I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 110 Chanting

Fan Yuanchen sat in the center. He was in his early forties, with the cultivation level of the early stage of Core Formation and the sixth grade of Immortal Talisman. Any one of these qualities would make him a household name in the world.

As soon as Xue Xiang entered the room, his tiger-like eyes locked onto Xue Xiang, and he thought to himself, "What a handsome face."

"Greetings, Your Excellencies. Your humble servant Xue Xiang greets you."

Xue bowed to Tuantuan and saw many familiar faces.

Not only Wei Yang and Xie Haiya were there, but Hong Tianxia was also there.

"Let's not talk about anything else, let's take Su Suiran."

At Fan Yuanchen's command, Su Suiran was brought in. Dressed in a plain robe, Su Suiran had a cool and composed demeanor.

Xue Xiang frowned slightly; he couldn't understand what trouble Su Suiran was up to.

He hadn't even had a chance to settle accounts with Su Suiran for not cooperating in summoning the Heavenly Dao of the Literary Lineage.

At that time, if Su Suiran had been willing to cooperate, he wouldn't have needed to break the seal and stamp.

At this juncture, the man surnamed Su jumped out again.

"Su Suiran, tell me everything you know. If you dare to utter even a single falsehood, I will punish you severely."

Fan Yuanchen said loudly.

Su Suiran cupped his hands and said, "I want to expose that Xue Xiang's investigation was a pretense; his true intention was to collude with the Witch God Cult."

These words shocked the entire audience.

Xue Xiang was dumbfounded. What the hell was this all about?
Old Su can't be that brainless, can he really say something so stupid?
"Xue Xiang, what do you say?"

Fan Yuanchen tapped his knuckles lightly on the table.

This statement is not worth refuting.

"Is it not worth refuting, or is it that you're too ashamed to refute it?"

“Su Suiran and I have a long-standing grudge, and almost everyone in the various government offices of Suiyang Town knows about it.”

“Su has only justice in his heart, not personal grudges. Since Su dares to stand up, he wants to identify you to your face.”

"Very well, I'd like to hear how you, Magistrate Su, distort the truth."

"Master Si".

Su Suiran bowed deeply to Fan Yuanchen.

Fan Yuanchen waved his hand, "Just ask, everyone here is a witness."

Xue Xiang keenly perceived Fan Yuanchen's inclinations.

Under normal circumstances, shouldn't it be up to me to state the facts? Even if Su Suiran wants to find fault, she should state the facts first before she can point them out.

Now, Fan Yuanchen is letting Su Suiran ask first, which is tantamount to letting Su Suiran find fault first.

Therefore, everyone's preconceived notion must be that Xue Xiang has a problem and that he needs to prove himself to be innocent.

The difference between this reversal and the repetition is significant.

Considering Hong Tianxia's network of connections, Xue Xiang keenly realized that today's grand scene was not something that Su Suiran alone could orchestrate.

Where were you at 5:15 AM this morning?

Su Suiran angrily pointed at Xue Xiang.

"I'm at the Mianfeng Coal Yard."

What are you doing there?

"Investigate the military pay case."

Why did the investigation lead there?

"Xue discovered..."

Xue Xiang explained how he deciphered the mystery of the four balls appearing simultaneously, eliciting gasps of surprise from the audience.

"So that's how it is. Everyone was going in the wrong direction."

"This Xue Xiang is truly remarkable."

“I told them at the time that we shouldn’t overcomplicate things and should focus on the root of the problem. That’s why we can’t solve the case.”

"Don't be so hindsight; did you really say that at the time?"

"........."

Many of the officials who had joined the special office that day were now thrilled that Xue Xiangyi had revealed the truth.

Su Suiran cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Fan Yuanchen.

Fan Yuanchen gathered his strength and his voice dominated the entire room, "Aren't you ashamed? Shut up, all of you. Su Suiran, you can continue asking questions."

He held considerable authority, and after he spoke, the entire room fell silent once more.

Su Suiran stared at Xue Xiangdao and asked, "How long have you been handling the military pay case?"

"Twenty-one days so far."

How long has the special task force headquarters been established?

"I don't see any practical significance in these questions."

Xue Xiang felt that Su Suiran was digging a hole for him.

"I must answer."

Fan Yuanchen said loudly.

Xue Xiang said in a deep voice, "The special task force headquarters has been established for more than half a year."

Su Suiran raised his voice, "The special task force has been established for half a year, and we still have no clue what to do."

In just twenty days, you've managed to unravel the mystery of the military pay scandal?
Are you implying that all the officials are incompetent, and you alone are an honest, capable, and virtuous official?

“I didn’t say that. Besides creating conflict and putting Xue in an unjust position, I can’t think of any other use for Commander Su’s comparison.”

"Its only purpose is to prove you're lying!"

"That's ridiculous, why would I lie?"

"It was clearly you who made peace with the Witch God Cult, and the Witch God Cult, in order to ensure your meritorious service, took the initiative to inform you of the details of the military pay case."

Otherwise, how could you, in just twenty days, accomplish so much that even seasoned criminal investigators couldn't do in over six months?

Xue Xiang gasped.

He suddenly realized that Su Suiran's attempt to save herself from imminent death was not a premeditated attack.

Su Suiran's accusations seem absurd and illogical.

But it aligns with human nature.

Nearly half of those present were officials from the headquarters that had previously handled the military pay case.

Su Suiran's accusations completely placed Xue Xiang on the opposite side of them.

Although Su Suiran argued illogically, he was well-versed in human nature.

So you, surnamed Xue, are the only smart people, and everyone else is an idiot?
Then, people will start to suspect something is amiss, feeling that there must be something fishy going on.

As for what kind of trickery it was, nobody cared; Su Suiran was free to make things up.

"What, I hit the nail on the head, and now you can't answer?"

Su Suiran sneered inwardly, pressing her advantage, "I know you've always harbored a grudge against me."

In order to solve the case and make contributions, Su did indeed bring you into the investigation.

Unexpectedly, in order to gain merit and extra points in the county exam, you went to great lengths to make peace with the people of the Witch God Cult.

You, Director Xue, are now a prominent figure in Suiyang Town, and you also control Suiyang Ferry, a treasure trove.

"Those cultists are so desperate for money they're even stealing military pay. If you offer the secret of the military pay scandal in exchange for Suiyang Ferry, of course they'll agree."

“Lord Su, it’s such a waste of your talent that you don’t write folk tales and legends.”

Xue Xiang was dumbfounded.

Fan Yuanchen said loudly, "If Xue Xiangzhen really makes peace with the Witch God Sect, it's probably not just to gain merit or to get extra points."

More than anything, he was filled with fear. He knew that if he failed to solve the case, the punishment from above would likely include the complete erasure of all his writings since birth.

People might be able to remain calm in the face of self-interest, but it's difficult for them to do so in the face of fear.

“What you say is absolutely right, sir.”

Su Suiran said, "This is Xue Xiang's motive for making peace with the Witch God Cult. As for his so-called cracking of the military pay case in twenty days, that is evidence of his collusion with the Witch God Cult."

"Please allow me to report, Lord Fan."

Wei Yang slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

What does Wei Ling have to say?

Fan Yuanchen didn't even lift his eyelids.

Wei Yang said, "If people make accusations like Su Suiran, no one will dare to accomplish anything in the future. Anyone who succeeds will be accused of having a conspiracy or collusion."

You might be questioned: How come others couldn't do it, but you did? Are you the only smart one?
What is the logic behind this?

He was, after all, a regional marquis, whose status was far higher than Xie Haiya's.

At this moment, Xie Haiya was not in a position to speak, but he had to speak.

Besides, Su Suiran's accusations sounded like utter nonsense to him.

Fan Yuanchen said, "What Wei Ling said makes sense, but Su Zhenling only raised a hypothetical question. Wei Ling, please don't be hasty."

Wei Yang said, "I am not in a hurry, but I want to know why Su Suiran said that Xue Xiang is colluding with the Witch God Cult."

Little did anyone know, it was someone who had broken the seal and stamp, and fought the Witch God Cult to the point of near exhaustion.

And who was it that eliminated the Earth Witch Yama, who had plagued the land for many years?

The Master shouldn't have listened to such nonsense as Su Suiran's.

Fan Yuanchen snorted lightly, "How I act is none of your business. Step back!"

Wei Yang grunted and stepped aside.

Fan Yuanchen stared at Su Suiran and said, "Did you hear what Wei Ling said?"
You keep saying that Xue Xiang colluded with the Witch God Cult, and you've cited Xue Xiang's motives and possible evidence.

But none of that is enough; evidence, the key is evidence.

Su Suiran said, "I naturally have evidence. Xue Xiang, do you recognize this?"

Su Suiran held up a mask, which was bluish-brown in color and shaped like a raccoon dog.

"It's you!"

Xue Xiang's eyes widened as he pointed at Su Suiran and said, "You, you colluded with the Witch God Cult."

"Yes, I did collude with the Witch God Cult, but I was ordered to infiltrate it."

Su Suiran said loudly, "I was ordered by Master Zhao to infiltrate the Witch God Cult and secretly investigate the military pay case. Otherwise, how could I have witnessed your shameful deeds?"

"Su Suiran is acting on my orders."

The second seat on the left was occupied by a burly man with an imposing presence; he was none other than Zhao Feidu, the most dignified and respected man in Canaan County.

Instantly, the audience erupted in uproar.

The Witch God Cult is an evil force designated by the imperial court, and to this day, no one has been known to have successfully infiltrated it.

Xue Xiang's mind raced, categorizing, organizing, and analyzing the information.

He absolutely did not believe that Su Suiran was ordered to infiltrate the Witch God Cult.

If the Witch God Cult were so easy to infiltrate, it would have been wiped out long ago.

He stared intently at Su Suiran, who returned his gaze with disdain.

He was certainly not ordered to infiltrate the Witch God Cult. Rather, after Su Zimo's death, he was filled with despair and began to go mad by dragging Xue Xiang into the military pay scandal.

Since I am nearing the end of the day and the journey is long, I will proceed in reverse and do things against the grain.

This statement is by no means just a declaration.

Su Suiran joined the Witch God Cult, even drinking the rootless water and being controlled for life, all with the aim of using the Witch God Cult to kill Xue Xiang.

He hadn't expected that Xue Xiang would find the stronghold of the Witch God Cult so quickly.

Overjoyed, Su Suiran couldn't wait to annihilate Xue Xiang.

Xue Xiang narrowly escaped death in his battle with Yama.

In despair, Su Suiran pondered for a while and then found Hong Tianxia, ​​confessing that he had joined the Witch God Cult and revealing his scheme to harm Xue Xiang and implicate Xie Haiya.

Su Suiran promised that if the matter succeeded, he would immediately commit suicide as a token of his gratitude and would not cause Hong Tianxia any trouble.

In the end, he successfully persuaded Hong Tianxia.

Then, through Hong Tianxia's mediation, he persuaded Zhao Feidu, the most dignified man in Canaan County, to agree to the arrangement.

Zhao Feidu wanted a huge credit for the military pay scandal.

Previously, the joint task force established by the state, county, and city governments returned empty-handed, causing Zhao Feidu to lose face and receive a reprimand from his superiors.

If the military pay scandal is solved again in his hands, he will surely be able to wipe away his shame.

Now, all that's left in the military pay case is compiling the materials; whoever is in charge of compiling them will get the credit.

Once Xue Xiang is brought down, the power to compile the materials will naturally be easily within our grasp.

Although Su Suiran's plan was evil, Zhao Feidu could reap huge profits without taking any risks, so there was no reason not to do it.

Thus, Su Suiran, using his years of experience in the government system, used himself as bait to orchestrate this deadly trap. "Well done, wise and courageous, Magistrate Su. You have taken a great risk, and I will certainly recommend you for merit."

Fan Yuanchen slammed his hand on the table in excitement.

"Your Excellency, Su Suiran and I have a long-standing grudge, so his words cannot be taken as evidence."

Xue Xiang had long realized that Fan Yuanchen's decision to have Su Suiran speak first instead of letting him recount the events first concealed a huge hidden danger.

But we never expected the hidden danger to be so great.

At this moment, everyone's gaze towards him changed; clearly, this was due to preconceived notions.

Fan Yuanchen said coldly, "Grievances may exist, but witness testimonies still need to be given."

You say Su Suiran is wrong, but then point out the flaws in his statement.

Xue Xiang shouted, "Su Suiran slandered me for colluding with the Witch God Sect. If I colluded with the Witch God Sect, why did I turn against them?"

Why risk destroying official seals and registers, fighting to the death against the Earthly Witch Yama?

Su Suiran said, "You still dare to argue when you're about to die."

Your falling out with the Witch God Cult was simply because the Earth Witch Yama of the Witch God Cult discovered that your woman was a Spirit Race member, and even more so, a Spirit Race member of the Inheritance Level.

Yama has just recovered and urgently needs the bloodline of the Spirit Clan to replenish himself.

You couldn't bear to part with your woman, which is why you fought a desperate battle with Yama, betraying the Witch God Cult.

What, you think that just because you hid that spirit race woman of the inheritance level, no one else would know?
Whether what Su said is true or false, everything will be clear once the spirit woman is found.

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

Xue Xiang was also stunned.

Su Suiran's explanation is logically consistent and has a complete chain of evidence.

If Xue Xiang hadn't been the person involved, he too would have believed it.

Moreover, Su Suiran's last sentence was a stroke of genius, directly equating the authenticity of all events with the authenticity of Liu Mei's identity as a member of the Spirit Clan.

The concept was subtly and quietly changed, leaving no room for criticism.

If they weren't rivals, Xue Xiang would have been compelled to applaud Su Suiran.

Where are the Spirit Clan women?

Fan Yuanchen said sternly.

Xue Xiang said loudly, "Liu Mei was adopted by my mother when she was young, and no one knows that she is a member of the Spirit Clan."

This time, Liu Mei rushed into the formation to save me, but she was no match for the enemy and was captured by the remnants of the Witch God Cult.

Even though she is a member of the Spirit Clan, Liu Mei has lived in my home for a long time and has never done anything evil. What wrong has she done?

As for Su Suiran's accusations, they are all empty words; is there any concrete evidence to support them?
Since receiving the military pay case, the clerk has worked tirelessly day and night, and finally solved the long-standing case.

This is factual evidence.

The lower-ranking official ventured into perilous territory to investigate the case, risking the destruction of official documents and even the backlash of their own literary power, in order to kill the local sorcerer, Yama.

This is also factual evidence.

How can one condemn someone by ignoring solid evidence and instead listening to the fabricated accusations of someone with whom one has a long-standing grudge?

These words sparked another round of discussion.

Wei Yang clenched his fist tightly, while Xie Haiya's hands were already bulging with veins.

"Of course I have evidence."

Su Suiran shouted loudly, determined not to give Xue Xiang a chance to turn the tables.

"take it out."

"The evidence of your association with the Witch God Cult is hidden in the Sleeping Wind Coal Mine. When the remnants of the Witch God Cult left, they destroyed the coal mine, but that only buried the evidence deep underground. With patience, it will naturally see the light of day again."

"What patient digging? You just want time to fabricate evidence."

Xue Xiang stared coldly at Su Suiran, "Do you dare swear to God that everything you said is true?"

Su Suiran raised his hand to the sky, saying, "If I, Su, utter even half a falsehood, may Heaven condemn me."

He was single-mindedly focused on taking revenge on Xue Xiang. Even before the restrictions placed on him by the Witch God Sect were lifted, he was busy rebelling against them, all in order to bring down Xue Xiang.

As for any vows, they weren't even worth mentioning to him, let alone a toothache curse.

"Okay, let's dig around and see if there's any evidence."

Fan Yuanchen slammed his hand on the table, "We'll set a three-day limit for excavating the Mianfeng coalfield."

Xue Xiang was temporarily taken into the dungeon of the military headquarters and placed under strict guard.

"When the three days are up, we will distinguish between black and white here again."

Fan Yuanchen made the final decision.

After the court hearing ended, Xie Haiya left the council chamber and was about to leave when Wei Yang called out to him, "Old Xie, what are you going to do?"

"Although Xie is incompetent, he will not allow himself to be humiliated."

Xie Haiya said coldly, "My Tongjiang School is not made of clay."

Wei Yang said shyly, "I am powerless to help. I cannot get involved in the infighting within your civil service system."

But to say that Xiao Xue colluded with the Witch God Cult is utter nonsense.

What can the Witch God Cult offer him? He is a great talent capable of producing literary masterpieces of unparalleled brilliance, and his future is clearly limitless.

He's gone mad and colluded with the Witch God Cult. I think Fan Si-zun is also in big trouble.

You'd better step up your efforts. I can only grumble a bit to my wife; my father-in-law still holds some influence in Confucian circles.

"Thank you."

Xie Haiya cupped his hands in greeting and flew away.

Wei Yang also left quickly.

The two then left, and Xue Xiang temporarily settled into a new home ten feet underground.

The dungeon was no more than ten square meters, with stone walls and blue brick flooring. Inside the heavy stone door, there was only a vent, which also served as a peephole.

There was only a stone bed and two quilts in the room, nothing else.

Xue Xiang was trapped inside. At three quarters past 5 PM, someone passed him a plate of steamed buns and two bamboo tubes of water through the air vent.

After finishing his meal, Xue Xiang went straight to sleep.

The two guards clearly checked on him through the peephole at 1:15 PM and 1:15 PM.

Seeing that he was sleeping soundly, he did not come again after midnight.

As night deepened, Su Suiran suddenly sat up, feeling that something was amiss.

I thought and thought, but I couldn't think of any flaws.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the barracks door.

Under Fan Yuanchen's insistence, no one was allowed to leave the barracks, and he was no exception.

Su Suiran opened the door, and it was Hong Tian who came looking for her. Hong Tian explained his purpose, saying that Zhao Feidu couldn't sleep and had dragged the two of them into a fight.

Su Suiran was inwardly grumbling. Before going to sleep, he and Hong Tianxia had spent nearly an hour in Zhao Feidu's barracks, repeatedly plotting for him.

The person surnamed Zhao faces absolutely no risk, so why is he causing trouble again?

With victory so close, Su Suiran was unwilling to cause any trouble, so she had no choice but to patiently go with Hong Tianxia again.

Just as they were about to leave, it was nearly midnight. Xue Xiang sat up, propped two bamboo water tubes up under the covers, and pretended to be asleep.

Seeing that it looked somewhat similar, he had an idea and knocked on the Wen Palace. In the next instant, he arrived at the Wenxu Blessed Land.

The current situation is out of control.

Fan Yuanchen's sudden intervention made the situation extremely precarious.

He believed that it wouldn't be long before Su Suiran would be able to dig up his so-called evidence at the Mianfeng Coal Mine.

Since our opponents are shameless and refuse to use conventional methods, let's all flip the table together.

He remained scholarly, his face still veiled. As he approached the cave entrance, he let out a whistle, and a pale-faced youth swiftly stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "What brings you here, senior? I am Feng Nuancheng, here to guard this place on the orders of all the seniors."

The senior colleagues have instructed me that I must unconditionally cooperate with them in any matter they require.

Xue Xiang nodded, "I had nothing to do, and feeling restless, I came out to gaze at the Milky Way."

"You've worked hard on the night watch, please rest. I'll call you if I need anything."

As he spoke, he tossed a porcelain bottle over.

Feng Nuancheng took the bottle, and only after seeing the words on it did he tremble uncontrollably.

Rejuvenation Pill.

He could spend a whole year at Wuzhuang Temple and still not get a single one.

"Senior..."

"Take it and play with it. This old man has no use for such vulgar things."

"Thank you, senior."

The city, warmed by the wind, bowed deeply.

Xue Xiang calmly waved his hand, and Feng Nuancheng retreated.

Xue Xiang called out loudly, "Foolish child, are you there?"

As soon as he finished speaking, it seemed as if a thousand thunderclaps were born beneath his feet.

A thunderous roar, like a waterfall plunging into the sea, followed shortly afterward, a gigantic blue dragon head, the size of a small house, appeared before Xue Xiang.

Qinglong stared wide-eyed at the man behind the veiled scholar's aura.

"Would you like to travel with this old man?"

Xue Xiang said loudly.

The Azure Dragon nodded its enormous head rapidly.

"Foolish child, foolish child, I will surely grant you a great destiny."

Xue Xiang soared into the air, leaping onto the dragon's head, and proclaimed loudly, "Young friend Feng, release the restrictions, and I, young friend Qinglong, will roam together."

"Follow the order!"

As soon as the warm wind of the city fell silent, a streak of light flashed across the sky, and the Azure Dragon soared into the air.

The pale moonlight shone on the dragon's body, giving it a cold, eerie glow.

The Azure Dragon surged forward like a flying train.

"Foolish child, south, full speed ahead."

The Azure Dragon changed direction, soaring through the nine heavens, riding the wind and controlling the lightning.

Perhaps worried that Xue Xiang was too old to withstand the fierce winds from the heavens, several steel-like dragon whiskers curled up on his head, forming a protective shield that firmly protected Xue Xiang.

Xue Xiang soared through the heavens, as if riding the clouds and chasing the moon, howling in the wind, and dispelled eight or nine tenths of the pent-up emotions in his heart.

In just half an hour, Qinglong arrived in Canglan Prefecture from Bohai. Ahead lay the majestic Mituo Mountain. Beyond Mituo Mountain lay Anlu City. A hundred breaths later, Xue Xiang saw Suiyang Ferry.

Even at night, the lights there were just as bright as those in Anlu.

Looking down from the air, Xue Xiangcai truly felt the extent of the chaos he had created at Suiyangdu over the past six months.

The candlelight flickered red in Zhao Feidu's private barracks, where Hong Tianxia and Su Suiran were both present.

Originally, the three of them had spent some time together after dinner.

Zhao Feidu asked all the questions that needed to be asked.

Su Suiran had said everything that needed to be said.

Originally, Zhao Feidu felt that everything was in perfect order. He had just lay down in the barracks, but he was still uneasy and could not fall asleep. So he asked his trusted servant to summon Hong Tianxia and Su Suiran.

"My lord, I guarantee that I will be able to find evidence of Xue Xiang's communication with the Witch God Cult."

Su Suiran had already made his promise to Zhao Feidu for the sixth time, and in his heart, he felt even more contempt for this kind of high-ranking official who came from a prestigious family.

If I had such good fortune in my official career, I would never be ranked below such people.

Unfortunately, it's too late to say all this now.

His only wish in life was to see Xue Xiang meet his end.

Hong Tianxia said, "I will personally handle this matter, so you can rest assured, sir."

The results should be available by tomorrow evening at the latest.

"Are you looking for a master? This is no small matter. I heard that Xue Xiang has joined the Tongjiang School, and the newly appointed Canglan Prefecture Inspector, surnamed Song, is a member of the Tongjiang School."

Zhao Feidu said worriedly, "If there is even the slightest mistake in this matter, the intervention of the man surnamed Song will definitely cause a great stir."

Hong Tianxia said, "The master has a name, called the Divine Hand Scholar, there's no mistake."

We can guess what Master Fan is thinking; he's definitely willing to go along with it.

Zhao Feidu nodded. "That's good. However, ultimately, this matter cannot be delayed."

Zhao Feidu kept repeating himself in circles, making Su Suiran almost have a stress reaction.

Just then, a dragon's roar resounded, as loud as thunder.

(End of this chapter)