Post-Mythical Era: I don't want to die in the third reincarnation

"Ying Fang, the charge of insubordination against Lu Chongdao does not stand," Emperor Wushang said calmly as he looked at Ying Fang.

Ying Fang's heart felt as dead as ashes, knowing he had been used as a pawn and discarded.

He was still a Law Officer, but once the case of Lu Chongdao concluded, he would be punished.

Although there was still an accusation of embezzlement against Lu Chongdao, he had no inclination to continue laying out the laws.

He also realized that using the Nine Court Immortal Law against Ding Huan was futile.

He had been heavily penalized. As long as his family handled things well, there was still a chance for him.

If he offended Ding Huan further, it wouldn't just be a matter of cracking his Purple Mansion or destroying a few meridians; it might even destroy both his Purple Mansion and Dantian.

Had it not been for Star Lord Wucheng's intervention just then, he would have already been sentenced to death.

Ying Fang was scared, and with Bu Yue abandoning him, why would he still make a stand for the case of Lu Chongdao?

Was he supposed to pave the way for others with his own corpse?

He hurriedly bowed deeply:

"Great Emperor Wankang, as a minister who has inadequate knowledge of the laws and wrongly serves as the Flag Leader of the Immortal Law Department, I now realize my grave error in wrongly accusing Master Lu of embezzlement. I am willing to accept the punishment."

With those words from Ying Fang, everyone knew that Ying Fang was frightened into submission by Ding Huan and dared not oppose him any longer.

If he dared to oppose Ding Huan again and angered him, Ying Fang might very likely lose his life today.

Lu Chongdao was stunned; he had thought his demise was certain.

Now, the case was not yet concluded, and the opposing Law Officer had conceded, admitting his mistakes voluntarily—what kind of tactic was this?

But then he felt a wave of sadness; look at Ding Huan, even at his worst, he was far better than Ying Fang.

With his little capability, meddling in the case involving the daughter of the Immortal Prime Minister was truly courting death.

He had survived, but what about Qianyuan Immortal Manor? It was gone forever.

As Lu Chongdao grieved and fretted, he suddenly heard a message from Emperor Ping Wei:

"Chongdao, you are now definitely absolved of your crime. If you wish to seek revenge, you must seize the opportunity.

This Ding Huan junior is not a simple person; if you miss today, getting him to serve as a Law Officer for your case will be difficult."

Ding Huan was unlikely to continue acting as a Law Officer for others; Emperor Ping Wei had seen that.

Lu Chongdao was startled and quickly came to a realization. He took a deep breath, knowing he must not miss this opportunity.

Ding Huan was also somewhat stunned—Ying Fang had conceded just like that?

What shocked Ding Huan and everyone else even further was that Ying Fang actually approached Ding Huan and bowed deeply:

"Law Officer Ding, thank you for enlightening me. If not for your reminder, I would still be making grave mistakes and might even have continued to wrongly detain Master Lu in the dungeon.

For this, I am willing to offer fifty million high-grade Immortal Crystals as thanks for your enlightenment."

The address changed from Law Officer Ding to Mr. Ding.

Ding Huan inwardly remarked, this old fellow is wealthy indeed.

He knew what Ying Fang meant; he was asking Ding Huan to spare him this time, buying his safety with money.

In fact, securing safety didn't need this many high-grade Immortal Crystals; Ying Fang, no longer willing to serve under Immortal Prime Minister Bu Yue, was thinking of offering more Immortal Crystals to lighten his punishment.

Everyone understood what Ying Fang meant, and now it was up to what Ding Huan decided.

If Ding Huan was strictly honorable, he would not accept the Immortal Crystals and would continue to press charges against Ying Fang regarding the embezzlement case.

Not to mention anything else, just the offer of fifty million high-grade Immortal Crystals to Ding Huan alone could be constituted as a major bribery offense.

Emperor Wushang slightly smiled and said to Ding Huan, "Law Officer Ding Huan, the case of Lu Chongdao is now clear, and you are the victorious Law Officer. Please proceed with the final adjudication."

Even though Ying Fang was unwilling to continue adjudicating Lu Chongdao's case of embezzlement and even voluntarily admitted his wrongdoing, Ding Huan could not ignore the situation.

He had to clearly establish that the embezzlement charge against Lu Chongdao was false before Lu Chongdao could be released without charges.

Ding Huan first bowed to Emperor Wushang, then saluted everyone around and said loudly, "The charge of insubordination against Lu Chongdao has been determined to be entirely unfounded. As for the embezzlement charge, it is even more absurd.

According to the description of embezzlement provided by the Immortal Law Department, Lu Chongdao received Immortal Crystals from Flag Leader Xiu Xu of the Kuishui Department during the main trial.

First of all, transactions of Immortal Crystals among cultivators are a very normal affair, just like Ying Fang wanting to offer me fifty million Immortal Crystals out of gratitude just now.

Unless the Law Crystal Ball is produced, no one can prove that these Immortal Crystals were related to the case; perhaps they were part of a transaction for an item. The Nine Court Immortal Law does not stipulate that a main trial officer cannot buy or sell items with related individuals..."

"I did not receive Xiu Xu's Immortal Crystals," Lu Chongdao quickly spoke up.

"Shut up; no one thinks you're mute," Helian Audong huffed, glaring at Lu Chongdao.

Lu Chongdao suddenly understood. How could Ding Huan not know he hadn't received the Immortal Crystals? There were a thousand ways Ding Huan could prove he hadn't accepted the Crystals.

Ding Huan was simply using this as an opportunity to take fifty million Immortal Crystals for himself, using him as a pretext to speak.

Emperor Ping Wei's mouth twitched a few times; this Ding Huan was truly...

Listening to Ding Huan so far, everyone was speechlessly watching him.

After all the talk, you still want those fifty million.

Everyone knew that if Ding Huan took those fifty million Immortal Crystals, no one dared to accuse Ding Huan of bribery.

A person like Ding Huan, who dares to take these crystals, has countless ways to throw anyone who accuses him of bribery into the dungeons of the Immortal Court.

He had the capability.

Of course, Ding Huan wanted those fifty million Immortal Crystals; otherwise, why would he talk so much?

"Moreover, even if Lu Chongdao received Immortal Crystals from Xiu Xu for selling an item, framing him would still only be barely suitable for a bribery charge; the accusation of embezzlement is completely misplaced.

Embezzlement refers to pilfering the wealth of the Immortal Court, not taking from an individual. Even the accusation is wrong, let alone the punishment."

Ying Fang's body was drenched in cold sweat as he listened.

He knew he was no match for Ding Huan; fortunately, he had admitted his mistake, otherwise based on this wrongful conviction alone, his punishment would have surely been increased.

Competing with this man in the Nine Court Immortal Law was akin to seeking one's own death.

"So..."

Finally, Ding Huan paused, then continued with an even more impassioned voice, "Under the witness of the Emperor of Immortal Court, the case of Lu Chongdao is now clear and without error.

According to the law, Lu Chongdao should be released without charges due to his suffering in prison. Bu Yue's fined ten million High Grade Immortal Crystals and Ying Fang's fined thirteen million Immortal Crystals should all go to compensate Lu Chongdao, to soothe his spirit.

As Ying Fang has realized his mistake and corrected his ways, his punishment can be accordingly lightened, per the One Hundred Thirty-seventh Thousand Six Hundred Ninth clause of the Nine Court Immortal Law. Ying Fang should be fined thirteen million Immortal Crystals and imprisoned for twelve hundred years.

Your Majesty, please oversee this."

After saying this, Ding Huan stepped back.

Everyone was astounded—was this really a reduction?

Before you sentenced Ying Fang to break nine meridians, tear his Purple Mansion, and confine him for hundreds of thousands of years.

Now all physical damages are gone, just a twelve hundred-year sentence? You didn't even mention his position as Flag Leader.

What about your integrity?

Five million High Grade Immortal Crystals and your integrity has vanished?

This Law Officer, when he opens his mouth, really knows how to invert right and wrong.

Ying Fang trembled with agitation; he had actually escaped death. Those fifty million High Grade Immortal Crystals were well spent; if only he had known to give a few million more, perhaps even those twelve hundred years could have been reduced.

If Ding Huan knew what Ying Fang was thinking, he could only say you are overthinking it; that's why he regulated the laws in such a way.

Firstly, he had to imprison Ying Fang, at least so he wouldn't need to worry about revenge.

After twelve hundred years, standing before him, Ying Fang wouldn't pose any fear.

Secondly, he had no deep-seated grudge with Ying Fang nor was Ying Fang the mastermind behind slaughtering the Qianyuan Immortal Manor.

Without Immortal Crystals, should he maintain the Immortal Court Law against pests like Ying Fang? Ha, Ding Huan could only say, you're overthinking it.

Even Emperor Wushang doesn't strike against these pests; what right does Ding Huan have?

He who provides Immortal Crystals is the boss.

Emperor Wushang nodded, then declared, "The laws set by Law Officer Ding Huan are clear. I hereby decree the following: Lu Chongdao is to be released without charges and awarded compensation of twenty-three million High Grade Immortal Crystals.

Ying Fang is fined thirteen million High Grade Immortal Crystals, imprisoned for twelve hundred years, and stripped of his position as Flag Leader of the Immortal Law Department. Because of negligence, Bu Yue is fined ten million High Grade Immortal Crystals. Any objections?"

Previously Ding Huan's regulation didn't strip away Ying Fang's position as Flag Leader, now Emperor Wushang actively did so—it was within the Emperor's authority.

Nearly having his family executed, where could Bu Yue dare to object? He hastily came forward, "The Emperor is wise; your servant has no objections."

Ying Fang hurriedly knelt, "The Emperor is wise; this criminal has no objections."

A few Powerful Warriors removed the shackles from Lu Chongdao.

Lu Chongdao also hurried forward and performed a grand bow, "The Emperor is wise; your servant is immensely grateful!"

"Ding Huan, I see you have exceptional talents and unique insights into the Nine Court Immortal Law, making you most suitable to be the Flag Leader for the Immortal Law Department. What are your thoughts?"

Emperor Wushang looked at Ding Huan with a kindly demeanor.

Ding Huan thought to himself, If you were truly handing me this position of Flag Leader, you wouldn't be asking me.

He feigned anxiety and cautiously said, "My cultivation is meager, and if I were to assume such a high position, it could bring discontent within the Immortal Court, which wouldn't benefit our Court."

Previously, as a Law Officer, he could speak unrestrainedly, even pointing directly at Ying Fang's nose and cursing.

For a Law Officer, while regulating the laws, represented the Nine Court Immortal Law and held a revered position.

Now that the case had concluded, his status as a Law Officer had also ended; being arrogant now was akin to courting death.

Ding Huan, well-versed in the Nine Court Immortal Law, certainly wouldn't allow anyone to catch him off-guard in this respect.

Many Immortal Ministers watched Ding Huan, thinking internally, This young man manages his demeanor just perfectly. He not only knows when to advance or retreat but also understands the shift in his own status.

Apparently, the previous brash statements about offending Wu Cheng, the Star Lord, were intentionally said.

The aim was clearly to provoke Wu Cheng into a fit of anger in court.

Unfortunately for Wu Cheng, he saw through Ding Huan's intentions at the time, while many spectators did not.

Several powerful figures' gazes landed on Wu Cheng, this Star Lord was also exceptional.

Emperor Wushang was very pleased with Ding Huan's tactfulness; no matter how proficient Ding Huan was in the Nine Court Immortal Law, he couldn't possibly let Ding Huan be the Flag Leader of the Immortal Law Department.

This, however, was something he had to say, and Ding Huan had to refuse.

"Do you have any requests? Feel free to make them," said Emperor Wushang once again.

Ding Huan knew this was genuine.

He quickly bowed, "As a lowly cultivator who likes to travel, when cultivating in the wilderness, it's inconvenient to set up the Gathering Spirit Immortal Array. I would like to request a privilege."

"Very well, I appoint you as the First Law Officer of the Nine Court Immortal Law, able to set up the Gathering Spirit Immortal Array anywhere, and I award you a Jade Plate."

Having said that, Emperor Wushang tossed a Jade Plate to Ding Huan.

"Thank you, Great Emperor, long live the Emperor!" Ding Huan was overjoyed.

This was a sinecure, where he didn't manage affairs or take a salary from the Immortal Court, yet it was perfectly suited for him.

As Ding Huan stepped back and everyone thought the matter was concluded, Lu Chongdao came forward again, crying out,

"My Qianyuan Immortal Manor has been slaughtered; I implore the Great Emperor to uphold justice for my Manor."

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