456: Chapter 456 Nangong Lie's Resentment

Ye Tian did not turn his head, merely saying indifferently, "Miss Ghost Girl, is your injury better?"

The next moment, a slender figure quietly appeared not far from his side; it was Ghost Girl.

She looked at Ye Tian and handed over a small, black Jade Slip.

"Senior Brother Han asked me to pass this to you."

"He said that while investigating the traces left behind by Yin Wujiang, he discovered that the Nangong Family and the Nether Abyss... seem to have been colluding for a long time.

Some clues point to abnormal activities by the Nangong Family in the Northern Wilderness in recent years, which may have been on behalf of the Nether Abyss.

This is the most direct evidence found so far; although it is not much, it is enough to raise alarm."

Ye Tian's eyes narrowed. He took the Jade Slip and sank his spiritual sense into it.

Inside were recorded some details: certain secret supplies of the Nangong Family flowing into the Northern Wilderness, and contact with certain unidentified black-robed individuals.

It was indeed insufficient to determine a capital crime, but combined with tonight's assassination, it explained a lot.

The Nangong Family... had actually gotten mixed up with the Nether Abyss?

Was it a voluntary defection, or were they coerced and exploited?

"Thank you." Ye Tian put away the Jade Slip and nodded at Ghost Girl.

"Be careful."

Ghost Girl only said two words before her figure slowly merged into the shadows and disappeared.

Ye Tian sat alone on the roof, holding the Jade Slip, looking toward the north outside the Imperial Capital.

The Northern Wilderness... The Nangong Family...

Just as Ye Tian was deep in thought on the roof, a hundred miles outside the Imperial Capital, in a deserted Mountain God Temple:

Nangong Lie, his face ashen and his eyes full of deep resentment, was kneeling on one knee.

Standing before him was a figure wearing a black robe, their face hidden in the shadows of a hood.

The black-robed person exuded an aura of the same origin as Yin Wujiang.

He lowered his head slightly, looking down at the kneeling Nangong Lie, "The Envoy has a new order.

Ye Tian must die!

The Chaos Mark on him must be brought back to the Upper Realm.

Is your Nangong Family willing to lead the vanguard?"

Nangong Lie's body trembled. He suddenly raised his head, seeming to hesitate for a moment, but his eyes quickly filled with resentment and madness.

He knew that since that failed assassination at the banquet, the Nangong Family had absolutely no way back.

The Imperial Family would never let them go, and this Envoy before him was their only lifeline.

He kowtowed heavily, "Nangong Lie, leading the entire Nangong clan, is willing to die for the Envoy! We will go through fire and water, and will not hesitate even if we die ten thousand times!"

The black-robed Envoy gave a cold snort and said nothing more. His figure turned into black mist and slowly dissipated from the spot, leaving only that cold, chilling aura lingering in the ruined temple, making one's heart feel cold.

Nangong Lie remained kneeling on the ground, his forehead pressed against the floor, not daring to move for a long time.

His face was full of resentment, and his muscles twitched uncontrollably.

Only after confirming that the terrifying aura had completely receded did his body go limp, and he collapsed onto the ground.

He gasped for air, his cold sweat having already soaked through his undergarments.

"The Nether Abyss..."

He muttered, seemingly feeling some regret, but the moment he thought of Ye Tian, a fierce and ruthless look appeared in his eyes.

Things had reached this point; the Nangong Family had no way back.

The Liuli Xuan Sect would not let them go, and the Imperial Family even less so.

Only by clinging tightly to the Nether Abyss... No, this rope leading to the abyss, perhaps they might have a glimmer of hope, or even... a chance for revenge!

"Ye Tian... it's all you! It's all your fault!"

Nangong Lie's teeth chattered, and his eyes were bloodshot: "You must die! You must die!"

He struggled to stand up, glanced at the pitch-black night outside the ruined temple, and staggered toward the direction opposite the Imperial Capital, hiding into the darkness.

He had to return immediately, gather all the forces he could still use, arrange for his clansmen to hide and relocate, and at the same time... kill Ye Tian at all costs!

A night passed. The Imperial Capital, Huangji Square.

Although the assassination turmoil last night left many with lingering fears, today, a large number of people still gathered in the square.

This was because the Imperial Family was about to announce the final verdict on the Nangong Family incident.

Prince Rong stood on the high platform with his hands behind his back. Behind him stood several Imperial Family retainers.

Below were representatives of various major factions, the Prodigies who had attended the banquet yesterday, and countless Cultivators and commoners who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

The members of the Liuli Xuan Sect were also among them, with Ye Tian standing at the very front.

Shui Qingdie, Yun Wuji, and the others stood to his left and right behind him.

"Silence!" a court attendant shouted in a shrill voice.

The square quickly quieted down, and everyone's gaze focused on Prince Rong.

Prince Rong's gaze swept slowly across the crowd, pausing slightly on Ye Tian, before speaking in a deep voice:

"Following an overnight thorough investigation by the Imperial Family and verification of relevant witnesses and physical evidence, it has now been ascertained.

The former Guardian Family, the Nangong Family, has been acting illicitly in recent years, frequently violating national laws.

Furthermore, at yesterday's banquet, they openly dispatched death warriors to assassinate the head of this year's Supreme Ranking. Their conduct is vile and appalling!

This is an open provocation to Imperial power and a wanton trampling of national law!"

His voice suddenly turned stern: "Effective immediately, the title of Guardian Family is stripped from the Nangong Family, and all corresponding authority and fiefs are to be reclaimed!

Forty percent of their Family's resources are to be confiscated as a warning to others!

The principal offender, Nangong Lie, is to be captured immediately and thrown into the dungeon to await sentencing!

All other members of the Nangong Family involved in the case will be severely punished without exception!"

"Whoa!" The square was immediately in an uproar.

Although there had been expectations that the Imperial Family would punish them severely, the severity of this punishment still exceeded many people's imagination.

Stripping the title of Guardian Family was a punishment that shook their very Foundation!

Confiscating forty percent of their resources was even more damaging to their core strength!

Nangong Lie being imprisoned meant that the core leadership of this Family had been removed!

"My god, they really stripped it!"

"Serves them right! Let them be arrogant, assassinating a Prodigy, and at a time like this!"

"The Nangong Family is completely finished now. Even if they aren't exterminated, they can forget about ever restoring their former glory."

"The Imperial Family is truly furious this time; they didn't show any mercy at all!"

"However... the matter of colluding with the outside realm doesn't seem to have been mentioned?" someone muttered quietly.

Prince Rong seemed to have heard the discussion and continued: "As for whether the Nangong Family was involved in colluding with outside forces, it is still under deep investigation.

If there is concrete evidence, they will certainly be punished for multiple crimes without leniency!

I hope all of you will take the Nangong Family as a warning: keep to your duties, be loyal to the monarch and patriotic, cultivate yourselves diligently, and do not make mistakes that lead to your own destruction!"

After the announcement, Prince Rong said no more, turned around, and sat on the throne on the high platform.

The commander of the Imperial Guards received the order and led men to the Nangong Family's residence in the Imperial Capital to capture Nangong Lie and carry out the confiscation.

Below the platform, the expressions of the crowd varied.

Some clapped and cheered, some gloated, and others felt a sense of sorrow for their own kind, secretly warning themselves.

But regardless, after this incident, Ye Tian's reputation in the Imperial Capital, and even among the entire young generation of the Great Yan, was completely established.

Slaying the Upper Realm Envoy Yin Wujiang, repelling the siege by the Nangong Family's Old Ancestor, counter-killing the banquet assassins, and inciting the Imperial Family's thunderous fury to severely punish a Guardian Family...

Each and every one of these feats was enough to make the name Ye Tian the focus of countless people's admiration and discussion.

"Junior Brother Ye, you're famous now!" Xiahou Ba didn't know when he had crept over, standing beside Ye Tian, grinning: "You'll have to be careful when you go out from now on, don't get buried by the sachets and handkerchiefs thrown by all those young ladies and wives!"

"What are you spouting!" Yu Miaoqing slapped Xiahou Ba, annoyed.

She looked at Ye Tian, a hint of a smile appearing on her cold face: "Junior Brother Ye has won glory for the Sect this time. After returning to the Sect, the Sect Head and the Elders will surely reward you heavily.

Elder Qinglan just said that the Sect Head has sent a message saying that generous gifts have already been prepared at the Sect, just waiting for us to return."

Elder Qinglan also nodded with a smile: "That's right. Ye Tian, your performance this time far exceeded the Sect's expectations.

Not only did you win the head of the Supreme Ranking, but you also spread the prestige of our Liuli Xuan Sect.

After returning, the Sect will definitely not treat you poorly."

Ye Tian cupped his hands to the Elder and his Senior Brothers and Sisters: "Thank you, Elder, and thank you all, Senior Brothers and Sisters.

This Disciple only did his best and was lucky to have some gains.

Without the Sect's cultivation and without everyone's help along the way, I would not be where I am today."

His humble attitude, neither arrogant nor impatient, made Elder Qinglan and Elder Xing Tiexin even more satisfied.

With the verdict announced, the matters in the Imperial Capital could be considered settled.

The Liuli Xuan Sect members did not stay any longer, returning to the guesthouse that day, packing their luggage, and preparing to board the Sect's cloud ship the next morning to return to the Northern Territory.