Chapter 50: Who Gave You the Courage to Defy Me?!

After Minister of Revenue Liu Minghan stepped down, Censor-in-Chief Zhang Ancang stepped forward, holding his ceremonial tablet, his voice booming like a bell: “Your Majesty, I have an urgent memorial to submit!”

Li Chen slightly raised his hand: “Speak.”

Go ahead and put on a show!

Having received Li Chen’s permission, Zhang Ancang’s gaze burned as he fixed his eyes on Minister of Justice Feng Huai, his tone stern: “Your Majesty, I impeach Minister of Justice Feng Huai. The Crown Prince’s death occurred nearly a year ago, a case of national concern and public panic. Yet to this day, Feng Huai, entrusted with investigating this case, has made no substantive progress. I dare to ask, Minister Feng—why?”

Upon hearing this, Feng Huai’s expression darkened, but he remained calm.

He had just heard someone was accusing him and was startled, thinking it was about his secret alliance with the Second Prince and treasonous intentions—only to find it was something trivial.

Zhang Ancang impeached Feng Huai because he was a former subordinate of the Crown Prince.

After the Crown Prince’s death, most of his followers defected to other factions; only a handful, like Zhang Ancang, still remembered the Crown Prince’s kindness and sought the truth to avenge him.

The impeached Minister of Justice Feng Huai slowly rose, bowing: “Your Majesty, this accusation is unfounded. The Crown Prince’s case is complex and involves numerous parties—it cannot be solved overnight. Since taking charge, I have not dared to slacken for a moment, interrogating day and night, verifying every lead, striving to uncover the truth. Though no breakthrough has been made, I am giving it my all and will not neglect even the smallest detail.”

This was pure nonsense—anyone could say this if they failed to solve a case.

Feng Huai was a decades-old veteran of court politics, fluent in every evasion tactic.

Zhang Ancang sneered: “Minister Feng, are you not shifting blame? Half a year is enough to scour the entire capital, interrogate countless suspects—yet what is the result? The case remains murky, the killer still at large. Minister Feng, do you even have the ability to solve this? Or do you harbor hidden motives you dare not reveal?”

Feng Huai, enraged by this tirade, glared fiercely: “Your accusations are baseless! I serve the state wholeheartedly, seeking justice for the Crown Prince—how could I have hidden motives? If you harbor ill will toward me, say it plainly—why resort to such aggression?”

Then the two began hurling insults at each other, escalating from state affairs to personal attacks.

Zhang Ancang clung to Feng Huai, insisting that if he lacked ability, he should retire; if he dared not speak, he should hand over evidence or relinquish authority so Zhang could investigate the Ministry of Justice himself—he would uncover the truth for the Crown Prince at all costs.

Feng Huai, a veteran official long unused to being publicly berated, grew angrier with every word.

In the imperial court, ministers murmured among themselves, tension mounting.

Li Chen watched like an audience member at a play—fight all you want, don’t bother me.

This was a routine court spectacle—the bickering between ministers often revealed hidden information.

After nearly fifteen minutes, Zhang Ancang bowed again to Li Chen: “Your Majesty, I do not mean to harass Minister Feng—this case concerns the very foundation of the state and the spirit of the late Crown Prince. I must argue fiercely for justice. I humbly beg Your Majesty to scrutinize carefully and uncover the truth swiftly, to soothe the people’s hearts.”

Hearing this, Li Chen understood—leaving the Crown Prince’s death unsolved indefinitely was untenable.

He nodded slightly: “Your words are reasonable. Feng Huai, as Minister of Justice, solving this case is your duty. I grant you three months to uncover the truth—no one shall escape justice. As for Zhang Ancang, as Censor-in-Chief, you have the right to supervise. I permit you to review all case files related to the Crown Prince’s death, ensuring the investigation proceeds fairly and impartially.”

Li Chen’s words were flawless—he pressured Feng Huai to act while granting Zhang Ancang direct access, leaving Zhang no grounds to complain that Li Chen had denied him opportunity.

Moreover, by giving Feng Huai three months without threatening punishment for failure, Li Chen had delivered a near-perfect response.

The court ministers assumed the matter was settled—after all this time without progress, the obstacles must be immense.

Zhang Ancang had just bowed in thanks when Feng Huai refused.

He declared: “Your Majesty, this cannot stand! The Ministry of Justice is a vital state institution, safeguarding national security—its secrets are stored within. The late Emperor entrusted me with this ministry out of trust. For Censor-in-Chief Zhang to investigate here is an overreach of authority. I beg Your Majesty to rescind this order!” The entire court fell silent in shock.

This veteran minister invoked the late Emperor—directly challenging the new sovereign.

In plain terms, he relied on his seniority, his high office, and his past service to intimidate the new emperor.

Li Chen frowned: “Say that again.”

Anyone could hear Li Chen’s temper was fraying.

But Feng Huai, as if intoxicated by rage, had already lost his privileges—now they wanted to invade his Ministry of Justice?

Long resenting Li Chen, Feng Huai pressed on: “Your Majesty, I do not defy you out of disrespect—it is the late Emperor’s mandate, not to be trifled with!”

“Very well. I shall send you to meet the late Emperor.”

Li Chen let out a contemptuous snort, raised one hand—and a powerful, pure energy tore through space, arriving instantly!

In an instant, space quaked, mountains and rivers trembled!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Minister of Justice Feng Huai’s body exploded violently!

Even with his profound cultivation, he had no chance to resist—he died instantly.

Every inch of his body ruptured, bones pulverized to dust, flesh and blood splattered into a bloody pulp.

!

A pool of black-red blood erupted on the floor; misted blood hung drifting in the air.

The shockwave from the explosion shook the entire palace—no one knew what had happened, only that terrifying energy spread relentlessly from the court.

Worst of all, the ministers near Feng Huai were drenched in blood.

Li Chen’s display was so shocking it surpassed mortal comprehension—every court official froze in stunned silence.

The military officers, many of whom cultivated, remained standing; the civil officials were thrown back by the blast, writhing on the ground in agony.

All ministers now thought: No wonder His Majesty has always been so unshaken. No wonder the Empress Dowager dares not hold court behind the curtain—is this the power of a Saint Realm cultivator?

For the first time, they had felt the raw might of a Saint Realm master so close—they were truly awestruck.

Li Chen had no patience for this old minister.

I gave you one chance—you insisted on defying me?

You ignore my orders and hide behind the late Emperor?

You dare demand I retract my order? You call my decree frivolous?

You think you’re so powerful, do you?

Every word out of your mouth is “the late Emperor”—fine, I’ll send you to him!

Now you’re dead and dismembered—satisfied?

Why did you think I wouldn’t kill you? Who gave you the courage to defy me?!

(End of Chapter)