Great Li Martial God

The old eunuch slowly glanced at the various consorts around him. He hesitated for a moment, but still took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice, "This slave just arrived at the Tranquil Heart Hall and discovered that everyone, including Her Ladyship the Imperial Consort, is dead. Moreover, each one died a miserable death!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Empress, who was drinking tea, immediately froze, and the other consorts in the hall also suddenly looked up. For a moment, the hall was so silent a pin drop could be heard.

"Say that again. What happened?"

The next moment, the Empress came to her senses and abruptly stood up, her expression filled with shock and uncertainty.

She naturally knew that this old eunuch beside her would never dare lie, especially about something involving an Imperial Consort in the palace.

But she truly found it hard to believe that what he said was true.

"This slave saw it with his own eyes. Not a single person in the Tranquil Heart Hall survived. Imperial Consort Ji and all her servants were apparently murdered."

The old eunuch's complexion was equally unpleasant. This matter was also hard for him to believe, but it was what he had seen with his own eyes.

Moreover, the death conditions of Imperial Consort Ji and the others were too miserable. Even now, thinking of it still made his heart turn cold.

The old eunuch then lowered his head and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty the Empress, you are the master of the inner palace. For what happens next in this matter, you need to take charge of the overall situation." Hearing this, the various consorts in the hall immediately erupted in chaos, each one showing terrified expressions.

One must know that the Great Li imperial palace had strict defenses. Not even a mosquito could fly in. It was almost the safest place in all of Great Li.

And now an Imperial Consort had actually been murdered in the palace. This matter was simply shocking and appalling!

"All of you be quiet!"

The Empress shouted sternly at the consorts. After her expression changed repeatedly, she then looked at the old eunuch, "His Majesty began closed-door cultivation since last night and cannot be disturbed for at least half a month. Go immediately and report this matter to Li Tianyi of the Ceremonial Directorate and have him personally make a trip to the Tranquil Heart Hall."

Hearing this, the old eunuch acknowledged. At the same time, he quietly reminded, "The murderer's current situation is unknown. It's very likely they're still lurking in the palace. You must be especially careful."

After speaking, he transformed into a cold wind and disappeared in the next moment.

The Empress's complexion was unpleasant. Then she summoned several more eunuchs and ordered, "Convey my decree. Immediately dispatch the Forbidden Army to seal off the inner palace. At the same time, send orders to the Palace Commander, the Divine Might General, to thoroughly investigate all areas of the palace and search for traces of the murderer."

After speaking, she swept her gaze over the consorts before her and said coldly, "None of you are to spread word of this matter."

...

Cangyuan Marquis Manor.

Above an earthen pit filled with white bones, Divine Constable Guan Tianqian's expression was grave as he stared down below for a long time without speaking.

Not far away, Fu Yu, the leader of the Ten Famous Constables of the General Bureau, along with Ji Feiyun and other constables were also present.

Early this morning before dawn, constables on duty at Six Doors had discovered Guan Shanxue lying in front of Six Doors.

After finally managing to wake her, they discovered she was confused and dazed, seemingly not remembering why she had lost consciousness. The only thing she had an impression of was revealing Cang Yuning's identity as the flower thief.

After learning of this situation, Six Doors immediately dispatched people to Cangyuan Marquis Manor to inquire, only to discover the scene before them.

Because this matter was of great importance, the constables didn't dare handle it on their own authority and ultimately reported it layer by layer.

Not only did it alarm Fu Yu and the others, even Divine Constable Guan Tianqian, upon hearing of this matter, rushed over at the first opportunity.

"What did the servants and maids in the manor say?"

Guan Tianqian's brow was tightly furrowed as he turned to question Fu Yu.

Fu Yu shook his head, "There were orders in the marquis's manor forbidding them from leaving their rooms at night. Some people did hear sounds of fighting last night, but no one dared come out, so they don't know the specific situation."

Guan Tianqian nodded slightly, then asked again, "Has Cang Yuning's identity as the flower thief been confirmed?"

Fu Yu hesitated for a while, but still nodded.

He was just about to speak when Guan Tianqian's gaze suddenly moved, as if he had discovered something. He suddenly said in a low voice, "Everyone step back!"

Hearing this, although Fu Yu and the others didn't understand what was happening, they still retreated from the courtyard.

At the same time, Guan Tianqian's entire body suddenly shot up from the ground, rising several zhang into the air without wind. He turned his palm over and gently pressed down toward the courtyard below.

The next instant, a palm shadow the size of a house descended from the sky, thunderously striking the courtyard.

In an instant, earth flew and dust shook. The entire ground revealed grooves and furrows that formed several lines of text.

Guan Tianqian in the air swept his gaze over those characters. His expression changed slightly, then he slowly descended from above.

At this time, Fu Yu and the others around naturally also saw those characters on the ground. Several people all showed greatly shocked expressions.

"This..."

Ji Feiyun was extremely alarmed. Those several lines revealed the hidden truth about the white bones in Cangyuan Marquis Manor.

But he somewhat didn't dare believe that this matter actually involved an Imperial Consort in the palace.

"My lord."

Fu Yu hurriedly came before Guan Tianqian. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Do we still continue investigating this case?"

Guan Tianqian glanced at him but didn't immediately answer his question. Instead, he slowly said, "The person who acted has very strong abilities. From my observations, it seems he could kill people simply with true qi alone, so I can't discern his martial arts style."

Speaking, his gaze fell on those characters, then continued, "But I can confirm that this person must be a Heaven-Human Realm expert. Moreover, being able to leave writing beneath the ground without a trace shows that his control of heaven and earth true qi has reached the subtle realm."

Hearing this, Fu Yu didn't speak, only furrowed his brow.

At this time, Guan Tianqian shook his head, "Since the other party left these words, it means he hopes we can continue investigating. There's no need for us to offend this kind of person, right?"

"But what if by doing this, we offend that person in the palace..."

Guan Tianqian waved his hand, "Six Doors investigates cases according to law. There's no such thing as offending or not offending anyone. We only need to find the truth. As for what happens afterward, the Ministry of Justice and His Majesty will handle it. It has nothing to do with us."

Then, his gaze fixed on Fu Yu as he patted his shoulder, "I know you have deep connections with Cangyuan Marquis Manor, but public is public and private is private. Don't disappoint my expectations of you."

After speaking, Guan Tianqian no longer lingered and turned to leave.

However, at this time, what no one saw was that Guan Tianqian held a small stone in his hand.

It wasn't until he left Cangyuan Marquis Manor that he slowly opened his hand to reveal the stone. On it was carved a line of text:

"Imperial Consort Ji is already dead. Investigate the case properly."

...

"Interesting."

Guan Tianqian narrowed his eyes, then looked toward the direction of the imperial palace, "I want to see whether that Imperial Consort is really dead or not."

The words on this stone clearly carried a threatening tone.

Although from start to finish, Guan Tianqian had never intended to suppress this case.

But this matter involved too many important figures. The pressure he would face going forward would definitely be considerable. It was hard to guarantee he could truly continue investigating thoroughly to the end.

Guan Tianqian showed a thoughtful expression, then shook his head again.

He couldn't break into the imperial palace to kill an Imperial Consort. But if the other party could do it, then he would really need to carefully consider the other party's threat to him.