The newly appointed Eastern Governor, Aurelian Dragon, has been imprisoned for murder and will be sentenced in two days! The victims were also members of the upper class in Esnia, two noblemen with hereditary titles!
The news spread like wildfire throughout Esnia, causing a huge sensation just like when Aurelian Dragon was appointed Governor of the East. In fact, it could be said that Aurelian Dragon's imprisonment this time provided the respectable citizens of Esnia with more fodder for conversation and interest than his sudden appointment as Governor of the East.
In no time, all sorts of rumors spread like wildfire through the streets and alleys of Esnia, from one person's mouth to another. The most talked-about story was that the reason the notorious lecherous governor committed murder was because he was jealous of the two victims. The person telling the story was so animated that he described the events vividly, as if he had been there himself. The listeners stared wide-eyed, marveling and nodding their heads. The timely questions made the whole story even more complete.
When this news reached the ears of the instigator, his smugness was beyond words. Everything had unfolded according to the script, and the audience 's reaction had even exceeded expectations. For a director, nothing could be more fulfilling.
However, the Eastern Governor's Office did not fall into the chaos that people imagined, thanks entirely to the composure and calmness of the Eastern Governor's military advisor, Shi Yixin.
"Each of you should do your own job well, and you don't need to worry about anything else!"
When they saw that he remained as calm as ever, ensuring the smooth operation of the Eastern Governor's Office, the soldiers of the Eastern Governor's Office, whose hearts had been wavering, calmed down.
Interestingly, the reason why the Eastern Governor's Office could still function normally without the Aurelian Dragon and its master was that the original Eastern Governor, Aurelian Dragon, rarely actually handled the affairs of the Eastern Governor's Office. Since he established the office, Shi Yixin had always been in charge of handling all matters. Aurelian Dragon's duties were often just to confirm the Eastern Governor's existence and attend ceremonies that required the Eastern Governor's presence. Therefore, the presence or absence of Aurelian Dragon did not have a significant impact on the operation of the Eastern Governor's Office. If Aurelian Dragon, as the person in charge, knew this, it would be hard to know whether he should be happy or sad.
However, behind the calm, perceptive people still sensed an undercurrent. Lucian Swiftfire, as the deputy governor of the East, withdrew all the law enforcement teams he had dispatched to carry out comprehensive integration and governance. His actions at this time subtly revealed a different atmosphere.
But for those with ulterior motives, what worries them most is Phoenix Vane's residence in Phoenix Mansion. The newly formed Royal Guard Infantry Regiment is stationed there. Given her own strength and her powerful influence over Fast, will she just stand by and watch Aurelian Dragon become a murderer awaiting execution?
When Aurelian Dragon's female guards rode back to Flying Phoenix Manor, everyone in Esnia who was paying attention strained their eyes and ears, intently observing every move within the manor. However, to their disappointment, everything seemed normal at Flying Phoenix Manor, with no indication of any major action to be taken.
The main hall of the Flying Phoenix Mansion is now dominated by women. All the women who have any connection with the Aurelian Dragon are present. They are either sitting or standing, and all eyes are focused on Phoenix Vane, who is known as the beautiful war goddess.
Looking at Obsidia Shade and Cynthia, whose faces were full of anxiety, Phoenix Vane shook his head and said gently, "I understand how you feel, but we absolutely cannot act recklessly. Unless it's a rebellion, we can only follow the current rules."
Lynette Quill snorted from behind, saying with dissatisfaction, "There's no extra time for us to overturn this case now. His Majesty will make his final judgment in a day, and all the evidence is very unfavorable to Aurelian."
"Lynette!" Phoenix Vane turned around and said unhappily, "You say that too? As long as there is still a little time, we can find a way to find clues . If we just go for it blindly, it will only make Aurelian's situation more difficult."
Sitting to the side, Zuo Lan pondered and said, "Aurelian's biggest disadvantage right now is that he wasn't with anyone else during that time, meaning no one can prove he wasn't at the crime scene. Meanwhile, the other side can produce witnesses to testify against him. Add to that the blood-stained clothes found after the incident, and all these factors combined..."
Phoenix Vane sighed and said, "What Zuo Jia said is true. The gap in Aurelian's record during that period made it impossible for me to find strong evidence."
Lynette Quill stamped her foot in frustration and said angrily, "It's all that damned woman's fault! All she had to do was step forward and vouch for us, but she just denied it outright! What kind of woman could Aurelian not find, to go and..."
Phoenix Vane gave a wry smile and said, "We can't blame anyone else. In the end, it's just that our husbands are too lustful. When they see a beautiful woman in front of them, they forget everything."
Just as they were discussing this, a maid came to report that Fan Tong and Lu Tu had arrived first.
Phoenix Vane perked up and immediately had them brought in. The women who were unwilling or unable to show themselves stood up and moved to the back of the hall, leaving only Phoenix Vane, Lynette Quill, Obsidia Shade, Lyra Draconis, and Cynthia, the leader of the goddess warriors, in the hall.
The tall and imposing Fan Tong strode in first, followed by the expressionless Lu Tu Xian. He seemed to walk slowly, but he always maintained a step distance from Fan Tong, which implicitly told those who were observing carefully that his strength was no less than Fan Tong's.
"Sister-in-law, are we going to rescue the boss?" Fan Tong said loudly to Phoenix Vane, who was sitting at the top, as soon as he came in. "Just give the order, I, Old Fan, am willing to lead the charge."
Lu Tuxian, who was one step behind Fan Tong, stepped forward, bowed to Phoenix Vane, and said, "Tuxian is honored to be summoned by the General. May I ask what brings you here?"
Phoenix Vane waved to stop Fan Tong from speaking further. Her bright, beautiful eyes shot out two sharp beams of light, landing on Lu Tuxian, as if trying to see right through him. Lu Tuxian's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained expressionless as he humbly looked at Phoenix Vane.
"Mr. Lu, you know where Aurelian was at the time, right?"
Phoenix Vane spoke softly, but to everyone in the hall, it was like a thunderclap. All eyes immediately fell on this usually somber and expressionless man. Suddenly being stared at by so many beautiful women would have made any man with less composure flustered, but Rutu remained calm and composed, at least outwardly.
Phoenix Vane noticed the slight flicker in Ruth's eyes, which only strengthened her conviction. Without hesitation, she continued, "I want to know what happened back then. Could Mr. Ruth tell Phoenix?"
Feeling enveloped by several sharp rays of light, Rutu slowly raised his eyes. Indeed, Obsidia Shade, Cynthia, and Lyra Draconis were all staring at him with intense gazes. Obsidia Shade's eyes, in particular, were sharper than any tangible sword, sending a chill down one's spine.
Before Lu Tuxian could even open his mouth, Phoenix Vane gently waved his hand. "Mr. Lu, we're all sensible people, let's stop beating around the bush. I think we should talk openly and honestly!"
Fan Tong, who had been standing to the side completely bewildered, seemed to understand something now. He roared, grabbed Lu Tuxian by the collar, and said through gritted teeth, "You little brat, you dare to lie to your grandpa!"
"Let go!" Phoenix Vane shouted. "Brother Vane, you've misunderstood!"
Upon hearing Phoenix Vane's words, Fan Tong reluctantly released his grip. After spending several days together, he now held Phoenix Vane, his beautiful sister-in-law, in utmost respect and was extremely obedient to her.
Rutu straightened his clothes, looked at Phoenix Vane's beautiful face, and said helplessly, "General Yu is really amazing. I do know where Lord Aureliand was and who he was meeting at the time."
Lynette Quill stood up abruptly, glaring at Ruth and demanding, "Then why..."
"Qin Mei!" Phoenix Vane interrupted Lynette Quill, then asked Rutu Xian, "Are they from Wu'an?"
Rutu confirmed, "It was them! Not long after Lord Aureliand went in, the Wu'an men came out wearing Lord Aureliand's clothes. Actually, those two who were killed deserved it; the Wu'an men had been watching them for some time."
Phoenix Vane nodded and slowly said, "I see. The people of Wu'an did have reasons to kill them. Aurelian's appearance just gave the people of Wu'an more options."
A hint of surprise flashed in Lu Tuxian's eyes. This stunning woman before him truly lived up to her reputation as a war goddess of unparalleled wisdom. She had pieced together the entire incident from just a few of his words, and he couldn't fathom how she had figured out his knowledge of the whole affair. But little did he know, something even more astonishing was yet to come.
Seeing that the others still didn't quite understand, Phoenix Vane explained to them, "Wu'an has just experienced a drought that is the worst in a century, coupled with the crushing defeat in the Battle of Tianfeng, the situation in the country is already quite unstable."
"What does this have to do with the assassination attempt by people from Wu'an?" Lynette Quill still didn't quite understand.
Phoenix Vane smiled and said softly, "Have you ever heard of kicking someone when they're down? Now that Wu'an's strength has been greatly reduced, how could those who want to expand their power easily let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?"
"Ah, I see!" Lynette Quill exclaimed. "No wonder Aeron Skyrend came to the wedding and his Eagle Legion started to mobilize. He was planning to take advantage of the chaos."
Phoenix Vane gave Lynette Quill an approving look and said, "That's right. Also, it seems that this deployment is the result of a conspiracy between Prince Elnario and Gilmans. As the pro-war faction members of their respective factions, Trini and Poole will definitely play a big part."
"General Yu's analysis is truly accurate!" Lu Tuxian interjected. "This conspiracy to send troops to Wu'an involved not only our Fast army, but also two other countries that have long coveted Wu'an: Chu Yue and Ying Xi. And the two men who were killed were the key figures who worked together to make connections."
Phoenix Vane shook his head and said leisurely, "Silly sister, as long as there are greater benefits to be gained, who would care about morality, which is just an ornament that can only be put up for others to see?"
Obsidia Shade, who was standing to the side, finally couldn't help but say, "Since Mr. Lu knows the specific circumstances at the time, why don't you stand up and testify to clear my young master's name?"
Obsidia Shade's words drew everyone's attention back, and they all looked at Ruthuzan, hoping he could give them a satisfactory answer. If Ruthuzan's words could gain the approval of His Majesty and the Inquisitors, Aurelian Dragon could be released.
To everyone's surprise, Lu Tuxian simply shook his head and said in a flat tone, "I'm sorry, I cannot testify, because it would be useless!"
"Huh!?"
Before anyone could understand what was happening, Rutu said something even more surprising.
"Even if my testimony could clear Lord Aureliand's name, I wouldn't do it. Since I brought this trouble upon myself, Lord Aureliand must resolve it himself."
"What did you say?!" Fan Tong was the first to attack, his large, round eyes wide open, his thick finger pointing at Lu Tuxian's nose, a powerful and sharp killing intent instantly enveloping Lu Tuxian. Fan Tong angrily shouted, "You bastard, do you know what you're saying?"
Without flinching, Rutu looked fearlessly at the imposing Phoenix Vane and said firmly, "If Lord Aureliand cannot overcome difficulties of this magnitude himself, then there is no point in me following him!"
Phoenix Vane's phoenix eyes flashed with cold light as he said, "Is this your idea?"
"Yes!" Lu Tu answered loudly, his usual sinister aura completely different from his usual demeanor. His eyes shone with a fiery light, and Fan Tong, who was standing right next to him, immediately sensed the change in his aura. It was like the change a carnivore makes when it spots its prey.
"Those who follow have an obligation to follow, but those who are superior also have their responsibilities and obligations. I have already proven to Lord Aureliand the ability of a loyal dog, so Lord Aureliand should also prove to me his strength as a superior."
"You bastard!..." Fan Tong's roar echoed in the hall.
Phoenix Vane suppressed the anger that was about to erupt from Vane and glanced at Obsidia Shade and Cynthia, who were poised to pounce on him. Ever since Ruth had told him that he refused to testify for the Aurelian Dragon, these two beautiful women, who were loyal to the Aurelian Dragon, had used their powerful mental strength to lock Ruth in place. It seemed that they were just waiting for Phoenix Vane's order to pounce on this strange man and teach him a lesson.
What caught Phoenix Vane's attention most was that even the usually composed Lyra Draconis seemed to be losing her composure. A tremendous aura suddenly surged from her, as if she were about to burst forth. This sight made Phoenix Vane nod inwardly; Lyra Draconis's demeanor further confirmed her judgment.
"Mr. Lu is from the Temple of the Moon, isn't he?" Phoenix Vane's sudden question caused Lu Tuxian to look momentarily stunned.
After a moment of silence, Lu Tu sighed and replied sincerely, "General Yu indeed has excellent eyesight; he could even see that!"
His words caused a stir among the other women, with Lyra Draconis being an exception. A faint, cold smile appeared on her lips, as if this answer had been expected. However, her beautiful crescent-shaped eyes revealed a sharper gaze than before, like gleaming blades. Such an expression was extremely rare for her, quite different from her usual energetic, cheerful, and greetingly beautiful self.
Phoenix Vane knew there was only one reason for this: Rutu must belong to a race that the dragons hated extremely, and such a race was rare on the continent.
"Are you a Frostblood?" Phoenix Vane's expression was enigmatic. Although it was a casual remark, the meaning behind his words sent a chill down the spines of those who knew the truth.
Lu Tuxian's eyes began to turn an eerie red, and the expression on his face was no longer flat; it became incredibly complex and ever-changing, yet his tone remained remarkably steady.
"Indeed, General Yu's extensive knowledge is truly admirable! I am from the Iceblood Demon clan of the Moon Temple, and I am a Five-Clawed one." As he spoke, Lu Tuxian revealed his right hand, which transformed into a pure white, transparent claw in front of the women. Wisps of cold air emanated from this hand that did not belong to the human world, and even the temperature in the entire hall suddenly dropped by several degrees.
The Iceblood Demons, though not among the three major demon races, are traditionally considered the most loyal friends of the demons, possessing long lifespans and terrifying martial arts skills. They are said to be devoid of emotion, even their blood is cold, hence the name "Iceblood." Another meaning of "Iceblood" refers to their Ice Burst Claws; when mastered to the fifth claw level, any creature struck by one's claws will have its blood frozen, then explode, causing excruciating pain before death—a truly vicious attack.
During the War of the Hundred Races, they once reigned supreme, causing immense trouble for the gods and humans alongside the Bloodwing Clan, who belonged to the demon race. Some even called them the "Demon Clan." For the dragon race, this name also represented countless brutal battles and an innate aversion to them. Whenever these two races met, it was a life-or-death struggle, a common occurrence during the War of the Hundred Races.
With the end of the Great War of a Hundred Races and the establishment of human dominance on the land, these people and events have become mere ripples in the torrent of history. But today, in Phoenix Vane's Phoenix Palace, two races that were once mortal enemies have met once again.
"General Yu now knows all the answers. Are you going to expel me from the Flying Phoenix Manor, or will you join forces with this dragon lady to keep me here?"
Rutu took a small half-step back and looked at Phoenix Vane, speaking loudly.
Phoenix Vane grabbed Lyra Draconis, who was about to pounce, and asked in a deep voice, "Answer me one question: are you truly here to assist the Aureliano Buendía?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Tu immediately clasped his hands in a salute and said, "I offer my absolute loyalty to the overlord of the world!"
Phoenix Vane's question was about the Aurelian Dragon, but Ruth's answer was to pledge allegiance to the world's overlord. While this answer displeased the others, Phoenix Vane seemed to have gotten the answer she wanted. With a gentle wave of her hand, Phoenix Vane said to Ruth seriously, "Phoenix understands. I think the Aurelian would need someone like Mr. Ruth. Please behave yourself in the future!"
Ah Jun
Before Lynette Quill and the others could understand what was happening, Ruttus suddenly knelt down and bowed deeply to Phoenix Vane. Then he stood up and said loudly, "Your humble servant obeys!" He then turned and strode away.
Why keep him?
Why let him go?
Lynette Quill and Lyra Draconis's voices rang out almost simultaneously, their questions echoing the concerns of everyone else in the hall: leaving someone of the "Frostblood Clan" by Aurelian Dragon's side—who knew what might happen? From ancient legends to real-life examples, the "Frostblood Clan" evoked a rather sinister aura. They were no ordinary people; for most, the mere mention of their name would be enough to instill fear.
Phoenix Vane sighed softly, and instead of immediately answering their questions, she posed a question to them.
Do you know why Rutu Xian came to pledge allegiance to the Aurelian?
Seeing everyone's blank expressions, Phoenix Vane revealed the answer himself: "Only now do I understand that the demonic energy on Aurelian's body has never been removed, which is why it has such a strong attraction to the Iceblood Demon clan from the Moon Temple, which is why Rutuxian came here on his own."
"Ah!" Obsidia Shade suddenly exclaimed from the side. She immediately connected the dots with the changes in herself that day. No wonder she had acted that way...
Seeing that everyone was looking at her, Obsidia Shade blushed and quickly changed the subject.
"Sister Feng... is Lu Tu Xian truly sincere?"
Phoenix Vane smiled slightly, nodded gently, and then looked at Lynette Quill and said, "Although the Iceblood clan is ruthless, they are extremely loyal once they have chosen someone to serve. Aurelian's demonic energy will further solidify his choice."
"Then why doesn't he step in to help Aurelian clear her name?" Lynette Quill asked, puzzled.
Phoenix Vane pondered for a moment and replied, "Perhaps this is one of the conditions their clan uses when choosing a master, just as he said earlier. I trust my judgment; I won't misjudge someone." Since Phoenix Vane said so, the crowd, who had always trusted this wise and beautiful war goddess, stopped talking about Rutu Xian's matter and turned their attention back to the Aurelian Dragon.
After discussing everyone's actions, Phoenix Vane smiled at the restless women and said, "You can rest assured. If you really can't find any other way, I have one last trick up my sleeve. I will make sure that Aurelian returns to you all safely."
With everyone relieved, as they dispersed, Phoenix Vane called out to Lyra Draconis.
"Little Sister Long, don't take Lu Tu Xian's matter to heart. After all, the Great War of the Hundred Races is a long time ago."
Lyra Draconis nodded and said, "I understand. This is probably an innate reaction! I already felt something was off when I saw this guy last time. It turned out he had concealed his demonic energy, but for some reason today, he didn't hide his strength."
Phoenix Vane took Lyra Draconis's hand and said, "I know that his 'Ice Heart Severing Emotions' martial art is inherently antagonistic to your dragon clan's mental techniques. It's best if the two of you don't meet in the future."
Lyra Draconis waved her hand angrily and replied, "He'd better stay away from me from now on. Just seeing his face makes me want to hit him!"
Phoenix Vane smiled wryly. At this moment, their conversation was perhaps just a thought, but whether Rutu heard the news first or the man himself had such an awareness, in the long years that followed, he and Lyra Draconis, both important figures by the Aurelian Dragon's side, never faced each other directly again. Even after the establishment of the Aurelian Dynasty, the two, as important ministers, followed completely different paths. This was something that even Phoenix Vane found very strange. Perhaps this was fate.
While Phoenix Vane mentioned a reason why Rutu Xian refused to clear Aurelion Dragon's name, a larger reason lay in his desire to awaken Aurelion Dragon's latent demonic nature in a life-or-death situation. Having long sought a worthy master on the continent, Rutu Xian had unhesitatingly joined Aurelion Dragon's ranks after discovering his hidden abilities. He eagerly anticipated the extent to which this man could achieve when his demonic nature fully erupted.
As Lu Tuxian walked out of Feifeng Mansion, his eyes burned with a terrifying flame. To be precise, his entire being was ablaze. He had never been like this before, and it was unlikely to ever happen again. Phoenix Vane's words kept echoing in his mind.
"I really didn't expect her to be this kind of person!"
Rutu's eyes narrowed slightly. Phoenix Vane's trust in him was completely beyond his expectations. Knowing his identity, he still dared to take him in and use him, which gave him an unprecedented feeling.
"I need to work harder from now on!"
Rutu made this decision silently in his heart, then strode forward into the warm sunlight. He knew there must be many eyes watching in this area; these observant people were working hard. But they were absolutely no match for the mistress of this mansion, whose wisdom was in no way inferior to her beauty. Rutu was absolutely certain of this.