Confrontation!

About half an hour later.

A figure hurried into the Outer Sect Branch Hall. It was none other than Zhang Cong.

"Li Yun, are you all right?"

"I'm fine. I just made you come all this way so late at night."

"How is that any trouble?"

"I've already learned some of the situation. Those bastards from Rank 77 Courtyard are truly brazen beyond belief. In a moment, I'll personally ask those little brats exactly what they were trying to do!"

Zhang Cong was visibly seething with rage.

In his eyes, Li Yun was already one of the Zhang Clan's people, and one of immense importance to the Zhang Clan's future at that. No matter why the people from Rank 77 Courtyard had ambushed Li Yun, it was unforgivable.

Hai Fen was not surprised by Zhang Cong's anger.

Before Zhang Cong arrived, he had already confirmed that Li Yun's identity was genuine. Since that was the case, how could Zhang Cong fail to value a newcomer, an incomparably gifted newcomer whom he intended to put forth to compete for Rank Ren Chief?

No amount of importance placed on him would be excessive.

Hai Fen even felt that, in his place, he too would spare no cost to protect Li Yun.

As for whether that would make others question an elder's impartiality, that simply did not matter.

"Zhang Cong, it has been a long time..."

"I called you here so late because I originally wanted to ask you to verify Li Yun's identity. But seeing your reaction, I already know the answer."

Zhang Cong turned and cupped his hands toward Hai Fen.

"Brother Hai, it has indeed been a long time."

"There is no issue whatsoever with Li Yun's identity. He is indeed an Outer Sect Disciple of Rank 95 Academy. As for the martial arts he possesses, such as Thunderclap Fist and Soaring Star Steps, Huang Huazong, Li Sixing, and I taught them to him recently."

Hai Fen's expression shifted in shock. "What did you say? Li Yun learned all of those martial arts within barely more than a month after entering the sect?"

"That's right!"

"Brother Hai, surely you understand what that means?"

"To be frank, Huang Huazong, Li Sixing, and I have already decided to recommend Li Yun as Rank Ren Chief. He is qualified!"

"Moreover, I believe that within the next ten years, Li Yun will surely become a rising star of the Celestial Martial Sect. Among the younger generation across Eastern Cloud Prefecture, absolutely no one will be able to shake him!"

"This..."

Hai Fen was not stupid. How could he fail to realize that Zhang Cong was putting pressure on him?

Hai Fen felt a trace of irritation, yet he had to admit that this pressure from Zhang Cong was not something he could easily shove back.

Just then, Lin Tieshu hurried in as well.

"Reporting to Elder Hai, those people have all awakened..."

"They're awake? Since they're awake, carry them all here. I would like to hear how they intend to explain tonight's affair."

"Zhang Cong, since you're here, why not wait here for a moment?"

"Fine!"

Of course Zhang Cong was not about to leave.

What a joke!

If he left now and something happened later, and Hai Fen locked Li Yun in the Punishment Hall Dungeon, that would be a real spectacle.

By then, those who opposed Li Yun becoming Rank Ren Chief would have plenty to talk about.

Very soon.

Wu Yuekong and the others were carried in.

When they saw Hai Fen, then saw Zhang Cong as well, Wu Yuekong and the others were scared out of their wits. Their faces had already been pale from blood loss, but now they looked even whiter, utterly bloodless.

Hai Fen had no intention of reminiscing with them. No matter what their reason was, these people had ambushed Li Yun.

Thus, he said coldly, "What explanation do you have for what happened tonight? Why did you attack Li Yun? Explain yourselves clearly. If you dare conceal even the slightest thing, I will show you what it means for the Punishment Hall's rules to be as strict as a forest. I'll make sure you can enter but never leave!"

Hai Fen's cold voice carried crushing pressure.

Wu Yuekong and the others trembled all over in fright.

Wu Yuekong secretly glanced at Zhao Leyue and the others. He knew things were going badly. None of these people had particularly resolute wills; they could not withstand intimidation at all.

If they spoke first, he would be finished for certain.

So he steeled himself and spoke before anyone else.

"Reporting to Elder, Li Yun is mostly to blame for this. He ambushed and killed He Tingfeng and Xu Youwu from our Rank 77 Courtyard. As the chief of Rank 77 Courtyard, this disciple truly could not swallow such a grievance, so I intended to find Li Yun and reason with him, to demand an explanation."

"But he was far too arrogant. Not only did he refuse to explain himself, he attacked the moment we met, heavily injuring all of us. Elder, please uphold justice for us!"

"He Tingfeng and Xu Youwu died far too unjustly..."

This was shifting the blame.

Whether he had evidence or not, he first bit down hard on the claim that Li Yun had killed He Tingfeng and Xu Youwu. At the very least, it ensured that his actions tonight had a justifiable cause.

It could only be said that Wu Yuekong had some quick wits.

Unfortunately, he had forgotten that Zhang Cong was here.

Before Hai Fen could speak, Zhang Cong said coldly, "He Tingfeng and Xu Youwu? You mean the two Rank 77 Courtyard disciples who suddenly disappeared some time ago?"

"Y-yes."

"So, you found their bodies?"

"Ah..."

Wu Yuekong froze at once. Bodies, my ass! If they could have found the bodies, why would they be in such a passive position?

"Speak!"

"Did you find their bodies or not? Where are the bodies now?"

"N-no, Elder Zhang, this disciple... this disciple did not find their bodies!"

Faced with Zhang Cong's questioning, Wu Yuekong had no way to evade it.

Zhang Cong flew into a rage upon hearing this. "Outrageous! You did not find their bodies, so what gives you the right to conclude that they are dead, much less that Li Yun killed them?"

"I think you are simply using an excuse to stir up trouble!"

"Brother Hai, in my view, the matter is already crystal clear. These bastards from Rank 77 Courtyard are simply using an excuse to stir up trouble..."

"Ah, Elder Zhang, it isn't like that! Gu Yunzheng said that he sent He Tingfeng and Xu Youwu to kill..."

Seeing Zhang Cong about to have Hai Fen pass judgment outright, the Rank 77 Courtyard disciples panicked. Zhao Leyue could not help blurting out Gu Yunzheng's name.

Wu Yuekong's expression changed drastically as he shouted anxiously, "Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting?"

But Zhao Leyue had already said it.

What use was there in Wu Yuekong trying to stop him now?

Hai Fen immediately rebuked him coldly, "Wu Yuekong, what are you trying to conceal? You still dare play clever tricks in the Punishment Hall? What do you take the Punishment Hall for?"

"Speak! What exactly happened?"

"And who is Gu Yunzheng?"

"I..."

Wu Yuekong did not know how to answer.

Li Yun stepped forward. "Reporting to Elder, Gu Yunzheng, like this disciple, is also an Outer Sect Disciple of Rank 95 Academy. But this disciple cannot understand what this matter has to do with Gu Yunzheng."

He was simply playing innocent.

The sight made Wu Yuekong's eyes split with fury.

Unable to hold back, he cursed, "Li Yun, you little bastard! Even now, you still dare pretend! Gu Yunzheng is He Tingfeng's cousin. It was Gu Yunzheng who grew jealous of you and secretly spent one thousand taels of silver to hire He Tingfeng and Xu Youwu to teach you a lesson. But after they attacked, they disappeared!"

"Do you dare say their disappearance has nothing to do with you?"

"Do you dare say you didn't kill them?"

"With your strength, He Tingfeng and Xu Youwu together would not be enough for a single punch from you to blast to death. They found you without knowing your strength, so they surely could not escape death. Don't even think of wriggling out of this!"