Volume 1, Chapter 28: Gathering Storm, Strategic Maneuvers

The chaos in the West Courtyard did not last long after Han Feiyu and his group fled in panic.

Deacon Wang was the first to arrive. His face was ashen, followed by seven or eight Law Enforcement Disciples, clearly alarmed by the massive commotion. However, when he stepped into the chaotic silent room and saw the two Soul Searching Technique Deacons lying on the ground, bleeding from their seven orifices and unconscious, as well as the ruins of the room, the ashen look on his face instantly turned into undisguised horror and gravity.

"Lin... Little Friend Lin, this is..." His voice was somewhat dry, his gaze lingering on Lin Xuan, carrying deep wariness and re-evaluation.

Lin Xuan stood in the center of the ruins. Although his aura was slightly unstable due to the recent outburst, his spine remained straight as a spear. He glanced at Deacon Wang, his tone calm to the point of indifference: "Deacon Wang has arrived just in time. Senior Brother Han broke in late at night with people, wanting to force a confession from Lin with the Soul Searching Technique. Lin was forced to defend himself and accidentally injured these two. Senior Brother Han has already left on his own. If Deacon Wang has any questions, you can ask him."

Deacon Wang gasped. Soul Searching Technique! This was a forbidden technique strictly prohibited by the Sect. Those who used it without authorization would have their cultivation crippled at best, or be executed at worst! To think Han Feiyu dared to... Thoughts raced through his mind as he quickly weighed the pros and cons. If this matter spread, Han Feiyu would certainly not be able to escape the consequences, but as the stationed Deacon, he, Wang Yuanshan, would also be unable to shirk responsibility for poor supervision.

"Little Friend Lin, your injuries haven't healed yet, first... first rest." Deacon Wang spoke with difficulty, waving his hand at the Disciples behind him, "Carry these two away and keep them... under close watch. No one is to leak what happened tonight! Violators will be severely punished!"

He tried to seal the news and keep the impact to a minimum.

However, before his voice faded, a cold voice came from outside the courtyard:

"Junior Martial Uncle Wang, I'm afraid it's too late."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, only to see Su Qingyue walking over in a moon-white dress. Her face was still pale, but her eyes were clear and firm, holding a projection stone in her hand.

"Disciple Su Qingyue, I happened to pass by the West Courtyard tonight and witnessed everything." She raised the projection stone, "Senior Brother Han Feiyu used the forbidden Soul Searching Technique without authorization, intending to force a confession from Lin Xuan, which has already been recorded by this Disciple with a projection stone. According to the Sect's laws, this matter should be reported to the Law Enforcement Hall to be handled impartially."

Deacon Wang's expression changed drastically, his gaze towards Su Qingyue filled with disbelief. This honor student, who had always been cold, self-restrained, and followed the rules, actually dared to... stand up and testify against an Inner Sect elite?

"Qingyue! You..." Deacon Wang tried to persuade her, "This matter is of great importance, Senior Brother Han's backing..."

"Junior Martial Uncle Wang," Su Qingyue interrupted him, her voice not loud, but carrying a firmness that had never been there before, "This Disciple knows. But this Disciple knows even more that if one hides the truth out of fear of power, then this Sect is no longer the Sect this Disciple aspired to join."

She glanced at Lin Xuan, a complex light flashing in her eyes, then turned and drifted away.

Deacon Wang stood frozen on the spot, unable to speak for a long time.

Lin Xuan looked at Su Qingyue's departing back, a strange look flashing in his eyes. This once high-and-mighty "former fiancée" had made a choice tonight that was enough to change her destiny.

...

The news spread like it had grown wings, quickly shaking the station.

Although Deacon Wang tried to seal it, the appearance of the projection stone and Su Qingyue's undisguised testimony made the matter ferment rapidly. The next morning, when the first ray of sunlight fell on Qingshi Town, the entire station was discussing the storm in the West Courtyard last night.

"Have you heard? Senior Brother Han Feiyu used the Soul Searching Technique and was recorded on the spot by Junior Sister Su Qingyue!"

"Soul Searching Technique? That's a forbidden technique! Is Senior Brother Han crazy?"

"It is said it was to force that Lin Xuan to confess about the Legacy of the Black Wind Ridge ruins..."

"Lin Xuan? Is that the Body Cultivator who was carried back and was critically injured? Isn't he dying?"

"Dying? Heh, I heard that last night he took down all four of Senior Brother Han's Inner Sect Disciples with one punch each! The two Foundation Establishment Stage Soul Searching Deacons are still unconscious!"

"Hiss—what... what kind of monster is this?"

Various discussions were rampant.

As for the central figure of the incident, Lin Xuan, he was currently moved to another, quieter courtyard. It was arranged by Deacon Wang personally, saying it was "convenient for recuperation," but in reality, it was to upgrade monitoring, and also a form of "protection"—protecting Lin Xuan, and also protecting others from going to provoke this fierce star again.

Wang Mang and Li Dali were also sent back. As soon as they saw Lin Xuan, their eyes turned red.

"Brother Lin! Are you okay? I heard that last night..." Wang Mang looked Lin Xuan up and down, full of worry.

"No harm done. I've been lying down for two days, it's just right to stretch my muscles and bones." Lin Xuan smiled faintly.

Li Dali lowered his voice, his face full of lingering fear and admiration: "Brother Lin, you are really... too ruthless! Four Qi Refining Level 9, two Foundation Establishment, plus Han Feiyu, you took them all on by yourself?"

"They underestimated the enemy, I was lucky." Lin Xuan didn't explain much, and instead asked, "What about you guys? Where were you taken?"

"Hey, don't mention it!" Wang Mang sat down with a thud, "We were called to help clear the ruins after the earthquake, and worked as coolies for a whole day! Those Law Enforcement Disciples watched us every step of the way, we couldn't even run if we wanted to!"

A glint flashed in Li Dali's eyes: "Brother Lin, what should we do next? That kid Han Feiyu suffered such a big loss, his Revered Master... an Inner Sect Elder, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage existence, surely won't let it rest."

Lin Xuan was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Wait."

"Wait?" Wang Mang scratched his head, "Wait for what?"

"Wait for the Sect's handling, wait for Han Feiyu to make a move, wait for... the people who should come to come." Lin Xuan's gaze cast outside the window, landing on the direction of the main hall in the distance, "Su Qingyue intervened in last night's matter, the nature of the matter changed. Now, it's not us who are anxious; it's Han Feiyu who is anxious, it's Deacon Wang who is anxious, it's the Yunni Sect... that is anxious."

...

Main Hall.

The atmosphere was so oppressive it was almost frozen.

Han Feiyu sat in the lower seat with a grey face, no longer having the arrogance of last night. The bloodstain on his face cut by a sword edge had already scabbed over, looking extremely wretched. Deacon Wang sat on the other side, frowning tightly. Sun Miao was also invited, his face grave.

At the head, there was a phantom projected through the Formation—an old man with a refined face and sharp eyes; it was Han Feiyu's Revered Master, Yunni Sect Inner Sect Elder, Zhao Yuanqing, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator.

"Trash!" Zhao Yuanqing's phantom spat out two words coldly, his gaze like a knife, stabbing Han Feiyu until he trembled all over.

"Revered Master, Disciple... Disciple didn't expect that Lin Xuan to be so cunning, faking unconsciousness for two days, then launching a sneak attack! And his strength... far exceeded estimates!" Han Feiyu argued.

"Far exceeded estimates?" Zhao Yuanqing snorted coldly, "A Martial Artist with no Spiritual Root, even if he got some Opportunity, how strong could he be? You brought two Foundation Establishment Deacons and four Qi Refining Level 9 Disciples, and were beaten to a rout by him alone, and you still have the face to talk?"

Han Feiyu lowered his head, not daring to argue further.

"The problem now is that Su Qingyue." Zhao Yuanqing's gaze turned to Deacon Wang and Sun Miao, "The projection stone in her hand is the biggest trouble. Soul Searching Technique is a Sect forbidden technique; once it spreads, this old man won't be able to protect Feiyu either."

Deacon Wang cautiously said: "Elder Zhao, regarding Su Qingyue... can we send someone to appease her? She is young after all, perhaps..."

"Appease?" Zhao Yuanqing sneered, "Do you think she is still that obedient honor student? If she could stand out last night, it means she has made up her mind. Forced appeasement will only be counterproductive."

Sun Miao pondered: "Elder Zhao, why not... let the Law Enforcement Hall intervene and hold a public trial? If handled properly, we might be able to minimize the impact, and at the same time... take the Opportunity to find out Lin Xuan's true background. He was able to counter-kill the Soul Searching Deacons while seriously injured; the secrets he carries are likely deeper than we imagine."

A glint flashed in Zhao Yuanqing's eyes. After a moment of silence, he nodded slowly: "Junior Martial Uncle Sun's words make sense. Rather than covering it up, it's better to put the matter on the table. Feiyu using the forbidden technique is indeed a fault, but considering his eagerness to make contributions for the Sect by exploring the ruins, it can be dealt with leniently. And that Lin Xuan..." He paused, his tone turning cold, "To be able to burst out with such combat power while seriously injured, there must be major secrets on him! Just use this Opportunity to dig out his background completely!"

"Pass my order!" Zhao Yuanqing's phantom stood up, pressure permeating, "Three days later, at the station's main hall, a public trial of the 'Soul Searching Incident' will be held! The involved parties Han Feiyu, Lin Xuan, Su Qingyue, and all relevant personnel must be present! At that time, this old man will descend personally!"

The phantom dissipated.

The main hall fell into a brief dead silence.

Han Feiyu raised his head, a flash of ruthlessness and expectation in his eyes. Revered Master is taking action personally; Lin Xuan, how much longer can you hop around?

Deacon Wang and Sun Miao looked at each other, both seeing deep worry and... a trace of helplessness in each other's eyes. The storm is truly coming.

...

New site of the West Courtyard.

Lin Xuan sat cross-legged on the couch and slowly opened his eyes.

Just now, a Law Enforcement Disciple delivered a secret letter. On the letter was only a line of elegant handwriting:

"Three days later, public trial at the main hall. Han Feiyu's Revered Master Zhao Yuanqing will attend personally. Be careful."

The signature was the character "Yue".

Su Qingyue's intelligence.

Lin Xuan looked at that line of words, the corner of his mouth hooked into a faint arc. This woman who once looked at him with disdain had now become his only "ally" in the Yunni Sect.

Three days.

He lowered his head, looking at his own hands. These two days of dormancy, plus the re-recuperation after last night's explosion, the "Breaking and then Establishing" Profound Truth of the Indestructible Body of the Martial God Foundation Establishment chapter was repairing his injuries at an astonishing speed, and even making his physical Foundation more solid. In his Dantian, those eight hundred strands of [Source Martial Spiritual Energy] were not only fully recovered but even had signs of breaking through a thousand strands. He was only one step away from the Perfection of the "Spiritual Power Like a Tide" realm.

He needed time, just a little more time, perhaps he could...

But, the enemy would not give him time.

Three days later, public trial.

That would be his stage, and also his battlefield.

Lin Xuan raised his head, his gaze piercing through the window lattice, landing on the distant, looming eaves of the main hall.

"Zhao Yuanqing... Foundation Establishment Late Stage..." He muttered to himself, no fear in his eyes, only deep Battle Intent, "Just right, let me see exactly how much weight these 'strong ones' of this new world have."

(End of Volume 1, Chapter 28)

[Next Chapter Preview]: On the day of the public trial, confrontation at the main hall! The three-day deadline has arrived, and the Yunni Sect's main hall public trial for the "Soul Searching Incident" begins! Han Feiyu, Lin Xuan, and Su Qingyue face off in court, Zhao Yuanqing's phantom descends personally, and a Law Enforcement Hall Elder presides! How will Lin Xuan handle this meticulously planned "trial"? Can Su Qingyue's testimony hold up? How will Han Feiyu's Revered Master make his move? And will the forces hidden in the dark take the Opportunity to strike? Next Chapter: Public Trial at the Main Hall, Swords Drawn! Lin Xuan: "Try me? I'm afraid this court will end up trying you all instead."