Upon hearing this, the officials exchanged surprised glances.

Yuan Xiu was also startled and unconsciously stood up from the dragon throne, subconsciously looking at Yuan Li and Chen Changyun.

However, the two concealed their suspicions very well.

Dong Xiao asked in confusion, "I examined the wound carefully and couldn't find any flaws. How did Guard Dian figure it out?"

He Yin turned to Yuan Xiu and said, "Your Majesty, may the Imperial Guards be allowed to enter the hall?"

Yuan Xiu waved his hand and said, "Summon them!"

Before long, Dian Chen walked up to him in a very casual manner.

He Yin said, "Guard Dian, tell me about Chen Ke's wound."

Dianchen clasped his hands in greeting to Yuan Xiu and the officials, and then said loudly, "During the martial arts examination, I fought with Xu Qingshan and know the characteristics of his Wuchang Sword."

As he spoke, Dian Chen gestured with his hands and said, "The Impermanence Sword emphasizes large, sweeping movements, resembling a sword even though it is not one. This is the basic point. But the Impermanence Sword Technique has another characteristic: its sword energy is insidious and deadly, like the impermanence of death. This is the deeper point."

"When I first looked at Chen Ke's wounds, they did indeed appear to have been caused by the Impermanent Sword. However, upon closer inspection, I could neither sense any residual sword energy nor see any traces of the wounds caused by those insidious sword energies. Therefore, I believe that this is a fake Impermanent Sword, and that another top expert impersonated Xu Qingshan to commit the murder."

"Impersonating Xu Qingshan to frame the Left Prime Minister?" Dong Xiao frowned, glanced at Wen Tai, and then quickly said to He Yin, "Minister He, why didn't you tell me about this discovery?"

He Yin said, "Lord Dong, I don't mean to distrust you. It's just that although we are investigating the case together, having our own ideas is actually more beneficial to the investigation."

Dong Xiao asked, "What else did you discover?"

He Yin said, "This clue was also inspired by you. When Chen Ke was killed, he was collecting evidence of crimes committed by the Left Prime Minister's mansion. At that time, the evidence and materials were scattered on the desk, which is why you were able to find it."

"But we therefore conclude that the Left Prime Minister's intention was to kill someone to cover it up, which is contradictory."

"If that's the case, since the men sent by the Left Prime Minister killed Chen Ke, why didn't they take away the evidence and materials?"

"You should know that Chen Ke was killed at Hai Shi (9-11 PM), and his body was discovered at Chou Shi (1-3 AM). The murderer had plenty of time to take these things away."

Dong Xiao said, "You mean, the murderer's purpose was simply to kill?"

He Yin said, "So from the beginning I didn't really doubt the Left Prime Minister. If the Left Prime Minister were someone who killed to vent his anger, how could he have achieved what he has today? So there is another possibility left."

“Murder and framing,” Dong Xiao said.

Wen Tai said, "I understand. You initially thought I did it, but now you think I didn't. These are all inferences without evidence."

"Who framed him, and why? That's the direction we'll take in finding evidence." He Yin looked around at the officials, and finally looked at Chen Changyun.

Chen Changyun struggled to meet He Yin's sharp eyes, honed over years of experience in the Ministry of Justice, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"His Majesty."

Yuan Li broke the tense atmosphere and said, "Your subject has something to say, and I can't feel at ease if I don't say it."

Yuan Xiu turned to look at him and said, "Go on."

Yuan Li said, "There is no evidence in the Chen Ke case, and the investigation needs to continue. But putting aside who the mastermind is, the person who killed Chen Ke was a master of the martial arts world. The imperial court has its laws, and the martial arts world has its rules. When has our Great Jing Dynasty allowed the martial arts world to dictate our lives?"

“Your Majesty knows that Your Majesty has launched a martial arts examination to recruit experts from the martial arts world, but this is for Your Majesty’s use.”

"However, if some people with ulterior motives recruit martial arts practitioners as retainers to do things that harm the court, I believe that strict control is necessary!"

"Prince Xin, I am very pleased that you can say such things in this situation. You have great courage." Yuan Xiu praised Yuan Li. Before this, he had the Dragon Guards keep an eye on Xu Qingshan and Wen Hu, and had Lü Lu find out the list of Jianghu people in Changsui City. He knew that there were undercurrents in Changsui City and many Jianghu people were lying in wait.

He knew Yuan Li was right.

The imperial court can draw on the power of the martial arts world, but it must never allow martial arts figures to dictate the court's situation.

This empire, I allow only those I authorize to interfere.

You can't do anything reckless without my permission!

Yuan Xiu asked, "Then what do you think should be done?"

Yuan Li said solemnly, "We'll use a two-pronged approach, one overt and one covert. Overtly, we'll post notices, asking the martial arts practitioners in Changsui City to cooperate with our questioning, with rewards from the court. Covertly, we'll mobilize the imperial prison to arrest those martial arts practitioners who refuse to cooperate. Since we already know that Chen Ke was killed by martial arts practitioners, we'll first catch the murderer, and then follow the clues to find out who the mastermind is!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Xiu's eyes lit up, and he laughed, "That's a good idea!"

Chen Changyun was shocked, thinking to himself that Yuan Li was really good at this. With this idea, he had really absolved himself of all responsibility!

Of course, he could have told Cui Wuming to leave Changsui City immediately, so that everyone would be safe.

But by doing this, he was still insuring himself, so that Yuan Xiu wouldn't suspect him.

Yuan Xiu asked, "Dong Xiao, are you confident?"

Dong Xiao thought for a moment and said, "If we are to do it, the arrests will be very large-scale. After all, I do not yet have a list of the martial arts figures currently in the city. I suggest that the city gates be closed immediately before the news leaves the palace!"

"This list is for you, I will give it to you."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Li and Chen Changyun were both taken aback. The emperor was more astute than they had imagined, having already anticipated this move.

Dong Xiao accepted the order and said, "Now that we have the list, I will certainly live up to your mission!"

Yuan Xiu nodded and said, "Then let's go!"

"Lord Dong, you don't need to work so hard!" At this moment, a deep voice rang out in the hall.

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw Wen Hu slowly stepping out of the ranks.

Yuan Xiu looked at Wen Hu with great interest, wondering why he had shown up at this moment.

Wen Hu has gained Yuan Xiu's trust. Dong Xiao is Yuan Xiu's open loyalist, while Wen Hu is Yuan Xiu's secret loyalist.

Dong Xiao asked suspiciously, "Lord Sha, what do you mean by this?"

Wen Hu said, "Because I know who killed Chen Ke, I also know who the mastermind is, and... I have evidence!"

Hiss!!!

Gasps of astonishment echoed from Tianze Palace.

Yuan Xiu could no longer sit still. He slowly stood up, pointed at Wen Hu, and said, "Lord Sha, you should think carefully before you speak. Even the Imperial Prison and the Ministry of Justice couldn't find any evidence, and you say you have any?"

Wen Hu firmly stated, "I have it!"

Yuan Xiu asked, "Then tell me first, who killed Chen Ke?"

Without a second thought, Wen Hu replied, "Su Wansan's former bodyguard, Cui Wuming, known in the martial arts world as the Swift Sword Wuming!"

Yuan Xiu was taken aback; the name was indeed on the list that Lü Lu had given him.

Upon hearing this name, both Yuan Li and Chen Changyun were stunned.

Yuan Li was relatively calm, her expression remained unchanged, though she was nervous inside.

Chen Changyun was already trembling, but no one noticed him.

Yuan Xiu then asked, "Who is the mastermind behind this?"

Chen Changyun closed his eyes, his heart filled with despair, but the voice that rang out in the hall made him suddenly open his eyes.

"Wentai!"