Chapter 75: Chapter 160 Don’t Act, I Beg You (3)
Qi Huang waited anxiously. As time ticked by, the high-level figures of the Yuxiao Sect one after another arrived at the main hall. She didn’t know if the murderer was among them, so she could only suppress her impulses.
The fair-faced middle-aged man surnamed Zheng also arrived at the main hall very quickly. He then noticed a strange woman in the hall. Since he had never met Cheng Hong Ling in person, and Qi Huang was wearing a veil, he did not recognize her.
About fifteen minutes later, eight high-level figures from the Yuxiao Sect had arrived. Those who were absent generally had valid reasons.
“I’ve asked all of you to come today because there’s a matter that needs confirmation. However, before that, I’d like to introduce this fairy.”
Sect Leader Liu looked at Qi Huang and said, “She is Cheng Hong Ling, the foremost Immortal Seed of the HongHua Sect, a peerless genius who, at the young age of twelve, broke into the top sixty of the Xihui Dynasty. I’m sure everyone has heard of her.”
‘Cheng Hong Ling? Why has she come to us herself?’
Elder Zheng was startled, but he showed no unusual expression on his face, as he was already fifty or sixty years old.
‘Could it be that she has already discovered that I kidnapped her father?’
Because he was guilty, this was Elder Zheng’s first reaction.
‘No! It definitely can’t be about this. She’s not a fairy; how could she possibly investigate me?’
Elder Zheng dismissed his conjecture after a moment’s thought, and his heart gradually calmed down.
At this moment, Qi Huang was also observing the expressions of a few people, but she did not find anyone showing a guilty conscience. She couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Is the robber not among them?’
“Junior Disciple Cheng has come here today to ask me to confirm something, so I’ve invited everyone to be a witness.”
Sect Leader Liu explained briefly and then went straight to the point. He glanced at Elder Zheng and said, “Elder Zheng, I have something to ask you.”
Elder Zheng’s heart rate accelerated again, but his expression remained as calm as ever. He cupped his hands and said, “Sect Leader, please ask whatever you wish!”
“More than ten days ago, I ordered you to go to the Juyin Auction House in the Prefecture Capital to bid for the Black Gold Lily. What I want to know now is, are you sure you obtained that item through bidding?”
Sect Leader Liu’s expression became serious.
‘So this person is the murderer!’
Qi Huang’s gaze shifted to him, her pupils trembling violently. Although her beautiful eyes were charming, they were now completely overshadowed by killing intent. She was never one to haggle over petty matters, but this person’s actions had completely crossed her bottom line. Not only did he kidnap her nominal father, but he also openly provoked the main body, which was extremely despicable.
Elder Zheng’s face changed slightly, and his heart jumped into his throat. He knew that Cheng Hong Ling had found out about his actions, so his slight hope had completely vanished.
‘No, I absolutely cannot show cowardice at this moment! Otherwise, I will be admitting guilt.’
Elder Zheng, being old and experienced, quickly regained his composure and said without changing his expression, “Reporting to the Sect Leader, I did indeed bid for the Black Gold Lily at the Juyin Auction House.”
“Is that so? Then why did Junior Disciple Cheng say that you snatched it from her father? And that you kidnapped her father.”
Sect Leader Liu asked with a gloomy expression.
“What? Snatched? And also kidnapped someone? How is that possible?”
“Yes! Zheng Wei is, after all, an elder of our Yuxiao Sect. I don’t believe he would do such a shameful thing.”
“If he did such a thing, how much would it damage the reputation of our Yuxiao Sect? This matter must be treated with caution!”
…
The high-level figures were shocked when they heard this.
“Sect Leader Liu! It’s not that we don’t believe Junior Disciple Cheng, but this concerns the reputation of the Yuxiao Sect. If she accuses Elder Zheng, she must provide evidence.”
A Protector offered an opinion.
“Yes, I Zheng Wei have been in the Yuxiao Sect for decades, and everyone can see how I conduct myself. Why would Junior Disciple Cheng slander me for no reason?”
Seeing that someone spoke up for him, Zheng Wei immediately turned the tables and questioned Qi Huang.
“And you dare to bite back? Your face is truly thicker than the city walls of the Prefecture Capital.”
Qi Huang retorted without hesitation and said, “There is no evidence! But there is a witness. Sect Leader Liu knows the specific situation best. You can ask him.”
“The witness Junior Disciple Cheng mentioned is the Saintess of Shuiyu Valley. Everyone should know that she cultivates the ‘Mullinglong’ technique, which can communicate with plants. Therefore, wherever there are plants, nothing that has happened can escape her eyes. And she just personally told me that it was Elder Zheng who kidnapped Junior Disciple Cheng’s father.”
Sect Leader Liu took over and explained.
“Nonsense! Without evidence! Who knows if they are accomplices?”
Zheng Wei remained unfazed and retorted on the spot.
“Yes! Without evidence, we can’t convict Elder Zheng based on a few words from the Saintess of Shuiyu Valley, can we?”
“The Saintess of Shuiyu Valley shouldn’t lie, right?”
“Why shouldn’t she lie? Shuiyu Valley is not some renowned major sect; their strength is not even comparable to ours!”
“That’s right. Those who don’t know might really be fooled by her title of Saintess. Who does she think she is?”
…
The high-level figures reached a consensus again. After all, they were all from the Yuxiao Sect. Their prosperity and decline were interconnected. Regardless of the aspect, they did not want to see Elder Zheng convicted.
“Junior Disciple Cheng, as you can see, it’s not that I’m not upholding justice for you, but the witness you found is simply unconvincing.”
Sect Leader Liu’s eyes darted around, and then he seized the opportunity to want to shirk responsibility.
“Hehe, this is truly eye-opening! If I hadn’t made thorough preparations, I would have been dismissed by your few words today.”
Qi Huang was amused by anger. She clapped her fair and tender hands a few times and then said calmly, “Isn’t it simple to find out if he’s lying? Just confirm with the people from the Juyin Auction House in the Prefecture Capital whether the person who bought the Black Gold Lily that night was this Zheng Wei. The truth will be revealed. Your grand Yuxiao Sect must have a Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device for the Juyin Auction House, right?”
When Zheng Wei heard this, his face instantly changed drastically. He didn’t expect this dead girl to be so difficult to deal with and to have found the biggest loophole so quickly.
Sect Leader Liu’s expression became grim again when he heard this. After hesitating for a long time, he turned to the high-level figures around him and said, “Does anyone have a Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device for the Juyin Auction House?”
“Sect Leader! I do! I’ll go to my residence to get it immediately.”
A Protector spoke up.
Zheng Wei looked at that Protector, his eyes almost spitting fire.
Qi Huang sneered. She knew that no matter how united the high-level figures of a sect were, it wouldn’t matter. She had already bought a Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device for the Juyin Auction House when she was in the Prefecture Capital, and she was carrying it in her bosom.
“Then I’ll trouble Protector Fang.”
Sect Leader Liu thanked him very reluctantly.
“It’s no trouble! As long as it can prove Elder Zheng’s innocence, I am willing to personally go to the Juyin Auction House.”
Protector Fang gave Zheng Wei a half-smile, then left decisively.
Zheng Wei’s jaw twitched, and a faint “creak creak” sound of grinding teeth could be heard.
‘What kind of grudge is this?’
Qi Huang was dumbfounded and felt secretly pleased.
“Sect Leader Liu, this concerns the reputation of the Yuxiao Sect. Please think twice!”
While waiting, an elder reminded Sect Leader Liu.
“That’s where you’re wrong. Everyone here is a senior with experience. You should understand that for a sect to develop, it must get rid of the rotten elements, otherwise, it will decay from the inside sooner or later. I believe Sect Leader Liu also understands this principle!”
Qi Huang also retorted unceremoniously.
“Of course! Of course!”
Sect Leader Liu put on a perfunctory smile.
Qi Huang didn’t know the other party’s intentions, but she felt that as long as the evidence was irrefutable, it would be difficult for him to deny it even if he wanted to.
Not long after, Protector Fang arrived with the Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device and respectfully handed it to Sect Leader Liu. “Sect Leader, this Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device can directly contact the shopkeeper of the Juyin Auction House. They have records of every item sold. It will be very clear who bought the Black Gold Lily if we just ask him.”
Zheng Wei’s face became increasingly unsightly. He wanted to speak but stopped, but in the end, he did not open his mouth.
Sect Leader Liu picked up the Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device, glanced around, hesitated for a moment, and then began to contact the shopkeeper of the Juyin Auction House.
The main hall suddenly became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Qi Huang also waited for the result nervously. She knew that whether things could be resolved peacefully today depended on the character of this person named Liu.
Not long after, Sect Leader Liu put down the Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device. His face was ashen, but he did not speak immediately. His eyes darted back and forth between Qi Huang and Zheng Wei.
“Sect Leader Liu, what is the result?”
Protector Fang asked urgently.
Sect Leader Liu’s eyes moved, his cheeks twitched for a moment, and then he looked at Qi Huang and said, “I’m sorry, Junior Disciple Cheng, I have confirmed with the shopkeeper of the Juyin Auction House. It was Elder Zheng of our sect who bid for the Black Gold Lily that day, so it can now be confirmed that you are slandering him!”
Upon hearing this, Zheng Wei’s face showed a gloating expression, and then he looked at Qi Huang disdainfully.
