I Can Deduce Arts by Slaying Demons

His wrinkled forehead was pressed tightly against the cold floor tiles, but his heart was as clear as a mirror—

If the truth were spoken at this moment, not only would his own life be in jeopardy, but the emperor would also lose face.

"It was this old slave who was confused!"

Cao Quan suddenly kowtowed heavily, his graying hair disheveled.

"This old slave failed to clearly convey His Majesty’s oral instructions, causing the delay of the Taifu Lord’s court attendance!"

"This old slave deserves to die ten thousand times!"

The words were spoken with tears and regret.

It provided the emperor a way to save face, while subtly suggesting that it was his own fault for the poor communication, resulting in the Taifu Lord’s late arrival at court.

Some court officials in the hall heard this and their tense shoulders visibly relaxed somewhat—

This old eunuch, Cao Quan, was using his old life to preserve everyone’s dignity.

"Roll over to the Prison Department for punishment!"

Emperor Qianxi shouted angrily, fiercely flicking his dragon sleeve, "A hundred Dragon Whip strokes, not one less!"

"Yes, this old slave accepts the decree!"

Cao Quan trembled as he kowtowed and withdrew, but a trace of relief flashed across his lowered face.

As a Martial Arts Grandmaster, these hundred Dragon Whip strokes were merely a bitter flesh wound.

Compared to offending the dragon’s majesty and risking one’s life, this cost was simply insignificant.

The air in the hall seemed to freeze, even the sound of breathing became cautious.

The assembled ministers lowered their heads, yet all involuntarily glanced towards the hall entrance with the corners of their eyes.

Awaiting the appearance of that figure capable of upsetting the balance of the court.

"The Great— Taifu— Lord— has— arrived——!"

The sharp voice of the old eunuch broke the silence, the tail note drawn out as if deliberately emphasizing this person’s special status.

At the entrance of the hall, Lu Xuan came against the light in a purple robe, the jade belt at his waist glinting coldly in the morning light.

Each of his steps was steady, the sole of his boot meeting the golden bricks with a heavy thud, like treading on everyone’s heart.

"Your subordinates salute the Taifu Lord!"

The voices of the hundred officials saluting were uneven, yet loud enough.

Chancellor Zhao Xian’s fingers under his purple robe were clasped so tightly they had gone white, yet he had no choice but to bow.

Under the golden armor, Sun Lingyuan’s body trembled slightly, yet he could only lower his head.

Lu Xuan treated the hateful or respectful gazes indifferent.

The three generals behind him followed like shadows, the clatter of their armor especially jarring in the silent hall.

Lu Jinhua, in full Guard Army uniform, had nine golden patterns on his chest gleaming brightly in the morning light.

Lu Jinwu’s Vermilion Bird battle robe was vivid as fire, the sword at his waist swaying lightly with his steps.

Lu Jinchang’s Black Tortoise iron armor glinted darkly, hinting at the sound of clashing metal as he walked.

The three walked straight into the ranks of military officers, Lu Jinhua even standing directly in the second position next to Sun Lingyuan.

The faces of the few old generals behind turned livid, yet no one dared to speak.

Minister of Rites Liu Fu’s eyes were bloodshot, his anger almost tangible.

He glared fiercely at Lu Xuan, gritting his teeth until they creaked.

His only son was beaten unconscious and still hasn’t woken up!

However, when Lu Xuan’s indifferent gaze swept over, this high-ranking Minister of Rites became like a quail caught by the throat.

Uncontrollably bowed his head, even the legs under his official robe trembled slightly.

Minister of War Chen Jiequan stood in the ranks, his knuckles clenched so tightly they turned white.

The most untenable of all was Zhang Zhaoran from the Ministry of Justice.

This prison warden was hunched over, his face pale as paper.

The tragic sight of his son being beaten and losing both legs in the street was vivid in his mind, yet at this moment, facing the father of the culprit, he dared not even raise his head.

When Lu Xuan’s gaze swept over, this old minister’s knees weakened involuntarily, almost falling to the ground.

The hem of his official robe was already soaked— this veteran prison warder, who has held power in the imperial prison for years, was frightened to the point of losing control by a single glance!

There’s no way around it, the situation demands strength.

After all, this old guy’s prowess was just too overwhelming.

Lu Xuan caught every bit of the three ministers’ reactions. The corner of his mouth curved into a mocking smile.

Ahead, the white tiger-skin chair gleamed oily in the morning light, as if waiting for its master.

Lu Xuan sat down calmly, the golden threads of his purple robe flowing in the light, forming a subtle confrontation with the golden lines of the dragon chair.

He originally did not want to attend this tedious court meeting, but upon hearing that the imperial treasury had acquired many new items, Lu Xuan’s interest was somewhat piqued.

Lu Xuan casually surveyed the surroundings, finally directing his gaze towards the dragon throne, and gave a nonchalant salute.

"This old minister greets Your Majesty."

Emperor Qianxi’s face instantly lit up with a smile, even leaning forward slightly: "Mr. Lu, please dispense with the formalities."

However, Emperor Qianxi’s smile, though seemingly cordial, concealed a turbulent undertone.

Underneath the dragon desk, his hands were clenched tightly, knuckles faintly showing a bluish hue.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly tightened.

The white tiger skin chair stood opposite the gilded dragon throne, like two fierce beasts ready to pounce.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the true start of the court assembly.

After the assembly began, some trivial matters were brought up first.

Soon, a clear sound of a jade tablet striking echoed suddenly in the hall.

"Your Majesty, this humble servant, Zhou Zhen, Commander of Qian Ning City’s Guards, has a report to make!"

A middle-aged official in a dark cyan官袍 stepped forward steadily, the jade tablet in his hand gleaming with a cold light in the morning sun.

His square face bore a deliberately solemn expression, and his voice was so loud it seemed to awaken the entire court.

Seeing this person, Emperor Qianxi’s eyes flashed sharply, and he nodded slightly: "Proceed!"

"Yesterday, at the third quarter of the hour of Wei, the Guard Army stationed outside the city entered Qian Ning City without notification.

Zhou Zhen’s voice was loud, yet it abruptly stopped at the critical point, "They charged all the way to... the dungeon!"

With that, Zhou Zhen retreated into the ranks with a bow.

The pause was perfectly timed, like casting a huge stone into a calm lake.

Immediately, Zhang Zhaoran, deputy of the Ministry of Justice, staggered forward, the hem of his官袍 still stained with un-dried filth: "Your Majesty, this old minister submits a tearful report!"

He knelt heavily, his forehead hitting the golden bricks with a dull thud, "Yesterday, the Tiger Roar Guard forcibly broke into the dungeon and took away the death row prisoner, Lu Haowu!"

"My son was crippled in the attempt to stop them, struck down in public by that Li Ming from the Lu family!"

With that, Zhang Zhaoran actually pulled a bloodstained handkerchief from his sleeve.

Before everyone could react, Liu Fu, Minister of Rites, rushed out without waiting for a summons: "I second this!"

"My own son remains unconscious, the Imperial Physician fears... fears..."

Before finishing his sentence, Liu Fu choked with emotion.

Chen Jiequan, Minister of War, even removed his官帽 and knelt: "Your Majesty!"

"My only son’s leg is broken, rendered a cripple!"

"This is not a jailbreak; they clearly intend to destroy our key figures of Daqian!"

The lamentation of the three ministers was like a fuse, instantly igniting the entire court.

One after another, civil officials stepped forward to denounce, while the military officials remained deathly silent.

All their gazes involuntarily drifted towards the white tiger skin chair—

Lu Xuan was casually stroking the tiger patterns on the armrest, a faint, indiscernible smile on his lips.

At this moment, Emperor Qianxi suddenly slapped the dragon desk, making the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on it jump in unison: "Preposterous!"

"The Guard Army is a force personally trained by me, Daqian’s elite.

"Their discipline is as stringent as iron; how could they commit such treacherous acts!"

Emperor Qianxi glared with wide eyes, pointing at the kneeling ministers, "Did you all see clearly?"

"If there’s even a shred of falsehood— I will not be lenient!"

Before the words settled, Chancellor Zhao Xian stepped out slowly.

The old minister in a purple robe and jade belt moved with a shuffling gait, yet each step seemed to tread directly on the hearts of those present: "This old minister... is willing to vouch with my head."

His voice was hoarse, as if he had aged ten years overnight, "My unfortunate daughter is still at home, drowning in tears..."

The hall fell silent in an instant.

All eyes from the assembly focused on the white tiger skin chair.

Lu Xuan still calmly stroked the armrest, only his fingers paused slightly.

He slowly raised his eyes, meeting Emperor Qianxi’s gaze on the dragon throne.

"Mr. Lu..." Emperor Qianxi’s voice suddenly softened, yet his eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.

"Do you... have anything to say?"

This question, like a drawn sword, pointed straight at the throat.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly became tense, every breath audible.

"Indeed."

"This matter was instructed by this old minister."

These words were like a thunderclap, causing the countenances of all the civil and military officials to change dramatically.

Even Emperor Qianxi on the dragon throne had his pupils contract abruptly.