"If I'm not mistaken, it must be a powerful minister of the court. If there were no vested interests, why would they act this way!"
Lu Fan stated directly, his eyes carrying a chilling glint. The current situation made everything clear.
"Who sent you here!" The Ninth Prince looked towards the black-clothed leader, filled with anger.
To protect the Heavenly Dynasty, Lu Fan personally led a million-strong army to the Hell Dynasty, a feat of immense merit. Unexpectedly, before entering the imperial city, he encountered such a betrayal, which chilled him to the bone.
"Even if you kill me, I will never tell you!"
The black-clothed leader sneered, "So don't waste your efforts on futile endeavors!"
With these words, the Ninth Prince's face turned ashen. He hadn't expected the black-clothed leader to be so defiant, which greatly displeased him.
Meanwhile, Eunuch Xue Long shook his head, saying, "This matter is likely not that simple. Since he refuses to speak, he must have some leverage over that person. What good will it do to question him like this!"
"Senior Xue Long, who do you believe is behind this?" Lu Fan inquired, his expression earnest. Sudancan.com
"This..."
Eunuch Xue Long stood there, his face instantly showing embarrassment. Lu Fan's question had left him at a loss.
After all, he couldn't directly answer this matter without potentially causing displeasure among everyone present.
At the same time, Princess Beimei spoke up, "Regardless of who is behind this, justice must be served. Upon our return to the Heavenly Dynasty, this person will surely be apprehended."
Others nodded in agreement, but they were acutely aware that this matter was far from simple. Apprehending the culprit would not be an easy task.
"You're all wasting your time. You won't get any answers from me, and I won't tell you anything!"
The black-clothed leader stated directly, "Just kill me now and save yourselves the trouble of doing useless things!"
"You think highly of yourself, don't you? Assassinating the commander-in-chief of the Heavenly Dynasty is not an easy way to die!"
Princess Beimei said coldly, "When the time comes, your entire nine generations will be investigated and exterminated!"
The black-clothed leader remained unfazed by these words, a sinister smile playing on his lips, as if none of this truly mattered to him.
At that moment, Princess Beimei felt the disdainful gaze of the black-clothed man and immediately delivered a kick, sending him sprawling.
Lu Fan sat aside, his expression indifferent. It seemed his guess was correct; there were indeed many within the Heavenly Dynasty who wished for his demise, and they would all be brought to light.
After a while, Lu Fan and his entourage proceeded towards the imperial city. Outside the city gates, the Heavenly Emperor, along with numerous ministers, had been waiting for a considerable time, appearing quite eager.
"To think that His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor would personally come to greet us! This is an honor no one else has ever received!"
"Who's to say otherwise! Those who are personally welcomed by His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor are no ordinary individuals. It seems His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor holds the commander-in-chief in high regard!"
"What else can be said? He is the commander-in-chief of the three armies. If His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor did not approve, why would he hand over military command to him!"
Conversations buzzed, and everyone discussed the matter with great importance.
Meanwhile, not far from the imperial city, Grand Tutor Wen and General Chen stood with grim expressions.
"The secret guards have not returned yet, it's likely they have failed!" Grand Tutor Wen stated, "The leader of the secret guards is an Immortal Emperor. Under normal circumstances, this shouldn't be the case!"
"If it fails this time, there will be a next time!" General Chen smiled, "As long as we can eliminate him, any time is opportune!"
"General Chen, you jest. The secret guards dispatched by my Grand Tutor's mansion have already acted, yet your Chen family has not sent any experts!" Grand Tutor Wen said with displeasure, "Only a few Martial Emperors were sent. Is that not too lenient?"
"My Chen family truly lacks capable individuals, otherwise, it wouldn't be like this!" General Chen said with a wry smile, "I hope Grand Tutor Wen can understand!"
"Don't think I don't know what you're scheming. If this matter is exposed, neither your Chen family nor my Grand Tutor's mansion will be able to bear the consequences. You should have seen the Heavenly Emperor's approval of the Northwest King!"
"I heard that the secret guards have the hardest mouths, and they wouldn't reveal their master even if they died!" General Chen smiled. "Why should Grand Tutor Wen worry!"
"That is indeed the case!"
Grand Tutor Wen nodded slightly, instantly feeling at ease, as if all of this was as it should be.
At the same time, the million-strong army had arrived. Lu Fan and the others stepped forward slightly: "Lu Fan, Commander-in-Chief of the Heavenly Dynasty, pays his respects to the Heavenly Emperor!"
"You're finally here, you rascal!"
The Heavenly Emperor's face broke into a smile. "Your contributions this time are immeasurable. You have repelled all the people of the Hell Dynasty and established such a foundation. This is something that has never happened in our Heavenly Dynasty. Occupying a hundred cities in the Hell Dynasty has demonstrated the might of our Heavenly Dynasty!"
"Thank you for your praise, Your Heavenly Emperor!"
Lu Fan cupped his fists, his expression polite and composed, as if all of this meant little to him.
Just then, Grand Tutor Wen noticed a black-clothed man being held behind Lu Fan. This black-clothed man was none other than the leader of the secret guards.
If the Heavenly Emperor were to learn of this, he would undoubtedly be furious. If the truth were to come out, even as Grand Tutor, he would face the most severe punishment.
After the welcoming ceremony, Lu Fan and the others proceeded to the imperial court. The Heavenly Emperor looked at Lu Fan with great satisfaction: "Speak, what reward do you desire! Whatever you wish for, this Emperor can grant it!"
"What I have done is merely my duty, and I require no reward!"
Lu Fan smiled slightly. "However, there is a matter that Your Heavenly Emperor may not be aware of, and I must inform you. I request Your Heavenly Emperor to preside over this matter!"
"What is it that you deem so important?" The Heavenly Emperor asked with a hint of suspicion, his gaze fixed on Lu Fan, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"Not far from the imperial city, I was ambushed last night, and it's likely the perpetrators were from within the imperial city!"
Lu Fan stated directly, "The one dispatched was a formidable expert at the Immortal Emperor realm. As for who the mastermind is, I do not yet know!"
Upon hearing this, the assembly was thrown into a stir. Many began to whisper amongst themselves, their hearts deeply affected. They hadn't expected anyone to dare to commit such an act.
After all, this matter was of great importance and not to be trifled with. A single misstep could trigger endless turmoil.