In the dazzling hall, human figures were scattered about, each taking their own seats.
On the main seat, Jian Ming, who was wearing a golden robe, was standing.
At this moment, Jian Ming was slowly raising his pair of eyes that were filled with golden light. His emotionless gaze swept past everyone in the hall. Finally, it stopped on a white-robed young man. This person was the heir of the Zhuo clan, Zhuo Lin.
"Nephew Zhuo Lin, according to what you said, Xiao Yan disappeared in front of your eyes?"
Jian Ming's eyes slowly narrowed as he stared at Zhuo Lin, who was still standing with his head held high under his gaze. After a few breaths, he finally opened his mouth and asked in a low voice.
The moment Jian Ming's words fell, the other people in the hall also turned their gazes over. Bai Ying was still fine, and his expression did not change much. On the other hand, the people from the other two clans turned their gazes towards Jian Ming in unison. Everyone's faces were exceptionally gloomy.
"Sect leader, you must not listen to this brat's nonsense. This matter must have been arranged by the Zhuo clan and the Bai clan together. Their goal is to suppress our two clans. Sect leader, you must not …"
"Did I ask you?!"
However, just as a purple-robed old man from the two clans stood up and was about to speak, Jian Ming, who was sitting on the main seat, looked at the purple-robed old man with a dark and cold expression. The tone of his words was even more shocking.
Following Jian Ming's reprimand, the purple-robed old man also sat back down heavily on his seat with a face full of unwillingness. His old face was filled with deep resentment. After a long while, he finally buried his head deeply. A pair of shriveled hands under his sleeves suddenly clenched tightly at this moment.
On the seat beside him, a middle-aged man in a black robe had an extremely gloomy expression on his face. From time to time, his gaze would look at the people from the Bai clan and the Zhuo clan sitting opposite him. Killing intent surged in the depths of his eyes.
This person was the current head of the Huo clan, Huo Xianrui.
The purple-robed old man sitting beside him was the Supreme Elder of the Sun family, Sun Zhi.
The deaths of Huo Tianyi, Huo Ba, and Sun Shuo could be said to have shaken the foundations of these two large clans. The two clans each had a three star Dou Di and a one star late stage Dou Di. This kind of lineup could be said to be an existence that could do whatever they wanted in the entire western region. However, these three people, whose strength had already reached such an extent, had actually died miserably in the remains. Moreover, the ones who had returned alive from their journey with them were actually people from the other two large clans. This kind of result caused one to have difficulty not feeling suspicious in one's heart.
Apart from Zhuo Lin and Bai Ying, there were no other witnesses. This meant that only the two of them knew what had happened in the ruins. They could say whatever they wanted to say to outsiders. As a result, the words of the two families were the least trustworthy.
Jian Ming was naturally aware of this point in his heart. However, when he heard Xiao Yan's name from Zhuo Lin's mouth, some doubt involuntarily rose in his heart. If all of this was related to Xiao Yan, it was likely that he would really have to listen carefully.
Jian Ming only slowly shifted his gaze away after seeing Sun Zhi return to his seat. Immediately, his gaze paused on Huo Xianrui by the side. A cold glint that was difficult to detect flashed deep within his eyes. Soon after, he once again looked at Zhuo Lin. The expression in his eyes swiftly recovered to normal. However, his face still appeared dark and cold.
"Zhuo Lin, tell me everything that you saw that day."
Jian Ming spoke faintly. At the same time, his body gently leaned back and leaned against the seat. His eyes were half narrowed as he stared at Zhuo Lin.
Only when he heard that did Zhuo Lin raise his head. He seemed to have just heard Jian Ming's words and seemed to have been intimidated by the latter's aura.
Zhuo Lin slowly stood up and swept his gaze across everyone present. The moment his gaze met Bai Ying's, the latter could clearly see a trace of coldness in Zhuo Lin's eyes. It seemed to be a threat, a request, or a neither servile nor overbearing feeling.
"So there are times when you're afraid …"
Bai Ying sneered inside when he saw this. Although Zhuo Lin wanted to kill him in the ruins that day, both of them were not in their best condition at that time. If they fought, it would not benefit either of them. It was even very likely that both of them would be left there forever. As a result, the two of them had no choice but to carefully and vigilantly leave the ruins in the end.
Zhuo Lin, who had raised his head, recounted most of the things that had happened in the ruins that day. Of course, there were also some things that had been fabricated. Even if Jian Ming could hear them, he was too lazy to mention them.
Regardless of whether he mentioned them or not, these things were no longer important. Death was death. Even if the reason was found, what was the use? If the relationship between the four great clans became intense, it would not be a good thing for his Heavenly Sword Sect. It was better to avoid trouble. In any case, Jian Ming's aim was only Xiao Yan.
Regardless of whether everyone present wanted to listen or not, they were all listening to Zhuo Lin's description. Due to the space within the large hall, waves of echoes continued to echo. Zhuo Lin was the only one speaking, but everyone seemed to have heard it a couple of times. Regardless of whether they wanted to listen or not, they more or less understood it.
Huo Xianrui and Sun Zhi frowned as they watched Zhuo Lin's speech. The two of them snorted disdainfully in their hearts. Their hearts did not believe that a mere Ban Di, even with the help of a puppet and a strange snake whose strength was merely that of a one star Dou Di, could be strong. They were actually able to turn the people from the four great clans into such a miserable state. This was complete nonsense!
However, just because they did not believe it, it did not mean that everyone did not believe it. At the very least, Jian Ming had been attracted by Sun Shuo's words at this moment.
Jian Ming gradually listened carefully as she listened to the words that were emitted from Zhuo Lin's mouth. Her body, which was lying on the ground, had unknowingly sat up. Her narrowed eyes stared intently at Zhuo Lin. Finally, when Zhuo Lin spoke about how Xiao Yan's figure had suddenly disappeared from the open ground, some ripples involuntarily surfaced in Jian Ming's eyes. What everyone did not know was that a great storm had been stirred within Jian Ming's heart at this moment.
According to what Zhuo Lin had said, after Xiao Yan had used all his strength to unleash his Dou Qi in the remains back then, his condition could already be considered as an arrow at the end of its flight. It was impossible for him to have the ability to retaliate, much less survive that kind of energy storm.
However, the result that Zhuo Lin had given was that Xiao Yan had disappeared from the open ground together with the Narwhal Snake. This was something that was impossible, but it had really happened.
Xiao Yan, who had lost all his fighting strength, would definitely not be able to rely on his own strength to escape from that place, much less bring the Narwhal Snake with him.
Since that was the case, the only explanation was that there was someone else secretly helping them and helping them escape from the remains!
That person's skills were so great that even with Zhuo Lin's and Bai Ying's strength, they were unable to sense any unusual movements. This also meant that the latter's strength was far above theirs!
A mysterious strong person had suddenly intervened and rescued Xiao Yan when he was in danger. This kind of thing might appear illogical in the eyes of others, and it was also not true.
However, in Jian Ming's eyes, it was a different kind of view.
"Don't tell me … behind Xiao Yan … is there really another strong person protecting him?"
Jian Ming's eyes were empty and lifeless as she sat on the main seat. Her brows were tightly knit together. Her heart involuntarily recalled the big battle in Green Jade City a few years ago.
Four elite Dou Di had gathered in one city. Their aim was actually a mere Ban Di, who was like an ant in their eyes. Originally, they had thought that it would be an easy parade. However, they did not expect that the four of them, who were elite Dou Di, would end up fleeing like stray dogs.
Jian Ming would never forget the humiliation that day. He was even more unable to forget the great strength of that aura. If that mysterious person had really attacked, Jian Ming dared to guarantee that even if the four of them were to join forces, they would definitely not be able to last one exchange with that mysterious strong person!
However, the scene back then had appeared once again. Another mysterious strong person had suddenly intervened when Xiao Yan was in danger. If this news were to spread to the ears of the other three Sect Leaders, it was likely that it would stir an invisible storm!
Zhuo Lin, who had finished narrating all of this, returned to calmness. He no longer spoke. His eyes were indifferent as they swept over the people from the two clans. He glanced at Bai Ying before returning to his seat.
Everyone present threw their gazes toward Jian Ming on the main seat. After what had happened earlier, everyone present consciously shut their mouths this time around without Jian Ming speaking.
In an instant, the atmosphere within the hall had once again become strange. It did not appear nervous, but it also caused everyone to not dare to relax even a little. Everyone hoped to be called out by Jian Ming, but at the same time, they were afraid that they would open their mouths and say the wrong thing.
"Can you guarantee that what you have said is true?"
The atmosphere in the hall was in a deadlock for a long time. A moment later, Jian Ming once again opened his mouth to speak.
"This junior dares to guarantee with my life that what I have said earlier is true!"
Zhuo Lin stood up. His eyes looked at Jian Ming on the main seat. His eyes were calm as he spoke without looking sideways.
Jian Ming could not help but feel surprised in his heart when he saw Zhuo Lin's manner. He immediately nodded gently.
"Alright, I hope that I can believe your words."
Zhuo Lin sat down again. At the same time, Jian Ming turned his gaze to Bai Ying and said in a serious voice,
"Patriarch Bai, only you and nephew Zhuo Lin came out of the ruins that day. Can you guarantee that what Zhuo Lin said earlier is true?"
At the end of his words, Jian Ming's gaze was somewhat cold as he stared at Bai Ying. If Bai Ying criticized Zhuo Lin's words in the slightest, then the latter would have to pay the price for what he had said earlier. After all, he was willing to use his life as a guarantee.
At this moment, the people from the other three clans instantly looked at Bai Ying. Jian Ming's action could be said to have placed Zhuo Lin's life in Bai Ying's hands. Whether he lived or died depended on Bai Ying's words.
Huo Xianrui and Sun Zhi stared at Bai Ying with sneers on their faces. They naturally wanted Bai Ying to say what they wanted to hear. They were certain that Bai Ying would definitely say those words. As long as Bai Ying spoke, not only would it be considered as revenge for their two clans, but it would also remove a huge problem for their three clans. The two clans were naturally happy to do such a thing.
Compared to the reactions of the people from the two clans, the expressions of the people from the Zhuo clan changed. They did not expect Jian Ming to use such a method. In this way, Zhuo Lin's life was in the hands of Bai Ying.
Beside Zhuo Lin, a middle-aged man next to him was about to stand up, but he was pulled down by Zhuo Lin, who had a calm expression on his face.
Zhuo Lin shook his head without a trace. When the latter saw this, although he was still very worried in his heart, in the end, his body swayed and sat down heavily.
At the same time, Bai Ying, who was being stared at by everyone, also felt a sense of difficulty in his heart.
If he said what the two clans and even Jian Ming wanted to hear, then Zhuo Lin's life would be in danger and the Zhuo clan's momentum would be greatly reduced. At that time, even their entire clan would be affected. This situation was definitely what the three clans wanted to see.
But if Zhuo Lin died, then Bai Ying would not only have to face the enmity of the other two families, but he would also be targeted by the Zhuo family. Coupled with the greedy wolf that was the Heavenly Sword Sect, the Bai family's situation would definitely fall to rock bottom.
Besieged on all sides, the Bai clan's future would be in danger.
However, if Bai Ying disobeyed Jian Ming's orders, then the Bai clan would inevitably be suppressed by the Sky Sword Sect. In this way, his clan would also become the target of public criticism. His days would not be easy!
However, even so, compared to being swallowed up like the former, it was better to temporarily restrain himself and wait for an opportunity to act in the future. This was not a bad idea.
"Jian Ming … I didn't expect you to finally make a move against our four great clans. If you want to swallow us, you won't be able to bite our hard bones without breaking a few of your dog teeth!"
Bai Ying cursed in his heart. A moment later, he finally slowly raised his head. Under the gazes of everyone present, he looked at Jian Ming, who was seated at the head of the table. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a warm smile that was like a spring breeze.
Huo Xianrui and Sun Zhi stared at Bai Ying, hoping that Bai Ying would say what they wanted to hear. When Jian Ming saw the smile on Bai Ying's face, he couldn't help but have a bad premonition. Under his wide sleeves, a pair of withered hands slowly raised and involuntarily gripped the armrest of the chair tightly.
"Reporting to sect master, what Zhuo Lin said just now was witnessed by this subordinate with his own eyes. Every word is true."
"Hua!"
As soon as Bai Ying finished speaking, everyone in the hall was in an uproar. They never thought that Bai Ying would actually say such words. Everyone's faces were filled with disbelief. At the same time, on the main seat, the stone armrest that Jian Ming was holding tightly in his hand had inadvertently turned into a pile of powder.
…
Genius remembered this address in a second:. Mobile version of reading website: m.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
