Chapter 25

Through the tightly shut wooden doors and windows, heart‑rending shrieks, despairing wails, and the clatter of blades chopping meat kept coming continuously.

Countless sounds collided; even without seeing it themselves, the people outside could imagine the bloody scene.

"Tsk tsk tsk!"

Chen Yan watched with interest, smacking his lips, and put his hand on Song Fei and Zhang Wenqian's shoulders, smiling: "Old Song, Old Zhang, such a wonderful show—this is probably the first time you've seen it, right?"

"It really is the first time in my life...." Zhang Wenqian nodded, glancing at the interior where the sounds were fading.

Song Fei frowned tightly, speaking in a low voice: "I've heard that Chen Zhiyun dotes extremely on Fan Yihang...."

"He actually could bring himself to do it just to stay alive!"

"What a ruthless heart!"

Having served many years in the Bright Mirror Office, he had also seen his share of bizarre cases.

Such a wolf‑hearted, dog‑gutted scoundrel left even Song Fei stunned.

Could human hearts really be this vicious?

But after a moment's thought, Song Fei felt relieved....

After all, wasn't Mirror Master Chen himself nearly driven to eternal ruin by his own family?

Zhu Yi, arms crossed watching, chewed a blade of grass, as if something had occurred to him, he stepped up behind Chen Yan and asked: "Young Master, are you really prepared to spare the life of such a humanity‑erasing wretch?"

His eyes were full of vigilance.

Such a vicious person, even living one day, is a great danger....

If he ever gains power in the future, the consequences would be immeasurable.

Before Chen Yan could answer, the sounds inside ceased completely.

The next moment.

The door opened.

The nearest Embroidered Uniform emissary, seeing this, immediately called out: "The people inside have come out!"

Fan Yihang was drenched in blood, his face smeared with gore, his steps unsteady, dragging his knife as he walked up to Chen Yan and knelt, saying: "Cousin..."

"No! Mirror Master Chen, I have already followed your orders and killed them...."

"And I'm the only one who walked out alive!"

"Can you fulfill your promise...."

Having said that, he lifted his head, his eyes full of expectation.

He had no way back.

Now he only wants to survive....

"My orders?"

"What did I say?"

Chen Yan heard this, the corner of his mouth twitching with amusement, he turned his gaze over the Vermilion Bird Guard present and asked: "Did I tell him to kill people?"

"No!"

The crowd exchanged glances and spoke in unison.

Fan Yihang staggered, somewhat at a loss, his eyes wide: "I have already followed your meaning and sent them away...."

"What kind of talk is this?"

Chen Yan pursed his lips and countered: "That's your own interpretation; what does it have to do with me?"

From beginning to end, Chen Yan never named names or explicitly told Fan Yihang to kill anyone.

Fan Yihang's actions were entirely his own personal interpretation....

"You... you want to go back on your word?" Fan Yihang blinked, incredulous.

In that instant, he felt as if the sky had collapsed....

Fan Yihang never imagined that Chen Yan, the esteemed Mirror Master of the Vermilion Bird Guard, would dare, in front of so many people, to openly go back on his word.

"How could that be possible?"

Chen Yan pursed his lips and said meaningfully: "Rest assured, I will absolutely not kill you!"

Saying that, he lightly lifted his foot and kicked the blood‑stained knife far away.

"Re... really?"

Hearing this, Fan Yihang felt hope rekindle in his heart, as if he had fallen into hell and then flown back to heaven: "Then may I leave?"

"It's time to leave...."

Chen Yan nodded, raised his hand and pointed at a few Embroidered Uniform emissaries behind Fan Yihang: "You, you, take this Great Filial Son who murdered his father and mother to the Qiu Official Office and let our Grand Minister of Justice personally handle it!"

"Yes."

The two designated Embroidered Uniform emissaries immediately stepped forward, one on each side, and seized Fan Yihang.

"What?!"

Fan Yihang felt as if struck by lightning, his eyes nearly bursting, he struggled wildly to no avail and shouted angrily: "Chen Yan, you're playing me!"

"Damn bastard!"

By now, how could Fan Yihang not realize that Chen Yan had been toying with him from start to finish?

Yes, he will absolutely not kill him, but he wants the Grand Minister of Justice to do it!

The difference is, there is no difference!

Moreover, he would even incur an additional crime and be subjected to Torture Extreme Punishment....

"Brilliant!"

"With his own hands unstained by blood, he saves himself a lot of trouble, and by using the Grand Minister of Justice's hand, he eradicates the root!"

Song Fei took in the whole scene, feeling only awe and unable to help but sigh with emotion.

Chen Zhiyun, Fan Qiming, and even other members of the Fan family all died at Fan Yihang's hands—what does that have to do with our lord?

The target of public condemnation is only the treasonous Fan Yihang.

Sending him to the Qiu Official Office for the Grand Minister of Justice to handle is tantamount to putting Zhao Qian on the fire to roast—can he protect him?

Does he dare to make big things small and small things even smaller?

In the end, the Qiu Official Office must impose a severe punishment, execute this great filial son, and give the people of Great Zhou an explanation.

Chen Kaiyuan died by suicide, Chen Zhiyun was killed by his son, and our lord didn't get a drop of blood on him....

"Good partner, Young Master, you were waiting for him here?" Zhu Yi suddenly realized.

Zhu Yi originally thought our Young Master would keep his promise, showing mercy, but then this happened.

He really overthought it!

"Otherwise what?"

Chen Yan blinked, patted Zhu Yi's shoulder, and asked with a smile: "Do you really think I'd bury a hidden danger for myself?"

Having once been by the side of a top big shot, Chen Yan deeply understood a principle:

Cut the grass without removing the roots, and the spring wind will make it grow again.

Especially for such a ruthless person, if he lets the tiger return to the mountain, he probably won't be able to sleep well again....

"Chen Yan, you will die a horrible death!"

"Even if I become a vengeful ghost, I will absolutely not let you off!"

Fan Yihang was dragged away by two embroidered-cloth envoys, cursing hysterically.

Chen Yan raised his eyebrows and smiled: "Good people don't live long, while misfortunes linger for a thousand years—I'm afraid I'll disappoint you."

"Hahaha!"

Zhang Wenqian stepped forward and asked for instructions: "My lord, how should we handle the remaining affairs of the Fan mansion?"

"Just follow the established custom—confiscate what should be confiscated, let the brothers take what they should take...." Chen Yan waved his hand casually.

"Yes."

Zhang Wenqian nodded, summoned the Vermilion Bird Guard troops, and began the confiscation.

Chen Yan slapped his head, suddenly remembered something, snapped his fingers, and said teasingly: "Right, send the corpses inside to the Duke of Wei's mansion...."

"And report today's events in full detail!"

Saying this, he raised his hand and pointed to the house where Fan Yihang had killed everyone, leaving no survivors.

The Heavenly Official's Office.

Yuwen Hu was reading a classic when a servant at the door reported: "Grand Minister of Justice, the Vermilion Bird Mirror Master requests an audience outside!"

"Let him in...." Yuwen Hu said without looking up, indifferently.

"Lord Chen, please!"

The servant made a gesturing invitation, not daring to be the slightest bit negligent, and said respectfully:

"Your servant pays respects to the Grand Minister of Justice!"

Chen Yan stopped before Yuwen Hu's desk, bowed deeply, and said in a low voice: "On behalf of the Vermilion Bird Mirror Master, Chen Yan has come to report back!"

"No need for formalities!"

Yuwen Hu closed the book in his hand, lightly waved it, and asked offhandedly: "I heard you went to the Fan mansion and dealt with your aunt's family?"

"Nothing can be hidden from the Grand Minister of Justice...."

Chen Yan nodded and answered truthfully: "Exactly so!"

Right after dealing with the Fan mansion, the news reached the Grand Minister of Justice's ears, and Chen Yan was not at all surprised.

After all, the entire Mirror Inspectorate is actually the eyes and ears of this powerful minister....

"It's done, it's done—that woman insulted your mother; she truly deserved to die...."

Yuwen Hu paid no attention, and when mentioning 'that woman,' he still felt a hint of disgust.

He paused, then changed the subject: "But your father, the Duke of Wei, leave him be for now—I, the prince, am keeping this pawn; it still has great use!"

"Your servant understands!"

Chen Yan's eyes narrowed, and he nodded heavily.

Just as he thought, leaving such an excellent pawn as the Duke of Wei Chen Tongyuan unused in a grand game would be a real shame.....

"You little brat.... just know what's in your mind!" Yuwen Hu gave a deep smile.

Chen Yan raised his head, clasped his fists, and asked solemnly: "Grand Minister of Justice, I don't know if you are still satisfied with my letter of allegiance this time?"