Chapter 451: 450. Chapter 445: Where's Your Integrity?

450. Chapter 445: Where's Your Integrity?

"Yingfang, the charge of Luc Chongdao showing disrespect to a superior does not stand. You continue to present the law." Great Emperor Wushang said calmly, looking at Yingfang.

Yingfang's heart was as good as dead; he knew he had been used as a pawn and discarded.

Right now he was still a Law Official, but once Luc Chongdao's case ended, he would be punished.

Although there was still an embezzlement charge against Luc Chongdao, he now had not the slightest mind to present the law.

He could also see that using the Nine Court Immortal Laws to present the law, he was simply no match for Ding Huan.

Right now he was being punished heavily; as long as his family handled things well, he still had a chance.

If he offended Ding Huan again, it would no longer be as simple as splitting open the Purple Mansion and destroying a few meridians—he might even have his Purple Mansion and dantian destroyed.

If Lord Wu Chengxing had not stepped in just now, he would already have been sentenced to death.

Yingfang was afraid, and besides, Bu Yue had already abandoned him—why should he still fight for Luc Chongdao's case?

Use his own corpse to prop someone else up?

He hurriedly bowed and saluted:

"Great Emperor, may you be well. This minister's study of the law was unrefined; I am unworthy to be the Standard-Bearing Immortal of the Immortal Court's Immortal Law Division. Now, thinking carefully, the original ruling that Luc the Chief Judge was guilty of embezzlement was a wrongful ruling. This minister is willing to accept punishment."

The moment Yingfang's words came out, everyone knew Yingfang was afraid of Ding Huan and had caved in, daring no longer to oppose him.

If he dared to oppose Ding Huan again and angered him, today Yingfang might very well lose his life right here.

Luc Chongdao was dumbfounded; he himself had thought his death was certain.

Yet now the case had not finished being tried, and the opposing Law Official had caved in, voluntarily admitting his own error—what kind of move was this?

But then a wave of sadness hit him. Look at Ding Huan—even at his worst, Yingfang was still far stronger than him.

With this little ability of his own, he had still dared to meddle in the Immortal Chancellor's daughter's case—he truly didn't know whether he was dead or alive.

He was alive, but what about Qianyuan Immortal Manor? It was gone forever.

Luc Chongdao was in the midst of his sorrow and anguish when a transmission suddenly reached his ear from Great Emperor Pingwei:

"Chongdao, your acquittal is now certain. If you want revenge, you must seize the opportunity.

This young friend Ding Huan is no simple person. If you miss today, getting young friend Ding Huan to serve as your Law Official will be very difficult."

Ding Huan was unlikely to continue serving as someone's Law Official—Great Emperor Pingwei could see this.

Luc Chongdao was startled, instantly coming to his senses. He drew in a deep breath—he absolutely could not miss this opportunity later.

Ding Huan was also a bit stunned—Yingfang had just caved in like that?

What neither Ding Huan nor anyone else had expected was that Yingfang actually walked up to Ding Huan and bowed:

"Law Official Ding, thank you for reminding me. If you hadn't awakened me, I would have continued committing a grave error—I would even have kept Luc the Chief Judge locked in the dungeon.

For this, I am willing to offer fifty million high-grade immortal crystals to thank Daoist Ding for awakening me."

The form of address shifted from Law Official Ding to Daoist Ding.

Ding Huan thought to himself, this old fellow is rich.

He also knew what Yingfang meant—this was asking him to spare him this time, buying peace with money.

In fact, buying peace wouldn't require this many high-grade immortal crystals. Yingfang no longer wanted to lay down his life for Immortal Chancellor Bu Yue; he just wanted to take more immortal crystals for himself to lessen his punishment.

Everyone knew what Yingfang meant; now it all depended on what Ding Huan thought.

If Ding Huan were upright and honorable, he simply would not accept these immortal crystals, and would continue to add charges against Yingfang in Luc Chongdao's embezzlement case.

Setting everything else aside, just the fact that Yingfang offered fifty million high-grade immortal crystals to Ding Huan alone could be presented as the great crime of bribery.

Great Emperor Wushang smiled slightly, looked at Ding Huan, and said: "Law Official Ding Huan, now that Luc Chongdao's case is clear, as the winning Law Official, make your final presentation of the law."

Although Yingfang was unwilling to continue presenting the law on Luc Chongdao's embezzlement charge, and had even voluntarily admitted his error, Ding Huan could not simply ignore everything.

He had to make clear that the embezzlement charge against Luc Chongdao was false, so that in the end Luc Chongdao could be released without guilt.

Ding Huan first saluted Great Emperor Wushang, then cupped his fists to the assembly, and declared in a clear voice: "The charge of Luc Chongdao showing disrespect to a superior has been determined to be entirely baseless. As for the embezzlement charge, it is even more nonsense.

According to the embezzlement charge description given by the Immortal Law Division, Luc Chongdao, while serving as chief judge, accepted immortal crystals from Xiu Xu, the Standard-Bearing Immortal of Kuishui Division.

First, immortal crystal transactions between cultivators are perfectly normal—just as Yingfang earlier wished to gift me fifty million immortal crystals out of gratitude.

If one cannot produce a Law Crystal Sphere, no one can prove these immortal crystals are related to the case—perhaps they were payment for some item. Not a single article of the Nine Court Immortal Laws states that a chief judge cannot buy or sell items with a related party…"

"I did not accept Xiu Xu's immortal crystals," Luc Chongdao hurriedly spoke up.

"No one thinks you're mute just because you don't speak," Helian Aodong snorted, glaring at Luc Chongdao.

Luc Chongdao suddenly understood—how could Ding Huan not know he hadn't accepted immortal crystals? If Ding Huan wanted to prove he hadn't accepted immortal crystals, he had ten thousand ways to do it.

Ding Huan simply wanted to pocket the fifty million immortal crystals himself, using him as a mouthpiece, that was all.

Great Emperor Pingwei's mouth twitched several times—this Ding Huan, he really was just too…

Hearing Ding Huan speak to this point, everyone looked at him speechlessly.

After all is said and done, you still want those fifty million.

Even knowing Ding Huan had taken those fifty million immortal crystals, no one dared step forward to present the law and accuse Ding Huan of accepting a bribe.

A person like Ding Huan—daring to accept these immortal crystals—had countless ways to send anyone who accused him of bribery into the Immortal Court's dungeon.

He had that ability.

Ding Huan naturally wanted those fifty million immortal crystals—otherwise, why would he have said so much?

"Furthermore, even if Luc Chongdao accepted immortal crystals from Xiu Xu for selling an item, to frame and convict him, one could at most stretch it into accepting a bribe. To convict him of embezzlement is a mistake one cannot even begin to locate.

The so-called crime of embezzlement is the embezzlement of the Immortal Court's property, not embezzlement from some individual. When even the charge itself is wrong, how can there be any talk of punishment?"

Hearing this, Yingfang broke out in a cold sweat all over.

He knew he couldn't outmatch Ding Huan. Fortunately, he had admitted his mistake—otherwise, just on the grounds of this wrongful charge alone, he would have had his sentence increased.

Anyone who plays the Nine Court Immortal Laws against this fellow is seeking death.

"Therefore…"

Ding Huan finally paused, then spoke in a more passionate voice: "Under the witness of His Divine Majesty, the Bright Emperor of my Immortal Court, the case of Lu Chongdao is now clear and undeniable.

According to law, Lu Chongdao shall be released without guilt; due to his suffering in prison, the ten million top-grade immortal crystals confiscated by Immortal Chancellor Bu Yue and the thirteen million confiscated by Yingfang shall all be compensated to Lu Chongdao to soothe his heart.

Yingfang, having recognized his error and corrected his ways, may have his punishment mitigated at discretion, per Article One Million Three Hundred Seventy-Six Thousand and Nine of the Nine Courts Immortal Law. Yingfang shall be fined thirteen million immortal crystals and imprisoned for twelve hundred years.

Thus, I humbly request Your Divine Majesty's scrutiny!"

After speaking these words, Ding Huan stepped back.

The crowd stared in stunned silence—was this mitigation at discretion?

You previously sentenced Yingfang to sever nine meridians, rupture his Purple Mansion, and imprison him for over a hundred thousand years.

Now all physical harm is erased, and the punishment is merely twelve hundred years? You didn't even mention his position as Standard-Bearer of the Immortal Law Department.

Where is your integrity?

Did five million top-grade immortal crystals completely buy off your integrity?

This law official's mouth truly flips black and white at will.

Yingfang trembled with excitement—he had narrowly escaped death! These five million top-grade immortal crystals were worth every bit; had he known, he'd have paid tens of millions more, perhaps even reducing the twelve hundred years.

If Ding Huan knew Yingfang thought this way, he could only say: You're mistaken. His reason for this ruling was:

First, he must imprison Yingfang—at least to ensure Yingfang won't retaliate.

Twelve hundred years from now, when Yingfang stands before him, he will not fear him in the slightest.

Second, he bears no deep grudge against Yingfang, and Yingfang was not the mastermind behind the massacre of Qianyuan Immortal Village.

Without immortal crystals, should he let Yingfang maintain the Immortal Court's laws and eliminate such vermin? Ha, Ding Huan could only say: You're mistaken.

Even His Divine Majesty Wu Chengxing doesn't strike down these vermin—why should Ding Huan?

Whoever gives immortal crystals is the master.

His Divine Majesty Wu Chengxing nodded, then said: "Ding Huan, your legal ruling is clear. The verdict is as follows: Lu Chongdao is released without guilt and compensated thirteen million top-grade immortal crystals.

Yingfang is fined thirteen million top-grade immortal crystals, imprisoned for twelve hundred years, and stripped of his position as Standard-Bearer of the Immortal Law Department. Bu Yue, for negligence, is fined ten million top-grade immortal crystals. Any objections?"

Earlier, Ding Huan had not removed Yingfang's position as Standard-Bearer; now His Divine Majesty Wu Chengxing removed it himself—that was within his authority.

Bu Yue, who had nearly lost his entire family, dared not object—he hurried forward: "Your Divine Majesty is wise. Your humble servant has no objection."

Yingfang quickly knelt: "Your Divine Majesty is wise. Your guilty servant has no objection."

Several enforcers removed the shackles from Lu Chongdao.

Lu Chongdao hurried forward and performed a grand bow: "Your Divine Majesty is wise! Your humble servant offers boundless thanks!"

"Ding Huan, I see your exceptional talent and unique insight into the Nine Courts Immortal Law. You are the most suitable candidate for Standard-Bearer of the Immortal Law Department. What do you say?"

His Divine Majesty Wu Chengxing smiled warmly at Ding Huan, his manner gentle.

Ding Huan internally scoffed—if you truly intended to give me this position, you wouldn't ask me.

He feigned fear and unease, speaking cautiously: "This humble cultivator's cultivation is low. If I were to occupy such a high position, it would provoke discontent within the Immortal Court, harming our realm."

Earlier, as a law official, he could speak without restraint—even point his finger at Yingfang's nose and curse him.

Because the Nine Courts Immortal Law clearly stated that when a law official renders judgment, he represents the Nine Courts Immortal Law itself, holding exalted status.

Now the case is over, his role as law official ends; at this moment, arrogance would be suicide.

Ding Huan, who knew the Nine Courts Immortal Law intimately, would never let himself be caught off guard here.

Many immortal ministers watched Ding Huan, silently thinking: this boy has precisely calibrated his conduct—he knows when to advance and when to retreat, and understands his shifting status.

It seems the arrogant words he spoke earlier about offending Wu Chengxing Jun were deliberately chosen.

His goal was clearly to provoke Wu Chengxing Jun into anger and a public outburst.

Yet Wu Chengxing Jun saw through Ding Huan's intent at once, while many onlookers did not.

Several powerful figures turned their gazes toward Wu Chengxing Jun—this Jun was no ordinary figure.

His Divine Majesty Wu Chengxing was quite pleased with Ding Huan's tact; no matter how well Ding Huan understood the Nine Courts Immortal Law, he could never be made Standard-Bearer of the Immortal Law Department.

But he had to say it—Ding Huan had to refuse.

"What do you wish to request? Speak freely," His Divine Majesty Wu Chengxing said again.

Ding Huan knew this time, it was genuine.

He quickly bowed: "This humble cultivator enjoys traveling widely, and when cultivating outdoors, he cannot easily set up Spirit Gathering Immortal Arrays. I humbly request a special privilege."

"Very well. I appoint you First Law Official of the Nine Courts Immortal Law—you may set up Spirit Gathering Immortal Arrays anywhere. As reward, I grant you a jade token."

Saying this, His Divine Majesty Wu Chengxing tossed a jade token to Ding Huan.

"Thank you, Your Divine Majesty! May Your Divine Majesty live ten thousand years!" Ding Huan exclaimed joyfully.

It was a nominal title—no duties, no court stipend—perfect for him.

Ding Huan stepped back. Just as everyone believed the matter concluded, Lu Chongdao stepped forward again, weeping:

"My entire Qianyuan Immortal Village was slaughtered. I beg Your Divine Majesty to avenge Qianyuan Immortal Village."