Chapter 368: The Eastern Lord

Chapter 368: Chapter 368: The Eastern Lord

"That noon, the day before killing her!" Qi Tianhou suddenly muttered, recalling the words he had just spoken. Did he just confess?

The court was in an uproar. Although Zhong Shan had earlier accused Qi Tianhou of being the mastermind behind the murder, there had been no evidence to prove it. Many people didn't believe Zhong Shan's accusation. After all, he was accusing Qi Tianhou, Ying Ning's own brother. Who would believe that Qi Tianhou would do such a thing? But with the emperor present, no one dared to act out of turn. They could only take their places and watch the situation unfold, wondering how Zhong Shan would embarrass himself with no evidence.

How could he accuse Qi Tianhou without evidence? If such accusations were accepted without proof, then could anyone in the court be labeled a criminal just based on someone's words? At first, everyone looked at Zhong Shan with a hint of disdain, but as the confrontation between Zhong Shan and Qi Tianhou progressed, Qi Tianhou became increasingly agitated, causing some officials to feel slightly suspicious and hold their breath, awaiting the final outcome.

Did Qi Tianhou really just confess? He killed his own sister? Just for an outsider? To frame Princess Qian You, he actually killed his own sister? It's too terrifying, too ruthless. Could someone from the Gu family really do such a thing?

The entire court was shocked. The Gu family members were also in disbelief. Qi Tianhou, Gu Lin, actually killed his own sister? Unforgivable. The emperor is still on the throne, and he dares to kill his sister. Does that mean any of us from the Gu family could be killed whenever he wants? The Gu family members looked at Qi Tianhou with angry eyes.

The anger towards Princess Qian You immediately shifted entirely onto Qi Tianhou. Among the Gu family members, Fan Yipin glanced at Zhong Shan with a look of admiration and a hint of challenge.

Huan Tulong, looking at Zhong Shan, let out a long sigh and smiled slightly.

Zheng Yi Wang, his gaze shifting between Zhong Shan and Princess Qian You, closed his eyes gently, remaining silent.

Da Xuan Wang, who had been watching Qi Tianhou intently, furrowed his brows and took a deep breath.

Tai Zong Wang, always with a gentle smile like a spring breeze, glanced at Zhong Shan, then at Zheng Yi Wang, and smiled faintly.

Zhan Tian Wang's eyes showed a hint of admiration, a bit of expectation, and a touch of ferocity.

Tian Lao, with a cold gaze, looked at Qi Tianhou and said nothing.

Princess Qian You, at the moment the court erupted, clenched her fists in excitement, looking as if she might jump up at any moment. It was too thrilling, too stimulating, too exciting. At this moment, Princess Qian You, filled with gratitude, felt like rushing over to Zhong Shan, hugging him, and kissing him. This man had fulfilled his promise.

"I remember now, that day Qi Tianhou told me to keep a close watch on the safety of the residence. The residence had never had any trouble before, but he suddenly told me to keep an eye out, which made me very sensitive. That's why, when I heard a loud noise in the courtyard, I went to check while others didn't." Ma Zhui Ri suddenly accused Qi Tianhou.

Qi Tianhou's reputation was instantly tarnished. Ma Zhui Ri, who had been framed by him before, now showed no mercy in accusing him. Ma Zhui Ri's accusation seemed to snap Qi Tianhou out of his stupor.

Qi Tianhou immediately fixed his gaze on Zhong Shan. Zhong Shan, it's always you. From the incident in the sea of flowers to the Wan Yuan Valley, and now the Ying Ning incident, every time, it was you. You destroyed me every single time.

"It's you again, it's you. Qian You was supposed to be mine!" Qi Tianhou said fiercely, glaring at Zhong Shan.

With that, Qi Tianhou drew his purple-gold dragon-patterned staff and, before the entire court, with a face full of hatred, swung it at Zhong Shan.

The whole court was in shock. Who would dare to act recklessly in the grand hall of the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty?

Qi Tianhou's strike was incredibly fast, almost instantly reaching Zhong Shan's face.

After five breaths, Shen Qitian finally managed to stabilize himself, but upon looking around, he realized he was already outside the Taigu Holy Capital.

At the peak of Sovereign Realm, Yuan Fei flew desperately, but even at his best speed, he couldn't keep up with Shen Qitian, who was retreating involuntarily faster than he could advance.

By the time Yuan Fei reached him, Shen Qitian was standing on the summit of a mountain, squinting his eyes as he gazed north. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and showed a ferocious expression.

"Your Excellency! What happened?" Yuan Fei asked anxiously.

"We can no longer stay in the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty!" Shen Qitian replied with a deep sense of resentment.

In the west of the Taigu Holy Capital, in a hidden valley, there was a cave where a red-clad woman sat cross-legged in complete silence, as if dead. In front of her lay a black sword. At the moment when Shen Qitian was cast out of the Taigu Holy Capital by Gu Shentong's gaze, the red-clad woman suddenly opened her eyes, which shot out a burst of sword energy.

"Boom!"

Eight enormous sword energies erupted from the red-clad woman's body, instantly shattering the entire mountain.

Amidst the lingering smoke, the red-clad woman stood revealed, her face filled with hatred, and her eyes fixed on the distant direction where Shen Qitian was.

"So, you've finally come out!" the red-clad woman said with a voice full of venom.

Then, with a single step, the red-clad woman transformed into a giant surge of sword energy and shot rapidly in the direction of Shen Qitian.

"Your Excellency, this is bad! Jian Hong is coming. Quick, we must go!" Yuan Fei exclaimed in alarm.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

With the case resolved and Qi Tianhou punished by the Emperor, all the courtiers, regardless of their thoughts, bowed in reverence to the Emperor.

"Zhong Shan, hear the imperial decree!" Gu Shentong suddenly called out.

"Your servant is here!" Zhong Shan responded immediately.

"With the Yinging case resolved in a timely manner, your past military merits are restored. From this moment, I promote you to 'Third Class Duke of the East' and appoint you as 'Vice Minister of Rites,' rank of third class!" Gu Shentong declared.

As Gu Shentong's words fell, a surge of golden light from all directions enveloped Zhong Shan's body. An infinite flow of fortune connected to Zhong Shan, integrating his identity further with the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty's destiny.

Zhong Shan felt an indescribable sense of comfort envelop his entire being. In the sky above the Taigu Holy Capital, among the many statues of officials formed by the nation's fortune, Zhong Shan's statue quickly moved forward in rank.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Zhong Shan immediately bowed in gratitude.