blueteamnovel Chapter 52 So that's how it is!
Chapter 52 So that's how it is!
Did the three officials already know that the murderer was human, not a ghost?
How did they know?
Furthermore, since they already knew this, why did they still classify the case as being caused by ghosts?
Shen Lang simply did not believe that the three officials colluded to cover up the truth for the murderer.
The Ministry of Justice might act in this way for personal gain, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard would not.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards have no political stance, they only obey the emperor's orders, how could they dare to deceive the emperor?
Xu Jingde, because of this incident, even stopped attending court.
He wasn't even afraid of the emperor, so how could he possibly succumb to the murderer's tyranny?
"Besides his illustrious background, the murderer seems to have another secret."
"Things are getting more and more interesting."
Shen Lang's eyes flickered, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
"What's wrong? Are you scared?"
Seeing that he remained silent, Xu Jingde chuckled.
"Although I don't know why you want to investigate this matter, I can tell you that whatever your plans are, they all stop here."
"This matter is far-reaching, and you, a mere captain, have no right to interfere."
A barely perceptible glint of light flashed in Shen Lang's eyes as he looked at him and said, "Lord Xu, could you answer a question for me?"
"If you put all of this aside, would you genuinely be willing to expose the real culprit behind this and make him pay the price?"
Xu Jingde was taken aback, his facial features suddenly contorted, and he gave a strange laugh:
"Fifteen years ago, my parents and wife passed away one after another. Since then, Yun'er and I have depended on each other for survival."
"But now, she's left me too."
"I, Xu, have always been a strong man, fighting against heaven and against man. I have gone through countless hardships to get to where I am today, only to become a lonely figure."
"I have power, status, and money, but unfortunately, I no longer need them."
Xu Jingde's eyes suddenly turned red, and his breathing became much heavier.
"Yun'er was my last relative in this world. She died so tragically, yet I cannot seek justice for her."
"As a father, I'm incompetent..."
The conversation ended abruptly at this point.
A look of pain crossed Xu Jingde's face as he slowly closed his eyes.
"The dead cannot be brought back to life, Lord Xu, please accept my condolences."
Shen Lang sighed softly, concealing the crimson in his eyes.
Although Xu Jingde did not give a direct answer, he already had his answer.
This person can be trusted.
After a long silence, seeing that Xu Jingde's breathing had gradually calmed down, Shen Lang spoke:
"Since Lord Xu knows this case wasn't committed by ghosts, why don't you investigate it thoroughly?"
Xu Jingde suddenly opened his eyes: "You think I'm afraid?"
Shen Lang shook his head and said, "My lord, please don't overthink it. I just don't understand something, and I hope you can enlighten me."
Xu Jingde remained silent for a few moments, then said in a low voice, "The Dali Temple is feigning death, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is watching coldly, and the Ministry of Justice is deliberately deceiving us."
"But arresting criminals is not within my jurisdiction, so I am willing but unable to do so."
Shen Lang then asked, "Why don't you report directly to His Majesty, sir?"
During this period, the Honglu Temple (Court of State Ceremonies) held far greater power and status than any other dynasty in history.
Given Xu Jingde's official rank, he could meet with the emperor at any time to impeach officials who had neglected their duties.
This case was personally appointed by His Majesty, and he would never ignore it, but Xu Jingde did not do so.
His genuine emotions just now, that extreme anger and resentment, were definitely not feigned, which was clearly abnormal.
Xu Jingde frowned, and said impatiently, "You're asking too many questions, I..."
Snapped!
Before he could finish speaking, Shen Lang took out the jade pendant tassel from his pocket and slapped it on the table.
"What is this?" Xu Jingde was taken aback.
Shen Lang said calmly, "These are the items left behind by the true culprit in the flower thief case."
Xu Jingde's pupils suddenly contracted.
But that wasn't all. Shen Lang continued, "Besides, the accomplices who covered for him have been apprehended and can be presented as witnesses in court."
"That was a powerful and intelligent demon. The ghostly mist recorded in the documents was its doing."
"As for the remaining strange methods, such as red silk and joss paper, I have also found clues. Next, I will go and capture her!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Jingde immediately lost his composure, abruptly standing up and staring at Shen Lang in shock.
"Who exactly are you?!"
Shen Lang smiled and said slowly, "A Jinyiwei captain, no doubt about it."
Xu Jingde looked incredulous and asked again, "Is everything you're saying true?"
"Not a single word of this is false."
Shen Lang said seriously, "Lord Xu, I am not just talking about apprehending the real culprit."
Xu Jingde's brows furrowed tightly, his expression shifting dramatically as he fell into deep thought.
Shen Lang said, "Lord Xu, can you answer my question now?"
"Why don't you go to see the Emperor and tell him the truth?"
Xu Jingde snapped out of his daze, took a deep breath, and said, "Because this case touches His Majesty's sore spot, if we report it to His Majesty, it will provoke His Majesty's wrath."
"At that time, the court will surely be in chaos, and blood will flow like rivers."
"Now we are surrounded by foreign enemies, who are eyeing us covetously. If there are any further changes within our dynasty, it could lead to a great disaster."
"The resumption of war and the resulting devastation are not my intentions. How can I allow my own selfish matters to harm countless people?"
Shen Lang frowned slightly and said, "The Emperor's Achilles' heel?"
"Please explain in more detail, Lord Xu."
Xu Jingde rubbed his temples, looking slightly tired, and said, "Who the murderer is, how he committed the crime, and why he committed the crime are not the key points of this case."
"From the moment he used inexplicable means to disturb people's hearts and make the whole city believe in ghosts, the truth became no longer important."
"Because besides ghosts, there's only one other possibility for someone to possess this ability..."
"Fate Master!"
Xu Jingde slowly uttered two words, and then, as if he had unloaded a heavy burden, he slumped into the armchair.
"A fortune teller?"
Shen Lang frowned and asked, "Please enlighten me, sir."
Xu Jingde said, "Martial artists temper their muscles, bones, qi, and blood, cultivating true essence; fortune tellers condense their qi and fortune, and cultivate spiritual thoughts."
"Although fortune tellers, like martial artists, are also divided into nine ranks, the conditions for becoming a fortune teller are far more stringent than those for becoming a martial artist."
At this point, Xu Jingde paused, his expression becoming extremely solemn.
"What the Fate Master invokes is the imperial destiny."
"Only those who are personally granted the title by His Majesty can become Masters of Destiny."
"In other words, all the fortune tellers in the world are on the list of the Imperial Observatory."
"Without exception."
"They only obey the emperor's orders; they would never help that flower thief to confuse the public and cover up the truth!"
Upon hearing this, a flash of lightning seemed to strike Shen Lang's mind, piercing through the fog!
"If this case was not the work of ghosts, then it means that a fortune teller outside the register has appeared in the Jade Capital."
"The nature of this matter is far more serious than a serial murder case."
"The royal family's fortune has been stolen. His Majesty will surely be furious and would rather kill the innocent than let the guilty go free. Countless people will be implicated."
"At that time, just as Lord Xu said, the court will be in chaos, heads will roll, and blood will flow like rivers!"