Chapter 39: The Truth Emerges, The Climax Approaches

Chapter 39: The Truth Emerges, The Climax Approaches

Lin Shiya watched as Vice Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Justice and his men blocked the exit, understanding that a fierce battle was inevitable. She gripped the evidence tightly in her hand, her gaze unwavering, as the tension around them reached its peak.

A cold, damp chill pervaded the prison, and the iron bars within the cells appeared especially sinister in the darkness, as if ready to devour everything at any moment. Zhang’s corpulent frame leaned forward slightly, a treacherous smile curling his lips, his tone laden with menace. “Top Scholar Lin, you won’t escape today. I’ve already uncovered all the evidence you have. Do you really think you can slip through my fingers?”

A faint, meaningful smile played at the corner of Lin Shiya’s mouth, her eyes shining with unshakeable resolve. She spoke slowly, her voice echoing through the prison, “Lord Zhang, you are mistaken. These are not your spoils, but proof of the truth. Your crimes have already been laid bare.”

Zhang’s expression changed drastically; he snapped his folding fan shut, eyes bulging with fury as he shouted, “Guards! Seize her!”

With his command, dozens of jailers brandishing swords and blades surged forward, surrounding Lin Shiya. She evaded deftly, her movements agile and decisive as she danced among their weapons. All the while, she denounced Zhang’s crimes in a loud, clear voice.

“Vice Minister Zhang, how many innocent families have you ruined with your deeds? Of those you’ve bribed, how many have truly escaped justice? Tonight, I, Lin Shiya, will expose your true face!”

Her words reverberated in the dungeon, causing Zhang’s subordinates to waver. Some exchanged uncertain glances. Zhang, seeing their hesitance, grew even more enraged. “What are you waiting for? Kill her!”

Just then, a figure burst from the shadows, a short sword flashing as he deflected several blows. Lin Shiya’s heart leapt with joy—she recognized him: Wang the Coroner.

He nodded, eyes filled with determination. Lin Shiya quickly coordinated with Wang, and together they repelled the assailing jailers one by one.

Chaos erupted in the prison. Zhang, now desperate, clenched his teeth and bellowed, “Useless fools! Get her!”

Amid the turmoil, Lin Shiya’s sharp gaze swept the room and fixed on a shadowy figure lurking in a corner—a mysterious person dressed in black. Her lips curled into a cold smile; a plan took shape in her mind.

“Vice Minister Zhang, even your accomplice won’t escape justice tonight.” Her words hung in the charged air, their clarity slicing through the confusion.

Her eyes blazed as she stared down the man in black. She raised her voice, each word ringing out, “Your trusted helper, Lord Zhang, seems eager to slip away!”

All eyes followed her gaze, focusing on the shadowy figure. He stiffened, his face—once hidden in the dark—now pale and exposed in the torchlight.

He instinctively stepped back, hoping to melt into the shadows again, only to realize he was surrounded.

“You... What nonsense are you spouting?” His voice trembled, the bluster failing to mask his panic.

“Nonsense?” Lin Shiya scoffed. “Lurking there like a rat—what else could you be but an accomplice? Did you think you could escape my notice?”

His face grew even more ashen as he clutched a small bundle, eyes darting with uncertainty.

Lin Shiya’s heart skipped—she instantly realized that bundle contained the crucial evidence she’d been seeking.

“You mean to destroy the evidence!” she shouted, lunging toward him.

Startled, he tried to flee, but Lin Shiya was faster. She seized his collar and threw him to the ground. The bundle tumbled away; as he scrambled for it, she pinned it under her foot.

They struggled, wrestling over the bundle. Wang the Coroner cried out, “Be careful!”

Lin Shiya dodged a hidden dagger, twisting to seize the package from his grasp. She quickly unwrapped it—a letter lay inside, its contents making her heart lurch.

“You...” The man in black stared at the letter in despair, his voice hoarse. “You can’t...”

Lin Shiya snatched the bundle, unfolded the letter, and by torchlight saw the words that struck her like a thunderbolt.

It was ironclad evidence of Zhang’s collusion with a mysterious faction.

Fury smoldered in her eyes as she raised the letter high, her voice icy as steel: “Everyone, look! Here is Vice Minister Zhang’s guilt—conspiring with foreign enemies, framing the loyal and righteous, his crimes beyond measure!”

The jailers froze, glancing at each other in disbelief.

Zhang’s face blanched; he pointed at Lin Shiya, shrieking hysterically, “She’s lying! It’s a forgery! Don’t listen!”

But suspicion and doubt already clouded the jailers’ eyes. They looked from Zhang to the letter in Lin Shiya’s hand, and the balance in their hearts began to tip.

Seizing the moment, Lin Shiya’s voice rang out, sharp as a blade: “As officers of the court, will you aid and abet evil? Will you betray your conscience and justice for a traitor to the realm?”

Her words struck home, piercing the hearts of the jailers. One by one, a few lowered their weapons and stepped back. Soon, more followed, joining Lin Shiya’s side.

Seeing his men turn against him, Zhang trembled with rage and fear. He pointed at Lin Shiya, his voice quivering, “You... how dare you...” He was utterly panicked, dashing about like a headless fly, desperate to escape.

But now he was utterly alone and wretched.

Lin Shiya sneered, unlocking the cell door with the key. Lin Da, her elder brother, had witnessed everything; his face was alight with emotion and relief.

“Shiya,” his voice broke with emotion, “you... you did it!”

Lin Shiya stepped forward, gripping her brother’s hand tightly, her eyes brimming with tears. “Brother, I didn’t let you down.”

“No, it’s I who didn’t let you down. To see you take this step—your brother is proud of you.” He gazed at her, pride and affection in his eyes.

Outside the cell, Zhang still struggled futilely, cursing under his breath, but his words now sounded feeble and powerless.

Lin Shiya spared him not a single glance. Instead, she placed the letter gently in Lin Da’s hand.

He took it, eyes narrowing as he read.

“This...” he began, but his words trailed off, his attention caught by his sister’s next action and the unyielding resolve on her face, which sent a tremor through his heart.

Lin Shiya slowly looked around. In the flickering torchlight, the varied expressions of those present were illuminated.

The letter in her hand felt like a brand pressed to her palm, searing with the heat of truth. It not only held proof of Zhang’s conspiracy, but was also a blood-written plea for redress of the Lin family’s years of injustice.

She drew a deep breath, chest swelling with righteous fury. Her words, squeezed from the depths of her soul, thundered through the prison.

“Everyone, tonight I, Lin Shiya, will reveal the true face of the puppet master behind all this!”

Her voice boomed like a bell, each word resonant and powerful, making the very air quiver.

She held the letter aloft; its contents were clear for all to see, like a row of sharp swords pointed straight at Zhang’s guilt.

“See for yourselves! Here it is, in black and white: Zhang, for power, betrayed his country, colluded with foreign forces, framed the loyal, and trampled innocent lives underfoot!” Lin Shiya’s words rang out, each one laden with grief and accusation.

Her gaze swept everyone present, penetrating to their very souls.

The jailers held their breath; Zhang’s face was ashen, his body swaying as though ready to collapse.

She did not give him a moment’s respite. Her voice struck again, a heavy hammer pounding at every heart:

“My Lin family has been loyal for generations, yet suffered ruin and destruction! Behind it all stands Zhang—the scheming villain! To hide his crimes, he twisted truth and fabricated injustice. Tonight, I will tear off his mask and let the truth shine forth!”

As her words fell, she raised the letter high like a flag of justice, its brilliance piercing the dungeon’s gloom.

All eyes fixed on that single sheet of evidence, as if seeing the hope of justice descending.

“Zhang, what else do you have to say?” Lin Shiya’s eyes were sharp as knives, her voice cold as a winter blade.

At that moment, the tension was shattered by the sudden, urgent sound of footsteps approaching from afar.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The footsteps grew louder, more distinct, mingling with the clinking of armored men, like an iron cavalry charging toward the prison.

Lin Shiya’s heart leapt to her throat. She clenched the evidence tighter, her gaze as sharp as an eagle’s, wary and alert as she looked to the entrance.

The footsteps stopped abruptly, as though the intruders had suddenly halted in place.