Chapter 1425 - 859: Quibbling and Struggling_3
Chapter 1425: Chapter 859: Quibbling and Struggling_3
Lu Qing stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze calmly sweeping over Shaoyun Tian and several Supreme Elders, without speaking a word.
Just a glance from him made Shaoyun Tian and the others feel as though they had fallen into an icy abyss, their souls seemingly frozen, not daring to breathe heavily.
Sweat beaded on Shaoyun Tian’s forehead, knowing that today’s matter would not end peacefully. This supreme being had personally come with the Five Treasures, evidently for the unresolved case of Yun Shu’s death, clearly intending to stand up for the Five Treasures and slay Shao Sida.
Yet Shao Sida was his only son and an unprecedented genius in the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect, the future hope of the sect.
If he were to die here today, the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect would surely suffer a severe blow, perhaps even decline irreparably!
Despite immense reverence in his heart, Shaoyun Tian could only muster the courage to speak, attempting to reason and negotiate: "Your Excellency, I have heard some about today’s events.
Five Treasure nephew accuses my son, Shao Sida, of murdering Yun Shu, his senior nephew, and devouring his essence. This matter bears great significance, concerning our sect’s rules and honor, and more importantly, a matter of life and death, by no means trivial."
"Our Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect, with a heritage spanning thousands of years, has always upheld justice, never indulging any treacherous individuals.
If my son truly committed such a heinous crime, I, Shaoyun Tian, will be the first not to spare him!
I will ensure that he is punished according to sect rules to bring peace to Yun Shu’s spirit in the heavens."
"However... everything must be based on evidence. Five Treasure nephew currently only has verbal accusations but cannot provide concrete evidence to prove my son’s guilt.
If Your Excellency acts solely on a one-sided account to execute our future sect leader, it might harm Your Excellency’s reputation, leaving you with a reputation for bullying the weak."
Shaoyun Tian’s words were watertight, expressing his respect for Lu Qing while standing on a moral high ground.
He forced Lu Qing to produce evidence while hinting that if Lu Qing took forceful action, it would only tarnish his own reputation.
Several Supreme Elders nearby quickly echoed his sentiments.
A Supreme Elder in a gray robe spoke, "Your Excellency, the sect leader speaks truly. Yun Shu’s disappearance years ago led our sect to exhaust countless resources to investigate, eventually concluding he was taken by demons, with records from the investigation available as evidence, not mere hearsay."
"Five Treasure nephew was accused of colluding with evil demons, and though saved by Your Excellency, the injustice never cleared. Now he accuses Shao Sida, but without evidence, people may think it is personal revenge."
Everyone’s gaze fell on the Five Treasure Taoist, filled with skepticism and inquiry.
The Five Treasure Taoist’s face flushed crimson, his hatred and frustration intertwined as he clenched his fists, nails digging deep into his palms until they bled.
Years ago, he narrowly escaped death, spending countless nights deducing, expending centuries of effort.
Eventually, through clues left by the sect, he inferred the entire truth of Shao Sida’s murder of his sister and the devouring of her essence, each detail vividly etched in his heart and spirit.
But his cultivation was weak, and his inference skills only rudimentary, unable to manifest the deduction scene from his heart, let alone present concrete physical evidence or witnesses!
Shao Sida had been extremely meticulous back then, erasing all traces cleanly.
Even those involved in the matter were quietly silenced by him.
Now, after several centuries, he couldn’t produce any evidence that would convince everyone!
"I... I..."
The Five Treasure Taoist opened his mouth, his voice choked, unable to utter a word.
He could only watch as the mockery and pride on Shao Sida’s face grew, despair threatening to swallow him whole.
Could centuries of waiting and enduring ultimately fail to avenge his sister?
Would this hypocrite truly remain unpunished forever, enjoying glory and status that were not rightfully his?
Qingxuan Zhenren watched his disciple’s painful despair, his heart filled with guilt.
He sighed softly, walked to the Five Treasure Taoist, and advised quietly, "Disciple, I know you have suffered grievances over the years and remain fixated on Yun Shu’s death.
But everything requires evidence. You have none now; even Your Excellency cannot execute Shao Sida at will."
"The matters of that year are riddled with doubts. I secretly investigated many times but found no clues.
Calm yourself, do not let hatred cloud your judgment, bringing trouble to Your Excellency and leaving yourself open to criticism."
Qingxuan Zhenren’s advice was like the last straw, breaking the final psychological defense of the Five Treasure Taoist.
He collapsed to the ground with a thud, tears mixed with blood trailing from the corners of his eyes, bowing heavily to Lu Qing, "Mr. Lu, I am incompetent! I can’t deduce evidence or manifest the truth. I have failed my sister and her spirit in heaven! I..."
Seeing the Five Treasure Taoist in utter grief, Little Yan furrowed her brow, a chilling aura erupting, dropping the temperature of the entire Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect suddenly; her gaze toward Shao Sida filled with murderous intent, "Despicable villain, even without evidence, I can kill you to quell my heart’s wrath!"
Little Li, too, was furious, her short legs stomping, flames rising around her, "Exactly! Boss, let’s not waste words with them. Finish off this villain and avenge the fat Five Treasures!"
The little beast on Lu Qing’s shoulder also raised its head, its crimson eyes sweeping over Shao Sida, letting out a low roar, a pressure of an ancient fierce beast spreading, causing Shao Sida to collapse on the ground instantly, face as pale as paper.
Shaoyun Tian and several Supreme Elders quickly shielded Shao Sida, channeling all their cultivation to withstand the pressure, letting out a sigh of relief inwardly.
They knew the Five Treasure Taoist couldn’t produce evidence, and no matter how strong Lu Qing was, he couldn’t act forcefully without jeopardizing his reputation; today, Shao Sida was safe!
Shao Sida lay on the ground, looking at the kneeling Five Treasure Taoist, undisguised mockery and pride in his eyes, heartily laughing inside.
Five Treasures, even if you know the truth, what of it? Even with a peerless expert backing you, you can’t do anything to me without evidence!
That wretched Yun Shu, her essence has long been refined by me, becoming the nourishment for my cultivation. I am now the Young Sect Leader of the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect, the future Sect Leader, and you will forever live in hatred and despair!
Wait and see, after today’s events, I will surely uproot you entirely, erasing you from this world!
The Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect disciples below also started discussing, their gazes toward the Five Treasure Taoist shifting from shock to skepticism, even slight disdain.
"Seems like Brother Five Treasures really has no evidence, merely slandering Brother Young Sect Leader."
"Sigh, I thought Brother Five Treasures was wronged, but now it seems, the Holy Alliance’s judgment was right; he was indeed blinded by demons."
"Brother Young Sect Leader is magnanimous, not bothering with him, yet he escalates, even colluding with outsiders to breach the sect, truly over the line!"
Listening to the surrounding discussions, the Five Treasure Taoist’s heart sank to the bottom, cold all over, despair reaching its peak.
Just then, a calm, serene voice, as if imbued with the Great Dao of heaven and earth, resonated above the entire Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect, entering every ear clearly.
The voice wasn’t loud, yet carried an indisputable authority, instantly silencing all discussions, freezing the smiles on Shaoyun Tian and several Supreme Elders’ faces, halting Shao Sida’s pride.
In the sky, clad in a blue robe as pristine as snow, Lu Qing stood with hands behind his back, looking down calmly at the crowd below, his thin lips parting gently as he slowly spoke:
"You want evidence; then I’ll give you evidence."