The Truth Gradually Becomes Clear: Cleverly Devising a Plan to Break the Conspiracy

Dawn had barely broken when the wind lifted a corner of the council hall's curtain and Chen Wuya stepped inside. His pace was unhurried. The coarse short jacket on his shoulders still carried the damp chill of night dew, and his cuffs bore muddy smears from when he had brushed off dust the night before. The list had already been laid out on the table, and at the top of the page, the four characters "Hengshan Branch" stood out clearly.

Bai Zhi was already waiting in the hall, standing in a corner as she reviewed documents. She looked up, her gaze falling on the charcoal pencil in his hand. He said nothing, merely set the pencil lightly on the table before turning to stand beside the seat of honor.

People gradually filed into the hall. Representatives from the various sects gathered in twos and threes, conversing in low voices. An elder from the Southern faction entered leaning on a cane. One glance at the table made him frown at once. "Who drew up this list? Wasn't the Hengshan Branch struck from the rolls three years ago?"

Chen Wuya spoke, his voice low. "I put it there."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

A gray-clad man from the Western Frontier Saber Sect sneered. "Are you trying to clear a traitor's name?"

"I'm not trying to clear anyone's name." Chen Wuya looked at them. "I want to test what exactly 'potential contribution' means."

At that moment, Shen Yan slowly emerged from the back rows. His robes were immaculate, his expression unchanged. He stepped into the center and faced the crowd. "Since Young Hero Chen is willing to adopt the trial plan I proposed yesterday, why not let me oversee its implementation? Though the Hengshan Branch once went astray, if they can