Killing an official, no matter the dynasty, was an unforgivable capital offense.
Especially in a feudal dynasty, where the hierarchy was strict, subordinates committing crimes against superiors was a sin beyond redemption, punishable by dismemberment and even implicating one's family.
This was a provocation to the reign of any dynasty, something no emperor could tolerate.
Having committed such a heinous crime, Song Tonghai's previous thoughts naturally went down the drain.
Once the imperial envoy arrived and uncovered the truth, the situation would become extremely perilous.
Fleeing seemed to have once again become the best option.
Chu Zheng fell into deep thought, but soon dismissed the idea of fleeing again.
Leaving now would be fleeing from crime, and the imperial court would issue a direct order for his execution; it might even alarm the Immortal Sect.
With the mysterious methods of cultivation, there were certainly ways to track him over thousands of miles; being caught was only a matter of time.
Facing a dilemma, Chu Zheng felt as if he was holding thorns in his hand, unbearably piercing.
What should he do to preserve himself until he could achieve Spirit Transformation?
Rubbing the space between his eyebrows, Chu Zheng suddenly narrowed his eyes and looked at Song Tonghai, tentatively asking, "May I ask the family head, how powerful is the Phantom Spirit Sect?"
"It is a true Immortal Sect with countless Superior Immortals, naturally very powerful."
"Compared to Great Zhou?"
"Naturally, it is stronger than Great Zhou. After all, Great Zhou is merely a mortal realm; how can it be compared with those who are on the path of cultivation?"
Song Tonghai was a bit puzzled, "Why do you ask these questions?"
Chu Zheng's brow relaxed slightly, and he spoke in a calm voice, "Then I suggest that the family head should delay for a while. If it cannot be concealed, then make the drastic move of condemning your kin, reporting the second young miss for killing the official and fleeing."
"Hmm?"
Song Tonghai frowned immediately; after pondering for a moment, he shook his head:
"By doing so, the government might temporarily detain us or even send us to the capital. That would be like entering a dragon's den, with no hope of escape."
Song Tonghai understood Chu Zheng's idea, which was to use Song Lingqing to pressure Great Zhou; as long as Song Lingqing was alive, the government would certainly be wary.
Even if they knew Song Tonghai was lying, it would most likely preserve their safety temporarily. This was a temporary measure that could also be acceptable on the face of the imperial court.
"Our only option now is to take it one step at a time, the most crucial being the attitude of the imperial court."
Chu Zheng sighed lightly; in this predicament, the only solution he could think of was to delay, to delay until his Hundred Days Spiritual Transformation, and then make further plans.
After careful consideration, Chu Zheng spoke again, "Does the family head know what the relationship is between the Immortal Sect behind Great Zhou and Phantom Spirit Sect?"
"There is no Immortal Sect behind Great Zhou." Song Tonghai shook his head slightly.
"No?" Chu Zheng was somewhat surprised.
He had thought that Great Zhou was manipulated in the shadows by an Immortal Sect, but now it seemed not to be the case.
"The Zhao Clan has ancestors within all the major Immortal Sects, including the Phantom Spirit Sect. This was what I heard from a Superior Immortal when Ling Qing entered the Immortal Sect."
"I see." Chu Zheng realized, somewhat reassured. If that was the case, then the attitude of Great Zhou would be more likely to be neutral.
Thereafter, Chu Zheng and Song Tonghai discussed some details before finally dispersing from the meeting.
During the discussion, both Chu Zheng and Song Tonghai tacitly avoided one issue.
What would happen if there was a problem on Song Lingqing's side.
......
......
Less than seven days after the death of the Prefectural Governor, a troop bearing the Great Zhou Imperial Flag, the Red Armored Iron Cavalry, entered Luofeng City in a grand manner, heading straight for the City Lord's Mansion.
Among the Emperor's Four Guards, the Vermilion Bird Divine Guards, made up of individuals who had condensed Inner Qi, had the privilege of selection, and its Chief Commander was among the Pillars of the State, each a Martial Path Grandmaster of the current era.
That noon, all martial arts practitioners in the city, including those from the Song family, were forcibly taken by the Vermilion Bird Divine Guards.
In the main hall, the members of the Song family were all present, and a man in armor sat behind the desk, his gaze sharp as an eagle's, scanning the crowd.
The man appeared to be nearly fifty, with a square face and jet-black hair, without a single silver strand, emanating robust vitality throughout his being.
Vermilion Bird Divine Guards Commandant, Li Mingzhou.
Chu Zheng stood behind, his eyes shimmering with intelligence as he secretly observed for a moment, unable to suppress his emotions.
He had somewhat underestimated the strength of the Martial Path Grandmaster.
The life tier of the Grandmaster had transformed, capable of living beyond one hundred and fifty years. The Qi within was powerful to a terrifying extent, far surpassing that of a Grandmaster.
The Grandmaster before him, judging from the Qi within, was at least ninety years old, but appeared to be under fifty, still full of vigor and strength.
"Song Tonghai!"
Seated behind the desk, Li Mingzhou suddenly shouted loudly, his voice like a great bell, jolting people's spirits into a daze.
"I am here," Song Tonghai stepped forward slowly.
"Where were you when Yuan Xingcai and Luo Wang met their deaths?"
"That night, just after my home was raided, I had sustained injuries and was likely tending to my wounds," Song Tonghai answered truthfully.
Li Mingzhou sized him up and spoke in a deep voice, "Undress."
Obeying the command, Song Tonghai removed his top, revealing his muscular upper body, which was covered with scars, including several fresh wounds.
"You may step down."
After a brief glance, Li Mingzhou slightly nodded and waved his hand.
He didn't inquire much about the other people from the Song Residence and soon released them.
Did it pass so easily?
No, that's not it.
Chu Zheng, blending into the crowd, had his gaze slightly focused, and for a moment he was at a loss for thoughts.
The day Luo Wang visited, he had directly taken the corpses of those men in black. Song Tonghai harbored a grudge, hence he could have committed murder over it; both motive and opportunity were present, along with sufficient strength, which should make him the prime suspect.
Could the Grandmaster really believe it was not him? Why?
"You, stay behind."
While Chu Zheng was still deep in thought, suddenly a call came from behind him.
......
......
Capital of the Great Zhou.
As the sun set in the west, the red afterglow painted the palace walls, carrying a bone-chilling coldness.
Within a side hall, the Son of Heaven received Zhao Yunheng while Zhao Jichang was left waiting outside.
The light inside the hall was somewhat dim, with only the Son of Heaven and Zhao Yunheng present.
Suddenly, the Son of Heaven raised his hand sharply and fiercely slapped Zhao Yunheng across the face.
Smack—
The crisp sound echoed within the hall, lingering for a long time.
"You were too hasty."
The Son of Heaven's expression cooled as he spoke chillingly, "Having an interest in the Song Family's bloodline and planning for your descendants is not blameworthy, but you must act within your limits."
"Song Lingqing is no ordinary person. With her High-Quality Immortal Bone, she has the potential to step into the Nine Transformations of Divine Infant, a true Immortal Seedling. If she finds the right opportunity, it might lead to a change of dynasties in the Great Zhou."
"If she survives the Great Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects, entering the Immortal Path is just a matter of days, and Soul Condensing is within reach. If you stir up too much trouble now, how will you handle the aftermath?"
"Brother, I did not take any action."
Zhao Yunheng shook his head, somewhat helplessly, "I only advised the Prefectural Governor of Luofeng City to stay out of it and not to meddle unnecessarily, that's all."
"Jichang is my own flesh and blood; I wouldn't harm him, nor would I let him marry a woman burdened with deep-seated vendettas."
"Is that true?"
"If there is even half a lie, may I not enter the ancestral mausoleum after I die."