Two woodpiles were quickly stacked, with a platform in the middle supporting a cross.
Wuji and Qing Wu were both bound to the wooden frame.
The woodpile was doused with kerosene, and the raging flames quickly ignited.
Wuji kept muttering incantations, his hands rapidly forming hand seals.
As the flames ignited, he opened his eyes, looking around at everyone provocatively. His gaze lingered on Xiao Chenyan for a moment before settling on Qing Wu on the other side.
A mere evil ghost.
Just a bunch of ordinary mortals.
Did you really think these flames could kill him!
So what if the Living Fiend failed, today he would turn the tables and use this great fire to burn down the Prince's Mansion!
Let Prince Yan, like the Former Crown Prince, be buried in the sea of fire!
"Infinite Heavenly Lord, Zhu Rong, lend me your fire." Wuji shouted, and the next moment, a wave of fire erupted from Qing Wu's side, the tongues of flame instantly engulfing the wooden platform, threatening to burn Qing Wu's skirt.
Crackle!
Sparks suddenly exploded, swirling outwards from Qing Wu as the center. The fire, like a long serpent, seemed to have a consciousness, slithering throughout the entire courtyard.
The next moment, it lunged towards Xiao Chenyan's direction.
The guards nearby were prepared, and buckets of water were thrown, blocking the tongues of flame.
"Your Highness, be careful!"
Xiao Chenyan remained as steady as ever, but his eyes were terrifyingly dark.
He looked at the ravenous flames, recalling the demonic fire that inexplicably appeared in the Eastern Palace ten years ago, which had also pursued people like this, burning everyone in the Eastern Palace to ashes.
Wuji was immensely pleased and declared loudly, "Your Highness, be careful. This evil ghost has a very high cultivation level; she intends to drag everyone down with her!"
Qing Wu looked at Wuji with chilling eyes, naturally understanding his earlier subtle actions: "You do enjoy playing with fire, don't you."
The Judge's Brush roared, "This damned Daoist priest wants to use this opportunity to burn everyone to death and then frame you!"
Qing Wu naturally understood.
Playing with fire?
Excuse me, she was also an expert at playing with fire in the Underworld.
"The fire of Zhu Rong, which specializes in subduing evil spirits, is righteous and impartial." The woman's voice was chilling, stern, and majestic: "Borrowing the might of the Fire God, those who commit evil will surely incur divine wrath and suffer backlash!"
The smugness on Wuji's face froze.
The fire serpents slithering around the courtyard suddenly stopped. The fire on the woodpile where he was located was the smallest. In that instant, all the fire serpents retracted and surged towards his woodpile.
The flames soared into the sky, engulfing him in raging fire.
"Ahhh! What's happening!" Wuji cried out repeatedly, abandoning his pretense. His hands rapidly formed hand seals: "Infinite Heavenly Lord, please have Zhu Rong extinguish the fire, please..."
Who dares to borrow the might of the Fire God to commit evil!
A voice carrying terrifying pressure instantly appeared in everyone's minds.
All the flickering flames formed a burly fiery silhouette.
Everyone's eyes widened in astonishment, and Wuji trembled all over, in disbelief.
"The, the Fire God?"
No, it couldn't be. How could he, with his cultivation level, possibly summon the Fire God? Even his Master didn't have that capability!
Mortal realm demonic Daoist, daring to commit murder in the name of the Fire God, you deserve to die!
"No!! Fire God, forgive me, I was wrong! I—Ah!!!"
All the flames surged towards Wuji, instantly engulfing him. He screamed in agony within the flames, begging for mercy, but it was useless. In just a few breaths, a living person was burned into a charred husk.
The remaining sparks flickered and drifted to Qing Wu's vicinity, circling her once before landing on the ropes binding her hands.
The ropes snapped. Qing Wu rubbed her wrists, twisted her neck, and scoffed, "Playing with fire and getting burned."
She looked up, her gaze meeting Xiao Chenyan's.
At that moment, she seemed to see a fiercely burning flame in the man's deep eyes.
Burning intensely, inspiring awe.
Qing Wu suddenly smirked, "Your Highness, the evil spirits have been punished by heaven. My purity, has it been proven?"
"Naturally." Xiao Chenyan looked at her deeply, his fingers tightly twisting his prayer beads.
Ten years ago, the Former Crown Prince self-immolated in the Eastern Palace. That inexplicable great fire finally had a clue today.
Xiao Chenyan suddenly stood up and strode towards Qing Wu.
Regardless of whether this woman was Yun Qingwu, human or ghost, Xiao Chenyan saw hope in her of clearing away the fog.
Qing Wu's eyes suddenly shifted. As Xiao Chenyan approached, she called out, "Xiao Chenyan, catch me."
At that moment, Xiao Chenyan's body stiffened.
In his memory, many years ago, a little girl had also stood on a high place and said the same thing to him, then leaped down, landing steadily in his arms.
It felt like a lifetime ago, memory and reality merging.
Xiao Chenyan subconsciously caught Qing Wu, his large hand tightening unconsciously, his phoenix eyes gazing deeply at her.
"Who are you?"
"Your Princess Consort." Qing Wu blinked.
A chill crept onto Xiao Chenyan's brow. After letting go, he stepped back, maintaining a distance from Qing Wu, his eyes sharp and deep.
At this moment, Yun Houxing was brought over, escorted by his personal guards.
"Your Highness, I am wronged—I know nothing—"
The dignified Minister of Revenue, a second-rank official, trembled in fear as two long sabers were held to his neck.
"First, you married a dead person into the Prince's Mansion, and then you brought a demonic Daoist to commit murder in the mansion."
Xiao Chenyan stepped forward, took the saber from his guard, and pointed the tip at Yun Houxing's heart. He slowly moved it upwards, the blade lifting Yun Houxing's chin: "Minister Yun, plotting against royalty is a capital offense!"
Yun Houxing dared not admit it: "It's a misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding!"
"I was also deceived. I didn't know he was a demonic Daoist. I was worried about Your Highness, which is why I brought him here today..."
"Worried? I thought Father was here to collect a corpse." A delicate laugh made Yun Houxing freeze.
Qing Wu took in his fear, her eyes chilling: "I say, Father, do you remember clearly now, who is the dead daughter who married in?"
"It... it was Yu Jiao..." Yun Houxing nodded vigorously: "She was the one who died, it was her. Qing Wu, please forgive your father. I was also deceived..."
"We are father and daughter, flesh and blood. I was also pained for you..."
Qing Wu's eyes showed mockery.
This imbecile, born stupid, still thought she was Yun Qingwu's ghost returning to life.
Even if she were truly Yun Qingwu, seeing his pathetic state, she would only want to devour him alive.
"Yes, who asked us to be father and daughter? There are no grudges between relatives that last overnight."
She smiled faintly, "Besides, you are the Prince's father-in-law after all. His Highness is magnanimous and wouldn't truly take your life."
"Right, Your Highness." Qing Wu winked at Xiao Chenyan.
Xiao Chenyan's eyes were deep. He didn't believe that the 'Yun Qingwu' before him would let Yun Houxing off so easily.
"For the sake of the Princess Consort, it's not that this King cannot forgive Minister Yun for this offense."
Yun Houxing's suspended heart hadn't yet settled when he heard Qing Wu say:
"Then I will thank Your Highness on behalf of Father."
"However, my wedding with His Highness is a joyous occasion. It's bad luck to keep a coffin and a dead person in the estate. Since she died before marrying, Sister Yu Jiao cannot be considered part of the Prince's Mansion."
A chilling wind suddenly swept through.
A ghostly shadow floated out from under Qing Wu's feet. It was Yun Qingwu's ghost, glaring venomously at Yun Houxing before floating into the coffin.
Xiao Chenyan felt the prayer beads grow hot. His gaze shifted slightly as he glanced at Qing Wu, but he said nothing.
Qing Wu smiled charmingly, "The body and coffin, how they were carried out of the Minister's Manor back then, they shall be carried back today."
"Oh, right. I noticed Sister's resentment is quite heavy. Father, you must arrange a proper funeral."
Qing Wu stepped forward and whispered in his ear, "After all, a ghost who died unjustly will return to seek revenge on the seventh day."
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