Chapter 741 - 333: The Best Choice

Chapter 741: Chapter 333: The Best Choice

The big shots within the family also harbored ulterior motives. Although they swore to find the murderer, the main goal was to make an appearance and hope to fill the vacancy left by Ji Sheng. The Princess has not been in a hurry to marry, but now that Ji Sheng is gone, the matter of marriage must be put on the agenda. Whoever wins the Princess will win the royal family. Just thinking about this makes them excited.

"Rest assured, Your Highness. Our Bai Family will definitely find a way to identify the murderer and avenge Director Ji Sheng!"

Everyone present knew that Ji Sheng was nominally a director, but he was akin to Ji Mingyue’s father. Ji Mingyue’s trust in Ji Sheng was beyond imagination; she handed over almost all royal powers to Ji Sheng, providing him with unconditional support. Similarly, Ji Sheng remained loyally dedicated to the royal family for decades, maintaining the dignity of the family. Whoever manages to find the murderer will undoubtedly make a deep impression on the Princess.

With a calm smile, Fakson, the Red-robed Archbishop, let others flatter him. His status and position naturally did not require him to compete with these people.

"Your Highness, my condolences. The murderer is not just one person; it is a very powerful secret organization, possibly targeting us Li Long in a conspiracy. But rest assured, the Moon God’s Court will definitely give you an explanation," Fakson said gently.

"Then I am relying on Lord Fakson," Ji Mingyue nodded coldly, "Whoever can find the murderer, the royal family will grant him a request!"

Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up. The reason they had come was to participate and seize an opportunity to advance. These people were old foxes. When such a big event occurs, the young Princess might promise something in an emotionally charged state.

This is exactly the reason.

By dawn the next day, the voices of excited newsboys were already spreading across the main streets, knowing today’s turnout would be immense.

"Extra, extra, Royal Director Ji Sheng assassinated, died at Jin Feng Tower, with him the building collapsed!"

"Extra, extra, Justice Party Grand Governor candidate Councillor Chen Ruchang suffered an assassination attempt!"

"Extra, extra..."

The newspaper’s worst fear is nothing happening; their favorite thing is major events happening, especially such incidents. Sales for the four major Hex Bird Reports all increased to varying degrees, with editors pulling out all their skills to grab readers with compelling headlines.

Who was Ji Sheng? Ordinary citizens might not care much, but in Dragon Capital’s upper-class society, Ji Sheng was definitely a renowned figure. Sometimes, his status even rivaled the Grand Governor — a symbol of identity and respect. Although the royal family had fallen, the upper class remained keen to associate with it, with Ji Sheng acting as the royal representative, maintaining its position all these years.

Ji Sheng is dead.

Councillor Chen Ruchang was attacked.

Why such grand maneuvers?

An often-heard rumor among the populace was the Potter Family. No one knows when, but many began discussing the Potter Family’s ambition for Nalan Jingguo’s rise. They first assassinated Hong Yan, assuming Nalan Jingguo’s election was secure, only for Councillor Chen Ruchang to emerge unexpectedly and lead public opinion polls. Thus, they opted to assassinate Chen Ruchang too! Fortunately, a Three-star Grandmaster from the Celestial Principle School was present to protect Chen Ruchang’s director, saving him. As for Ji Sheng, it’s likely because he revealed suspicions and leads about the Star Stone Necklace during a Council trial.

If it wasn’t the Potter Family, who else could it be?

Public opinion surged, Nalan Jingguo’s support rate plummeted, even within the liberal faction diverse voices emerged, criticizing repeated underhand tricks as intolerable.

Rules represent everyone’s shared interest. If the Potter Family acts with impunity, how can other interests be safeguarded?

Thus, when Ye Shidao announced an emergency state and proposed halting the election, a significant portion of both the liberal and justice faction Councillors offered no objection.

Indeed, some speculated about Ye Shidao’s intentions, but thinking it over, Ye Shidao has done quite well over the years. A low-profile, mediation-prone governor is better than an aggressive one; the choice initially tilted in his favor precisely for this reason. Compared to the aggressive Potter and Nalan families, Ye Shidao wasn’t entirely unacceptable.

Of course, others flatly rejected it, firmly believing within the liberal and justice factions that Ye Shidao posed a greater threat. Multiple internal conflicts within the Council prevented consensus.

Yet publically, Councillor Chen Ruchang’s stature unknowingly advanced another level.

All the Night Patrol in Dragon Capital were active, appearing exceptionally enthusiastic. The assassination of Ji Sheng and attempt on Councillor Chen Ruchang were major cases. They were so significant that the Night Patrol weren’t the main force; hidden matters were pursued by the Church Court’s Law Enforcement, security led by city guards, with the Knight Order as the calm anchor maintaining Dragon Capital’s stability, preventing opportunistic disruptions.

But the most excited were the Night Patrol.

Ji Sheng died!

Ordinary people only knew the royal director died, that influential figure that held royal power for decades was dead. The Night Patrol knew this individual was orchestrator of the Little Flayer case, the true killer of Shadow Owl’s ex-leader Jiang Wu, a terrifying Puppet Master enslaving Angels along his path. This person was so formidable that even knowing he was the murderer they couldn’t touch him, couldn’t even face him.

Now he’s sanctioned, the deep resentment within the Night Patrol finally found release, boosting investigative enthusiasm. The secretive petty criminals met their misfortune, unaware of how the Night Patrol, seemingly energized, was capturing like mad.

Longji and Hong Ye wanted to share, but given Ji Sheng’s unique status — not as a Puppet Master but a royal identity — they didn’t want to trouble Li Xin, forcing themselves to resist divulging anything to other Captains eagerly seeking news. Everyone seemed to know, yet found it difficult to believe.

An Upper Council plenary meeting turned into a public din, Justice Party and Liberal Party having a blustery dispute; the whole assembly becoming a chaotic stew, ending in a brawl involving seven or eight Councillors. As Councillor Chen Ruchang was attacked, some proposed halting the election, suggesting Ye Shidao continue as Grand Governor for the next two months until Hong Yan and Chen Ruchang’s murderer was found.

"I oppose. Investigations by all means, but elections mustn’t halt; Councillor Chen Ruchang remains well, why suspend?"

"Why not suspend, clearly someone’s wrecking the rules, without catching the murderer, what if he’s elected?"

"Who are you talking about then, have the guts to name them."

"It’s you I’m talking about, so what, afraid to speak out? When Councillor Hong Yan was killed, I said it was outright chaos, even dare assassinate a Grand Governor candidate, once isn’t enough, daring a second time."

"Who knows if you staged it yourself, seeking sympathy, we’re miles ahead, no need for such vile measures."

"Shameless, you scoundrel..."

"You dare curse here in this solemn place..."

"I’ll damn well hit you, kill you!"

Momentarily, the Council Hall plunged into pandemonium, Lu Shuai caught up within — it wasn’t his first attendance, having become a Councillor the once-sacred Upper Council hall no longer matched his old imaginings.

Order took quite a while to restore, "National order mustn’t lapse, I propose the current Cabinet continue leading until the murderer is identified."

Instantly the Councillor’s eyes sparkled, gazing meaningfully at the composed Ye Shidao atop the podium. Realizing the problem post the incident, regardless of decisions, elections certainly had delayed. The present Cabinet certainly couldn’t dissolve, still needed leadership under Ye Shidao.

"I oppose, what if the murderer isn’t found?" A crisp voice sounded unusually abrupt, directing all eyes toward the young Councillor speaking out — this time daring emergence, a bold move indeed.

It was Lu Shuai, recently elevated Upper Council Councillor, leveraging the Grand Governor’s lineage, remarkably achieving the jump.

"To ensure electoral fairness, finding the murderer remains imperative, temporarily having the current Cabinet transition is a prudent measure, yet indefinite postponement isn’t feasible." Lu Shuai continued, righteous and dignified, impervious to the councilors wielding significant power.

"Councillor Lu is commendable, possessing the meticulousness and bravery of past Grand Governors, elections can’t be stopped, must set a limit, irrespective whether it ultimately identifies the murderer, must proceed, disqualifying Councillors with significant blemishes and suspicions!"

"Agree!"

"Agree!"

Momentarily, most Councillors astonishingly reached consensus, wary of the Potter Family yet equally of Ye Shidao. Temporary delay was acceptable — evidently this was Ye Shidao’s idea — after Lu Shuai’s proposal they concluded it was optimal.