Marvel: The other side of the double-passing door is Devouring the Stars

Chapter 369 Protecting him and his friends is my responsibility!
“But we need to choose the right time,” Pengyu said. “Today happens to be the Imperial Council’s routine meeting, and all the high-ranking officials will be in attendance. If I show up then, my influence will be at its greatest.”

To avoid attracting attention, the two decided to split up. Luo Wen used his familiarity with the terrain of the Silver Blue Empire to infiltrate the palace, while Peng Yu remained in human form and entered the palace openly as a nobleman.

In the afternoon, the council hall of the Silver Blue Empire's palace was packed. His Majesty the Emperor sat on the magnificent dragon throne, below him were officials of all ranks. Today's agenda was supposed to be about the Empire's economic development, but clearly everyone's attention was focused on the "Starwing Roc Prison Break" incident that had occurred the previous night.

"My esteemed ministers," the Emperor began, "you are all surely aware of what happened last night. The Starwing Divine Roc's act of rescuing the prisoners has greatly perplexed me, and this matter demands a satisfactory explanation."

Earl Edward immediately stepped forward. "Your Majesty," he said, "I believe this demonstrates the alien's cunning. He must have used some evil means to control the Starwing Roc, causing it to behave so abnormally."

“The Earl is right,” another nobleman who supported Edward chimed in. “We must intensify our search and bring this dangerous alien to justice as soon as possible.”

Silvermoon's father—the Empire's Minister of Defense—stood up. "Your Majesty," he said, "I believe there are still doubts about this matter. The Starwing Roc, as the Empire's guardian beast, possesses extremely high intelligence and could not be easily controlled. Its behavior may have other reasons."

"Is Your Excellency questioning the court's verdict?" Earl Edward sneered. "The facts are undeniable, the evidence is conclusive, what is there left to argue about?"

Just as the two sides were arguing, the doors to the council hall were suddenly pushed open. Peng Yu walked in in human form, and his appearance immediately attracted everyone's attention.

"Who is this?" the emperor asked curiously.

Pengyu walked to the center of the hall and bowed deeply to the emperor. "Your Majesty, I have important matters to report."

"Please speak," the emperor gestured.

Peng Yu surveyed everyone present, then slowly spoke: "Gentlemen, I am the Star-Winged Divine Roc you have been searching for."

The moment the words left his mouth, the entire council hall fell into a deathly silence. Everyone stared at Peng Yu in disbelief, utterly unable to believe their ears.

"What did you say?" The emperor stood up in shock. "You're the Star-Winged Roc?"

Peng Yu nodded, and then his body began to change. Before everyone's eyes, his human form gradually disappeared, replaced by the enormous and majestic body of the Star-Winged Divine Roc. A powerful aura instantly filled the entire hall, making everyone feel the pressure emanating from this ancient divine beast.

"Greetings, Lord Guardian Beast!" The Emperor immediately bowed, and everyone else followed suit. Only Earl Edward was deathly pale, his body trembling uncontrollably.

The Star-Winged Roc transformed back into human form and solemnly declared, "Your Majesty, I have come today to clear the name of a colossal injustice. Rowan and Princess Silver Moon are innocent; the true culprit is someone else entirely."

“Guardian Beast, please explain in detail,” the Emperor respectfully requested.

The Starwing Roc stared directly at Earl Edward. "Three days ago at Sunrise Peak, someone did indeed poison me. But that person wasn't Rowan, it was Earl Edward!"

"Impossible!" Earl Edward jumped up excitedly. "The Guardian Beast must have been bewitched by that alien! How could I possibly harm you?"

"Is that so?" Starwing Roc sneered. "Then explain why you appeared near Sunrise Peak. You said you were hunting, but that's not a hunting area."

Earl Edward's face grew even paler. "I...I was just passing by."

"Just passing by?" The Star-Winged Roc pressed on, "Then how do you explain why the food you carry contains 'Soul-Slaying Grass'?"

Upon hearing the name "Soul Grass," everyone present gasped. Soul Grass is an extremely rare poisonous herb, specifically designed to counter creatures with strong spiritual power. It is harmless to ordinary people, but poses a deadly threat to divine beasts like the Star-Winged Roc.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Earl Edward still tried to argue, “I have no Soul Grass at all.”

"Really?" The Starwing Roc took out a delicate little bottle from its robes. "Then what is this?"

Everyone looked at the small bottle, which bore the Edward family crest and contained some purple powder.

“This isn’t mine!” Earl Edward denied in a panic.

"This bottle was left behind by you on Sunrise Peak," the Star-Winged Roc said calmly. "You pretended to give me food, but actually intended to poison me with Soul-Slaying Grass. However, your dosage wasn't enough to kill me."

Silvermoon's father stood up angrily. "Edward! How dare you harm the Empire's guardian beast and frame my daughter!"

"I didn't! I really didn't!" Count Edward had completely lost his mind. "It must be that alien's doing!"

Just then, another door to the council hall opened, and Rowan walked in, escorted by several royal guards. Everyone was surprised to see Rowan.

“Your Majesty,” the head guard reported, “Mr. Rowan has voluntarily surrendered to us and requests to clarify the facts in person.”

The emperor looked at Rowan, "Why did you turn yourself in? Didn't you already escape?"

“Your Majesty, I never intended to run away,” Rowan said firmly. “I believe the truth will eventually come to light. I returned to prove my and Princess Silvermoon's innocence.”

The Star-Winged Roc walked to Luo Wen's side. "Your Majesty, this is the person I'm meant to protect. Not only did he not harm me, but he also made me feel the long-lost bond of blood ties."

"Blood ties?" The emperor was even more confused.

“Yes,” the Starwing Roc explained, “Roven carries the blood of my ancestors; he is the true king of my race. According to ancient laws, I should obey his commands and protect his safety.”

The news exploded like a bomb in the council hall, leaving everyone speechless with shock. An alien possessing the bloodline of the Starwing Roc and being considered its king was a complete upheaval to their understanding.

“Guardian Beast,” the Emperor asked cautiously, “are you sure you’re not joking?”

“I swear on the honor of the guardian beast,” the Starwing Roc solemnly declared, “every word I have spoken is true. Rowan does indeed possess my bloodline, and Earl Edward is indeed the true culprit who poisoned me.” Faced with overwhelming evidence, Earl Edward finally broke down. He slumped to the ground, his eyes filled with despair. “I…I just wanted revenge! That alien humiliated my son in the kendo match, I couldn’t swallow this insult!”

"So you poisoned the guardian beast and framed an innocent person?" The emperor's voice was filled with rage. "Do you know what crime that is?"

“I know I was wrong,” Earl Edward wept bitterly, “but I truly didn’t intend to kill the guardian beast. I only wanted to make it sick for a while, then frame that alien. I never imagined things would escalate this far.”

"Foolish!" the emperor roared. "You've committed such a treasonous act for personal grudges! And you've even implicated the innocent Princess Silver Moon!"

At this moment, another guard entered and reported: "Your Majesty, several more people request an audience. They claim to be involved in this case."

“Let them in,” the emperor said, waving his hand.

Soon, several mysterious men in black were brought in. Upon seeing them, Earl Edward's face turned even paler.

"Your Majesty," the head guard reported, "these men were found at Earl Edward's residence. They were carrying a large quantity of Soul Grass, clearly indicating they were accomplices in this conspiracy."

One of the men in black suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, we are willing to confess everything! This plan is not just about revenge against Rowan, but also has a greater political purpose!"

"Speak!" the emperor commanded sternly.

“Someone wants to use this to undermine the Defense Secretary’s authority,” the man in black confessed. “Because the Defense Secretary has always supported friendly exchanges with extraterrestrial civilizations, but certain forces believe this threatens their interests.”

Hearing this, everyone understood. This was not just a simple case of revenge, but a meticulously planned political conspiracy. Earl Edward was merely a pawn; the true mastermind remained hidden in the shadows.

"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly!" The emperor slammed his fist on the table in anger. "I need to know just how many other people were involved in this conspiracy!"

Just then, the Starwing Roc suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I suggest that Princess Silver Moon be released immediately, and that Rowan and Silver Moon be publicly exonerated. At the same time, I demand a thorough investigation into the political forces behind this case."

“Of course,” the Emperor agreed immediately, “release Princess Silvermoon immediately and issue a public apology to her and Mr. Rowan. As for those conspirators, none of them shall be let off!”

With the truth coming to light, the entire political landscape of the Silver Blue Empire was shaken. Earl Edward and his associates were immediately arrested, and a larger investigation ensued.

That evening, Yin Yue was finally released from the detention center. When she saw Rowan waiting outside, she immediately rushed into his arms.

“I knew the truth would always come out,” Silvermoon cried. “I never doubted you.”

“It’s all in the past,” Rowan said, gently stroking her hair. “We’re all safe now.”

Pengyu stood to the side, a satisfied smile on his face. "Justice has finally been served."

“Thank you, Pengyu,” Luo Wen said gratefully. “Without you, we would never have been able to clear our names.”

“We’re partners,” Pengyu said. “This is what I should do.”

That evening, the Emperor held a grand banquet in the palace, formally apologizing to Rowan and Silvermoon and announcing that they would be granted the highest honors. At the same time, the Emperor also announced the establishment of a special investigation committee to thoroughly investigate all participants in this political conspiracy.

At the banquet, Starwing Roc appeared as Peng Yu, and his appearance made everyone look at this mysterious "noble" with new eyes. No one knew his true identity, only that he was Luo Wen's most important friend and supporter.

"Gentlemen," the Emperor addressed the banquet, "what has happened today has given me much to reflect upon. Our Silver Blue Empire has always been an open and inclusive civilization, and this tradition should not be altered because of the selfishness of a few. Mr. Rowan's fate has shamed me, but it has also shown me the power of true friendship and justice."

The emperor raised his glass, "Let us toast to the victory of truth, to the preciousness of friendship, and to the triumph of justice!"

Everyone raised their glasses, and enthusiastic applause filled the banquet hall.

“It seems our enemy is stronger than we imagined,” Peng Yu said to Luo Wen after the banquet. “This struggle may have only just begun.”

“No matter how powerful the enemy,” Rowan said firmly, “we will not back down. With a partner like you, I am confident in facing any challenge.”

Silvermoon nodded firmly, "I also want to participate in this struggle. This experience has taught me that some things require someone to stand up and do them."

As night fell, the palace celebration finally came to an end. Although justice had been served, everyone was still exhausted from the day's events. Luo Wen, Yin Yue, and Peng Yu returned to Yin Yue's home, finally able to relax in familiar surroundings.

Yinyue's parents were overjoyed at their daughter's safe return, but were also shocked and in awe of Pengyu's identity. When they learned that this seemingly young and handsome man was actually the legendary Star-Winged Roc, Yinyue's mother didn't even know how to address him.

“Please don’t be shy,” Pengyu said gently. “In this private setting, you can call me Pengyu, just like you would a regular friend.”

“How could you do this?” Silvermoon’s mother said nervously. “You are the empire’s guardian beast, how could we dare?”

“Mom, Pengyu is our friend now,” Yinyue interrupted her mother. “He saved me and Luo Wen; we should thank him.”

Yinyue's father bowed deeply to Pengyu, "Pengyu, thank you for everything you've done for our family. Without you, Yinyue and Luo Wen might never have been exonerated."

“It’s what I should do,” Pengyu replied. “Luo Wen is my blood brother, and it’s my responsibility to protect him and his friends.”

At dinner time, the family sat together in a warm and harmonious atmosphere. Yinyue's mother personally cooked a sumptuous home-style meal. Although it couldn't compare to the exquisite dishes of those high-end restaurants, the warmth of home was irreplaceable.

“These past few days have been incredibly dangerous,” Silvermoon remarked. “I never imagined I’d be caught up in such a political conspiracy.”

(End of this chapter)