Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 860: No One Escapes the Vast Net of Justice

“It was stolen by someone from the palace?!” The Vice Minister of Justice verified through an auditory message, not daring to speak aloud.

This is no small matter. If we dig deeper, who knows what we may uncover?

Has our Ministry of Justice recently decided to pick a fight with the imperial family? Two princes have already fallen into our hands—an unprecedented situation in history.

“Most likely. Right now, there are only two possibilities—either an immortal intervened, or it was stolen by someone from the palace.”

But neither possibility makes sense. There’s no motive for the crime.

Do they have nothing better to do than steal the throne? To make His Majesty stand during court assemblies?

By that logic, practically every minister has a motive.

“Go and compile a list. Check who is familiar with the arrays in the palace.”

“Understood.”

The Vice Minister of Justice was efficient. He soon produced a lengthy list filled with names from the imperial family, at the very top of which was the Xia Emperor.

Xu Xin smacked the Vice Minister of Justice on the head. “Are you stupid? Why did you put His Majesty on the list? How could it be His Majesty who stole it?”

The Vice Minister of Justice hurriedly removed the Xia Emperor’s name.

The Xia Emperor had nine sons and seven daughters. With the Fourth Imperial Prince and the Fifth Imperial Prince apprehended, two suspects were eliminated. Naturally, apart from the imperial princes and princesses, suspects also included individuals like Chief Eunuch Li, the Xia Emperor’s personal attendant.

After obtaining Jiang Qun’s approval, the Ministry of Justice swiftly launched its investigation.

“Minister Xu, how is the investigation going?” Jiang Qun summoned Xu Xin to the Mental Cultivation Hall, anxiously hoping to learn about the throne’s whereabouts.

Otherwise, when Emperor Father returns to find his seat missing, it’ll be terribly awkward.

“Your Majesty, after these past two days of investigation, we have discovered that none of the imperial princes or princesses are under suspicion, except for one.”

“Oh? Who is it?”

Xu Xin replied solemnly, “The First Imperial Prince, Jiang Qun.

“According to our investigation, since the First Imperial Prince returned from Ji Province, he has been missing for many days. There has been no word of him, and no one knows his whereabouts. It is highly suspicious!”

Jiang Qun was suddenly seized by a violent coughing fit.

“Your Majesty, are you alright?” Xu Xin was startled, wondering if he had angered the emperor.

Considering His Majesty’s dwindling lifespan, if I were to anger him to the point of a fatal stroke, I would be a sinner.

“It’s nothing, it’s nothing. Just an old ailment.” Jiang Qun waved a hand, signalling to Xu Xin that he need not be so anxious.

Jiang Qun cleared his throat with a couple of dry coughs. “It is common knowledge that Qun’er has no desire to contend for the throne. He would absolutely never steal it, and he also lacks any motive. Minister Xu, you should investigate others instead.”

Xu Xin opened his mouth, wanting to say, “Your Majesty, are you trying to cover for the First Imperial Prince?” But on second thought, he felt that the emperor had a point. If other imperial princes were to steal the imperial throne, their actions could be explained by their desire to “see how it feels,” but the First Imperial Prince is well-known for his lack of ambition. Why would he steal it for no reason? It makes no sense.

“Undestood.”

After leaving the imperial palace, Xu Xin stood outside the main gates, deep in thought. The problem remains—if it wasn’t the First Imperial Prince, then who could it have been?

“Never mind. I’ll go and present the award to Lu Yang. That kid has a sharp mind. I’ll ask him what he thinks.”

Lu Yang had reported the Fourth Imperial Prince’s rebellion, then persuaded Shi Lei and the others to turn themselves in, unraveling countless unresolved cases. It was a great meritorious deed, and the Ministry of Justice was duty-bound to reward him.

However, Xu Xin had been constantly occupied with matters concerning the Fifth Imperial Prince’s faction and the missing imperial throne during this period, leaving him no time to seek out Lu Yang.

Now, he wanted a change of pace.

~~~

Meng Estate.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy brought the four new members of the Great Dou Dynasty to stay at the Meng Estate, treating it as their base.

The Transcendent Tribulation cultivator protecting the Xia Emperor from the shadows actually wanted to tell the Ministry of Justice the truth. The situation was so comical that he had nearly failed to stifle his laughter on several occasions.

Unfortunately, his current mission was to protect the Xia Emperor. He couldn’t do anything else.

Initially, he had assumed that protecting the Xia Emperor would be a rather dull task. He never imagined the process would be so eventful and colorful. This is far more interesting than cultivating in seclusion.

“Do any of you want to come up and have a seat?” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy wished to reward her three armies. All three grand generals were offered the chance to experience sitting upon the imperial throne.

“No, it’s fine. It looks rather uncomfortable to sit on.” Ao Ling and the other two shook their heads in refusal, subtly conveying that they harbored no covetous intentions toward the throne. Your Exalted Majesty, rest assured; you don’t have to test us.

”Alright then.” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy hadn’t expected Ao Ling and the other two to be so astute as to discern that she was testing them. If any of them had dared to sit upon it, she would have dismissed them and confiscated their assets.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy turned to consult Lu Yang in the mental space. “Xiao Yangzi, what were you just saying about ‘covetous desires’ and ‘confiscating assets?’”

“Nothing. I was just muttering to myself out of boredom.”

While the Everlasting Immortal Fairy was establishing the Great Dou Dynasty, Lu Yang had not been idle either. He had been continuously sparring with the Unbeatable Nascent Soul, his strength advancing by leaps and bounds. Now, he showed signs of holding his own against the Unbeatable Nascent Soul, and he could even spare some of his attention to analyze the situation outside.

The price for this, however, was being defeated by the Unbeatable Nascent Soul.

Yet, Lu Yang persisted with admirable determination.

“Xiao Yangzi, we have the throne now. What should we do next?”

Lu Yang pondered for a moment. “Rebellion requires some kind of legitimate justification. You could stage something like a sword slashing through a white serpent, have a fox cry out a prophecy like ‘Great Chu shall rise, Chen Sheng shall be king,’ or perhaps dig a stone from a river inscribed with ‘a stone man with one eye shall stir the Yellow River to rebel the world.‘ Of course, these are all fabricated.”

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy, ever so clever, understood immediately and drew out an “oh” sound. “Fabrication. I get it. The Nine-Layers Immortal and the others used to do this often.

“The fox cry is too nondescript and lacks persuasive power. Oh right, we could bury a stone underground and inscribe it with...hmm...let’s write ‘Great Dou shall rise, Lu Yang shall be king!’” 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“Uh, I am of a lowly status. There’s no need to include my name,” Lu Yang hastily declined. I do not wish to be associated with matters of rebellion.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy held Lu Yang in high regard. “Xiao Yangzi, don’t abase yourself. As my minister between my thighs...

“It’s ‘minister serving as the thighs and arms,’ (trusted minister)” Lu Yang corrected seriously. I also bear the responsibility of Imperial Tutor, overseeing the literary fortune of the Great Dou Dynasty.

“Oh, fine, ‘minister serving as the thighs and arms’ it shall be. As this immortal’s trust minister, how could I treat you poorly? Naturally, we will share any blessings!”

While the Everlasting Immortal Fairy and Lu Yang conversed, Xu Xin arrived at the Meng Estate, heading toward Lu Yang.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy didn’t pay attention to the happenings in the outside world, but the three grand generals did.

Ao Ling reacted the quickest. They mustn’t let Xu Xin see the three of them together with Lu Yang. That would be difficult to explain and would expose matters related to the ancient Heavenly Court.

Jin Caiwei clapped three times in succession. The three of them transformed into three paintings, hanging on the wall without looking out of place.

Accompanied by personnel from the Ministry of Justice, Xu Xin pushed the door open with a hearty laugh.

“Haha, Lu Yang! Kid, so you’re staying with the Meng Family. It wasn’t easy for me to find you. I have specifically come to reward you for your meritorious deed in reporting the Fourth Imperial Prince and persuading Shi Lei and the others to surrender.”

To express his regard for Lu Yang, Xu Xin personally carried a tray holding the commendation edict, cultivation resources, and other items.

Upon pushing the door open, he saw Lu Yang sitting solemnly on the imperial throne and the Xia Emperor standing obediently by the side.