The old minister's face turned as pale as a ghost, and his jaw hung open as he struggled to find words. He wanted to argue, but the sheer weight of the atmosphere made him choke back his protests. He dared not pursue the matter any further, feeling the cold gaze of the court upon him.+4
Ye Yin didn't give him a chance to recover. He continued firmly, "Second, you should remember that Yin Feng Territory is a fief personally bestowed upon me by Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire. I am the one who developed that land. I opened trade routes with the Empire and brought prosperity to a once-barren border. What crime is there in making a land flourish?" +4
He stepped forward, his voice echoing through the silent hall. "Is it now a crime to pay taxes to the Empire? Is it a malicious act to settle displaced people and wipe out the bandits that terrorized the commoners? Or are you suggesting, Your Excellency, that the Heaven Dou Empire made a mistake when they gave me that land? If you truly believe it was a mistake, you shouldn't be talking to me. You should go directly to Emperor Xue Ye and tell him yourself. If that's the case, maybe I should stop paying taxes to Star Luo altogether. After all, if it's my private fief, I don't owe anyone anything." +4
Cold sweat began to pour down the old minister's face in thick droplets. He collapsed to his knees, his forehead hitting the floor with a dull thud as he repeatedly kowtowed. "I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare!" he cried out, his voice trembling with terror.+4
Ye Yin smiled slightly, but there was no warmth in his eyes as he pressed on. "Third, it is no secret that Miss Zhu and I are deeply in love. Both His Majesty and the Crown Prince have already given their tacit approval of our relationship. These are matters of the heart between a man and a woman. Since when did personal affairs like these need to be brought before the court to be judged by you? Could it be that Your Excellency feels he has the right to meddle in His Majesty's family affairs?" +4
The old minister's body shook even more violently. He pressed his head lower against the cold stone floor, looking like a broken man. "This subject... this subject absolutely would not dare!" he stammered, his pride completely shattered.+3
"As for the fourth point..." Ye Yin's voice suddenly grew several shades colder, sharp enough to cut through the air like a blade. "The Spirit Hall envoy was caught within the borders of our Star Luo Empire attempting to assassinate the Crown Prince and other important ministers. The evidence of this crime is conclusive! By capturing him and giving him a minor punishment as a warning, I was upholding the dignity of our Empire. Yet, instead of condemning the despicable and cowardly actions of Spirit Hall, you come here to accuse me? I have to ask you, Your Excellency, are you truly a loyal subject of the Star Luo Empire, or are you a secret subject of Spirit Hall?" +3
With that final sentence, Ye Yin's voice rose like a sudden clap of thunder! A powerful wave of mental force, mixed with a bone-chilling killing intent, erupted from him and enveloped the old minister.+2
The old man reeled back as if he had been struck by a physical blow. He raised his head abruptly, his face ashen and his lips quivering. He tried to speak, but only a weak, broken sound came out: "I... I..."
Thump!
He collapsed completely to the ground, his spirit broken and his mind defeated. Ye Yin's relentless counterattack had been perfect. He hadn't just defended himself against the four charges; he had turned the tables and branded his opponent with four terrible labels: spreading rumors, questioning the monarch, interfering in private affairs, and colluding with the enemy.+3
The reversal had happened so quickly and with such ferocity that the entire court was stunned. The civil and military officials watched the scene with deep trepidation. Their gazes toward Ye Yin were now filled with a heavy sense of apprehension. They realized that this young man didn't just have a mysterious and powerful Martial Soul; his cunning intellect and his skill at destroying an opponent's reputation were even more terrifying.+2
Dai Mubai looked at Ye Yin, and for a moment, a flicker of genuine admiration shone in his eyes. However, that look quickly turned into cold anger as he shifted his attention to the slumped figure of the minister : "Bold madman! How dare you try to slander an important minister and sow discord between a monarch and his subjects. Your intentions are foul and punishable by death! Guards!" +2
The armored guards waiting outside the hall immediately surged inside, the clank of their boots echoing against the walls.+1
"Drag this scoundrel away! Strip him of his official position and throw him into the imperial prison. Interrogate him thoroughly. I want to know if there is anyone else behind him pulling the strings!" Dai Mubai commanded, his voice full of authority.+2
"Yes!" the guards shouted in unison. They moved like hungry wolves, grabbing the old minister—who was now as limp as mud—and dragging him out of the hall.+2
The sudden storm of impeachment had been easily resolved by Ye Yin's thunderous tactics. In the process, he had exposed a potential enemy within the court. Silence fell over the room once again, but the atmosphere felt much heavier than before. All the ministers kept their heads lowered, not daring to make eye contact with Ye Yin. They were terrified that he might set his sights on them next.+2
Ye Yin surveyed his surroundings, a gentle and calm smile returning to his face. He turned and bowed slightly to the Emperor and Dai Mubai : "It seems a few petty individuals have disturbed the peace of Your Majesty and His Highness. It appears the internal affairs of the Empire still require some rectification."
The Star Luo Emperor looked deeply at Ye Yin. His gaze was complex, hiding thoughts that no one could read. After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice steady and showing no emotion : "Earl Ye has worked hard. I will see to it that this matter is thoroughly investigated."
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