But the main issue was that they never expected someone would dare to break into the Taoist Court's prison.
This was defiance against the Taoist Court.
If caught, there would be severe punishment and consequences for all involved!
Mo Hua's expression also grew solemn as he asked:
"Did they break into the prison to rescue Zhang Quan?"
Instructor Yan nodded.
Mo Hua was puzzled, "If it was to save Zhang Quan, how come he is still dead?"
Instructor Yan explained, "During the chaotic fight, someone stabbed Zhang Quan with a sword. Then they set a fire that burned down half of the Taoist Prison along with Zhang Quan's body..."
Mo Hua frowned, "Someone stabbed Zhang Quan with a sword... That person must have been at the Foundation Establishment level."
"Yes," Instructor Yan also frowned deeply, "There were Foundation Establishment level individuals among the prison breakers, the Taoist Court, and other sects and clans that came to support when they heard of the chaos at the Taoist Court..."
"In the midst of the chaos, no one knows who killed Zhang Quan or who set the fire."
"This matter... is quite strange," Mo Hua mused.
Instructor Yan nodded, "I suspect the prison break was a feint, and the real intent was to kill and silence him."
"What happened to those cultivators who broke into the prison afterward?" Mo Hua asked.
Instructor Yan replied with resignation, "They all died as well."
Mo Hua opened his mouth in surprise, "All of them died?"
"Yes."
"So... not a single survivor?"
"That's right," Instructor Yan sighed helplessly, "And it's not even certain that those dead bandits were actual robbers."
"Their identities?"
"Still under investigation, but it's doubtful anything will come of it."
Mo Hua murmured with furrowed brows, "So, they all died..."
"Then, the responsibility of the Taoist Court for this incident must be significant," Mo Hua asked again.
Such a prison break should surely lead to a thorough investigation.
After contemplating, Instructor Yan shook her head:
"It's hard to say..."
Indeed, two days later, the matter was brushed aside.
Instructor Yan found Mo Hua, her expression a mixture of anger and helplessness.
Mo Hua learned the outcome of the incident from Instructor Yan.
In the report sent to the Taoist Court by Court Leader Qian of South Yue City, it was written:
"Taoist Calendar year 20,025, beginning of the fourth month...
Unknown black-robed cultivators attempted a prison break, met with swift suppression from the Taoist Court, convict Zhang Quan died, and the bandits were all executed.
Half of the Taoist Prison was damaged, one enforcement leader killed and ten injured... A request for 2,836 spirit stones for compensation..."
Although there had been a prison break, all the bandits died, and so did the convict.
The Taoist Court paid a price but preserved its dignity.
On the balance, the positives and negatives canceled each other out.
Even if an investigation were pursued, there would be nowhere to go, as all were dead...
At most, there would be some minor reprimands.
Mo Hua was somewhat shocked.
This was incredibly audacious and meticulous.
They committed a brazen act like a prison break, but managed to resolve everything both above and below them.
In the end, a big issue was played down, a small issue disappeared...
Mo Hua's gaze turned speculative.
The big fish behind the scenes had surfaced.
But it had bitten the hook, taken the bait, snapped the line, and slipped away...