Chapter 168: Reviewing Again

Chapter 168: Reviewing Again

Your Highness, we cant allow that scum to escape again!

Please be assured that he wont get away this time.

Thatd be for the best.

The civilians slowly scattered after receiving the Auspicious Kings reassurance.

The surrounding area was filled with elites from the Valiant Defenders. As an additional layer of security, Jie Panshi had even deployed his elite crossbowmen. They were ready to shoot down Zhao Yan if he made any suspicious moves.

The Auspicious King slowly walked over, only to be stopped by Xia Song.

Father, that shackle is only for show. He is astoundingly powerful. You shouldnt get too close lest he harm you.

The crowd was bewildered to hear that.

Young master, how did you capture him? Jue Panshi asked.

The people gathered here were familiar with what Xia Song was capable of. Logically speaking, Xia Song shouldnt have been capable of capturing Zhao Yan alive

Imperial Duke Fang has returned, Xia Song replied. He was the one who captured Zhao Yan.

Fang Chen? Some people were delighted to hear that, but there were also a few who frowned.

Fang Chen was a massive mountain that couldnt be overlooked in the South Immortal Commandery. Just the knowledge of his return was enough to leave some feeling so suffocated that they found it hard to breathe.

Imperial Duke Fang didnt cripple his martial cultivation? the Auspicious King asked.

He didnt. Xia Song shook his head.

Fang Chen was able to get Zhao Yan to obediently follow Xia Song back without crippling his martial cultivation? The crowd was impressed by Fang Chens means. Even a vile criminal like that obediently listened to him.

Zhao Yan was the one who kidnapped Xia He and Fang Zhixue? the Auspicious King asked with a suppressed voice.

Xia Song nodded.

The Auspicious King breathed a sigh of relief. Fang Zhixue should have safely returned to the Fang Manor now, so our Auspicious King Manor wont be implicated by that matter.

He turned to Zhao Yan and suddenly took a cold tone, Zhao Yan, do you plead guilty?

I am innocent, Zhao Yan calmly replied.

Those words sparked criticisms and insults from the nearby students, but Zhao Yan wasnt fazed in the least.

Zhao Yan, you have truly disappointed me. Master Chen stepped forward to look at Zhao Yan before letting out a small sigh and shaking his head.

The crowd couldnt believe what they had just heard. They rushed over to take a look, and they saw five glaring wounds on Zhao Yans body. An ordinary person would have long died from those wounds.

Yet, Zhao Yan maintained a nonchalant expression and a dignified posture.

The crowd was baffled.

Xia Song asked with a frown, Why didnt you retaliate? Do you remember who wounded you?

They are just a bunch of commoners, Zhao Yan impassively replied. I wont die from these wounds. You need not be so worried.

Whos worried about you? Xia Song sneered. He turned to Jue Panshi and said, Lord Jue, you should bring him over to the prison and have a physician check his injuries, lest he drop dead before we review the case. Others might accuse us of privately punishing him otherwise.

Understood. Jue Panshi nodded.

He and his men quickly escorted Zhao Yan to their barracks.

Commandery Chief Ouyang, go and retrieve Zhao Yans case scrolls. Well gather together tonight to go over the case before judging Zhao Yan tomorrow, the Auspicious King said.

Yes, Your Highness. Commandery Chief Ouyang nodded before leaving with the other officials.

Master Chen, you should come over tomorrow, the Auspicious King said.

Master Chen nodded. He was about to say something when a student stepped forward and clasped his fist, saying, Your Highness, Master Chen, Zhao Yan has gone to great lengths to conceal the fact that hes a martial artist. I fear he is up to something. Could he be planning to harm some of us during tomorrows judgment?

It was the student whom the others addressed as Brother Yu. He had decent facial features and an upright posture. Despite being dressed in scholar robes, he had a generals disposition.

Whats your suggestion? the Auspicious King asked.

Its not too late to review the case after crippling his martial cultivation, Brother Yu said.

Regarding that, the Auspicious King calmly replied, Imperial Duke Fang was the one who captured him. Dont you think that Imperial Duke Fang had refrained from crippling his martial cultivation because he didnt think that Zhao Yan could threaten us?

Brother Yu was taken aback.

If Zhao Yan truly sought violence, what happened earlier would have been a good pretext for him to make a move, Master Chen added. Yu Zhang, youre overthinking things. Zhao Yan might have returned with a regretful heart, hoping to conclude this matter once and for all.

Yu Zhang fell silent.

Master Chen left with his students afterward. Similarly the Auspicious King brought Xia Song and Xia He back to their manor.

Father, I think Yu Zhangs words make sense. Itll be safer for us to cripple Zhao Yans martial cultivation, Xia Song said.

The Auspicious King eyed him. Have you stopped to wonder why Imperial Duke Fang neither killed him nor crippled his martial cultivation?

Father, youre saying that Xia Song was astonished.