"STOP!" Several guards in front of the East Wing of the Palace shouted and stared threateningly at Chen Long.
"What do you want? Minister Chen's trial is currently underway inside," continued one of the officers.
"I came to free Minister Chen." As he spoke, Chen Long leaped toward the troops in front of him.
The troops assigned to capture Chen Long also advanced to try to apprehend him.
***
Meanwhile, deep inside the East Wing, specifically in the East Wing Courtroom, a closed trial was underway, attended by the Head of the East Wing Division, Hun Chiseng, who was also the leader of the East Palace Guard and served as Minister of Intelligence.
He also acted as both prosecutor and judge in this trial.
The second prince was also present at the trial.
"Based on the evidence and witness testimonies, there is sufficient evidence to convict Minister Chen. His sentence is death."
Minister Chen, kneeling on the floor, now looked at Hun Chiseng with a sad expression. He had already anticipated this punishment after learning that Hun Chiseng would serve as both prosecutor and judge in his case.
The second prince nodded in agreement with the court's decision.
"Release Officer Cian. You may accuse me, you may punish me, but you must not punish Officer Cian," said Minister Chen, pointing at Officer Cian, the once-imposing man who now looked battered and bruised.
"Officer Cian will also soon face trial. He tried to help you, a prisoner. And because of his efforts, he has taken the lives of 57 soldiers. Therefore, he will also face a severe punishment!" said Hun Chiseng.
Minister Chen could only stare at Officer Cian, the subordinate he had always relied on, but now it seemed he would share the same fate as himself—facing the death penalty.
Officer Cian nodded toward his highly respected superior. Without a word, he showed that he did not regret his actions, which had brought about such severe consequences for him.
At that moment, an officer suddenly entered the courtroom with a terrified expression. "Prince, Minister Hun, there is an attack on the eastern wing."
"An attack? Who dares to attack this place!" Hun Chiseng was furious.
"He managed to defeat many soldiers and even killed an officer at the Seventh Level of the Body Purification Realm," the soldier replied.
"How many people attacked here?" the second prince asked.
"Only one. But he is very formidable."
The second prince glanced at the thin old man sitting beside him. "Perhaps I must trouble you, uncle."
"This is my duty, prince. You need not hesitate," replied the old man. He was the second prince's bodyguard. His name was Gong Hukong, and he was already at the tenth level, or the peak of the Body Refinement Realm.
Hun Chiseng, who was also at the tenth level of the Body Purification Realm, now spoke to the second prince. "The second prince need not fear. I am here."
After that, Hun Chiseng asked the soldier who had come to report earlier. "What is the situation up front?"
"Thousands of soldiers and several officers are leading an army of thousands to try to defeat this one person, but many of the soldiers have already fallen, and some officers have also been killed. It seems the situation out there is not good," the man replied.
"Thousands?" Hun Chiseng was certain that he couldn't win against thousands of people either. Because of that, he began to feel anxious.
At that moment, the large body of an officer was suddenly thrown into the room and nearly hit Hun Chiseng, the leader of the trial.
"Who dares?" Hun Chiseng looked very angry.
At that moment, a young man entered the room. He immediately approached Officer Cian, freed the shackles on Officer Cian's hands, and gave him a pill. "This pill will heal you, Officer Cian."
Officer Cian was greatly startled upon seeing who had given him the pill. "Young master, you should leave immediately before being arrested along with us."
Minister Chen turned to the side and was greatly startled to see his son, whom he knew could neither speak nor cultivate, now standing beside him.
Minister Chen was terrified at the thought of what might happen to his beloved son. Therefore, he immediately shouted at Chen Long, "Long'er, go! You have no business here!"
"My business concerns your safety, Father." After saying that, he immediately released the shackles binding his father and pushed his father towards Officer Cian.
"Officer Cian, you have taken the pill. You will soon recover from all your injuries. Now your task is to protect my father. Let me face them all."
Minister Chen was greatly surprised to hear Chen Long's words because Chen Long had never spoken since he was a child. But now Chen Long was speaking very fluently.
Earlier, Officer Cian had already told him that Chen Long could speak, but he didn't believe it. That's why he was so surprised when he actually saw and heard it with his own eyes and ears.
Meanwhile, Chen Long had already stepped forward to face Hun Chiseng.
"Young man, I heard that you couldn't speak and couldn't cultivate before. Seeing you now, I'm sure you've found an extraordinary treasure. Therefore, for the sake of your life and your father's life, hand over the treasure, and I will release you and your father," said Hun Chiseng.
Hun Chiseng, who was aware of Chen Long's previous condition, began to speculate that Chen Long had obtained a very valuable treasure, which was why he had become like this, and he wanted to benefit from it.
The elder who was with the second prince also began to be tempted by the possibility of a valuable treasure within Chen Long's body.
Now, instead of being wary of Chen Long, he was more wary of Hun Chiseng because he thought the struggle for the treasure within Chen Long would soon take place between himself and Hun Chiseng.
Chen Long just snorted and then looked at the elder who was with the second prince. "You can go ahead with him so I can save time."
Hun Chiseng was furious upon hearing Chen Long's words. "You're so arrogant! You're only at the second level of the Body Refinement Realm. You won't be able to handle both of us!"
After saying that, Hun Chiseng immediately ordered his men to attack Chen Long.
All of Hun Chiseng's subordinates in the room now attacked Chen Long.
Chen Long merely snorted at the attacks. The attacks were carried out by officers at the fifth to seventh levels of the Body Purification Realm.
For many people, Chen Long was certain to die because he was only at the second level of the Body Purification Realm.
Minister Chen shouted and was very worried about his son's safety.
But then, Minister Chen was stunned in shock. He felt like he was seeing something unreal. He felt like he was seeing a fantasy.
However, a moment later, he laughed happily when he confirmed that what he was seeing was indeed happening.