Super Invincible Immortal Doctor
Chapter 1316: Duty Bound

Chapter 1316: Chapter 1316: Duty Bound

Su Chengyu watched as Qiu Tianlin became utterly dumbfounded. He hadn’t anticipated that Qiu Tianlin was so certain about his identity. There wasn’t even a hint of probing, just a direct affirmation of the fact that he was Su Linyuan’s descendant.

"The late Heavenly Son personally established the Heaven Punishment Department, partly to keep Su Linyuan in check. Although Su Linyuan had voluntarily divided his power into the Demon Slayer and Dragon Soul Departments to avoid one faction being overwhelmingly dominant, he inevitably couldn’t avoid his identity as the founder of both departments, and thus the Heaven Punishment Department naturally came into existence."

"So that’s how it was..."

Su Chengyu’s eyes revealed a hint of disappointment, and his emotions were somewhat complicated.

Qiu Tianlin said with a smile, "You shouldn’t harbor any prejudice. Su Linyuan himself was aware of the purpose of the Heaven Punishment Department’s existence. It wasn’t the late Heavenly Son’s mistrust in him. After all, he was human, and humans can make mistakes. There needs to be someone who dares to question him. The Heavenly Son had the foresight—anticipating something, which is why he established the Heaven Punishment Department."

"But what was the outcome?"

Su Chengyu countered.

A gray haze suddenly appeared in Qiu Tianlin’s eyes, "It was my incompetence. I failed to fulfill my role. Your grandfather’s brilliance was too great, enticing others to harbor ill intentions."

Su Chengyu blinked and asked, "So you also think my grandfather was framed back then?"

Qiu Tianlin looked at Su Chengyu with certainty, "How many years have I known Su Linyuan? Besides the Heavenly Son, I was the one who questioned him the most. But I am certain, Su Linyuan would never betray Xia Country."

The one who knows you best is always your enemy.

In a way, Qiu Tianlin and Su Linyuan were in opposing positions.

He had done many things in his life to limit Su Linyuan’s actions. Su Linyuan had also had many disagreements and even fights with him.

But Qiu Tianlin was certain, even if he himself betrayed Xia Country, Su Linyuan would never betray it. That was the trust he had in Su Linyuan.

"Sect Master..."

"Having made your identity clear, yet you still call me Sect Master?"

Su Chengyu was stunned before replying, "I already have a mentor."

"Who?" Qiu Tianlin asked.

"Master Cangqing of Mount Qingcheng."

"Alright, since it’s that old ox-nosed priest, I won’t compete with him. But now that you’ve joined my Heaven Punishment Department, it wouldn’t be too much to call me ’teacher,’ would it?"

Su Chengyu took a deep breath and bowed to Qiu Tianlin, "Student Su Chengyu, greets the teacher."

Qiu Tianlin nodded with satisfaction.

"So teacher, did you sense my identity and then allow me to join the Heaven Punishment Department?"

Qiu Tianlin retorted, "What else? Just because you’re about to join the Demon Slayer Department, I wouldn’t background check you and accept you based on a few words?"

Su Chengyu was silent, his emotions becoming complex once again.

Qiu Tianlin said softly, "Don’t overthink it. Even if you are Su Linyuan’s grandson, if you hadn’t shown those attitudes and qualities, I wouldn’t have allowed you to join the Heaven Punishment Department. As I’ve said before, nowadays, being a Heavenly Punishment Secret Envoy is akin to carrying an executioner’s marker."

The Heaven Punishment Department was once tasked with overseeing the Two Bureaus and Three Departments and even monitoring the Heavenly Son.

However, with the fall of Su Linyuan, the Heaven Punishment Department had completely lost the support of the Royal Family. Qiu Tianlin was attacked secretly and went missing. How easy would it be for today’s Heaven Punishment Department to regain the authority of the past?

Qiu Tianlin didn’t doubt Su Chengyu’s determination to return to Capital City and reorganize the Demon Slayer and Dragon Soul Departments.

But having the determination and the capability were two entirely different things.

"Fate plays tricks. The very Heaven Punishment Department that existed to check and balance Su Linyuan now has to place its hopes on a descendant of Su Linyuan’s, which is frankly quite laughable."

Qiu Tianlin’s self-deprecating words were tinged with self-blame. Clearly, he too felt responsible for the events that had occurred to Su Linyuan.

Su Chengyu, looking at Qiu Tianlin, asked with confusion, "Teacher, are you aware of what exactly happened back then?"

"Someone accused Su Linyuan of colluding with the Demonic Path and secretly communicating with the Bei Luo Empire, moreover secretly releasing many from the Demon Clan, crossing official boundaries, and also having deep contacts with the Ancient Clans. Listed for multiple crimes, His Majesty personally issued the arrest order for your grandfather."

"Who was the accuser?"

Su Chengyu, seizing on the key question, asked. He was aware of the latter part of what Qiu Tianlin said, but he had no clue about this most important person.

"I don’t know. I was just starting some investigations when I was discovered, then secretly attacked, ultimately ending up like this. However, I’m certain about one point—Yang Chengyin indeed came forward to corroborate some of the accusations."

Su Chengyu clenched his fists, his brows furrowing tightly, "There’s never a lack of accusations for those who desire to condemn!"

Qiu Tianlin shook his head, "It’s not just about fabricating charges. Su Chengyu, you’re thinking too small."

Su Chengyu, looking puzzled, raised his head to Qiu Tianlin. Didn’t Qiu Tianlin just say his grandfather would surely not betray Xia Country?

"Let me ask you, Su Linyuan established the Demon Slayer Department, but he didn’t wipe out the Demon Clan completely. What do you think about his relationship with the Demon Clan?"

"Of course, it was harmonious. My grandfather’s purpose in establishing the Demon Slayer Department was always to create a society where humans and demons could coexist! Otherwise, how could he have married the Green Hillock Empress?"

"If that is the case, how could Su Linyuan not show leniency to some demons? Moreover, your grandfather was from the Ancient Clan. Do you know the role he played between Xia Country and the Ancient Clans? You could say that, even the Heavenly Son didn’t know how many Ancient Clans Su Linyuan visited for the sake of Xia Country."

"But all this was for Xia Country, wasn’t it?!"

Su Chengyu continued to speak with emotion.

Qiu Tianlin nodded, "You and I know this, but it’s not something that everyone is aware of. Moreover, some things can’t be made known to everyone. The person who accused Su Linyuan seized upon this, mixing truth with falsehood, muddling the facts with complete fabrications. It’s an open conspiracy, an elaborate scheme that could be targeted only at Su Linyuan. This is something our Heaven Punishment Department should have stepped in to resolve, but unfortunately... "

"Teacher, you didn’t expect to be targeted as well, did you?"

"I have let down the Heavenly Son’s trust, let down your grandfather’s trust."

Qiu Tianlin said bitterly, his face filled with regret. Looking at Su Chengyu, he continued, "Chengyu, you must understand, the path you are about to walk might be far more difficult than you imagine. You will face not only opponents far stronger than you but also the complex intrigue of Capital City, which is no less dangerous than facing an Earth Immortal from another domain."

"Rest assured, teacher, even if I hadn’t met you, I would have undertaken to clear my grandfather’s name. And now..."

Su Chengyu lowered his head to look at the Order of the Court of Heavenly Punishment in his hand, and declared resolutely, "Reviving the glory of the Heaven Punishment Department is a duty I cannot shirk!"