Chapter 171: With a Turn of the Hand
As Li Yinglong took full responsibility for everything, everyone present knew—He was finished.
Even if he wasn’t sentenced to death, he would undoubtedly receive the maximum term of imprisonnt.
Had it only been a case of negligence, he might have been demoted or forced into retirent. But after confessing to orchestrating a Void Invasion, he had no way out.
A cri of that magnitude was the gravest offense in human civilization. At that mont, Imperial Inspectors stepped forward to formally arrest Li Yinglong.
Standing at the front was Sheng Junchen, the Minister of Imperial Inspections.
For most of the night, Sheng Junchen had remained silent, keeping a low profile.
Despite being a powerful and influential figure, he always submitted obediently in the presence of the Qin Family.
Like a well-trained hunting dog, he never acted without his master’s command. Now, having received his cue, he stepped forward, smiling.
“Vice Minister Li, you are now under arrest for the following charges:
– Treason against the Empire
– Endangering human civilization
– Orchestrating mass murder
– Negligence in duty
– Dereliction of command”
“By the authority of the Imperial Inspections Bureau, you will be taken into custody imdiately for further investigation.”
As Sheng Junchen listed out the nurous charges, Li Yinglong barely reacted. He had already accepted his fate.
At this point, he was completely numb—it didn’t matter how many charges they added. What was the difference between ten years and a lifeti in prison?
Between one cri and a dozen? It didn’t matter anymore.
Li Yinglong let out a bitter, hollow laugh, his voice tinged with madness.
“Whatever. I accept them all. Do as you wish.”
Before being escorted away, Li Yinglong turned to look at Qin Xian.
His eyes were filled with complexity—there was hatred, but even more than that, there was admiration. Who could have imagined?
A man like him, a seasoned veteran of the Imperial military, who had weathered countless political storms—Had ultimately fallen to a young man barely in his twenties.
How absurd. How terrifying.
As Li Yinglong was taken away, the remaining high-ranking officials were left with uneasy expressions. After all, Li Yinglong wasn’t just anyone.
He was an Imperial Marshal, the Vice Minister of the Military, one of the highest-ranking generals in the entire Empire.
Among the military elite, he was second only to Grand Marshal Fang Ji. A man of absolute loyalty, he had served Fang Ji for years, becoming his most trusted right-hand man.
And yet—In just a single night, he had been utterly destroyed.
Many of the assembled officials felt a deep sense of fear. This was the true nature of Imperial politics.
One mont, you stood among the highest ranks, wielding unshakable power. The next, you were nothing but a criminal, shackled and condemned.
Even as a Level 75 Quasi-Legendary powerhouse, Li Yinglong’s strength ant nothing in the face of Imperial law and power struggles.
Fang Ji, the Grand Marshal, remained silent throughout the ordeal.
With an expression dark as storm clouds, he turned abruptly and left—Not bothering to acknowledge anyone.
Yet, no one blad him. After all, tonight’s events had been an unmitigated disaster for the Military Departnt.
And Li Yinglong’s downfall was just the beginning. A massive purge was coming. More military officials would fall.
And at the end of it all—The Qin Family and the Regent’s Faction would divide the spoils.
Tonight, the biggest loser was the Military Departnt, and the biggest winner—Was Qin Xian.
At that mont, all eyes turned to Qin Xian.
It was clear to everyone—Tonight’s events had been orchestrated by him. He had manipulated every major faction, spinning Imperial politics into complete chaos.
A terrifying young man. Soone who could stir the heavens with a single command.
“Flip his hand, and clouds gather. Turn it over, and the rain falls.”
This was the true power of Qin Xian.
Qin Xian stood calmly, hands folded behind his back, as he watched Li Yinglong disappear into the distance.
In truth, the Qin Family had never planned to completely destroy Fang Ji or the Military Departnt.
After all, this wasn’t the right ti for a full-scale confrontation. Had they attacked Fang Ji directly, he would have fought back with everything he had.
So instead—They had pressed him relentlessly, putting him in a desperate position.
Then, when the mont was right—They had shifted their attack onto Li Yinglong, forcing Fang Ji to accept the loss instead of risking an open war.
The broken window effect.
One push at a ti—Until the opponent had no choice but to accept their own defeat.
With the crisis resolved, the gathered officials began to disperse.
There were still many issues to address—Including how to control public opinion and manage the aftermath.
Before leaving, Lu Ji approached Wen Yu, his expression unreadable.
“I didn’t expect things to turn out this way,” he murmured. “But at least, you survived.”
Wen Yu’s face remained calm as she nodded, “Thanks to you, Teacher.”
Lu Ji frowned slightly—sothing felt off about her deanor. But then again, he knew Wen Yu had just lost her brother.
She had always been deeply protective of Wen Xu. Sighing, he patted her shoulder and said softly, “About Wen Xu… My condolences.”
Wen Yu lowered her head, her expression a perfect mask of sorrow. But beneath it—there was nothing.
Only emptiness.
“Teacher, I’m tired. I will take my leave now.” Lu Ji nodded, watching her walk away, a strange unease creeping into his heart.
Sothing about her felt different. Sothing he couldn’t quite explain.
anwhile, Qin Xian prepared to leave with his father, Qin Ming.
He turned to Lu Ji, offering a polite nod, “Regent, I shall take my leave as well.”
Lu Ji returned the nod, but as he watched Qin Xian’s expression, an unfamiliar emotion surfaced—Fear.
For the first ti, he felt genuine apprehension toward this young man. Qin Xian was far more dangerous than he had initially thought.
Tonight’s events had made that painfully clear. Qin Xian hadn’t just been a participant—he had been the director.
He had masterminded the entire affair, deciding who would rise and who would fall.
And in doing so—He had rewritten the power dynamics of the entire Empire.
Reviews
All reviews (0)