Legend of the Embroiderer

Crown Prince Li Zhao walked into the imperial study with a solemn expression, respectfully bowed to the emperor sitting on the dragon throne, and then slowly spoke, reporting to the emperor in detail about the mysterious power hidden in the world.

He spoke in a firm and serious tone, "Father, the secret of this mysterious power, which concerns the safety of the entire nation, could lead to unforeseen disasters if it is not quickly uncovered. After careful consideration, I have resolved to conduct another in-depth investigation into Huang Quan. I must uncover the intricate connection between him and the mysterious power behind him, as well as the profound background hidden behind him."

The emperor nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashed in his eyes. After listening, he said softly: "Okay, let's do it according to your plan."

After receiving the imperial edict, Crown Prince Li Zhao made up his mind and left the imperial study with steady steps.

As soon as he left the Imperial Study, Crown Prince Li Zhao immediately sought out Wu Chen and said to him sternly, "Wu Chen, we must not let our guard down. We must thoroughly investigate the true nature of this mysterious force. Only then can we know how to respond next and how to protect our Tang Dynasty."

Wu Chen stood quietly aside, his deep eyes seemed to contain endless loyalty and courage, as if telling the prince that he would do his best.

The prince looked at Wu Chen, his eyes also showing trust, and then said: "Re-interrogate Huang Quan. I have always suspected that he has a close connection with the mysterious power. Last time, he obviously did not tell the whole truth."

The prince brought a group of officials from Dali Temple to the place where Huang Quan was imprisoned, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense and solemn.

The prince stared at Huang Quan with a sharp gaze and shouted, "Huang Quan, you must be connected to that mysterious power in the martial arts world. I already know about this. Today, you must confess the truth and not hide anything!"

Huang Quan's face turned pale, a flicker of panic in his eyes, but he feigned composure and attempted to deny it. However, the prince had already made full preparations. With his keen insight and extraordinary wisdom, he gradually uncovered Huang Quan's disguise, allowing the truth to gradually surface...

Crown Prince Li Zhao sat in the center of the interrogation room. His eyes, which were originally deep and full of wisdom, were now like two sharp blades, tightly locked on Huang Quan, who was firmly bound opposite him by heavy chains.

He leaned forward slightly, as if he wanted to see through the former powerful and meritorious governor of the Celestial Empire's frontier.

Looking at Huang Quan's once familiar but now weathered face, recalling his heroic appearance of fighting bloody battles on the frontier to defend his country, and comparing it with his current situation as a prisoner due to suspected conspiracy to seize power and usurp the throne, the prince couldn't help but feel a complex emotion in his heart.

"Huang Quan, do you know your crime?" Crown Prince Li Zhao shouted suddenly, and the sound was like rolling thunder, echoing in the interrogation room.

Huang Quan slowly raised his head, his eyes burning with blazing anger, and his indomitable will seemed to be able to penetrate all obstacles.

He shouted back, "Your Highness, I, Huang Quan, have been loyal to the court for decades, without a second thought. How can you accuse me of plotting to usurp the throne? This is clearly a deliberate false accusation by a traitor!"

After hearing this, Crown Prince Li Zhao curled up the corner of his mouth into an icy sneer, which contained unquestionable majesty and determination.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, emitting a sharp gleam that shot straight at Huang Quan like two cold rays. "Framed? Then how do you explain your secret collusion with the evil Netherworld Cult? The Netherworld Cult is a cancer that plagues the world. Their schemes and tricks are pervasive. How could you be associated with them?"

Huang Quan's expression suddenly changed at this moment. A trace of panic that was difficult to conceal flashed across his eyes, which had originally seemed calm, as if someone had touched the most hidden pain in his heart.

But after only a moment of panic, he forced himself to calm down, and the stubborn spark in his eyes rekindled: "Your Highness, I have nothing to do with this matter. I was wronged. Someone must be trying to frame me to achieve their ulterior motives."

He gritted his teeth, trying his best to maintain his dignity and integrity, unwilling to bow down and admit defeat to the prince at this moment.

Crown Prince Li Zhao stood up, his slender body standing as steadily as a towering mountain. He raised his head slightly, his eyes revealing an unquestionable majesty, and then slowly walked towards Huang Quan.

His steps were steady and powerful, and every step he took seemed to leave a deep mark on the ground. The rhythm was like the beating of a war drum, full of a suffocating sense of oppression, as if it was going to envelope the entire space.

Huang Quan saw the prince coming towards him in such a menacing manner, and a panic surged in his heart. His body trembled slightly involuntarily, and his originally calm face turned a little pale.

However, even so, he still gritted his teeth and insisted on his so-called "innocence": "Your Highness, I really am not involved in any conspiracy. I know nothing about the so-called Netherworld Cult. I am innocent and have never betrayed anyone."

Crown Prince Li Zhao looked at Huang Quan who was trying to quibble in front of him, and a trace of disappointment that was hard to conceal flashed in his eyes. That disappointment was like a cold blade, instantly cutting through his inner expectations.

He shook his head slightly and sighed, "Huang Quan, you truly disappoint me. You thought you could cleverly conceal your crimes, but you didn't realize that the net of heaven is vast and nothing can escape it. No matter how you disguise yourself, you will ultimately not be able to escape the judgment of justice."

Huang Quan felt the chill in the prince's words, and a glimmer of despair flashed in his eyes, mixed with struggle and unwillingness.

But he knew that there was no turning back at this point, so he still refused to give up easily and tried to defend himself: "Your Highness, I...I really didn't lie. I have absolutely no connection with the Netherworld Cult."

At this moment, Crown Prince Li Zhao's voice rang out again. Its voice was like rolling thunder, resounding throughout the room. Every word struck Huang Quan's heart like a heavy hammer, shocking and terrifying him immensely. "Huang Quan, how did you manage to collude with the Netherworld Cult? Confess the truth now, and stop struggling in vain, or you'll face even harsher punishment!"

Huang Quan slowly raised his head, and his face, which was already a little weathered, looked even more tense at this moment.

His eyes were like those of a frightened beast, with a hint of imperceptible fear flashing across them quickly, as if a ghost suddenly appeared in the darkness, causing him to fall into a brief panic.

However, this feeling of fear disappeared as quickly as a meteor across the sky, and was immediately replaced by intense anger and sophistry.

Anger burned in his eyes, and that anger was like a burning flame, igniting all the resentment and grievances in his heart, making his whole body seem to become hot.

At the same time, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a seemingly innocent yet cunning smile. His voice also rose a few degrees as he eagerly defended himself, "Your Highness, I, Huang Quan, am loyal to the court. How could I have any collusion with the evil Netherworld Cult? This is clearly a carefully designed conspiracy to frame me! They are trying to use these trumped-up charges to discredit me in order to achieve their ulterior motives. But Your Highness, please be discerning and do not be deceived by their schemes. Believe in my loyalty and innocence!"

Crown Prince Li Zhao tilted his head slightly, a cold glint of disdain flashing in his eyes. His sneer echoed more clearly in the air, as if carrying an invisible pressure. His gaze was like two sharp swords, piercing straight at Huang Quan, the sharpness of which was even more chilling.

He slowly raised his right hand and flicked it gently. The token traced an arc in the air before landing steadily on the ground with a crisp sound. This token, at this moment, seemed to have become the key evidence to reveal the truth, emitting a heart-pounding aura.

He slowly squatted down, picked up the token on the ground, and carefully examined the patterns and marks on it, as if trying to find out more secrets about the Netherworld Cult.

After a moment, he stood up, a look of determination flashing in his eyes. "Huang Quan, you will ultimately be held accountable for your actions. The Netherworld Cult has disrupted the government and harmed lives. We must not allow them to do whatever they want. Now that you realize your mistakes, repent sincerely and await the court's judgment." Huang Quan's face flushed crimson as he frantically argued, "Your Highness, I truly did not lie. I told the truth. I am willing to accept any test. I will go through fire and water, even death, to prove my innocence."

Huang Quan stared at the token, his face as pale as snow, as if frost had struck him. His body trembled slightly, and his eyes revealed despair and fear. He knew that his carefully woven lie had been completely shattered and could no longer be concealed.

He swallowed hard, trying to calm himself, but his voice still trembled. "Your Highness, I...I was really forced to do this. Those evil people from the Netherworld Cult are extremely cruel. They threatened me that if I didn't cooperate with them, they would kill my entire family and leave us with nothing. I had no choice but to do what they asked."

As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes, looking as if they would burst out at any moment. Crown Prince Li Zhao stared at Huang Quan expressionlessly, but his mind was filled with a thousand thoughts.

A trace of disdain flashed in Crown Prince Li Zhao's eyes. "Forced? Do you think I would believe that excuse? Then why didn't you report it? Enough, Huang Quan, your crimes are proven beyond doubt. Your betrayal has already brought a huge threat to the Celestial Empire."

Huang Quan lowered his head, his once resolute face now filled with desolation. His voice, like a wounded lone wolf, carried a hint of despair. "Your Highness, I... I know I was wrong, but this is all a trick of fate. I was truly forced into this. I... I beg for your forgiveness. For the sake of your past experience defending the border, please give me a chance to live."

Crown Prince Li Zhao narrowed his eyes slightly, a subtle flash of complex emotion in them. His voice was filled with determination. "Forgive? Your crimes are so serious that they cannot be forgiven. Today, as the crown prince, I shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting the country. I must bring you to justice, rectify the government, and let the people of the world see my justice and strictness."

When Huang Quan heard that he was about to be executed, endless fear and unwillingness surged in his heart. He suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with panic, and then he shouted at the top of his lungs, "I am not the crown prince. It was Huang Jin who did it. It has nothing to do with me! He is the mastermind behind all this. Everything is a conspiracy planned by him. I was just being used by him. Please believe me, Your Highness, I am truly innocent!"

The prince was astonished, his brows furrowed, and a look of doubt flashed in his eyes. "Huang Quan, do you think that just because Huang Jin is dead, you can easily pin the blame on him? Do you think I would be so easily deceived by you? Your lies can't fool me, nor can they fool anyone in the world."

He understood that in this complex court situation, there would always be some people who would engage in unbearable behavior for self-preservation or personal gain. However, he would never tolerate or condone such a traitor who colluded with the Netherworld Cult.

However, the Crown Prince no longer trusted him. His eyes were filled with coldness, as if Huang Quan was no longer the minister who had fought alongside him in the past, but an unforgivable criminal.

Crown Prince Li Zhao frowned, and the frown seemed to be deeply embedded in his face, like two difficult-to-cross ravines, showing the heaviness and worry in his heart at the moment.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, and a barely perceptible light flashed in his eyes, revealing his alertness and deep thought about the conspiracy.