Master of Strange Dao

Just that little bit, taking a brush, they swept everything clean, it was also very difficult to tell what the core material was anymore.

Even if they managed to separate and condense it, it was likely still impossible to verify what the material was.

The two people were infuriated and cursed vehemently, after which they summoned a few laborers to painstakingly collect the material that had turned into dust.

...

Inside the Dali Shadow Department, the atmosphere was somewhat tense.

A Compass was also placed here, of course, they had no intention of trying to crack it; knowing how to use it was enough.

The internal inspection of the Shadow Department was almost complete, and today was the review of all the senior members.

The inspector was a powerful figure who had come from the palace, an old eunuch, who had followed Emperor Li for many years.

The old eunuch looked at the members of the Shadow Department with a smile and said,

"If any of you have practiced the Langya Incarnation Technique, it would be best for you to step forward now and explain yourselves, the clearer the better.

If it's discovered later, there will be no opportunity to explain."

The old eunuch glanced around at everyone and, seeing no one speak up, picked up the Compass.

Fu Xiao smiled and was the first to step forward.

"Then I'll go first."

The inspection went smoothly, Fu Xiao was not an incarnation, nor had he ever practiced the Langya Incarnation Technique.

One by one, they came forward, and without any surprises, all the high-ranking members of the Shadow Department passed.

By the end, when everyone else had left and only Ye Jiuyuan and Fu Xiao remained, Ye Jiuyuan looked at Fu Xiao curiously.

"You haven't practiced it?"

Fu Xiao understood the subtext and shook his head with a smile.

"I am not an incarnation."

Then Fu Xiao sized up Ye Jiuyuan and smiled strangely.

"And you? You haven't practiced it either?"

"I am not an incarnation."

Almost unanimously, the two men tacitly moved past the topic.

On the other side, within the Dali Palace City, it was unknown where they had gotten their information, but all the eunuchs and maidservants had been inspected.

In the entire palace city, only Emperor Li and the Crown Prince had not undergone the examination.

Originally, that would have been the end of the matter.

However, rumors from an unknown source began to spread, and within just a few short days, they had circulated throughout the capital city of Dali; every official, big and small, and every cultivator, had heard them.

The Crown Prince had practiced the Forbidden Technique, the Langya Incarnation Technique.

If it were just that, it would not have mattered much.

But the rumors were detailed and vivid as if they had a life of their own.

They said that the Crown Prince of Dali advanced to the Ninth Tier not just because of his exceptional talent or because the Imperial Family lacked nothing, from resources to Dharma Methods, and even guidance from famous masters.

The key opportunity for advancing to the Ninth Tier was when the Crown Prince, at the Peak of Eighth Tier, had practiced the Langya Incarnation Technique.

And his incarnation was none other than the Gu Family's precious daughter, Gu Tianxin.

Then it spread that from the moment Gu Tianxin was born, the Crown Prince had covertly looked after her, even arranging a master to secretly protect her at all times.

Over the years, various events, how and what happened, were all elaborated in detail.

From what began as mere rumors, the situation escalated, gradually becoming widespread and causing an uproar.

Inside the Dali Palace City, Emperor Li's face was steely as he watched Fu Xiao kneeling below with a cold gaze.

"It's been days, and not only have you failed to ascertain where the rumors originated from, but they have become increasingly wild and bizarre as they spread.

Is this how you perform your duties as the Chief Venerate?"

"Your Majesty, forgive me, it is my incompetence," Fu Xiao confessed with his head bowed.

Emperor Li snorted coldly.

"Tell me, what have you found out so far?"

"Your servant has traced the rumors back to their original source, several common women in the West Street Market.

But it's clear as well, they were all under the control of some master."

"Despite days of pursuit, I have not caught the person nor do I know what kind of Evil Skill they used."

"You have another three days. If by then you still haven't found out who the evil-doer is, you'll jail yourself in the Shadow Department's dungeon."

Emperor Li stepped out of the grand hall and stood by the railing, staring beyond the palace city with a cold gaze that rarely harbored such a murderous intent.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived."

The old eunuch following Emperor Li muttered softly.

Watching the Crown Prince approach with a calm demeanor, Emperor Li spoke before the Crown Prince could salute.

"You don't need to concern yourself with this matter."

"My son feels that..." The Crown Prince, looking indifferent, had barely started speaking when Emperor Li rudely interrupted him.

"Whether it is related to you or not, you cannot go."

A rumor today has forced you to verify it publicly.

Tomorrow, another rumor will continue to manipulate you.

Even if you do verify it, there will still be those who do not believe.

You are the Crown Prince of Dali, no one can force you to do anything in this manner.

No one can.

I've said it, you don't need to deal with this matter, you may leave."

Emperor Li's words were somewhat harsh, not letting the Crown Prince speak, nor wanting to hear what he had to say.

The Crown Prince was a bit surprised, followed by a faint smile. After saluting, he quietly retreated.

Emperor Li's behavior was truly surprising to him.

He understood that Emperor Li was protecting him.

Whether he publicly disproved the rumors or not, it would ultimately not be in his favor.

Even if it seemed simple, given his status, he could not easily act on it.

The Crown Prince walked along the stone path of the palace city, reflecting for a moment.

It seemed that the last time Emperor Li had protected him like this was when he was about ten years old.

At that time, his father, the Emperor, was just as furious as today.

And just like today, it seemed that he was scolding him.

He revealed a slight smile, returned to his own sleeping quarters, and truly no longer concerned himself with the matter.

Meanwhile, Emperor Li, looking beyond the palace city, murmured to himself.

"Someone wants to see my stance? Then I'll show you."

"Issue an edict, those who concoct rumors will be executed without discussion, those who spread rumors will be flogged.

Suppress all the memorials from the court officials, big or small, concerning this matter."

As night fell, Emperor Li was inspecting memorials when a shadow appeared silently before him and knelt on the ground.

"Your old servant presents himself before your majesty."

"You've heard about the rumors these past few days, haven't you?"

"Your old servant has heard some."

"Investigate and make it clear."

The shadow vanished, and Emperor Li picked out three memorials from those he was inspecting.

All three were appeals for the Crown Prince to come forward and quell the rumors.

The three Imperial Censors who submitted these were respectively from three major powers in Dali, all deeply rooted and long-standing.

The next day at court, before anything could be discussed, Emperor Li threw out the three memorials.

"Concocting rumors, kill."

With just these few simple words, a group of soldiers charged in, seething with killing intent. They took the three Imperial Censors outside the palace gate and executed them right there.

In that instant, a chill ran down everyone's spine in court. Even those who wanted to say something dared not speak anymore.

No one had expected such an outcome.

The Crown Prince didn't even have to show up.

Yet Emperor Li was furiously enraged and ordered the execution himself.