Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 385 - 362. Zhang San Escapes from Prison!

Chapter 385: 362. Zhang San Escapes from Prison!

"Your Majesty, these are some pieces of evidence and testimonies collected secretly by my men during this period, all proving that Zhang San is a member of the Heavenly Punishment Sect’s Demon Cult Followers!"

At this moment, in Emperor Kaihuang’s sleeping chamber, another trial had begun.

Emperor Kaihuang furrowed his brow as he looked at the thick stack of documents the Crown Prince handed over, his expression stern.

After all, in every confrontation with Zhang San, his naive Crown Prince had never won.

This evening, while Emperor Kaihuang had summoned the Six Ministers to discuss the situation in the north and to determine whether there was sufficient national power to deal with the Tujue, the Crown Prince had come running over at this time.

Just when he thought to praise him for also worrying about national affairs, it turned out to be another maneuver concerning Zhang San.

Emperor Kaihuang did not pay attention to the Crown Prince, considering that with the Crown Prince’s performance in the past, whatever the Crown Prince was reporting this time was probably just sending himself to his demise.

As a father, he truly did not want to slap his own son in the face again.

Thus, Emperor Kaihuang glanced at the Minister of War and said angrily, "Continue speaking! Did I ask you to stop?"

The Minister of War glanced at the Crown Prince, and just then, an eunuch ran into the sleeping chamber from outside.

"Your Majesty, Principal Officers Zhang Datui of the Town Demon Office and Vermilion Bird of the Town Martial Office request an audience."

Emperor Kaihuang frowned. Meeting either of these men was headache-inducing on its own, especially Zhang Datui, who was completely brainless and impulsive.

Vermilion Bird was not much better.

Now both of them had come at the same time.

"Let them in."

No sooner had the two entered than Zhang Datui stepped forward, clasped his fist and said, "Your Majesty, just now, in a dilapidated courtyard near the northwest corner within the capital, four young men were killed. Based on the scene’s conditions, it appears to be a new Floating Corpse Case."

Bang!

Emperor Kaihuang slammed the table and exclaimed angrily, "Another Floating Corpse Case? Is my capital really that unbearable to live in? Where is the murderer? They still haven’t been found! Has it been half a month already? Are you all useless?"

Zhang Datui stepped forward again, clasped his fist and said, "Your Majesty, the murderer has been identified."

Emperor Kaihuang was startled.

During such a crucial revelation, it wasn’t the Chief of the Town Demon Office, Qian Shanxiu, who personally reported but Zhang Datui spoke instead. He quickly asked, "Who is the murderer?"

Zhang Datui continued stepping forward, clasped his fist and replied, "The murderer is Ximen Chuixu of the Heavenly Punishment Sect, a cultivator of the Spiritual Platform Realm proficient in Wind Series Techniques. According to his confession, the mastermind behind him is the Saint Heir of the Heavenly Punishment Sect... Zhang San!"

Emperor Kaihuang hesitated for a moment, then yelled, "Nonsense! That Zhang San is the Empress’s adopted son. Though not an Imperial Relative, he is indeed one of Great Sui’s own. How could he join the Heavenly Punishment Sect and even become the Saint Heir?"

At this time, Vermilion Bird, standing three steps behind Zhang Datui, clasped his fist and said, "Your Majesty, according to the confessions of the Demon Cult Followers of the Heavenly Punishment Sect captured earlier in the capital, along with the confession of Ximen Chuixu, it is certain that Zhang San is a member of the Heavenly Punishment Sect’s Demon Cult Followers, but there is no evidence that he is the Saint Heir."

At this moment, Emperor Kaihuang felt utterly disrupted.

Ever since his first meeting with Zhang San, he had found this unique young man quite intriguing, and later, Zhang San even became sworn siblings with the Chamber Head of Changle, though it was an informal relationship.

Initially, his own actions had caused the Chamber Head of Changle to ignore him over the years, and she had no dealings with his brothers. Now having a brother like this by his side made him happy, which was why Empress Dugu decided to adopt Zhang San.

It was not that Empress Dugu thought highly of Zhang San, but entirely to ease the mind of the Chamber Head of Changle, ensuring she did not have to worry about Zhang San landing in trouble.

The Empress had just finished adopting Zhang San as her foster son, and you’re telling me the foster son she adopted is the Saint Heir of the Heavenly Punishment Sect and also the mastermind behind the Floating Corpse Case?

Although the Imperial Family’s reputation has recently been nearly ruined by the Crown Prince, the little face that remains cannot be belittled like this!

"Summon someone to bring Zhang San here; I want to interrogate him personally!"

Just as the Vermilion Bird was about to speak, Zhang Datui stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said, "Your Majesty Emperor Kaihuang, I have just received news that Zhang San has escaped from prison!"

The Crown Prince, who had always felt secretly thrilled, immediately stood up and shouted, "Father Emperor! The Town Martial Office is shielding a criminal; they have let Zhang San escape. I earnestly request Father Emperor to conduct a thorough investigation into the Town Martial Office!"

Previously, Zhang San had opposed him, and now it turns out Zhang San actually had ties with the Heavenly Punishment Sect. This was the perfect opportunity to kill Zhang San and to suppress the Town Martial Office at the same time, making them realize who is the future of Great Sui!

Zhang Datui stepped forward, clasped his fists, and reported, "Your Majesty, the criminal escaped from the Ministry of Punishment’s prison."

Emperor Kaihuang was stunned.

At that moment, Vermilion Bird said, "When we captured the murderer Ximen Chuixu, he accused Zhang San of being the Saint Heir of the Heavenly Punishment Sect and claimed he was the mastermind behind the Floating Corpse Case. King Jin just happened to pass by and worried that our Town Martial Office might be biased in interrogating Zhang San, so he suggested we keep him in the Ministry of Punishment’s prison. And now, he has escaped."

Shen Wei did not know that Zhang San had run away; after all, just two hours earlier, they had been eating and drinking together.

Emperor Kaihuang glanced at Shen Wei, who then fell to his knees with a thud.

"I deserve to die. I will return to the Ministry of Punishment and investigate the matter of Zhang San’s escape immediately!"

Emperor Kaihuang glanced at Shen Wei very displeased.

At that moment, the Crown Prince stood and said, "Your Majesty Father Emperor, I heard that after Zhang San was placed in the Ministry of Punishment’s prison, the Minister of Punishment treated him with good food and drink, and even moved the surrounding inmates elsewhere to make Zhang San’s stay comfortable. I wonder what could be the reason for this?"

Shen Wei’s heart skipped a beat. He silently cursed the Crown Prince a few times, then quickly thought of a strategy.

Emperor Kaihuang looked coldly at Shen Wei, who was kneeling on the ground, and asked, "Was it you who let him go?"

Shen Wei hastily kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, Zhang San is the Empress’s foster son. When he was brought here, he told me himself that he was the Saint Heir of the Heavenly Punishment Sect. Do you think I could believe such a thing at first hearing? What if it were a mistake, and they claimed it was a trap set by traitors? Then I would be the one who offended the Empress’s foster son! I had no choice! Moreover, the money for the drinks and meals for Zhang San came out of my own pocket; it wasn’t even expensed to the state! May Your Majesty discern clearly!"

Emperor Kaihuang thought, that was indeed true.

This was never related to the Ministry of Punishment in the first place, and they ended up dumping the task that purely offended others on Shen Wei, who was really unlucky.

"Still, there is an issue with your Ministry of Punishment’s prison, otherwise how could Zhang San have escaped? Now, order the whole city to search for Zhang San! Alive, we must see him alive... Dead will not do; he must be alive! I want to interrogate him myself!"

Everyone answered in unison and immediately went to prepare.

That night, Vermilion Bird led all the martial artists of the Town Martial Office and began searching throughout the city. This was a chance to finally capture Zhang San, and he had no intention of letting it slip.

The Town Demon Office also made an all-out effort, hoping to find Zhang San at the earliest.

It would be perfect if they accidentally killed Zhang San while finding him first!

As for the Crown Prince, he personally led the Eastern Palace Ten Rates out.

When leaving, the Crown Prince was even more excited than when he married Concubine Yun.

"Zhang San, you’re as good as dead!"