novelraw Chapter 63 – Witnesses
Chapter 63 – Witnesses
Upon understanding the reason for being summoned, Lin Hao remained calm, his expression as serene as a still lake, without a hint of disturbance.
With his master backing him, all he needed to do was argue his case logically.
"I'll say this upfront: if my disciple is found colluding with the Demon Clan, I will personally shatter his soul. But if he is being falsely accused, the accuser must kneel and apologize to him!"
Lin Hao understood that his master's words were meant to deter the petty-minded and prevent anyone from slandering him.
It was heartwarming.
"Lin Hao, do you know Cui Qing'er, one of the key figures in the Demon Clan's chaos this time?"
"I do."
Lin Hao answered frankly, as many people were aware of his relationship with Cui Qing'er, so there was no need to hide it.
His candid attitude pleased Sect Leader Ouyang, but that didn't mean he was cleared of suspicion.
"Cui Qing'er infiltrated the Demon Lock Tower to release the demons, which required prior planning. Since you are close to her, did she ever mention this to you?"
"She did not."
Lin Hao knew that if he told the truth, he would be accused of withholding information, and the Discipline Elder would certainly make a big deal out of it.
"Impossible!"
The Discipline Elder jumped out, pointing a finger at Lin Hao.
"Your relationship with that woman is closer than that of Dao Companions, and you claim to know nothing?"
"I think you're clearly hiding something."
Buzz!
A scorching sword aura slashed the Discipline Elder out of the hall.
A hint of disdain flashed in Feng Cangyue's eyes as she coldly said, "This is a question from the Sect Leader to my disciple. Is it your place, old fellow, to interrupt?"
Though the Discipline Elder's faction was annoyed by Feng Cangyue's domineering behavior, they couldn't argue because she was right.
It was inappropriate for an elder to interrupt when the Sect Leader was questioning someone.
Sect Leader Ouyang shook her head slightly and then said, "Lin Hao, did that demoness truly not reveal anything to you?"
"No."
Lin Hao lied. Although he felt some guilt over the sect's calamity, it wasn't his doing. He had merely been passive.
He wasn't so foolish as to confess everything.
Admitting it would be akin to a death sentence, and not even his master could save him.
Lin Hao's concise response frustrated those eager to pin a crime on him, but they had no grounds to refute him.
Since the Sect Leader didn't pursue the matter further, insisting on it would backfire.
"In that case, the demoness caused chaos in the Demon Lock Tower using her own identity token, and you were exempt from punishment at the time, so this matter indeed has nothing to do with you."
Sect Leader Ouyang already believed that Lin Hao had little to do with this; the real culprit was someone high up in the sect, so she wanted to shift the conversation.
But before she could speak, the master of Ethereal Peak, Wang Taihang, stepped forward.
"Sect Leader, perhaps Lin Hao didn't know about the demoness's plan. But his ambiguous relationship with her and the previous incident with the witch are both suspicious. What's really going on here? Who can guarantee it?"
What an old dog! When did I offend you, that you target me like this?
Lin Hao looked coldly at Wang Taihang. He hadn't even spoken a word to the master of Ethereal Peak, yet he was being targeted like this, which was baffling.
The Discipline Elder limped back into the hall, first casting a fearful glance at Feng Cangyue before speaking, "Wang Zunzhu has a point. The instigators of the chaos caused by demons and witches are all closely related to Lin Hao. Is he truly innocent? Or what secret does he harbor that attracts these women to him?"
This scoundrel is ruthless, determined to pin a crime on me!
Lin Hao sneered inwardly, maintaining his composure as he said, "Sect Leader, I met them because I practiced dual cultivation techniques, unaware of their demonic nature."
A flicker of delight crossed the Discipline Elder's face as he excitedly said, "You admit to practicing demonic arts?"
Lin Hao frowned, "I practice dual cultivation techniques, which do not violate sect rules. On what grounds do you call it demonic?"
"I've never heard of any dual cultivation technique requiring union with hundreds of female cultivators."
"Sect Leader, I strongly suspect Lin Hao has embarked on the path of a demonic cultivator, forcing female cultivators in the sect to dual cultivate with him for the sake of practicing demonic arts."
"I have never forced any female cultivator into a relationship with me. Aren't you afraid of your mouth rotting from spewing such lies?"
"Heh."
The Discipline Elder chuckled sinisterly, coldly saying, "I knew you wouldn't admit it, but I have witnesses."
"Reporting to the Sect Leader, I have witnesses who can prove Lin Hao forced female cultivators in the sect."
A hint of surprise flashed in Sect Leader Ouyang's eyes as she calmly said, "Bring the witnesses to confront Lin Hao."
The Discipline Elder was indeed prepared. As soon as he sent a message, someone entered the hall.
Lin Hao glanced over and recognized an acquaintance.
It was Shui Ling'er's suitor, whom he had beaten up before.
They had a grudge, and now the other party was here to accuse him, making it a tricky situation.
Liu Yulou glared at Lin Hao with hatred, gritting his teeth. You dared to steal my woman; watch me ruin you!
He was about to utter some harsh words when he heard the calm voice of the Sect Leader from above.
"Can you prove Lin Hao forced female disciples to dual cultivate with him?"
This was Liu Yulou's first time speaking with the Sect Leader, and he was instantly excited.
"Reporting to the Sect Leader, I personally witnessed this scoundrel Lin Hao forcing Shui Ling'er, a direct disciple of Little Bamboo Peak, into a relationship."
Slap!
A crisp slap echoed in the hall.
"You little brat, how dare you tarnish the reputation of a female disciple from Little Bamboo Peak?"
Murong Qinxue's eyes were filled with killing intent, her face covered with a layer of icy murderous aura.
Liu Yulou clutched his swollen cheek, trembling with fear.
Wang Taihang stepped forward, his smile not reaching his eyes as he said, "Junior Sister Murong, whether Liu Yulou's words are true or not, summon the female disciple from Little Bamboo Peak to confront him. What do you mean by striking my Ethereal Peak disciple?"
"Is this the kind of disciple you teach, Wang Taihang, one who bites indiscriminately?"
Seeing the two peak masters about to clash.
Sect Leader Ouyang intervened, "Both peak masters, please don't let this harm your harmony. To uncover the truth, let the three of them confront each other."
With the Sect Leader's decision, the two peak masters had to suppress their anger and step back.
Moments later, Shui Ling'er entered the hall.
The crowd's expressions varied.
Shui Ling'er first glanced at Lin Hao, her eyes filled with complex emotions, and then spoke coldly, "Sect Leader, have I been summoned because of Lin Hao?"
Sect Leader Ouyang nodded slightly.
The Discipline Elder forced a smile, his face like old tree bark cracking open.
"Ling'er, tell everyone how you were wronged, and I will ensure the culprit is brought to justice!"
Liu Yulou hurried over, excitedly saying, "Junior Sister Shui, tell us how Lin Hao wronged you! With the Sect Leader and the peak masters here, they will surely stand up for you!"
"Rest assured, after this matter is resolved, I can still become your Dao Companion. I don't mind your past."