Chapter 233 Slander (1/2)
The four Stewards slowly rose from their seats, taking in everything in awe. No one in the entire League could profess of having such magic themselves.
”Impossible... Only the lost magic from the former eons have such purity! But how could anyone be still in possession of it!?”
The students, disciples all congregated outside the hall were all astounded; some were simply lost for words that an alleged criminal like Xiao Chen could have such magic that exceeded everyone's expectations. But some were envious, if not jealous, that the magic and martial skills that they had been learned, the work of their life which they had been so proud of, were mere child's play in contrast to Xiao Chen's skills.
Xiao Chen stopped his channeling and took a deep breath. He looked up and met the eyes of the Warden, who was still caressing his beard, nodding with interest.
”IMPOSSIBLE!” Zuoqiu Ping roared, ”T-that day... I... W-what I saw...”
The Warden raised a hand to silence him. ”This magic is so pure and sacred that only one with an honest heart will be able to use,” he pronounced.
He paused, and uttered a single word ”remarkable”, admitting his praise and admiration for Xiao Chen. With the passing of the last eon, the Orthodox Path had suffered from the knowledge and lore which had been lost. Without the magic and skills of their forefathers, they had been suffering great losses under the hands of the Devil's Practice, and things were indeed getting dire.
And yet, in his ripe age, he was able to witness once again the might and grandeur of the lost magic from the former age! It was a revelation that consoled him, promising hope for the forces of Good in their future battles against Evil as the Warden reminisced the glory of the Orthodox Path of old.
”Tell me, boy. What school are you from?” The Warden looked down at Xiao Chen, asking him gently.
Xiao Chen noticed the change in the Warden's demeanor; with a more respectful tone, he replied, ”I'm afraid I'm unable to reveal anything about my provenance. It's a very, very long story.”
”So be it then,” The Warden muttered, ”I find you absolved from any wrongdoing, but you will be watched for three months. There can be no misdeeds, or you shall face judgment. Understood?”
Zuoqiu Ping stood up at once. He had not expected this; the absolution of Xiao Chen from any sins could see his household bearing the blame for losing the Fallen Dust Bead! But before he could object, the Warden stopped him. ”Rest assured, Master Zuoqiu. I will personally speak to the Chief myself about the loss of the Bead. The Zuoqiu Clan is not entirely to be blamed for it. Please do not worry.”
Zuoqiu Ping crumbled back to his seat and heaved a heavy breath. His main purpose was to have the blame of losing the Fallen Dust Bead diverted unto Xiao Chen. But now that the odds had stacked against his favor, this was the best outcome he could ever hope for.
”Very well, this hearing is hereby adjourned. Let us...”
An old man, dressed in robes of red, had taken the floor and addressed the judges. It was Ling Jingshan, the man who had lost to Xiao Chen in their battle at Xianyong City and had fled by using the Blood Yin Incantation. ”I am Ling Jingshan of Clan Ling,” he shouted out loud, ”And I seek justice!”
The Warden said nothing, merely nodding, allowing him to continue.
Ling Jingshan glared viciously at Xiao Chen and thrust a finger at him, ”This man had taken my grandson, Ling Yuxuan's Spiritual Meridian months ago! The act of taking another's Spiritual Meridian is a hateful act forbidden within the Orthodox Path! This man has broken our laws, and I urged that you judge him accordingly!”
The hall fell silent. The Warden ran his fingers through the hairs of his beard, pondering quietly until he finally declared, ”This is a matter of personal vendetta. The League does not interfere in such private matters.”
That was true. The League would have been badly short-handed if they were to meddle into every grudge and rivalry that found its way to their doors.
Having borne no expectations that his demands would be satisfied, Ling Jingshan turned and left, seething with anger with his men trailing after him. The Warden watched them walk out the hall hurriedly and address everyone else still in the hall, ”Well, then. Let us leave.”
Everyone rose and began shuffling out the doors. Xiao Chen walked out to meet a beaming Yu Yifeng and an elated Murong Xian'er. They rushed up to join him. Xiao Chen smiled and turned to Perfected Immortal Qing Chen and Fengxi. ”Thank you both, Perfected Immortals. I'm eternally indebted.”
He was fully aware that the case against him would never have ended so easily if not for them both. Fengxi scowled. ”Don't be too happy yet. You must not get in trouble in these three months of probation.”
”Amitabha...”
Master Xuanji's signature Buddhist chant resounded from behind like a bell's toll. He approached Xiao Chen and his companions with Xu Gu trotting behind him and Xiao Chen greeted them, ”Greetings to you, Master Xuanji and Senior Brother Xu Gu.”
He was still confused but equally curious about the Wuyin Monastery's role in the mystery of Xiao Ning.
They walked across the square and were about to move down the stairs when their way was blocked by a young man. His clothing indicated that he was a member of the Ling Family.
He eyed Xiao Chen furiously and his nostrils flared with anger, but Xiao Chen could tell that he possessed powers greater than Ling Yingfeng and the rest of his kin. Bluntly, Xiao Chen asked, ”Why are you standing in our way?”
”You, Xiao Chen, have injured two of my cousins! I shall be waiting for you in the Immortal's Sword Assembly! I shall be one of the ten best swordsmen in the tournament and there, I shall meet you. Not to defeat you, but to seek vengeance for my kin! Blood for blood!”
”Have it your way,” Xiao Chen responded crudely and brushed past him, moving with his friends down the steps.
The hall was fully vacated, save for the Warden and the four Stewards. ”Is it prudent to just let the boy leave?” The Stewart in red breathed his hesitation grimly.
”What else can we do?” The Warden regarded his colleague with a bleak smile, ”This is a matter not only inconvenient but messy. Why do you think the old men pushed this matter our way?”
At the same time, in a darkened room up atop one of the many floating islands hanging above Tianyuan City, four old men were huddled together, sitting around a large mirror. They were looking into it, peering on the vision in the mirror that showed what was happening in the hall earlier. They had watched the entire hearing.