Chapter 45: The Ultimate Kill

When The Du Brothers heard Ding Suian wanted them to stay, they subconsciously looked to the Vermilion Robe Patriarch for help.

In broad daylight, the Patriarch did not want to appear too close to The Du Family and ignored their pleading gazes.

But he also did not leave.

If Ding Suian were to resort to force, the Protectors of the Faith behind him would certainly not stand idly by.

Seeing this, Second Brother Du could only brace himself and step forward, “May I ask, Squad Leader Ding, why are you forcing us to stay?”

Ding Suian, however, looked past everyone and fixed his gaze on Li Fengrao, who had not spoken a word throughout, “Lord Li, may I ask, what is the legal punishment for adultery?”

Today’s events had been so sudden that Lin Hansu was still in a state of chaotic excitement. Hearing this, her heart pounded, and she almost turned to look at Ding Suian. This man, out of nowhere, why would he bring that up?

Then she realized that with so many eyes on them, any unusual movement could expose her feelings, so she forcibly restrained herself.

Li Fengrao also didn’t understand Ding Suian’s intention, but he still answered truthfully, “According to the laws of Great Wu, those who commit adultery with a married woman shall receive fifty strokes of the cane and be exiled a thousand li.”

“What about the crime of false accusation?”

“Those who defame another’s reputation shall have their punishment increased by one degree.”

By now, Li Fengrao understood, and his answer carried more certainty.

From his perspective, he naturally hoped that Lin Hansu would not fall, so that the lucrative ‘official land’ could securely fall into his pocket.

In a way, the two of them had a cooperative relationship.

Earlier, with the situation unclear, he had no reason to offend the State Religion for profit.

But now it was different.

Moreover, Squad Leader Ding hadn’t forced him to take sides, only asked about legal statutes. Even if your State Religion is domineering, you can’t forbid me from reciting the laws of Great Wu, can you?

Ding Suian immediately followed up, “Then what is the punishment for falsely accusing someone of adultery?”

“One hundred strokes of the cane and exile two thousand li.”

‘Oh~’

A wave of belated realization swept through the surroundings.

This matter was not over!

Third Master Du saw the tide turning and blurted out in desperation, “Lord Li! Although Squad Leader Ding is not a demon, he might not be free from lewdness in his own inner chambers! We are not falsely accusing him!”

This time, at least he didn’t dare to directly mention Lin Hansu.

The Patriarch already had the authority to inquire about ‘customs and etiquette.’ Hearing Third Master Du’s specious argument, he nodded slightly.

As if in agreement.

Li Fengrao looked at Ding Suian, wanting to see what other move this sharp-witted Imperial Guard Squad Leader had up his sleeve.

Just now, sensing the Patriarch and The Du Family joining forces, Li Fengrao had concluded that he was doomed.

Unexpectedly, after all that fuss, the Immortal Master’s ‘demon investigation’ actually failed. Inferring from the result, Ding Suian must have anticipated this day and prepared in advance.

Now, with The Du Family’s offensive failing and wanting to retreat, he gave them no quarter, launching a counterattack on the spot.

However, Li Fengrao was a little curious; his relationship with the Prince of Lanyang was not strong enough to directly confront an Immortal Master and apprehend The Du Family members on charges of false accusation.

Anyway, he could recite the laws of Great Wu, but taking risks to do other things would depend on the situation.

While he was pondering, he suddenly felt his official robe being tugged. Turning around, he saw Head Constable Jiao from the Lanyang Prefecture Yamen, and said with slight displeasure, “What is it?”

Head Constable Jiao quietly pointed to the east. Li Fengrao looked in that direction, only seeing a mass of bobbing heads, and frowned, “What are you making this official look at?”

“My Lord! Stand on your tiptoes and look!”

This Head Constable Jiao was being mysterious, and Li Fengrao grew more displeased, but he still stood on his tiptoes and looked east as instructed.

This look was significant.

On the periphery, several black-clad riders were on horseback. The leader had a refined face, a faint smile playing on his lips, and was watching the commotion with great interest and relish.

Due to the crowd, those in the center had not yet noticed their arrival.

But. Ding Suian, standing high on the steps, must have seen them long ago.

“Head Constable Jiao, clear the way!”

Li Fengrao made a decisive move.

The yamen runners and constables quickly cleared a path through the dense crowd. Li Fengrao straightened his official robe and walked over quickly.

“Inspector Sun, when did you arrive in Lanyang Prefecture! Why weren’t we informed in advance?”

“Heh heh.” Inspector Sun spoke from a commanding position, his voice clear and resonant, “The Jintai Temple case is concluded, and This Inspector has specifically come to Lanyang to read the closing document. I didn’t expect to see such a grand play as soon as I arrived.”

At this point, Inspector Sun, still on horseback, cupped his hands in a distant salute to the Vermilion Robe Patriarch and loudly declared, “Immortal Master, please continue with your affairs. After you are finished, please lend Squad Leader Ding to me. The imperial court has bestowed some items to commend his achievement in slaying the rebel leader, and he needs to receive them personally.”

The Vermilion Robe Patriarch was expressionless, returning the State Religion’s salute with clasped hands.

The two powerful figures, a hundred feet apart, exchanged veiled barbs.

Those with discerning eyes immediately understood. The struggle between The Du Family and the Princess Consort of Lanyang each had powerful backing.

When Lin Hansu rushed out of the mansion gate earlier, she had completely abandoned all reason and calculation.

Driven purely by her emotions, the intense emotional fluctuations had made her a bit slow to react.

Now, she finally came to her senses.

With powerful reinforcements suddenly arriving, when else would be a better time to strike while the iron is hot?

She lightly lifted the hem of her skirt, descended the steps, and stopped three zhang in front of Inspector Sun. Facing the direction of Central Heaven, the imperial capital of Great Wu, she performed a grand kowtow.

The people in front quickly dispersed, to avoid receiving such an undeserved grand salute.

A large empty space immediately appeared on the street in front of the mansion.

At this moment, Lin Hansu’s clear and distinct self-defense could be heard, “Your humble subject, Lin, a mere woman, has single-handedly supported the Prince of Lanyang’s mansion! Yet, The Du Family has repeatedly slandered and framed me, wishing for my swift demise! Today, they even slandered me outside the mansion gate, accusing me of illicit relations with a guard! I am unable to defend myself! To prevent Your Majesty’s golden words of praise from being shamed, I earnestly implore Inspector Sun to report to Your Majesty and dispatch a female official from the palace to examine my body! If I am not a virgin, I will hang myself immediately! If I am a virgin, I request Your Majesty to punish The Du Family for their false accusations!”

A commotion erupted.

An ultimate kill!

Inspector Sun immediately dismounted, quickly stepped forward, and made a gesture of support with both hands, “Princess Consort of Lanyang, please rise quickly! The Princess Consort is praised by His Majesty as a ‘model for women,’ how can others be allowed to insult her like this!”

At this point, he surveyed the vast crowd, his gaze lingering intentionally on The Du Family members for two breaths, “There is no need to alarm His Majesty about this matter. The West Yamen will uphold justice for the Princess Consort of Lanyang!”

“Outrageous, simply outrageous!”

Li Fengrao’s beard trembled with anger, his face flushed, and he roared, “Under my governance, how can right be twisted into wrong, and clarity be muddled! Inspector Sun, there is no need to trouble the West Yamen with this matter. Even if it costs me my official position, I will imprison those who made false accusations and restore the good name of the Princess Consort of Lanyang, and bring clear order to my Lanyang Prefecture!”

His expression and tone were as if he hadn’t just been standing by watching the show, as if he had just learned of the matter.

“Good!”

Head Constable Jiao was the first to applaud loudly. Under his lead, cheers erupted on the street in front of the mansion.

“Our Lord, how brilliant!”

“Lord Li, the just official of Lanyang!”

Although Lord Li had done nothing yet, it didn’t stop everyone from thinking he was a good official who feared no power.

As for why everyone had gathered here today, many had already forgotten.

In the distance, Third Master Du, pale as death, staggered and nearly fell to the ground.

The Vermilion Robe Patriarch and Second Brother Du, who was sweating profusely, exchanged a brief glance. Second Brother Du knew that the situation was now irreversible, but as long as the Patriarch was there, even if they were imprisoned, there would always be a chance for a turnaround. So he remained silent and quietly waited for the Lanyang Prefecture Yamen to deal with them.

Before leaving, the Vermilion Robe Patriarch looked back at the mansion gate again.

On the stone steps of the mansion gate, Ding Suian stood tall, with Zhisheng standing slightly behind him like a little attendant.

The Patriarch looked at Ding Suian, then at Zhisheng, his gaze lingering longer on the latter.

Zhisheng, who cultivated the Mind-Reading skill, primarily used it to perceive others’ joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. Naturally, he sensed the turbulent anger beneath the Vermilion Robe Patriarch’s calm facade.

After the Patriarch left, Zhisheng said uncertainly, “Benefactor Ding, are you using This poor monk as a pawn?”

Ding Suian smiled amiably, “Isn’t that what friends are for? You trick me a little, I trick you a little.”

Zhisheng looked at the Patriarch’s retreating back, surrounded by his entourage, and sighed, “Amitabha.”

“AZhi, are you scared?”

“This poor monk is not scared, but I worry about implicating my Monastic Sect.”

“Heh heh.”

Ding Suian turned to look east, where the officials of the Lanyang Prefecture Yamen, big and small, surrounded Inspector Sun like stars around the moon. The latter was chatting with everyone with a smile, creating a harmonious scene, “AZhi, is there a possibility that the one using you as a pawn is your Monastic Sect?”

“What do you mean, Benefactor Ding?”

Ding Suian withdrew his gaze, turned to Zhisheng, smiled, but did not answer.

Thanks to: Lang Sheng Da Xiao Ha Ha Ha Ha, for the reward~