Chapter 56: Monk Yuan Zhen

After Xiao Feng left the palace, what happened inside did not spread outside. However, when the Brocade Guard Commander, Zhang Yu, started arresting people, the entire Capital City could not help but know.

The first person targeted was the cousin of the Second Prince Xiao Yiheng’s uncle, who held the position of a Fifth Realm official in the Ministry of Justice.

The Brocade Guard directly entered the Ministry of Justice headquarters to make the arrest. They were that forceful. Even Zhou Mingwen, the Right Vice Minister of Justice, was stunned.

Surprise? Shock?

His cousin’s charge was being a follower of the evil Black Lotus Sect!

These past few days, he had been busy helping his nephew arrest Black Lotus Sect members. Who would have thought that trouble would sprout from within his own walls? Someone close to him had been caught.

When Xiao Yiheng found out, he cursed this distant uncle, saying he deserved to die. He had just been praised by his father, and now this happened. It was like a stinging slap to his face. Zhou Mingwen even suggested pleading for mercy with Emperor Xia. Xiao Yiheng thought it over and spat out one word: Deserved!

Immediately after, the Brocade Guard arrested several more people. Among them were relatives and connections of the Fifth Prince and the Sixth Prince.

This grand drama unfolded with twists and turns. By the time Xiao Rui learned about it, it was quite late.

At the same time, he also understood what Emperor Xia’s lesson was.

First, have the Imperial Princes investigate the Black Lotus Sect. Praise them loudly when they achieve some results. Then, when purging the Black Lotus Sect begins, pull out a series of problematic names, forcing the princes to slap their own faces hard. When they faced their own relatives connected to the Black Lotus Sect, how should the princes choose?

This was the lesson. This was the teaching.

At the same time, Xiao Rui could not help but admire Emperor Xia’s brilliant move. He educated the princes, making them understand that before state affairs, anyone who breaks the law is unforgivable, even if they are your kin or friend!

This was the necessary ruthlessness of a qualified emperor.

Furthermore, it also made the princes into Emperor Xia’s blades, allowing him to mercilessly purge criminal officials. Because the princes were taking the front, he could stay out of it.

Third, based on Jia Xu’s speculation, this was likely Emperor Xia’s subtle warning: I have not allowed you to secretly form factions; everyone must behave properly. As future rulers, having a broad perspective, knowing how to judge situations, and enduring solitude are essential qualities.

Currently, only Xiao Yiheng, Xiao Yuan, and Xiao Ming had fallen into the pit. But remember, there were four roster books of the Black Lotus Sect. Could the names in the other three rosters possibly have no connection to the other princes?

Xiao Rui even suspected it might implicate his own distant relatives.

Because if the Black Lotus Sect was truly controlled by the Night King, recruiting imperial relatives would be the top priority, especially the maternal relatives of the princes. They would not be spared.

Of course, these were all speculations by Xiao Rui and Jia Xu. From the very beginning, Emperor Xia only told the princes to find Xiao Heding, not to investigate the Black Lotus Sect.

All the princes were distracted by the Black Lotus Sect mentioned in the intelligence. They were blinded, believing the Black Lotus Sect was related to Xiao Heding. They thought that by investigating the Black Lotus Sect, they would find Xiao Heding.

So Emperor Xia said nothing more. The princes brought this upon themselves; it was the lesson they learned.

This was Emperor Xia’s brilliance.

Jia Xu suspected that Emperor Xia had already fully investigated the Black Lotus Sect long ago. He delayed action because he wanted to let it grow fat before the slaughter. Now, looking at it, well… they were so fat they could barely walk.

Within two days, the Brocade Guard arrested over twenty court officials. Notably, one of them was actually another messenger, so he contributed another roster book. Next, the even more exciting face-slapping activities continued.

The younger brother of the Fourth Prince Xiao Feng’s maternal grandfather was actually on the roster.

Oh, my goodness.

Xiao Feng was also stunned.

I just stabbed my brother, and now I stab myself in return?

His maternal grandfather came to plead: “Feng’er, your grandfather only has this one younger brother. He was deceived and mistakenly joined the Black Lotus Sect; it wasn’t willing. Could you go plead for mercy with Emperor Xia?”

Xiao Feng’s mouth twitched. Although he was usually single-minded, he was clever this time. You, the esteemed Duke of Yingguo, aren’t going to beg. If I go, how would my father deal with me, a prince who is inconsistent?

So Xiao Feng did what he was best at. He directly entered the palace to confess his fault and begged his father to severely punish the evil followers of the Black Lotus Sect!

Emperor Xia greatly praised Xiao Feng. This made the originally anxious Xiao Feng extremely excited. He understood even more clearly that only by upholding justice could one gain recognition.

It should be mentioned that the Third Prince Xiao Ze also had relatives involved in this matter. However, he was lazy by nature and couldn’t be bothered to inquire. His maternal grandfather, understanding the greater situation, did not come to bother him at all.

At this time, the only ones standing aside were the Eldest Prince Xiao Lie, the Seventh Prince Xiao Rui, and the Ninth Prince Xiao Yan.

Do not forget, there were still two roster books.

Xiao Rui strongly suspected Emperor Xia was playing chess.

During these past few days, Wei Guang and Shao Yao from the Five-Spice Fall-Off-The-Bone Braised Chicken shop still showed no movement. The Eastern Depot agents were growing a bit impatient and began to wonder if they were watching the wrong people.

Xiao Rui was also somewhat anxious, but Jia Xu told him: Wait quietly! Don’t rush!

Now, the Black Lotus Sect was being denounced by everyone. Wei Guang and Shao Yao were also anxious, so they dared not act recklessly. On the other hand, the arrests of Black Lotus Sect members made them even more anxious. They would definitely not miss Wu Zhanfa! If they succeeded in assassinating Emperor Xia, even if the Black Lotus Sect was destroyed, so what?

Time came to the twenty-third day since the System issued the mission.

Wei Guang and Shao Yao finally acted.

Today, they did not open for business. Instead, they left the city early in the morning.

Two Eastern Depot agents secretly followed them. Although Wei Guang and Shao Yao had decent martial skills, they were not proficient in counter-surveillance. So, they did not notice the tailing by tracking experts.

At the same time, Xiao Rui borrowed five experts. They were Imperial Guards experts protecting Xiao Yan. Along with Wu Zhanfa, they left the city. Following the clues left by the agents, they pursued.

Twenty li south of the Capital City, there was a Buddhist temple called “Lotus Temple.” The temple was small, with few monks, and not famous. It had almost no visitors. Wei Guang and Shao Yao walked into this temple.

Not long after, Wu Zhanfa and the other four arrived near the Lotus Temple. They did not enter but hid around the temple’s perimeter.

Meanwhile, Wei Guang and Shao Yao entered the Lotus Temple. They paid respects to the old abbot inside and said, “Abbot, we are here to find Master Yuan Zhen.”

The abbot was holding a broom, sweeping. Without looking up, he said, “My junior brother is sitting in meditation before the Pagoda. You may go yourselves.”

“Yes!” Wei Guang and Shao Yao immediately headed toward the back of the temple. The Lotus Temple was extremely small. Past the front hall were the living quarters. Past the living quarters, the backyard had a small vegetable garden. In the courtyard stood a dilapidated Pagoda.

In front of the Pagoda, an old monk sat quietly.

Wei Guang and Shao Yao arrived and said respectfully, “Sage!”

The old monk did not look up. He asked, “Why have you come? Did I not tell you not to seek this poor monk unless for matters of great importance?”

Wei Guang said, “Sage, over twenty days ago, an Imperial Guard found us. He said he was a follower you planted in the Imperial Guards years ago. Now he is on duty at the Hall of Mental Cultivation and has gotten close to Emperor Xia. He ordered us to report this to you.”

“Hmm?”

The old monk uttered a soft sound. A slightly surprised expression appeared on his face, followed by a smile.

“Guests have arrived outside the temple. Quickly go and invite them in for proper hospitality,” the old monk said leisurely.

“??” Wei Guang and Shao Yao scratched their heads and walked out of the Lotus Temple.