Chapter Eighty-Nine: Suspicion

As soon as Auburn Hill spoke, everyone present was stunned. Not many had witnessed the scene of the Lie Family’s fighting technique being stolen firsthand, but through various channels and rumors, the news had spread throughout Changling City.

The story went that Lie Chen had won a high-level Xuan-tier fighting technique—Heaven and Earth Shift—at the auction and, on his way back, was ambushed by a mysterious figure in black robes who forced him to hand over the technique. Later, seven or eight Douluo-level elders of the Lie Family, including Lie Yun, appeared together to confront the black-robed stranger, but the opponent’s strength was uncanny. In the end, the mysterious individual snatched Lie Chen’s storage ring and departed with ease.

This enraged the Lie Family so much that they launched a city-wide search, but to this day, the black-robed figure had never been found. The matter was occasionally discussed in private, but few dared mention it in front of Lie Chen, for it was a humiliation to the family, a wound no one wished to reopen. Yet Auburn Hill, brazenly and in full view, brought it up.

More astonishing, however, was Auburn Hill’s suggestion—seemingly linking this incident to Maya and Suyi. It sounded absurd, but after today’s events, perhaps it wasn’t so unbelievable. Now, seeing Maya suddenly display such formidable strength, some began to suspect that Maya was at the Doulong level, just as the black-robed figure was rumored to be.

Though it was only conjecture, the consecutive appearances of Doulong-level experts might indeed suggest a connection. And then there was Suyi—who had suddenly grown so powerful. Had he really cultivated some extraordinary fighting technique?

True, none could sense fighting energy from Suyi, but Maya had been equally inscrutable before. If Maya had a secret method for concealing her energy, perhaps Suyi had used a similar technique.

For a moment, many perplexed and suspicious gazes swept over those atop the stone platform, focusing especially on Maya and Suyi.

On the platform, Lie Chen’s expression shifted slightly. He didn’t entirely believe Auburn Hill’s words, recognizing the attempt to pit the Lie Family against the auction house—a trap he would not fall for. Nevertheless, the many inexplicable signs made him somewhat doubtful: Were all these events mere coincidence, or was there some hidden connection?

Lie Chen’s face showed deep contemplation and suspicion. Beside him, City Lord Chet shook his head and said, “I don’t think these matters have anything to do with Miss Maya…”

“City Lord Chet, do you know something?” Lie Chen asked, his brows furrowing.

“This…” City Lord Chet hesitated, inwardly bitter. The Jiang Family had warned him to be cautious; he dared not speak carelessly. Judging by Maya’s connection with the Jiang Family, she was no ordinary person, and he, as city lord, did not wish to offend her.

Auburn Hill’s eyes narrowed. Maya responded coolly, “You think too much, Patriarch Auburn Hill. My auction house would never do such a thing.”

“Heh, is that so? There are plenty of auction houses in the world that have done exactly that…” Auburn Hill sneered. “If you wish to prove your innocence, why not let Patriarch Lie Chen inspect or search Suyi?”

Lie Chen’s eyes flashed, showing interest. Even setting aside his suspicions, he was curious about Suyi’s newfound strength; perhaps a personal inspection would reveal the truth.

“Well, Suyi?” Lie Chen looked up at Suyi, a gleam in his eyes, his voice calm but edged.

Lie Chen’s words made his intentions clear. Among those present, Auburn Hill harbored murderous intent—unsuitable for the task. Maya, belonging to the auction house, would naturally avoid involvement to prevent suspicion. Lie Chen had no major grievances with Suyi and, given his connection to the fighting technique, was the most suitable candidate to investigate.

All eyes now focused on Suyi, eager to see how he would respond. Would he dare submit to inspection? Did he carry secrets? Were Auburn Hill’s accusations true?

The atmosphere grew tense, an uneasy silence settling over the crowd. People anxiously awaited the next unexpected development, their hearts barely able to withstand the strain.

Time ticked by, each second hammering at the hearts of those present, filling the air with tension and pressure. Suyi felt his heart pounding, his palms sweating as he clenched his hands.

A dilemma! To refuse would appear guilty, but to agree—Suyi felt even more anxious, for the storage ring containing Heaven and Earth Shift was lying snugly within his clothes.

This was no ordinary item! If exposed, regardless of its origin, if the fighting technique were discovered, chaos would surely ensue—and the look on Lie Chen’s face, upon reclaiming his lost technique, would be indescribable.

If Heaven and Earth Shift were revealed, Maya, who had protected Suyi, would find her position precarious, even the auction house’s reputation might be dragged down. Auburn Hill, whether guessing or lucky, would be emboldened, making the situation dire for Suyi.

This storage ring must not be discovered! Suyi resolved inwardly. He could not allow anyone to search him; even if detection was unlikely, any possibility had to be eliminated.

Especially when the one searching was Patriarch Lie Chen, a fifth-tier Douluo. Hiding a storage ring from him would be nearly impossible.

Seeing Suyi’s continued silence, Auburn Hill’s face twisted into a sneer, pressing, “What’s wrong, Suyi? Why aren’t you answering? Are you feeling guilty? Afraid?”

Suyi’s expression grew odd, deepening Lie Chen’s suspicions. City Lord Chet was uncertain, murmuring to himself, “Impossible, right?” Maya glanced at Suyi, her beautiful eyes flickering, but she said nothing.

Suyi cast a cool glance at Auburn Hill and finally spoke, “I’m not guilty—just don’t see the necessity.”

“Excuses! You’re clearly guilty! Lie Chen, it seems Suyi is indeed connected to your stolen fighting technique!” Auburn Hill sneered, fanning the flames, eager for chaos.

Damn lucky guess! Suyi cursed inwardly.

“Suyi, why do you think it unnecessary?” Lie Chen’s voice was calm but carried a barely perceptible chill.

“Because cultivating any fighting technique requires fighting energy. But I—” Suyi shrugged, “have never succeeded in condensing a fighting energy vortex. My body has no trace of fighting energy. I can’t practice any fighting technique at all…”

His words stunned everyone. Speculation had abounded, but this was the first time Suyi himself admitted it. The crowd’s tangled suspicions melted away; yet new doubts arose—could someone so strong really possess no fighting energy?

Compared to the varied expressions among the crowd, Maya remained serene, evidently well aware of the truth.

“Hmph, so you say! Maybe you and Maya both used secret methods to conceal your strength!” Auburn Hill retorted.

Suyi gave Auburn Hill a dismissive look. “Even if one can hide energy fluctuations in daily life, can that still be maintained during combat?”

Auburn Hill was momentarily speechless. Indeed, Maya, who had kept her strength hidden, had revealed her aura and energy in battle moments ago. When Suyi fought, not a ripple of fighting energy emanated from him; he hadn’t used fighting energy—in other words, Suyi was not a practitioner.

City Lord Chet nodded slightly, then asked with curiosity, “Suyi, if you lack fighting energy, how do you possess such strength?”

His question drew everyone’s attention. Ears perked up, eager for Suyi’s answer. It was a mystery that had troubled many since rumors about Suyi began; countless hypotheses had been proposed, but few were convincing.

“Well… since that ancient law cannot be broken, I had to find another path. I simply… have rather strong physical strength, that’s all…” Suyi scratched his head, answering vaguely.

Martial Peak, Chapter 89—Suspicion, update complete.