Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts-Chapter 476
“If an apology were enough, then what need would there be for the Jinyiwei?”
Xu Ming smiled as he spoke these words to the Grand Pillar.
As soon as the words left his lips, the entire Jinyi Hall fell into silence.
At that moment, it was as if the very air had frozen in place.
The smile on the Grand Pillar’s face stiffened.
A faint but unmistakable killing intent lingered in the atmosphere.
Tang Ningzhi’s heart pounded violently in her chest.
She had expected Xu Ming to take the easy way out. After all, this was the Grand Pillar—a founding hero of the Wu Kingdom. He had already given Xu Ming a graceful exit, and accepting it wouldn’t have significantly damaged the Jinyiwei’ authority.
It was completely understandable. No one would blame Xu Ming.
After all, he was facing the Grand Pillar, the only Limit Realm Martial Artist in the entire Wu Kingdom.
Even the Emperor himself had to show him respect.
In fact, if the Grand Pillar ever decided to take a whip to the Emperor, the Emperor wouldn’t dare utter a word of protest.
After all, the previous Emperor had bestowed upon the Grand Pillar the Dragon Whip—a symbol of his right to discipline any unworthy descendants of the imperial family.
Yet, against all expectations, Xu Ming refused to give the Grand Pillar even the slightest courtesy.
The Grand Pillar’s smile gradually faded, and his sharp gaze became as piercing as that of a hunting falcon.
It had been many, many years since anyone had dared to speak to him in this manner.
Let alone a young man.
But perhaps it was precisely because this was a fearless young man—one unafraid of tigers despite being newly born—that he dared to do so.
Anyone else would have long since started flattering him. They might have even sent his son back to him without question.
Despite himself, the Grand Pillar felt a small sense of relief.
He was glad that their nation still had such a fine young man.
A true son of the Wu Kingdom should be like this.
But at the same time, thinking about what was to come, he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of concern for the boy.
This would be a test for him—one that would determine if he could endure what lay ahead.
Lifting his teacup, the Grand Pillar took a slow sip and said lightly, “Lord Xu, young men make mistakes. But they should also be given a chance to learn from them.
And just as young men make mistakes, young men should also learn to listen to their elders.
Once I take my son back, I will be sure to teach him a proper lesson—so that he does not make such errors again, nor act so recklessly.
After all, if he were to run headfirst into trouble and get himself bloodied, wouldn’t that be an ugly sight?
Young men… should not let their tempers get the best of them.”
Though his words were about his son, the Grand Pillar’s true message was directed at Xu Ming.
It was a warning.
A warning not to be too stubborn.
If things spiraled out of control, the consequences would not be pleasant.
Xu Ming was no fool.
No fool could achieve the title of Top Scholar.
He understood the Grand Pillar’s veiled threat perfectly.
And yet, he remained unmoved.
“If young men cannot be hot-blooded, then what’s the point of being young at all?
Wouldn’t you agree, Grand Pillar?”
“…”
Xu Ming and the Grand Pillar locked eyes.
Their gazes clashed like the sharpest of blades, as if their stare alone could tear cracks into the very air.
“Lord Xu, the Grand Justice has arrived.”
Just as the tension between them reached a boiling point, a Jinyiwei approached Xu Ming and reported the news.
Xu Ming finally broke eye contact and turned to Yu Ping’an. “Ping’an, please go and receive him.”
“No need, no need—how could I trouble the Deputy Commander himself to welcome me?”
Before Xu Ming’s words had even fully settled, a voice rang out from the entrance.
Everyone turned their heads.
The Grand Justice entered the hall with a smile, walking in at a steady pace.
Yu Ping’an and the other Jinyiwei couldn’t help but feel a moment of reflection.
The Grand Justice of the Wu Kingdom…
A man of the third rank, a position of great power and authority.
When the Grand Justice arrived at the Jinyiwei Headquarters, he was as humble as a low-ranking official.
“Greetings, Lord Zheng,” Xu Ming stood up and cupped his hands in salute.
“Oh no, no, Lord Xu, you’re being too courteous!” Zheng Liu quickly bowed in return, bending even lower than Xu Ming. “It is I who should be paying my respects to you.”
Xu Ming straightened up. “Please have a seat, Lord Zheng. Now that everyone is here, it’s time to discuss serious matters.”
“Yes, yes, of course!” The Grand Justice hurriedly responded, perching on the edge of his seat, not daring to sit fully.
Xu Ming turned to Yu Ping’an. “Ping’an, please make the necessary preparations. We are convening court.”
“What? Convening court?” The Grand Justice froze, momentarily confused by Xu Ming’s words.
Yu Ping’an, however, simply nodded, stood up, and limped toward the front of the hall. He reached for a rope and gave it a firm pull.
Dong!
Dong!
Dong!
The deep chime of a great bell resonated through the entire Jinyiwei Headquarters, its echoes spreading beyond the compound, rolling through the streets, and reaching the ears of hundreds of common folk.
Curious citizens began converging toward the Jinyiwei Headquarters, eager to see what this new and formidable institution was up to now.
Before long, a Jinyiwei officer stood at the gates and bellowed to the growing crowd:
“The son of the Grand Pillar, Mo Yuanshan, has defied the laws of the Wu Kingdom, obstructed Jinyiwei Guards in the line of duty, and injured two officers! The son of the Grand Justice, Zheng Qiu, has attempted to abduct a common woman! In half an hour, court will be convened at the Jinyiwei Headquarters!”
“The Jinyiwei is convening court!”
“They’re holding a public trial!” freewebnøvel.coɱ
“This is the first time the Jinyiwei is conducting a trial!”
“Who are they putting on trial?”
“The Grand Pillar’s son and the Grand Justice’s son!”
“What?! Are you serious?!”
“Hurry! Let’s go see this!”
Within half an hour, news of the Jinyiwei’s first-ever trial spread through the capital like wildfire.
And when people learned that the defendants were none other than the sons of the Grand Pillar and the Grand Justice, their disbelief turned into sheer astonishment.
Some even questioned whether the Jinyiwei had lost their minds.
That was the Grand Pillar’s son!
Meanwhile, in a private booth at a teahouse, a woman with pink hair approached an elderly man and bowed respectfully.
“Hmm.”
The old man gave a slight nod.
Despite his advanced age, his presence was chilling—like an aging lion, weathered but still fully capable of tearing his prey apart.
“What did Mo Peinan say?” The old man rested one hand on the window ledge while the other held a wine cup. His gaze swept over the bustling streets below.
“The Grand Pillar agreed,” Mu Jin replied with a faint smile. “Just as you predicted. That Top Scholar of ours is truly unafraid of death. This time, things are bound to get messy.”
“Heh…”
The old man shook his head.
“Don’t underestimate that Top Scholar of ours. Among all those old foxes in the imperial court, there are few who can match him.”
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