77: Chapter 77 Forging Ironclad Evidence, Using One Tiger to Devour Another

"Forge evidence and frame Zhao Kun!"

Although this plan is risky, it is the most effective way to disrupt the opponent's rhythm, create chaos, secure a chance of survival for himself and Elder Liu, and perhaps even take down Zhao Kun in one fell swoop!

He possesses "evidence" (a finger bone and a metal shard) retrieved from the Nether Ravine that might be linked to the Yinkui Sect and the mastermind behind the scenes. With a little "processing," it could become "ironclad evidence" pointing toward Zhao Kun.

By cleverly "leaking" it so that forces loyal to the Sect or those with a grudge against Zhao Kun obtain it, it would surely stir up a massive storm!

This is a strategy of driving the tiger to devour the wolf and pulling chestnuts from the fire!

Lin Ye's thoughts raced, and in an instant, he had a complete plan.

He first sought out an extremely secluded cave, set up a simple Restriction, and began "processing" the evidence.

He took out the pitch-black finger bone and the metal shard. The aura of the finger bone was upright and ancient, making it difficult to link directly to the Yinkui Sect. The markings on the metal shard were blurred and equally difficult to identify.

But he had a way.

He activated his "Fiery Golden Eyes" and scanned the metal shard carefully. Sure enough, in the most minute details, he discovered some runes that had been deliberately worn down but still had residual traces. The style of these runes was somewhat similar to the Yinkui Sect's Cultivation Technique and the ghost-face runes he had seen at the entrance of the Nether Ravine!

He carefully used a wisp of his Great Sun Golden Flame's fire energy, combined with pure Qi, to simulate the cold, erosive nature of the Yinkui Sect. He very subtly "activated" and "deepened" the traces of these runes, making them look more like some secret contact or identity marker of the Yinkui Sect. At the same time, on the inside of the finger bone, he used the same method to carve an extremely tiny, incomplete Seal that was seventy percent similar to the Magical Artifact Seal Zhao Kun often used (he had seen Zhao Kun's Seal on documents at the Law Enforcement Hall).

Then, he took out a blank Jade Slip and, using his own Divine Sense, simulated a state of "panic" and "dying last words" to record a message within it:

"Elder Zhao... why kill me to silence me? The matter of the Nether Ravine... I have already carried it out... lured that Lin Han... to break the Seal... why must you still... exterminate our Sect's latent sleeper 'Chi Yang'... and seize my 'yin-underworld token' fragment... You are so ruthless... the Yinkui Sect will not let you go..."

The words were vague, but the amount of information was immense! It implied that Zhao Kun was an inside agent for the Yinkui Sect, had planned the Nether Ravine incident, killed "Chi Yang" to silence him, and snatched the key token, the "yin-underworld token" fragment (echoing the destroyed yin-underworld token at the Nether Ravine). And "Chi Yang" being a latent sleeper of the Yinkui Sect also echoed previous investigations.

Finally, he placed the processed metal shard, the finger bone, and this Jade Slip together into an ordinary Storage Pouch. In the corner of the Storage Pouch, using a concealment technique, he left a very faint scent of "Soul-Sinking Incense," a scent unique to Zhao Kun used for nourishing his natal Magical Artifact (he had noticed this when he was in close proximity to Zhao Kun at the Law Enforcement Hall).

The forged evidence was complete!

Next was how to "leak" it.

He needed to find a suitable "recipient" and a scene for an "accidental discovery."

The best candidate would be a Dark Hall Deacon who might be at odds with Zhao Kun or is relatively upright, or... that Elder Li (Chu Yun's Revered Master) who had once shown him kindness. But sending it directly was too risky.

Lin Ye thought of one person—Su Waner. She was meticulous, well-liked within the Sect, and had a close relationship with Chu Yun. Through her, the "evidence" could be delivered to Elder Li or a trustworthy Dark Hall Deacon in an "accidental" manner.

He immediately took out a communication Talisman and contacted Su Waner. The message in the Talisman simply read: "Senior Sister Su, while practicing sword in the back mountain, I accidentally found this pouch dropped by a heavily wounded, dying man in black. It contains strange objects, suspected to be related to the recent turmoil in the Sect. It is inconvenient for me to show my face; I have already hidden the pouch in a crevice under the 'Listening-to-the-Waves Stone' three miles east of Purple Bamboo Court, covered with moss. Please retrieve it quickly, Senior Sister, and hand it to your Revered Master or a trustworthy Senior. Do not let anyone know. Destroy this after reading."

He activated the communication Talisman and sent it toward Danxia Peak. Given Su Waner's personality, upon receiving this message, she would surely inform Chu Yun and Elder Li immediately and go to investigate.

After doing all this, Lin Ye did not linger. He immediately left the cave and sneaked off in the opposite direction of the Purple Bamboo Court. He needed to create an alibi while observing how the situation developed.

He hid on an isolated peak slightly far from Danxia Peak but from which he could vaguely see the direction of the Purple Bamboo Court, activating his "Fiery Golden Eyes" and powerful Divine Sense to watch from afar.

About an hour later, Lin Ye "saw" two familiar figures (Chu Yun and Su Waner) quietly leave Danxia Peak and head quickly toward the "Listening-to-the-Waves Stone" east of the Purple Bamboo Court. The two looked nervous, glancing back from time to time.

Soon, they found the Storage Pouch under the Listening-to-the-Waves Stone. After Su Waner carefully examined it, her expression changed drastically. After whispering a few words to Chu Yun, the two immediately put away the Storage Pouch and did not return to Danxia Peak, but instead turned toward "Green Wood Peak," where Elder Li resided.

Very good, the first step was successful.

Lin Ye waited patiently. He believed that with Elder Li's shrewdness and his dissatisfaction with Zhao Kun (from the previous dispute in the Council Hall), after obtaining this "evidence," he would never remain indifferent. He would likely contact other trustworthy Elders immediately, or even... report it directly to one of the Grand Elders or Dark Hall leaders currently presiding over Sect affairs (with the Sect Master in a coma, there must be a proxy).

Sure enough, an hour later, a faint but intense fluctuation of Qi came from the direction of Green Wood Peak. Several figures rose on swords, one of whose auras was clearly Elder Li's, and they flew straight toward the Law Enforcement Hall!

At the same time, the urgent sound of alarm bells rang out from the direction of the Law Enforcement Hall!

It was in chaos! It had started!

Lin Ye's spirits lifted as he continued to observe.

He saw Elder Li and the others land in front of the Law Enforcement Hall, seemingly getting into a dispute with the guards. Soon, more figures flew in from various peaks—Elders, Deacons, including even that Dark Hall Deacon who had interrogated him! Everyone gathered in front of the Law Enforcement Hall, discussing heatedly, the atmosphere heavy.

Clearly, the "evidence" had already caused a shock among the higher-ups!

Just then, a roar erupted from within the Law Enforcement Hall: "Elder Li Changqing! How dare you forge evidence to slander this seat?! You are courting death!"

It was Zhao Kun's voice!

Immediately following this, sounds of violent collisions of Qi and exploding Spells came from within the Law Enforcement Hall! They were fighting?!

Good! Dogs biting dogs!

Lin Ye sneered inwardly. Zhao Kun was guilty and, having been exposed in public, had indeed lost his composure!

The crowd in front of the Law Enforcement Hall was in an uproar. Several Elders tried to rush in to mediate but were forced back by the violent shockwaves of Qi. The entire Law Enforcement Hall was shrouded in a Formation, with light flashing chaotically. One could not see the specific situation inside, only hear the constant booming sounds, Zhao Kun's roars, Elder Li's sharp shouts, and the exclamations of others.

This infighting was exactly what Lin Ye wanted!

Taking advantage of this opportunity, perhaps he could...

He cast his gaze toward the area behind the Law Enforcement Hall, that dark region shrouded by even stricter Formations—where the Death Prison was located!

With the Law Enforcement Hall in chaos, the guards of the Death Prison would inevitably have their attention diverted. It was the perfect time to sneak in and save people!

Lin Ye did not hesitate. His figure transformed into a faint shadow, and utilizing the remaining effect of the "shadowless veil" and a Stealth Talisman, he quietly snuck toward the Death Prison.

Along the way, he indeed saw many Law Enforcement Disciples looking toward the main hall, their expressions suspicious, their vigilance significantly relaxed.

He easily avoided several sentry posts and arrived near the entrance of the Death Prison. There were two Foundation Establishment Early Stage Deacons guarding the entrance, who were currently craning their necks toward the main hall and whispering to each other.

"What's going on inside? Why are Elder Zhao and Elder Li fighting?"

"I heard Elder Li got hold of ironclad evidence that Elder Zhao colluded with the Yinkui Sect from somewhere..."

"Shh! Watch your words! But... if that's true, then Elder Liu..."

Opportunity!

Lin Ye seized the moment when the two were distracted, pushed his speed to the limit, and simultaneously activated another high-grade Talisman given to him by Master Lingxiao—the "Instant Movement Talisman"!

Hum!

His figure was like a ghost, skimming past the two Deacons, so fast that he left only an imperceptible ripple in the air. The two Deacons only felt a light breeze pass by and looked back in confusion, but they saw nothing.

Lin Ye had already glided like a fish into the deep, blood-scented, and decaying passage of the Death Prison.

The interior passages of the Death Prison were intricate, dark, and damp, with prison cells on both sides sealed by heavy iron doors and Restrictions, from which painful groans or crazy roars emanated from time to time.

Lin Ye had a powerful Divine Soul and an amazing memory, quickly judging the location where Elder Liu might be imprisoned. Usually, important prisoners were held at the lowest level, where the Restrictions were strongest.

He avoided the sparse guards and snuck toward the depths underground.

The further down he went, the fewer the guards, but the stronger the Restrictions. However, these Restrictions were mostly designed to Seal prisoners from the inside and were not top-tier for external defense. Moreover, it seemed that due to the turmoil in the main hall, the energy supply was somewhat unstable.

Lin Ye used his "Fiery Golden Eyes" to find the weak points in the Restrictions, then carefully eroded and interfered with them using Qi imbued with the aura of the Great Sun Golden Flame. Combined with a "Restriction-Breaking Order" (effective against some Sect Restrictions), he actually made it to the lowest level of the Death Prison without incident.

There were only three separate cells here, and the light of the Restrictions was clearly stronger than on the upper levels.

Lin Ye's Divine Sense swept over, and in the innermost cell, he sensed a familiar but weak aura—Elder Liu!

His heart leaped with joy, and he was about to step forward.

Suddenly, from another cell nearby, a hoarse, low voice came:

"Kid... are you here to save Liu Changqing?"

Lin Ye was startled and turned his head abruptly. He saw that in the cell next to him, an old man with disheveled hair, whose face could not be seen clearly but who had a burly figure, was staring at him coldly through the gaps in the iron window. The old man was wrapped in heavy rune chains, his aura obscure, but he gave Lin Ye an extremely dangerous feeling.

Who was this person? Why was he imprisoned here? And it seemed his Divine Sense had not been completely sealed, as he could detect his arrival?

"Who is Senior?" Lin Ye asked vigilantly, his hand already gripping the flame sovereign sword.

"Heh... who this old man is, is not important." The old man chuckled lowly, his voice carrying a peculiar magnetism. "What is important is, do you want to... play a bigger game?"

A bigger game?

Lin Ye's eyes narrowed. This mysterious old man seemed to know something, and... had a scheme.

"What does Senior mean?" Lin Ye asked in a deep voice.

"Zhao Kun colluding with the Yinkui Sect, framing loyalists, assassinating the Sect Master... these are all your doing, right?" The old man's words were shocking, pointing it out directly. "The methods are not bad, but the timing is still a bit off. Although Zhao Kun is in trouble, he has been operating in the Dark Hall and the Law Enforcement Hall for many years, his roots are deep, and he has a stronger backer. Just relying on that forged evidence and an infighting won't take him down, let alone save Liu Changqing. Once they recover and investigate, your little tricks won't be able to hide for long."

Lin Ye's heart turned cold. This old man's eyes were sharp, and his judgment of the situation was precise.

"Then what is Senior's brilliant advice?"

"It's not so much brilliant advice, just pointing you toward a clear path." The old man's eyes burned. "In this lowest level of the Death Prison, besides holding people, some... unspeakable things are sealed, including some of Zhao Kun's secret account books from these years, correspondence tokens, and even... evidence of his contact with foreign domains. These things were hidden by him using special methods, and even the Dark Hall hasn't found them all. If you can get them, that would be the true 'ironclad evidence'!"

"Where are the things?" Lin Ye's heartbeat accelerated.

"Right under this cell, beneath the third floor tile, there is a secret compartment that can only be opened with Zhao Kun's natal essence blood or his unique Spell." The old man said, "However, this old man is trapped by these 'Spirit-Sealing Chains,' my essence blood is sealed, and I don't know the Spell. But... you possess a strange flame, extremely Yang and rigid, perhaps you can try to forcibly burn and destroy the Restriction on that secret compartment. It's just that the commotion will be great, and once triggered, Zhao Kun will surely sense it."

Forcibly destroy? The commotion would be great, it would alert Zhao Kun?

But if he could get the real ironclad evidence, taking this risk was worth it!

"Why would Senior want to help me?" Lin Ye asked the most critical question.

"Help?" The old man chuckled lowly, carrying a trace of self-mockery and hatred. "This old man just wants to use your hand to cause some trouble for that bastard Zhao Kun, and by the way... see if there is a chance to leave this damn place. Don't worry, this old man has a blood feud with Zhao Kun and will definitely not harm you."

Lin Ye's eyes flickered as he weighed the options quickly. The old man's identity was mysterious, his words hard to distinguish as true or false, but what he said about the secret compartment might be true. Moreover, he didn't seem to have a better choice.

Should he take the risk to try and retrieve the ironclad evidence from the secret compartment, or save Elder Liu and leave first?

If he took the ironclad evidence, he might not be able to save Elder Liu, and he would expose himself.

If he only saved Elder Liu, he might miss the chance to completely take down Zhao Kun.

Just as he was hesitating,

From the passage above, sudden rapid footsteps and shouts erupted!

"Quick! Seal the Death Prison! Someone has broken in! Search every cell!"

It was the reinforcements from the Law Enforcement Hall! The chaos in the main hall seemed to have been temporarily suppressed?!

Time was running out!