The Lay Flat Life: My Wife's Cultivation Makes Me Stronger - Chapter 27

As Han Feng pondered asking Jiang Surou for help, he realized this would give him another perfect excuse to gift her something. He had been wondering when he’d get the opportunity to give her that Thirty-Year-Old White Lingluo Flower. Now he could give it, get back a 300-year-old version, and sell it for a hefty pile of spirit stones.

Hehehe… Han Feng thought gleefully as he lay back in his chair, basking in the sun alongside the little fox.

By the afternoon, a sharp voice rang out from outside the courtyard.

“Han Feng! Wake up! Come with us!”

Han Feng opened his eyes and saw an Enforcement Hall disciple standing outside, hovering on a flying sword, his face stern and cold.

“Oh, it’s Senior Brother from the Enforcement Hall. May I ask what crime I’ve committed to warrant being taken away?” Han Feng replied calmly, sitting up.

“Your submitted herbs were used to refine Qi Condensation Pills. One of the disciples who took the pill suffered a severe Qi deviation and sustained considerable damage to his meridians. His injuries are severe. You need to come with us to the Enforcement Hall for questioning.”

“I see. But let me be clear—if it’s anywhere but the Enforcement Hall, I won’t be going.” Han Feng stood up, grabbed the little fox, and walked to the gate, where he promptly set the fox down. The little creature scampered off into the distance.

The Enforcement Hall disciple glanced at the fleeing fox but said nothing. He then turned back to Han Feng with a puzzled expression. “What are you doing?”

“Well, I can’t fly. What do you expect me to do? Hike up the mountain?”

Han Feng smiled, shrugging.

The disciple rolled his eyes and pulled Han Feng onto his flying sword. Together, they flew toward the mountain.

As they traveled, Han Feng discreetly pulled out his communication jade slip and sent a message to Jiang Huayang, explaining that the Ye family was framing him and asking for his help at the Enforcement Hall.

Upon arriving at the Enforcement Hall branch on Luoxia Peak, the disciple guided Han Feng inside. There, the hall was bustling with activity, and at the front of the room sat an elder of the Enforcement Hall, flanked by several disciples.

At the center of the room stood four people, two of whom were all too familiar to Han Feng: Ye Longyuan and Zhang Xiang.

“Disciple Han Feng greets the elder!” Han Feng said with a respectful bow.

The elder slammed his hand on the table and snapped, “Han Feng, confess immediately!”

Han Feng blinked in confusion. “Confess to what, Elder? What have I done?”

The elder snorted. “Today, Alchemist Ye Longzhao from Danxia Peak came to me to report that a disciple named Ye Yuntang ingested a Qi Condensation Pill and immediately suffered a severe Qi deviation. His meridians were damaged, and his dantian was injured. He’s on the verge of losing all his cultivation.

Alchemist Ye Longzhao claims that the problem stemmed from a contaminated herb used in the pill, specifically a Four-Leaf Orchid. Ye Yuntang’s injuries were confirmed by myself, and upon further investigation, we found that the herb came from Luoxia Peak, delivered by the overseer Zhang Xiang. And Zhang Xiang’s records show that the herb was planted and harvested by you, Han Feng. Do you deny it?”

Han Feng cupped his hands, his expression calm, and replied, “Elder, it’s true that I gave five stalks of Four-Leaf Orchid to Zhang Xiang this morning.”

“Ah, so you admit it!” The elder slammed his hand down again. “Guards! Take Han Feng to the dungeon! His crime: poisoning the herbs and attempting to harm a fellow disciple! He will be tried at a later date!”

Han Feng’s expression turned cold. It was clear that this elder was in league with the Ye family.

The Ye family was playing both judge and executioner, weren’t they?

But before Han Feng could protest, a voice rang out from the entrance.

“Since when does the Enforcement Hall arrest people without hearing both sides of the story?”

Han Feng turned to see Jiang Huayang walking in, followed by none other than Jiang Surou, who was holding the little fox in her arms. Jiang Huayang had a jade slip in his hand, seemingly recording everything happening.

Behind them were several other Enforcement Hall disciples.

“Jiang Huayang? This is the Luoxia Peak branch of the Enforcement Hall. What are you doing here?” the elder said darkly, his voice dripping with displeasure.

Jiang Huayang smiled faintly. “Greetings, Elder Ye. As I recall, Elder Tie Lian, our upright Enforcement Hall leader, explicitly stated that all trials conducted by the Hall must be transparent and fair, with any disciple allowed to observe. Anyone may bring forth evidence in defense of the accused. This ensures that justice is served impartially, correct?”

“That’s true, but what of it?”

“Then I’m simply here to observe, as is my right under the rules.”

“Hmph, fine. But don’t disrupt the proceedings!” Elder Ye growled.

“The one causing a disruption here is you, Elder Ye,” Jiang Huayang shot back coldly. “First of all, according to Enforcement Hall rules, a disciple can only be detained after they have confessed or signed a statement of guilt. We’ve barely begun the trial, there’s insufficient evidence, and Han Feng hasn’t confessed or signed anything. Yet you’re already ordering his arrest. Elder Ye, you’re the one breaking the law.”

“Second,” Jiang Huayang continued, “the rules state that a judge must recuse themselves from any case involving their kin or direct connections. The presiding judge must have no familial or master-disciple ties to either the plaintiff or defendant. You, Elder Ye, have violated this rule.”

“Third, any Enforcement Hall disciple has the right to arrest someone who breaks the law. Elder Ye, I’ve recorded everything you’ve done. You’ve knowingly violated the rules, and therefore, your crime is greater.”

Jiang Huayang turned and addressed the gathered disciples, “Seize Elder Ye and take him to Elder Tie Lian for judgment!”

“Yes!” the disciples responded in unison, moving to detain Elder Ye.

Elder Ye’s face twisted in fury as he shouted, “I am a Core Formation expert, a judge of the Enforcement Hall! Who dares to lay a hand on me?”

“Resisting arrest will only add to your crimes!” Jiang Huayang sneered. “What’s the matter, Elder Ye? Shall I call for other Core Formation elders to come arrest you?”

Elder Ye’s expression darkened. He gritted his teeth and growled, “Hmph, at worst, I’ll be fined for my mistakes. You’ll regret this, Jiang Huayang. And don’t forget—you’re related to Han Feng by marriage. You have no right to be involved in this trial either!”

“Don’t worry, Elder Ye, I’m just here as an observer,” Jiang Huayang replied with a cold smile.

With that, a group of Foundation Establishment disciples moved in and escorted Elder Ye away.

It was almost unthinkable for Foundation Establishment disciples to arrest a Core Formation elder in most sects. But here in the Yin-Yang Sect, the Enforcement Hall had the authority to do so, thanks to the iron-handed leadership of Elder Tie Lian—who was known for his strict and impartial enforcement of the law.

Ye Longyuan stared in disbelief. His plan had been to swiftly have Han Feng imprisoned and tortured until he coughed up a confession. But he never expected the Jiang family to act so quickly, turning the tables by having their family elder arrested instead.

The judge had become the criminal.

Ye Longyuan’s face darkened. Not only had he failed to deal with Han Feng, but now he had lost an elder in the process.

This was a disaster.

He was going to get scolded for this back home, without a doubt.

Still, at least the evidence was solid. Even if they changed judges, Han Feng would still be found guilty and locked away.