Volume 3, Chapter 160 – Stop Acting, I Beg You (Part 3)

Qi Huang waited anxiously as time passed drop by drop. The high-ranking members of the Yuxiao Sect gradually arrived in the great hall. She had no idea whether the culprit was among them, so she could only suppress her impulses.

Soon, the fair-faced middle-aged man surnamed Zheng also entered the hall and immediately noticed an unfamiliar woman present. Since he had never seen Cheng Hongling in person, and Qi Huang was wearing a veil, he failed to recognize her.

After roughly a quarter of an hour, eight of the Yuxiao Sect’s high-ranking members had gathered. Those absent were presumably occupied with other matters.

“Today, I’ve called everyone here to confirm a certain matter. But before that, allow me to introduce this esteemed fairy.”

Sect Leader Liu turned to Qi Huang and said, “She is Cheng Hongling, the foremost prodigy of the Honghua Sect—a peerless genius who, at the tender age of twelve, broke into the top sixty of the Western Radiance Dynasty’s rankings. I’m sure you’ve all heard of her.”

‘Cheng Hongling? Why has she come here of her own accord?’

Elder Zheng was startled, but his face betrayed no emotion. After all, he was a man in his fifties or sixties.

‘Has she already discovered that I kidnapped her father?’

Guilt was his first reaction.

‘No! It can’t be about that. She’s no immortal—how could she possibly trace this back to me?’

After a brief moment of contemplation, Elder Zheng dismissed his own suspicion and gradually calmed down.

Meanwhile, Qi Huang was carefully observing the expressions of those present, yet she detected no signs of guilt. A doubt arose in her heart: ‘Could it be that the kidnapper isn’t among them?’

“Niece Cheng has come today with a matter she wishes me to verify, so I’ve gathered everyone here to bear witness.”

Sect Leader Liu briefly explained before cutting straight to the point. His gaze shifted to Elder Zheng as he said, “Elder Zheng, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Elder Zheng’s heartbeat quickened again, but his expression remained unreadable. He cupped his hands and replied, “Sect Leader, feel free to ask whatever you wish!”

“More than ten days ago, I ordered you to participate in the bidding for the Black Gold Lily at the Jujin Auction House in the prefectural city. What I want to know now is—are you certain you obtained it through legitimate bidding?”

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Sect Leader Liu’s expression turned grave.

‘So this man is the culprit!’

Qi Huang’s gaze locked onto him, her pupils trembling violently. Though her beautiful eyes were usually captivating, they were now completely overshadowed by murderous intent. She had never been one to nitpick, but this man’s actions had crossed a line—not only kidnapping her nominal father but also openly provoking her true self. His behavior was utterly despicable.

Elder Zheng’s face paled slightly, his heart leaping into his throat. He realized that Cheng Hongling must already know what he had done, and any last shred of hope vanished.

‘No, I absolutely cannot show fear now. Otherwise, I’ll be admitting guilt.’

A seasoned schemer, Elder Zheng quickly steadied himself and replied calmly, “Reporting to the Sect Leader, the Black Gold Lily was indeed obtained through bidding at the Jujin Auction House.”

“Is that so? Then why does Niece Cheng claim that you snatched it from her father’s hands and even kidnapped him?”

Sect Leader Liu’s expression darkened as he pressed further.

“What? Robbery? And kidnapping? How is that possible?”

“Exactly! Zheng Wei is, after all, an elder of our Yuxiao Sect. I refuse to believe he’d stoop to such underhanded deeds.”

“If he really did something like this, think of the damage it would cause to our sect’s reputation! We must handle this matter with caution!”

The high-ranking members erupted into an uproar.

“Sect Leader Liu! It’s not that we distrust Niece Cheng, but this concerns the Yuxiao Sect’s reputation. If she’s accusing Elder Zheng, she must provide evidence.”

One of the protectors voiced his opinion.

“Indeed. I, Zheng Wei, have been with the Yuxiao Sect for decades. My conduct is known to all. On what grounds does Niece Cheng slander me without cause?”

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Seeing others speak in his defense, Zheng Wei seized the initiative and turned the tables, questioning Qi Huang directly.

“Now you’re biting back? Your face is thicker than the walls of the prefectural city!”

Qi Huang fired back without hesitation. “I don’t have physical evidence, but I do have a witness. Sect Leader Liu knows the details—you can ask him.”

“The witness Niece Cheng speaks of is the Holy Maiden of Shuiyu Valley. As you all know, she cultivates the ‘Wooden Exquisite Art’, a technique that allows communion with plants. As long as vegetation is present, nothing that has occurred can escape her sight. She personally confirmed to me that it was Elder Zheng who kidnapped Niece Cheng’s father.”

Sect Leader Liu took over the explanation.

“Nonsense! Without proof, who’s to say they aren’t in cahoots?”

Zheng Wei remained unmoved, refuting the claim outright.

“Exactly! Without solid evidence, how can we convict Elder Zheng based solely on the word of the Holy Maiden of Shuiyu Valley?”

“Would the Holy Maiden of Shuiyu Valley really lie?”

“Why wouldn’t she? Shuiyu Valley isn’t even a prestigious sect—their strength doesn’t surpass ours!”

“Well said. Those who don’t know better might be intimidated by her title of ‘Holy Maiden’, but who does she think she is?”

The high-ranking members quickly reached a consensus. After all, they were all part of the Yuxiao Sect—their fates were intertwined. No matter how they looked at it, none wished to see Elder Zheng’s guilt confirmed.

“Niece Cheng, as you can see, it’s not that I’m unwilling to uphold justice for you, but the witness you’ve brought is hardly convincing.”

Sect Leader Liu’s eyes darted around before he seized the opportunity to brush the matter aside.

“Heh, what an eye-opener! If I hadn’t come fully prepared, I might’ve really been dismissed with a few words today.”

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Qi Huang let out a cold laugh. She clapped her fair hands together and said calmly, “Want to know if he’s lying? It’s simple. Just confirm with the Jujin Auction House in the prefectural city whether Zheng Wei was the one who purchased the Black Gold Lily that night. The truth will come to light. A sect as grand as yours must have a Thousand-Mile Communication Tube to contact them, no?”

Hearing this, Zheng Wei’s face twisted violently. He hadn’t expected this damned girl to be so difficult—she had instantly pinpointed the biggest flaw in his story.

Sect Leader Liu’s expression soured again. After a long hesitation, he turned to the others and asked, “Does anyone here possess a Thousand-Mile Communication Tube linked to the Jujin Auction House?”

“Sect Leader! I do! I’ll fetch it from my residence at once.”

One of the protectors spoke up.

Zheng Wei glared at the protector, his eyes nearly spitting fire.

A cold smile played on Qi Huang’s lips. She had known that no sect’s leadership could be completely united. Even if they were, it didn’t matter—she had already purchased a Thousand-Mile Communication Tube from the Jujin Auction House in the prefectural city and had it tucked in her robes.

“Then I’ll trouble Protector Fang.”

Sect Leader Liu reluctantly expressed his thanks.

“No trouble at all! If it proves Elder Zheng’s innocence, I’d be willing to make the trip to the auction house myself.”

Protector Fang shot Zheng Wei a meaningful glance before swiftly departing.

Zheng Wei’s jaw clenched audibly, his teeth grinding.

‘What kind of grudge is this?’

Qi Huang was stunned but inwardly pleased.

“Sect Leader Liu, this concerns the Yuxiao Sect’s reputation. I urge you to think carefully!”

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During the wait, another elder reminded Sect Leader Liu.

“That’s a flawed argument. As experienced seniors, you should understand that for a sect to thrive, it must purge its parasites—otherwise, it will rot from within. I believe Sect Leader Liu grasps this as well.”

Qi Huang countered without hesitation.

“Of course! Naturally!”

Sect Leader Liu forced a perfunctory smile.

Qi Huang couldn’t read his thoughts, but she believed that with irrefutable evidence, even he would find it hard to deny the truth.

Before long, Protector Fang returned with the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube and respectfully handed it to Sect Leader Liu. “Sect Leader, this device connects directly to the manager of the Jujin Auction House in the prefectural city. They keep records of every item sold. Simply ask him, and it’ll be clear who purchased the Black Gold Lily.”

Zheng Wei’s face grew increasingly grim. He seemed on the verge of speaking but ultimately held his tongue.

Sect Leader Liu took the communication tube, his eyes sweeping the room. After a moment’s hesitation, he began contacting the auction house’s manager.

The hall fell so silent that a pin drop could be heard. Qi Huang waited nervously—whether today’s confrontation would end peacefully depended entirely on Sect Leader Liu’s integrity.

Eventually, Sect Leader Liu set down the communication tube, his face ashen. Yet he remained silent, his gaze shifting between Qi Huang and Zheng Wei.

“Sect Leader, what’s the result?”

Protector Fang pressed for an answer.

Sect Leader Liu’s eyes flickered, his jaw working silently before he finally spoke to Qi Huang: “My apologies, Niece Cheng. I’ve confirmed with the auction house’s manager—the Black Gold Lily was indeed won by our Elder Zheng through bidding. Therefore, your accusation against him is baseless!”

Hearing this, Zheng Wei’s face lit up with schadenfreude ¹ pleasure derived by someone from another person’s misfortune as he sneered at Qi Huang.