Chapter 137: Play Along

King Yong understood Chen Liu's implication and immediately asked Chen Liu to hand him his sleeve.

He asked, "What is your basis?"

Chen Liu returned his sleeve and said, "Your Highness can consider this carefully. If the motive was the autopsy results, then the bodies could have been tampered with as soon as they were delivered to the Spirit-Soothing Pavilion last night.

Or even earlier.

So early that every body and all related evidence could have been completely disposed of before even entering the Spirit-Soothing Pavilion. Given the sheer destructive power of this fire, I have no doubt the culprit possesses such capability."

Hearing this, King Yong was silent for a moment before saying, "Indeed. But viewed in this light, it indirectly corroborates Yi Qingchen's innocence.

If that is the case, the Auspicious Brocade Palace truly has no justification for detaining her."

Chen Liu glanced at King Yong, fully understanding the underlying meaning. He replied, "If Your Highness still has unresolved doubts, you might as well retain her for a few more days under the status of a witness.

As long as her treatment is courteous and without negligence, we will stand on unshakeable ground even if the Holy-Revering Monarch himself arrives in person."

"You are right. I shall return to the Auspicious Brocade Palace at once. As for the reconstruction of the autopsy room here at the Spirit-Soothing Pavilion, you may take whatever is needed and report directly to Zhou Yi."

With that, he rose to bid farewell.

Chen Liu escorted him to the entrance, and after King Yong offered a few words of reassurance, Chen Liu expressed his gratitude for each one.

However, the lingering sense of melancholy within them could only be savored by Chen Liu and Zai She individually.

...

Upon leaving the Spirit-Soothing Pavilion, King Yong instructed Zhou Yi to invite Su He.

As Zhou Yi departed, King Yong lowered his head and walked toward the royal palace. Once such a wretched incident had occurred, concealment was impossible. Moreover, he needed to see Xian Buyue first to report on the progress of the case.

Inside the Hall of Precious Virtue, ministers had already gathered in throngs since early morning.

Although the Auspicious Brocade Palace had not released any official news regarding the events at Lesser Zhou Village, how could there be an airtight wall in this world?

Furthermore, the matter involved Yi Qingchen, the current master of the Lucid Star Tower.

If Yi Qingchen were merely an ordinary woman, it would be of little consequence. At most, once her innocence was verified through a post-investigation, she could be properly placated, and the matter would naturally be resolved.

The complication lay in the fact that Yi Qingchen was backed by the Lucid Star Tower. Although Yi Daishan was absent, there remained the fiercely loyal Holy-Revering Monarch, Ling Longzi.

It was rumored that this person had already stepped with one foot into the realm of divinities, leaving them no room to not worry.

In the Sea of Desire and across the various realms, high-tier cultivators generally did not involve themselves in the affairs of the mortal world. While interactions existed, active interference was rare.

Doing otherwise would provoke public outrage, something they disdained to do.

Yet, because of this, with the realm of divinity remaining aloof, the semi-divine realm stood as an invincible existence within the Sea of Desire.

Such beings could move mountains, overturn seas, and destroy cities with a mere thought.

Although the royal city was vast and rich in resources, pitted against a major sect, it was fundamentally akin to a child playing a game against an adult.

Aside from enjoying longevity, ordinary immortals were no match for those who had truly stepped onto the path of cultivation.

Consequently, upon hearing that Yi Qingchen had been invited to the Auspicious Brocade Palace as a guest, the officials panicked in groups of twos and threes.

By the time King Yong arrived, the ministers were petitioning Xian Buyue one after another to release Yi Qingchen.

After all, calling someone a guest was merely a high-sounding pretext. Everyone knew full well that it amounted to house arrest.

Xian Buyue and Shaozhen Wuyi had spent the entire night discussing the future of the Sea of Desire. The sovereign and his minister had meticulously sorted through every single detail.

Shaozhen Wuyi said, "The Sevenfold Jialuo Seal is named sevenfold, but in reality, it possesses eight folds.

It is simply that the world remains ignorant of this, and due to the passage of ages, they assume the Sevenfold Jialuo Seal and the Royal Seal together make seven."

Xian Buyue sighed softly and nodded. "Indeed. It is true that the Sevenfold Jialuo Seal is anchored by the Seven Gates, and it is equally true that the Royal Seal is forged jointly by the one palace and three noble clans of the royal city.

Yet the world does not know that the Sevenfold Jialuo Seal takes the Seven Gates as its primary component and the Royal Seal as its auxiliary.

The function of the Royal Seal is to nourish the seal with royal Qi, ensuring the seal endures endlessly without ever ceasing its operation."

With a sigh, he could not help but lament, "Now that calamities and loss of life are erupting everywhere in the Sea of Desire, one knows without asking that this is the handiwork of malevolent beings.

If this continues, what shall become of us?"

For every fraction of blood Qi absorbed by the Eight Winds Island, the royal Qi would correspondingly be diminished by a fraction.

This was by no means auspicious news for the Sea of Desire.

Shaozhen Wuyi consoled him, "Your Majesty need not worry. Since the Unborn Gate has already intervened, they must have taken Your Majesty's concerns into consideration, which is why Baili Suhe was inducted into their sect."

"Do you believe this is merely a feint by the Unborn Gate to lure the enemy?"

"It is hard to say. The evil ones are elusive, and while various sects have cast wide nets, none have reaped any rewards.

Yet lives are frequently lost, and the light of the royal Qi seal atop the Eight Winds Island wanes day by day—this is an undeniable fact.

Furthermore, cracks have appeared in the seal of the Demon Realm. Both Sect Master Bufeng and Sect Master Xing Yanzong dispatched joint letters, yet all responses vanished like mud cast into the sea. From this, it is evident that the Demon Realm must harbor ulterior motives.

Under such circumstances, once the seal of the Eight Winds Island is broken, whether it be the royal city or the Sea of Desire, both will find themselves attacked from front and rear."

Pausing briefly, he added, "Therefore, this subject fully endorses Sect Master Bufeng's arrangement."

Originally, the Sevenfold Jialuo Seal had been jointly forged by: the Zen Gate, the Southern Drifting Cloud Sea, the Literary Mirror Abyss, the Unborn Gate, the Soul-Driving Gate, the Demon Realm, and the Mystic Realm.

The one palace and three noble clans of the royal city, with the royal palace at the helm and assisted by the Baili, Shaozhen, and Gu clans, gathered royal Qi to forge the seal, using it as the final suppression.

This ensured that countless years later, the power of the Sevenfold Jialuo Seal remained evergreen and undiminished—all due to the efficacy of the royal Qi.

This was also the fundamental reason why the royal city ranked above the Five Islands and Seven Gates.

The subtext of his words made it clear that a conclusion had already been reached regarding the authenticity of Su He's identity as the seal-breaker.

Hearing this, Xian Buyue fell silent for a moment before asking, "Does my lord minister know why Sect Master Bufeng chose Baili Suhe? After all, this action undoubtedly pushes the Unborn Gate into opposition against the Baili clan.

In doing so, he also makes a formidable enemy for himself."

Shaozhen Wuyi offered a faint smile, cupped his hands in a bow toward him, and said, "Your Majesty already holds a settled view in your heart; why must you tease this subject?"

Though Shaozhen Wuyi did not spell it out, Xian Buyue knew his own thoughts were correct. This development meant the royal city could not afford to fall into hostility with Baili Suhe.

Whether considering Su He himself or his connection to Sweeping Clear Winds, having him as an ally offered far more benefits than drawbacks.

Pulling his thoughts back and listening to the murmurs of the ministers, Xian Buyue felt a dull ache throbbing in both temples.

During the night, he had intended to summon all his sons at daybreak to give them strict instructions, but before dawn broke, his eldest son had invited the master of the Lucid Star Tower to the Auspicious Brocade Palace as a "guest."

Seeing King Yong enter the Hall of Precious Virtue, Shaozhen Wuyi used a sound-transmission technique to remind Xian Buyue, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Eldest Prince has arrived."

Xian Buyue raised his gaze. "He arrives just in time. Since you stirred up this mess, you can explain it yourself."

He thought to himself: If you had captured Baili Suhe instead, he could at least explain matters to the Unborn Gate on high moral grounds. But you arrested the master of the Lucid Star Tower—how is he supposed to explain this to the Holy-Revering Monarch?

King Yong first offered a formal greeting, then turned to bow to the ministers, startling them into hastily returning the courtesy.

They all said, "Your Highness the Eldest Prince, you must not do this."

They were subjects and servants; how could there be any reason for a master to bow in full etiquette to his inferiors?

Retaining his composure as he absorbed the reactions of the crowd, King Yong said, "Though lacking in talent, this prince has caused you all to worry, for which I feel deeply apologetic.

However, the Auspicious Brocade Palace acted in this manner according to its own arrangements. I must ask my lords to grant me an opportunity for an explanation."

The officials chorused, "We dare not, we dare not. Since Your Highness is willing to clear our doubts, we are all ears."

King Yong turned, offered a cupped-hand bow to Xian Buyue, and flashed a look intended to reassure him not to worry.

Seeing his son's seemingly well-prepared strategy, and after exchanging a glance with Shaozhen Wuyi, Xian Buyue was more than willing to let him proceed.

With his father's tacit permission, King Yong spoke with a much firmer stance.

He addressed the ministers: "Last night, a sudden homicide occurred at Lesser Zhou Village, and Pavilion Master Yi was the first person to discover it.

Out of a desire to seek justice for the deceased and to protect a witness, this prince acted without my royal father's prior approval, inviting Pavilion Master Yi back to the Auspicious Brocade Palace to reside temporarily in the Plum Lodge."

Instantly, someone mustered the courage to ask, "In that case, Pavilion Master Yi was not arrested?"

The speaker was Lu Bing's father, Censor Lu.

"Naturally. Although the Lucid Star Tower is a secluded sect, it enjoys a sterling reputation within the Sea of Desire. The elder pavilion master bestowed boundless grace upon countless immortals. As the descendant of such a virtuous person, how could this prince dare to treat her slightingly?"

Hearing this, the ministers seemed to have swallowed a reassuring pill, letting out synchronized sighs of relief.

To be frank, ever since they learned Yi Qingchen had been taken into custody at the Auspicious Brocade Palace, they had neither been able to sleep nor eat.

Before dawn, they had already knelt outside the Hall of Precious Virtue.

Although royal attendant Yang允 had tried to persuade them to leave multiple times, not a single person was willing to budge.

Yet Pei Wuji's father, Left Advisory Official Pei, still harbored doubts. He stepped forward, offered a formal greeting, and said, "Is what Your Highness says true? Could you merely be using smooth words to deceive us?"

This Left Advisory Official was commendable in every respect save one: he was far too blunt. While others wrapped their questions in layers of tact and indirection, he alone possessed an unvarnished directness without peer, past or present. While everyone else had been promoted to higher offices, he remained deeply and immovably rooted in the post of Left Advisory Official.

At that moment, King Yong was equally annoyed by his lack of worldly tact, yet Xian Buyue had once told him that a royal court required someone daring enough to speak unvarnished truths.

Only then would individuals in power maintain a sense of restraint.

Seeing that King Yong remained silent, the Left Advisory Official felt confirmed in his suspicion and demanded, "What? Does Your Highness admit it?"

King Yong offered a faint smile. "Left Advisory Official has misunderstood. If the大人 feels my words are insufficient to convince the crowd, I can ask Attendant Yang to make a trip to the Plum Lodge in the Auspicious Brocade Palace and invite Pavilion Master Yi to the Hall of Precious Virtue to confront me face to face."

Before the words fully faded, Censor Lu hurriedly stepped forward, elbowing his way past the Left Advisory Official to bow deeply. "Your Highness exaggerates! How could any of us harbor disbelief?"

With that, he quietly tugged at the Left Advisory Official's sleeve.

The Left Advisory Official glared at Censor Lu. What are you doing? I'm in the middle of discussing an important matter!

Censor Lu nearly cursed aloud, half-dragging and half-pulling him back into the crowd.

He thought bitterly to himself: This isn't discussing a matter; you're courting death! Just because someone says no hard feelings, do you really take it at face value?

Sigh...

Because their respective sons were close friends, the two fathers had grown accustomed to helping each other out in official circles. Compared to the reactions of the others, Censor Lu could well be considered the Left Advisory Official's sole confidant.

Valuing this friendship deeply—for true friends are hard to come by in life—the Left Advisory Official decided he could not let his friend down. Ceasing his struggle, he retreated into the crowd and stood quietly.

Censor Lu breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly offered apologies to the colleagues on either side.

While some officials met this with cold snorts and others turned their heads away, the incident was ultimately swept aside.

Seeing that the timing was right, Xian Buyue addressed King Yong, "Very well. The Left Advisory Official is also deeply concerned for the Sea of Desire. As a prince, how can you be so impulsive?"

"Understood, this son acknowledges his mistake."

"And what are your plans now?" Just moments ago, Yang允 had quietly whispered into his ear that the autopsy room of the Spirit-Soothing Pavilion had been destroyed, and even Chen Liu's young attendant had been consumed by the flames.

If an account of this matter were not provided immediately, it would undoubtedly cause turmoil later.

Upon seeing Yang允 appear, King Yong had already guessed that the news had reached his father's ears. Although events had deviated slightly from his expectations, it mattered little.

Through Yang允's words, at least his father now had a firm grasp of the situation.

Thus, he cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to Royal Father, before addressing that, there is a matter this son must report first.

Last night, the corpses of the victims from Lesser Zhou Village were delivered to the Spirit-Soothing Pavilion. This morning, when this son went to discuss the autopsy findings with Coroner Chen Liu, an accident occurred in the autopsy room."

Knowing full well what his eldest son was about to say, Xian Buyue straightened his posture and played his part, his expression turning abruptly dark.

He asked, "What happened?"

King Yong replied, "A fierce fire broke out in the autopsy room, and all the corpses as well as the registration records were reduced to ashes. Furthermore, the young attendant E Hua also perished in the flames."

The moment these words fell, the gathered ministers were struck dumb with astonishment.