Judgment Hall

Could it be that they were cultivating me?

Yang Chen thought so inwardly, but said, "This... this disciple is dull-witted. I ask you to enlighten me, sir."

Lin Chuan could not be bothered to expose Yang Chen's clumsy act and said bluntly, "If you want to go farther in the Sun Moon Sword Sect, do not measure the sect by your own worldview. The Sun Moon Sword Sect's power far exceeds your imagination, and so does its greatness."

"Do not hide your talents, and do not keep a low profile. Everyone has their own opportunities, but what do such so-called opportunities amount to in the eyes of the Sword Sect's upper ranks? Even something slipping through an Inner Sect Uncle-Master's fingers is a heaven-sent opportunity to countless people."

"But even an Inner Sect Uncle-Master cannot be considered part of the upper ranks in the Sun Moon Sword Sect!"

"Why does everyone fight for fame? Because only with greater fame can one draw the attention of the upper ranks and gain astonishing rewards. Fame and profit are inseparable. Once you possess a reputation that crowns you above all others, it means you will command resources beyond imagination."

These words were his reward to Yang Chen. Many people simply failed to realize this. They got a small opportunity and hid it away, thinking they were quietly making a fortune, when in truth, nobody cared in the slightest.

Yang Chen carefully savored Lin Chuan's words. The more he thought about them, the more reasonable they seemed.

The saying that a tree standing tall in the forest would surely be battered by the wind was true, but it was easy to overlook just how much sun and moon essence that tall tree alone had enjoyed.

He sighed deeply. "Your words are truly like enlightenment poured over my head, clearing away the clouds and letting me see the blue sky!"

Lin Chuan tugged slightly at the corner of his mouth. He admitted that his words made some sense, but they were not quite that exaggerated.

"Cultivate well. Strive to enter the top ten before the cultivation Rankings Board ends."

"Yes!"

Yang Chen gave a concise reply. Even if Lin Chuan had not specifically mentioned it, he had long resolved to strive for the top. After all, he had been eyeing those spirit crystals and cultivation manuals for quite some time.

Just then, the disciple who had previously blocked the way came in to report, "Sir, Wang Kui requests an audience."

"Take them to the Judgment Hall."

Lin Chuan gave the order, rose to his feet, and headed toward the Judgment Hall. Yang Chen followed close behind and arrived there with Lin Chuan.

The Judgment Hall was specifically for trying disciples' cases. Its entirety was a somber dark blue-green, steeped inside and out in an atmosphere of grave solemnity.

When the two arrived at the Judgment Hall, Wang Kui and the other two had already escorted Zhou Tao and were waiting below the hall. Upon seeing Lin Chuan, they spoke in unison, "Greetings, Steward Lin!"

Lin Chuan's expression was cold, and his entire body radiated an imposing majesty even without anger.

Yang Chen immediately went over to Wang Kui and the others and examined the pale-faced disciple. With a single glance, he knew this man was the one who had framed him.

He withdrew his gaze, his face revealing neither joy nor anger.

"I have already heard why you have come." Lin Chuan's voice carried a chill that made people shudder. "I have overseen Area 8 for more than four years, yet such a vile incident has never occurred. Zhou Tao, do you know your crime?"

Zhou Tao trembled all over and dropped to his knees in terror. In a shaking voice, he said, "Sir, I..."

"Crying and sniveling—what kind of man are you?"

Suddenly, a figure entered the Judgment Hall. The newcomer wore a black robe and had rugged features. Upon entering, he immediately knelt and bowed. "Zhou Han greets you, sir!"

Lin Chuan said coldly, "Why have you come here?"

"Zhou Tao is my younger brother. I heard that he was forcibly taken away, and I feared there might be some misunderstanding, so I came to speak on his behalf."

Kneeling on the ground, Zhou Han made no attempt to conceal his purpose in coming to protect Zhou Tao.

"Zhou Han! What do you mean by that? Are you saying that we abused our authority and persecuted Zhou Tao?"

Wang Kui stepped forward and shouted sternly, "You rushed here in such a hurry; there must be guilt in your heart! If you ask me, there is every chance that what Zhou Tao did was at your instigation!"

"Wang Kui, why be so agitated?" Zhou Han did not get angry, merely saying blandly, "As the mine district supervisor, sect rules are an absolute red line in my heart that cannot be crossed. You brought Zhou Tao here without a word. Whether the procedure was proper, whether personal grudges were mixed into this—you should know that in your hearts."

"Every disciple is equal. Without absolute evidence, arresting someone is clearly against the rules. If this is all a misunderstanding, who will take responsibility for the losses inflicted upon Zhou Tao?"

As Zhou Han spoke, he gave Zhou Tao a meaningful look. After Zhou Han's arrival, Zhou Tao's will, which had been on the verge of collapse, recovered somewhat. Though his face remained pale, he was at least able to calm down a little.

"Senior Brother Zhou's concern for his younger brother is truly moving."

Seeing that Lin Chuan did not seem prepared to speak, Yang Chen picked up the thread. "I only wonder whether Zhou Tao considered how innocent the victim was when he decided to frame someone else."

Zhou Han looked coldly at Yang Chen. "Who are you?"

"I am the victim!" Yang Chen's voice rang with the force of falling stones. "I had never met Zhou Tao, yet he framed me by releasing Rice Devouring Worms into the spirit fields under my care, causing the Spirit Rice to wither. After discovering it, I bought Insect Luring Powder and killed the Rice Devouring Worms. Yet only a few days later, the same thing happened again! The viciousness of his intentions and the depravity of his character are simply outrageous!"

Zhou Han frowned deeply. He had only known that Zhou Tao had been taken away, not why. Only now did he learn that Zhou Tao had caused such a massive disaster.

"That is merely your one-sided claim. You should know the saying: catch a thief with the stolen goods in hand. I am quite curious—what makes you certain that Zhou Tao was the culprit?"

Naturally, Zhou Han would not admit to such a thing. Once he did, the consequences would be severe. He intended to hold fast to this point. So long as the other side lacked irrefutable evidence, there would be no conclusion to this matter. He might even bite back and demand compensation.

"You want evidence? I will give you evidence."

Yang Chen flicked his sleeve and took out a Recording Stone from his robes. Holding it in both hands, he presented it to Lin Chuan. "Sir, the figure in this Recording Stone has features identical to Zhou Tao's. I ask you to uphold justice for this disciple!"

Lin Chuan had already seen the scenes within the Recording Stone. Thus, the moment Zhou Tao was brought in, he had known it was him. He tossed the Recording Stone to Zhou Han. "See for yourself!"

The moment Zhou Tao heard the words Recording Stone, his vision went black, and he fainted from fright.

Zhou Han's expression turned utterly grim as well. He had not expected the other side to possess such a method and to have preserved evidence from the scene. Uneasily, he looked at the Recording Stone, and his face gradually darkened.

After watching the Recording Stone, he glared furiously at Zhou Tao, only to find that he had already fainted from fright. The anger in his eyes immediately dissipated by more than half. No matter what, Zhou Tao was still his younger brother!

Since childhood, Zhou Tao had followed at his heels and obeyed his every instruction. The brothers shared a deep bond. After they entered the sect one after another, Zhou Han had told himself that he had to take good care of Zhou Tao.

He had originally wanted to arrange for Zhou Tao to work in the mine district. With Zhou Han watching over him, Zhou Tao would only need to symbolically complete his daily tasks. But Zhou Tao felt the mine district's conditions were too harsh, so Zhou Han found a way to place him in the herb garden instead.

What Zhou Han had not expected was that after going to the herb garden, Zhou Tao repeatedly made mistakes. Fortunately, none had caused a major disaster, and Zhou Han had some influence there, allowing Zhou Tao to remain in the herb garden.

But this year, Zhou Tao's neglect of duty caused a crucial medicinal herb to wither. An Outer Sect disciple who had come to collect medicine flew into a rage, and the herb garden supervisor suffered a calamity from nowhere. How could he possibly allow Zhou Tao to remain in the herb garden any longer?

That alone would have been one thing. At worst, Zhou Han could continue trading favors for Zhou Tao. With his help, Zhou Tao managed to obtain an assignment in the spirit field area. Yet how long had it been? He had already poked such a huge hole in the sky.

The characteristics of the figure in the Recording Stone left him no room to deny it. He had no chance to argue his way out.

"You fool!!"

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