Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

In that instant, Sun Yu suddenly turned around, and a gleaming dagger slid out from his sleeve, stabbing straight at Manbo's heart.

"Die, you witch!"

The slash was swift and ruthless, clearly premeditated. Although Manbo was on guard, the two were too close, and she only had time to turn to the side to avoid a vital spot. The dagger grazed her ribs, cutting a bloody gash that instantly stained her clothes.

"you!"

Manbo was both shocked and furious, and slapped Sun Yu with his palm.

Having landed a successful blow, Sun Yu didn't linger. He immediately withdrew, laughing loudly, "Fool! Did you really think I would help you escape the city? My Sun family has been officials for generations; how could we associate with a monster like you?"

"What an ungrateful wretch!" Manbo clutched her wound, glaring at him through gritted teeth. "Sun Yu, have you forgotten what you told me in bed yesterday? That you'd do anything for me? And now that I'm in trouble, you want to kill me to silence me?"

"You humans are truly treacherous and cunning; not a single one of you is good!"

"Don't spout nonsense!" Sun Yu's expression changed, and she shouted sharply, "You vixen, you're nothing but a plaything! You really think you're something special!"

"I'm talking nonsense?" Manbo sneered. "It was clearly your father who approached me, trying to gain some merit through our demon race and secure the position of Minister of Rites. You dare to say these things didn't happen?"

Sun Yu's expression completely changed. Without another word, he gripped his dagger tightly and lunged forward again: "Witch, prepare to die!"

As soon as Manbo gathered his breath, he found himself dizzy and almost unable to stand. Looking down, he realized that his wound had turned black, indicating that he had been poisoned.

He was horrified. "You actually poisoned me!"

Sun Yu laughed triumphantly, "Witch, don't think you're guaranteed to win just because your cultivation is higher than mine. Today I'll tear you to pieces!"

The two had already exchanged more than a dozen moves while talking. Although Manbo's cultivation was higher than Sun Yu's, she had been injured by Li Yuan's star energy before, and now she had been ambushed by Sun Yu, so her strength was greatly reduced.

Although Sun Yu's cultivation was mediocre, he was cunning and ruthless. His attacks were always aimed at Manbo's wounds. As the odds shifted, Manbo gradually lost ground.

After another fierce battle, Manbo finally couldn't hold on any longer and was kicked to the ground by Sun Yu, who grinned and raised his dagger, intending to end her life with one strike.

"Whoosh—!"

A sharp burst of true energy pierced through the air, instantly knocking the dagger out of Sun Yu's hand with a clang.

Sun Yu was shocked and turned around abruptly. He saw a tall, slender figure slowly walking out of the alley, clapping his hands as he walked.

"Slap, slap, slap!"

Li Yuan smiled, his gaze sweeping between Sun Yu and Manbo, and exclaimed sincerely, "What a wonderful show!"

"Second Young Master's acting skills are truly superb. I admire him greatly."

Sun Yu's face turned deathly pale instantly, then he stubbornly retorted, "What did Brother Li say? I don't understand."

"Sun Yu, how dare you collude with a demon!"

A Dali Temple official dressed in a blue robe with a silver badge hanging from his waist stepped forward, staring intently at him.

What are the people from the Dali Temple doing here?

Finished!

Sun Yu felt dizzy and almost fainted.

Immediately afterwards, Wu Yu, Ji Fanghua, Han Kuo... more than a dozen fully armed demon-hunting guards came out one by one, silently watching him.

"You've come at the perfect time!"

Sun Yu, with his incredibly thick skin, still stubbornly shouted, "Quickly help me kill this witch! She just tried to frame me, saying that our Sun family is colluding with the Dark Pavilion—that's utter nonsense!"

"Is that so?" Li Yuan smiled, walked up to Manbo, squatted down, and quietly looked at her. "Miss Manbo, do you dare to repeat what you just said in front of the officials of the Dali Temple?"

Manbo covered his wound, raised his head, glanced at Li Yuan, then at the disheveled Sun Yu, and suddenly burst into wild laughter.

"Hahaha... Sun Yu, you've finally met your match? You want me dead? Then come to hell with me!"

She abruptly stopped laughing, her eyes filled with a wild, triumphant gleam, and looked at Li Yuan. "What wouldn't I dare!"

She pointed at Sun Yu and said, word by word, "Minister Sun, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and his son Sun Yu intend to seek benefits by cooperating with my demon clan and to obtain the position of Minister of Rites."

"I have copies of their communications with my Demon King, as well as some recording stones of their conversations. These things are hidden in a safe place in the west of the city."

"If you gentlemen do not believe me, you may send someone to fetch it!"

With each word she spoke, Sun Yu's face paled further. Upon hearing this, her legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground.

Li Yuan stood up and cupped his hands in greeting to the officials of the Court of Judicial Review: "Have you all heard that? Since this involves officials appointed by the imperial court, the matter will now be handled by the Court of Judicial Review."

The head of the group, Lü Shikai, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, nodded solemnly and waved to the constables behind him: "Seize Sun Yu! Immediately report to His Majesty to seal off the Sun residence, and prohibit everyone from entering or leaving!"

"yes!"

The constables rushed forward and dragged Sun Yu, who had collapsed to the ground, to his feet.

Sun Yu struggled desperately, screaming hoarsely, "Li Yuan! You plotted against me, you'll die a horrible death!"

Li Yuan ignored him and waved his hand: "Fall back!"

The connection with the Sun family finally surfaced, and the Dali Temple acted swiftly, settling the matter within just a few days.

According to Manbo's confession, a large number of letters were found in Sun's residence, providing irrefutable evidence.

At the same time, the West Market also immediately launched a coordinated operation, arresting an official from the Ministry of War and forming a complete chain of evidence.

The fact that Sun Mao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, colluded with the demon race, attempted to buy and sell military merits, and manipulated court policies is undeniable.

During the morning court session, Emperor Li Yan, unusually, lost his temper.

He slammed the memorial from the Dali Temple to the ground, his voice icy cold.

"Well, well! My Vice Minister of Personnel is actually drawing a salary from the court while secretly colluding with the demon race."

Li Yan slowly surveyed the civil and military officials, his expression grim. "The soldiers who fought valiantly in the Northwest—their merits have been used as bargaining chips to appease the demon race! A high-ranking official in the Ministry of War is helping to cover up and fabricate evidence!"

He slammed his hand on the dragon table in anger, the loud crack startling everyone present.

"Tell me, how many people in this court are truly clean? Huh?"

"His Majesty!"

In an instant, all the civil and military officials knelt down, none daring to utter a sound.

Especially Wang Ge Lao, whose forehead was pressed against the cold floor tiles, his back was completely soaked with cold sweat.

Although he was unaware of Minister Sun's collusion with the demon race, he, as his mentor, could not escape blame for what had happened.

He quickly calculated in his mind how to minimize the losses while protecting himself.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

Grand Secretary Wang raised his head, his voice heavy with sorrow, "This old minister is guilty! Sun Mao was this old minister's protégé. This old minister misjudged people and failed in his judgment in employing them, leading to this great disaster. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

He spoke with deep sorrow: "But this old minister truly knew nothing of Sun Mao's collusion with the demon race. I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!"

Li Yan remained silent with a gloomy face. Grand Secretary Wang secretly observed his expression and continued:

"Sun Mao, as an official of the imperial court, secretly colluded with the demon race and betrayed the interests of the court. His actions deserve to be punished!"

"In my humble opinion, this matter should be dealt with severely to serve as a warning to others! All those involved, regardless of their official rank, should be punished without exception!"