"What!?"
"How could Elder Yue have colluded with the Demonic Sect?"
"That can't be right! He's held in such high esteem..."
An uproar broke out. Yang Guo cried, "Sect Master, this... this is impossible! Uncle Yue devoted his life to the Heavy Earth Gate. How could he have colluded with the Demonic Sect!?"
"There may be more to this."
Shen Linfeng frowned deeply. Several elders exchanged looks, while Jiang Hai said nothing. Even the three sect masters, Xiao Beiluo, Yun Qingyue, and Yan Wuxie, wore differing expressions.
Zhou Muyun sat in the Courtyard Master's seat as if struck by lightning, his face full of disbelief.
Master Yue, colluding with the Demonic Sect?
Why would he? What could he gain from it? Zhou Muyun could think of no reason.
But his heart told him it was impossible.
He rose, bowed to Ouyang Changhe with cupped fists, and challenged the claim. "Sect Master! Forgive this disciple's boldness, but Master Yue is no such man! I've studied under him for two years. I know him well.
"There must be more to this. Please tell us plainly, Sect Master. What exactly is this evidence?"
As his words fell, every gaze in the hall turned back to Ouyang Changhe.
Ouyang Changhe raised a hand, and the hall fell quiet again. Looking at Zhou Muyun, he said slowly, "Muyun, I know how close you are to Master Yue, but Uncle Yue admitted this himself. I did not make it up. There can be no mistake!"
The crowd exchanged looks, struck speechless.
Yue Qingshan had admitted it himself. They might have disputed anything else, but there was no arguing with his own words.
Could a man like him truly have ties to the Demonic Sect?
Disappointment, regret, and shock passed across face after face.
Zhou Muyun stood