#27 - Take down Li Kan

As with many novel settings, the Great Ning Dynasty maintained a "zero tolerance" attitude towards demons.

Ever since a yellow-skinned demon almost ascended the throne a hundred years ago, the living environment for demons within the Great Ning Dynasty became increasingly difficult. Not only was "no pardon for demons" written into the Great Ning Law, but the Suspended Mirror Division also established an official demon-exorcising agency for the first time—the "Willow Leaf Office."

For ninety-nine percent of demons, once discovered, what awaited them was an endless pursuit of death.

The remaining small portion would be locked in the Suspended Mirror Division's special "Demon Suppression Prison", becoming "production machines" for certain precious materials.

Giant spiders that spun silk day and night, giant fish whose scales could be used to make breastplates, nine-foot white snakes that could secrete the most poisonous substances in the world... One by one, great demons who had not yet transformed were captured from all over the country and brought to the Demon Suppression Prison, until the last bit of their value was榨干 (zhà gān - squeezed dry).

The Demon Suppression Prison was the only legal place to raise demons. If a private individual dared to raise any demon, regardless of the reason, it would be regarded as "treason".

There was absolutely no possibility of leniency.

Therefore, when Wei Changtian said that Zhang Hongwen was "raising demons", he was undoubtedly sentencing him to a monstrous crime that could implicate his entire clan.

...

The air in the main room almost solidified.

The clear and bright tea water had already cooled. Li Kan stared at Wei Changtian with wide eyes, his Adam's apple twitching slightly.

He had no way of judging whether this matter was true or false.

But Wei Changtian's expression was serious, and he didn't seem to be joking.

"..."

After a long while, Li Kan finally calmed down a bit and asked, "Young Master Wei, do you know what your words just now represent?"

"I know."

Li Kan took a deep breath and asked again, "Then do you know that there must be no falsehood in this matter?"

"Of course. Since I dare to say it in front of Lord Li, I naturally have sufficient evidence."

Wei Changtian spoke with certainty.

In the novel, Xiao Feng used Zhang Hongwen's handle of "raising demons" to threaten the Zhang family to work for him, eventually becoming a powerful weapon against the Wei family.

No matter how much Heaven opposes me, it is absolutely impossible to change this already happened fact.

"Okay..."

Seeing Wei Changtian's certainty, Li Kan finally believed half of it.

He was silent for a long time, and other thoughts slowly began to form in his mind.

If Zhang Hongwen died for his crimes, then he could indeed take a step further.

Of course, the Wei family must have some kind of plot. He just didn't know what they wanted to get from him...

He could talk to Wei Xianzheng!

"Young Master Wei, this matter is too important. I'll have to wait until tomorrow to visit Lord Wei at his residence before..."

Li Kan made up his mind to directly discuss terms with Wei Xianzheng, but he didn't expect to be interrupted directly by Wei Changtian:

"Lord Li, I am the only one who knows about this matter right now."

"What?"

Li Kan was stunned, his tone full of disbelief: "This matter wasn't discovered by the Suspended Mirror Division?"

"No."

Wei Changtian shook his head: "It was discovered by my subordinates. I have personally confirmed it, and it is absolutely true."

"How can I believe you?"

Li Kan asked almost subconsciously.

In his heart, Wei Changtian and Wei Xianzheng's "credit rating" were completely different.

Faced with the question, Wei Changtian didn't explain much, but said calmly: "Lord Li, it doesn't matter whether you believe it or not, but I can tell you this..."

"As long as I want, Zhang Hongwen will become a prisoner within three days."

"..."

As long as I want.

Li Kan keenly captured the key words, knowing that Wei Changtian was about to make a request.

After thinking for a moment, he gritted his teeth and decided to lay his cards on the table.

"Young Master Wei, since we've already come this far, let's just be frank."

"How would you be willing to take action against Zhang Hongwen? What do you need me to do?"

"Hahaha! Lord Li is straightforward!"

Wei Changtian laughed twice, knowing that he was halfway to success today.

"To be honest, I want Lord Li to help me with a small favor."

"A few days ago, I heard that the Liu family instructed many wicked people to sue me for several crimes, and it seems that there will be a joint trial by the Three Departments... Lord Li, I wonder if this is true or false?"

"Uh..."

Li Kan was stunned, not expecting that Wei Changtian had come for this matter, and even more so that Wei Changtian could find out about this matter.

You must know that the mastermind behind this joint trial by the Three Departments was the Liu family. From the Ministry of Justice to the Censorate, to the Court of Judicial Review, there were only a few people who knew the inside story, and the secrecy was very strict, in order to catch the Wei family off guard.

This was also why he hadn't made the connection earlier.

But who would have thought that a group of them had been covering up for so long, but Wei Changtian already knew!

Could it be that this son really possessed an intelligence organization more bizarre than the Suspended Mirror Division?

Li Kan's gaze towards Wei Changtian changed in an instant.

He probably couldn't have imagined that the culprit of this leak was actually Li Yang.

It's hard to guard against a thief within the family!

"There is indeed such a thing."

Since Wei Changtian had already said it, Li Kan knew that there was no point in hiding it anymore, so he simply admitted it generously: "Prime Minister Liu personally inquired about this case. Very few people know about it, and it has been secretly promoted before."

"Yes, I understand."

Wei Changtian nodded and said directly: "Lord Li, I only need you to tell me one thing."

"What thing?"

"The list of witnesses in this case, and where are they currently being held?"

"..."

Li Kan's expression changed drastically in an instant: "You want to... kill them?!"

"Lord Li, I didn't say that."

Wei Changtian smiled: "You just need to tell me the list and the address, and I will take care of the rest."

"This..."

Li Kan fell into a long period of thought.

He was very clear that this choice was not as simple as exchanging information for an opportunity to be promoted.

This was a team selection concerning his official career, and even his life.

The Liu family or the Wei family?

If what Wei Changtian said was true, then choosing the Wei family seemed to be more reliable.

After all, even if he handed over the list of witnesses, the Liu family might not be able to find out that he did it, at least there would be no trouble in the short term.

But if he didn't hand it over, he would undoubtedly form a feud with the Wei family from this moment on.

But... was what Wei Changtian said really true? Did Zhang Hongwen really raise demons?

Li Kan was extremely conflicted, but he had no choice but to choose.

Just as he hesitated for a long time and still couldn't make up his mind, Wei Changtian suddenly turned his head to look at the landscape painting behind him, and asked seemingly casually: "Lord Li, this painting has a profound artistic conception. I wonder which master it came from?"

Li Kan was stunned, but still answered truthfully: "...Ye Yian."

"Ye, the painting sage!"

Wei Changtian clicked his tongue: "Tsk tsk, such a large painting must be worth a thousand gold."

"Young Master Wei, this painting was given to me by a good friend."

Li Kan said sternly: "At that time, I didn't know its value, otherwise I would never have accepted it!"

"Clap clap clap clap!"

The sound of clapping suddenly echoed in the quiet hall, full of mockery.

Looking at Li Kan's flushed face, Wei Changtian clapped his hands and laughed: "Lord Li's words are a bit modest. A mere thousand gold is nothing to you, right?"

"Young Master Wei! What do you mean by this?"

"What do I mean?"

Wei Changtian got up and walked to the landscape painting, reaching out to touch the small boat painted on it.

"The treasures hidden behind this wall alone are enough to buy dozens of Ye Yian's paintings, right?"

"..."

"Crash! Bang! Plop!"

The sound of tables and chairs overturning came from behind him. Li Kan, who was already old, was so frightened by this sentence that he collapsed directly on the ground.

This time, he had absolutely no choice.

"Young, Young Master Wei, from, from now on I will be at your disposal, I, I beg you to show mercy, show mercy..."

Wei Changtian didn't turn his head, nor did he answer. He just asked the question again: "Where are those people hidden by the Liu family?"

"Ren, Ren'an Ward, Huaihua Lane..."