164: Something is wrong

As time passed, Xu Sanyan's patience gradually ran out. He stood up and said, "Elder Song, you can ponder here. I have other matters to attend to. I hope to receive a satisfactory answer when I return."

Song Wuqiu gritted his teeth. He knew Elder Wu too well. He had already offended him by not following his orders before. The only reason he wasn't blamed at the time was due to Xu Sanyan's external threat.

Once this matter was concluded, his position as Hall Master would likely be forfeit.

If Xu Sanyan won, he would definitely be removed from his position. If Elder Wu won, he would also face a reckoning. It was better to harden his heart and pledge allegiance to the Saint; at least there was still a chance to keep his position.

Song Wuqiu straightened up and deliberated, "The accounts are fake. Last year, a total profit of 160,000 Spirit Stones was made, of which 40,000 were taken by Elder Wu and the rest were equally distributed among the Elders!"

Xu Sanyan stopped, pointed to a chair nearby, and said, "Sit down and speak."

He was no longer in a hurry to confront the Affairs Hall. If Song Wuqiu defected, Elder Wu's faction would be close to collapse. As an Elder of a Hall, the inside information he possessed was enough to bring Elder Wu down.

"This old man is guilty and dares not sit."

Song Wuqiu adopted a very humble posture, completely devoid of the demeanor expected of a Soul Refinement Realm Cultivator in the early stage.

Only then did Xu Sanyan finally smile and say to Meng Zhuer, "Why are you standing there? Hurry and make tea for Elder Song, make Sea Flower Tea."

"Yes, Master."

Xu Sanyan smiled, stepped forward, and took Song Wuqiu's hand, "Since you have abandoned darkness and embraced light, the past will be forgiven. Now it depends on whether you can atone for your sins and render meritorious service. If you succeed, this Saint will certainly ensure your position as Hall Master is not lost!"

Xu Sanyan's gaze was earnest, and his words were resolute.

"Is what the Saint said true?"

What Song Wuqiu wanted was this promise. He wasn't worried about his own life; even if old scores were brought up, it wouldn't cost him his life.

His purpose in coming here was to keep his position as Hall Master, and the same applied to Elder Wu. At most, Xu Sanyan would remove him from his position as Hall Master; he couldn't simply kill him with one blow.

No matter what, Elder Wu was a dignified Soul Refinement Realm Elder. How could he be executed for embezzling some Spirit Stones?

Not to mention the Sect rules didn't allow it, even the Mad Daoist wouldn't do such a thing. The Soul Refinement Realm was the backbone of the Sect.

The Elders dispatched by the Sect to guard various places were all in the Soul Refinement Realm, such as the business manager in Sanshan City. If something happened to Elder Wu and others, according to Sect rules, they would merely be reassigned to another location.

Xu Sanyan nodded heavily, "The Hall Master ordered me to take charge of Red Dragon Mountain, but Elder Wu and others are determined to oppose me, so I had no choice but to contend with them. We are all from the same lineage. As the Saint, how could I be willing to engage in internal strife?"

"Elder Song is so righteous and willing to step forward to quell the conflict by directly exposing Elder Wu. This is truly admirable. The position of Hall Master of the Corpse Blood Hall is not enough to commend your merits. If this matter succeeds, Elder Song should take charge of the Affairs Hall!"

Xu Sanyan tightly held his hand, painting a grand picture with his words.

The Affairs Hall was considered the foremost among all Halls. Apart from the Hall Master and the Saint, his power would be the greatest.

Song Wuqiu was stunned, feeling that something was amiss. When had he ever said he would come forward to expose them?

If he were to come forward and expose them, wouldn't that completely offend Elder Wu and the others?

He could reveal some information, but he absolutely couldn't personally come forward to expose them. Had the Saint misunderstood something?

Song Wuqiu felt it was very necessary to explain and quickly began, "Saint, you might have misunderstood. What this old man meant was..."

Xu Sanyan took the tea brewed by Meng Zhuer from behind him and personally placed it on the table, listening very attentively to him, showing great respect for Song Wuqiu.

Seeing this, Song Wuqiu swallowed the rest of his words, and at the same time, sighed heavily in his heart. Xu Sanyan's current demeanor was undoubtedly putting him in a difficult position.

It was like an emperor personally serving tea to a minister, clearly asking for a favor. If you agreed, all would be well and everyone would be happy. If you refused...

You wouldn't have a good outcome.

Song Wuqiu had already offended Elder Wu. If he were to offend Xu Sanyan again, then there would truly be no place for him on Red Dragon Mountain.

He could only say with a heavy tone, "If this old man comes forward to expose them, I'm afraid I will face retaliation from Elder Wu and others..."

Xu Sanyan comforted him, "Elder Song, rest assured, once this matter is concluded, I will immediately transfer them away. You, old sir, need not worry."

"This old man..."

Song Wuqiu's lips moved, still wanting to decline, but Xu Sanyan didn't give him the chance. He immediately slammed the table and finalized the decision, "Elder Song, are you going back on your word?"

Song Wuqiu felt disheartened, thinking, When did I agree?

Everything felt inexplicably strange yet logical.

Seeing his prolonged silence, Xu Sanyan assumed he had acquiesced. He turned to Liu Tang and said, "Gather all the Elders. Assemble at Crimson Heart Hall. This Saint wants to remove these parasites that cling to the Sect and suck its blood!"

"Yes, this old man will go arrange it now!" Liu Tang was decisive and turned to leave.

Song Wuqiu futilely stretched out his hand, wanting to call Liu Tang back, but he didn't know what to say.

Xu Sanyan was all smiles. Song Wuqiu's defection was unexpected, and he hadn't anticipated such a sudden surprise. With his testimony, it would be difficult for Elder Wu to turn the tables.

Xu Sanyan patted his shoulder and praised him, "Elder Song deserves the primary credit. Elder, please sit here for a moment while I go invite the Hall Master so that he can personally witness the evidence of Elder Wu and others' crimes."

At this point, Song Wuqiu had already given up struggling. Now, there was only one path to take, so he stood up and said, "This old man will go with the Saint."

"Good!" Xu Sanyan was overjoyed, understanding that Song Wuqiu had made up his mind.

He knew that to deal with someone like Song Wuqiu, he had to be forced, and his retreat completely cut off.

The two walked down the mountain, inquiring about the Hall Master's whereabouts along the way, and finally found the Mad Daoist sleeping soundly under a tree.

The Mad Daoist was addicted to alcohol and had a low tolerance. He often got dead drunk and would sleep wherever he collapsed. This was the Mad Daoist's usual habit.

Moreover, he didn't use his spiritual power to refine the alcohol Qi, perhaps he just enjoyed the feeling of being drunk.

Just as Xu Sanyan was about to go forward and wake him, in an instant, all the hairs on his body stood up with a "whoosh," as if countless sharp blades surrounded him, and a sense of crisis that pierced his mind made it difficult for him to take another step forward.

He had a feeling in his heart that if he took another step, he would die without a burial place!

Xu Sanyan quietly swallowed, his body already drenched in cold sweat. This was the first time he had felt the threat of death so closely.

Is this the power of the Void Amalgamation Realm?

Even when asleep, ordinary people found it difficult to get close.

Song Wuqiu was locked by the aura and dared not move either. Although he had the cultivation of the Soul Refinement Realm, seemingly only a step away from the Void Amalgamation, the difference between them was incomparable.

He could feel the Mad Daoist's terror even more directly!