A Cunning Pervert in the Cultivation World

With those words, silence fell.

Even the ministers who had spoken in defense of Prime Minister Mu moments earlier... found themselves unable to utter a single word.

They knew the Rain Pavilion’s reputation, but this... what scared them even more was that the Empress had actually managed to find safe houses belonging to them... those hidden rats in the deepest parts of the dynasty.

They weren’t sure whether to be impressed or terrified at this feat.

Li Feng’s mouth also opened slightly at this row upon row of evidence.

Yue Lan, who was beside him, blinked cutely before reaching out and gently closing his mouth.

Fen Ling’s gaze remained as cold as ever as she pressed forward.

”You asked this Empress for evidence. So this Empress investigated.”

”For thirty-six years of corruption.”

”For twenty-nine years of communication with a lawless organization no different from a demonic sect.”

”And for decades of embezzling the dynasty’s wealth.”

Her icy gaze swept across every official in the hall before finally settling on Prime Minister Mu once more.

”...So what do you have to say for yourself?”

Prime Minister Mu remained silent for several moments.

Yet despite the overwhelming evidence displayed before him, the old man’s expression slowly returned to normal.

Then he lowered his head and let out a heavy sigh.

”Your Majesty... This old minister truly never expected that after serving the Fen Dynasty for over a hundred years, I would one day be treated as a criminal based on the mistakes of others.”

His voice carried a hint of disappointment.

Several officials frowned at those words, but Prime Minister Mu continued as he spoke with righteous indignation.

”Yes! These people were indeed under my command, I will not deny that. But Your Majesty...”

He raised his head.

”Can an emperor blame a general because one of his soldiers committed a crime without his knowledge?”

”And can a sect master be punished because an outer disciple violated the rules behind their back?”

His voice became more and more confident and righteous.

”The larger an organization becomes, the more difficult it is to control every single person within it. These crimes were committed by my subordinates.”

”If they betrayed the dynasty, then they should be punished. But how does that prove that this old minister was involved?”

The hall became quiet as some officials exchanged glances.

Although they disliked Prime Minister Mu’s words, but they had to admit there was some logic behind them.

A Prime Minister managed countless officials, so it was impossible for him to know every action of every subordinate.

Prime Minister Mu then turned toward the evidence.

He calmly pointed toward the crates.

”As for these documents... Most of them date back decades.”

”Thirty years ago, twenty years ago, even ten years ago.”

He shook his head at this.

”Your Majesty, even if there were mistakes made during that time, what does it have to do with this old minister now?”

His eyes sharpened slightly.

”After all... those matters have already passed. Those responsible can be investigated and punished, and I will fully cooperate.”

”But to use the crimes of the past to accuse the current Prime Minister of treason...”

He slowly bowed.

”...This old minister finds it difficult to accept.”

The court once again became silent.

Prime Minister Mu’s argument was clear.

He wasn’t denying the existence of the crimes... but he was denying responsibility.

He was separating himself from his subordinates and pushing everything into the past.

Li Feng narrowed his eyes.

’Tch, as expected... This old man isn’t called a old fox for nothing.’

Even with so much evidence, he still managed to find a way to defend himself.

Even though it wasn’t entirely convincing, it was way better than being framed outright as a betrayer.

However... Li Feng looked toward Fen Ling and noticed that the Empress remained completely calm.

It was as if Prime Minister Mu’s defense had gone exactly according to her expectations.

Then... Fen Ling slowly spoke, her voice echoing throughout the silent hall.

”Prime Minister Mu. You believe these are merely the crimes of the past.”

Then a faint coldness appeared in her eyes.

”Very well. If you wish to see evidence from the present... then this Empress shall show you.”

The moment those words fell, Prime Minister Mu’s heart sank slightly as he couldn’t help but curse this woman inwardly.

Right now eerything was happening far too quickly.

He had prepared countless possibilities, but he had never expected Fen Ling to move this decisively.

The evidence from decades ago had already caught him off guard.

The Shadow Dragon Guards had even uncovered things he thought would remain buried forever.

His expression remained calm on the surface, but his thoughts were already in turmoil.

He had spent decades building his position.

Decades gathering influence.

Decades preparing for the arrival of that moment.

Everything he had done... Everything he had endured... was for that single day.

’No... this cannot continue. Not yet... I cannot fall here. I need to delay this until that day arrives.’

Only then would everything change.

Only then would the Fen Dynasty... and this entire world... witness the true crownof this world.

Just as Prime Minister Mu began to consider using that final option...

His thoughts suddenly stopped.

For a brief moment... his body froze.

Then... a faint smile slowly appeared on his aged face, but that smile vanished almost instantly.

’As per your will... Divine Envoy.’

No one noticed the slight change in Prime Minister Mu’s expression.

Because everyone’s attention was focused on the figure who had just entered after receiving the Empress’s order.

The heavy palace doors opened once more.

Then a person slowly walked into the grand hall, and it was Grand Tutor Wei.

However... unlike his usual calm and composed appearance, something was different.

His expression was dark.

His brows were slightly furrowed, and there was a faint trace of anger hidden within his eyes.

And the moment Fen Ling saw him, the faint confidence in her expression paused... because that was not the expression of someone who had simply completed a task.

...It was the expression of someone who had discovered something far more troubling.