"My lord, may I ask when his highness Xun Yu is right now? And what has he been upto? Did he attend any of our gatherings?" Kenji asked as soon as he entered the divine court. Superior Guardian got up from her seat.
"Why, Kenji? You went to investigate the west. Is this related to the investigation?" Superior Guardian asked.
"Yes, my lord."
"He has not been attending any of the gatherings on grounds of replenishing and restoring his energy after the damage done to him by Liuxing. Alright. I will have him summoned."
"Liuxing? What damage?"
"Liuxing and Xun Yu had a duel. Liuxing tried to attack his territory."
Kenji furrowed his eyebrow, 'Attack his territory?' He found it suspicious.
"My lord, the strange creatures that were being sighted above the borders of west territory were hovering for security purposes, someone is practising something in a secluded region there, west territory is practically abandoned, so it becomes the perfect place to practise anything negative. I suspect that his highness Xun Yu is practising something negative, something which is against heavenly realm, in that place. Those creatures were there to guard the tomb in a secluded region of the territory and the tomb had an unbreakable lock which could only be unlocked through palm print and this method of lock is his highness Xun Yu's method. I would not like to doubt over baseless speculation this is why I suggest confirmation and confrontation." Kenji said, each of his words were framed carefully like a wave measured to drown specific someone.
"I shall have him summoned right now." Superior guardian said, signalling a divine guard to send her message to Xun Yu.
The divine court was silent after the Superior Guardian's command. The celestial wind outside stirred faintly, as if it sensed the storm rising within.
Kenji bowed and stepped back allowing the divine process to unfold. The celestial guards moved with calculated grace, vanishing through the luminous doors to summon Xun Yu.
The superior guardian's gaze lingered on Kenji for a moment longer, her eyes sharp with contemplation.
"Kenji" she said finally, "Should your suspicions prove true, the consequences will be severe. But you understand that already, don't you?"
"I do, my lord," Kenji replied. "This is not personal, it is my duty to the realm."
She nodded solemnly.
"You are authorised. You may investigate further. You have access to all bidders of the west territory, and permission to confront his highness infront of the divine court under witness."
Kenji's plan was not to break in but to lead Xun Yu into exposing himself. And now finally, the prince was on his way.
A ripple in the air marked his arrival. Xun Yu appeared in a shimmering blue robe laced with silver threads, his usual regality dimmed by weariness. His face bore traces of something deeper than fatigue—a shadow not even the divine blood could conceal.
"My lord" Xun Yu bowed infront of superior guardian.
"Meet his highness Kenji Huang. You have been absent since many lights (days). But you may have heard about him and read about him, you have the honour of meeting him now." Superior Guardian said as she motioned her hand in Kenji's direction. Kenji stood tall beside her throne.
"Your highness Kenji Huang." Xun Yu bowed.
"Your highness Xun Yu." Kenji greeted gracefully. "Your highness forgive the trouble. But your presence was important to clarify something....before your name is drawn into court proceedings."
Xun Yu's eyes narrowed, "Proceedings?" He asked, his voice steady, calm and quiet but somewhat defensive.
"There are concerns," Kenji said smoothly, "regarding your extended absence, the appearance of strange creatures over the west territory and most importantly — your involvement in activities that may defy the heavenly code."
Xun Yu's lips curled slightly. "Am I suspected for treason ?"
"I suspect something," Kenji replied, "which is why I have the permission to clear your name, if possible."
The black tomb in the west which is guarded by strange creatures and the mysterious fog, poisonous weapons, it has a very strong seal. Palm lock magic, only his highness Xun Yu uses that kind of lock, a technique you developed, is it not?"
"It is," Xun Yu admitted after a pause, "but many know of it."
"The west territory was abandoned long ago on the grounds of using it as an energy colony, yet it was left untouched for a long time after using as energy colony for one, the territory was handed over to you by superior guardian. Why is it that suddenly there are strange movements and creatures appearing there now, now of all times? The energy signature on the lock of the tomb seem to be yours." Kenji stepped closer, "That alone is not the evidence—but the creatures bounded by dark glyphs, having no energy but still the power of malevolence, what are they guardian your highness?"
"A relic." Xun Yu said. "A remnant of the old war. One I seek only to understand, to neutralise."
"Yet you have neither reported nor documented this. You had a duel with Liuxing and damaged your core, you were meditating in seclusion to heal, yet you found this relic a while ago? Which means you recovered a while ago too but did not meet Superior Guardian or joined any of the improtant gatherings. You have not even reported the relic, upon finding any relic or anything, it has to be reported to the court or else there can be consequences. You have isolated the entire region. And the mysterious energies emitted from the tomb, that is not study, that is control, that is use."
A silence followed, broken only by the howling wind outside. Xun Yu's gaze turned cold. "I see now. I have always paid my respects to your highness Kenji, you are a great warrior and ruler your highness, I am indeed not a senior but I would not stay silent when I am being lured here not to question but to be falsely accused.
Kenji did not deny it. "Superior guardian provide you the chance to clear it yourself. But instead of providing evidence to your innocence you are counter attacking verbally. And now I ask again— what lies within the tomb, Xun Yu?"