Chapter 79: Assigning Blame
"My name is Li Changqing, and I am a thousand-man commander of the Demon Vanquishing Department," the man declared as he cupped his fist in a salute. "I have been sent here to investigate a corpse reanimation case, and I hope all of you will cooperate with my investigation."
The Demon Vanquishing Department was a special organization that answered directly to the emperor. It was responsible for investigating all matters related to fiends, demons, and cults.
All officials, military personnel, and anyone else in the official system found to have ties with fiends, demons, and cults fell under the jurisdiction of the Demon Vanquishing Department. Members of the Demon Vanquishing Department could even capture members of the imperial clan for secret interrogations, and they didn't have to answer to any local officials.
Over time, the Demon Vanquishing Department had become one of the emperor's most feared weapons. The entire officialdom feared them, and the officials they targeted either ended up dead, or suffered terribly at their hands.
"How does the corpse reanimation case have anything to do with us?" Wu Wei protested. "Even if you're from the Demon Vanquishing Department, you can't just make things up to frame us!"
A hint of killing intent appeared in Li Changqing's eyes as he sneered, "One of the rabble-rousers in the Azure Sun County fiend tax case was a xiucai who was turned into a reanimated corpse by the scoundrels of the Immortal Dao. Right now, the corpse reanimation case and the fiend tax case have been combined into one, so both cases now fall under my jurisdiction."
Everyone present was taken aback by this revelation, including Chu Qiguang.
"According to my knowledge, the Wu, Hao, and Ding Clans are all closely tied to the fiend tax case, so I'm obligated to carry out an investigation here," Li Changqing continued. "I've already issued an order for all the rabble-rousers in the case to be captured, and the next step of my investigation is to search all of your manors. I am under His Majesty's orders to investigate these cases to the best of my ability, so I must not leave any stone unturned. Please do not make things more difficult for me or yourselves."
As Li Changqing spoke, his qi and blood began to surge, and waves of heat radiated from his body. It was as if he had transformed into a massive, raging furnace, and everyone instantly felt parched in his presence.
According to Qiao Zhi, this can only be accomplished by a martial artist at the pinnacle of the fifth state. Chu Qiguang thought. This man alone can kill all of us right now...
Under Li Changqing's instructions, the soldiers began searching through the manor.
The members of the three clans were furious at Li Changqing's arrogant display, but they didn't dare to do anything and could only comply in silence.
Before long, panicked cries, agonized howls, and despondent sobs began to ring out through the Hao Manor. Hao Wen was trembling with rage, but he was powerless to stop it.
After the search was complete, the soldiers reported back to Li Changqing with several cartloads of books, account books, and other documents.
Li Changqing casually picked up a book and began flipping through it as he ordered, "Check through all of these books one by one. Make sure you don't miss any leads related to fiends, demons, or cults."
Thankfully, all wealthy clans were very careful about covering their tracks, so there was no incriminating evidence concerning illegal transactions or tax evasion to be found in the manor.
The soldiers had arrived in the morning, and their investigation in the Hao Manor continued throughout the day and late into the night. In the end, they weren't able to find any leads related to fiends, demons, or cults. Li Changqing departed, clearly displeased with the outcome.
After Li Changqing left, Wu Wei smashed a teacup to the ground as he fumed, "They're nothing but a bunch of savages!"
Hao Wen dismissed all the servants, then asked with a hint of unease in his voice, "What do we do now? How did we get dragged into an investigation concerning the Immortal Dao?"
In the Great Han Empire, colluding with cults was a crime punishable by execution of both the offender and their entire clan, so it was something Hao Wen had to take seriously.
If everyone present were somehow framed for colluding with demons and fiends, then they could easily all end up dead!
Furthermore, all of them had engaged in many shady dealings to expand their influence and wealth, so an in-depth investigation from the Demon Vanquishing Department would surely expose many skeletons in the closet.
"Why did those bastards from the Immortal Dao have to get involved in the fiend tax case?" Wu Wei cursed in frustration.
"How about we give that thousand-man commander some money?" Hao Yongtai suggested.
"We'll have to do that anyway, but my concern is that he'll take our money, but still target us anyway," Wu Wei said grimly.
"This is all your fault, Chu Qiguang!" Hao Fulai accused. "If it weren't for you, Master would've never arranged for those people to instigate protests over the fiend tax! Now that the Demon Vanquishing Department has gotten involved, even Secretary Wu could be implicated in this investigation!"
"Indeed," Hao Wen mused with a concerned expression. "Prior to this, even in the worst-case scenario, all we would've had to do was return our land, but right now, Secretary Wu's reputation is at stake. We definitely can't allow the Demon Vanquishing Department to continue their investigation."
"You're right, Brother Hao," Wu Wei agreed. "Those savages from the Demon Vanquishing Department have screwed over countless innocent and upright officials on baseless accusations and falsified evidence! We can't allow them to do the same to Father!"
Chu Qiguang shook his head inwardly in disdain. These two were making it sound like they were protecting the reputation and interests of Secretary Wu, but in truth, they were afraid of being investigated by the Demon Vanquishing Department. Many of their shady dealings had most likely been carried out even without Secretary Wu's knowledge.
Hao Fulai suddenly dropped to his knees with an earnest expression and urged, "Master! Given how things have played out, our only option now is to have Chu Qiguang take the blame for everything. He was the one who started all of this, stirring up unrest and conflict in the county to target County Magistrate He!"
Hao Wen let out a heavy sigh. He had also begun to blame Chu Qiguang for the current situation, and he was tempted to go along with Hao Fulai's suggestion.
It was common practice for the important figures in wealthy clans to use those beneath them as scapegoats to cover up their transgressions.
"We must stop the Demon Vanquishing Department's investigation at all costs," Wu Wei agreed with a nod.
Chu Qiguang shot Hao Fulai a cold glance, then said, "We're still not in dire straits yet, everyone. The Demon Vanquishing Department is only investigating this case due to its connection to the Immortal Dao. All we need to do is prove our innocence."
"And how do you plan to do that?" Hao Fulai sneered. "Master, if you ask me, we should tie this scoundrel up and—"
"How's that house on Purple Stone Street, Steward Hao?" Chu Qiguang suddenly cut in.
A hint of panic flashed through Hao Fulai's eyes at the question, but he quickly forced himself to stay composed. "What're you talking about? I have no idea what you mean."
"You don't remember the house that you told your nephew to accept as a bribe?" Chu Qiguang asked. "You don't remember the women and silver in the house either? How could you forget? Those things were all given to you by County Magistrate He's assistant!"
Hao Fulai broke out in cold sweat upon hearing this, and he seemed to have become paralyzed with fear.
