Chapter 61: Turn This Court Upside Down!

The demon race case is solved?

The grand hall fell silent; all eyes turned to Chen Zhuo.

Even his fellow censors were stunned; the Six Departments' Junior Censor whispered:

"My lord, don't act rashly—Zhou Chuanbing has no evidence; he cannot threaten the Young Master."

"That's right—this is a provocation; don't fall into the trap."

The demon race's movements were elusive, ignoring the great array; the Demon Suppression Bureau turned Ducheng upside down and found not a single clue… and now the case is suddenly solved?

How is that possible?

To be honest, if Chen Zhuo hadn't seen the contents of that memory stone, he himself wouldn't have believed it.

Zhou Chuanbing paused, then asked: "If the case is solved, where is the demon race now?"

Chen Zhuo replied coolly: "No trace of bones remains."

"Hahaha!"

Zhou Chuanbing burst into laughter, clapping his hands in mockery: "What a fine 'no trace of bones remains'! So whether the demon race is dead or alive depends entirely on your word, Master Chen?"

Yan Peizhi snorted, shaking his head: "How convenient, to solve a case like this."

"The city has been under strict search lately; the demon race dares not show its face. If Master Chen says it's dead, then it's dead!"

"What if, after some time, the demon race strikes again?"

"Then it's another demon—what does that have to do with this case?"

"Haha, logical! Master Chen, truly brilliant!"

The ministers of the Six Departments sang in chorus, dripping with sarcasm.

Yet the most skilled censors, usually the loudest in criticism, now exchanged uneasy glances, unsure what to do.

They had held out a sliver of hope—but that phrase "no trace of bones remains" crushed their spirits to the bottom.

Logically, such a crude provocation should not have fooled Chen Zhuo; clearly, his paternal devotion led him to make a foolish move!

Foolish!

Even if this case remains unsolved, the worst penalty is merely "incompetent duty performance." Chen Mo is still young; even if demoted one rank, it won't harm him in the long run.

But if it becomes "deceiving the Emperor and defying Heaven," the matter will explode! The Empress is desperate for leverage—she might drag the entire Chen family down with her!

At this moment, the Metropolitan Governor Cui Hao stepped forward and delivered another kick:

"The demon race is dead? How is it that I, your humble servant, know nothing of this?"

"But I have heard that the government office's arrest commissioner visited Chen Mo multiple times, seeking to discuss the case and formulate a capture plan. Yet Chen Mo shut his doors, acting as if it had nothing to do with him—he clearly didn't care about this case at all."

"Did the demon race simply walk into his home while he sat indoors?"

The ministers of the Six Departments erupted in laughter again.

"Cough. Cough."

At this moment, the Empress cleared her throat lightly.

"Silence!"

Eunuch Jin raised his voice sharply; the ministers' eardrums rang, and silence fell instantly.

From behind the bamboo curtain came a faint voice:

"Master Chen, without proof, you claim the demon race is dead—surely you must present some evidence?"

Chen Zhuo replied: "Your Highness, since I have spoken these words, I naturally possess verifiable proof."

"Oh?"

Seeing his confidence, the Empress's voice grew curious: "Where is the evidence?"

Chen Zhuo presented a memory stone: "The entire process of capturing and killing the demon race has been recorded within. Please Your Highness, examine it."

Eunuch Jin walked forward and reached out to take it.

Before handing it to the Empress, he naturally inspected it first.

As soon as his spirit sank into it, the round stone in his hand trembled violently—a massive image projected into the air above the grand hall.

?!

Eunuch Jin frowned, attempting to cut off the image.

But the memory stone emitted a pale green glow, hovering in midair, repelling all spiritual energy; no matter how he tried, it remained utterly unmoved, forcing him to watch helplessly as the scene played out.

Eunuch Jin's heart sank.

It was Jade Concubine…

…

The ministers stared at the dark image, utterly baffled.

"Master Chen, is this your so-called evidence?"

"Are we watching a night view of Ducheng?"

Chen Zhuo remained silent.

But Zhou Chuanbing's expression subtly changed.

Beneath the night sky, a figure stepped out from the back gate of Zhou Fu, silently slipping into an alley with another person.

Then the perspective shifted to Chen Mo—he followed them, leaping into an abandoned mansion, then exiting Ducheng through an underground tunnel.

Seeing this, the ministers' expressions turned uneasy.

This was the capital of the Great Yuan! Sneaking past checkpoints, sabotaging city defenses—this alone could be charged as treason!

As the footage continued, Chen Mo met up with Lin Jingzhu, tracking them all the way to the Western Wastelands.

Chen Mo deciphered the array, entered the cave, descended stone steps, until deep within the mountain's core—the view suddenly opened up—

A massive mine shaft, nearly a hundred meters high, appeared before them!

"What?!"

"T-this is Red Sand Ore!"

"Mining Red Sand in secret is tantamount to treason—are you trying to rebel?!"

"Judging by the scale of this mine, it must have been dug out for over half a year. Who has such audacity?"

In an instant, the great hall erupted in an uproar, the ministers horrified, the clamor reaching the heavens!

Yet they were still somewhat puzzled—clearly the matter was supposed to be an investigation of the demon race, so how had it dragged in mining?

Very soon, their doubts were answered—

Yin wind howled, shrill wails piercing the ears, making one's liver and gall turn cold with dread!

The demon race!

Chen Mo swiftly fled the mine pit. A moment later, a figure came chasing after him.

Upon clearly seeing that person's face, Zhou Chuanbing instantly lost all color from his cheeks.

"Zhou Li?!"

"How could it be him…"

……

【Strike now, absolutely cannot let them get away!】

【Centurion Chu, kill Chen Mo at once—afterwards the Young Master will surely reward you handsomely!】

Zhou Li's voice echoed through the great hall, and the expressions of the ministers were a sight to behold.

It's over!

Zhou Chuanbing's body swayed, nearly staggering.

Cold sweat instantly soaked through his official robes, his ears buzzed and rang, and he could no longer hear anything clearly.

The ministers who had just been following Zhou Chuanbing's lead instantly changed countenance, their feet shuffling, wishing they could get as far from him as possible.

Yet the battle was far from over.

The demon race's strength exceeded everyone's expectations.

Demonic qi blotted out the sky, its momentum terrifying beyond compare. The demon, wrapped in grey mist, swept forth, ghostly wails and divine howls ringing in their ears, making one feel as if plunged right into the midst of it!

The ministers let out a cry of alarm.

Some civil officials' faces went pale, and they could barely stand without bracing themselves against the hall's pillars.

These high ministers, long ensconced in the halls of state—when had He Ceng ever seen such a life-and-death battle?

"This demon seems to have an undying body—beheading it and it still regenerates. How can we possibly kill it?"

"Fortunately we have Centurion Shen here—must be he who slew the demon."

"But somehow it feels like he's at a disadvantage too…"

The military officials remained calm, merely wearing slightly solemn expressions.

This demon's strength rivaled a fourth-rank cultivator—nothing much to them, but if it were to go on a rampage through the city, slaughtering civilians, the consequences would be unthinkable!

Eunuch Jin's brow sank slightly.

He saw at a glance that Shen Shuchou was absolutely no match for this demon.

In less than half a shichen, he would surely be defeated!

How did that demon die?

Very soon, he knew the answer.

He saw Chen Mo, after slaying Chu Zhuo with the force of Lei Ting, walk straight to the center of the battlefield, holding his breath and focusing his spirit, his qi restrained, as if an old monk entering meditation.

The corners of his robe stirring without wind showed that his "momentum" was climbing steadily!

Boom!

The silver spear and grey fog, locked in combat, briefly parted.

Chen Mo suddenly moved.

His fingers twitched slightly, the Jade-Splinter Blade fell into his palm, and his form abruptly vanished on the spot.

The next instant, the moon's glow dimmed, a blazing sun rose into the sky, the dark night blazed bright as day, and a resplendent river of stars poured down from the edge of the heavens!

Between heaven and earth, only that one incomparably arcane arc remained—

Blade from Beyond the Heavens!

In a breath he soars a thousand li, his hand-seals stir wind and cloud, startling ghosts and gods!

……

One blade to slay the demon!

The scene had already ended, yet the crowd was still drunk on the lingering aftertaste of that blade, unable to return to themselves for a long time.

Shen Xiong's eyes were full of astonishment.

This kid…

Clip-clop, clip-clop—

A burst of footsteps broke the silent atmosphere.

Chen Zhuo strode forward like a dragon or tiger, came to the center of the great hall, held his jade tablet in hand, and spoke in a clear voice:

"This humble official impeaches Vice Minister of Revenue Zhou Chuanbing, who has committed three grave crimes!"

"Crime one: secretly crossing the passes and barriers, undermining the city's defenses!"

"Crime two: secretly mining Red Sand, harboring treacherous designs!"

"Crime three: colluding with the demon race, plotting rebellion!"

"The crimes are plain as day, the ironclad evidence like a mountain! With crimes compounded, he should be punished according to the law for treason!"

"According to the Great Yuan Legal Code, plotting rebellion and plotting great treason are the foremost of the Ten Abominations! Offenders shall be beheaded, their families implicated, and fathers and sons aged sixteen and above shall all be hanged!"

Boom!

Five Thunderbolts from the Sky!

Zhou Chuanbing's body swayed as if about to collapse, yet no one dared to support him, and in the end he simply slumped to the ground.

One wave had yet to settle when another rose — Yunhe suddenly stepped forward, producing yet another image-retaining stone from who knows where.

"Reporting to Your Highness, the 'Barbarian Slave Case' has been solved. The criminals Yan Liang and Yan Xun have both confessed."

"Ministry of Revenue Physician Xian Yucheng, Ministry of Revenue Vice-Physician Qiu Chengxuan, Ministry of Justice Director Wei Yongfeng, Ministry of Justice Bureau Physician Ruan Gaojun… bought and sold barbarian slaves, their conduct was improper, shameless and without conscience — they should step down and yield to the worthy!"

"The evidence is conclusive; I beg Your Highness to discern clearly!"

At this moment, the Consort's faction finally revealed its bloodstained fangs.

Although the ranks of the officials mentioned were not very high, they all held key positions in the throat of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Justice!

Yan Peizhi's breathing grew difficult. At this moment he finally understood — the other side had hidden for so long, waiting for a single strike that would surely kill… Toppling the Zhou family was only the first step; they intended to tear a bloody gash open in the Six Ministries!

Then they would burrow in through that gash, feasting on flesh and blood, cracking bones and sucking out the marrow!

Standing at the very front of the assembled ministers, several old ministers who had been drowsy and half-asleep slightly opened their eyes, a glint of sharpness flickering within.

Behind the bamboo curtain, that bright yellow figure sat upright, silent and speechless.

Eunuch Jin knew clearly in his heart that Her Highness the Empress had by now passed beyond mere anger.

"Chen Mo's blade is likely to overturn this entire court!"