“Alright, that’s enough out of you. Time to go.”

Han Lie ignored Mu Feng’s impotent rage. They were still deep inside the Second Ring of Qin Yang City, and lingering here was dangerous. Dragging this out offered no benefits.

“What are you doing?! Let me go!” Mu Feng roared, his face flushed with panic. Despite his blustering tone, his eyes betrayed his inner terror. “I’m telling you, if anything happens to me—so what if you’re a Nascent Soul? I guarantee you’ll face consequences you can’t handle!”

Given the Minister of War’s influence, it wasn’t an empty threat. Unfortunately for him, Han Lie wasn’t the type to be intimidated.

“Instead of worrying about me,” Han Lie said coolly, “the Mu family should worry about how they’re going to explain your little speech to the Emperor.”

Mu Feng opened his mouth to scream again, but Han Lie cut him off.

“Besides… an ant like you is hardly difficult to digest.”

Whack.

Han Lie delivered a precise chop to the back of Mu Feng’s neck. The Young Master slumped to the floor, unconscious.

A few days later.

Han Lie moved quickly. First, he smuggled Qian’er out of the Great Qin Dynasty, ensuring her safety. Once the witness was secure, Qin Lianyi successfully brokered the meeting he needed.

The target: Vice Chief Minister Li Yi of the Grand Secretariat.

The location: An inconspicuous, rundown teahouse on the desolate outskirts of Qin Yang City.

Inside a private room, Han Lie sat calmly, the steam from his freshly brewed tea curling into the air.

Knock, knock.

Han Lie raised an eyebrow. “Enter.”

Creak.

The wooden door groaned open. A middle-aged man stepped inside, bringing with him an aura of steady, refined power. His face appeared kind and approachable, but the sharp gleam in his eyes and the authoritative set of his brow revealed a man accustomed to command.

Han Lie stood immediately, clasping his hands in a respectful salute. “May I ask if Senior is Vice Chief Minister Li?”

The man kept his hands behind his back, nodding slightly. “And you must be the ‘Young Friend Han’ that Princess Lianyi mentioned?”

Formalities exchanged, they shook hands. At Han Lie’s gesture, Li Yi sat opposite him. He ignored the tea Han Lie offered, his gaze locking onto the younger man.

“My people have secured the perimeter,” Li Yi said, his voice low and direct. “This room is sealed. We can speak frankly.”

He leaned forward slightly. “You want my cooperation. That requires leverage. Show me what you have.”

Although Qin Lianyi had hinted at the nature of the evidence, a man in Li Yi’s position didn’t act on rumors. He needed proof.

“Before that, allow me one question,” Han Lie replied, unhurried. “What is your relationship with Minister of War Mu Qinghai?”

“Factional rivals,” Li Yi answered without hesitation. “Mortal enemies. If you give me a blade sharp enough, I won’t hesitate to slit his throat.”

“Good.”

The answer confirmed Han Lie’s suspicion. Li Yi’s faction was likely the underdog in court, oppressed by the Minister of War’s bloc. As the Vice Chief Minister, Li Yi had to contend with not only the Emperor but also the Chief Grand Secretary above him. He was hungry for a win.

Han Lie placed the Recording Jade on the table and slid it across.

“See if this blade is sharp enough for you.”

Li Yi didn’t waste time. He placed his palm on the jade, closing his eyes.

Instantly, the scene from the Gentle Fragrance Pavilion replayed in his mind. The seduction, the confession, and finally, Mu Feng’s arrogant, treasonous declaration of ambition.

“When that day comes… the position of the Great Qin Emperor? Wouldn’t it be as easy as reaching into a pocket…?”

Li Yi’s eyes snapped open. The calm mask vanished, replaced by a look of predatory delight.

“Hahahaha!”

He threw his head back, laughing loudly. “Young Friend Han! You are truly a hero! To think you secured such damning evidence!”

He slammed his hand on the table, grinning. “With this, Mu Qinghai is finished. He won’t be able to turn this over, not in a thousand years!”

He looked at Han Lie, his eyes shining. “You have handed me a dragon-slaying saber. Name your price. What do you want?”

Han Lie kept his expression serene. “Simple. I want the Mu Family and their dog, the City Commandant, buried. They must never rise again. And the Zhuo Family’s name must be cleared completely.”

“Is that all? A trivial matter!” Li Yi waved his hand dismissively. “Consider it done. Furthermore, once the dust settles, I will gift you one million Spirit Stones as a token of our friendship!”

One million Spirit Stones was a fortune, but for Li Yi, the political capital gained from destroying his rival was priceless.

“Lord Li is generous,” Han Lie smiled, bowing slightly. “With such magnanimity and vision, I suspect the title of ‘Vice’ will not burden you for long. The Chief Grand Secretary’s seat is destined to be yours.”

“Hahaha! I will borrow your auspicious words!” Li Yi was in high spirits. “Tell me, is Mu Feng in your custody?”

“He is,” Han Lie nodded. “I can deliver him to you in minutes. If you need Miss Qian’er from the Pavilion to testify, I can arrange that as well.”

“Excellent.” Li Yi nodded, satisfied. “Go back and lay low. Wait for my signal. I will contact you through Princess Lianyi.”

His expression turned serious. “Be careful in the coming days. Hide yourself well. Mu Qinghai’s hounds are tearing the city apart looking for his son.”

“I know,” Han Lie said.

Mu Feng had been missing for days. While cultivators often went into seclusion, Mu Feng never did so outside his family estate. Combined with the ongoing investigation into the Zhuo Family, the Mu clan was paranoid.

The Gentle Fragrance Pavilion was already under lockdown. If Han Lie hadn’t extracted Qian’er immediately, she would have been handed over and silenced long ago.

Having reached an accord, the two men parted ways.

For a conspiracy of this magnitude, brevity was safety. The longer they met, the higher the risk of exposure.

That night.

In a damp, sunless cave thousands of miles away from Qin Yang City.

Mu Feng, who had been unconscious for days, finally groaned. His eyelids fluttered open, adjusting to the gloom.

“Heh. Young Master Mu sleeps like a log.”

Han Lie’s voice echoed off the cold stone walls, dripping with mockery. “You’ve been out for days. I almost thought you enjoyed the hospitality.”