Chapter 1259 - 888: Such Familial Affection

Xie Lingyun faced the well-known questioning of the Great Victory Human King and nodded, "Reporting to the Great King, this matter is indeed true."

Upon hearing Xie Lingyun’s words, Gong Chun quickly spoke up, "Great King, Zhang Chen dared to defy the royal law, his crime is unforgivable. I request the Great King to execute him immediately to exemplify justice."

At this moment, someone in the queue spoke, but it was seen that the people of the Eight Great Clans, numbering in the dozens, all came forward and knelt on the ground, requesting the Great Victory Human King to enact justice and execute Zhang Chen on the spot.

Seeing the scene before him, the Great Victory Human King’s eyes revealed an inexplicable color, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned yet quickly restrained. His eyes turned to Zhang Shenqi, who stood unmoved in the queue, "Zhang Shenqi!"

One person walked out of the queue and saluted the Human King above, it was Zhang Chen’s own uncle Zhang Shenqi, who then came forward and said, "Greetings to the Great King!"

"What do you think?" the Great Victory Human King asked.

"I request the Great King to decree this traitor’s execution. In my heart, there is only royal law, no personal feelings!" Zhang Shenqi said respectfully.

Upon hearing Zhang Shenqi’s words, the smile on the Great Victory Human King’s face became increasingly uncontrollable. He scanned the court without speaking, at which point Zhou Qiucheng of Chongzheng Academy’s Seven Professors stepped forward, "Reporting to the Great King, I have something to present."

"What do you wish to present?" the Great Victory Human King inquired.

"The Great King must not execute Zhang Chen, lest you fall into a plot," Zhou Qiucheng stated respectfully.

"A plot? What plot? My beloved subject, quickly explain," the Great Victory Human King immediately inquired.

"Back in the day in Jinling, I had contact with Zhang Chen and understood there were schemes therein. However, the matter requires the Great King to summon Zhang Chen, allowing him to explain personally. I hope the Great King clarifies the truth and is not deceived by vile people," Zhou Qiucheng said.

The Great Victory Human King nodded at this, for the arrangement was made in secret beforehand, and he naturally agreed with the flow, "Summon Zhang Chen."

Zhang Chen emerged from the side hall, walking step by step toward the Great Victory court. Along the way, Zhang Chen only noticed that as he approached the court’s center, the suppression by the Dragon Qi in the air grew increasingly severe, suppressing even his Immortal Dao power, with only the Authority of the Five Elements and the Eye of the Heavenly Dao being drawable.

The Authority of the Five Elements stands extremely high, and the Eye of Celestial Punishment involves the supreme Power of Celestial Dao, naturally unfearing of the suppression by the Power of the Human Dao.

Zhou Qiucheng’s request for Zhang Chen to enter the main hall was part of Zhang Chen’s design, key to introducing Bai Cang into the hall to meet the Great Victory Human King.

With one glance at the Great Victory Human King surrounded by Dragon Qi, Zhang Chen couldn’t discern his cultivation; hence, he could only kneel and salute respectfully, "Commoner Zhang Chen, pays respect to the Human King."

"Zhang Chen, you dared to leave the Northern Land unauthorized, defying the decree of the Human King, a crime punishable by death. Now facing the Human King, clarify your reason. If you gain the Human King’s forgiveness, you might live; otherwise, even the Celestial King can’t save you," Zhou Qiucheng meticulously told Zhang Chen.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen once again bowed in gratitude to Zhou Qiucheng and then looked up at the Human King, "Great King, before explaining the conspiracy, I have a request."

"Speak," the Human King said.

Zhang Chen said respectfully, "I ask Your Majesty to summon Princess Pingbian to the court. I wish to confront her."

In essence, Zhang Chen sought to create an opportunity for the Great Victory Human King and Princess Pingbian to meet.

Having reached this juncture, to cooperate with Zhang Chen’s act, the Great Victory Human King did not refuse but instead called out at the door, "Summon Princess Pingbian."

As the Great Victory Human King spoke, footsteps were soon heard outside the main hall, and a woman draped in white silk glided in slowly. At that moment, Zhang Chen seemed to see a beam of light.

Zhang Chen had seen Zhang Xiaolan before, but although Zhang Xiaolan appeared beautiful to him, she was nothing more than an ordinary beauty, for this world never lacks beauty. Although her beauty was still incomparable to Xie Lingyun’s, at this moment, Zhang Chen suddenly felt that Zhang Xiaolan was like a dust-covered pearl, now shining with unprecedented brilliance.

He had to acknowledge that Zhang Xiaolan was glowing at this moment; her allure even absorbed all the radiance in the world, becoming the hall’s sole focus, drawing the attention of all the officials.

At this moment, Zhang Xiaolan exuded a unique charm that aroused an inexplicable impulse in people, her graceful figure like a magnet, drawing the eyes of all spectators, as attested by a poem:

The hairpins sway, jade pins charm, half-covered in silken fans sway.

Fragrant clouds subtly pass, slender golden threads, her eyes flowing across like the waists of Chu Palace.

The poem serves as evidence:

Slender fingers lightly gather the crow-black locks, rising languidly behind a bejeweled curtain yet unwilling to adorn.

After the dance of celestial garments, the spring night ends short, and the bright moon still bathes the small bridge’s waist.

(PS: These two poems are original works by the author)

Just then, Zhang Chen’s Primordial Spirit suddenly trembled slightly; within the Eye of Celestial Punishment, wisps of Qi Mechanism flowed, pulling Zhang Chen out of that enticing realm in an instant, startling him into a cold sweat: "The allure of the Fox Race is indeed terrifying! Even the power of Dragon Qi within the Imperial Palace cannot suppress the Fox Race’s methods."

"Naturally, it is also related to Zhang Xiaolan swallowing the Dragon Qi of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, which gives Zhang Xiaolan resistance to Dragon Qi, allowing him to employ tactics even within the Inner Palace," Zhang Chen thought to himself.

It was then Zhang Xiaolan slowly stepped forward, alluringly performed a curtsy to the Human King above, causing the eyes of both civil and military officials to blaze with heat and their breaths to quicken, while even the Human King’s gaze seemed glued to Zhang Xiaolan, unable to move away.

"Your concubine pays respects to the Great King." Zhang Xiaolan’s coquettish voice echoed in the air.

"Before seeing the royal consort, this solitary king never thought there would be such a peerless beauty in the world; compared to the royal consort, the three thousand beauties in my harem are all but dull and conventional," the Great Victory Human King lavished praise generously.

"Zhang Chen, you have summoned the royal consort; you may speak directly," Xie Lingyun interjected, seeing the Great Victory Human King and all the officials looking dumbstruck, quickly shifting the conversation.

Upon hearing Xie Lingyun, Zhang Chen’s eyes scanned the gathered officials, revealing an inexplicable expression. If everyone knew a male fox resided within Zhang Xiaolan’s body, who among them wouldn’t be disgusted?

At this point, Zhang Chen stepped forward and bowed to the Human King: "Your Majesty, this criminal Zhang Chen has escaped from the Northern Land out of dire straits. Prince Pingbian’s ambitions are wolf-like; he intends to rebel and even desires to execute a scheme of substitution. I beg your Majesty to allow me to elaborate."

"Following my father to the Northern Land, who would have thought Prince Pingbian’s ambitions are wolf-like, intending to nurture Twelfth Tier masters through Dragon Transformation, allying with the Demon Race to conspire rebellion..." Zhang Chen recounted the plans of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, from Zhang Xiaohua’s substitution to the demons breaching the White Bone Great Wall, forcing his departure from the Northern Land.

"Zhang Xiaolan is privy to these matters; if your Majesty interrogates Zhang Xiaolan, you can certainly verify my words. If it weren’t for my two interruptions of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion’s Walking Flood Dragon and Dragon Transformation, Prince Pingbian would likely have already started the rebellion. Prince Pingbian’s Mansion harbors wolf-like ambitions, even planning that Zhang Xiaohua substitute my identity in case of failed rebellion. The royal consort knows all these events; your Majesty need only examine the consort to discern truth from falsehood." Zhang Chen continued his condemnation of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion’s persecution.

Every civil and military official already knew Prince Pingbian’s Mansion was active, but they had not anticipated its actions to be so meticulous, information far beyond Zhang Chen’s insight. With Zhang Chen’s narration, the events in the Northern Land unfolded completely before the eyes of the gathered officials.

"Your Majesty need only question the consort of Prince Pingbian to discern truth from falsehood." Now Xie Lingyun stepped forth, addressing Prince Pingbian above: "Not only is Zhang Chen innocent, but because he thwarted the grand plan of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, he has performed great merit. I entreat your Majesty to pardon Zhang Chen’s offenses."

The Great Victory Human King above glanced at Zhang Xiaolan, slightly besotted by her allure. Though it was agreed upon to promptly interrogate Prince Pingbian’s consort to verify Zhang Chen’s testimony, having seen Prince Pingbian’s consort, the Human King found himself reluctant.

"Zhang Chen speaks truth; there’s no need to interrogate the consort. I have spies in the Northern Land reporting secretly, verifying Zhang Chen’s words as truth," the Great Victory Human King declared: "Zhang Chen has indeed performed meritorious service for the kingdom."

Clearly, he softened; facing the enchanting beauty, he could not bear to publicly interrogate her.

As the Great Victory Human King seemed ready to change his tone, the Eight Great Clans’ members below couldn’t sit still, all eyes turning to Zhang Shenqi, awaiting his stance, for Zhang Chen belonged to the Zhang Family; before any decision to condemn Zhang Chen, Zhang Shenqi’s reaction had to be considered.

Facing the crowd’s gaze, Zhang Shenqi stepped forward, respectfully saluting the Great Victory Human King above: "Your Majesty, although Zhang Chen has merit, his father’s sins are great and cannot be easily pardoned. I beg your Majesty to command his execution to uphold national law. Though Zhang Chen has merit, it cannot offset his father’s rebellious crimes. Please, your Majesty, issue the order!"

With Zhang Shenqi’s words echoing, officials from the Eight Great Clans received the signal, coming forth united to push for Zhang Chen’s execution.

"Your Majesty, although Zhang Chen has merit, his father committed treason, a grave crime not to be offset by merit. We beg your Majesty to command his execution!"

"Your Majesty, merit is merit, and fault is fault; they cannot cancel each other out. Your Majesty might reward him first and execute him thereafter!"

"Your Majesty, if Zhang Chen is not executed, it would be difficult to silence the public opinion of the world; if everyone mimics him, it would be disastrous!"

"Please, your Majesty, reconsider!"

...

At this very moment, the crowd converged in a frenzy, determined to condemn Zhang Chen to death.