At the main gate of Tiandu, the scene of Gu Chen and his two companions being taken away by the Mingjing Department was not only witnessed by many passersby but also by the Royal Sword Guard stationed at the city gates.
"Look, isn't that Old Gu's nephew?"
"Indeed, it seems to be him. Didn't Old Gu say his nephew is the Metropolitan Procurator of the Jing Tian Department? How could he be arrested by the people of the Mingjing Department?"
"He must have done something wrong. Old Gu is always boasting about how formidable his nephew is, saying his nephew's abilities are sky-high. Now look, he's just like that."
"Stop making careless remarks here and hurry up to inform Old Gu that his nephew is in trouble!"
So, after Yan Hua and his group had left, a member of the Royal Sword Guard quickly jogged off to the Gu Mansion.
...
"What, my nephew was taken away by people from the Mingjing Department?!"
Gu Chengfeng had just recovered from his injuries and was still resting at home when he stood up abruptly upon hearing the news brought by his colleague.
Xu Qinge also looked very anxious.
Gu Qingyan's pretty face changed, and she looked at Gu Chengfeng somewhat panicked, "Father, big brother he..."
"You guys stay at home and don't go anywhere, I'm going to find someone to save your elder brother!"
As he spoke, Gu Chengfeng quickly put on his clothes and rushed out of the Gu Mansion, heading for the Jing Tian Department.
He didn't go to seek Zhou Qing, for two reasons: firstly, because the inner city was quite far from the outer city, and Gu Chengfeng was worried about not having enough time. Secondly, Zhou Qing was, after all, a member of the Mingjing Department, which was not very reliable.
Gu Chengfeng had heard from Gu Chen that he had entered under the command of the Head Commander, and figured that now, only this Head Commander could save Gu Chen.
...
Gu Chen and his two companions, with shackles on their hands like criminals, attracted much attention as they were brought through the streets into the inner city by Yan Hua and Cheng Song to the Mingjing Department.
Upon arriving at a large hall, Gu Chen and his two companions saw Zhu Ting sitting at the head.
"My lord, the people have been brought here," Yan Hua and Cheng Song said respectfully with a bow.
Zhu Ting sat at the head, his gaze darkening as he saw the three captives. A terrifying pressure emanated from him, weighing down on Gu Chen and the others.
Song Yu and Wang Yan let out muffled groans; the overwhelming qi invaded them, and they couldn't withstand it. Blood seeped from their mouths and noses, and they were pressed into a kneeling position on the ground by Zhu Ting's qi.
While speaking, Zhou Qing's gaze swept over the room and landed on Gu Chen standing there.
"I have seen Lord Zhou." Gu Chen nodded slightly. It was not easy for him to stand here under the pressure exerted by Zhu Ting.
Zhou Qing did not respond but sat down to the side and asked expressionlessly, "Tell me what happened."
As he sat down, the pressure in the hall dissipated instantly. Zhu Ting, seeing this, glanced at Zhou Qing with displeasure but said nothing.
Yan Hua, on seeing this, hurriedly repeated everything that had been said to Zhu Ting to Zhou Qing.
"Is that so?" Before Zhu Ting could speak, Zhou Qing turned his gaze to the three accused by Gu Chen.
"He's lying!"
After listening, Song Yu became furious and said, "You twist the facts! That's not what happened at all. You were the ones with the overbearing attitude, showing none of the dignity expected of Mingjing Department officers, just like some bandits or outlaws on the streets, striking out and injuring others at will, not even sparing a child of five or six.
Gu Chen could not stand by and that was why he intervened."
Meanwhile, Wang Yan added, "As things escalated, Gu Chen had already stopped after our persuasion. But this one, unable to contain his anger, attacked in the very moment Gu Chen let down his guard, attempting to injure him. This enraged Gu Chen, who then taught them a lesson."
"Nonsense!"
"Bullshit!"
Yan Hua and Cheng Song, upon hearing this, immediately became frantic.
"Silence."
Zhou Qing spoke, glancing at Yan Hua and Wang Yan, both of whom instantly fell silent.
"Old Zhou, this is my matter," Zhu Ting said with a firm voice.
Zhou Qing spoke indifferently, "This is a matter for the Mingjing Department. You know my disposition. If what Yan Hua and the others have said is not false, I shall not interfere with how you punish these three. But is that the truth of the matter?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ting fell silent.
Seeing this, Song Yu and Wang Yan's eyes lit up with hope, sensing a turn in the tide.
In contrast, Yan Hua and Cheng Song stood there, tense and nervous.
Just then, an incredibly formidable aura appeared out of nowhere; a violent wind swept through the hall.
When the wind had ceased, a figure appeared. Dressed in a blue robe, handsome and distinguished, it was Chen Yu.