[Ministry of Justice · Prison · 7-9 AM]
"Bring in the prisoners."
Xie Qingyan's voice echoed through the prison. Before him lay a long list of names—thirty-seven officials and merchants implicated in the scheme. Today was the day to close the net.
The jailers obeyed, bringing up the first batch of prisoners.
Some had faces pale as death. Others struggled to maintain composure. A few had already collapsed to the ground in terror, their legs giving out before they even reached the interrogation platform. Xie Qingyan interrogated each one in turn, his tone calm yet somehow making every subject feel as if they'd been plunged into an ice cellar.
Yin Wuwang stood to the side, watching coldly. He'd tagged along today under the pretext of "assisting with the investigation," but in truth, he was worried Fuguang couldn't handle this alone.
Of course, he would die before admitting that out loud.
Bzzt—
Little Deer Assistant 9527's voice crackled in his mind: "Suggestion: The Duke of Zhenguo should remain vigilant. If any prisoner shows disrespect to the Regent, immediately... bzzzt... execute them on the spot to establish authority."
Yin Wuwang's eye twitched. Execute them on the spot? Has this broken system never heard of due process? We're trying to gather evidence, not create a bloodbath.
He ignored the ridiculous suggestion and kept his attention fixed on Fuguang.
The interrogations proceeded smoothly. Most of these people were opportunists who bent with the wind—seeing which way the situation was going, they confessed readily, spilling every detail of the Prime Minister and Minister Liu's crimes. Xie Qingyan ordered each confession recorded, his expression remaining detached throughout.
One merchant sobbed so hard that snot ran down his face. Another official tried to bargain, offering to reveal "even bigger secrets" in exchange for leniency. A third simply fainted dead away the moment Xie Qingyan's gaze fell upon him.
Yin Wuwang watched with barely concealed disdain. These mortals have no spine whatsoever. Back in the Demon Palace, even the lowest-ranking demon wouldn't grovel this pathetically.
Though I suppose that's because groveling demons got eaten.
The fourteenth prisoner was dragged away, still wailing about his innocence. Yin Wuwang stifled a yawn.
Until the fifteenth prisoner was brought before the court.
It was a young merchant, perhaps in his early twenties. He was thin and slight, his features still carrying a trace of boyish softness, his whole bearing suggesting a scholar rather than a tradesman. He knelt before the court, frightened but forcing himself to keep his spine straight, a glint of stubborn defiance in his eyes.
This one's different. Yin Wuwang's attention sharpened. He's scared, but he's not broken. Interesting.
"What is your name?" Xie Qingyan asked.
"This humble one is surnamed Lin, given name Shusheng. A native of the capital." The young merchant's voice trembled slightly, but his words were clear.
"Do you know what crime you are charged with?"
"This humble one... this humble one was merely running errands for others, helping transport old currency. I knew nothing of what was involved." Lin Shusheng bit his lip. "My elderly mother lies bedridden at home, desperately needing money for medicine. That's the only reason I took this job. I truly didn't know it was illegal. I beg Your Lordship to investigate clearly!"
Xie Qingyan studied him, his gaze flickering almost imperceptibly.
Whether this man spoke truth or lies—he could tell at a glance. Those eyes were clear as spring water, without the slightest evasion. This was plainly an innocent person caught up in something beyond his understanding.
Nothing but a scapegoat. Xie Qingyan mused internally. The ones who truly deserve arrest are the masterminds behind this. A small fry like this...
His brow furrowed slightly.
After so many years cultivating the sword, he'd always adhered to one principle: "Never kill the innocent." This wasn't some bleeding-heart compassion—it was fundamental to a sword cultivator's path. The sword was a weapon of killing; if one slaughtered the innocent indiscriminately, the sword heart would become clouded with dust.
The man before him was clearly an unwitting victim. To throw him in prison and hand down a harsh sentence would be unreasonable—and to his sword path... it would leave a stain.
He was about to pronounce a light sentence when—
Little Deer Assistant 9528's warning exploded in his mind: "Warning! The Regent does not show mercy! In the original text, Regent Xie Lan is ruthless and merciless, never sparing any criminal! If you show mercy, your character will collapse, and the world will shake!"
Xie Qingyan's brow creased.
It wasn't that he was truly soft-hearted—he'd witnessed countless deaths. But this person was genuinely innocent. To imprison him like this would ultimately leave a speck of dust on his sword path.
Yet he was currently Regent Xie Lan, the cold and ruthless power-holder. If he pardoned this merchant before so many watching eyes, it would certainly arouse suspicion.
Just as he hesitated—
Yin Wuwang caught the barely perceptible pause. Centuries of watching Fuguang had taught him to read even the smallest shifts in that composed facade. That momentary hesitation, invisible to anyone else, was as clear to him as a beacon in the dark.
He's going to slip.
Without a second thought, he strode forward, seized Lin Shusheng by the collar, and bellowed: "Insolent commoner! How dare you spin pretty words before the Regent!"
Lin Shusheng went white with terror.
Yin Wuwang let out a cold laugh, then turned to address Xie Qingyan: "Your Highness, this wretch is obviously an actor planted by the Prime Minister, deliberately playing pitiful to win sympathy. In this Duke's opinion, we should give him twenty strokes of the cane first—see if he still dares spout such nonsense!"
Xie Qingyan's eyes flickered with understanding.
Yin Wuwang is covering for me.
Surprisingly good coordination.
His expression hardened, resuming that cold, merciless mask: "The Duke makes a valid point. Guards, take this man away for now. This King will determine his fate after the truth has been investigated."
The jailers obeyed, leading Lin Shusheng away.
Yin Wuwang stood in place, secretly catching Xie Qingyan's eye. Xie Qingyan gave a slight nod and continued interrogating the next prisoner, his demeanor perfectly restored to normal.
[Ministry of Justice · Side Chamber · Noon]
After the interrogations concluded, Xie Qingyan came alone to a side chamber.
Yin Wuwang was already waiting there. Seeing him enter, he leaned against the wall with arms crossed: "That person just now—what do you plan to do with him?"
Xie Qingyan was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice: "He truly is innocent. I'll have my people investigate in secret. If his story checks out, he'll be released for insufficient evidence."
Yin Wuwang nodded: "That's for the best. No point dirtying your hands with someone else's pawn."
He paused, then added with a hint of mockery: "Though I have to say—'an actor planted by the Prime Minister'? I'm quite proud of that one. Did you see the court recorder's face? He wrote it down so seriously."
Xie Qingyan looked at him, silent for a beat.
"Next time," he said flatly, "be faster."
Yin Wuwang blinked, then raised an eyebrow: "Is that supposed to mean I was slow?"
"I nearly gave myself away." Xie Qingyan's tone remained level. "If you'd been half a breath later, I would've had to cover for myself."
The corner of Yin Wuwang's mouth curved upward. Fuguang, this man—clearly thanking someone, yet insisting on phrasing it as criticism. That stubborn nature of his hasn't changed one bit.
After all this time, he still can't just say 'thank you' like a normal person.
Then again, if he did, I might actually die of shock.
"Fine," he said carelessly. "Next time I'll keep my eyes glued to you, so a certain someone doesn't go soft again."
Xie Qingyan glanced at him without responding, then turned and walked toward the door.
At the threshold, he suddenly paused and turned his head: "Yin Wuwang."
"Mm?"
"In the future... if I slip up again, keep stepping in."
Yin Wuwang froze. Coming from Fuguang, those words were practically equivalent to "I trust you."
I've waited so long to hear that.
All those years of chasing, fighting, scheming just to be noticed—and now he's asking me to watch his back?
"Naturally." He lifted his chin, his tone proud. "I'd rather not watch you bring this whole world crashing down."
Xie Qingyan didn't respond. He strode away without looking back.
Yin Wuwang stood rooted to the spot, watching his retreating figure, the smile on his face impossible to suppress.
Fuguang actually said it out loud... Does this mean he's starting to trust me?
He shook his head, pushing down the thought. Don't read too much into it. Fuguang is just being practical.
But even so...
He pressed a hand to his chest, feeling his heart beating far too fast for a three-thousand-year-old Demon Sovereign.
Worth it. This whole ridiculous mission is worth it.
[Regent's Residence · Study · 7-9 PM]
That night, Xie Qingyan sat alone in his study, processing the day's case files.
The merchant named Lin Shusheng, according to his shadow guards' investigation, was indeed an innocent victim of circumstance. His elderly mother was gravely ill, and he'd taken that job transporting old currency only to raise money for her treatment.
Xie Qingyan's brush moved across the paper: "Insufficient evidence. Release. Fine of ten taels of silver as a warning."
Ten taels was no small sum for a petty merchant, but it wouldn't ruin him either. This was the most leniency he could afford to show.
After completing this case file, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.
Today's events had stirred something in him.
He'd thought himself sufficiently composed, capable of perfectly embodying the role of the Regent. Yet a single plea from an innocent merchant had nearly made him slip.
If Yin Wuwang hadn't stepped in when he did...
Yin Wuwang was quick on his feet. Xie Qingyan opened his eyes, his gaze drifting to the night beyond the window. He saw my hesitation at a glance and found me a way out.
He recalled Yin Wuwang's performance—that line about "an actor planted by the Prime Minister." His lips twitched, the ghost of a smile.
His reactions are fast. And that excuse was ridiculous enough to be believable.
...Then again.
Back in the Nine Heavens, Yin Wuwang had always been like this. They were supposed to be mortal enemies, yet he always seemed to appear at critical moments, blocking attacks meant for Xie Qingyan, then pretending afterward as if nothing had happened.
There was that time in the Heavenly Sword Tournament, when an assassin had hidden among the spectators. Yin Wuwang had intercepted the poisoned blade "by accident" while "passing by." He'd claimed he was just there to gloat over Xie Qingyan's performance.
And the battle at Crimson Cloud Peak, when Xie Qingyan had been ambushed by three demon generals. Yin Wuwang had slaughtered his own subordinates, then insisted he'd been "cleaning house" because they were "incompetent."
At the time, Xie Qingyan had assumed it was all part of some demonic scheme—keeping his enemy alive for some greater purpose.
Now, he was beginning to wonder...
What exactly is his game?
Three thousand years of enmity, and he's never once delivered a killing blow when he had the chance. I always assumed he was toying with me, savoring the hunt. But today...
He thought of how quickly Yin Wuwang had moved to cover for him. How naturally he'd stepped into the role of the villain, drawing all attention away from Xie Qingyan's momentary weakness.
Today, that wasn't the behavior of a predator playing with his prey.
That was...
He cut off the thought before it could fully form.
...Enough. No point dwelling on this.
He pulled his thoughts back and returned to the documents on his desk.
Meanwhile, in the Prime Minister's residence, Zhou Yanling stared at a secret letter, a cold smile spreading across his face.
The letter contained only four characters: "Prince Huai requests your presence."
The old fox's eyes gleamed with renewed ambition.
So the prince finally makes his move. Good. Very good.
Xie Lan may have won this round, but the game is far from over.
[End of Chapter 10]
Next Chapter Preview:
The Prime Minister's purse bleeds dry. The Demon Sovereign's satisfaction soars. And somewhere in the shadows, a prince who has feigned illness for ten years finally makes his move.
Chapter 11: The Prime Minister's Wallet Hemorrhages; The Demon Sovereign's Satisfaction Skyrockets