Xuanqing Guard

With clear direction and fewer restraints, the Xuanqing Guard was like a heavy carriage careening downhill—whoever blocked their way would be crushed beneath the wheels.

The Ministry of Justice Major Case Department had already exhausted all means to try to slow the Xuanqing Guard’s investigation, but they held too little information in their hands, completely ignorant of the other party’s investigative direction. Their actions, flailing like headless flies, were utterly meaningless.

In truth, aside from those who had read the letter Qin Xiuyuan wrote to Qin Wenhe before his death, who could’ve guessed that the real focus of the Xuanqing Guard’s investigation was no longer the third branch of the Qin Family— but rather Qin Yurou, the eldest daughter of the Qin Family’s main branch?

Several days passed, and the Civil Servant Group sensed that things were going awry. With no time to waste, they took direct action in the Temple Hall, spearheaded by the Advisors, launching a frenzied impeachment against the inescapable Pang Ban.

Whatever "wanton slaughter of innocents," or "showing utter contempt for the law," or "abusing public power for personal gain"... in short, any capital charge that could cost a man his head was hurled at Pang Ban as though they were free to give away.

And Pang Ban? He stood among the ranks like a wooden stake, motionless and silent, not even bothering to respond. The True Qi within him was as restrained as ever, making him appear utterly harmless. Yet whether it was the Advisors hurling pen and tongue at him, the military officials standing nearby, or any soul within the Ten Thousand People’s Palace, none would ever think this gray-haired, silent old man was easy prey.

When have you ever heard a crocodile roar? Whether in water or by the riverbank, it is as still as a stone—yet who dares approach?

"Your Majesty, at this point, the Xuanqing Guard is like a nail driven into the bone—one inch forward, and it pierces the heart! We absolutely cannot let them go unchecked, Your Majesty!"

"Your servants advise at the risk of their lives, prepared to be annihilated, every last one, by the Xuanqing Guard the moment we return. Our deaths matter not—but what fault have the common people committed? We entreat Your Majesty to act for the people’s sake!"

"Your Majesty, under the banner of your Personal Guard, the Xuanqing Guard has committed every conceivable evil. Their misdeeds can no longer be chronicled. Even in a mere war of words, a junior official—a Hundred Households—dared to throw men in prison, then cruelly slaughtered several of them... Now even Lord Qin’s family cannot escape danger in their own home; what unbridled arrogance is this? What madness? We beseech Your Majesty to punish these rats and snakes, to restore virtue and order to heaven and earth..."

The Advisors’ remonstrations were deafening, each word striking to the heart.

Accusations volleyed back and forth, and once they’d said their piece, they knelt and refused to rise, waiting for the Emperor to pronounce the Xuanqing Guard guilty. When all was said and done, dozens knelt on the floor—some proposing new remonstrance, others stepping out in support. At the very front were all the bosses of the Civil Servant Group. Leading them was the Left Minister Ye Lansheng, and besides the Ministry of War, the other Five Ministers of the Six Ministries...

Such a display was no trifle. Even the military officials, who liked to spectate and fanned the flames, were left quite shaken by the spectacle the civil officials had produced.

What’s going on? Are they suddenly gambling everything in a desperate move?

Usually, this kind of "kneeling supplication" is only used at a moment of do-or-die crisis or the last fatal strike. To bring it out with no warning—doesn’t it count as a sudden coup?

This was not a situation one could muddle through by playing dead or pretending to be a block of wood. The Emperor, seated on high, absolutely could not turn a blind eye. Now the entire grand hall was silent enough to hear a pin drop.

"Pang Ban."

"Your servant is here."

"What do you have to say about the ministers’ impeachment?" Yang Jian’s voice was even lower than before, his complexion far paler. Anyone could see Yang Jian’s health was failing—yet none dared say a word. The best policy with such things was to feign ignorance—unless the Emperor brought it up directly, asking would mark you as "harboring ill intent," and you’d lose your head for it.

Moreover, wherever the Emperor went now, another man was always close by: Yang Xiusheng, Manor Master of Fenghong Manor and Commander of the Golden Sword Cultivators, followed the Emperor at every step. At this moment, he stood at the Emperor’s side, less than a zhang away.

Pang Ban, hearing the Emperor call, stepped out of the ranks respectfully and bowed in response.

Yet even after stepping out, Pang Ban still did not so much as glance at the kneeling civil officials. How could those who do nothing but scratch with their tongues understand that all matters are accomplished through action, not empty words? Words are not evidence; talking about rumors and matters outside the law—it was all the same old routine. Pang Ban had faced this scene no less than eight or ten times before.

"Your Majesty, your servant has a matter to report."

"Speak."

Pang Ban took a stamped letter from his Storage Bag and handed it to the eunuch beside him to present to the Emperor seated above. At the same time, he said, "This is a family letter found on Qin Xiuyuan’s person by Prince Shou, who assisted my Xuanqing Guard in luring and capturing the wanted criminal. Its words are irrefutable—though not conclusive evidence, it exposes an insidious plot, long in the making, an utterly shameless conspiracy aimed at the Xuanqing Guard."

Pang Ban spoke concisely, offering no explanation to those in the hall.

After reading the letter, the Emperor put it away and asked, "There is cause for this, but also a need for evidence. The responsibilities of the Xuanqing Guard may exceed the law, but you must not accuse people without reason, nor act recklessly. As it stands, the ministers’ dissatisfaction with the Xuanqing Guard is at its peak—how do you explain yourself?"

The power of the Xuanqing Guard was not granted by Yang Jian alone—every Emperor of every generation had done the same, and who would dare change it lightly? The Emperor hadn’t assigned guilt directly, but asked how to "explain." Those kneeling below felt a chill—something was amiss. What exactly was in the letter Pang Ban gave the Emperor, to prompt such a reversal?

"The Xuanqing Guard has always been answerable only to Your Majesty. If Your Majesty deems the Xuanqing Guard guilty, then we are guilty; should Your Majesty deem us innocent, then we are innocent. Though Lord Ye and others claim to champion the commoners, shouting for the country’s fate, these matters of safeguarding the realm and the people—the Xuanqing Guard has always done its utmost, sacrificing over a thousand each year and never once slacking. It’s far more meaningful than exchanging empty words."

Having finished, Pang Ban bowed deeply, never glancing once at those kneeling on the floor. He spoke little, but every word struck home. In other words, he was only a step away from pointing at these civil servants’ noses and calling them "hypocrites."

"Well, well, Pang Ban! Don’t you slander with venomous lies!"

Many people were stunned for a moment, genuinely not expecting Pang Ban, who was always silent in the face of censure, to one day speak so sharply. Then, as they came to, their faces turned beet red in anger.

I make my living and feed my family with my sharp tongue, and now you try to beat me at my own game? Are you insulting my professional ability?

Unbearable! So, one of the Advisors jumped up from his kneeling position, hands on hips, cursing a torrent—far more flamboyantly caustic than Pang Ban’s few terse sentences. Yet anyone with sense knew the tide had already turned to Pang Ban’s favor; volume alone does not win you the upper hand.

They knelt across the floor, with the Left Minister leading—if the Emperor denied them face, there would be no easy way to conclude this matter.

"Pang Ban, there are five days left until August. If you cannot resolve this case and give these ministers an account within five days, then give them your head as an explanation. Do you understand?"