Chapter 98
What are you barking about? Suppress them all!
Anzhou.
The city of the prefecture.
The Salt Transport Commissioner's Office.
Inside the main office, a refined old man dressed in a scarlet official robe embroidered with clouds and wild geese unconsciously twirled the pen, his expression unusually dazed.
He was Sima Yao, the Salt Commissioner of Anzhou.
Just three nights ago, bad news came from the Qiaonan Mine.
His trusted confidant, Wei Pu, was executed.
The one who actually carried out the punishment was the sacred site of the East Temple.
It is unknown who it is.
In the past two days, he has been frantically trying to find out information through connections, but the Anzhou East Temple government replied that no member of the Holy Land has taken over the case.
What is this person's intention?
[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 101kanshu.com. A vast library of books is available at 101kw.kw for you to choose from.]
I, Sima Yi, have acted uprightly and honestly; don't try to frame me!
Just as I was worrying, my subordinate came to report.
The East Temple sent a hundred households to its door.
Sima Yi straightened his clothes and waited calmly.
After a while, a young figure stepped into the government office.
"It's you!" Sima Yi's face showed fear.
Gu Lin walked over with a smile and sat down directly on the three-foot-long desk.
"Insolence!" Sima Yi abruptly stood up, displaying the authority of a fourth-rank official, and coldly rebuked:
"You have no right to be arrogant in front of me!"
Gu Lin stared at him:
Are you terrified?
Sima Yi feigned composure:
"What do I have to fear? If you dare to seek revenge out of personal motives, justice will prevail!"
He grew increasingly angry and loudly accused:
"Our Sima family has always been known for its benevolence and philanthropy, and enjoys a splendid reputation. Why do you insist on going against us? Even going so far as to provoke us across state borders? The Sima family has tolerated you time and time again. Do you really think our family wouldn't dare to overturn the table?"
Gu Lin smiled:
"If it weren't for my own strength, I would have been crushed to death by your Sima family long ago."
He then leaned down and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"When I'm strong enough, I'll wield the butcher's knife!"
Sima Yi's face was gloomy, and his eyes were wide open.
Gu Lin's tone turned cold:
"Stop rambling, let's get to the point today."
"Wei Pu is your confidant, isn't he? He's been with you for over a decade, taking you wherever you take up a post. He's a criminal with a long list of sins. For the sake of profit, he assisted the Supreme Elder of the Heartless Manor in cultivating the evil technique of devouring hearts, harming thousands of innocent people over the past three years."
"That Supreme Elder is hiding in the Qiaonan Salt Mine. The innocent people kidnapped by the Heartless Manor also escaped the various checkpoints of the Divine Dynasty through your Salt Transport Office."
How do you explain that?
Sima Yi looked terrified, slammed his fist on the table, and shouted angrily:
"His insatiable greed has nothing to do with me."
"I have absolutely no knowledge of this! Don't try to frame me! I come from a sixth-rank aristocratic family and have no shortage of spirit stones and wealth. I would never risk ruining my career to protect a heretical cultivator!"
"You're making baseless accusations. You need to provide evidence. Wei Pu committed evil deeds under my name, and he deserved it. What does that have to do with me?"
He then ran out of the government office and shouted, attracting the attention of all the officials:
"I, Sima Yao, neither benefited nor participated in this matter. Dongsi Gu Lin's deliberate attempt to frame me is utterly laughable!"
He was genuinely angry and innocent. He had long suspected that Wei Pu might be up to something dirty, but he never asked or got involved. What did it have to do with him if something happened?
Gu Lin's tone was chilling:
"Your two ounces of meat are restless!"
"What's the deal with the 'beauty bribery' scheme at Heartless Manor?!"
Sima Yi was struck dumb, and the surrounding officials whispered among themselves.
Sima Yi's face flushed crimson, and he strained his voice as he said:
"They say they admire me, offer themselves to me, and want to become my mistresses. The laws of the Divine Dynasty have never stipulated that it is illegal for officials to take concubines! I dote on my mistresses, but I haven't given the Heartless Manor any benefit whatsoever. What kind of bribery is this?"
Gu Lin's gaze was icy:
"Still barking?"
"Are all these young women admiring the wrinkles on your face at almost sixty?"
"The Heartless Manor has committed heinous acts, your henchmen are utterly wicked, and you have also accepted bribes of beautiful women from the Heartless Manor. Can you all believe that you are innocent?"
The surrounding officials remained silent.
Silence is an answer.
"You, surnamed Gu, stop inciting people and leave the yamen immediately. You have no right to interrogate me!"
Sima Yi was furious to the point of madness. He absolutely could not fall into Gu Lin's hands, otherwise even if he was innocent, he would be guilty of a heinous crime. He would have to undergo a detailed investigation by the Anzhou East Temple or the Tianxuan Guard.
"No authority?" Gu Lin immediately took out the official document.
Officials nearby came forward to investigate.
The official seal of the Thousand Households was used to investigate and arrest Lord Sima, which was entirely in accordance with regulations.
"Take him away and temporarily imprison him in the state capital!" Gu Lin gave the order.
Several clerks rushed into the yamen and arrested Sima Yao, binding him with iron chains and shackles.
Gu Lin glanced around at the group of officials and said coldly:
"The government office will continue to operate as usual. You must not neglect your duties due to the absence of a senior official, as this will affect the salt administration and people's livelihood. This case will only be investigated against Sima Yi."
"In time, the Divine Dynasty will issue an official document. Whether a salt commissioner will be transferred from elsewhere or promoted from within is a matter for the Divine Dynasty and the governor to consider. You must all diligently perform your duties!"
After saying this, he led his men away.
Many officials looked horrified.
This statement was tantamount to sentencing a dignified fourth-rank official to death!
.......
.......
Five days later.
The mute flower girl rushed to the city.
All those involved in the crimes at Jueqing Villa have been arrested.
The only elder in charge of kidnapping innocent people is still in another state.
"Issue an arrest warrant and apprehend people nationwide!" Gu Lin gave the order, then took over various confessions and incriminating evidence.
The details of the bribery of the Jueqing Manor's leader and five elders, including Wei Pu, were all irrefutable. The beautiful disciples who had been defiled by Sima Yi were also brought along, and each of them gave a statement, signed and sealed it.
Gu Lin gathered all the evidence and went to prison.
First, they entered the cell where Sima Yi was being held.
Sima Yi threw himself against the iron bars, crying out his innocence, "Let the Tianxuan Guards of Anzhou East Temple intervene! You beast, don't even think about pinning any charges on me!"
Gu Lin stared at him coldly:
"Your unforgivable crimes of bribery with power and sex, and secretly manipulating subordinates to commit evil, should be punished with your head to uphold the laws of the dynasty, to appease the people and the will of the people, and of course, to pave the way for my promotion."
As soon as he finished speaking, six fingers of sword energy surged out, instantly ending his life.
Sima Yao's head flew up and crashed down.
With a cold smile, Gu Lin then went to execute the sect leader of the Heartless Manor, the five elders, and the salt mine official.
After cleaning up, Gu Lin copied two copies of the case file and confession, and then summoned the mute flower girl.
"Send one copy to the Governor's Office of Anzhou Prefecture."
"Also, I need to take the Anzhou Holy Land teleportation array back to Luoxia Mountain. After you're done with your work, you should also return to Chuzhou. Remember to protect the witnesses."
The mute flower girl respectfully accepted the order.
The flower girl, her eyes full of anticipation, asked with a smile:
"My lord, we have never used a teleportation array before. Please tell us about it when we return to Chu Prefecture."
Gu Lin nodded:
"Don't worry, as long as you loyally follow me, once I've accumulated enough contribution points, you can use any of the teleportation arrays you like!!"
These words are arguably one of the most extravagant statements in the world.
The two states are adjacent, and a single teleportation array grants 20,000 contribution points.
Spanning several states, the amount of points contributed is unimaginable.
But the mute flower girl firmly believed that Lord Gu could definitely do it!
Gu Lin left the state prison and headed to Rain Curtain Mountain, the sacred site of Anzhou.
The city of the prefecture.
The Salt Transport Commissioner's Office.
Inside the main office, a refined old man dressed in a scarlet official robe embroidered with clouds and wild geese unconsciously twirled the pen, his expression unusually dazed.
He was Sima Yao, the Salt Commissioner of Anzhou.
Just three nights ago, bad news came from the Qiaonan Mine.
His trusted confidant, Wei Pu, was executed.
The one who actually carried out the punishment was the sacred site of the East Temple.
It is unknown who it is.
In the past two days, he has been frantically trying to find out information through connections, but the Anzhou East Temple government replied that no member of the Holy Land has taken over the case.
What is this person's intention?
[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 101kanshu.com. A vast library of books is available at 101kw.kw for you to choose from.]
I, Sima Yi, have acted uprightly and honestly; don't try to frame me!
Just as I was worrying, my subordinate came to report.
The East Temple sent a hundred households to its door.
Sima Yi straightened his clothes and waited calmly.
After a while, a young figure stepped into the government office.
"It's you!" Sima Yi's face showed fear.
Gu Lin walked over with a smile and sat down directly on the three-foot-long desk.
"Insolence!" Sima Yi abruptly stood up, displaying the authority of a fourth-rank official, and coldly rebuked:
"You have no right to be arrogant in front of me!"
Gu Lin stared at him:
Are you terrified?
Sima Yi feigned composure:
"What do I have to fear? If you dare to seek revenge out of personal motives, justice will prevail!"
He grew increasingly angry and loudly accused:
"Our Sima family has always been known for its benevolence and philanthropy, and enjoys a splendid reputation. Why do you insist on going against us? Even going so far as to provoke us across state borders? The Sima family has tolerated you time and time again. Do you really think our family wouldn't dare to overturn the table?"
Gu Lin smiled:
"If it weren't for my own strength, I would have been crushed to death by your Sima family long ago."
He then leaned down and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"When I'm strong enough, I'll wield the butcher's knife!"
Sima Yi's face was gloomy, and his eyes were wide open.
Gu Lin's tone turned cold:
"Stop rambling, let's get to the point today."
"Wei Pu is your confidant, isn't he? He's been with you for over a decade, taking you wherever you take up a post. He's a criminal with a long list of sins. For the sake of profit, he assisted the Supreme Elder of the Heartless Manor in cultivating the evil technique of devouring hearts, harming thousands of innocent people over the past three years."
"That Supreme Elder is hiding in the Qiaonan Salt Mine. The innocent people kidnapped by the Heartless Manor also escaped the various checkpoints of the Divine Dynasty through your Salt Transport Office."
How do you explain that?
Sima Yi looked terrified, slammed his fist on the table, and shouted angrily:
"His insatiable greed has nothing to do with me."
"I have absolutely no knowledge of this! Don't try to frame me! I come from a sixth-rank aristocratic family and have no shortage of spirit stones and wealth. I would never risk ruining my career to protect a heretical cultivator!"
"You're making baseless accusations. You need to provide evidence. Wei Pu committed evil deeds under my name, and he deserved it. What does that have to do with me?"
He then ran out of the government office and shouted, attracting the attention of all the officials:
"I, Sima Yao, neither benefited nor participated in this matter. Dongsi Gu Lin's deliberate attempt to frame me is utterly laughable!"
He was genuinely angry and innocent. He had long suspected that Wei Pu might be up to something dirty, but he never asked or got involved. What did it have to do with him if something happened?
Gu Lin's tone was chilling:
"Your two ounces of meat are restless!"
"What's the deal with the 'beauty bribery' scheme at Heartless Manor?!"
Sima Yi was struck dumb, and the surrounding officials whispered among themselves.
Sima Yi's face flushed crimson, and he strained his voice as he said:
"They say they admire me, offer themselves to me, and want to become my mistresses. The laws of the Divine Dynasty have never stipulated that it is illegal for officials to take concubines! I dote on my mistresses, but I haven't given the Heartless Manor any benefit whatsoever. What kind of bribery is this?"
Gu Lin's gaze was icy:
"Still barking?"
"Are all these young women admiring the wrinkles on your face at almost sixty?"
"The Heartless Manor has committed heinous acts, your henchmen are utterly wicked, and you have also accepted bribes of beautiful women from the Heartless Manor. Can you all believe that you are innocent?"
The surrounding officials remained silent.
Silence is an answer.
"You, surnamed Gu, stop inciting people and leave the yamen immediately. You have no right to interrogate me!"
Sima Yi was furious to the point of madness. He absolutely could not fall into Gu Lin's hands, otherwise even if he was innocent, he would be guilty of a heinous crime. He would have to undergo a detailed investigation by the Anzhou East Temple or the Tianxuan Guard.
"No authority?" Gu Lin immediately took out the official document.
Officials nearby came forward to investigate.
The official seal of the Thousand Households was used to investigate and arrest Lord Sima, which was entirely in accordance with regulations.
"Take him away and temporarily imprison him in the state capital!" Gu Lin gave the order.
Several clerks rushed into the yamen and arrested Sima Yao, binding him with iron chains and shackles.
Gu Lin glanced around at the group of officials and said coldly:
"The government office will continue to operate as usual. You must not neglect your duties due to the absence of a senior official, as this will affect the salt administration and people's livelihood. This case will only be investigated against Sima Yi."
"In time, the Divine Dynasty will issue an official document. Whether a salt commissioner will be transferred from elsewhere or promoted from within is a matter for the Divine Dynasty and the governor to consider. You must all diligently perform your duties!"
After saying this, he led his men away.
Many officials looked horrified.
This statement was tantamount to sentencing a dignified fourth-rank official to death!
.......
.......
Five days later.
The mute flower girl rushed to the city.
All those involved in the crimes at Jueqing Villa have been arrested.
The only elder in charge of kidnapping innocent people is still in another state.
"Issue an arrest warrant and apprehend people nationwide!" Gu Lin gave the order, then took over various confessions and incriminating evidence.
The details of the bribery of the Jueqing Manor's leader and five elders, including Wei Pu, were all irrefutable. The beautiful disciples who had been defiled by Sima Yi were also brought along, and each of them gave a statement, signed and sealed it.
Gu Lin gathered all the evidence and went to prison.
First, they entered the cell where Sima Yi was being held.
Sima Yi threw himself against the iron bars, crying out his innocence, "Let the Tianxuan Guards of Anzhou East Temple intervene! You beast, don't even think about pinning any charges on me!"
Gu Lin stared at him coldly:
"Your unforgivable crimes of bribery with power and sex, and secretly manipulating subordinates to commit evil, should be punished with your head to uphold the laws of the dynasty, to appease the people and the will of the people, and of course, to pave the way for my promotion."
As soon as he finished speaking, six fingers of sword energy surged out, instantly ending his life.
Sima Yao's head flew up and crashed down.
With a cold smile, Gu Lin then went to execute the sect leader of the Heartless Manor, the five elders, and the salt mine official.
After cleaning up, Gu Lin copied two copies of the case file and confession, and then summoned the mute flower girl.
"Send one copy to the Governor's Office of Anzhou Prefecture."
"Also, I need to take the Anzhou Holy Land teleportation array back to Luoxia Mountain. After you're done with your work, you should also return to Chuzhou. Remember to protect the witnesses."
The mute flower girl respectfully accepted the order.
The flower girl, her eyes full of anticipation, asked with a smile:
"My lord, we have never used a teleportation array before. Please tell us about it when we return to Chu Prefecture."
Gu Lin nodded:
"Don't worry, as long as you loyally follow me, once I've accumulated enough contribution points, you can use any of the teleportation arrays you like!!"
These words are arguably one of the most extravagant statements in the world.
The two states are adjacent, and a single teleportation array grants 20,000 contribution points.
Spanning several states, the amount of points contributed is unimaginable.
But the mute flower girl firmly believed that Lord Gu could definitely do it!
Gu Lin left the state prison and headed to Rain Curtain Mountain, the sacred site of Anzhou.