Zhu Yuan, Zhu Zhuqing's father, the head of the Zhu Residence, the patriarch of the Spirit Cat clan, and an eight-ring Spirit Douluo expert.
However, Zhu Yuan dared not be disrespectful to this White Tiger General, simply because this White Tiger General was the Imperial Capital's garrison commander, one of the two commanders of the Imperial Capital's Knight Corps. Furthermore, he was a member of the Star Luo Royal Family, with spirit power as high as eighty-six ranks.
The gap between them was not just in cultivation, but in authority. One represented a powerful noble clan, while the other embodied the will of the empire itself. In the Star Luo Empire, royal authority was absolute—no matter how strong or prestigious a clan was, defying it meant courting destruction.
Zhu Yuan respectfully cupped his hands and said:
"General Dai Chengfeng, our Zhu family has always been loyal to the Royal Family. This time, my youngest daughter's rebellious act of escaping Star Luo was truly not our Zhu family's intention. I believe His Majesty will grant our Zhu family justice."
His voice was steady, but beneath that composure lay tension. His back remained straight, yet his clenched fists hidden within his sleeves betrayed his unease. He understood the severity of the situation, but he still held onto a sliver of hope—that the emperor would consider the Zhu family's long-standing loyalty.
"Not your intention? Three living people escaped from your Zhu family, and they all managed to avoid the patrolling Knight Corps. Without guidance from an expert behind this, it would probably be impossible, wouldn't it?"
Dai Chengfeng's tone was cold and cutting, each word carrying an unspoken accusation. His sharp gaze swept across the Zhu family members like a blade, making several of them lower their heads in fear.
"General, my three youngest daughters are all outstanding agility-attack system Spirit Masters. We usually weren't on guard, so who could have known they would dare to sneak out and defy the sacred marriage? Our Zhu family will certainly cooperate with the Royal Family to capture these three rebellious daughters and have them marry the princes."
Zhu Yuan forced himself to remain calm as he explained. Though his words sounded reasonable, even he knew how weak they seemed in the face of imperial suspicion.
"Capture them? How will you capture them? The wedding day is imminent, and the Imperial Knight Corps sent to pursue them still haven't returned, not even a single message. It's as if they've disappeared. What fine daughters your Zhu family has raised! Disobeying an imperial decree, murdering royal family members—their crime deserves execution!"
At these words, a wave of shock rippled through the Zhu family.
Murdering royal family members?
Many had only known that the three daughters had fled. This accusation elevated the matter from disobedience to outright treason—a crime that warranted the harshest punishment.
Dai Chengfeng waved his large hand, unfurling an imperial decree entirely golden with carved White Tiger patterns, and snorted:
"I, White Tiger General Dai Chengfeng, hereby proclaim the Sacred Imperial Edict!"
The moment the decree was revealed, the atmosphere turned suffocating. No one dared to speak. Even the wind seemed to still, as if the world itself paused to witness the judgment about to be delivered.
"The Zhu family, for failing to properly educate their daughters, disobeying the Sacred Will, and damaging the Royal Family's reputation, is guilty of a crime punishable by extermination of nine generations. However, in consideration of the Zhu family's ancestors being founding heroes of the Empire, only the Zhu family's noble titles shall be revoked, all properties confiscated, and the nine generations reduced to commoners. Direct male descendants shall serve twenty years of hard labor, and females shall enter the palace as servants. The Zhu family head and his wife shall be escorted to the Cold Prison to suffer the Ten Great Tortures and be imprisoned indefinitely in the Black Prison, as a warning to others!"
"Zhu family head, receive the decree."
Dai Chengfeng said coldly.
When he finished reading, the Zhu family members and relatives behind him were already wailing, cursing Zhu Zhuyun, Zhu Zhuyu, and Zhu Zhuqing, who hadn't returned home for many years.
Cries of despair echoed through the residence. Some collapsed to their knees, others clutched at their robes in panic. The once dignified Zhu clan, known for its discipline and prestige, had been reduced to chaos in a matter of moments.
This imperial decree undoubtedly stripped the Zhu family of all their honors and benefits, plunging the Spirit Cat clan to its lowest point.
Generations of effort, loyalty, and sacrifice—erased with a single command.
The Ten Great Tortures of the Cold Prison? Imprisoned in the Black Prison?
That was the place where the Star Luo Empire punished those who committed great crimes against the nation. In the past century, only a handful of people had been imprisoned there, but it was said that those who were captured either died or went mad.
The mere mention of those places sent chills through everyone present. They were not punishments—they were fates worse than death.
Zhu Yuan's face finally changed.
The composure he had maintained began to crack. His eyes widened slightly, disbelief and anger surfacing despite his efforts to suppress them.
"Your Majesty, does Your Majesty truly wish to treat our Zhu clan like this? Our Zhu clan has been a meritorious family for three generations, diligently fulfilling our duties, upholding the will of Heaven and the Sacred Will above all else, daring not to show the slightest negligence. Our ancestor, Empress Youming, was even His Majesty's grandaunt. Are you going to erase all the merits of my entire clan just because of a rebellious act by a disobedient daughter?"
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