Gui Jianzhou was utterly stunned by Feng Zhi Wei’s “confession.” He has seen hundreds of ways people try to get out of their crimes but he has never seen someone pave their own path to death. A simple case of leaking test questions ended up becoming a full-blown treasonous espionage case that was aimed to shake the very foundation of this empire. This…this…this…Wei Zhi, what the hell is he trying to do?

He, a petty official couldn’t understand, but some veterans who have long experiences in court politics understood. 

The blue robe that had stayed in the shadows this whole time was no other than the former Minister of Rites, the new Minister of Punishment, Peng Pei. He was also stunned by Feng Zhi Wei’s words at first, his heart pounding wildly, instinctively happy. However, after thinking for a bit, he finally came to his senses– Wei Zhi is taking one step back but advancing two steps forward. He is deliberately making this matter so big that he would have no choice but to hand the case upward. 

Once the case becomes a traitorous espionage case, then because of Wei Zhi’s status and the seriousness of the case, even the three courts would not be qualified to preside over the trial, let alone the minister of the Ministry of Punishment. This would have to be personally tried by the Tiansheng Emperor himself! 

At that point, his Ministry of Punishment will not be able to hold Wei Zhi for even one night but will have to immediately deliver him straight into the palace. 

Wei Zhi was afraid that he would be murdered in this dungeon without anyone the wiser so he decided to wipe out the possibility entirely by forcing it so no one can have the right to oversee his case. This way, he can preserve himself until he gets in front of the emperor. Once there, with his eloquent tongue then he might just be able to easily flip the case whichever way he wants!

This person’s intelligence and cunning, are truly frightening and shocking. Peerless national scholar, his title is truly well deserved! 

Peng Pei felt awed in his heart but after being awed then came a burst of anger— if it wasn’t for this kid that popped out of nowhere. He was obviously dead but then came back suddenly from Da Yue. He then insisted on staying with the Minister of Rites. If it wasn’t for him, then how would he be forced to this point? 

The spring exam was just around the corner, all the notes (bribes) have already been passed. In order to protect his master, not offended any sects, and hide everything from His Majesty, one could imagine the amount of effort that took. It is hard to describe the herculean effort the whole Ministry of Rites put in to accomplish this but then this kid suddenly returned and everything was in vain! 

This itself could’ve been let go but there was another matter that had too many implications that forced him and his master to take the risk to deal with Wei Zhi who was highly favored by His Majesty. 

Originally, he was also Wei Zhi’s superior. However, Wei Zhi really didn’t spend much time at the Ministry of Rites headquarters. The moment he took office he was sent on a diplomatic mission to the South Sea. He disappeared on his way back from the South Sea, then suddenly showed up at the battlefield, ending with him coming back to disrupt all his plans. He has never really worked with Wei Zhi and had heard that he is formidable but had always questioned how formidable an 18 years old young man could be. Who would’ve thought he would have a chance today to personally experience how formidable he really is?! 

Peng Pei gritted his teeth until the muscles in his face contorted. Things have already come to this point, there is no going back now so he might as well push it to the very end! 

His decision made, he descended a step, summoned Gui Jianzhou, and whispered a few words in his ear. 

Gui Jianzhou looked surprised for a moment before a flash of excitement burst out of his eyes. Walking back to the cell quickly, he said sternly “A bunch of nonsense! Looks like you won’t capitulate until death is staring right in your face. Someone! Go bring the barrel of thousand snakes!” 

With her hands causally clasped behind her back, Feng Zhi Wei said coldly and slowly, “Peng Pei– you have thought this through clearly?” 

She didn’t look at Gui Jianzhou but pointed her question directly at Peng Pei. Unable to hide anymore, Peng Pei walked out and said coldly, “It is Official Wei who needs to think clearly! I am just following the rules here.” 

“What sort of rules are you following here? Whose words are you following?” Feng Zhi Wei let out a chilling smile, “You wanted to apprehend me, I was apprehended. You wanted to lock me up, I am here in the dungeon. You wanted me to confess, I confessed. My confession was more clear with more details than yours. What reason do you have to torture me?” 

“You call that a confession?” Peng Pei sneered, “It was a bunch of nonsense!”

“You have no right to judge if it was nonsense or not!” Feng Zhi Wei sneered back, “His Majesty is the one who gets to determine that!” 

“His Majesty…” Peng Pei smiled, “You would like to see His Majesty? Sure, you can see His Majesty after you passed this thousand snake’s barrel.” 

“These cuties,” Gui Jianzhou laughed cheerfully to the side, his black mole vibrating “In a bit, we will put all of them down your pants, cinch up your pant legs, roast your lower half with a good fire. The snakes are afraid of heat, they will then slither around wildly in your pants. Haha, that will be a great experience!” 

Two guards carried over a barrel, there were at least ten plus snakes in there. (Guess the “thousand snakes” was just a name…) Someone then carried over a fire basin. A few heavily armored guards stood on either side of the cell with more shadows above the steps. 

Peng Pei stood with his hands clasped at his back as he sneered coldly. 

Wei Zhi has been on the battlefield and he also has a guard like Gu Nan Yi so he must know some martial arts. He is not afraid that Wei Zhi knows how to fight. The reason he didn’t put any constraints on Wei Zhi was to allow him to fight. 

If Wei Zhi harms even one guard, then he can immediately charge him with a crime. Treasons and conspiring with the enemy states can all be put aside. On the charge of murder alone, he would be able to kill him! 

Now that he has pushed to this extent, how would a young and arrogant Wei Zhi be willing to take it lying down? 

The door of the cell opened to admit two heavily armored guards who walked over to restrain Feng Zhi Wei’s arms while the snake barrel carried by the guards to the side was swarming with snakes. Their slippery bodies reflected under the gloomy sad lights, oozing disgusting-looking greenish mucus that makes one want to vomit. 

The mere sight of them would cause nightmares but to have them on one’s body and to be bitten a thousand times… 

Feng Zhi Wei’s face seemingly turned paler. 

Gui Jianzhou was so excited that his nostrils were opening and closing rapidly. This is the first time that he would be torturing a first-ranking official. As a perverted prison officer who loves blood and screams of pain, the blood in his whole body is dancing with excitement. 

“Clang!”

“Ouch!”

Suddenly there was a scream and a guard jumped away cradling his arm, almost knocking over the snake barrel he was carrying. 

Still yelping in pain, the guards held out his hand, and under the light of the oil lamp, his finger hung limply like a snake, obviously broken. 

On the ground, there was a small stone, stained with some blood. 

Peng Pei abruptly turned around, pointing at Gu Nan Yi, and yelled loudly “Pierce his collarbone!” 

“Yes sir!” 

A guard grabbed a collar-piercing hook and headed over toward Gu Nan Yi. The hook shone in the lamplight. Once this hook is pierced through the collarbone, it would render any martial artist, no matter how good a fighter he once was, into a useless one. 

Gu Nan Yi stood up slowly in his cell, the heavy shackles made a heavy clanging sound. The dark reflections from those heavy irons were like countless pairs of sharp eyes staring out from the depths of the darkness. 

Feng Zhi Wei frowned slightly, a chilling expression flashed across her eyes. 

Peng Pei would actually be so bold to do this! 

An expression of glee appeared in Peng Pei’s eyes– Perhaps Feng Zhi Wei could hold back, but this guard would for sure not be able to hold back, he will for sure fight, and once he does, then the end result would be the same! 

Taking a deep breath, an expression of determination flashed across her eyes as she raised a finger… 

“Pierce your @#$%& !!!” 

The cursing was immediately followed by a whirlwind rushing straight down from the entrance steps, and a pair of gleaming double swords descended like rolling snowflakes. Without another word, the slashing sword aimed straight at the guard holding the piercing hook. 

Filled with a murderous aura, the sword slashed forward without any hesitation. The piercing hook holding guard looked up to see the shadow of the sword has already arrived above his head. Frightened out of his mind, the guard dropped the hook to run away but ended up hopping in pain as the hook landed right on his toes. 

The person pulled back the swords, long eyebrows and bright eyes, even in the dim light her black clothes were vibrant as she stood in front of Gu Nan Yi’s cell “Abusing your power by using unsanctioned tortures in broad daylight, Peng Pei, you are shameless!” 

Hua Qing.

  All text copyright @ www.Ninja-Reflection.com

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