Scapegoat (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Gu Han had only been in Heaven Dou City accompanying Qian Renxue for a few days.

One day, a piece of encrypted intelligence from Spirit Hall was delivered directly into his hands by the two Titled Douluo protecting Qian Renxue. The contents of the report caused Gu Han's brows to knit tightly together:

Several core disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been attacked yesterday while returning to the sect through the forest, resulting in several casualties.

The identity of the attackers was unknown, and their methods were extremely ruthless. Furthermore, the disciples sent by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to investigate the scene discovered that the assailant had left behind a sword mark imbued with extreme cold.

When Spirit Hall learned of this information, they dispatched their own people to investigate.

According to the preliminary investigation, the extreme chill contained within that sword intent was nearly identical to the second martial soul Gu Han had shown Bibi Dong and the others a few days prior.

Once Bibi Dong received this information, she immediately had it sent to Gu Han.

Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had strictly sealed this information, there was no such thing as an airtight wall in the world, especially for Spirit Hall; they found it quite simple to uncover such things.

More importantly, the intelligence mentioned that after Sword Douluo Chen Xin learned of the incident, he went to investigate and personally confirmed the aura remaining from the sword marks.

It seems this is aimed at me... Gu Han put down the report, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He understood in an instant that someone wanted to use the hands of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to eliminate him.

The other party not only knew his martial soul was the Sky Frost Sword but had also managed to imitate its extreme attributes, all with the goal of inciting the wrath of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect against him.

Seeing the change in Gu Han's expression, Qian Renxue immediately asked what was wrong.

Gu Han handed the intelligence to her and said, "Someone imitated my martial soul and attacked the people of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, trying to frame me."

Qian Renxue quickly scanned the report, her face turning cold:

"This person's calculations are meticulous! Knowing that you could draw Chen Xin's attention, they used that very fact to solidify the suspicion against you."

"Little Han, how do you intend to respond? Do you need me to use my identity as the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou..."

"No need, Sister Xue."

Gu Han shook his head, interrupting her. "This matter started because of me, so it must be resolved by me personally. Since that person knows my martial soul, they must be from Shrek Academy."

"Defending myself is meaningless; I must find the real culprit. My reputation is one thing, but those people shouldn't have provoked me."

With that, Gu Han prepared to make a trip to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Gu Han believed that, given Chen Xin's attainments in the way of the sword and his character, he would never suspect him based solely on a sword mark.

"I'll go with you," Qian Renxue said instinctively.

"You cannot, Sister Xue."

"Your identity is special; you cannot be dragged into this. I have a feeling that the person's scheme goes much deeper than this."

"Then I will wait for your return. The gift I promised you will be yours the day you come back," Qian Renxue said with a hint of disappointment.

"Alright, Sister Xue."

Gu Han was now a Spirit King possessing twin martial souls, and he was by no means without the power to protect himself. Moreover, he vaguely felt that behind this framing, things were likely not so simple.

Outside the mountain gate of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Gu Han walked alone up the stone steps leading to the sect. He did not hide his tracks, and he was quickly discovered by the patrolling disciples.

"Who goes there? State your name!" The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples felt the faint, lingering pressure emanating from Gu Han and became instantly vigilant.

"Gu Han. I have come specifically to see Senior Sword Douluo," Gu Han said softly. His voice was calm, yet it carried clearly into the mountain gate.

"Gu Han?!"

The gatekeeper's expression changed. Just as he was about to block him, a calm voice suddenly drifted out from within the sect: "Bring him in."

It was the voice of Ning Fengzhi.

Under the "escort" of several spirit masters, Gu Han was led to the main hall of the sect.

Inside the hall, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi sat in the main seat, his expression calm and unreadable.

Bone Douluo Gu Rong stood at his side, his sharp eyes fixed on Gu Han. Meanwhile, Sword Douluo Chen Xin stood by the window with his arms crossed, his back to the others as if he were observing something.

However, Gu Han could feel that the moment he stepped into the hall, a dark aura enveloped him.

"Gu Han of Shrek Academy pays his respects to Sect Master Ning, Senior Gu Rong, and Senior Chen Xin." Gu Han bowed without a hint of fear.

Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, his tone gentle: "Little Friend Gu, are you aware that my sect's disciples met with misfortune the day before yesterday?"

"I have heard a little about it."

Gu Han looked directly at Ning Fengzhi. "I heard that sword marks similar to my own martial soul were left at the scene, so I came today to clarify the situation with your sect. However, this matter was not my doing."

"Empty words are no proof."

Gu Rong let out a cold snort, and the pressure of a Titled Douluo poured down, attempting to suppress Gu Han.

"While there aren't many ice-attribute martial souls in the world, you are not the only one. But there are very few who could draw Chen Xin's attention and be confirmed as having the same origin as you."

"What is your explanation?"

Under the pressure, Gu Han stood as straight as a pine, his spirit power circulating in secret to resist the force as he stared directly at Gu Rong:

"Senior, let me ask you this: do you really think so highly of yourselves?"

As soon as Gu Han finished speaking, he instantly summoned the Sky Frost Sword. The five soul rings beneath his feet rose slowly, ready to strike at Ning Fengzhi ahead at any moment.

He was certainly no fool; he knew that the best strategy was to strike at the most fragile support soul master first.

"Arrogant brat. In front of a Title Douluo, behavior like yours is simply courting death." Gu Rong looked at the five soul rings beneath his feet, clearly shocked, yet his expression remained tinged with irritation.

"Stop! Gu Rong, why are you bickering with a child? A Title Douluo bullying a five-ring Soul King—aren't you ashamed to let that get out?" Sword Douluo Chen Xin spoke up at the right moment.

Upon hearing this, Gu Rong retracted his aura, a flash of embarrassment appearing on his face.

Gu Han did not want to escalate the matter further, so he continued:

"This junior need not say more. As for right and wrong, I trust Senior Chen Xin has already made his own judgment."

"During our exchange that day, Senior must have felt this junior's sword intent. Such a base and framing act could never have been committed by me."

The hall fell into a dead silence, and everyone's gaze focused on Chen Xin.

After a long while, Chen Xin slowly turned around, his eyes landing on Gu Han with a hint of complex emotion.

"The sword marks were remarkably similar, looking just like yours."

A single short sentence caused the atmosphere in the hall to grow tense once more.

A sharp glint flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes: "What do you mean by that?"

Chen Xin's gaze remained fixed on Gu Han:

"Those sword marks, while possessing a chill, lacked purity. They possessed the form but failed to capture the spirit." He paused, looking at Gu Han, "Someone wants to make you the scapegoat."

Gu Han felt a sense of relief and bowed: "Thank you, Senior. I had considered this possibility as well."

Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong exchanged a glance. Clearly, Chen Xin's judgment had put an end to their suspicions regarding Gu Han.