"The minister of justice reported that the captain mentioned the word Huo before he died and the incident coincides with the appearance of the golden eagle in Yu-Shan city, sect madam Huo, you don't have to worry, there is no evidence that directly points out the flame sect as the perpetrators," the regional commander answered in a reassuring tone but sect leader Lin frowned inwardly at his answer, he was expecting the court to have evidence that could convict them but if they don't then there is a chance that they might get out of it again.

{This is Huo Qiang's fault, he should have just allowed Huo Li to complete what she started} ​​

Huo Ying blamed inwardly! but the person she blames was also blaming himself inwardly.

"If that is the case then my sect will cooperate with the investigation, but I don't think the alliance will have anything to do with the investigation," Sect madam Huo said, hinting at her unwillingness to allow the alliance to get involved with her sect being investigated by the court.

"This matter concerns only the court so the alliance will not be involved with the investigation but I wonder why sect leader Huo is not here today," the regional commander inquired with his face showing his curiosity as he scanned around for her husband.

"ooh....my husband has gone into seclusion, so I am afraid he is not able to grace you with his presence today," Sect madam Huo replied elegantly, the regional commander nodded his head as she spoke then his eyes caught Huo Ying who was standing by her side stiffly.

"This is..."

"This is my daughter Huo Ying," she introduced then she turned to Huo Ying, she gave her a look signalling her to introduce herself.

"I am Huo Ying, It is my honour to meet you today regional commander, I have heard many tales of your bravery and victory in countless battles," Huo Ying greeted then the regional commander laughed at her sweet mouthed greeting while the other sect leader sneered at her sneakily seeing as she is already using the chance to seek favour with the regional commander.

Bohai fondled with his finger in nervousness, he was previously happy that his father's plan has gone awry which means that Huo Lan is considered to be safe but now that the court has also gotten involved, her safety can no longer be guaranteed, he was quite happy with the fact that she seemed to be currying favour with him since it might help her save her sister's head when they are found guilty.

"Huo Qiang and Bingchen, you will follow the alliance leader back to the wind sect to get Huo Mei, the rest of you should return to the sect, Huo Ying will go with me" Sect madam Huo announced then she turned to the regional commander.

"Please lead the way," she said to the regional commander with her lips curved into a gentle smile, the regional commander turned back with his hand gesturing her to move in front while the soldiers behind divided into two, leaving a space in the middle of her to walk by, everyone's gaze followed them as they walked, when they got to where the horses were left they were surprised to see that the regional commander even brought two carriages along with him, they were fascinated by the amount of respect he seemed to be giving her.

"Please..." the regional commander said in a gentlemanly manner and his hand gesturing at the carriage, then he held her hand while she hopped into the carriage, looking at the both of them, Huo Ying was already beginning to wonder if the both of them were past lovers before she married her father, but she didn't dare ask anything not when her relationship with her mother is still cold.

She walked up to a horse and rubbed his forehead then she pulled the reins and placed on of her foot on the anchor, she was about to climb unto the horse when the regional commander sighted her, he quickly walked up to her and held the rein before she climbed.

"How can I let Miss Huo Ying ride a horse, the other carriage is yours," the regional commander said in a really casual way that made her feel warm and weird at the same time that he sounded too close for someone she was just meeting for the first time, she quickly dropped the horse rein and removed her leg from the anchor.

"Thank you," Huo Ying said then she walked up to the horse, she felt that the regional commander was walking behind her so she walked swiftly and entered the carriage before he does the same thing he did to her mother which will make her feel quite uncomfortable.

The regional commander climbed unto his horse and started riding, the others watched as they rode away with mixed feelings even the disciples and guardians, they couldn't understand why the regional commander was treating their sect madam with so much respect that he even considered bringing a carriage for her and the sect leader since the sect leader wasn't there, they couldn't tell if it was because of his admiration or for other reasons but the three elders and older disciples of the flame sect were very well aware of the relationship between the flame sect and the regional commander.

"Since there is nothing else to check, we will now return to our abode, the two guardians will escort alliance leader back to the wind sect, we are thankful for your accommodation and the effort you put into helping the flame sect to be exonerated," the first elder said, then he stretched out his hand and gestured towards the exit of the territory, to them, he was basically kicking them out indirectly, sect leader Lin and the other sect leaders flicked their sleeve in anger then they turned and headed towards their horses while Huo Qiang and Bingchen cupped their hands and raised them forward to salute the elders before leaving with those from the wind sect.

Sect leader Meng walked forward then she turned back with a sentimental look in her eyes and her head raised to look at the flame sect again before leaving, her main reason for wanting to enter the sect was to see Huo Jing even though she has always lied to herself that the only feeling she has in her heart for him is hatred.

Meanwhile, Huo Lian was confused by what the sect madam meant when she instructed them to bring Huo mei back to the sect, she was wondering why Huo Mei wasn't with them in the first place but hearing her sect madam instruction., she couldn't help but feel that something must have gone wrong with her sister, as soon as the visitors left, she quickly walked up to the elders, she saluted them then raised her head with a fretful look on her face.

"elders, may I ask why my sister didn't return with you all?" Huo Lian asked with a concerned look in her eyes, the elders glanced at each other with a quizzical look on their faces as though they weren't sure of the reason themselves, they had vaguely heard what happened but they weren't sure of how serious Huo Mei's condition so they weren't sure if they were in the best position to tell her.

"We are not sure of the reason but it seems like the sect madam left her behind for a mission, you don't have to be worried," the third elder replied, but she still couldn't help but doubt his answer, if her sister was sent on a mission then they wouldn't need to send anyone to bring her back, she decided to just take their answer for the meantime.

---------------

On the way to the capital where the palace is situated, they rode and moved with great speed in order to reach the capital in time, the emperor gave him five days to bring the leaders from the flame sect to the court and it was already the fourth day, knowing that it might take two days for them to reach Chang-an in time, he decided to move at a fast speed.

After hours of riding, they finally arrived at a hotel in Dongping, the regional commander sent in the soldiers in to book the rooms for them before they entered the hotel after they arrived at the hotel, they all ate and drank before sleeping but Huo Ying still tried to avoid her mother, she just couldn't understand why her mother would take her alone on this journey even though she is still angry with her but she was more grateful to her mother for not making Huo Qiang come with them.

The next day, they began the journey again, after hours of riding, they finally arrived at the capital, the people watched as they rode past the street while they wondered who the regional commander was escorting, for the person to sit in a carriage, they concluded that it must be a very important person but if only they knew that it was the sect madam and the rumoured young mistress of the flame sect in both carriage, they would have crowded the street just to catch a glimpse of them and maybe curse at them.

After arriving at the palace, the regional commander escorted them into the imperial hall, all eyes were on them as they walked into the hall with long strides that showed their confident demeanour, their eyes were all lit up at the sight of Huo Jingyu, the pride of the Tang dynasty in years gone by and as usual, they started murmuring amongst themselves.

"greetings to the emperor!" the three of them chorused in unison with their heads bowed then they raised their heads only to meet the dark look in the emperor's eyes, looking at the emperor, Huo Ying could feel that he doesn't seem like a friend and he didn't seem like a foe either but judging from the look in his eyes, she could tell that he is someone with a very dark inner self.

"Please be at ease," the emperor implored with his hands gesturing them to stand at ease.

"Your majesty, as per your order, I have brought the sect madam and the young mistress of the flame sect to the court, the regional commander said then he paused to see the expression on the emperor's face, looking at his squinted eyes and the way he rubbed his fingers together, he could tell that the emperor still doubts him.

"Regional commander, it has been said that the flame sect has disconnected themselves from the outside world but you still managed to bring them to court, you have shown your competence and loyalty to me but how were you able to bring them here if they have been disconnected from the outside world," the emperor questioned doubtfully, his expression showed his suspiciousness while the prime minster smirked at this, to him, all emperors are the same, they always fear that their close ones would betray them, judging from the emperor's look, he could tell that the seed of doubt he planted is already bringing forth fruits.

"Your majesty, I recently sent some soldiers to Suzhou to inquire any news about the flame sect, my men reported to me that the alliance would be arriving at Suzhou so I decided to pay a visit to the flame sect then I took the chance to bring them here, all this is due to your majesty's grace," the regional commander tactfully replied, the suspicion on the emperor's face disappeared almost as soon as he heard his answer, since it was a coincidence then it doesn't prove that the regional commander really has a relationship with the flame sect, seeing a change in his eyes, the prime minister frowned deeply.

{It seems like the regional commander was being suspected of dealing privately with my sect}

Huo Ying remarked inwardly.

"So that is how it is, you have worked hard and you will be rewarded," the emperor said then he paused for a second before continuing.

"The regional commander will be rewarded with hundred rolls of silk and he can choose any horse he desires from the imperial stable," the emperor announced with a biased smile on his lips as though he has once again regained the trust he had in his most trusted minister and advisor.

"Your grace is immeasurable!" the regional commander answered in gratitude, the other ministers were not even surprised by the emperor's generosity towards him since it has already become the norm for the regional commander to be rewarded regardless of how small or big the tasks he completed is but inwardly, they still complained.

{100 rolls of silk!....just for bringing I and my mother to court}

Huo Ying exclaimed inwardly with a surprised look on her face but she quickly got rid of it when the emperor shifted his gaze to her and then to his mother before his lips curved into a smile that didn't seem sincere to her, she couldn't help but feel a hint of threat in every gesture the emperor makes.