Secular Immortal of the Nine Realms - Chapter 130

Chapter 130: Unforgivable Criminal

“Imperial Duke Fang, the southern region is a special place. It’s inevitable that there will be some conflicts with the northern region. Won’t you consider sparing Commandery Chief Li on my account?” the Auspicious King asked with a sigh.

“Your Highness, I’m afraid I can’t do that. He has to die.” Fang Chen glanced at Commandery Chief Li and shook his head.

The Auspicious King didn’t say a word, but his children weren’t able to hold it in.

“Imperial Duke Fang, we are a country governed by laws. Commandery Chief Li is a grade-2 official. It’s not your place to sentence him even if he deserves death,” Xia Song said.

“We are a country governed by laws, but I have my principles too. In the 23 years of my life, I have never put Great Xia ahead of myself. I’m sure His Highness should understand that better than anyone else,” Fang Chen said.

Such blasphemous words were being blatantly uttered, yet the Auspicious King didn’t lose his temper. Instead, he nodded as if he had already expected this.

Xia Song and the others were stunned.

“But Commandery Chief Li… doesn’t deserve death,” the Auspicious King remarked.

Commandery Chief Li was moved to see how the Auspicious King kept trying to protect him.

“Commandery Chief Li might have failed to keep his troops in line, resulting in chaos in the southern region’s pugilistic world, but the matter has already been resolved. There was hardly any damage done,” Xia Song added.

“Chiliarch Jue,” Fang Chen called out.

Jue Panshi nodded. He took out a book and read out loud, “The fourth month of this year, seventeen maids in the Commandery Chief Manor were killed. Their families sent them to the Commandery Chief Manor because they didn’t have enough rations to pay for taxes, and their families’ land was confiscated by Commandery Chief Li.

“The first maid was beaten to death because the water she brought for the feet washing basin was too cold.

“The second maid shattered one of Commandery Chief Li’s concubine’s vases, so she was hung from the beam and exposed under the sun for days before she died of dehydration.

“The third maid…

“Other than that, Commandery Chief Li and his subordinates are responsible for over a thousand deaths in the South Immortal Province. On average, they would go on a slaughter once every three days and go on a rampage once every seven days. His crimes are unforgivable!”

Fang Chen shook his head. “That’s a thousand people. It’s rare for there to be a thousand deaths even if I bring 10,000 soldiers out for a military operation.”

Commandery Chief Li was dumbfounded. He realized that his aides had betrayed him, and his face turned pale. Large beads of sweat trickled down his face.

The Auspicious King and the others were tongue-tied too.

By the time Jue Panshi was done reciting the crimes, Xia Song blurted out, “Are those true? But Commandery Chief Li doesn’t look like such a violent man…”

“You have let me down.” The Auspicious King looked at Commandery Chief Li with disappointed eyes.

“It’s fake! It’s all fake! Your Highness, you mustn’t listen to Jue Panshi’s words! He’s a chiliarch of the Valiant Defenders! His words can’t be trusted!” Commandery Chief Li exclaimed.

However, the Auspicious King only sighed. “Imperial Duke Fang wouldn’t have marched into my manor if he didn’t have concrete evidence in hand. You need not argue anymore.”

He turned to Fang Chen and clasped his fist. “Imperial Duke Fang, you may sentence him however you wish. I shan’t interfere in this matter anymore.”

“Your Highness, I agree with your sentiment that the southern region is different from the north. We can’t govern these two places in the same manner. Nevertheless, that’s no reason for the martial artists to stage a revolt.

“Even if the rebellion did succeed, Your Highness, are you confident of changing the situation in the southern region? Otherwise, you’ll just be reduced to a glorified book reciter for them. Those martial artists won’t give up on their interests that easily. The southern region won’t change over a rebellion; if anything, it’ll just worsen,” Fang Chen said.

The Auspicious King widened his eyes. The Auspicious King Consort turned to him with nervous eyes. Xia Song and the others clenched their fists tightly as they traded gaze with Linghu Xu.

Linghu Xu had been from the Carefree Palace, and he was currently serving as the Auspicious King’s general. He was the strongest martial artist in the Auspicious King Manor, so they had no one else but him to fall back on.

“Haa…” The Auspicious King sighed. “I was foolish. I was blinded by the Carefree Palace and failed to consider the pros and cons of this matter. My family members have nothing to do with this, so I hope Imperial Duke Fang can show them mercy.”

“Your Highness?!” Linghu Xu was stunned. “How does this matter involve the Carefree Palace? The elders in our sect steer clear of secular affairs, so how can you make such an accusation?”

“You only see what’s happening on the surface.” The Auspicious King shook his head.

“I’ll personally take a trip to the Carefree Palace. As for Your Highness… I hope that you can show more concern to the common populace. If you require any help, you may look for me at the cold spring outside the city. Our Fang Clan is constructing a manor there,” Fang Chen said before taking his leave.

The Auspicious King Consort and the others were overjoyed. They thought that Fang Chen would make a move on them, but he left without laying a finger on them.

“Father, is the Fang Clan… going to move into our southern region?!” Xia Song was startled.

What is Imperial Duke Fang thinking? He actually gave up on the prosperity of the capital to move to this barren land! Just the climate here is already hostile enough to turn others away!

“It looks like the Fang Clan is determined to resolve the southern region’s chaos. Anyone who wishes to cause trouble here in the future will have to consider whether it’s worth incurring the Fang Clan’s ire…” the Auspicious King murmured.

He didn’t think that the Fang Clan would take such drastic action either.

“Your Highness…” Linghu Xu hesitantly murmured.

“You have been away from the Carefree Palace for many years now, so you need not bother. Yes, the Carefree Palace was one of the masterminds pushing this matter forward. I wanted to make use of this incident to establish new rules for the southern region, thinking that it would be beneficial for this place.

“But I didn’t know that Commandery Chief Li was inflicting such cruelty on his people all along, and I reckon he’s just one of the many. I don’t have the means to discern who truly cares about the people, and who is just after power. For now… I’m only glad that Imperial Duke Fang has taken over this matter.”

The Auspicious King exhaled deeply before turning to Xia Song with a smile. “The Fang Clan will be residing right outside the Soaring Light City from now onward. You should pay them a visit whenever you have time.”

“…Yes, father,” Xia Song and the others replied.

“Your Highness, are we safe now?” the Auspicious King Consort asked.

“That should be the case, but for now… let’s live an honest life. You should be kinder to your servants from now onward. Imperial Duke Fang doesn’t look like he’ll tolerate any cruelty under his watch,” the Auspicious King said.

The Auspicious King Consort shuddered as she took the Auspicious King’s words to heart.

Outside the Auspicious King Manor, Jue Panshi thought about what had happened with a frown. He finally figured out that Greatsword Gate Master Xian Wuchang was nothing but a pawn in the recent upheaval, but it was a pity that the latter probably didn’t know that.

But why did Fang Chen spare the Auspicious King, the man behind it all?

“Imperial Duke Fang, aren’t you worried that history might repeat itself if you spare the Auspicious King?” Jue Panshi finally asked. He simply had to know what Fang Chen’s stance regarding this matter was.

“Do you think such things will still happen now that our Fang Clan is residing right outside the Soaring Light City?” Fang Chen asked with a chuckle.

Jue Panshi widened his eyes in realization.

“It’ll only cause more problems if I deal with him. It’ll stir controversies in the capital. I won’t be fazed by it, but it’ll affect the governance of the southern region. What’s important is to deal with the root of the affliction,” Fang Chen replied.

“And the root you speak of is…”

“The martial artists who harbor great ambitions.”

Those words told Jue Panshi that there would be another purge in the southern region’s Nine Commanderies, with the Carefree Palace being at the top of the list.