He had embezzled funds for many years; if investigated, he would certainly lose his official post, but it might not necessarily warrant the death penalty. After all, he was a Rank 7 Martial Artist, and when the imperial court dealt with cultivators, the punishments were often different from those for ordinary people, usually leaning toward leniency.
Once he admitted to having ties with the Red Lotus Cult, Pei Yi would undoubtedly die without a single glimmer of a chance.
"Very well, apply the heavy torture!"
Chapter 73