Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts
Chapter 479

“Father.”

Mo Yuanshan stood up and bowed respectfully to Mo Peinan.

“Hmm.”

Mo Peinan nodded.

He carried a jug of wine, sat outside the prison cell, and poured a cup for his son.

Mo Yuanshan hesitated for a moment but still took the cup his father handed him, lowering his head to take a sip.

Mo Peinan filled his own cup, tilted his head back, and downed it in one go. “Speak. What exactly happened?”

Mo Yuanshan lowered his head, twirling the cup in his fingers, and chuckled. “What else could it be? I just found those Jinyiwei unpleasant to look at, that’s all.”

“Just found them unpleasant to look at?”

“The Jinyiwei have nothing to do with you. You could say your paths never cross. You’ve never even met the son of the Grand Justice, Zheng Qiu. And yet, just because of a so-called ‘dislike,’ you went and provoked such a colossal force? Yuanshan, while I wouldn’t call you particularly smart, even I refuse to believe you’d be foolish to such an extent.”

Mo Yuanshan: “…”

Mo Peinan shook his head and sighed. “Someone from Xiliang came to see me.”

At the mention of “Xiliang,” Mo Yuanshan’s eyes widened. He looked at his father with an excitement he couldn’t quite conceal. “Then, Father, does that mean—”

“Impudent!”

Mo Peinan grabbed the cup and smashed it to the ground, shattering it to pieces!

“Is this something you should be meddling in? How many times have I told you? Do not get involved in factional struggles!” Mo Peinan’s voice thundered through the prison, shaking Mo Yuanshan to his core.

A sharp pain shot through his chest, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

“I ask Father to quell his anger,” Mo Yuanshan clasped his hands in respect, his posture humble.

But his expression betrayed him—he was clearly unconvinced, unwilling to back down.

Mo Peinan fixed his gaze on his son, his eyes sharp and unyielding.

At last, he took a deep breath and shook his head. “Some things are beyond your reach. I know what you’re thinking, but listen to me—right now, the emperor of Wu Kingdom has the will of the people and the Mandate of Heaven.

Wu Kingdom is walking the right path.

No matter who it is—whether it’s that man from Xiliang or Liu Feng and his people—none of them will succeed! Do you understand?

More than that, Wu Kingdom has even formed an alliance with Beihai (North Sea).

And tell me, whose face was Beihai looking at when they agreed to the alliance? And whose side is that person on? Do you really not understand?

I know the four seas are in turmoil right now, and Beihai might not be able to lend a hand immediately.

But what if, when Beihai resolves its own chaos, this side is still at a standstill? What if Beihai sends its troops then?”

Mo Yuanshan: “…”

Having said his piece, Mo Peinan no longer lingered. He turned and walked away, his voice drifting back over his shoulder.

“Remember, when the court session begins, don’t be stubborn anymore.

And don’t think that just because you have me to back you up, you can do as you please.

We old men… we are getting old. I only have one son—you. Your mother passed away early. Don’t make it so that she can’t rest in peace even in the underworld.”

As the stone door closed behind him, Mo Yuanshan stared at the direction his father had left, murmuring softly to himself:

“I believe that if that day truly comes, my mother would be proud of me!”

Not long after Mo Peinan left, the Jinyiwei entered the prison, escorting both Mo Yuanshan and Zheng Qiu out.

As Mo Yuanshan stepped into the daylight once more, he squinted against the brightness.

For the first time, he realized—sunlight could be so blinding.

“Don’t be stubborn anymore.”

Mo Yuanshan’s ears still echoed with his father’s words.

Mo Peinan let out a soft breath, withdrew his gaze from the sky, and walked toward the Jinyiwei Tribunal Hall.

Meanwhile, inside the hall of the Jinyiwei Tribunal, Xu Ming was already seated in the presiding position.

The Jinyiwei had the authority to conduct trials.

The Grand Justice, Zheng Liu, and the Grand Pillar of the Nation had already returned to the tribunal hall.

That they were allowed to see their sons was, of course, because Xu Ming had granted permission.

Zheng Liu and the Grand Pillar sat on either side.

Zheng Liu maintained his usual deferential and cautious demeanor, while the Grand Pillar remained composed and indifferent.

Soon, Zheng Qiu and Mo Yuanshan were brought into the hall.

Outside the Jinyiwei Tribunal, the streets were packed with onlookers.

This was in accordance with custom.

Jinyiwei trials were open to public observation.

There were no restrictions—anyone could attend, even beggars.

Of course, there was a limit to the number of people allowed inside. Otherwise, if too many people crowded in, how could the Jinyiwei conduct their proceedings?

The common people had sharp eyes.

Every court session, every verdict—word of it would undoubtedly spread among them.

Inside the tribunal hall, Xu Ming sat at the head.

The Deputy Commander, Yu Ping’an, personally recorded the proceedings and maintained order.

The Grand Pillar and the Grand Justice sat on either side, while Tang Ningzhi and Wu Yanhan were also seated separately.

The storyteller Wang Han and his granddaughter Wang Mang’er stood in the hall, looking visibly anxious.

For the citizens of the imperial city who had come to witness the spectacle, this might be the only time in their lives they would see so many high-ranking figures gathered in one place.

Some young women cast their gazes toward Xu Ming, their eyes filled with admiration.

This was hardly surprising.

To the women of Wudu, and indeed to most women in the world, Xu Ming’s famed words—”The most fleeting thing in this mortal world,

Is youth leaving the mirror, flowers parting from the trees.”—had stirred the hearts of many.

Moreover, Xu Ming was both a scholar and a warrior, and tales of his deeds had spread far and wide, elevating his image in the minds of women.

Even if they had never met Lord Xu, he had already become their dream lover.

“Let the trial begin,” Xu Ming said calmly.

“Dong! Dong! Dong!”

As Yu Ping’an pulled the rope, the sound of the bell reverberated through the Jinyiwei Tribunal.

“Kneel!” Zhao Feiyan commanded the two prisoners.

With a swish, Zheng Qiu immediately fell to his knees, utterly intimidated.

But Mo Yuanshan remained standing, even looking at Xu Ming with a hint of defiance.

Mo Peinan frowned at his son’s behavior.

“I said, kneel! Did you hear me?” Zhao Feiyan called out again.

Yet Mo Yuanshan remained unmoved.

Zhao Feiyan hesitated.

If he did not kneel, it would undermine the authority of the Jinyiwei.

But considering that Mo Yuanshan was the son of the Grand Pillar, she could not force him to comply.

At that moment, Xu Ming stepped down from the high tribunal.