Wandering Swordsman |

Seeing that Shen Mo was safe and sound, Zhou Xinlian and Qin Wan were overjoyed and looked at him with admiration.

Murong Qing, in particular, had a slight smile on her lips, secretly relieved that Sect Leader Zhang had arrived in time to help Shen Mo.

Situ Changkong was also somewhat surprised that the Wudang Sect Leader was protecting Shen Mo. If the Sect Leader's initial questioning was out of a sense of justice, then his current offer of compensation for Shen Mo seemed to be too much of a show of favoritism towards Shen Mo. His brows furrowed, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, a mixture of resentment and doubt.

"Sect Leader Zhang," Situ Changkong suppressed his anger, trying to keep his tone calm, "Although this matter has been clarified, it still concerns the Demonic Sect, and we shouldn't act rashly. We still need to investigate further to ensure everything goes smoothly..."

Zhang Taixuan sneered, his sharp gaze sweeping over Situ Changkong as he interrupted, "Situ Changkong, the justice of the martial world cannot be tarnished. Young Hero Shen has already proven his innocence. If you wish to continue this entanglement, it would be a desecration of the justice of the martial world."

Zhang Taixuan's words were resounding and moved everyone present. Situ Changkong's face turned ashen; he knew that arguing any further would only put him in a more passive position.

So he took a deep breath and forced a smile: "Since Sect Leader Zhang says so, then so be it. We will not pursue this matter any further."

Zhang Taixuan turned to Shen Mo, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes: "Shen Mo, what do you think about the compensation?"

Shen Mo smiled slightly and replied respectfully, "Thank you, Sect Leader Zhang, for clearing my name. I will remember this in my heart. As for compensation, I have no further requests. I only hope that the devil can give me an explanation."

Zhang Taixuan nodded in agreement, instantly exuding the aura of a leader, as unshakable as a mountain: "In that case, bring that demon over here, and I will interrogate him personally."

Situ Changkong was extremely uneasy, but faced with Zhang Taixuan's status as an elder of the Martial Arts Alliance, he ultimately dared not act rashly. At this moment, a trace of panic flashed in his eyes, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists, as if making final preparations for any unexpected situation.

Several inspectors quickly escorted Ling Tiancheng before Zhang Taixuan. Ling Tiancheng hung his head, staggered, his clothes were tattered, and his face was covered in blood, making him look utterly wretched. However, a hint of cunning and resentment shone in his eyes.

"Ling Tiancheng," Zhang Taixuan's voice boomed like a great bell, shaking the very soul, "Speak!"

Ling Tiancheng raised his head, his gaze flickering as he tried to avoid Zhang Taixuan's sharp eyes. He feigned ignorance at first, saying in a hoarse voice, "What is it? What instructions does Sect Leader Zhang have?"

Zhang Taixuan sneered, his tone icy: "I heard you confessed that a spies from the Demonic Cult have infiltrated the school. Give me their full names or detailed descriptions."

Ling Tiancheng's expression changed slightly, but he still tried to remain calm: "Sect Leader Zhang, I am only truthfully stating what I know. I do not know the spy's name or appearance."

Zhang Taixuan slowly took a step forward, each step seeming to strike a chord in Ling Tiancheng's heart, causing him to involuntarily take a few steps back. "Ling Tiancheng, you don't even know their name or appearance, so how dare you claim that a spy from the Demonic Cult has infiltrated the academy?"

Seeing a flicker of nervousness in Ling Tiancheng's eyes, Zhang Taixuan continued in a deep and authoritative voice, "The justice of the martial world cannot be tarnished. If you dare to lie, you will pay the price. I'll give you one more chance. Why did you accuse a cult spy of the Demonic Sect of infiltrating the academy?"

Ling Tiancheng's face grew increasingly pale, and sweat poured down his forehead. After a moment's internal struggle, he finally couldn't help but speak, "Sect Leader Zhang, I was forced into this situation!"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell into a deathly silence, like the calm before a storm, suffocatingly so.

Zhang Taixuan's gaze swept over Ling Tiancheng like a blade: "Forced into it? Then who exactly forced you?"

Ling Tiancheng gritted his teeth and finally chose to confess: "It was...it was Situ Changkong. He said that as long as I was willing to cooperate with him to frame Shen Mo, he would let me go."

These words caused an uproar in the training ground. Everyone was utterly astonished, staring at the scene in disbelief. Situ Changkong's heart tightened, and his expression turned even more grim.

"You said you were forced by Situ Changkong?" Zhang Taixuan's voice grew even deeper, carrying an irresistible force. "Then tell me in detail how you were forced?"

Ling Tiancheng took a deep breath, seemingly having made up his mind, and began to explain in detail: "Situ Changkong found me and asked me to identify a man named Shen Mo as a spy for the Demonic Sect. He also gave me a Qi-Nourishing Pill to restore some of my power, on the condition that I cooperate with his plan. He promised that if I could successfully identify Shen Mo, he would give me my freedom."

Zhang Taixuan's eyes were filled with anger: "Continue!"

Ling Tiancheng continued, "He arranged for me to meet Shen Mo, so that I could transfer my demonic arts and energy into Shen Mo's body through contact. That way, when I accused him of practicing demonic arts, I could produce evidence that would make it impossible for Shen Mo to clear his name."

Everyone stared in shock, especially the young people who had previously harbored doubts about Shen Mo, who were now filled with shame. They lowered their eyes, unable to meet Shen Mo's clear and calm gaze—they had almost become accomplices in the conspiracy because of their momentary gullibility.

"So... it was a frame-up." Someone murmured softly, their tone full of regret and lingering fear.

Just then, Situ Changkong's face turned completely gloomy, as if dark clouds were pressing down and a thunderbolt was about to explode at any moment. He glared fiercely at Ling Tiancheng, his eyes almost spitting fire: "Ling Tiancheng! Stop talking nonsense! You're actually trying to sow discord here!" His voice was low and angry, but he couldn't hide a trace of panic in it.

Just as the situation was becoming increasingly tense, a calm and authoritative voice came from behind the crowd: "Shut up!"

Hearing the sound, everyone looked over and saw a middle-aged man in a dark blue robe with a stern face slowly walk out of the crowd. His steps were steady and powerful, each step seeming to tread on people's hearts, bringing an invisible pressure. This man was none other than Situ Dengfeng—Situ Changkong's master, and a highly respected senior in the martial arts world.

Closely following him was a young girl dressed in white. Her features were exquisite, and her demeanor was elegant and refined; it was Situ Meng. A hint of doubt and unease lingered on her face, her eyes revealing her bewilderment and worry about the scene before her.

Situ Dengfeng walked up to Situ Changkong, his gaze stern as he stared at him, his voice low and authoritative: "Changkong! Is what Ling Tiancheng said true?"

Situ Changkong gritted his teeth, his hands clenched into fists until his knuckles turned white, but he ultimately couldn't refute Ling Tiancheng's testimony. He knew that arguing any further would only put him in a more passive position. So, he took a deep breath, shifted his gaze elsewhere, and dared not look directly at Situ Dengfeng.