Chapter 105: Making Amends

It was assumed that Cao Yi had taken his words to heart.

His gaze shifted to Lin Hao. "Lin Hao."

"Lin Hao, are you willing to come with me to see the Supreme Elder?" Cao Yi suddenly asked.

The words interrupted the Sect Leader, leaving him hanging. Everyone looked at Cao Yi and Lin Hao, their jaws dropping in disbelief. Even Zheng Xi cast a surprised glance at Cao Yi. He had assumed that the Sect Leader was protecting Cao Yi once again and that he would have no chance to undermine him today. Yet, Cao Yi was acting against his own interests, helping Lin Hao and even going so far as to defy the Sect Leader.

"Cao Yi!" the Sect Leader shouted through gritted teeth.

"Lin Hao, as long as you are willing to come with me to see the Supreme Elder and agree to stay at the Qingcheng Sect to serve it, I can take you away," Cao Yi said, ignoring the Sect Leader and continuing to press Lin Hao.

Lin Hao was completely bewildered. What was going on? He had been certain that a fierce battle was inevitable, yet here was Cao Yi offering him an out. To be honest, Lin Hao was tempted. However, he looked around and realized that apart from Cao Yi, no one here was friendly toward him.

Lin Hao shook his head and said to Cao Yi with gratitude, "Senior Brother, thank you for your mentorship. If possible, I wish to go to the teleportation array; I need to return to the Qingfeng Sect."

A collective gasp swept through the crowd. No one had expected Lin Hao to refuse, let alone push his luck by asking the Senior Brother to let him leave. Regardless of what others thought of him, Lin Hao looked at Cao Yi with unwavering firmness. He knew Cao Yi hadn’t provided him with so many resources and treated him so well without a reason. He had been waiting for Cao Yi to reveal his purpose, and now it seemed clear: Cao Yi wanted him to stay in the Qingcheng Sect. As for seeing the Supreme Elder, that was surely a move to stabilize his current situation.

But Lin Hao still had his heart set on returning to the Qingfeng Sect. He had unfinished missions there and many matters to attend to; he could not stay here. Thus, he rejected Cao Yi’s kindness without hesitation. He didn't offer any empty promises or fake agreements; he simply stated his goal directly to Cao Yi.

Lin Hao’s refusal was both expected and unexpected for Cao Yi. It was expected because, given Lin Hao’s character, if he truly did not want to stay in the Qingcheng Sect, he would not lie or play along just to ensure his temporary safety. It was unexpected because he hadn't thought Lin Hao would actually want to go back to the Qingfeng Sect. Any ambitious person could see that the Qingcheng Sect was far more prestigious. A normal person would know what to choose, especially since Lin Hao had killed an elder of the Qingfeng Sect and would have no way to explain himself upon returning.

Cao Yi couldn't understand why Lin Hao was so insistent on leaving the Qingcheng Sect to return to the Qingfeng Sect. However, he didn't voice his doubts. He simply looked at Lin Hao and, seeing the determination on his face, a flicker of confusion crossed his eyes.

He asked once more, "Is that your final decision?"

"Yes, it is. I will not stay in the Qingcheng Sect. I have failed your kindness, Senior Brother," Lin Hao said, nodding firmly.

Hearing this, Cao Yi’s expression grew grave. "Since you have made your decision, then you must also know what my decision is."

With that, Cao Yi gave Lin Hao a cryptic look that others could not decipher, turned, and walked away. Lin Hao felt a bitter smile tug at the corner of his mouth. Of course, he knew what Cao Yi’s decision was. If he were the Senior Brother of the Qingcheng Sect, he would never let someone like himself off the hook either. Cao Yi had already done his utmost; he had even offered him a chance and tried to exonerate him just moments ago. But Lin Hao had been stubborn and refused. Not only was he not staying, he was insisting on returning to the Qingfeng Sect—this was betrayal.

No matter how politely Lin Hao put it, he knew in his heart that he had failed the Qingcheng Sect, and especially Cao Yi. As Cao Yi turned and walked away, ignoring him, Lin Hao felt it was only natural. It was already a mercy that Cao Yi hadn't joined the others in calling for his punishment.

However, once Cao Yi had left, there was no one else on Lin Hao’s side. The elder of the Law Enforcement Hall was the first to jump out, pointing at Lin Hao. "Hmph, Lin Hao, not to mention your previous betrayal of the sect, you are now spewing nonsense here in our Qingcheng Sect. You have taken countless lives, and yet you still think you can leave safely? How delusional! Today, you shall pay with your life. Where are the Law Enforcement disciples?!"

At his shout, twenty or so men emerged from the crowd, surrounding Lin Hao with an aggressive aura. Seeing this, the Sect Leader said nothing more. Instead, he sided with the Law Enforcement elder and said, "Follow the standard procedures of the Law Enforcement Hall. This matter is now in your hands." With that, he glanced at Lin Hao and walked away.

"Sect Leader!" Zheng Xi called out, unwilling to let him go. Cao Yi was gone, and now the Sect Leader was leaving too—this couldn't happen! The trap he had set today wasn't just for a small fry like Lin Hao. Even though Zheng Xi called out, the Sect Leader acted as if he hadn't heard and vanished without a backward glance.

Zheng Xi was furious, his rage having nowhere to vent. He had orchestrated this entire event to bring Cao Yi down. If this wasn't resolved on the spot, the Sect Leader would just end up shielding Cao Yi again later. Driven by his frustration, Zheng Xi glared at Lin Hao, blaming him for everything.

"Elder," Zheng Xi said, turning to the Law Enforcement official, "it seems your hall has suffered quite a loss. Are you short on men? I can lend you some of mine to follow your orders."

The Law Enforcement elder, already fuming, was grateful for the offer. The collapse of the hall had left many disciples trapped or injured, and he needed manpower to rebuild and deal with Lin Hao. "I would be very grateful," he replied.

"Don't mention it, Elder. We are all part of the same sect," Zheng Xi said, waving his hand. He signaled one of his men. "Take some people and assist the Elder. Make sure this Lin Hao is brought to justice," he ordered with a hint of murder in his voice.

"Understood," the subordinate replied. Zheng Xi glared at Lin Hao one last time and departed.

With the Sect Leader, Cao Yi, and Zheng Xi gone, the others stopped watching the spectacle. Those remaining helped clear the debris, while others left. The Law Enforcement elder glared at Lin Hao with pure hatred. "Now you have no one to protect you, do you? Today, you will see the true power of our Law Enforcement Hall. Disciples, form the formation!"

He was seething with rage, wanting to tear Lin Hao apart to pay for the destruction of the hall. Previously, he had held back because of Cao Yi and the Sect Leader, but now that he had the green light, he had no more reservations. He immediately deployed the hall’s most lethal formation.

Fifteen disciples ran out to form the ranks. The elder’s face darkened when he saw the gaps left by the debris and the injured. "Get me five more!" Five more disciples stepped up. With a wave of his hand, a golden light flashed, and twenty bows appeared in the hands of the disciples.

Lin Hao steadied himself, his expression serious as he surveyed the archers. He drew his Swallow Cloud Sword, remaining vigilant. In his mind, he shouted to the system, "System! Find me a way out, or tell me the exact location of the teleportation array!"

His plea was useless. The system only replied, "Please find your own way, Host."

Lin Hao, already accustomed to the system’s uselessness in critical moments, bit his tongue and began to think. He knew a fierce battle was unavoidable. He couldn't fight the entire Qingcheng Sect alone; he had to find that teleportation array.

He racked his brain, recalling the intelligence he had gathered. Since entering the inner sect, he had been busy with the Mysterious Gate and awakening his earth spirit root, and he hadn't had a chance to get near the array. He only knew the general direction and hadn't dared to investigate further for fear of raising suspicion. Now, he was on his own.