They all want to change my future.

Chapter 68 Strangers

Just as the two were filled with regret.

A voice drifted out.

The voice was not loud, even somewhat flat, yet it carried a hint of sarcasm:

"So, is this how the imperial court handles cases—a mere child's play?"

Wei Yu broke out in a cold sweat, which instantly soaked through the inner lining of his official robe.

The voice was indistinguishable by gender, age, or direction; it seemed to be omnipresent.

Such profound and unfathomable skill—which sect's master is he? Was he sent by a sect? And who is he?

Wei Yu's mind raced as he began to recall the grandmasters and experts left behind by the sects in the capital.

But upon further reflection, he realized that none of them matched.

After all, this is the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Under the Empress's watchful eye, why would a sect that has been severely beaten send a Grandmaster to deliver it?

This is a newly arrived grandmaster. His not showing himself is not out of intimidation, but because he dares not.

Thinking of this, Wei Yu calmed down, realizing that behind him was the invincible Empress.

Feeling somewhat relieved, he regained some courage, took a deep breath, straightened his back, and said in a deep voice to the void:

"Who goes there? How dare you disrupt the court and obstruct my investigation! Do you know what a crime this is?!"

"Lord Wei..." The voice rang out again, still so calm, yet it sent a chill down Wei Yu's spine. "Such an imposing official's airs."

The sound echoed, but the person still did not appear.

But the murderous intent was truly looming over Wei Yu, and he instantly cowered; this guy really dared to kill him.

This time, Li Zhi recognized who had come and was somewhat surprised, but their appearance put him in a dilemma.

So, Li Zhi made a move. He was the only one in the room who was completely unaffected, and he took a step forward.

What does this move represent?

Wei Yu and Lu Qi immediately sensed that this was a fight to the death, a confrontation that was about to break off all pretense of civility.

Oh no! Wei Yu broke out in a cold sweat. Wasn't he afraid of Her Majesty the Empress's revenge?

No, I can't die because of something like this. Even if there's retribution, I don't want to die.

He quickly spoke up: "Young Master Li, let's talk this out."

Li Zhi stood still, saying nothing, but looked at Wei Yu meaningfully.

The other party immediately understood, hardened his heart, and slammed the gavel down: "Guards! Seize the criminal Lu Qi."

It's better to die than to die, so don't blame me.

The constables were somewhat shocked, but feeling that they had regained their freedom, their eyes immediately turned fierce as they looked at the immobilized deer.

He immediately stepped forward, pinned him to the ground, and knelt before Wei Yu, as well as before Li Zhi, who was standing in front of him.

Despite such humiliation, Lu Qi remained silent, unable to speak, and lowered his head, closing his eyes as he waited.

Upon seeing this, Li Zhi shook his head: "Does might trump justice?"

Those present pretended not to hear this exclamation.

Feeling the restraints loosen, Wei Yu knew he had done the right thing. He directly rebuked, "The criminal Lu Qi is audacious enough to frame others and embezzle royal property. Do you plead guilty?"

Lu Qi still couldn't speak, but judging from his trembling body, he was unwilling to accept it.

This put Wei Yu in a difficult position; if he didn't speak up and admit his guilt, the process would become complicated.

Then we'll have no choice but to force them to sign.

Thinking it over, Wei Yu gave a wink, and the person next to him immediately understood and quickly started writing.

Soon a charge was presented to Lu Qi, and then his trembling hand was pulled out by the bailiffs and pressed to leave his fingerprint.

Now that the criminal has confessed, the matter should be over.

Wei Yu breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Li Zhi, who didn't say anything but turned away.

Looking at Li Zhi's leisurely figure, Wei Yu felt a sense of sorrow. Things had come to this point; he had managed to save his life, but he probably wouldn't be able to keep his official position.

I backed down, but what else could I do but back down?

Just as Wei Yu was beginning to regret his actions...

"laugh--!"

A sharp, piercing sound suddenly rang out!

A streak of dark light, as fast as lightning and as swift as thunder!

That was a spear! A long spear that was entirely black and had no decorations whatsoever!

It's a gun used by the deer, and it's only aimed at the deer.

The gunshot wasn't powerful, but it was extremely precise and ruthless.

It didn't pierce a vital spot, but rather, like a heavy iron whip, it lashed out with a "bang" onto Lu Qi's spine.

"Snap!"

A crisp sound of bone cracking rang out.

Lu Qi collapsed to the ground like an old dog; he was finished.

Seeing this pitiful state, Wei Yu suddenly stopped regretting his actions and began to think about his defense. It wasn't that he was too incompetent, but that the other party was too strong.

Li Zhi didn't look at the scene behind him. After calmly stepping out of the high threshold of the Jingzhao Prefecture, he asked softly:

"Are you sure it's okay for you to just attack like this?"

"I'm not doing this for you, I'm doing it for myself. Lu Qi is on my list."

"Miss Lin, your words weren't assertive enough," Li Zhi chuckled. "Just now, if you had said, 'I want to take you away, who dares to stop me?' it would have been much more powerful."

Lin Yueyin didn't answer, but just snorted coldly. Then her figure appeared openly behind Li Zhi and followed him out of the Jingzhao Prefecture government office.

Li Zhi was initially somewhat surprised, but upon seeing the scene outside the door, which was different from what he had imagined, he understood why.

There was no crowd or chatter outside the door.

On the contrary, it was somewhat empty.

The crowd that had gathered to watch had been dispersed at some point.

The long street was deserted, with only one horse-drawn carriage.

The entire carriage was vermilion, luxurious and beautiful. The red horse pulling the carriage was exceptionally fine, and its body was even draped with red silk of the same color.

The carriage curtains were drawn, but Li Zhi knew who was inside.

The carriage stood there quietly, as if waiting, or perhaps just a coincidental staging.

Qu Hongxiao was waiting for him and inviting him to get in the car.

Li Zhi looked at the carriage, many thoughts flashing through her mind. She had arrived before, but hadn't made a move.

So, he had actually lost the bet with Ji Baizhi.

Then it's a deal.

Li Zhi stepped forward, walked towards the carriage, and then walked around it.

It was as if I hadn't seen it at all, or the possible person in the car.

The figure in the blue robe, standing alone on the empty street, appeared somewhat lonely, yet exceptionally resolute.

They are like strangers.

Inside the carriage, behind the curtain.

Qu Hongxiao's gaze pierced through the gap in the curtain and landed on Li Zhi's back as he turned and left without looking back.

She neither called out to him nor tried to stop him.

After all, Lin Yueyin was constantly watching her and keeping a close watch on her.

Qu Hongxiao did not want to clash with a grandmaster here, at this time, for the sake of Li Zhi.

Because it's not worth it.

"It's just a little trinket," Qu Hongxiao told herself. "It's not important at all."

The important question now is: who is this suddenly appearing grandmaster?

What is the purpose of coming to the capital?

As the owner of the Star Gazing Pavilion, this was what she needed to investigate.

Qu Hongxiao withdrew her gaze, no longer looking outside, and said calmly:

"Go back downstairs."

The carriage slowly started moving, its vermilion body drawing a dignified and aloof line on the empty street, heading in a direction completely different from Li Zhi's.