In front of the Zhenyue Sect’s mountain gate.
The carriage stopped. A tall Fierce Beast stood quietly beside it, an aura of ferocity and brutality naturally emanating from it. Flanking the carriage were armored generals and Demon Hunters from the Demon-Subduing Division, standing at attention.
Although the Disciples of the Zhenyue Sect did not retreat, panic was evident on each of their faces. They had the entire Zhenyue Sect behind them, their only refuge. Otherwise, they might have scattered and fled already.
Ti passed. When Lin Yue arrived with his people, he found the two sides in a standoff. His pupils visibly constricted, especially upon seeing the Fierce Beast in front of the carriage.
As the leader of a sect, how could Lin Yue not recognize a Tiankui?
A Four-Winged Tiankui. A powerhouse at the Grandmaster Peak Realm.
Setting aside everything else, if this one Fierce Beast were to unleash its full fury, the Zhenyue Sect was not confident it could subdue it.
To put it another way, even if they barely managed to subdue it, the Zhenyue Sect would suffer devastating losses.
A Fierce Beast at Grandmaster Peak.
Not just anyone could contend with it.
Even Lin Yue himself had not reached the Grandmaster Peak level.
The Tiankui had arrived.
So, it went without saying who sat within the carriage.
The Sect Leader of the Zhenyue Sect put on an enthusiastic smile, stepped forward a few paces, and clasped his fists. "I am Lin Yue, Sect Leader of the Zhenyue Sect. May I ask if Defender Shen Changqing has arrived?"
His voice faded, but no response ca from the carriage. Everyone around remained eerily silent; not a single person spoke.
Seeing this, a trace of embarrassnt flickered across Lin Yue’s face, though he quickly recovered. "The Zhenyue Sect was unaware of Defender Shen’s arrival and may have shown disrespect. I hope Defender Shen will be magnanimous."
"The Zhenyue Sect has indeed been quite disrespectful," a calm voice drifted from inside the carriage.
Then, before Lin Yue could reply, Shen Changqing spoke again. "Sect Leader Lin, please have all the people on the list brought out."
As he finished speaking, the carriage curtain fluttered, and a folded white paper floated directly towards Lin Yue.
First, he heard words he didn’t quite understand, then he saw the white paper flying at him. Without much thought, Lin Yue reached out, caught the paper, and unfolded it.
On the white paper were densely packed nas.
This only deepened the doubts in his heart.
"May I ask Defender Shen, have these people offended the Demon-Subduing Division?" Lin Yue imdiately tried to distance himself. "I truly don’t know the specifics of this matter. However, if they have indeed offended the Division, I will certainly not shield them."
Then, he handed the white paper to an Elder and said coldly, "Go. Find everyone on this list for ."
"Yes!" The Elder, noticing so familiar nas, didn’t give it a second thought and turned to leave.
Imdiately, Lin Yue forced a placating smile. "Rest assured, Defender Shen, if everyone on the list is within the Zhenyue Sect, I will have them brought to you imdiately. This is not the place to talk. Perhaps we should proceed to the Inner Hall to sit down?"
He had no intention of offending the Demon-Subduing Division. If any Disciples had truly offended the Division, they would have to be sacrificed. Facing a behemoth like the Demon-Subduing Division, the Zhenyue Sect was simply no match. Even if it ant appearing subservient before all his Disciples, Lin Yue could only grit his teeth and accept it.
He would find a way to regain his lost face later.
When circumstances were overwhelmingly against you, you had to recognize your own status and position.
"There’s no need. This official will wait here," Shen Changqing said indifferently, still not erging from the carriage.
Hearing this, Lin Yue couldn’t insist further.
Ti slowly passed. In less than an hour, dozens of Zhenyue Sect Disciples had been escorted over.
"Sect Leader, all the Disciples on the list have been found."
"Good." Lin Yue nodded, his cold gaze sweeping over the terrified Disciples. He then turned to the carriage, his placating smile still in place. "Defender Shen, the people you asked for have all been brought here."
As he spoke, the curtains parted as if moved by an unseen wind. Shen Changqing slowly walked out, appearing before everyone.
An intangible pressure emanated from him, making the hearts of the Zhenyue Sect mbers tremble.
This was the oppression of a powerful expert.
Even a re glance, a single expression, could exert enormous pressure on the weak.
Upon seeing Shen Changqing, Lin Yue also felt distinct pressure. But as the Sect Leader of the Zhenyue Sect, no matter how great the pressure, he had to endure it.
"Is everyone here?" Shen Changqing asked, his gaze falling upon the bound, pale-faced Zhenyue Sect Disciples, his own expression unchanging.
At this, Lin Yue nodded. "Everyone on the list has arrived."
He then turned to the Disciples. "Down on your knees and beg Defender Shen for forgiveness!"
"Defender Shen, spare our lives—"
Although those Disciples didn’t understand the situation, the overwhelming pressure instinctively made them want to kneel.
However, just as they were about to kneel, they found an invisible force holding them up, preventing them from doing so.
Before these people could comprehend what was happening, they saw Shen Changqing wave his hand.
Suddenly, all their ropes snapped and fell to the ground.
"You may all leave. What happens next does not concern you," Shen Changqing said, his expression indifferent.
Although the Disciples were full of questions, they dared not ask. Seeing the surrounding Demon-Subduing Division guards clear a path, they departed shakily. They worried that the other party might suddenly attack them as they left. But by the ti they had completely left the Zhenyue Sect, no such incident had occurred.
A long mont of silence passed. Then, the Disciples broke into a run and fled.
Zhenyue Sect Disciples? Demon-Subduing Division guards? None of it had anything to do with them anymore.
A mont ago, Lin Yue’s intentions were clear: to sacrifice them for the Zhenyue Sect’s safety.
Even their Sect Leader had handed them over without asking why.
To say it wasn’t disheartening would be a lie.
Moreover, they were low-ranking Disciples within the Zhenyue Sect, never receiving any significant attention.
They hadn’t defected before solely due to the Zhenyue Sect’s intimidation.
Now that Shen Changqing had personally let them go, these Disciples wouldn’t hesitate.
Watching those Disciples escape, Lin Yue looked astonished.
He had assud these people had offended the Demon-Subduing Division, which was why Shen Changqing had co for them.
For this reason, he had ordered these Disciples to be rounded up and handed over to the Demon-Subduing Division for disposal.
In Lin Yue’s eyes, these Disciples should have been dead n walking.
Yet, Shen Changqing had let them go.
Seeing this, Lin Yue felt no relief; instead, the ominous premonition in his heart intensified.
"Defender Shen?" he asked cautiously.
Shen Changqing glanced at him, then at the other Zhenyue Sect Disciples. "Great Qin’s law stipulates that if Demon Evil wreaks havoc in a region, Jianghu forces must act to exterminate the Demon Evil and protect the local populace. Those who stand by and allow Demon Evil to run rampant shall be judged as having betrayed the Human Clan."
"Previously, when chaos erupted in Yong’an City, a Demon Hunter ca seeking aid. Yet the Zhenyue Sect turned a blind eye, sending only a few Disciples at the Body Tempering Realm and Pulse Condensation Realm to subdue the Demon Evil. Does Sect Leader Lin have any explanation for this?" Shen Changqing asked, his gaze returning to Lin Yue.
Here it cos! Lin Yue’s heart sank. As soon as Shen Changqing spoke, he understood his true purpose.
Indeed, his past actions had co back to haunt him.
Composing himself, Lin Yue said in a deep voice, "Defender Shen, it’s not that the Zhenyue Sect was unwilling to help, but at that ti, Demon Evil was also ravaging the area around our sect, so we couldn’t spare anyone. Once we eliminated that Demon Evil, the Zhenyue Sect imdiately dispatched strong cultivators as reinforcents. I urge Defender Shen to ascertain the facts."
This explanation seed reasonable and well-founded.
Shen Changqing smiled faintly. "Steward Xing, is what he says true?"
"Nothing but lies," Xing Yi said coldly. "The Zhenyue Sect has never had any Demon Evil incidents. When Demon Evil was rampant in Yong’an City, the Zhenyue Sect sealed its mountain and refused to act. Their cri is irrefutable. Furthermore, according to intelligence from the Heavenly Inspection Guard, the Zhenyue Sect has long intended to join the Heaven Alliance."
"Vile slander!" Lin Yue’s expression changed drastically; his face flushed with anger. His thoughts of joining the Heaven Alliance were rely that—thoughts. He hadn’t taken any concrete action. If this accusation was substantiated today, he would be in deep trouble.
Imdiately, Lin Yue cupped his fists and said, "Our Zhenyue Sect has always been loyal to the Imperial Court, with no rebellious intent. I hope Defender Shen will see this clearly."
"Whether or not you intend to join the Heaven Alliance can be discussed later. Right now, this official is only concerned with the matter of the Demon Evil," Shen Changqing raised his hand, interrupting Lin Yue. His gaze fell upon Lin Yue, heavy with pressure. "Regarding the Heavenly Inspection Guard’s statents, does Sect Leader Lin have any defense?"
"I, Lin Yue, have a clear conscience regarding my actions. I regret that I cannot provide evidence to refute these claims. If Defender Shen chooses to believe these slanders and take action against the Zhenyue Sect, then I have nothing more to say, except that justice resides in the hearts of the people." Lin Yue declared, holding his head high, his previous humility gone.
The Demon-Subduing Division had undoubtedly co to condemn them.
However, they lacked substantial evidence; right and wrong, black and white, were all up to his interpretation.
As long as he stood firm, even the Demon-Subduing Division couldn’t touch the Zhenyue Sect.
The Demon-Subduing Division also had its reputation to maintain.
If they acted against a sect without any evidence, it would cause considerable trouble once word got out.
Just as Lin Yue had resolved his stance, Shen Changqing nodded slightly. "Very well. Since Sect Leader Lin has admitted to it, then this official will say no more. The Zhenyue Sect stood by as Demon Evil wreaked havoc, sealing its mountain and refusing to act. According to Great Qin law, this constitutes betrayal of the Human Clan.
"The Zhenyue Sect now has two choices. First, all Stewards and those of higher rank must atone with their lives. In that case, the Demon-Subduing Division may show leniency and let the others go.
"Second, if you offer stubborn resistance, your entire sect will be exterminated!"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the Zhenyue Sect turned pale.
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