Chapter 422 - 291: Sect Treasure, Seize! (Part 3)

Whether it’s the Tang Family, the Grand Commandant Pei Family, or Prime Minister Zuo Yuan, all are pillars of the Great Qin Dynasty.

If there are problems within these three major pillars, wouldn’t the dynasty experience turmoil?

The evidence against Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat Luu Shizhong is one of the methods to expose the issues of these pillars.

Snowflakes danced in the air, leaving no trace as Chu Ming moved swiftly, finding a secluded spot where the Shield Shuttle appeared and enveloped him tightly.

Buzz!

He traveled through the air, heading directly outside the Qin Capital.

The matter with Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat Luu Shizhong is settled, but this night is not over. Chu Ming still has another place to go—the Purple Cloud Sect.

A few days ago, there was the ambush and murder by Elder Cha Xiu of the Purple Cloud Sect, and today, the assassination by the three brothers from the Gao family of the Purple Cloud Sect. Even though the Purple Cloud Sect is already being monitored by the Regent’s Mansion, he must go to collect some interest.

...

Zhong Mansion.

Zhong Yang looked at the evidence in his hands, his brows furrowed, and his lowered eyes couldn’t suppress the sharp gleam.

"Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat... Luu Shizhong..."

In the case of Cui Ye and Tang Xuan, he made a great contribution, and now there is another case involving Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat Luu Shizhong.

If he can investigate clearly...

"However," he gazed at the gray snow-filled sky, a look of contemplation on his face, "who exactly sent this evidence?"

Normally, this evidence should have been sent to the Regent’s Mansion; sending it to him, a Supervisor of the Supervision Office...

...

The sky was filled with a heavy snowfall, covering the official road, dense forests, and mountains in a layer of silver.

In the silence beneath the vast sky, a streak of light sped through, finally hovering high above a mountain range.

Looking down, there were five or six mountain peaks connected together, faintly visible with lights that never went out.

The glow of the lights reflected, seemingly revealing a purple mist gathered around the mountains.

This place is the Martial Arts Grand Sect of the Qin Capital, the Purple Cloud Sect.

Purple Cloud Sect, Main Hall.

An elder sat high above, with five people below wearing similar robes.

"Sect Leader, the Regent’s Mansion has surrounded our Purple Cloud Sect for more than three days. Elder Cha Xiu has disappeared, and Gao Yong, Gao Huai, and Gao Nan also did not return today. If this continues, the sect may..." someone spoke with a serious expression.

The Purple Cloud Sect originally had over ten elders at the Meridian Unlocking Realm, both Upper and Lower Realm. These five happened to stay in the sect these days, and the one seated above was the Sect Leader of the Purple Cloud Sect, Purple Cloud.

The elder gazed at the five people, his tone deep: "I have already sought Minister of War Tang Ying, Lord Tang."

"Ninety percent of our Purple Cloud Sect disciples serve in the Huang Forbidden Army, and we each hold military positions. What did Minister Tang say?" the elder who spoke earlier hurriedly asked.

This elder’s name was Cha Rong, the current Great Elder of the Purple Cloud Sect, a Lower Meridian Unlocking Realm Late Stage expert, and a Cavalry Captain in the Huang Forbidden Army. He was also the elder previously conspiring with Tang Xuan in the attempted assassination of Chu Ming, Elder Cha Xiu’s biological brother.

The elder Purple Cloud looked at Cha Rong again, falling silent for a moment.

"Sect Leader, please speak your mind," Cha Rong said with tightly woven brows.

"Alas..." Purple Cloud sighed and said, "Elder Cha Rong, according to Minister Tang, if the Purple Cloud Sect wants to preserve itself, it must sever its own limbs."

Upon hearing this, the other four elders simultaneously fixed their gaze on Cha Rong.

"What does the Sect Leader mean?" The atmosphere in the hall instantly changed, and how could Cha Rong not feel it?

"Minister Tang has already severed ties with River Transport Headquarters’ Tang Xuan," Purple Cloud stood up, eyes complex, as if a decision had been made, "and our Purple Cloud Sect also needs to make some cuts."

"Does the Sect Leader intend for Cha Xiu to take the blame?!" Cha Rong understood immediately.

"No," Purple Cloud shook his head, his expression grave, "not just Elder Cha Xiu."

As soon as the words fell, the four elders unsheathed their weapons, and the tension in the hall rose sharply.

"Does the Sect Leader intend to push me out too?" Cha Rong’s face turned extremely unpleasant.

"Elder Cha Xiu has disappeared, his life and death unknown," Purple Cloud descended from the high seat, "the Purple Cloud Sect needs Elder Cha Rong to make some sacrifices."

Swoosh!

As the words ended, afterimages appeared.

Clang!

The sound of metal striking metal suddenly rang out as Cha Rong used a weapon to block an attack from Purple Cloud.

"Take action!"

Purple Cloud’s eyes were cold, and with one command, the other four elders attacked together.

"The Purple Cloud Sect is where we settle down. Does the Great Elder intend to watch the sect fall apart before our eyes?"

"Great Elder, Elder Cha Xiu is closest to you; you should bear this responsibility for him."

"..."

The four wielded their weapons, suppressing Great Elder Cha Rong while using words to bind him.

Although Cha Rong was at the Lower Meridian Unlocking Realm Late Stage, two fists could not match four hands, let alone the fact that Elder Purple Cloud was stronger than him. Within a few moves, he was defeated.

"Sect Leader, I’ve been following you since I was a teenager, from the Martial Arts Hall in the city to this Purple Cloud Sect, and all my life’s efforts have been within the sect."

Cha Rong knelt on the ground, his expression a mix of sorrow and anger.

"If the Sect Leader wants me, Cha Rong, to take the blame, I won’t say a word against it, but to force me to confess this way, I, Cha Rong, won’t accept it."

Words laced with desolation and fury.

Elder Purple Cloud looked at Cha Rong, silent.

After a long time, he finally spoke: "Elder Cao Jin, invite Supervision Office Supervisor Lord Liu Bingmu and Huang Forbidden Army Cavalry Captain Lord Tang Run in."

"Yes." Elder named Cao Jin bowed and followed the order, turning and leaving the hall.

Upon hearing this, despair flashed in Cha Rong’s eyes.

It was clear that the events of this night were not a spur-of-the-moment decision by the Purple Cloud Sect Leader but a premeditated plan, and even the Regent’s Mansion and Huang Forbidden Army had been notified to capture people.

"Haha..." Cha Rong suddenly laughed, his unpleasant expression replaced by a grimace, "I should have seen it coming, should have seen it..."

"Sect Leader, today, forgive me, I cannot obey!"

With an angry shout, Cha Rong charged forward, sending three cold flashes directly at Purple Cloud and the other two elders.

Clang clang clang!

Sparks flew in the hall as one elder died on the spot, another was blown away, and Purple Cloud managed to block with his weapon.