Chapter 12: Seeking the Truth

The disregard for human life displayed by Bai Shili’s faction enraged many, and just as someone was about to retort, Elder Zhou spoke leisurely, “Enough, everyone return. I will handle Lin Hao’s matter myself.”

Each year, an elder was entrusted with overseeing the inner sect’s selection tournament, and this year’s supervisor was another elder, currently standing beside Elder Zhou. Zhou Yichen had intended to discuss the matter of the talisman papers with Elder Zhou, but hesitated to speak with the other elder present.

It was well known that among the four elders, Elder Qi was the most just and gentle. However, if Zhou Yichen or Elder Zhou were to violate the rules, with Elder Qi presiding over the tournament, Elder Zhou’s fate was uncertain, but Zhou Yichen would be doomed to remain in the outer sect for life.

Yet this time, Elder Zhou was determined to be rid of Lin Hao. If Lin Hao were allowed to grow, none could match him in the future; if he sought revenge, neither Elder Zhou nor Zhou Yichen could withstand his wrath.

Just now, Elder Zhou had probed Lin Hao’s strength and judged that he was, at best, at the second stage of Foundation Establishment, and not yet stable. At such a time, any injury would be fatal.

When Elder Zhou declared he would handle the matter, all eyes turned to him. Lin Hao’s friends inwardly lamented: it’s over.

“That’s not quite proper, old Zhou,” Elder Qi, dressed in a dark robe and exuding an immortal’s demeanor, spoke with a smile from the dais.

Though Elder Qi smiled, both inner and outer sect disciples knew all too well that, much like Bai Shili, Elder Qi was a smiling tiger. The more pronounced his smile, the greater the danger—one had to consider if something had gone awry.

Few cultivators dared provoke Elder Qi, for he was known to bear grudges.

Hearing Elder Qi speak, hope flickered in Lin Hao’s friends’ hearts, cheering him on silently: argue, argue!

Normally, Elder Zhou might have been wary of Elder Qi, but now he felt no fear, for only the elders knew that Elder Qi’s health was failing, and these days his strength was at its lowest.

Once Elder Zhou dealt with Lin Hao, Elder Qi would not pursue the matter. There was no need to strain relations with Elder Zhou over a single Lin Hao.

Thus, Elder Zhou was confident that Elder Qi would let him proceed.

Elder Qi furrowed his brow, then sighed, going against the wishes of the others. “Let me accompany you. Do not act rashly.”

With Elder Qi yielding, the matter was mostly settled. A malicious gleam danced in Elder Zhou’s eyes as he agreed, “Very well.”

Bai Shili’s followers sensed drama ahead and hurried after Elder Zhou as he descended the dais, while Lin Hao’s supporters, their faces grim, followed as well.

“By the way, where is Lin Hao?” Elder Zhou asked, frowning as he stood among the cultivators.

“He… he probably went back to his quarters?” a neutral disciple ventured. He’d overheard Liu Xiaoxi’s conversation with Liu Baxian earlier.

Elder Zhou glanced at him. “Where does Lin Hao live? Whoever knows, lead the way.”

Elder Zhou’s attitude made some cultivators frown. When none stepped forward, Zhou Yichen moved ahead. “Father, I’ll take you there.”

He then glanced back at the crowd, mocking, “So Lin Hao has not a single friend—out of all these people, no one knows where he lives.”

With that, he swaggered ahead with Elder Zhou. Some disciples, though seething inside, still followed, curious to see what would ensue.

Elder Qi trailed helplessly behind Elder Zhou. Along the way, the crowd buzzed with speculation, and even more disciples, having heard the story secondhand, joined the throng.

“Father, what is Elder Zhou planning?” After most had departed, a young woman in a pale yellow dress quietly approached Elder Qi.

“Senior Sister Qi Ting? What brings her to this match?” someone in the crowd whispered, but received no answer.

Seeing his daughter, Elder Qi asked, “Tingting, what did you think of the match just now?”

Qi Ting had already taken Lin Hao’s side before the match ended. She trusted her own judgment, but was unsure of her father’s stance.

Cautiously, she replied, “I think Lin Hao has reason on his side. We shouldn’t disturb him at a time like this—it would only cause him harm. Wait…” Mentioning harm, a sense of foreboding gripped her. “Could it be they’re going now precisely because they know Lin Hao cannot be disturbed?”

Elder Qi’s expression darkened, but he did not nod. He was still unsure of Elder Zhou’s intentions. “Come along and see.”

Lin Hao’s quarters were in a remote courtyard. Upon arrival, they found Liu Xiaoxi standing guard outside. Liu Baxian and Lin Hao were nowhere to be seen.

Elder Zhou stared fixedly at the door behind Liu Xiaoxi, convinced that Lin Hao was inside.

Seeing Elder Zhou approach, Liu Xiaoxi made no move to leave. Instead, she stood her ground, her vigilance plain—she would not let anyone disturb those within.

“And who might you be, young lady?” Elder Zhou inquired.

Liu Xiaoxi and Liu Baxian hailed from Heaven’s Gate, a sect far superior to Clearwind Sect. Liu Xiaoxi regarded the Clearwind elders as mere ants, their elder chief no more than an ant king—nothing compared to her own sect.

To keep her trump card hidden and avoid unnecessary trouble, Liu Xiaoxi concealed part of the truth. “My name is Liu Xiaoxi, from another sect.”

Elder Zhou, shrewd as he was, guessed from her boldness that her sect must outclass the Clearwind Sect.

This complicated matters.

“May I ask, is Lin Hao inside?” Elder Zhou’s tone shifted instantly.

Many of Lin Hao’s supporters felt a chill at his sudden deference.

“He isn’t.” Liu Xiaoxi, finding the old man distasteful, folded her arms and replied with disdain.

“Then why are you standing guard?” Elder Zhou frowned.

“My father is inside recuperating. He instructed me not to let anyone enter,” Liu Xiaoxi replied.

“And who might your esteemed father be?” Elder Zhou probed.

“Do you think someone like you is worthy to know my father’s name?” Liu Xiaoxi’s hauteur was on full display.

Elder Zhou could only laugh at her arrogance. Even if her sect was powerful, meddling in Clearwind’s affairs was overstepping—especially as it seemed Liu Xiaoxi was determined to shield Lin Hao.

Meanwhile, standing beside Elder Zhou, Zhou Yichen’s expression changed. He’d suspected during the preliminary rounds that Lin Hao had found a patron—otherwise, how would he dare speak so boldly? He hadn’t expected that patron to be this young woman’s father. If just she could cow his own father, how could he hope to deal with Lin Hao?

“Why is your father recuperating in Lin Hao’s quarters?” Elder Zhou pressed.

“Our home isn’t safe at the moment. My father knows Lin Hao, so we traveled far to Clearwind. He borrowed Lin Hao’s room for a few days, and Lin Hao agreed,” Liu Xiaoxi fabricated clumsily. “May I ask what Elder Zhou wants with Lin Hao? I’ll be sure to pass the message on.”

“No need.” Elder Zhou had no patience for this. Anyone could see through Liu Xiaoxi’s lie, and some cultivators were already snickering. Elder Zhou was furious—did she take him for a fool? “Open the door and let us see for ourselves whether Lin Hao is inside.”

“Lin Hao really isn’t there. If you don’t believe me, why bother asking?” Liu Xiaoxi retorted. “My father’s recovery is not something you can intrude upon. What if, among so many people, someone injures my father—who will answer for that?”

At these words, many muttered to themselves. Liu Xiaoxi was clearly implying that Elder Zhou might harm Liu Baxian. Indeed, among this crowd, only Elder Zhou was likely to challenge Liu Baxian, especially given his closeness with Lin Hao.

“That won’t happen,” Elder Zhou forced a smile, his intentions laid bare. “Just let us look inside; what if Lin Hao is hiding here?”

“So what if he is? I know he would never harm my father,” Liu Xiaoxi replied, her gaze sweeping over the crowd—especially those who had just maligned Lin Hao. “He’s far better than some here whose intentions are anything but pure.”

Those cultivators caught by her gaze immediately lowered their heads. Earlier, when they’d been bad-mouthing Lin Hao near Liu Xiaoxi, they’d thought she was just an outer disciple, a mere spectator. But seeing her confront Elder Zhou with such presence, they realized she was at least on Zhou Yichen’s level.

“We’re in trouble now,” they muttered, bowing their heads.

Elder Zhou, at the front, overheard this and recognized them as Bai Shili’s supporters. Could it be that Liu Xiaoxi had witnessed the match as well?

He turned back to Liu Xiaoxi. “I wonder what these cultivators did to offend you, Miss Liu. Regardless, this is a Clearwind Sect matter and will be handled by us. Right now, dealing with Lin Hao is the priority.”

“Lin Hao is not here. Please look elsewhere,” Liu Xiaoxi replied politely.