Martial Cultivator

Chapter 595: Uncle and Nephew (7)

Chen Chao's voice lingered in everyone's ears, refusing to fade away.

Everyone heard him clearly.

The young man before them admitted that he was the child of Crown Prince Yiwen, acknowledged that he was the brother of the deposed emperor, and confirmed that the blood of the Chen imperial family flowed through his veins.

This revelation left everyone in stunned silence.

When His Majesty the Emperor rose in rebellion, he fought fiercely and finally entered the Divine Capital. Then the deposed emperor ignited the imperial city, burying his entire family in the sea of flames.

After that day, all the court officials believed that the lineage of the deposed emperor no longer had any descendants alive. Consequently, many officials, feeling hopeless, chose to support the new ruler.

But how many among them were forced to do so?

Emperor Lingzong had once designated Crown Prince Yiwen as the crown prince and heir to Great Liang. After his death, the deposed emperor ascended to the throne, which was the rightful succession. The current emperor merely seized the realm.

In these past ten years, those old officials who originally remained loyal to Emperor Lingzong, as well as those who recognized the deposed emperor as the rightful successor, managed to coexist peacefully with the current emperor only because after the deposed emperor, there were no longer any members of the imperial family existing in the world.

Now that the deposed emperor's younger brother has been proven to be alive, in a certain sense, he may indeed be the most legitimate heir to the Great Liang.

He should be the one to sit on the throne.

Although the official from the Heavenly Imperial Institution accused Chen Chao of plotting against the state, many court officials present did not think so.

For a moment, the hearts of the people were divided, and an unusual silence ensued.

The elderly nun sneered, "He's just a bastard, where does such a grand show come from?"

Yes, even if Chen Chao is the younger brother of the deposed emperor and the offspring of Crown Prince Yiwen, he was still just a bastard; the throne could not possibly be handed over to him.

“Your Majesty, since Chen Chao's identity has been confirmed and he has hidden it for so long while lurking in the court, if he intends to do anything, everyone's hearts are as clear as a mirror. The foundation of our Great Liang's empire benefits from Your Majesty's removal of that incompetent ruler and your ascension, which has brought about this peaceful and prosperous era. Now that this person has appeared, it is likely that he aims to shake the very foundation of this realm. Therefore, this subject implores Your Majesty to eliminate him at once!”

The official from the Heavenly Imperial Institution spoke again, then suddenly bowed down.

There was a bang.

It was the sound of his head striking the ground.

Blood oozed from his forehead.

This was a death protest!

At the same time, those court officials who had long wanted Chen Chao dead quickly came forward, kneeling once more. “Your Majesty, this person harbors grand ambitions, if he isn't eliminated, we fear the realm will not know peace! Your subjects implore Your Majesty to make a swift decision and immediately behead him!”

The court officials stepped out one after another, kneeling and virtually echoing the same phrases.

In an instant, the atmosphere at the banquet became incredibly tense.

Previously, they used Song Ting as an excuse to want Chen Chao dead, which perhaps allowed him a glimmer of hope. Now, with Chen Chao's identity as a remnant spawn of the previous dynasty being used to eliminate him, it seemed there would be no other opportunities for him.

Since the emperor on the throne had seized Chen Chao's family's empire, now that Chen Chao had appeared, it was likely that anyone thinking about it would wish to eradicate him completely.

Historically, no emperor would make a different choice.

Any emperor who was not considered incompetent would make the same decision.

“Your Majesty, this subject believes this is inappropriate!”

It was still Song Lian speaking. After kneeling, he said solemnly, “Your Majesty, over the years, what has Commander Chen accomplished since entering the court? Everyone has seen it, he has elevated the prestige of our Great Liang, and dedicated himself tirelessly for our Great Liang. Even if there are some issues with his identity, has he ever plotted against the state?" "If Your Majesty intends to execute him because of past matters, what will history write about you, and how will future generations judge you?”

“Song Lian, what audacity you have! Do you dare openly shelter the remnant spawn of the previous dynasty? Do you also have intentions to plot against the state?!”

At the same time that Song Lian opened his mouth, an official scolded loudly, looking at the newly appointed Right Guard Commander, furious beyond measure.

Right now, with emotions running high, if they disagreed with killing Chen Chao, many people refrained from voicing their opinions. They were still gauging the Great Liang Emperor's stance. Only Song Lian dared to speak up at this moment. “I, Song Lian, have served as an official for many years, never embezzling a single coin and never idly occupying my position. My loyalty is solely to Great Liang, and to His Majesty. To accuse me, Song Lian, of plotting against the state is truly laughable!”

Song Lian furrowed his brows. “I just don't want Great Liang to lose a pillar of the nation, for the common people not to lose a good official!”

“Laughable, utterly laughable! Someone like him, a pillar of the nation? A good official?!”

An official spoke up with a sneer, “He concealed his identity to enter the court. Even if he hasn't yet shown any sign of rebellion, who among us can't see his intentions? For you to repeatedly defend him, I suspect you've secretly taken his bribes. Who knows what position you're aiming for in the new regime? Perhaps the role of Lord Warden Commander?”

"You..."

Song Lian was momentarily at a loss for words, unable to refute.

That official came from the academy and was a true scholar. When it came to verbal skills, Song Lian, a mere martial artist, was no match for him. Even ten of Song Lian could not be his equal in a verbal sparring.

Seeing Song Lian at a loss, many were glad to it happen. However, after a brief silence, a voice soon sounded, it was Mi Ke, who had spoken earlier.

“His Majesty is a wise ruler; a rarity throughout the ages. He was forced to take the throne because that deposed emperor erred first. Now, Chen Chao has shown no disloyalty to His Majesty, yet you all want His Majesty to kill Commander Chen. Do you truly wish to push His Majesty into an unjust and unfaithful position, leaving him with infamy for eternity?!”

Mi Ke was well-deserving of being a scholar. The moment he opened his mouth, he held the moral high ground in his speech, proving far more eloquent than Song Lian.

The official was momentarily stunned, at a loss for words.

But soon, the voice of that Heavenly Imperial Institution official rang out again, “Lord Mi, this official already has evidence of Chen Chao's treason against the state!”

Mi Ke had just found his momentum, but the words of the Heavenly Imperial Institution official made his heart skip a beat.

For a moment, he opened his mouth, unable to say anything further.

He had been ready to risk his career, even his life, to speak on behalf of Chen Chao. But if there truly was irrefutable evidence, then no matter what he said, it would all be in vain.

“Since Lord Liu claims to have evidence, then where is it?!”

After a long silence, the Second Prince finally spoke again, fixing his gaze on the official from the Heavenly Imperial Institution. The Second Prince was incomparably serious. “Lord Liu should understand that if you make baseless accusations, His Majesty will not tolerate it!”

"Your Highness, since this subject dares to speak, there's naturally irrefutable evidence. May this subject be permitted to question Commander Chen?"

Liu Tong spoke, and His Majesty the Emperor said nothing, nor did the Second Prince.

The First Prince glanced at the Second Prince several times before shaking his head.

The Third Prince looked at his second brother with a puzzled expression. Even as young as he was, he sensed something was amiss.

“Chen Chao, in the early part of the 12th year of Tianjian, you took the position of warden of Tianqing County, correct?”

Liu Tong stared at Chen Chao, his gaze intense.

Chen Chao, who had been silent the entire time, looked back at him without being in a hurry to speak. After a long pause, he finally said, “Yes.”

This part of Chen Chao's background was actually known to many of the officials present.

“Then how did you come to hold the position of warden of Tianqing County?!”

Liu Tong spoke with a cold sneer, “You had never been to the Divine Capital, so how did you obtain the post of warden?”

It was well known that the warden faction had always very unique. Ever since the founding emperor established the warden faction right from the start, it was to protect the land and ensure the people's safety. The Lord Warden Commander held comprehensive authority over the warden faction, operating independently from other officials. Except for His Majesty the Emperor, no other department, be it the Ministry of Personnel or the Ministry of Penalty, could interfere with the warden faction.

However, over time, although the warden faction still played an extremely important role in the Great Liang Dynasty, the various wardens at the middle and lower levels no longer held the same prestige as before. Instead, these positions had become tools for the many noble families to gild their descendants' background.

For example, many could easily obtain a warden position like the one in Tianqing County with just a bit of effort. When Chen Chao first emerged, some had investigated his records, but nothing suspicious was found.

But looking back now, in Chen Chao's life experience, from the time he left Wei Prefecture due to the major flood, to his later return to Wei Prefecture and becoming the warden, how this warden position was obtained is highly questionable.

Since it was not granted by the Lord Warden Commander, then it must have been obtained through some means. Even ordinary noble families need to use certain methods. Since Chen Chao was not born into a powerful noble family, who obtained this official position for him?

And for what purpose?

This presented a significant issue.

The ability to erase so many traces afterward indicated at least two things.

First, the person who arranged this for Chen Chao had considerable power within Great Liang.

To make someone like this remnant spawn of the previous dynasty the warden of Tianqing County, what intentions lie behind it?

These two questions were what Chen Chao must account for.

And they were the most pressing matters right now.

The court officials were not fools, and the heads of the noble families were not fools either. Naturally, they could understand the key points, so many were waiting for Chen Chao to speak.

Waiting for the truth.

Countless eyes were on Chen Chao. Li Heng's eyes held some worry, he knew a lot and was naturally aware that there were extremely complicated factors involved, which also related to those old officials who were loyal to the deposed emperor.

But if it were to be revealed to the public, it would solidify the notion that Chen Chao's position in court was problematic.

"What's the matter? Can't you say anything?”

The old nun's sharp voice rang out, “You little scoundrel, what else do you have to say?!”

There was a sense of satisfaction in her tone.

She wanted Chen Chao dead, especially hoping for him to die at the hands of the Great Liang Emperor.

That was the best outcome she could imagine.

"I returned from Cang Prefecture and accidentally obtained the credentials for the warden of Tianqing County. As a martial artist, I needed a vast amount of skygold currency to temper my body, so I borrowed this position for cultivation. However, looking back now, this was indeed plotted by someone behind the scenes."

That story was actually quite simple. Initially, after Chen Chao accidentally obtained the method of the white mist at the Sublime Bright Sect and became a martial artist, he wanted to focus on his cultivation. He happened to receive the credentials for that warden position, and he never intended to stay long in Tianqing County either, as he always felt that the matter would eventually come to light. Thus, he had long harbored thoughts of leaving, but he just happened to encounter those qi refiners.

It could be said that it was a coincidence, but ever since he left the Divine Capital, Chen Chao had been thinking about the critical aspects of it.

There were simply too many manipulations by others involved.

Although he knew that this matter was not simple, the Great Liang Emperor did not care, so Chen Chao temporarily chose not to resolve it.

However, no one expected that this matter would be exposed here now.

Chen Chao could not explain it.

Because the one who orchestrated it wanted Chen Chao to be unable to explain it.

Liu Tong asked, “Chen Chao, do you think you can completely absolve yourself using the word 'coincidence'?”

Chen Chao shook his head, “I can't explain it clearly, nor can I absolve myself, but the facts are just like this.”

He felt somewhat helpless; throughout this journey, he had ultimately fallen into someone else's trap.

“Your Majesty, the truth has become clear.”

Liu Tong let out a cold laugh. They were long prepared, everything had been arranged for this day.

It was all to solidify Chen Chao's crime of treason.

Since there was this crime, how could he not die?

A hint of joy flashed across the Second Prince's eyes.

There was no more room for debate, they were just waiting for the Emperor's decision now.

What was needed was this Emperor's choice.

All eyes were on His Majesty.

The Great Liang Emperor had been very silent during the banquet, saying very few words and allowing his ministers to speak. Now, when no one could say anything more, it was finally time for him to speak.

His Majesty first sighed.

Everyone held their breaths,

“Han Pu, that night, was the mastermind only Marquis Huainan?”

No one expected that the Emperor would not begin by deciding Chen Chao's life or death. Instead, he asked about that night's events.

As the Chief Judicial Officer, Han Pu had also remained silent for a long time. Now, hearing this, he finally looked up and said quietly, “Your Majesty, Marquis Huainan was also manipulated by someone.”