Boom, boom, boom …
The flames kept exploding, each time stronger than the last. The explosion near Lin Fan was even more violent.
In the next moment, Lin Fan's figure was completely engulfed by the exploding flames.
After the explosion, the entire world fell into a dead silence.
…
The next day.
In the imperial palace, in the imperial court.
Wu Daozi stood proudly in front of the civil and military officials. Since the continuous arson cases in the capital did not happen yesterday, he took credit for it.
In reality, Wu Daozi was the one behind the arson cases. He used the Ghost King's subordinates to carry out his own scheme.
"Your Majesty, the arson cases did not happen last night."
"Your Majesty, with Wu Daozi in the capital, Dragon City will be safe."
"Your Majesty, Lin Fan has neglected his duties. He should be stripped of his position as the director of Jingye Bureau and replaced by Wu Daozi …"
"For the safety of Dragon City and the country, please issue an edict, Your Majesty."
The Imperial Censors who were on good terms with Gao Zhan and opposed Lin Fan all urged the Emperor to replace Lin Fan.
Huang Ce remained calm. He glanced at Wu Daozi and Gao Zhan before his gaze landed on Gao Zhan. "Gao Zhan, what do you think about this?"
Gao Zhan said, "Your Majesty, is everyone's opinion my opinion?"
Huang Ce turned to Wu Daozi with a playful look in his eyes. "Wu Daozi, do you really want to be the director of Jingye Bureau?"
Wu Daozi did not say much. "It's all up to Your Majesty."
Huang Ce turned to Gao Zhan. "Gao Zhan, do you really want to use the lives of your entire family to recommend Wu Daozi?"
Gao Zhan did not even think about it. "I'm a man. How can I go back on my words?"
Huang Ce turned to Wu Daozi. "Wu Daozi, if I give you the position of director of Jingye Bureau, can you guarantee that there will be no more arson cases in the capital?"
Wu Daozi said, "I can guarantee it with my head …"
"Hahahaha!" Huang Ce suddenly laughed and said, "Daoist Wu, why are you so confident?"
When Wu Daozi saw the emperor's strange smile, he felt a little guilty, but he forced himself to remain calm. "I've already ordered people to put up talismans all over Dragon City. Even if those ghosts want to cause trouble, they won't dare to come."
"Is that so? So your talismans are very powerful?" Suddenly, a voice sounded.
Then, Lin Fan and the six palace experts walked into the Imperial Court. Of the seven people, four of them had obvious burns on their bodies. It was a ghastly sight.
Lin Fan and the other two Imperial Palace experts were not in the same situation.
Seeing these seven people appear, Wu Daozi's expression changed slightly. Just as his heart was beating like a drum, Lin Fan had already walked in front of him. He stared at him with a playful gaze and then turned to Gao Zhan. "It's no wonder, ha. If your talisman was harmful, General Gao Zhan wouldn't have used the lives of his family as a guarantee for your character …"
At first, Gao Zhan was still a little confused, but when he heard this, his expression changed drastically. At this moment, his heart was in turmoil. He felt that his cooperation with Wu Daozi might have been exposed.
But he still forced himself to remain calm. He pointed at Lin Fan and said, "You, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Lin Fan smiled. "Gao Zhan, General Gao Zhan, I don't understand. You're a great general, but your ambition isn't on the battlefield. Why do you want to obtain talismans so much? Don't tell me you want to be like our Jingye Bureau and change your profession to catching ghosts and getting rid of evil?"
"Kid, I don't know what you're talking about.
In the imperial court, in front of His Majesty, you're spouting nonsense like this. You're a disgrace to the educated and a disgrace to His Majesty … "Gao Zhan panicked and immediately accused Lin Fan.
Lin Fan wasn't anxious at all. At this time, he ignored Gao Zhan and turned his gaze to Wu Daozi. "Wu Daozi, I've seen bold people before, but I've never seen someone as bold as you. Really … The Shangguan brothers' rebellion was done in secret. Kang Yue's treason was also done in secret.
You, on the other hand, are so open and honest. Not only did you run to Dragon City, you even ran to the palace, ran to the imperial court, in front of the civil and military officials, and even in front of the emperor. How dare you boast so shamelessly? Truly, I, Lin Fan, truly admire your guts … "
Wu Daozi's failure was due to the fact that news didn't spread fast enough in this world.
Naturally, this had something to do with Huang Ce and Lin Fan being prepared for this.
Before Lin Fan led the army to investigate the Luotian Sect, he had already informed Huang Ce. Huang Ce was skeptical, so he sent two imperial powerhouses to keep an eye on Wu Daozi. Then, he sent four imperial powerhouses to follow Lin Fan to assist in the investigation and to monitor him.
As the ruler of a country, he could not completely trust Lin Fan. He had to monitor both sides. Then, he asked Dragon City's city defense to strengthen their defenses and prevent any news from spreading.
After hearing what Lin Fan said, Wu Daozi knew that his plan might have been exposed. However, Lin Fan did not mention anything about him colluding with the Spirit King, so he had not exposed himself. After all, although his deal with Gao Zhan was not so open and aboveboard, it was not treason.
He pointed at Lin Fan and shouted angrily as if he had been wronged, "Lin, w-what nonsense are you talking about?"
"Stop pretending." Lin Fan smirked. "Tell me what you've done, and perhaps I'll let you die in one piece …"
Wu Daozi's eyes widened, and his body trembled.
However, he could not say anything.
"Alright, I'll do it for you if you don't want to tell me," Lin Fan said, "You colluded with the Spirit King and committed arson in Dragon City. Then, you used a talisman to corrupt Gao Zhan so that he could protect you …"
As Lin Fan spoke, Wu Daozi's face turned pale from fear. He pointed at Lin Fan and screamed angrily, "Y-You're talking nonsense. Y-You're lying. Y-You're slandering me …"
Gao Zhan was so scared that his body was trembling like a sieve. If what Lin Fan said was true, not only would he lose his reputation, but his family would also lose their lives.
He pointed at Lin Fan and shouted angrily, "You, brat, I'll kill you right now if you dare to talk nonsense again."
"General Gao, do it now if you dare."
Lin Fan rolled his eyes at Gao Zhan. However, Gao Zhan dared not do anything. Therefore, Lin Fan ignored him and looked at Wu Daozi.
"Wu Daozi, stop pretending. Your Luotian Sect was wiped out by my Jingye Bureau last night, including the Spirit King's group of spirits …"
As Lin Fan spoke, Wu Daozi's hand reached into his robe immediately. He wanted to take out the Strider Talisman to escape.
However, at that moment, a clang was heard. A light flashed above his head, and a flying sword appeared out of thin air. It hovered above his head with the tip of the sword pointing at his head.
The flying sword spun endlessly and emitted a faint glow. It buzzed and emitted a sharp aura. It was … the imperial sword.
At that moment, a powerful suppression enveloped Wu Daozi. His hand that was in his robe froze. He knew very well that if he dared to move, the sword above his head would pierce through his head and into his body.
"Wu Daozi, kneel.
Explain your crimes clearly. "Huang Ce's voice was heard.
Wu Daozi knelt on the ground with a thud before he finished speaking. In the next second, Gao Zhan knelt on the ground with a thud as well.
At that moment, both of their faces were as pale as paper. They collapsed on the ground as if their tendons had been pulled out. Their bodies were trembling like bamboo in the wind.