Chapter 214: The Imperial Dungeon
The moment the Magistrate left the Clark Family gates, the Clark Family Patriarch stopped smiling.
The old man had appeared calm throughout the confrontation, but the instant the city guards disappeared beyond the street corner, his expression hardened into something entirely different.
Every elder present immediately recognized that look. The Patriarch wasn’t worried about today’s confrontation. He was worried about what would come next.
Without wasting a single-moment, he immediately began issuing orders. Messengers rushed out of the estate one after another. Secret communication tokens were activated. Trained hawks carrying sealed letters filled the skies above the city.
The Clark Family’s allies quickly received messages carrying only a few simple words. The family requires support. Those few words alone were enough.
By noon, the first reinforcements had already begun arriving. The Zhao Family sent elite guards. The Bai Family dispatched veteran warriors. Merchant families that depended upon Clark influence sent private-security-forces. Smaller noble families sent elders.
One after another, armed cultivators entered the estate until the entire Clark Family headquarters resembled a military fortress rather than a noble residence. Every wall became guarded. Every entrance became monitored. Watchtowers filled with archers. Patrols doubled.
Defensive formations were activated. By the time the sun reached its highest point, even ordinary citizens walking past the estate could sense that something major was happening.
The Patriarch watched all of this from the highest pavilion overlooking the estate. Beside him stood several trusted elders who had followed him through decades of struggles.
One of them finally broke the silence. "Patriarch, do you really believe the Magistrate can influence the Imperial Court?"
The old man did not answer immediately. Instead, he continued watching the arriving guards before finally speaking. "The Magistrate himself cannot. The problem is the people standing behind him."
Another elder frowned. "You mean the Seventh Prince?"
The Patriarch nodded slowly. "A dead son creates sympathy. A grieving father creates support. And a future royal relative creates influence. This matter will not end at the city level."
-
While the Clark Family transformed itself into a fortress, the city itself transformed into a pan of rumors. Every tea house discussed Tony Clark. Every tavern discussed Peter Jaint.
Every marketplace contained groups of people arguing loudly over the truth. Some claimed Tony murdered Peter in secret after losing control of his anger.
Others argued that the Magistrate was using his son’s death as an excuse to recover the Imperial Coin. Some insisted Peter’s dying words proved everything. Others pointed out that defeated men often muttered the names of their enemies before death.
The arguments became so intense that several fights broke out between supporters of different opinions.
By afternoon, the entire city was divided into two camps. One side believed Tony was innocent. The other side believed Tony was guilty. Neither side possessed evidence. Neither side cared about evidence. The story itself had already become larger than the truth.
Late in the evening, a secret report finally reached the Clark Family. The Patriarch personally opened the sealed scroll and read its contents. The deeper he read, the darker his expression became.
Several elders gathered around him, immediately sensing something was wrong. "What happened?" one of them asked.
The Patriarch slowly lowered the scroll before releasing a tired sigh. "The Magistrate might actually succeed."
The room became silent. Every elder stared at him.
The old man tapped the report against the table. "The Seventh Prince has already begun speaking on his behalf at court. Several officials are supporting the investigation. If this continues, royal investigators may arrive within days."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
"Bring Tony."
The order spread through the estate.
A few minutes later, Tony entered the hall. Unlike everyone else, he looked completely relaxed. The old man almost wanted to hit him immediately. The family stood at the edge of political disaster while this fellow looked as though he had just finished enjoying a pleasant meal and an afternoon nap.
Tony casually sat down and poured himself tea.
The Patriarch watched him for several moments before finally speaking. "Tell me the truth."
Tony stopped drinking.
The old man continued staring at him. "Nobody else is here. No city guards. No Magistrate. No spectators. Just family. If you killed Peter, tell me now."
The room became completely silent.
Several elders watched Tony closely.
Tony slowly placed the tea cup onto the table. "I didn’t do it. If I killed him, I would admit it proudly. Why would I hide? The Clark Family blood flows through my veins. If I strike someone, I don’t need to hide behind shadows afterward."
The room remained silent.
The Patriarch studied Tony carefully. The old man had spent decades reading people. He could recognize lies. More importantly, he knew Tony. The boy was many things. Shameless. Arrogant. Troublesome. Reckless. But he was not a coward.
The Patriarch finally exhaled.
The old man stood and began pacing around the room. Several elders exchanged worried glances while waiting for him to speak.
Suddenly, the Patriarch stopped moving. His eyes landed on Tony. A strange smile appeared on his face. "You still have the Imperial Coin?"
Tony immediately reached into his robe and produced the golden token.
The moment the coin appeared, the Patriarch laughed.
The elders immediately understood.The old fox had found a solution.
Tony frowned. "What’s so funny?"
The Patriarch pointed toward the coin. "That is your lifeline. There is only one place where the Magistrate cannot touch you. There is only one place where even the Imperial Court cannot interrupt your progress."
Tony’s eyes narrowed. "The Imperial Dungeon?"
The Patriarch’s smile widened. "Exactly."
The Imperial Dungeon was the place where the Imperial Edicts were preserved. Countless geniuses had entered seeking enlightenment. Many emerged stronger. Some emerged famous. A few emerged as monsters.
The Patriarch pointed toward Tony.
"The moment you enter the dungeon, everything changes. If you comprehend even a fragment of the Imperial Edicts, the Emperor himself will favor you. By then, the Magistrate’s accusations will become meaningless."
Tony slowly stood. "Eden."
The servant raised her head.
"I am leaving for a few days. Keep Lily safe."
Eden blinked. The seriousness in his voice surprised her.
"If anything strange happens, inform the Patriarch immediately."
She bowed deeply. "I understand, Young Master."
Only after receiving her promise did Tony left.
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