Merit-based card draws, quickly become a Heavenly Emperor

The situation has now reached a dead end: the perpetrator refuses to plead guilty, so the case cannot be closed.

Although torture could be used directly, judging from Granny Gui's appearance, he wouldn't admit it even if torture were used.

At this moment, even Lu Qingyun, an experienced judicial officer, was in a predicament and unable to advance the case any further.

Neither Lü Zhengfeng nor Fang Zheng spoke, and the case once again reached a dead end.

At this moment, County Magistrate Zhu Tianhua stood up angrily, pointed at Granny Gui and scolded, "You criminal woman, the evidence of your plot to murder Lord Chu is conclusive."

"Drag her away and give her twenty lashes, then see if she confesses."

Lu Qingyun was taken aback and was about to stop him, but Zhu Tianhua said, "Lord Lu, if the suspect refuses to confess, according to the laws of Yun Dynasty, then torture should be used."

Please do not stop me from doing this, Lord Lu.

After all, we both want to find out the truth as soon as possible and give Lord Chu justice.

Lu Qingyun sighed, said nothing more, and sat back down to continue reviewing the case files and searching for suspicious points.

Lu Zhengfeng did not stop it; at this time, using torture was in accordance with the rules, and there was no reason to obstruct it.

Soon, Granny Gui was dragged away to be executed. After the beating, she collapsed to the ground, covered in blood, a horrifying sight.

The instruments of torture used in the county government office are all official tools, imbued with auspicious energy.

Twenty strokes of the cane are incredibly painful; most people couldn't endure them and would likely confess.

But Granny Gui remained silent throughout, gritting her teeth and enduring the ordeal. Although her face was pale and she was sweating profusely, she still refused to confess and admitted that she had killed Chu Tiankuo.

"Continue the torture!"

County Magistrate Zhu Tianhua was furious: "I refuse to believe that this culprit will not confess."

After another twenty strokes, Granny Gui was on the verge of death.

Zhu Tianhua wanted to use torture again, but Fang Zheng couldn't stand it anymore.

If torture is used again, Granny Gui may not be able to withstand it.

The other party was already quite old. Although he was an eighth-grade cultivator at the Artifact Control Realm, his physical body was not much stronger than that of an ordinary person.

Most importantly, it seems that although Granny Gui has done many evil things, she is probably not the real culprit who killed Chu Tiankuo.

On the contrary, the fact that County Magistrate Zhu Tianhua was so eager to torture Granny Gui so much suggests that he might have intended to force a confession out of her, or even to torture Granny Gui to death.

Therefore, Fang made a decisive move at this moment and walked into the hall.

"My lords, please postpone the interrogation."

The officials were taken aback. If this were an ordinary citizen, it would be considered a crime of disrupting court proceedings.

However, Fang Zheng is a dignified ninth-rank supervisory inspector, and his account of the case was so skillful that it was truly admirable. Naturally, he is qualified to speak in court.

Lu Zhengfeng looked at Fang Zheng, who stepped forward and whispered a few words to him. Lu Zhengfeng's expression changed, and he looked at Fang Zheng carefully.

"This matter is of utmost importance. If you make a mistake, you will lose your official position. You should find out the truth first."

Fang Zheng shook his head: "Lord Lü, if you continue to use torture, Wu Gui will surely die."

With her death, the case of Chu Tiankuo will be closed, and the real culprit behind the scenes can go unpunished.

If there is indeed a mistake, Founder is willing to bear the consequences.

Lü Zhengfeng sighed and said, "I understand. Go ahead. If we've really made a mistake, I'll take responsibility with you."

Having obtained permission from his superior, Fang Zheng cupped his hands in greeting and turned to the assembled officials, saying, "There may be more to the story in the case of Chu Tiankuo's murder."

This official suggests that Wu Gui be taken away for questioning and treatment of his injuries. I, the supervising judge, will then seek further evidence and hold another trial at a later date.

Upon hearing this, the officials looked at each other, all puzzled.

The old county magistrate, Zhou Huai-ren, hesitated whether to stop it.

Zhu Tianhua, however, frowned deeply, extremely displeased, and said coldly, "Inspector Fang, what are you doing?"

With the suspect about to confess, why not seize the opportunity to apprehend him instead of seeking further evidence?

Wu Gui committed murder out of personal vendetta; the case is crystal clear. Where did any other evidence come from?

Fang Zheng remained calm and composed, exuding an air of authority.

He looked directly at Zhu Tianhua and said, "Gentlemen, since ancient times, the primary concern in murder cases has been revenge, and the secondary concern has been profit."

Wu Gui had a personal grudge against Lord Chu and certainly had a motive to kill him.

However, we cannot rule out the possibility that others had a motive for murder.

Before the officials could reply, Fang Zheng had already scanned them with a sharp gaze and said with righteous indignation: "Gentlemen in the hall, you are all the parents and children of Yongqing County."

But he was well aware of how corrupt and chaotic the local government had been before.

After Lord Chu arrived in the county, he was impartial, upright, and incorruptible, and severely punished a number of corrupt officials.

For example, the Xu family's Five Poisons, which were captured by Lord Guan Tieyi and me before, were remnants of that poison.

If the Xu family's Five Poisons could find Lord Guan Tieyi to seek revenge, then other corrupt officials who have been investigated or are about to be investigated would naturally also have a motive to target Lord Chu.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all the officials in the hall changed drastically, and the local officials of Yongqing County turned ashen-faced with eyes blazing with fury.

Fang Zheng's remarks were utterly merciless, essentially exposing their dirty secrets to the investigation team.

This is practically tantamount to pointing fingers at them and accusing them of having bad people among their officials!

However, some cunning and shrewd officials, such as County Magistrate Zhu Tianhua, already wore cold smiles.

Before he could even refute, the old magistrate coughed somewhat displeasedly and said, "Fangzheng, you are young and impetuous. You should think things through before you speak."

Everyone here is an official in Yongqing County. Who isn't selfless and incorruptible?

What evidence do you have to dare to speak so arrogantly and make such veiled accusations?

With the [Eloquent] card at this moment, Fang Zheng was not afraid at all even when he was fighting a group of officials with words.

He said decisively, "I have reviewed the relevant documents. Before being placed under house arrest by Wu Gui, Lord Chu intensively collected various criminal case files in the county and frequently went out of the city to investigate."

Furthermore, according to Chu Tiankuo's daughter, Lord Chu had told her that he was currently investigating a very dangerous major case.

Afterwards, Chu Tiankuo was murdered.

Now that Wu Gui, the prime suspect, denies murder, the case of Lord Chu's death must be closely related to a major case he was investigating previously.

Fang Zheng's remarks have offended all the officials in Yongqing County.

Therefore, upon hearing this, the county constable also said sarcastically, "How ridiculous! Just now, Lord Lu almost finished investigating the case of Chu Tiankuo's murder."

It was clearly Wu Gui who harbored resentment because of an old case from over a decade ago, and that's why she took revenge on Chu Tiankuo.

This matter is irrefutable, so what does it have to do with the major case that Chu Tiankuo is investigating?

I think you shouldn't waste everyone's time; continuing the criminal trial of Wu Gui is the real priority."

Fang Zheng then said solemnly, "I am an inspector of the supervisory office, and I only obey the orders of the supervisory officer."

How can I investigate a case? Do I need your permission, County Lieutenant?

"Does your disagreement mean I can't investigate the case?"

The county constable looked disdainful and sneered, "Fine."

Fang Zheng, then tell me what case Chu Tiankuo was investigating before he was murdered?

If you can't give a coherent explanation, I'll have to report you to Commandant Lü!"

Fang Zheng ignored the other party and pointed to the dying Granny Gui, saying, "Only Wu Gui knows best what case Lord Chu was investigating before he was murdered."

Wu Gui, let me ask you, what case was Lord Chu investigating at the time?