Merit-based card draws, quickly become a Heavenly Emperor

Sun Xianrong's teeth chattered from the cold. He tried to back away, but he was tied up and couldn't go anywhere.

Fang Zheng waved his hand, and Liu Qingyu floated back half a foot, hovering beside him.

"Lord Sun, do you still think I'm just making empty claims?"

Sun Xianrong gasped for breath, his chest heaving violently, his eyes filled with terror, completely devoid of his previous arrogance and fearlessness.

This was partly due to Liu Qingyu's intimidation, but also partly due to the effect of the "sudden awakening," which shook his resolve.

Fang Zheng pressed his advantage and said to Guan Tieyi, "Brother Guan, write in the interrogation file that Sun Xianrong has confessed to all his evil deeds, is willing to atone for his crimes by performing meritorious service, and testifies that the Cao family forced Bangsheng to death and that Zhu Hongcai hunted down the people and seized their property."

In the case of the He family's massacre, Lord Sun also confessed that Zhu Hongcai conspired with evil cultivators to kill people and refine elixirs, and that he was covering up Zhu Hongcai's crimes.

"Write it down clearly, and then immediately notify the Yongqing County government and the prefectural government."

Guan Tieyi was stunned for a moment, then understood and picked up his pen to write.

Sun Xianrong suddenly came to his senses and roared, "Bullshit! Fang Zheng, you brat, you're spouting nonsense!"

You haven't even seen the He family files; you're just making wild guesses!

When did I say Zhu Hongcai killed people to refine elixirs? Don't you dare make false accusations!

Fang Zheng said calmly, "Lord Sun, why are you in such a hurry?"

How do you know I haven't seen the Ho family's files?

Sun Xianrong's heart pounded wildly, his face instantly turned pale, and cold sweat poured down his back.

He knew he was in a trap, and then something else occurred to him that made his legs tremble with fear.

Fang Zheng continued, "I checked the files in the archives, and the clerk in charge said that there had been a fire not long ago."

When I asked them, they said they hadn't compiled a list of the burned and lost files yet and told me to wait.

The constable investigated for a quarter of an hour and returned to say that it had probably been burned.

In other words, even the warehouse manager hadn't confirmed that the He family's files had been burned before this.

Mr. Sun, are you so sure I haven't seen the He family's files? Do you think I haven't checked them, or do you already know that the files have been destroyed?

"You're not afraid of being investigated by higher-ups, so you're destroying evidence beforehand, are you?"

Sun Xianrong's forehead was dripping with sweat, his eyes were unfocused, and his lips were trembling; he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

Fang Zheng, too lazy to pay him any more attention, asked Guan Tieyi directly, "Brother Guan, is it finished writing?"

Guan Tieyi put down his pen and nodded.

"Then send it to the county government and announce it throughout the city."

Fang Zheng waved his hand, seemingly intending to leave.

"No! Don't send him off!"

Sun Xianrong suddenly looked up and shouted. He was covered in sweat and had lost his composure.

"Fang Zheng, Lord Fang, I beg you, please don't send it!"

If you do that, my whole family will probably die!

He never expected Fang Zheng to use this tactic.

It could be described as a despicable and shameless move, but it was precisely this move that he feared most.

He didn't say those confessions, nor did he betray Zhu Hongcai, but others didn't know that.

Once this confession is relayed back, Zhu Hongcai and the Zhu and Cao families behind him will definitely believe that they have been betrayed.

The consequences were predictable.

If Zhu Hongcai hadn't done those things, that would be fine, but for some reason, Fang Zheng's deductions were remarkably close to the facts.

The hunting down of farmers is one thing, but the fact that he drove Bangsheng to his death is undeniable, as evidenced by Liu Qingyu's ghost.

But Fang Zheng could not have seen the He family's files.

How could he know so much detail and accurately determine that Zhu Hongcai colluded with evil cultivators to kill people and refine pills?

Sun Xianrong never expected that Fang Zheng truly didn't know this before going to Zuixianlou.

But at Zuixianlou, Zhu Hongcai and Ma Chengfeng were showing off their wealth by bringing out a fragrant elixir.

Although Fang Zheng did not know exactly what it was, Liu Qingyu sensed the aura of the ghost grass.

Combining the attack by the evil cultivators that Fang Zheng encountered at the He residence, as well as the clues he found at the scene of the He family's massacre, through bold hypotheses and careful verification, a rough outline has been pieced together.

Judging from Sun Xianrong's performance, he connected all the dots and guessed correctly.

At this moment, Sun Xianrong's psychological defenses completely collapsed.

"Lord Fang, what exactly do you want?"

Fang Zheng silently channeled his Yuan Power, pushing the effectiveness of the [Head-on Blow] to its limit.

Then, he picked up a blank confession from the table, laid it in front of Sun Xianrong, dipped the pen in ink, and handed it to him.

Write down the story of the Cao family and Zhu Hongcai.

The hunting down of farmers, the massacre of the He family, the forced suicide of Bangsheng, and other cases you may know about.

Write it all down clearly, then sign and put your fingerprint on it.

Sun Xianrong stared at the pen, his hands trembling.

"I can't write."

"If I write it, I'm dead."

"If you don't write it, you're dead right now."

Fang Zheng's voice wasn't loud, but every word he spoke was firm and resolute.

Who is Zhu Hongcai?

Do you think that if you take the blame for him, he will protect you?

"Believe it or not, as long as I spread the word that you confessed everything during the interrogation, the Zhu family will come to silence you before dawn."

Upon hearing this, Sun Xianrong's face turned even paler than Liu Qingyu's, who was floating to the side.

"You're pushing me!"

"I'm saving you!"

Fang Zheng sat down again, his tone softening somewhat, "Write it now, and I'll guarantee your and your family's safety."

Lord Lü is the Chief Supervisor; with his protection, the Zhu family wouldn't dare to touch you.

Even if I send you back exactly as you are, if you refuse to confess, what do you think Zhu Hongcai will think of you?

He'll only see you as a threat and will get rid of you sooner or later.

Sun Xianrong's lips trembled as he tried to reach for the pen but couldn't extend his hand.

Fang Zheng did not urge him, but simply opened another file.

"This is the address where your family currently lives."

In Liuxiang, east of the city, the third courtyard has two locust trees at the entrance.

Fang Zheng read very slowly, "Your wife, son and daughter-in-law, and that three-year-old grandson."

Sun Xianrong suddenly looked up, his eyes wide open: "You!"

"I am a high-ranking official, and I act with integrity and uprightness. Of course, I will not touch them."

Fang Zheng closed the file. "But think about it, will Zhu Hongcai take action against them?"

He watched you get arrested at Zuixianlou, and he was more anxious than anyone else.

What will he do?

Should I go to great lengths to save you, or strike first and eliminate you and your family to end it all?

Sun Xianrong's breathing became rapid, and his chest heaved violently.

"You...you..."

"I don't have time to waste with you."

Fang Zheng stood up. "Since he's so stubborn, Brother Guan, take him back and then spread the word that he's confessed."

Guan Tieyi responded and came over to untie the rope.

"Don't!"

Sun Xianrong practically shouted, "I'll write! I'll write!"

Fang Zheng stopped and turned to look at him.

Sun Xianrong lowered his head, picked up the pen with trembling hands, dipped it in ink, and lay on the table, writing stroke by stroke.

He confessed everything he knew about the cases and misdeeds committed by the Cao family and Zhu Hongcai in the past.

In particular, he was unaware of the cause and effect of the He family massacre case. He only received a message from Zhu Hongcai late one night, asking him to rush to the He residence to handle the aftermath.

At the time, there was a man in black robes hiding his face beside Zhu Hongcai, and the two talked about things like killing people to make elixirs.

With these testimonies, plus Sun Xianrong as a witness, it was enough to arrest Zhu Hongcai.