Great Wei Imperial Palace.
Inside the main hall.
It could be said that the whole of Great Wei was waiting for Xu Qingnian to return.
However, many people did not want Xu Qingnian to return.
Amongst the court, the six ministers, the princes and lords of the state, in fact, did not want Xu Qingnian to return at this juncture.
Ji Yuan, Wang Chaoyang, Prince Huai Ning, all these people have been waiting for Xu Qingnian’s return for a long time.
Unless Xu Qingnian could produce any strong evidence, it would be difficult to justify what had happened in the Sea of Demons.
This was especially true of the Six Ministerial Secretaries.
They had been trying to find ways to reduce the impact all this time.
It was okay within the Great Wei Dynasty, after all, the people believed in Xu Qingnian, and what Xu Qingnian had done in the past two years had indeed improved the people’s food, clothing and shelter, and also allowed the people to be well fed and clothed.
Under such circumstances.
Naturally, there was no need to publicise anything more, the people were willing to believe that Xu Qingnian was not a devil.
Outside the Great Wei Dynasty, however, it was a little different.
After all, this was a matter outside the dynasty and could not be controlled, plus the fact that the Sudden Evil Dynasty and the Primordial Yuan Dynasty were themselves rival countries, they naturally did not want the Great Wei Dynasty to settle down.
Naturally they began to create all sorts of rumours, going along with them, without any explanation, and probably secretly having people add to them.
The people’s forces, thinking with their toes, could also think that it was the Great Wei clan kings and Wang Chaoyang who were secretly doing the work.
All in all, there is a storm of public opinion at the moment.
If Xu Qingnian can still prove his innocence, as usual, then everything will be fine.
But if not.
Then it would be a problem.
Therefore, when Xu Qingnian appeared, the first reaction of the crowd was surprise, and then they were even more worried, thinking that Xu Qingnian did not have to do so.
Today’s appearance was really something wrong.
They could have secretly contacted him and used the power of the Great Wei Dynasty to clear this suspicion.
“I, Huai Ning, pay my respects to Your Majesty.”
“My servant, Ji Yuan, pay my respects to Your Majesty.”
“Wang Chaoyang, meet Your Majesty.”
“Seven Star Daoist Sect, Daoist Qingjing, pay my respects to Your Majesty.”
Outside the main hall, four voices rang out.
Prince Huaining, Ji Yuan, Wang Chaoyang and Daoist Master Qingjing arrived in unison.
Their purpose was direct, and their intentions were clear.
“Declare their entry into the hall.”
After receiving Xu Qingnian’s look of approval, Ji Ling did not think much about it and directly declared several people to enter the hall.
At that moment.
Four figures slowly walked into the middle of the main hall.
Ji Yuan and Prince Huai Ning walked in front of them, while Wang Chaoyang and Daoist Qingjing walked behind them.
After all, the two of them were not part of the Great Wei dynasty, so it was only natural that they walked behind.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
The four of them entered the hall and bowed towards the Empress.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was suddenly gloomy.
“Please excuse yourself.”
Ji Ling’s bland voice rang out.
Only, as Ji Ling’s voice fell, Prince Huai Ning’s voice soon rang out.
“My servant, Prince Huai Ning, is today participating in the Great Wei King of Peace and Chaos, Xu Qingnian.”
“I ask Your Majesty to grant death to Xu Qingnian.”
Prince Huai Ning was the first to speak, and he looked at the empress as he said in a calm voice.
But this calm voice was extremely fatal, coming up to senate Xu Qingnian, and asking Your Majesty to directly give death to Xu Qingnian.
This ……. The actual is somewhat ruthless.
They knew that they hated Xu Qingnian, but what they didn’t expect was that they were so vicious that they came up and wanted to give Xu Qingnian death.
“Unbridled.”
“Prince Huai Ning, you are reckless.”
“Arrogant.”
All of a sudden, before Xu Qingnian and the empress could say anything, the court’s civil servants spoke up one after another.
Chen Zhengru, Zhang Jing, Duke An and the rest spoke up in unison.
They angrily rebuked Prince Huai Ning.
To give death to a king was indeed very unbridled.
Although they knew what reason Prince Huaining would use, but to come up and say this was really a bit too much.
“Prince Huai Ning, you really have a big mouth, giving death to a king, you are reckless.”
Zhang Jing’s voice rang out again.
He was the Minister of Penalty, and naturally disagreed with what Prince Huaining said in the face.
But Prince Huaining did not care, instead he looked at Xu Qingnian and said in an indifferent voice.
“Great Wei Laws, those who cultivate foreign arts, die.”
“King of Ping Chaos, do you practice foreign arts?”
Prince Huai Ning opened his mouth as he first spoke of the crime of foreign arts, and then looked at Xu Qingnian and issued a question.
However, he knew that Xu Qingnian would never admit it.
But so what? He could no longer explain it clearly, the matter of the Sea of Demons was ironclad evidence, how could he wash it?
But just after Prince Huai Ning prepared what he would say next.
Xu Qingnian’s voice rang out.
“En, this king has cultivated a foreign art.”
Xu Qingnian’s voice rang out.
In an instant, the entire court was stunned and stopped.
Even the empress froze.
Wang Chaoyang, Ji Yuan, and Daoist Qingjing froze in their tracks.
No one had expected that Xu Qingnian would dare to admit it outright.
And it was such a light-hearted admission, without the slightest scruple or the slightest rebuttal, admitting that he practiced a foreign art.
This ……. was completely different from what they had expected.
Why did Xu Qingnian dare to do this?
It was a capital offense to practice a different art.
The courtroom.
Everyone was frozen, and Prince Huaining didn’t even know what to say for a moment.
It was a bit disconcerting to admit it outright.
What kind of game was this?
The crowd was silent.
Even Prince Huaining pondered for a moment, mistakenly thinking that Xu Qingnian was playing another trick.
But after thinking about it, I really didn’t know what Xu Qingnian was trying to do.
After a while, Prince Huai Ning still continued to speak.
“Since you have already admitted to cultivating the foreign arts.”
“Then the evidence is overwhelming, and according to the laws of Great Wei, the head should be beheaded and shown to the public.”
Prince Huaining spoke.
He did not know what tricks Xu Qingnian was playing, but what he did know was that no matter what, Xu Qingnian should be convicted.
But as soon as he finished speaking.
Xu Qingnian’s voice also rang out.
“According to the laws of Great Wei, practicing a foreign art does indeed lead to beheading and displaying it to the public.”
“But I am a Half-Saint of Great Wei, not subject to the control of the laws of Great Wei, doesn’t Your Majesty know that?”
Xu Qingnian spoke slowly.
When this was said, Prince Huai Ning was stunned, he had never heard of such a rule before.
He had never heard of such a rule before, but the Minister of Justice, Zhang Jing, immediately understood.
Immediately, he stood up and slowly spoke out, saying.
“There is indeed such a rule in the laws of the Ministry of Punishment of Great Wei.”
He added.
As soon as he finished speaking, Prince Huaining understood that this was a clear case of harbouring.
“Zhang Jing, this king advises you to think carefully before you speak.”
“When was there such a law in the Laws of Great Wei?”
Prince Huaining spoke out and looked at Zhang Jing.
The latter, however, looked at Prince Huai Ning, and among his eyes was a calmness and a determination.
“Whether there is such a law or not, I should know better than Your Majesty.”
Zhang Jing opened his mouth, he was not afraid of Prince Huaining, anyway, Xu Qingnian had put it to this point, then he had made his choice straight away.
If he couldn’t, he would have to retire to his hometown.
What are you afraid of?
“Your Majesty.”
At that moment, Prince Huaining ignored Zhang Jing and looked at the empress instead.
Let Ji Ling step in.
But at this moment, Ji Ling could kind of understand what Xu Qingnian was really thinking.
He had taken the initiative to admit that he did not want this matter to become a breach in his own mind, and Xu Qingnian dared to appear so blatantly today because she wanted to show everything.
She understood.
Therefore, Ji Ling immediately spoke out.
“There is indeed such an article in the laws of Great Wei, and it is my intention.”
Ji Ling spoke up, making his attitude clear.
That’s right, it was harboring.
The Emperor of Great Wei personally harboured Xu Qingnian, what can you do? And what do you want?
You don’t want to obey?
Even if you don’t, you’ll have to accept it.
This.
For a moment, Prince Huaining froze.
He didn’t know what to say.
“I also hope Your Majesty will think twice.”
“If this method were to be pa*sed, I am afraid that it would only lead to shocking trouble, if this method could even be pa*sed, could it be said that this saint could also cultivate foreign arts?”
It was also at this moment that Wang Chaoyang’s voice rang out.
He looked at the empress, his face calm, and said so.
He did not accept this law.
He even held himself out as a threat.
If he agreed to Xu Qingnian’s cultivation of the supernatural arts, then he himself would also cultivate the supernatural arts.
Just as soon as this was said, Ji Ling’s voice immediately rang out.
“I will allow it.”
As this voice rang out.
For a moment, Wang Chaoyang froze.
Agree?
The empress actually agreed directly.
Even if she wanted to harbour Xu Qingnian, there was no need to do so, right?
This was too blatant, right?
But soon, Wang Chaoyang understood what the empress meant.
He was a sub-sage.
If he really practiced the supernatural arts, he would be digging his own grave, even if the emperor allowed him to do so.
How many of the valley/span practitioners of supernatural arts have ended up well?
The only way to get rid of the problem is to practice a different art.
Obviously.
The current empress is clearly trying to shield Xu Qingnian, and Xu Qingnian is also calculating to death.
He took the initiative to admit it and let the Ministry of Punishment cooperate by allowing half-saints to practise the foreign arts.
Throughout history, how many half-saints are there in an era, counting only four or five dead ones, right?
Who are the people who can become half-saints?
Which of them were not the best?
Who were not the proud sons of the heavens?
Do they have nothing better to do than to practise their own magic? Do they not take their lives for granted?
Xu Qingnian responded to all changes by remaining unchanged.
This was a brilliant move.
The reason he dared to show up today was that he was already in power.
The Minister of the Six Ministries is Xu Qingnian’s man.
All the princes and marquises of the state support Xu Qingnian.
The Empress of Wei even supports Xu Qingnian unconditionally, just because the fortune of the country lies with Xu Qingnian.
In other words, what is the significance of Xu Qingnian practicing or not practicing the foreign arts?
Who can rule Xu Qingnian?
At the beginning, the Great Wei Palace of Literature could suppress Xu Qingnian, could rule Xu Qingnian, with the help of the world’s public opinion and the power of the world’s scholars.
At that time, if Xu Qingnian had admitted that she practiced the supernatural arts, the empress would not have been able to protect Xu Qingnian.
But now it was different.
The Empress holds all the military power, and Wei is now flourishing, the country is rich and the people are strong, the ruler and ministers are united, and the people are living and working in peace and happiness.
And all of this cannot be done without Xu Qingnian.
Therefore, it was meaningless whether Xu Qingnian cultivated the foreign arts or not.
This matter could no longer be a breach in his mind, instead Xu Qingnian took the initiative to admit it, which could catch them off guard.
And all of this required a statement from the Empress of Wei, and a statement from all the civil servants of the court.
The facts prove that.
They were in support of Xu Qingnian.
For a moment, the crowd was silent.
Wang Chaoyang, Prince Huaining, Ji Yuan and Daoist Qingjing were all silent. They had been preparing for a long time, and over the past three months, they had been discussing together from time to time how to judge Xu Qingnian.
How to convict Xu Qingnian.
Now it had become a joke.
Because Xu Qingnian didn’t care about these things at all, and he didn’t care about these people at all.
Right.
I have cultivated the supernatural arts.
But, so what?
You’re not happy about it?
Then you’re not happy about it.
“Xu Qingnian.”
“You’re too arrogant.”
Finally, Ji Yuan’s voice rang out.
Wang Chaoyang couldn’t continue, Prince Huai Ning didn’t know what to say either, and at this time, Ji Yuan was indeed needed to make an appearance.
Just as soon as he finished his words.
Xu Qingnian’s gaze, at once, looked over.
In an instant, the terrifying power of the Second Grade pervaded, like a mountain and sea, directly suppressing.
Ji Yuan’s face turned pale on the spot as he faced this terrifying oppression of Xu Qingnian with both instinctive fear and a shock.
Three months had not seen him.
Xu Qingnian had been promoted to the second rank.
This speed of promotion was so fast that it was unbelievable.
However, thinking of Xu Qingnian cultivating a foreign art gave him comfort in his heart again, except that this oppressive pressure made him feel uncomfortable all over.
The good thing was.
Daoist Qingqing waved his hand, directly dissolving this terrifying force.
“Xu Qingnian, how dare you directly disrespect this Emperor in the courtroom?”
Ji Yuan spoke again.
But the next moment, Xu Qingnian directly struck out, like lightning, and slapped Ji Yuan’s face fiercely.
“Shut up.”
“One bite of this Emperor, who are you?”
“It is true that you are the legacy son of the Martial Emperor, but in the eyes of this king, you have not yet been enthroned by His Majesty and are merely a member of the royal family.”
“How dare you shout at me?”
Xu Qingnian slapped Ji Yuan across the face in front of the entire court, the slap was crisp and audible.
After receiving a hard slap, Ji Yuan’s face immediately turned red beyond recognition.
He was slapped by Xu Qingnian in front of the entire court, how could he not be angry?
“Imperial sister.”
Ji Yuan looked at the empress, and he shouted, his eyes filled with anger.
But the empress did not say a word.
It was clear that she was allowing Xu Qingnian to do this.
“Xu Qingnian, you dare to a*sault the imperial son?”
Prince Huaining also shouted after him.
But the next moment, Xu Qingnian also slapped the Prince of Huaining’s old face fiercely.
He had wanted to smack Prince Huaining for a long time.
It was just that he had never had the chance, and now that he had found the opportunity, Xu Qingnian slapped him across the face, without any mercy at all.
Slap.
In the courtroom.
A rare scene appeared as the Prince of Huaining and Emperor Wu’s legacy son were slapped by Xu Qingnian in turn.
This was truly a rare occurrence in ancient and modern times.
“Shut up, my king.”
“An old man and a countryside prince.”
“What has the king done since he entered the capital that has not benefited the country and the people.”
“Disliking the great Confucian, for the public of the people.”
“To disturb the Ministry of Punishment, for the sake of the public.”
“Beheading the County King was for the sake of the people.”
“Destroying the Palace of Literature is for the public good of the Great Wei.”
“If it weren’t for me and the courtiers and His Majesty, Wei would still be in a bad state and the people would not be able to live.”
“We have given countless merits to Great Wei, but what about you? You have allowed your son to corrupt and bend the law, killing millions of Wei people, and you still don’t repent.”
“If this king were you, he would have hanged himself a long time ago.”
Xu Qingnian made some remarks, angrily rebuking the two men, and then he turned his head towards Ji Yuan, with even more contempt in his eyes.
“And you, the orphan of the previous emperor, to put it nicely, you are the orphan of the previous emperor, the imperial son of Great Wei.”
“To put it in a bad way, what are you? A country bumpkin with bad roots, spreading wildness here?”
“His Majesty has ascended to the throne and the country is at peace, so when you appear at this time and don’t go properly to be enrolled as king, aren’t you trying to seek power and usurp the throne?”
“Do you think the King doesn’t know? Or do you think the people of the world are fools?”
“Do you know why the king allowed you to enter the capital?”
“I just want to see what you can do. But what I didn’t expect was that you had too much of a countryside vibe, and I thought you had some amazing plan, but to my surprise, you were incredibly stupid.”
“Who do you think you are? If I don’t give you face, what can you do if the king wants to behead you today?”
“The big deal is that this king will leave Great Wei.”
Xu Qingnian spoke, and he vented all the anger in his heart.
The words were also spoken in a direct and domineering manner.
Inside the hall.
The courtiers were shocked in their hearts, although there was no problem with what Xu Qingnian said, but these words of Xu Qingnian were still a bit too much.
Some people looked at Ji Ling to see how the empress was behaving.
However, they found that Ji Ling was calm and even had a look of approval in her eyes.
For a moment, they understood completely.
Xu Qingnian was now completely and utterly powerful.
Great Wei was not only the empress’ world, but also Xu Qingnian’s world.
But when one thought about it, a half-saint who was also a Martial Dao Second Grade Realm, and the Buddhist and Daoist sects also supported Xu Qingnian, a person like that, he no longer belonged to Great Wei.
Today it is not that Xu Qingnian shines because of Great Wei.
Rather, it is that Great Wei has Xu Qingnian and thus has light.
This was a misconception in thinking.
Everyone thought that Xu Qingnian would suffer, but today they also understood completely.
What was Xu Qingnian’s true strength in daring to come to Great Wei.
He wanted to tell everyone, whether they were in the open or in the dark.
Today, he is the king of Great Wei and the backbone of Great Wei, so such intrigue and trickery would seem ridiculous under absolute power and strength.
At this moment.
Prince Huaining and Ji Yuan’s faces were white, and they were trembling with anger.
Originally, in their eyes, they had come to crush Xu Qingnian today.
But to their surprise, they had received two slaps on the wrist instead.
What was even more infuriating was that Xu Qingnian was so reckless.
They had clearly done something wrong, but they were the ones who received the big slaps.
How could this not make them angry?
How could this not make them tremble with anger?
“Xu Qingnian.”
“Prince Xu.”
“Half-saint Xu, you are really something, is this a half-saint? Is this the Half-Sage of Great Wei?”
“Do you still have the intention of Confucianism?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
“It seems that you have become completely demonized.”
“Then, don’t blame this Saint for not giving you the chance to reform.”
“Today.”
“My king, the rising sun, invites the holy will to behead your demon.”
“Xu Qingnian, today, I will let you know know what it means to be a sub-saint.”
Wang Chaoyang completely exploded at this moment.
His voice was icy cold.
He wanted to use the power of a sub-sage to gather the power of heaven and earth and behead Xu Qingnian.
But the next moment.
Xu Qingnian’s voice, too, slowly rang out.
“Today.”
“I, Xu Qingnian.”
“With the power of the heavens and the earth, I will see my heart.”
“Enter the sub-sage realm.”
