128: It should have been done calmly and with ease.

Inside the Jiangzhou Prefecture Yamen.

It was still the familiar desk and the familiar pile of official documents, but this time, Qiao Wenbin was not processing them; he was leaning back in his chair, looking somewhat dejected.

"How are things with Zhou Yan?"

He kept rubbing his temples, trying to relax, but it was useless.

"After Zhou Yan returned, he first went to the Misty Rain Painted Barge, and then visited several retired old officials."

"According to our investigation, most of these old officials have some connection to the Censorate."

"Hoo—" Qiao Wenbin leaned back and let out a long breath.

"We should have been relaxed and at ease, yet now we are rushing and scrambling. How exactly did things spiral to this point?"

He had only intended a routine probe, but unexpectedly, this time it implicated both the Joyous Union Sect and the Truth Cult. The situation instantly spiraled out of control, dragging him down toward the abyss.

He had already foreseen the outcome: Zhou Yan would surely die, and he himself was prepared to shoulder the blame alone, at least ensuring his Elder Brother remained uninvolved.

But since Zhou Yan managed to escape a certain death trap, this was no longer just his problem.

While he was pondering, a low sobbing sound reached his ears. He turned his head and saw Judge Chen bowing his head and weeping softly, his eyes red.

"Why are you crying? Useless!" Seeing his appearance, Qiao Wenbin was furious.

"You've been an official for so many years, don't you even have this basic understanding?"

Judge Chen stopped crying, but spoke with a choke in his voice.

"My Lord, we have contributed so much to Jiangzhou, yet now we are going to be liquidated because of it. Why!"

"My Lord, please leave! The national destiny you've accumulated over the years is enough to protect you. As long as you successfully reach a Teleportation Array, whether it's the West River or the Eastern Domain, there will be a way out!"

Qiao Wenbin did not respond immediately; instead, he picked up the official documents and resumed reviewing them.

Judge Chen understood his attitude and fell silent.

He himself had done many dirty and wrong things, and knew it would be difficult to escape.

But Qiao Wenbin was merely a person carried along by the tide. If he hadn't done many of those things, he couldn't have succeeded. He might not be considered an upright official, but he certainly had merits for Jiangzhou.

Now, just because of a small game between several major powers, he was facing such a fate, perhaps even losing his life. It was truly unfair.

"My Lord, what if... what if the other side hasn't noticed yet? Do we still have a chance?"

"Alas, you must face reality." Qiao Wenbin put down his brush and looked at him. "It's not about whether he wants to know, but whether someone wants him to know.

The people on Prime Minister Zhang's side aren't fools; when they interact with him, they will definitely expose us and thoroughly slander us."

"Everyone knows how to leave a retreat path. Even if the other side doesn't believe them, a secret investigation will still make it hard for us to evade responsibility."

"So stop being naive. All we can do now is try to draw attention and take all the blame upon ourselves before the judgment arrives."

Pausing, Qiao Wenbin added.

"Wenruo, go contact that Senior. Tell him that once my involvement is exposed, he should use that opportunity to strike against Zhou Yan."

"Also, hand over all my assets to him as compensation, and help him leave the Northern Territory."

"Regardless of whether Zhou Yan runs into trouble this time, push all the blame onto me. If you are arrested... report me first."

"Yes..." Judge Chen's eyes reddened again. He knew Qiao Wenbin was making his final arrangements.

Watching Judge Chen leave, Qiao Wenbin gave a self-deprecating smile and returned to dealing with the official documents.

He was only halfway through when the butler came to the door and handed him a letter.

"A meeting is scheduled for noon tomorrow, the location is Li Manor."

Qiao Wenbin stared at the contents of the letter, momentarily stunned.

The letter stated that since Zhou Yan had just arrived in Jiangzhou and had not formally met with the local official system or outlined his subsequent policies, this large meeting was specially called to gather everyone, allow them to become acquainted, and introduce Zhou Yan.

The selection of Li Manor was because Lord Li had once been a high official of the imperial court, holding a respected position.

"What does this mean?"

"Shouldn't Zhou Yan be making a move against me? Why is he still calling a meeting of officials?"

"Did the Truth Cult really not reveal anything? Or did he simply fail to investigate it?"

"Logically, a new official holding a meeting to establish authority is normal. He was delayed for various reasons until now, so holding it at this time is also reasonable."

"But if he genuinely intends to act, he shouldn't invite me to the meeting. Wouldn't it be far more effective to announce my arrest right there in the assembly hall?"

All of this left Qiao Wenbin, an old hand in officialdom, completely baffled.

Surely he wouldn't try to arrest someone during the meeting? The repercussions would be too immense. Even with support behind him, he couldn't handle such a disturbance.

Qiao Wenbin held the letter, walked to the window, dismissed the butler, and quietly gazed at the sky.

Clouds gathered in the sky; it looked like rain tomorrow.

At the same time, officials large and small throughout Jiangzhou received the meeting invitation.

Some were surprised, some felt that holding a meeting in a private residence was too frivolous, and others secretly plotted new moves.

Everything would erupt at noon tomorrow.

The setting sun was faint, and the military camp was quiet.

Li Shan finished his day's duties, was too lazy to go home, and planned to stay overnight in the camp.

He had just entered the tent and was about to light a lamp when he suddenly grew alert.

"Who's there!" He spun around and threw a punch, but it hit nothing, as if striking air.

"Commissioner Li, there's no need to be nervous. It's me."

A Black-Robed Man walked out of the shadows... No, it wasn't a person, but an Incarnation entirely condensed from azure Qi flow.

However, Li Shan was very familiar with the voice; it belonged to Censor Zhou, who had recently visited his father.

Sure enough, the aura emanating from the Qi flow made Li Shan even more certain.

"Lord Zhou, you truly startled me," Li Shan said, his tone relaxed, though he subtly stepped back half a pace, ready to rush out at any moment. "May I ask why you suddenly sought me out?"

"Commissioner Li is indeed vigilant. Truly worthy of a soldier, with exceptional qualities."

"But you needn't worry. That shout of yours just now cannot travel outside. You don't have to fear someone breaking in and accidentally harming me."

This statement was practically a declaration that the area had been sealed off.

Li Shan felt a chill in his heart. He was at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and Zhou Yan was at Foundation Establishment Perfection. Normally, he wouldn't be afraid.

He was a Martial General, and Zhou Yan was a Civil Official. Even if Zhou Yan was two Minor Realms higher, he was confident he could defeat him.

But not long ago, the other party had visited his father, and his father treated him with great courtesy. Anyone his father treated this way must belong to the Censor-in-Chief's faction in the imperial court.

So young, with such a Realm and such a background, even if he was confident he could take him down, he dared not act rashly. Moreover, since the area was sealed and he couldn't even call for help, he was extremely passive.

Zhou Yan did not know his thoughts, though he wouldn't care if he did. He merely said plainly.

"Commissioner Li, there's no need to worry. I've come to discuss cooperation."

"Although Elder Lord Li managed to retire completely from the imperial court, his treatment is not nearly as good as before.

"You are already at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage at such a young age, yet you were still sent here to serve as a Commissioner. Doesn't that indicate a problem? Don't you feel resentment in your heart?"

Li Shan's pupils constricted. He sensed a dangerous transaction approaching, yet he was genuinely stung by the words.

He suddenly wanted to hear more.