131: Chapter 131 Turning the Tables

Turning the Tables

"This... it really is possible."

He began to examine the contents of the letters carefully once more.

Finally, in one of them, Zhao Yan's name was explicitly mentioned. It contained a plan targeting the Disciples of the Qinglan Sword Sect and Li Changsheng, instructing him to execute it as planned. The signature was from the Blood Fiend Sect.

"This letter is enough."

Li Changsheng carefully put away the letter. Then he picked up the Image Recording Stone and scrutinized it.

There wasn't much footage recorded in the Image Recording Stone, only a short dozen or so breaths' worth.

It was the scene of Zhao Yan leading three men in black to surround and kill him. The image was somewhat blurry, but it was enough to clearly see Zhao Yan's face.

This item could be said to be one of his most important pieces of evidence.

Li Changsheng hid the final two pieces of evidence close to his body, planning to hide them in a secret place just in case of an accident.

He divided the token from the edge and the other two letters into two portions. One portion was hidden inside the Tool Storehouse where he lived.

The other portion was kept close to his person. A wily rabbit has three burrows; this was to prevent it from being found if he were searched one day.

Moreover, these two portions of evidence were both feints intended to confuse the opponent and lower their guard.

After finishing all this, he stood up, pushed open the door, and looked toward the distant Wanqi Peak.

The lights there were still brightly lit, and the rhythmic clanging of blacksmithing continued.

He took a deep breath and clenched his fists.

"Bring it on."

"No matter what you want to do, I'll take it on."

Several days later.

In the Tool Storehouse where Li Changsheng lived, the decoy evidence he had previously placed was gone.

"As expected!"

Zhao Guangyuan had already quietly sneaked into my residence to find and destroy any overlooked evidence.

But he had long been prepared. He hid the Image Recording Stone himself and gave the letter that explicitly mentioned Zhao Yan to Liu Qingchen to keep safe.

The next day was the middle of the month.

This was the day for the Hall of Law Enforcement's routine meetings.

Elders and Deacons from each peak gathered together to handle backlogged files and disputes.

Such an occasion was most suitable for making a final, decisive decision.

Li Changsheng was watering the tea trees in the spiritual fields when suddenly, a Disciple from the Hall of Law Enforcement arrived with a summons.

"Li Changsheng, the Hall of Law Enforcement summons you. Go there immediately. Do not delay."

The Disciple delivering the message was an unfamiliar face, speaking with a stern, businesslike tone.

"Alright."

Li Changsheng set down the bucket, an ominous premonition rising in his heart.

What was meant to come had finally arrived.

He went back to the Tool Storehouse to change into a clean robe, retrieved the remaining Image Recording Stone and several other pieces of evidence, and hid them close to his body.

Then, taking a deep breath, he walked toward the Hall of Law Enforcement.

Along the way, many Disciples cast strange looks at him.

Some were whispering, and others were pointing.

News traveled faster than the wind: Li Changsheng had been accused—accused of killing Zhao Yan and of colluding with the Blood Fiend Sect.

Li Changsheng's expression was calm, his pace neither fast nor slow.

Only those with a guilty conscience need to panic.

He had no such ghosts in his heart.

The Hall of Law Enforcement was located in the core area of the Sect, a magnificent and imposing hall.

Two stone lions stood before the hall, baring their fangs and claws with majestic authority.

The hall doors were wide open, and low-voiced discussions could be faintly heard from within.

When Li Changsheng stepped into the hall, everyone's gaze fell upon him.

Seven or eight people were sitting inside the hall.

In the central main seat was an old man with white hair and beard. His face was solemn, and his Aura was unfathomable; he was the Head of the Hall of Law Enforcement, Elder Qin, in the Middle Stage of the Golden Core.

On either side of him sat Elders and Deacons from various peaks; some Li Changsheng recognized, others he did not.

Standing in a lower position to the left was someone he was all too familiar with.

Zhao Guangyuan.

He was still dressed in a green robe, his face solemn and devoid of expression.

But a nearly imperceptible coldness flashed in his eyes when he looked at Li Changsheng.

Li Changsheng withdrew his gaze, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed.

"Disciple Li Changsheng greets Elder Qin, and all the Elders and Deacons."

Elder Qin nodded, his voice deep and resonant.

"Li Changsheng, you have been summoned today because there is an old case that needs to be cleared up."

He paused, his gaze like lightning.

"One year ago, the Outer Sect Disciple Zhao Yan died within a Secret Realm. At the time, the investigation yielded no results and the case was closed hastily."

"But recently, new evidence and witnesses have appeared, suggesting there is more to this case than meets the eye."

He looked toward Zhao Guangyuan.

"Zhao Guangyuan, you speak."

Zhao Guangyuan took a step forward, cupped his hands to Elder Qin, and then turned to face Li Changsheng.

"Elder Qin, Elders."

He spoke, his voice filled with grief.

"One year ago, my nephew Zhao Yan entered the Secret Realm with the group and never returned."

"At the time, it was assumed he died an accidental death. Though I was heartbroken, I was helpless."

"But recently, through extensive investigation, I have finally found the truth."

He pointed at Li Changsheng, saying word by word,

"The one who killed my nephew is him, Li Changsheng!"

A commotion broke out in the hall.

Elder Qin raised his hand to suppress the discussion and said calmly,

"What evidence do you have?"

Zhao Guangyuan took several items from his robe and presented them with both hands.

"These are four testimonies from four Disciples who were also in the Secret Realm at the time."

"They saw with their own eyes Li Changsheng killing Zhao Yan."

Elder Qin took the testimonies, looked over them one by one, and then passed them to the Elders on either side for review.

Zhao Guangyuan continued,

"Besides this, I have a witness. Wang Tong, come forward."

A thin young man walked in from outside the hall, his head lowered, trembling with fear.

It was precisely that Disciple Zhao Guangyuan had bribed.

"Wang Tong,"

Zhao Guangyuan looked at him.

"Tell us once more what you saw that day."

Wang Tong swallowed hard and said in a small voice,

"That... that day... I was near the Rocky Beach when I saw Li Changsheng and Senior Brother Zhao Yan fighting."

"Li Changsheng... Li Changsheng pierced Senior Brother Zhao Yan's throat with a sword."

"When Senior Brother Zhao Yan fell, there were several men in black nearby who were already dead."

"Those men in black were wearing the clothes of the Blood Fiend Sect..."

His voice grew smaller as he spoke, until it was almost inaudible at the end.

Zhao Guangyuan looked at him, his gaze deep.

"You mean to say Li Changsheng killed Zhao Yan, and there were people from the Blood Fiend Sect at the scene?"

Wang Tong nodded.

"Ye-yes..."

Another commotion broke out in the hall.

Zhao Guangyuan turned around to face the Elders, his voice filled with grief and indignation.

"Elders, the matter is already very clear."

"Li Changsheng colluded with the Blood Fiend Sect to murder a fellow Disciple in the Secret Realm."

"My nephew Zhao Yan must have discovered his secret, which is why he met such a cruel end!"

He looked at Li Changsheng, his eyes full of killing intent.

"Li Changsheng, what else do you have to say?"

Everyone's gaze fell upon Li Changsheng once again.

Li Changsheng stood there, his expression still calm.

Only after Zhao Guangyuan finished speaking did he slowly open his mouth.

"Uncle Zhao, are you finished?"

Zhao Guangyuan sneered.

"I'm finished. What more do you have to quibble about?"

Li Changsheng ignored him and instead turned to Elder Qin, bowing.

"Elder Qin, this Disciple has a few questions for Uncle Zhao. I wonder if I may?"

Elder Qin nodded: "Ask."

Li Changsheng turned to look at Zhao Guangyuan.

"Uncle Zhao, you say I colluded with the Blood Fiend Sect and murdered a fellow Disciple in the Secret Realm."

"Then I would like to ask, why would I want to kill Zhao Yan?"

Zhao Guangyuan said coldly,

"Because he discovered your secret, and you wanted to kill him to silence him."

Li Changsheng continued to ask,

"What secret?"

Zhao Guangyuan said,

"The secret of your collusion with the Blood Fiend Sect."

Li Changsheng said,

"Then does Uncle Zhao have any evidence to prove I colluded with the Blood Fiend Sect?"

Zhao Guangyuan faltered.

Li Changsheng continued,

"Uncle Zhao said just now that there were people from the Blood Fiend Sect at the scene."

"Then I would like to ask, who killed those people from the Blood Fiend Sect?"

Zhao Guangyuan said,

"Naturally, Zhao Yan killed them."

Li Changsheng said,

"If I had colluded with the Blood Fiend Sect, why would I wait until Zhao Yan finished killing the Blood Fiend Sect people before I made my move to kill him?"

Zhao Guangyuan's expression changed slightly.

Li Changsheng pressed on relentlessly.

"Furthermore, Uncle Zhao said just now that Wang Tong and the others saw me kill Zhao Yan with their own eyes."

"Then I would like to ask, did they see the scene where Zhao Yan led people to surround and kill me?"

Zhao Guangyuan's face completely changed.

Li Changsheng took an item from his robe and presented it with both hands.

"Elder Qin, this Disciple has evidence to present."