Chapter 186 - 128: Ren Weizhi’s Downfall

Chapter 186: Chapter 128: Ren Weizhi’s Downfall

That slap not only left Ren Weizhi completely bewildered but also darkened the expression of Emperor Jianhong, who was seated upon the dragon throne.

"Insolent!"

The oppressive aura radiating from Si Zhongxiao bore down on Bai Ziqing. That pressure alone plunged the entire grand hall into dead silence.

Bai Ziqing’s face paled as another mouthful of fresh blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. His body staggered, and his legs couldn’t help but tremble.

Seeing this, Emperor Jianhong looked at Si Zhongxiao expressionlessly. With a single glance, Si Zhongxiao immediately bowed, withdrew his oppressive aura, and silently retreated behind the throne like an extremely obedient old hound.

At merely twenty-two years of age, Bai Ziqing was already a Fourth Grade Martial Artist. He was the most promising genius in the entire Great Saint Dynasty expected to break through to the Third Grade before the age of thirty. His status in Emperor Jianhong’s heart was far beyond that of any ordinary person.

"Your Majesty." Bai Ziqing tremblingly pulled a bloodstained document from his robes. He shot a cold glare at the dazed Ren Weizhi, then stumbled to the foot of the dragon throne and dropped to his knees. His voice was filled with misery. "This Ren Weizhi colluded with the Demon Race and secretly conspired with spies from the Eastern Sect to plant Thunder Powder at the Jishui Dam in Liangjiang Commandery! He intended to completely destroy the Jishui Dam!"

??

This single sentence short-circuited everyone’s brains.

What did he mean?

In the next instant, all the court officials cast solemn looks at Ren Weizhi. Chief Minister Li Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly, a dangerous glint flickering in his gaze as he stared at the man.

Chief Eunuch Si Zhongxiao hadn’t paid much attention initially, but upon hearing those words, he slightly tucked his chin and averted his gaze from the grand hall. Instead, he lowered his head with a submissive expression, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

The grand hall fell into an immediate hush. No one dared to speak out of turn at such a moment.

"Oh?" Emperor Jianhong leaned forward abruptly, his sharp, blade-like eyes fixing intensely on Bai Ziqing. "Is what you say true?"

Bai Ziqing looked at Emperor Jianhong in disbelief, seemingly deeply wounded by the emperor’s skepticism. Looking as though he were weeping blood, he slammed his forehead heavily against the floor. He deliberately refrained from using his Martial Arts True Qi to protect himself, allowing a streak of blood to ooze from his forehead. His voice was hoarse and sorrowful.

"Following the Cyan Viper case, this subject received Your Majesty’s orders to pursue the Eastern Sect spy all the way. The spy traveled straight south, entering every County City and county town along the way without hindrance. Upon arriving at Liangjiang Commandery, there was actually another Eastern Sect disciple waiting to receive him!

"When this subject arrived, I found that the two Eastern Sect disciples had already buried nearly three thousand pounds of Thunder Powder!"

At this point, he was speaking through a flood of tears. "If this subject hadn’t fought to the death, I fear the millions of commoners along Fengqi Road would have already...

"I almost... I almost never got to see Your Majesty again!!!"

Bai Ziqing had truly inherited the essence of Zeng Anmin’s teachings. His delivery was so woeful and poignant that it was impossible not to sympathize with his plight.

"You slanderous liar! Your Majesty, this subject has always been fiercely loyal to the Great Saint Dynasty. Where does this talk of colluding with the Demon Race or the Eastern Sect come from?!" With a heavy THUD, Ren Weizhi dropped to his knees. He glared daggers at Bai Ziqing’s pitiful back, completely ignoring the dark, swollen bruise on his own face from the slap. His voice was hoarse and desolate. "Can one frame an important court official like this without any evidence?!"

"No evidence?!" Bai Ziqing whipped his head around, his eyes practically shooting flames as he glared at Ren Weizhi. "You old fossil, let me ask you this: how could an Eastern Sect spy travel unimpeded within the borders of our Great Saint Dynasty?! Don’t tell me every County City and county town along the way was bribed by that spy??

"Without a legitimate travel permit issued by your Ministry of Revenue, how did he travel in a straight line to reach Liangjiang Commandery from the capital in a mere five days?!

"Are the officials of your Ministry of Revenue, from top to bottom, nothing but useless good-for-nothings?!"

As soon as those words left his mouth, the expressions of all the officials from the Ministry of Revenue changed drastically. Not a single official standing in this hall was a fool. They could naturally tell that Bai Ziqing must have suffered a monumental grievance in Liangjiang Commandery. That was why he had disregarded imperial decorum to expose this earth-shattering case right before everyone’s eyes in the royal court.

At that moment, Bai Ziqing couldn’t hold back another mouthful of blood, which dripped onto the floor. Clutching his chest, he slumped limply to the ground, his face as pale as paper. Yet, his eyes remained fiercely locked onto Ren Weizhi and all the other officials of the Ministry of Revenue.

"The Imperial Physician! The Imperial Physician is here!!"

A eunuch hurriedly scurried over, leading an Imperial Physician into the grand hall.

Emperor Jianhong watched everything unfold with mild indifference. He did not stop the Imperial Physician from having his attendants carry Bai Ziqing away, nor did he fix his gaze on anyone in particular. He simply closed his eyes slowly, his fingers rhythmically tapping against the armrest of the dragon throne, lost in unfathomable thoughts.

"Quickly, carry him away!" The Imperial Physician gently checked Bai Ziqing’s pulse, his expression changing drastically. "His condition is critical! Hurry!

"There’s no time to lose!"

"Yes, sir!"

Several young eunuchs quickly hoisted Bai Ziqing up and scurried out of the grand hall.

Just before leaving, Bai Ziqing mustered every last ounce of his strength and roared, "Ren Weizhi! Lou Yingqi! And all the officials of the Ministry of Revenue!! You have failed the common people of the world!! You have failed Your Majesty!!"

His voice was completely hysterical. After screaming that final sentence, he passed out cold.

Back in the grand hall, everyone remained dead silent.

Only Dad felt as though he had just eaten iced honey on a sweltering summer day. It was incredibly refreshing!

Bai Ziqing’s final sentence, in particular, was a stroke of absolute genius.

This was exactly the effect he wanted! By dragging the entire Ministry of Revenue into the mud first, there would be far more room to maneuver.