Chapter 490

489. Chapter 484: Reporting to the First Law Official

Ding Huan slightly furrowed his brow; he had little desire to go to the Immortal Court's Precious Hall.

Emperor Jinhe is currently in imperial council; all the Immortal Court officials must have arrived.

At this moment, even if he and Brother Xingpan were strong, they were still outnumbered.

"What's the problem?" Brother Xingpan transmitted his voice to Ding Huan; he noticed Ding Huan seemed slightly frowning.

Ding Huan did not hide it: "Big brother, I don't really want to go to the Immortal Court's Precious Hall—it's Emperor Jinhe's domain. If we go, we'll be facing overwhelming odds."

Brother Xingpan snorted and transmitted: "Ding younger brother, you're underestimating me too much. Before Jinhe came here, I was the one calling the shots."

Even if there are more of Jinhe's people in the Immortal Court's Precious Hall, I still have plenty of old comrades. What can he do?

Don't be fooled by the surface—though Emperor Jinhe appears to rule the Immortal Court, once his actions threaten the interests of the Star Lords, Dao Lords, Commanders, or Immortal Magistrates, see if he still holds power."

Ding Huan realized this was true: Jinhe might be powerful, but he was an outsider; Brother Xingpan was a true native of the Pangu Great World.

"If that's the case, then lead the way," Ding Huan said calmly to the nearby Grand Luo Immortal.

"Yes, Law Official Ding, please follow me," the Grand Luo Immortal respectfully guided Ding Huan and Brother Xingpan to the entrance of the formation gate.

Some people in the distance watched enviously as Ding Huan and Brother Xingpan approached the Immortal Court's protective formation entrance; they wanted to enter too, but couldn't.

"Wait—only Law Official Ding may enter," the Grand Luo Immortal blocked Brother Xingpan.

Ding Huan glared coldly at the Grand Luo Immortal: "Do you think I'm being nice? How dare you block my assistant? Get lost."

The Grand Luo Immortal's expression turned grave; he was indeed Emperor Jinhe's lackey, but how dare this mere Grand Yi Immortal scold him like this? It was suicide.

"Who gave you permission to block Law Official Ding?" Emperor Jinhe's furious voice rang out again, laced with killing intent.

Right now, his greatest fear was Ding Huan suddenly leaving—if he weren't truly unable to leave the Immortal Court's Precious Hall, he would have come himself long ago.

The Grand Luo Immortal trembled, immediately bowed his head, and pulled out the formation token to activate the gate.

Upon entering the Immortal Court, the Grand Luo Immortal handed Ding Huan a teleportation talisman: "Law Official Ding, this is the teleportation talisman—it will take you directly to the Immortal Court Square."

Ding Huan glanced at the Grand Luo Immortal; this fellow couldn't even read his superior's intentions—he probably wouldn't live long.

…

In the Immortal Court's Precious Hall, a crowd had debated for a long time but still hadn't produced a perfect solution to repel the alien invasion.

In truth, most knew this imperial court assembly merely signaled the Immortal Court's concern—and even outrage—over the alien invasion of the Great Immortal Realm.

But this concern and outrage were merely surface appearances.

The fate of the Great Immortal Realm meant nothing to the Immortal Court.

As long as the Immortal Court remained unharmed, who cared if the Great Immortal Realm was seized?

A group of Immortal Sect Masters from the Great Immortal Realm stood at the very back of the Immortal Court's Precious Hall; though they desperately hoped the Immortal Court would counterattack and reclaim the Great Immortal Realm, they had no right to speak.

"Your Majesty, I cannot bear this insult—mere beasts with fur and horns, born from moisture and eggs, dare attack our Immortal Court's gates? Our human dignity is utterly shattered!"

The man who stepped forward was of medium build, with phoenix-shaped eyes.

Emperor Jinhe's facial expression turned grave: "Star Lord Changqi, I agree with you. The Great Immortal Realm has always been our Immortal Court's territory—when did it become acceptable for a pack of beast clans to occupy it?"

"Your Majesty, we absolutely must not launch a preemptive strike."

No sooner had Emperor Jinhe spoken than another voice quickly followed.

Everyone knew without looking—it was Immortal Chancellor Bu Yue.

He was Emperor Jinhe's shield; whenever Jinhe couldn't say something directly, Bu Yue spoke for him.

"Oh? What does the Immortal Chancellor wish to say?" Emperor Jinhe frowned.

Bu Yue stepped forward and bowed: "It's not just the beast clans now—demon clans, god clans, and even dragon clans have joined the siege of the Great Immortal Realm.

Perhaps they're waiting for us to strike first. If we do, I guarantee the Immortal Court is doomed."

Emperor Jinhe fell silent.

At that moment, a voice came from outside the hall: "Law Official Ding Huan and his assistant Ding Xiaotu are waiting outside the Precious Hall."

Emperor Jinhe perked up: "Quickly, bring them in."

He was tired of playing this act for so long.

Ding Huan entered with Brother Xingpan and bowed from afar: "Your Majesty, may you thrive. Long time no see."

"Hahaha… Law Official Ding, your cultivation has made great strides—congratulations!"

Emperor Jinhe laughed heartily, yet inside he was truly shocked—how had Ding Huan reached Grand Yi Immortal in just a few years?

"Ji Changsi greets Law Official Ding. Thank you for your assistance. Here is your First Law Official credential," said Ji Changsi, the head of Dafanxian Sect, who had long wished to meet Ding Huan again. He stepped forward after Ding Huan had greeted the Emperor and returned Ding Huan's credential.

Ding Huan quickly returned the bow: "Master Ji, please forgive me—I concealed my identity during the Immortal Sect Grand Competition."

Ji Changsi hurriedly said: "It's an honor for Dafanxian Sect to have Law Official Ding represent us in the Grand Competition—how could we possibly blame you?"

Many Immortal Sect Masters who didn't understand the situation, seeing even Emperor Jinhe treat Ding Huan with such warmth, hurried forward to greet him.

It took a while before Ding Huan and Brother Xingpan finally approached Emperor Jinhe and Brother Pingwei to greet them.

Ding Huan had many questions he wanted to ask Brother Pingwei, but now wasn't the time.

He then stepped forward to the Southern Dao Lord and bowed: "Ding Huan greets Dao Lord. Thank you for your righteous aid."

The Southern Dao Lord felt awkward—he had indeed wanted to befriend Ding Huan, which was why he aided Dafanxian Sect.

But Emperor Jinhe had urgently summoned Ding Huan; others didn't know why, but he knew perfectly well.

If he wasn't mistaken, Ding Huan would never see daylight again.

"No problem, no problem," the Southern Dao Lord could only mumble weakly—he didn't even know what to say.

Invite Ding Huan to his Nihedaochang?

"Ding Huan, be careful—today, Emperor Jinhe won't let you off easily," Brother Pingwei's voice whispered into Ding Huan's ear; he felt a faint warmth in his heart.

"Ding Huan, be careful—today, Emperor Wushang probably won't let you off easy." A voice whispered into Ding Huan's ear—Brother Pingwei—and a faint warmth stirred in his heart.

Brother Pingwei still has a touch of humanity.

Ding Huan bowed to the others, and Emperor Wushang did not rush; he merely smiled warmly as he waited.

After finishing his bows, Ding Huan spoke again to Emperor Wushang: "This humble cultivator originally intended to seek a secluded place in the Immortal Court for a period of cultivation. Upon hearing Your Majesty's summons, I came at once."

Just as Emperor Wushang was about to speak, a man suddenly stepped forward in haste:

"Your Majesty, ten thousand years of health! I, Chu Xingren, Flag-Bearer of the Immortal Agriculture Department, accuse Ding Luguan. Ding Luguan previously disguised himself as Lu Renjia and came to my department, killing all our Immortal Spirit Rice."

"Then he brazenly hid within my department, borrowing our Immortal Spirit Veins to cultivate—causing our Immortal Spirit Rice to yield not a single grain for years."

Emperor Wushang immediately frowned: "Flag-Bearer Chu, Ding Luguan is the Immortal Court's First Law Officer. Speak carefully. Do not slander him, or you will not escape punishment."

Ding Huan internally chuckled, watching Emperor Wushang and Chu Xingren perform.

"Ding Luguan, do you admit you disguised yourself as Lu Renjia and entered my Immortal Agriculture Department?" Chu Xingren fixed his gaze on Ding Huan, his tone forceful.

Some who did not understand the reason secretly admired Chu Xingren's courage.

How dare he accuse the Immortal Court's First Law Officer? When Ding Huan once argued cases here, Chu Xingren was present—how could he still have the nerve to file charges?

Ding Huan had no patience for such nonsense. He could simply deny everything—but there was no need.

"Indeed, Lu Renjia was me. So what? Is it illegal to disguise oneself as another to apply for a post in the Immortal Agriculture Department?"

"Tell me which of the Nine Courts' Immortal Laws forbids shape-shifting to seek employment? As for you—after years of failing to grow a single grain of Immortal Spirit Rice, you still hold the position of Flag-Bearer. Quite the talent."

Ding Huan sneered, thinking Chu Xingren was being used as a pawn and didn't even realize it.

Perhaps he did realize it—and considered it an honor to be Emperor Wushang's pawn.

"You truly entered the Immortal Agriculture Department?" Emperor Wushang stared at Ding Huan in shock, as if unable to believe it.

In truth, even Emperor Wushang was startled—this was not how it was supposed to unfold.

According to his calculations, Ding Huan would have desperately denied everything, forcing the Immortal Law Department to produce concrete evidence at last.

Moreover, the Immortal Ritual Department would have brought forth a primordial artifact to detect lies.

Yet Ding Huan refused to follow the script—he simply admitted it outright. What was the meaning of this?

"Indeed, I'm very skilled at growing Immortal Spirit Rice—I've grown it in the Immortal Agriculture Department before." Ding Huan showed no awareness of being manipulated; his tone remained utterly confident.

Even the abbots of the great Immortal Domains now sensed something was off.

Chu Xingren pointed at Ding Huan and shouted: "I didn't forbid you from entering the Immortal Agriculture Department—but why did you destroy all our Immortal Spirit Rice?"

"Destroying it wasn't enough—you even ensured my department yielded nothing for years. Such selfishness is rare indeed."

Ding Huan replied calmly: "Flag-Bearer Chu, the Third Law of the Nine Courts' Immortal Laws clearly states: evidence must be presented when speaking within the Immortal Court Hall."

"Don't speak recklessly without proof—or if you end up imprisoned, don't say I didn't warn you."

Upon hearing Ding Huan's words, many involuntarily turned to look at Chu Xingren.

Though many knew Chu Xingren was being pushed forward by Emperor Wushang, accusing the First Law Officer Ding Huan here was like carrying a lantern into the latrine—seeking death.

Even if Emperor Wushang wished to destroy Ding Huan, Ding Huan could still use the Nine Courts' Immortal Laws to kill Chu Xingren face-to-face.

"I naturally have proof. Mi Zhong, Flag-Bearer of the Immortal Medical Department, inspected the illness of our Immortal Spirit Rice and ultimately discovered you were behind it."

A man of ethereal bearing stepped forward. He first bowed to Emperor Wushang, then turned to Ding Huan and said:

"Ding Luguan, I did indeed trace it to you. After finding concrete evidence, I assumed Lu Renjia was the culprit—never imagining you were Lu Renjia. Alas."

So it was you.

Ding Huan looked at the ethereal man—this was the one who had absorbed all the vitality of the Immortal Spirit Rice from the bottom of the lake in the Immortal Agriculture Department. He must be Bue's man.

What puzzled Ding Huan was: what was Emperor Wushang thinking?

Didn't he know Ding Huan was the First of the Nine Courts' Immortal Laws, the First Law Officer? Using accusations to undermine him was unrealistic.

His past achievements were undeniable—who could match him in legal combat?

No—something was missing. He hadn't thought of something.