"The perpetrator?"
Hong Qingliu sneered. "Patriarch Chu, did you not ask Chu Tianshu why he was beaten?"
Chu Zhen stared at Chen Shi'an with cold, sinister eyes. "Of course I asked. According to Tianshu, Jing Yuan has always been jealous of him and made trouble for him at every turn.
"Who knows what means Jing Yuan used to become a steward of the Earth Pill Sect? Afterward, he used his authority to make things difficult for Tianshu in every way, and finally even beat him."
Hong Qingliu raised his eyelids slightly. "Chu Tianshu told you all this?"
"Of course."
Chu Zhen replied, "Tianshu has always been obedient and honest. He never tells lies."
Hong Qingliu turned his gaze to Chu Tianshu and questioned him coldly. "Chu Tianshu, did you say all this?"
Chu Tianshu first flushed, then stiffened his neck and said, "Jing Yuan has always been jealous of me and opposed me at every turn. Many people can testify to that."
Hong Qingliu laughed. "You say Steward Jing is jealous of you? What an outrageous joke!
"Steward Jing is not yet thirty, but he is already a second-grade Alchemist and a Second-Rank Martial Artist. What do you have that he could possibly envy?"
At these words, Chu Tianshu was speechless.
Hong Qingliu continued, "Our sect has already conducted a detailed investigation into the matter between Steward Jing and Chu Tianshu.
"After Elder Ba disappeared, the sect intended to choose either Steward Jing or Chu Tianshu to take over Elder Ba's affairs.
"Chu Tianshu resorted to unfair competition, spreading rumors slandering Steward Jing throughout the sect.
"After Steward Jing was selected as steward, he even harbored a grudge, spoke disrespectfully to him, and threatened him using his status as a member of the Chu family.
"Only then did Steward Jing