He Will Come

"This is really not a rip-off inn." Inside the inn, Jiang Lin sat on a wooden stool, with the Inner Disciple of the Empty Spirit Sect in front of him.

Judging from the uniforms of these Inner Disciple, they seem to be from the Empty Spirit Sect Wind Gathering Hall, which is responsible for intelligence gathering and public relations. I've even heard that the Wind Gathering Hall is also responsible for arresting and interrogating people.

However, Jiang Lin was not flustered at all.

Just kidding, now that they've captured me, doesn't that mean Mo Li really did have that kind of relationship with me?

Since they came in full view of everyone, they must be trying to show others that "it's all just a rumor, and our Miss Mo Li is absolutely innocent!"

Indeed, that's what the Empty Spirit Sect meant as well.

Otherwise, wouldn't it be better to wait until it's dark and windy, lure yourself to a certain place, then put a sack over your head and beat you senseless...?

This is to tell Jiang Lin:

"We know you didn't do it, but you need to cooperate to clear up the misunderstanding; it will benefit both of us..."

Although they didn't say it directly, or even communicate via Heart-Lake, they believed that someone who had reached the 250th member of the Hei Se Gang with the reputation of Flower-Picking Thief would definitely have high emotional intelligence and would be able to understand their actions.

Jiang Lin genuinely understood and wanted to clear up the misunderstanding with them; otherwise, he might be killed the moment he stepped outside...

Therefore, Jiang Lin and the others did not set up any Isolation Array at all. If nothing unexpected happens, many people are currently listening intently.

"Jiang Pervert! I ask you! Why did you ruin the reputation of my Miss Mo Li?!"

Before Jiang Lin could speak, a man questioned him in an extremely unfriendly tone, as if to say, "If it weren't for so many people, I would have killed you."

Jiang Lin slammed his cup down on the table and stood up abruptly. "Nonsense! What evidence do you have? How dare you make baseless accusations without proof? Is this how your Empty Spirit Sect bullies people?"

"You! You lecherous thief, you have Miss Mo Li's undergarment!"

"Hehe!"

Jiang Lin waved his hand, and more than a dozen bellybands were displayed, some of which were quite avant-garde in style, with patterns that made a female cultivator blush.

"I, Jiang Lin, make a living selling bellybands. It's common for me to sell them. Which one of these is Miss Mo Li's bellyband? If you can point it out, I, Jiang Lin, will have nothing to say! If not, what then!"

"You!"

One of the disciples was so angry that his face turned completely red.

How could we possibly pick them out? We've never even seen them before, and what would it mean if we did pick them out?

This means the Flower-Picking Thief is none other than himself! Otherwise, how would he know the style of Miss Mo Li's undergarment?

"What do you mean, 'you'?! I, Jiang Lin, was chased by your Empty Spirit Sect yesterday and barely escaped. How could I possibly go looking for your Mo Li?"

Jiang Lin spoke with righteous indignation, as if he really hadn't done it.

"Furthermore, everyone knows that the back mountain of your sect is a forbidden area. And how could I, a mere Dragon Gate Realm cultivator, have broken into the magic array there? If I had truly broken in, would your Empty Spirit Sect even be worthy of being called the number one sect in Wutong Province?"

Besides! It was only one night! How could I possibly spread such a widespread rumor?

I'm sure you're the ones who spread this news! Your ancestor must be lusting after my good looks and wants me to marry Mo Li, so he spread rumors to coerce and entice me!

"Nonsense!"

"You lecherous scoundrel, spouting utter nonsense!"

"Senior brother! I can't hold back anymore! I'm about to explode!"

"Are you afraid of us?! Guards! You're from Special Forces Group One!"

Suddenly, a man, a bald man, an eagle, and a pig jumped out from under the bed, from the roof beam, and from beside the chamber pot.

They were holding weapons in one hand and a round object in the other, as if they were about to perish together with them at any moment.

"Wait a moment!"

Just when the situation seemed about to spiral out of control, and the eavesdroppers downstairs were even sitting on small stools, silently chanting "Fight! Fight!", the leader of the group stopped them.

The man stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Daoist Jiang Daoist Jiang, please calm down. Your analysis does make some sense."

Daoist Jiang is merely at the Dragon Gate Realm. How could he possibly enter the formation behind our sect's mountain, and how could he spread rumors so quickly in just one night? Indeed, someone must be manipulating this behind the scenes! We've been used as pawns."

The man then produced several items that resembled admission tickets.

"Before the Sect Martial Arts Competition, Empty Spirit City will hold an auction. This is a small token of my master's appreciation. If Young Master Jiang is interested, you are welcome to come and watch the bidding. There will be some very good items at this auction."

Without waiting for Jiang Lin to refuse, the man placed the admission ticket on the table, bowed again, and walked out the door.

The other disciples wanted to say something, but they felt that their acting hadn't been long enough; they had only appeared for half a chapter, and might Liao Liao be able to appear again later.

But since all his senior brothers had left, he had no choice but to follow suit...

"Please close the door."

After they left, the area below the inn erupted in commotion once again.

However, the crowd gradually dispersed before long.

"Brother Jiang, what do they mean by this?"

Looking at the admission tickets on the table, Jiji Bo a bit overwhelmed and silently put away the Nine-Toothed Rake and hand grenade in its hooves.

"Indeed, Brother Jiang, why do I feel like you're acting?"

Diao Da also felt that something was off about the plot.

I was prepared to throw the grenade and run for my life.

"It was all just acting."

Jiang Lin put away the undergarment and auction admission ticket on the table.

"The other party also knows that I cannot enter the magic array in the back mountain. If they capture me or do something to harm me, it will only show that they are guilty. Even if something didn't happen, it will become true. That's why they came to argue with me."

Although others might think I was just following their lead, the truth is that I couldn't possibly enter the magic array in the back mountain, nor did I have the ability to spread the word so widely in just one night.

"Once these things are clarified, the rumors will subside on their own."

but...

Jiang Lin sighed softly, feeling that things were getting increasingly complicated.

This was definitely not something I did, nor was it done by the Empty Spirit Sect, which means that someone really is targeting me or Mo Li.

At least, I'm already involved now.

and...

Thinking back to the man who led the Wind Gathering Hall, Jiang Lin still felt that something was off about him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Besides, even if it was an order from an elder of the Empty Spirit Sect, why send them auction tickets? Wouldn't sending spirit stones be more direct?

"Could there be something wrong with this auction...?"

"Alright, Brother Jiang, don't think about it so much. Who cares if there's a problem or not? Since the Empty Spirit Sect hasn't bothered us, that's fine. If there's a problem, so be it! We're the villains, after all!"

"That's right, Brother Jiang, have you forgotten what festival is in Empty Spirit City in four days?"

"A holiday? What holiday?"

"The Festival of Lights!"

"Your Highness..."

In the courtyard of a small village at the foot of the Empty Spirit Sect mountain range, a man knelt on one knee.

Upon closer inspection, it was the same person who led the group that went to find Jiang Lin at the Wind Gathering Hall earlier today.

"How's it going? Is everything settled?"

The woman gently stroked the white cat, her tone nonchalant.

"Your Highness, everything is in order. However, Jiang Lin seems suspicious of the auction. What if he doesn't take the bait?"

"Not taking the bait?"

The woman covered her mouth and giggled.

He will come!