Chapter 176 - Culprit

Cale spent his days nursing his wounds while the imperial family was still busy looking for the culprit who had ransacked their imperial treasury.

Almost half of the Celestial Sword Empire's treasures were taken away and they were even able to leave the imperial palace alive and unidentified.

Emperor Aventus rubbed his aching temples and muttered to himself. "My Celestial Sword Empire had suffered quite a few setbacks during the past few weeks. Even the culprits who stole almost half of our treasures were still not captured nor identified." 

In the long history of the Celestial Sword Empire, he might be the most unlucky emperor. In less than two months, they have encountered many problems. He was even almost killed by his own son! What a disheartening story!

Just then, Grand General Ling Tian arrived and kneeled down in front of the emperor.  

"Your majesty, we have yet to identify the culprit of this incident, but we already have a suspect..." Grand General Ling Tian said respectfully.

When the emperor heard his words, his eyes brightened in surprise. "Oh, Grand General Ling Tian, who is this suspect that you speak of?" Emperor Aventus asked curiously.

Grand General Ling Tian replied in a solemn voice. "It's the Minister of the Left, Jing Nuofu."

The emperor's eyes flashed with a complicated light after hearing the name. The minister of the left, Jing Nuofu, was one of his most trusted court officials. He was an old bone that had been with him for many decades. So he was a bit surprised that the old man was the suspect of this crime. 

"Old man Nuofu has been with me for many years. It's impossible for him to covet the treasures of my empire. Unless someone was instigating him from the shadows... This matter is too serious, Grand General Ling Tian. We shall not jump into conclusions when we don't have a shred of concrete evidence yet. And besides, how did you know that he had something to do with this crime?" The emperor asked as he looked at the grand general.

"Your majesty, our spies saw a drastic increase in his assets. It almost doubled, and this matter is very suspicious." Grand General Ling Tian replied.

"Hmm, it looks like someone is indeed behind this operation. And they even had the ability to gain the help snd support of Jing Nuofu. It looks like we have a rat inside the imperial palace! Hmph!" Emperor Aventus' eyes were like a scorching sun as they emitted a bright chill. Even a top expert like Grand General Ling Tian trembled after sensing his anger.

"Ling Tian, investigate this matter further. As for Jing Nuofu, place several spies in his household. Make sure that you do everything in secret in order to not scare the rat away. Also... Investigate the third prince Amro's recent actions. Include everything he did a few months ago..." The emperor stated with profound calmness.

After hearing the last name that the emperor stated, Grand General Ling Tian was surprised, but then he trembled as if he had realized something. "I will get this done, your majesty!"

"You may take your leave." Emperor Aventus waved his right hand while rubbing his temples. 'Oh, my dear son Amro. It looks like I have finally discovered your real nature. I finally know why I feel a sense of threat every time I see you...'

* * *

"Gulp!"

"This Star Cyan Tea tastes good and it also has an effect on calming one's nerves. Good tea!" He muttered in praise.

After drinking the last contents of the tea, he crushed the cup into powder, but his face was still serenely calm. "Considering Imperial father's intelligence, he should have already started to suspect me. Sigh! Who knew that the old man Jing Nuofu did not even realize that one of his trusted subordinates was actually imperial father's spy.

Now I'm implicated by his stupidity... In that case, I shall not hide my fangs anymore. Besides, I have already nurtured my own soldiers and elites. Oh, Aventus my old man, don't disappoint your son. My two brothers disappointed me so much last time, so I hope you can make me feel a bit of thrill. Hahaha!" A burst of eerie laughter reverberated inside the villa.

* * *

Cale remained in his new manor. He also distributed a few treasures to his subordinates as he had promised to give them some. 

Zero and the others were exhilarated after getting the treasures from Cale. 

"My lord, I have a piece of news for you. I thought you might want to hear it since we would surely be implicated once again in the coming days." Zero respectfully bowed his head at Cale.

Cale furrowed his eyebrows and gestured for Zero to continue speaking. "Oh, go on. What is it, Zero?"

"I have discovered the culprit who stole the treasures inside the imperial treasury..." Zero stated in a confident tone.

Cale frowned after he heard his words. "Who is it? If I'm not wrong, it should be someone from the imperial palace."

"My lord, you are indeed correct. The culprit is someone from the imperial palace and he has a close relationship with the emperor. The culprit is... the third prince, Amro Doomblade." Zero calmly stated.

During the past few weeks, Zero was investigating the events that happened inside the capital city as per Cale's order. 

In particular, he thoroughly investigated the theft that happened inside the imperial palace. He checked every clue that he can find and everything led to one person, the third prince.

He meticulously gathered all the results of his investigations and he even gathered the past actions of the third prince. He was able to tell that the third prince was training a huge number of soldiers behind everyone's eyes. 

He had even managed to fool everyone from the Celestial Sword Empire by acting as the perfect and kind third prince. He instigated his second brother to raise a rebellion while he himself poisoned the emperor. 

Everything should have been perfect, but Cale's arrival changed the fate of the empire.

"The third prince? It's not unexpected if we consider the hearts of the people from an imperial family... Zero, stay inside the manor for now and tell everyone to do their best in cultivating. Another war is about to happen, but this won't be the last..." Cale fiercely said, his eyes cold and detached.

Zero knew what he meant about it not being their last war. He knew that Cale was talking about the demons!