Dual Cultivation System: The Villainous Servant’s Rise

The logic was sound, and everyone present understood it.

However, as the Son of Heaven, Emperor Qin Yusheng could not remain indifferent to reports of treason. Even if he suspected the Zhuo Family was being framed, he required absolute proof before he could intervene. That was why he had seemingly humored Princess Qin Lianyi’s advice earlier, ordering Commandant Xie Kuan to gather evidence—it was a stalling tactic.

But now, the truth was being laid bare.

“So, who exactly orchestrated the downfall of the Zhuo Family? The answer is not difficult to guess.”

Han Lie stood in the center of the Holy Heaven Hall, his voice ringing out with clarity and conviction.

“Ten years ago, the Zhuo Family and the Mu Family arranged a marriage alliance. For various reasons, this alliance collapsed. Following this thread, I conducted an investigation, and the results matched my suspicions perfectly.”

Han Lie turned to look at the trembling Mu Feng.

“It was Mu Feng—or rather, the Mu Family—who colluded with Commandant Xie Kuan. They set a trap for the younger generation of the Zhuo Family, imprisoning them and using torture to extract false confessions of rebellion. Their goal was simple: to plunge the Zhuo Family into the abyss, ensuring they could never rise again!”

Han Lie bowed slightly to the Emperor.

“To clear the Zhuo Family’s name, I targeted Young Master Mu. I used Miss Qian’er to administer the Truth Serum, intending only to force him to reveal the truth behind the Zhuo Family’s framing.”

Han Lie paused, a faint, cold smile touching his lips. “However, I received an unexpected harvest. The treasonous ambition regarding the throne… that was a surprise to me as well.”

“Your Majesty, that is the entire sequence of events!”

Han Lie’s voice echoed through the vast hall, lingering in the ears of the civil and military officials.

The high-ranking officials on the sidelines began to whisper among themselves. Deputy Chief Grand Secretary Li Yi cast an appreciative glance toward Han Lie. To remain so clear-headed and articulate in the presence of the Dragon Emperor—this young man was extraordinary.

In contrast, Chief Grand Secretary Zhao Xuanzi had closed his eyes. He stood like a statue, signaling his intent to abandon the Mu Family completely.

“Father! Father!”

Mu Feng looked despairingly at Mu Qinghai. He knew that in this desperate hour, only his father could possibly salvage the situation.

Qin Yusheng’s gaze shifted from Han Lie to the Minister of War. “Mu Qinghai, do you have any objections?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Mu Qinghai steeled himself. Ignoring the overwhelming evidence, he resorted to attacking Han Lie’s character.

“Han Lie, you are spouting utter nonsense! Only a Demonic Sect fiend could paint such a vivid picture, making a malicious frame-up sound so noble and refined!”

Mu Qinghai’s voice rose in indignation. “It is true that ten years ago, Zhuo Cheng approached me to propose a marriage between my son and his daughter, Zhuo Hongyi. But when that alliance failed, what loss did my Mu Family suffer?”

He sneered, his eyes filled with contempt. “Have you not figured out the social hierarchy? In that arrangement, it was the Zhuo Family trying to climb up the ladder to match us! Why would I bear a grudge against Zhuo Cheng over a failed alliance with a lesser family? It is absurd!”

Han Lie’s smile deepened. “Lord Mu, I anticipated you would say that. So… to make you give up all hope, I took the liberty of inviting a special witness.”

Han Lie turned to the throne. “Your Majesty, may I request my witness enter the hall?”

“Summon them,” Qin Yusheng commanded with a wave of his hand.

As soon as the Emperor spoke, the heavy doors opened.

A tall, elegant figure stepped into the Holy Heaven Hall. She was dressed in splendid brocade robes, her demeanor radiating a natural nobility and grace that silenced the room.

It was none other than the Princess, Qin Lianyi.

When Mu Qinghai saw who walked through the doors, the blood drained from his face.

Against a commoner or a cultivator, he could argue. But against the Imperial Princess? Her word was gold. There was no witness more authoritative in the entire dynasty.

Li Yi had to bite his lip to suppress a grin. Checkmate.

“Your daughter pays respects to Father Emperor!” Qin Lianyi bowed gracefully according to royal protocol.

Qin Yusheng raised a hand slightly. “Lianyi, are you the witness Han Lie spoke of?”

“Yes, Father Emperor.” Qin Lianyi nodded. “I can testify. After the marriage alliance between the Zhuo and Mu families failed, Young Master Mu Feng harbored a deep resentment. He viewed it as a humiliation.”

She turned her cool gaze toward the Minister of War. “Lord Mu might ask how I can be so certain. It is because I was there when he complained of it.”

“Furthermore,” she continued, her voice ringing clear as a bell, “regarding the treasonous words Grand Secretary Li presented earlier… I can also verify them. I was present that night at the Gentle Fragrance Pavilion. I heard Mu Feng speak those words to Miss Qian’er with my own ears.”

Silence.

A deathly, suffocating silence descended upon the court.

Qin Lianyi’s testimony was the final nail in the coffin. It killed the game instantly.

The officials aligned with Mu Qinghai looked at him with undisguised resentment. If you want to die, go ahead, but don’t drag us down with you!

Han Lie and Qin Lianyi exchanged a brief glance, sharing a tacit smile.

Mu Qinghai was the Minister of War, a titan of the court. But today, he had been brought to his knees.

Emperor Qin Yusheng nodded slowly. Then, his brows furrowed, and his voice—heavy with the crushing weight of Imperial Authority—resounded through the hall.

“Mu Qinghai. Do you still wish to defend yourself or your son?”

“Your Majesty!”

Mu Qinghai collapsed. His psychological defenses shattered, he threw himself to the floor, knocking his head against the cold tiles.

“Please calm your anger, Your Majesty! Mu Feng was trapped! It was that Demonic Sect fiend Han Lie who set him up! My son only spoke carelessly because of the drugs! He said things he didn’t mean!”

Mu Qinghai wept, his dignity gone. “Your subject is loyal to Your Majesty! Loyal to the Great Qin Dynasty! I have no second heart! Heaven can testify to my loyalty!”

But Qin Yusheng was done listening.

“Minister Mu, We are willing to believe you were a loyal minister. But it is clear you failed to teach your son.”

The Emperor’s voice turned cold as ice. “Your son, Mu Feng, harbors treasonous intent. The evidence is irrefutable. The witness is unimpeachable.”

“Grand Secretary Li.”

“Your subject is here!”

“From this moment, expel Mu Qinghai from the Grand Secretariat. Strip him of his position as Minister of War.”

Qin Yusheng delivered the sentence with terrifying dispassion.

“The Mu Clan is guilty of high treason. The entire clan shall be executed. As for Mu Qinghai… in consideration of his past contributions to the Great Qin, he shall be spared death. Abolish his cultivation and exile him from the Great Qin Dynasty forever. He is never to return.”

The sentence sent shockwaves through the court. Tens of thousands of people in the Mu Estate were condemned to death in a single breath.

But the Emperor wasn’t finished.

“Investigate Commandant Xie Kuan. If he colluded to frame the innocent, execute him. Furthermore, investigate Mu Qinghai’s close associates. Demote or exile anyone found to be complicit in his corruption.”

Panic spread like wildfire among the ministers. Everyone feared for their own necks.

Even Chief Grand Secretary Zhao Xuanzi was sweating profusely, his robes sticking to his back.

Fortunately for him, the Emperor did not call his name.

Qin Yusheng was playing a delicate game of balance. He wanted to weaken the Zhao Faction to prevent them from dominating the court, but he did not want to destroy them completely. Toppling Zhao Xuanzi now would cause too much instability and would only leave Li Yi’s faction unchecked—a situation the Emperor wished to avoid.

“Finally…”

Having dealt with the Mu Family, Emperor Qin Yusheng turned his gaze away from the weeping Mu Qinghai.

His eyes, sharp as dragon claws, landed squarely on Han Lie.