Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 1860: 1399: Cleared of Suspicion
Previously on Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan...
“Is there something wrong with what I said? From the moment I stepped into this yamen, I haven't uttered a single word, yet you've already branded me guilty, sir. So, what's the point of me defending myself anymore?”
Without flinching, Li Zhirui fired back, driven not just by the bottled-up anger from his time in Daqian territory, but also to firmly declare his rightful lack of guilt.
Bang!
Once more, the official pounded the Shock Court Wood forcefully against the desk, his cheeks burning red with rage, eyes bulging as he snarled, “When have I sentenced you?! I was only trying to shake your resolve!”
As someone from the Legalist school, he based his rulings on an impartial and rigorous mindset. Should things play out like Li Zhirui claimed, it would definitely rebound against him.
Thus, even though he might have considered a swift verdict earlier, now that it was called out, he was forced to soften his words and cover for his slip-up.
If the news spread, he'd not only suffer humiliation, but ruining the Legalist school's standing would make him the real culprit.
“Heh!”
Li Zhirui responded with nothing but a chilly scoff. How could he be unaware of the official's intentions?
Still, engaging in full-blown conflict wouldn't help his situation, so he eased off just in time. In the end, when you're under someone else's roof, you must lower your head—this was, after all, the realm of the Human Dao empire.
Noticing Li Zhirui's restraint, the official clenched his jaws and pressed on with the questioning, barking sharply, “Where were you last night? What were you up to? Do you have witnesses to back you up?”
“After strolling through the city yesterday, I headed to the Five Blessings Tavern, intending to spend the night there before pushing on to Daqian's core.”
“Is there anyone who can confirm your story?”
“The night attendant at the tavern can verify that I stayed inside all night.”
Li Zhirui had picked that tavern from the start precisely because it offered this kind of proof, showing he had no involvement in the junior official's demise.
“Guards! Bring the shopkeeper and attendant from the Five Blessings Tavern here for interrogation!”
As they awaited the pair's arrival, Li Zhirui remained composed on the sidelines, radiating a sense of assurance that naturally convinced those around him of his innocence in the affair.
After two quarters of an hour, the chubby-faced shopkeeper and a jittery attendant showed up at the yamen.
“May I ask what the esteemed master wants with us? Our Five Blessings Tavern has always followed the laws and committed no violations.” As a disciple of merchants with solid support, the shopkeeper showed little fear toward the court official.
The Master nearby quickly outlined why the two had been called.
Upon hearing it, the shopkeeper shot a look at Li Zhirui and remarked, “Is this the cultivator in question? He never stepped out of the tavern last night.”
“How are you so certain? Were you handling the night shift yourself?” The official scowled and questioned him with evident irritation.
Though both hailed from the Human Dao Hundred Schools, disciples of merchants were often looked down upon, since trade was deemed a base pursuit, which colored his demeanor toward the shopkeeper unfavorably.
“We keep a special logbook for any guests departing at night, but the page for last night was empty, meaning no one went out.” The shopkeeper's round features beamed with a grin, brushing off the disdain directed at him.
“Tell me! Did you notice anyone exiting the tavern last night?”
As an ordinary folk, the attendant shook with fear while replying, “To the master, I report that no one left.”
“Are you absolutely sure?”
“No one did at all, master.”
“Do you realize the penalties for giving false testimony?”
Under a barrage of queries, the attendant faced the official's Legalist techniques, which slyly suggested harsh punishments. How could a simple commoner endure that? He began quivering all over.
At this sight, Li Zhirui's brow furrowed, and he nearly moved to protect the man from the intimidation when the shopkeeper intervened, flipping a Copper Coin in his palm with a relaxed smile, “Master, such tactics aren't fitting.”
“Hmph!” Upon witnessing that, the official eased off his coercive pressure as well.
“Master, with witnesses confirming I stayed in the tavern all last night, doesn't that clearly show I'm uninvolved? Am I free to go now?” Li Zhirui took the chance to interject.
The official's expression, already dour, twisted into outright ugliness, and in a rigid voice, he declared, “Fine, you're dismissed for the moment, but should we uncover any links to you, we'll call you back anytime. For now, you can't depart the city! If you do, I'll charge you with evasion!”
“I appreciate the warning, master. I'll keep it in mind!”
With a respectful bow, he pivoted and departed at a measured pace.
“Master, as this issue doesn't concern our Five Blessings Tavern, I'll escort my attendant out too.” The shopkeeper lifted the attendant from the floor and exited the yamen together.
In a fit of fury, the official rose abruptly, his visage shadowed as he marched to the back courtyard. Bang! A nearby vase was hurled to the earth in an instant, breaking apart into fragments.
Some time passed before he steadied his emotions and bellowed, “Guards! Summon the Masters, please!”
He had brought in five Masters altogether to help manage this area, and they started showing up sequentially.
“I'm positive that Wang Jianyi, the junior official, fell to Wang Qinghe's hand! He surely employed some trick to kill him in secret!”
His rage had boiled over to the point where the official spoke without proof, leaning solely on his guesses and wild theories.
His statement left the five Masters appearing uneasy and uncomfortable. Despite cultivators holding a lowly position in Daqian, they couldn't simply seize individuals without cause.