Hall fell utterly silent—he suddenly felt like a villain himself.

"Ding Huan, you're just a lone cultivator and a lowly law officer—how dare you threaten one of the Ten Star Lords? Are you seeking death?" Bu Yue shouted without hesitation.

At this moment, he had to muddy the waters.

Ding Huan looked at Bu Yue: "If you want to die completely, go ahead and spout nonsense."

Bu Yue flew into a rage, then remembered Ding Huan's current status and combat prowess—he snorted and fell silent.

He knew Wu Chengxing had stepped forward not for him, but for the Great Emperor Wu Chang.

The people in the Immortal Court's Precious Hall also knew of Ding Huan's prowess, but the Ten Star Juniors towered far above him; Ding Huan's threats were hollow, merely the rashness of youth.

Ding Huan pretended to be an old man before Bu Bu Yingyin and the others, but in this Immortal Court, everyone could see he was young.

If you won't stand before the court and confront him under the Nine Courts' Immortal Laws, what can you do?

This is Ding Huan's only chance to strike against Wu Chengxing.

After this chance, they could never again stand together on the Immortal Court's Precious Hall.

Before this, Ding Huan and Wu Chengxing had never even met—on what grounds could he oppose Wu Chengxing?

Wu Chengxing's temperament was indeed mild; he paid no heed to Ding Huan's threats and said:

"When Ding Luguan just now exposed the crimes of Ying Fang Luguan and Bu Yue Immortal Chancellor, both Ying Fang and Bu Yue displayed a stunned, disbelieving expression."

"Only someone who had never imagined such a thing could show such a reaction—thus, they had no intention of rebellion. This is the Dao-Principle fluctuation proving their demeanor at the time…"

With that, Wu Chengxing raised his hand and summoned two crystal orbs, casting them into the void.

Inside the two crystal orbs were images of Ying Fang and Bu Yue, their eyes wide with stunned disbelief, their surrounding Dao-Principle fluctuations sudden and unprepared.

These Dao-Principle fluctuations showed not the slightest trace of rebellion or intent.

No one standing on this Immortal Court's Precious Hall was a mortal—everyone could see clearly.

As Wu Chengxing said, if they had truly planned rebellion beforehand, they could never have shown such a reaction or such Dao-Principle fluctuations.

The first reaction would have been panic and terror upon discovery—not this bewildered confusion.

In truth, everyone knew rebellion was merely a big hat Ding Huan had slapped on them.

Anyone with half a brain would never believe an Immortal Chancellor and a Flag-Bearer would conspire to rebel against the Immortal Court—who would believe such a tale?

Wu Chengxing stepped back; he had done enough. As long as Ying Fang wasn't foolish, he would step forward to defend himself.

What happened to Ying Fang and Bu Yue was not his concern.

Ding Huan watched Wu Chengxing and thought inwardly: this old devil is cunning. He provoked me so fiercely, yet neither reacted nor invoked the law.

If this fellow dared to invoke the law using the crystal orbs, I'd immediately strike him down with the Nine Courts' Immortal Laws.

Yet he presented evidence and withdrew—no law invoked, no words spoken. Clearly, he understands the Nine Courts' Immortal Laws deeply.

Before Ying Fang could speak, Bu Yue stepped forward, face filled with regret, eyes red-rimmed, bowing deeply:

"I, Bu Yue, have betrayed the Heavenly Emperor's expectations—I forgot that Lu Zhu Sheng had an Imperial Edict in hand when I blocked him from entering his residence. I was foolish."

Normally, one only needed to address the Emperor as "Great Emperor" here—but Bu Yue now reverently called him "Heavenly Emperor," both out of genuine fear and to show loyalty.

Moreover, Bu Yue reminded everyone he had only blocked Lu Chongdao from searching the Immortal Chancellor's residence—his law-breaking had nothing to do with the matter, thus abandoning Ying Fang.

Ying Fang naturally seized this chance, immediately kneeling: "Before the Heavenly Emperor, Ying Fang violated the law improperly—I accept punishment."

The Wu Chang Great Emperor waved his hand: "Stand and speak."

After rising, Ying Fang bowed to Ding Huan: "Thank you, Ding Luguan, for reminding me—had I not been reminded, I would never have forgiven myself when I later realized I had broken the law myself."

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But even so, I am still guilty. According to Section 176,121 of the Sub-Laws, though neither I nor the Immortal Chancellor had subjective intent, we unintentionally misapplied the Immortal Law.

I volunteer to be imprisoned for fifteen thousand years, forfeit three million superior Immortal Crystals, and confirm that Lu Zhu Sheng did not commit insubordination…"

Ding Huan coldly watched Ying Fang rattle off his confession; only after he finished did Ding Huan say calmly: "You have no right to invoke law upon yourself—how the law is invoked is my business."

How could Ding Huan let Ying Fang lessen his and Bu Yue's crimes?

"Ding Luguan, speak," said the Wu Chang Great Emperor, his tone gentle.

He now knew Ding Huan was a ruthless figure—his cultivation was mediocre, but once he struck, he left no escape.

All eyes turned to Ding Huan. This was no longer about Ding Huan saving Lu Chongdao.

It was about Ding Huan effortlessly rescuing Lu Chongdao, then casually eliminating his opponent and the opponent's law officer.

"Ding Huan, don't kill Bu Yue or Ying Fang—that would offend the Great Emperor," a sudden whisper landed in Ding Huan's ear.

Ding Huan was startled—how had he not sensed who whispered? And with so many Immortal Emperors present, no one else noticed—how powerful.

He was certain it was neither Emperor Jinhe nor Brother Pingwei.

Originally, Ding Huan had intended to press his advantage, at least eliminate Ying Fang.

But upon hearing the whisper, he changed his mind. Killing Ying Fang would only anger Wu Chang Great Emperor, bringing him no benefit.

Moreover, Wu Chang Great Emperor likely cared more about Bu Yue—he wanted to soften Bu Yue's punishment.

This approach maximized his own advantage now. As for Bu Yue—he had not yet provoked him.

Thinking this, Ding Huan said: "Bu Yue, as Immortal Chancellor, refused Lu Zhu Sheng's search of the residence, violating Section 45,000 of the Nine Courts' Immortal Sub-Laws—confiscate ten million Immortal Crystals."

"Ying Fang disrespected the Immortal Court's dignity, trampled the Emperor's authority, and recklessly misapplied Immortal Law—this cannot be lightly pardoned."

"According to Section 9,036 of the Nine Courts' Immortal Court Laws, strip Ying Fang of his current position as Flag-Bearer, shatter his Purple Mansion, sever nine meridians, confiscate thirteen million Immortal Crystals, and imprison him for one hundred nineteen thousand years."

Upon hearing Ding Huan's law invocation, some sighed in relief.

Everyone knew Ding Huan had spared Bu Yue—otherwise, even under Section 45,000, Bu Yue could have had six meridians severed and been imprisoned for tens of thousands of years.

A single law carried many possible punishments—it depended entirely on which the law officer chose.

Bu Yue exhaled in relief; Ying Fang's vision darkened.

The Wu Chang Great Emperor was deeply satisfied with Ding Huan's law invocation—it gave him face.