Chapter 1650: The Palace Lord’s Decision
Translator: Lordbluefire Editor: Lordbluefire
Zhuge Xiong’s conjecture was very possible. There were truly some powerful cloning and avatar creation techniques here in the Supreme Ancient Immortal Realms. Even if the two are separated by distance, they could still appear simultaneously for a long period of time. There were even more heaven-defying ones where the avatar could possess the same combat prowess as the true-self.
They didn’t think of this earlier because this was simply a dead angle. When the Jialan Monarch died, it was very natural for Qin Wentian to appear in his governor’s manor. No one would suspect him further.
However, Zhuge Xiong was exceedingly intelligent and was always the one thinking up schemes and devising strategies for the Lifire Palace. He was highly regarded by the Lifire Empyrean. After rounds of investigation, he discovered that there was no way to continue investigating the Jialan Monarch’s death. This was an unresolved case, destined to be unsolvable.
However, there was a single clue in this case which pointed to Heavenly City. This was why Zhuge Xiong kept analysing the case from different angles, hoping to find more clues. The one with the most suspicion was naturally Qin Wentian, he tried to see if he could remove Qin Wentian completely from it but at the end, he discovered that nothing seemed to make sense. Only with the conjecture that Qin Wentian had an avatar out there somewhere would make things logical, causing everything to fit. This was why he said this to the Lifire Empyrean today.
The Lifire Empyrean seemed to have been shocked awake by Zhuge Xiong. He felt that the truth should be this.
“Immediately summon all the governors other than Qin Wentian here.” The Lifire Empyrean coldly spoke.
“Yes.” Zhuge Xiong nodded. He took out his messaging crystal and began to summon the other governors.
After receiving Zhuge Xiong’s command, the various governors all appeared in front of the Lifire Empyrean. They were brought to the outside of the empyrean’s residence. In this area, everyone was a trusted aide to the Lifire Empyrean.
“Palace Lord, Grand Governor, did something happen?” The central governor Sun Qian asked. He could feel that the atmosphere felt somewhat strange. The palace lord and grand governor seemed to have something they wanted to announce.”
“Zhuge, these people can all be trusted. Tell them what you just told me.” The Lifire Empyrean spoke. Zhuge Xiong nodded and told everyone of his conjecture. After they heard it, the eyes of the various governors flashed. The habit-like smile on Beauty Xiao’s face vanished, replaced by a heaviness.
One could not help but say that this conjecture by Zhuge Xiong was truly highly possible. Even they felt themselves believing that this was the truth. One must know that that year when the Jialan Monarch died, everyone instantly suspected Qin Wentian. But because of his alibi, everyone dismissed the notion. But if the gaps were filled up by the conjecture made by Zhuge Xiong, that Qin Wentian had an avatar somewhere, there was no doubt that Qin Wentian was surely the killer.
“What do you all think?” The Lifire Empyrean asked.
“We still can’t be sure if Governor Qin has an avatar or not. This subordinate feels that it isn’t that suitable to pin the blame of the Jialan Monarch’s death on him just like that.” Beauty Xiao spoke.
“Beauty Xiao, you are speaking up for Governor Qin just because he is handsome?” Yin Qiu coldly spoke. “Oh, I remember now. Didn’t Governor Qin resolve the humiliation and insults you received from your clan when were at Lifelong City back then?”
“I’m only judging the matter as it stands. What do you mean by this?” Beauty Xiao coldly looked at Yin Qiu.
Right now, Yin Qiu had already given up on obtaining Beauty Xiao. This woman has always looked down on him. Since this was the case, there was no longer a need for him to be courteous to her.
“Everyone knows that Qin Wentian’s probability of being the killer is the highest with regards to the Jialan Monarch’s death. Given the strength he displayed back in Lifelong City as well as the powerful techniques he used, it’s not strange that he would have gained access to an avatar creation technique. I don’t feel surprised at all. There’s an 80% to 90% chance that he is the killer. You are the first to step out to speak for him. Has he bedded you already?” Yin Qiu mocked. He had never liked Qin Wentian right from the start.
“Enough.” The Lifire Empyrean interrupted when he saw that the two of them were going to quarrel. “I only want your opinions and not to hear you two quarrelling. Lin Ba, Sun Qian, what do the two of you think?”
“Your subordinate completely respects any decision palace lord wants to make.” Sun Qian spoke, he was clearly a boot-licker but the timing of his words was very suitable. Because, he knew that the Lifire Empyrean gathered them here evidently not only to hear their opinions on this matter.
Zhuge Xiong has already said that there was no way to investigate this case. So everything now would depend on a thought by the Lifire Empyrean. Since Sun Qian could become the central governor after Xia Hou, he naturally was someone intelligent. Although he always appeared to be polite and amiable on the surface, he was actually an extremely shrewd individual.
“We can’t rule out that possibility.” Lin Ba’s words contained a hint of neutrality, not daring to accept or deny. The various governors all had different opinions, they then turned their gazes to the Lifire Empyrean. For matters without evidence, they would naturally be concluded depending on what the Lifire Empyrean’s willed.
Since this was already a dead case, if the Lifire Empyrean says that Qin Wentian is the killer, he would be the killer. If he says no, then he would not be.
Everything depended on a single thought from him.
The beautiful eyes of Beauty Xiao flashed with nervousness. If Qin Wentian came back without being strong enough, and if the Lifire Empyrean wanted to deal with him, he would definitely be in dire straits.
“No one is allowed to leak anything about this matter. For the past few contribution dates, Qin Wentian didn’t come, he sent someone in his stead instead. Now, another ten-year mark is almost up. Zhuge Xiong, transmit a message to him to say that he has to personally show up for this year’s contribution date. I have something important to ask him.” The Lifire Empyrean slowly spoke. A moment later, the eyes of everyone flashed. They all understood that this sentence of the Lifire Empyrean had already announced his attitude and his decision.
Qin Wentian was going to be in for it. The Lifire Empyrean wanted to move against him, strangling Qin Wentian, who could grow into a threatening factor in the future, while he was still in his cradle. They all understood that if the Jialan Monarch was really killed by Qin Wentian, given how impulsive Qin Wentian was, he would sooner or later kill the Lifire Empyrean once he grows strong enough.
For that incident back in the past, although the Jialan Monarch was the one executing the orders, the orders were sent from the Lifire Palace. They had even sent experts to reinforce the Jialan Monarch.
“Palace Lord, the Qin Wentian today is different from the past. Back then at the competition in the grand banquet, even the Realmlord admired him highly. If we…would it not be suitable and might influence the Realmlord’s view of you?” Yin Qiu seemed to be very loyal, thinking on behalf of the Lifire Empyrean. However, Beauty Xiao stared at him coldly. This was simply trying to provoke the Lifire Empyrean.
The Lifire Empyrean coldly glanced at Yin Qiu, causing him to tremble. It was clear that his little scheme had been seen through.
“During the contribution date, all of you come here as well. I’ll ask Qin Wentian about the killing and you all will be witnesses. A governor masquerading as a bandit to kill one of my monarchs, this is an act of betrayal against the Lifire Palace, an act of betrayal against the Lifelong Realm. He will be executed.” The Lifire Empyrean’s voice was glacial.
“Yes, Palace Lord.” Yin Qiu bowed to expressed his stance.
“We obey palace lord’s orders.” Lin Ba and Sun Qian bowed. This place was the Lifire Palace, who would dare to defy the Lifire Empyrean’s orders? Since he wanted to deal with Qin Wentian, this meant that no matter how elite Qin Wentian was, he would also be helpless to fight back.
It would be good if there wasn’t this incident of the Jialan Monarch’s death. The Lifire Empyrean would not be able to have an excuse to deal with him or he would have to answer to the Lifelong Saint Hall. However, the Jialan Monarch’s death undoubtedly was the best excuse.
“Yes, Palace Lord.” Beauty Xiao also nodded.
Zhuge Xiong glanced at them, “You guys should know the consequences if you all leak any information about the meeting here today.”
The Lifire Empyrean calmly glanced at them. He was confident that nobody would dare to leak anything. After being in control of the Lifire Palace for so many years, he does still have this bit of prestige. In addition, would they even side with a sinking Qin Wentian that’s about to die? That would really be courting death.
“You all have leave to go.” The Lifire Empyrean waved his hands in dismissal as everyone bowed and retreated.
After leaving the Lifire Palace, Beauty Xiao increased her speed. She took out her messaging crystal and sent a strand of her immortal sense in, “Reply as soon as you get my message.”
“What’s the matter?” A voice rang out in her mind. She then sent another strand of immortal sense in, “If Zhuge Xiong looks for you, do not return no matter what. He and the palace lord guessed that you might have cultivated an avatar creation technique and they are 80% to 90% sure that the Jialan Monarch’s killer is you. The palace lord himself wants to act against you.”
As the sound of her voice faded, the other party she was conversing with fell silent. After some time, a voice replied, “I understand. You be careful as well.”
“Mhm.” Beauty Xiao replied. She then kept her messaging crystal and continued on her way. A moment later, she heard that voice ringing out in her mind again, “Thank you.”
When she heard that, Beauty Xiao suddenly had a charming smile on her face. Her sexy red lips curled in an alluring manner.
As expected, not long after Beauty Xiao spread the news to Qin Wentian, Zhuge Xiong soon messaged him. Qin Wentian didn’t reply. He knew that earlier, Beauty Xiao hurried to message him because she wanted to warn him before Zhuge Xiong contacted him. If Zhuge Xiong spoke to him first and he replied, and didn’t came back, that would mean that he already knew of this plot. But now, as long as he didn’t reply, the Lifire Empyrean and Zhuge Xiong would be suspicious at best.
After all, there were many reasons for failing to reply. For example, he might be in a crisis, or he might have lost his messaging crystal.
Since Qin Wentian knew about this, Di Tian naturally knew as well. Right now, Di Tian was no longer in Lifire City, he was in Lifelong City instead.
Today, the Xuanyuan Clan had organized a banquet and invited Di Tian. The Emperor Pavilion’s business was extremely booming in Lifelong City. He was now building up a major power here in Lifelong City.
There was no need to mention about the Jialan Clan, but the Xuanyuan Clan also wanted to ally with him. Since that was the case, it was extremely easy for Di Tian to make friends with them.
The Di Tian now was already very rarely seen in Lifire City. All the matters there were handed to his subordinates to handle. Other than focusing on his cultivation, he would occasionally appear in events organized by the other major powers of Lifelong City.
“Grandmaster Di, what are you thinking about?” At this moment, an expert from the Jialan Clan asked. The revealed eyes of Di Tian from the mask, flashed. He smiled, “Nothing much.”
However, in truth, there were some waves in his heart. he didn’t expect Zhuge Xiong to actually guess that he would have an avatar. Although he was sure that he left no evidence behind in the Jialan Monarch’s death that would implicate him, but since the Lifire Empyrean wanted to move against him, there was naturally no need for any real evidence. The Lifire Empyrean would just directly pin the guilt onto him.
“Seems like I have to make some arrangements before the confrontation.” Di Tian silently mused!