Chapter Twelve of the Second Investigation: The Grand Formation of Inspection

As the first light of dawn crept in, a dull voice sounded at the door: "Your Highness, please rise, it's time for court."

Lei Xiang responded, and the moment the door opened, seven people entered. Each was at the fourth or fifth level of Qi Refinement, all dressed in matching azure cotton robes and blue cloth boots, their movements perfectly synchronized, right down to the identical wooden expressions on their faces.

"Eunuchs, I suppose. Why are they so dull-witted?" Lei Xiang thought, betraying nothing on his face.

The eldest attendant intoned grandly, "May I respectfully invite Your Highness to change clothes."

Well-trained, they split up instantly. Three brought in basins of water, wrung out towels, and helped Lei Xiang wash up. The other three carried in a clean fur coat and boots, assisting him as he dressed.

Lei Xiang mused, "Being born to the royal family isn't so bad—there's nothing you need to do yourself; someone is always there to serve you."

Suddenly, a young attendant with a face full of pockmarks—also at the fifth level of Qi Refinement—caught Lei Xiang's attention. Though his actions were as mechanical as the others, his eyes were much more agile, darting secret glances from time to time.

Sensing Lei Xiang's gaze, the pockmarked youth lowered his head even further.

Outside, the drums sounded three times, followed by thirteen blasts from the ox-horn trumpet—the most solemn signal for the morning court of the Lihuo Kingdom.

A retinue escorted Lei Xiang out in the manner of stars surrounding the moon. The carriage was already waiting. He rode it to the Grand Hall of Golden Luan.

The hall was imposing and magnificent, only the light inside was somewhat dim. Every ten feet along the walls, a pink jade was inlaid—a type of lower-grade spirit stone called "warming jade," used to heat the space. Such lavish use of warming jade was certainly extravagant.

In the vast hall, more than a hundred civil and military officials stood—scholars to the east, warriors to the west. Seeing Lei Xiang take his seat, they all knelt and kowtowed: "Your Highness, may you reign for ten thousand years. Xuantian Lihuo, burn East Yue to ashes!"

Only one man did not kneel: the Black Chancellor. Lei Xiang knew from his files that this man, personally appointed by the late emperor as the kingdom’s Protector and Grand Preceptor, wielded special authority.

Lei Xiang waved his hand. "Rise, my loyal ministers." Then he began his address, his voice ringing like a great bell through the grand hall.

"I have returned. Under the leadership of the Black Chancellor, our nation has grown stronger—I am gratified. I ask you all to continue your efforts, and our cause to reclaim Lihuo from Yue will surely succeed in the near future.

"Three months ago, by chance, I had an extraordinary encounter and my cultivation advanced rapidly. I must now devote myself to further intense training, leaving state affairs to the Black Chancellor as acting regent."

No one among the officials spoke. A quarter of them wore wooden expressions, while others, though keeping their lips pressed tight, had eyes full of suppressed anger—they dared not speak but could not conceal their indignation.

Lei Xiang rose slowly. "Ministers, follow me to the plaza before the hall." He led the courtly assembly outside.

The biting wind outside stood in stark contrast to the warmth within. The vast plaza was empty, save for a ring of wooden-faced palace guards standing at the perimeter. At its center sat a massive iron cauldron-like device, surrounded by shimmering light. Lei Xiang’s first impression was that it resembled a satellite dish.

There were at least fifty such sound-amplifying arrays in this immense plaza, with no less than ten thousand scattered throughout Lihuo Kingdom. Their purpose was to broadcast the speeches made here to every corner of the land.

Standing before the amplifying array, Lei Xiang’s voice boomed forth: "People of Lihuo, first, on behalf of the kingdom, I thank you for your hard work and dedication. Second, I announce a wonderful opportunity: from today, the kingdom will provide free health examinations for all, and will freely promote the cultivation of those with potential. I hope you will all train diligently, that we may one day reclaim our homeland from East Yue..."

The array only transmitted outward—Lei Xiang could not hear the voices from across the nation, but he heard the murmurs of the officials in the plaza distinctly.

"This free examination seems problematic. Everyone who’s been examined comes out more wooden. Sure, some get a boost in cultivation, but their minds seem dulled."

"The array for the examination is top-tier—there’s nothing wrong with it. The prince does this for our own good."

"I think the parameters of the array are off. It should be adjusted before use."

Lei Xiang, impatient, raised his hand. "Black Chancellor, shut it off." The Chancellor immediately formed a seal, sending a ball of light into the sky. It unfurled into a pink halo and then fell, blanketing the entire plaza.

All the amplifying arrays shut down. Only then did the Black Chancellor speak: "This examination array, which I acquired at great expense, can see through a person's essence. Those with spiritual roots are promoted. As for those who become wooden, it merely reveals their true nature. Such people will be of no use to our kingdom."

Suddenly, a burly old general stepped forward, his eyes flashing. "Chancellor, what you say is strange. Since the examinations began, all who come out are wooden. Are you saying our nation is full of useless people?"

The Chancellor wiped his mouth habitually. "General Cheng, have you examined every single person? Be responsible for your words."

General Cheng bristled with anger. "You... twisting words! Today I—" His hand went to his storage pouch, ready to summon a magical item.

Lei Xiang cleared his throat. "Enough. No more quarreling. Chancellor, please conduct an examination here on the spot. If all is well, General Cheng shall supervise the process from now on. How about that?"

The Black Chancellor was startled, realizing this young prince could handle matters with such thoroughness and tact. He made a mental note to be extra vigilant, for this prince, though a puppet now, might one day become a threat.

General Cheng stepped aside. The Chancellor’s gaze swept over the crowd and landed on the pockmarked attendant behind Lei Xiang. The attendant’s eyes darted nervously as he lowered his head.

"Niu Jin, come forward for examination."

Niu Jin looked up, his eyes filled with terror and, when he glanced at Lei Xiang, a silent plea.

Lei Xiang immediately understood—this so-called examination array was not as innocent as it seemed. "Black Chancellor, Niu Jin serves me daily. Let’s have someone else instead."

No sooner had he spoken than a sensation in his sea of consciousness—a light cocooned in spiritual wind—tightened, sending a thought: "Mind your own business."

Lei Xiang realized the change was a warning from the Black Chancellor. He immediately feigned sudden pain, biting his lip.

A barely perceptible cold smile crossed the Chancellor’s face. "Your Highness, those closest to you best illustrate the array’s safety. Don’t you agree?"

Lei Xiang truly wanted to see what tricks lay within this array, and with the situation unclear, it was unwise to turn openly against the Chancellor. He could only acquiesce.

Niu Jin walked alone toward the domed array in the northwest corner, moving slowly, as if cherishing every second. But Lei Xiang saw only despair in his eyes.

The array shimmered with ripples, and Niu Jin vanished inside. Everyone waited in silence.

An hour later, Niu Jin emerged. His cultivation had soared to the peak of the fifth layer, as if he might break through at any moment. The crowd buzzed with admiration: "This array really does boost cultivation!"

Only Lei Xiang sneered inwardly. He had watched Niu Jin’s eyes throughout: from pleading, to terror, to despair, and now, to utter emptiness.

There was indeed something wrong with this examination array.

The Black Chancellor declared proudly, "You see, Niu Jin isn’t wooden, and his cultivation has improved. The facts speak for themselves."

General Cheng could only mutter in frustration, "You... you tampered with it."

The Chancellor scoffed, and the crowd broke into heated discussion. Lei Xiang sighed. "General Cheng, I’ll have to trouble you to supervise here. Court is dismissed!"

Back in the inner palace, the attendants helped Lei Xiang wash and dine. With a wave of his hand, only the eldest attendant remained; the rest withdrew.

"You need not attend me today. Summon Niu Jin—I wish him to serve me."

Soon, Niu Jin entered and stood with hands respectfully at his sides. Lei Xiang asked, "Are you alright?"

This was an odd question, but Niu Jin didn’t seem to find it strange. "Your Highness, this is the palace. Of course I’m well. Why do you ask?"

Lei Xiang frowned, realizing the other's caution. "Rest assured, I have placed a soundproof barrier here. No one outside can hear us."

Niu Jin tested with his spiritual sense, and, confirming the barrier, he simply plopped down on the floor, his tone no longer deferential. "Ask what you want, and make it quick."

"How dare you speak to me like that? Such insolence!"

Niu Jin replied coolly, "Drop the act. You’re not the prince. I served him before—you may look alike, but you’re not him. Who are you?"

Lei Xiang was startled. This Niu Jin was no ordinary man. But outwardly, he remained utterly calm. "Who I am is not important. What matters is the seal within your body."

"Oh? You noticed? But you’re just a fifth-level Qi Refiner. How could you possibly see through it?"

Lei Xiang’s interest in Niu Jin grew. He decided to win him over, for in the Kingdom of Lihuo, he had no one he could truly trust. With a tap to Niu Jin’s shoulder, he undid the binding seal.

His cultivation surged to the thirteenth layer, the aura he released astonishingly powerful.

"You were hiding your cultivation? What are you after? But you haven’t formed a foundation—how did you see through the seal in my body?"

Lei Xiang smiled, revealing small tiger fangs. "Isn’t that proof enough? Do you believe I can remove your seal?"

Hope returned to Niu Jin’s eyes. Perhaps this man really could help, for his power, though at Qi Refinement, felt as strong as a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Very well, I’ll tell you what happened then. See if you can help me..."

The cold wind howled outside; the plaza was deathly still.

Suddenly, a black shadow shot forth from the southeast corner, moving like a wisp of green smoke toward the examination array in the northwest. The shadow patted itself down, and with a ripple, began to dissolve, slowly fading away within the great array.