Saying that Lü Yan had ties to the Demon Path was indeed somewhat alarmist.
After all, Lü Yan was the second-in-command of Northern Zhou's Daoist Sect, as well as the second-in-command at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Whether judged by his background or his past conduct, he was an absolutely upright figure who would pass a political vetting in an instant.
Chen Chi had not expected Xie Jinhuan to speak so bluntly. His expression grew solemn.
"You two are pillars of the righteous path known throughout both the Southern and Northern Dynasties. That is precisely why you are sitting here to resolve this dispute peacefully. I have some understanding of what sort of man Lü Yan is. If Young Master Xie accuses him of having ties to the Demon Path, you must produce evidence."
Xie Jinhuan ignored Lü Yan's anger and continued:
"I imagine you have all heard of my deeds in the Southern Dynasty. The Demon Path hates me to the bone and has been trying to eliminate me. I disclosed none of my movements on this trip to Northern Zhou, yet in Linchuan County, I suddenly heard rumors about the 'Soul-Seizing Lock.'
"The Soul-Seizing Lock is connected to the Corpse Ancestor. Although I am a cultivator from the Southern Dynasty, the righteous path knows no borders, so I went to Sword River to investigate and discovered traces of the Red Witch Cult inside a mine.
"Up to that point, things were still reasonably normal. But when I came out of the mine, Li Huaichuan was already lying in ambush at the exit, harboring murderous intent. His appearance was very abrupt, but his sect was near Sword River, after all, so I could understand it. Yet almost as soon as I exchanged blows with him, Elder Lü, who should