Like many novel settings, the Da Ning Dynasty has always maintained a “zero-tolerance” attitude towards demons.
Ever since a yellow-skinned demon almost ascended to the throne a hundred years ago, the environment for demons within the Da Ning borders has become increasingly harsh. Not only was “demons have no pardon” written into the Da Ning Code, but the Mirror Bureau also established an official demon-hunting institution – the “Willow Leaf Agency” for the first time.
For 99% of the demonic creatures, once discovered, they would face absolute, merciless pursuit until death.
The remaining 1% would be imprisoned in the Mirrored Justice Bureau’s “Demon Prison,” becoming “production machines” for certain precious materials.
The giant spider that spun silk day and night, the massive fish with scales that could be used as chest armor, and the nine-zhang white snake that could secrete the deadliest toxin in the world… One by one, these powerful, yet-to-be-tamed demons were captured from all over the country and brought to the Demon Prison, until they were drained of their last bit of value.
And the Demon Prison ÜNİVERSwas the only legal demon-keeping facility; if anyone dared to keep any demonic creatures privately, regardless of the reason, it would be considered “treason” and punished accordingly.
There was no possibility of leniency.
So, when Wei Changtian accused Zhang Hongwen of “demon-keeping,” it was equivalent to sentencing him to a capital offense that would implicate his entire clan.
……
The air in the main hall was almost palpable.
The clear, transparent tea had already gone cold, and Li Kan stared at Wei Changtian with wide eyes, his Adam’s apple twitching slightly.
He couldn’t judge whether this was true or false.
But Wei Changtian’s expression was solemn, and he didn’t seem to be joking.
“……”
After a while, Li Kan finally composed himself and asked, “Wei Changtian, do you know what you’re implying?”
“I do.”
Wei Changtian nodded: “It means the entire Zhang clan will be executed.”
“……”
Li Kan took a deep breath and asked again, “Do you know that this matter cannot be taken lightly?”
“Of course,” Wei Changtian replied confidently. “Since I dared to say it in front of you, I naturally have irrefutable evidence.”
Wei Changtian’s words were resolute.
In the novel, Xiao Feng had used Zhang Hongwen’s “demon-keeping” as leverage to threaten the Zhang family and eventually became a powerful tool against the Wei family.
Even if the heavens themselves were against him now, it was impossible to change this already established fact.
“Okay……”
Seeing Wei Changtian’s confidence, Li Kan finally believed half of it.
After a long silence, other thoughts began to emerge in his mind.
If Zhang Hongwen was guilty, he could indeed take it a step further.
Of course, the Wei family must have their own plans, but it was unclear what they wanted to gain from him…
He could discuss it with Wei Xianzhi!
“Wei Changtian, this matter is too important; I’ll wait until tomorrow to visit your father, Lord Wei, and…”
Li Kan had made up his mind to negotiate directly with Wei Xianzhi, but unexpectedly, Wei Changtian cut him off:
“Lord Li, only I know about this matter.”
“What?!”
Li Kan was taken aback, his tone filled with disbelief: “Isn’t this a case investigated by the Mirrored Justice Bureau?”
“No.”
Wei Changtian shook his head: “It was investigated by my people, and I personally confirmed it; it’s absolutely true.”
“How can I trust you?”
Li Kan almost asked instinctively.
In his heart, Wei Changtian and Wei Xianzhi’s “credibility levels” were completely different.
Faced with skepticism, Wei Changtian didn’t explain further, only saying calmly: “Lord Li, whether you believe me or not doesn’t matter, but I can tell you this…”
“As long as I want, Zhang Hongwen will become a prisoner within three days.”
“……”
As long as I want to.
Li Kan keenly caught the key phrase, knowing that Wei Changtian was about to make a request.
After a moment of thought, he gritted his teeth and decided to speak directly.
“Lord Wei, since we’ve already spoken to this extent, let’s just lay it all out in the open.”
“How can I get you to take action against Zhang Hongwen? What do I need to do?”
“Hahaha! Lord Li, you’re so straightforward!”
Wei Changtian laughed twice, knowing that his task for the day was already half accomplished.
“To be honest, I need Lord Li’s help with a small favor.”
“A few days ago, I heard that the Liu family instructed several scoundrels to accuse me of several crimes, and it seemed like they were going to have a trial in the Three Judicial Offices… Lord Li, do you know if this is true or false?”
“Uh…”
Li Kan was taken aback, not expecting Wei Changtian to come for this reason, and even more surprised that Wei Changtian had investigated this matter.
It was known that the mastermind behind this trial was the Liu family, from the Ministry of Justice to the Censorate, and only a few people knew the inside story, with strict confidentiality to catch the Wei family off guard.
This was also why he hadn’t connected the dots earlier.
But who would have thought that they had been covering it up for half a day, and Wei Changtian had already known about it!
Did this kid really have an intelligence organization more mysterious than the Xuanjing Bureau?
Li Kan’s gaze towards Wei Changtian changed in an instant.
He estimated that even if he died, he wouldn’t have thought that the culprit behind this leak was Li Yang.
Day and night, beware of the enemy within!
“There is such a thing.”
Since Wei Changtian had already spoken out, Li Kan knew that there was no point in hiding it anymore, so he frankly admitted, “The Liu Minister personally oversaw this case, and only a few people knew about it. We’ve been pushing it secretly.”
“Okay, I understand.”
Wei Changtian nodded, speaking directly, “Lord Li, I only need you to tell me one thing.”
“What is it?”
“The list of witnesses and where they’re being held now?”
“……”
Li Kan’s face changed instantly: “You want to… kill them?!”
“Lord Li, I didn’t say that.”
Wei Changtian smiled: “You only need to tell me the list and the addresses. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Th-this…”
Li Kan was lost in thought.
He knew that this choice wasn’t as simple as exchanging information for a promotion opportunity.
This was a matter of his official career, even his life, and which side to take.
The Liu family or the Wei family?
If what Wei Changtian said was true, it seemed that choosing the Wei family would be more reliable.
After all, even if he handed over the list of witnesses, the Liu family wouldn’t necessarily be able to find out it was him, at least not in the short term.
And if he didn’t hand it over, he would undoubtedly become an enemy of the Wei family from this moment on.
But… was what Wei Changtian said really true? Did Zhang Hongwen really have a demon?
Li Kan was extremely torn, yet he couldn’t not make a choice.
Just as he was hesitating and unable to make up his mind, Wei Changtian suddenly turned to look at the landscape painting on the wall behind him, asking seemingly casually, “Lord Li, this painting has a profound atmosphere. I wonder which great master created it?”
Li Kan was taken aback, but still answered truthfully, “…… Ye Yi’an.”
“Ye Huasheng!”
Wei Changtian clicked his tongue: “Tsk, tsk, such a large painting must be worth thousands of gold pieces.”
“This painting was a gift from a good friend of mine,” Li Kan said solemnly.
“At the time, I didn’t know its value, otherwise, I wouldn’t have accepted it!”
The sound of applause suddenly echoed in the quiet hall, filled with mocking intent.
Looking at Li Kan’s flushed face, Wei Changtian clapped his hands and laughed: “Lord Li, you’re being a bit too humble. A mere thousand gold pieces is nothing to you, is it?”
“What do you mean, Wei Gongzi?”
“What do I mean?”
Wei Changtian got up and walked to the landscape painting, stroking the small boat depicted on it.
“Just the treasures hidden behind this wall alone are enough to buy dozens of Ye Yi’an’s paintings.”
“……”
The sound of tables and chairs overturning came from behind, and the middle-aged Li Kan was so shocked that he directly collapsed to the ground.
This time, he was completely at a loss.
“Wei, Wei Gongzi, I’ll do anything you want from now on, please, please spare me…”
Wei Changtian didn’t turn his head or respond, only asking again: “Where did the Liu family hide those people?”
“Ren’an Fang, Huaihua Lane…”