Chapter 83

The Law Enforcement Hall Elder sighed, since the Sect Master was already aware, he had no choice but to tell the truth.

He recounted Sun Fei’s death and Zhao Yue’s suspicions in detail.

“Since there’s suspicion, we can’t just let it go at that,” Lin Chen turned to look at Chuzheng. “Miss Chuzheng, though you are a distinguished guest of our Ziyun Sect, we cannot condone murder.”

“If he didn’t do it, where’s the question of condoning?” Chuzheng asked without expression.

“Why are you so certain before the investigation is complete, Miss Chuzheng?” Lin Chen responded smoothly.

“He said he didn’t.”

Lin Chen: “A murderer will not admit to killing someone. If Miss Chuzheng truly has his best interests at heart, you should let us investigate the matter thoroughly.”

Chuzheng glanced over at Zhao Yue, who was still lying on the ground not far away, then at the lifeless Sun Fei, and finally her gaze settled on the jade held by Lin Chen.

They’re trying to frame this weakling.

“Miss Chuzheng, Young Master Li Tang, this matter involves a life, and without thorough investigation, it will undoubtedly cast fear among the other disciples. If we offend you, please be understanding,” said the Law Enforcement Hall Elder, speaking more politely.

Chuzheng’s voice was cold: “Investigate then.”

Lin Chen frowned slightly, his deep gaze moved from Chuzheng to Li Tang, pausing briefly at where Chuzheng was holding Li Tang’s wrist, then turned to instruct the others to check Sun Fei’s cause of death and to retrieve the jade from Sun Fei’s hand for comparison.

“Young Master Li Tang, could you please come over here?” Lin Chen suddenly spoke up.

Li Tang knew that the reason the Demonic Qi in his body had not been detected was because she was holding onto his hand.

If he went over by himself…

Chuzheng’s palm slid down as if letting go of him. However, Li Tang felt a trace of coolness at his fingertips, as if something had wrapped around them.

“Go ahead.”

Li Tang didn’t dare to look at his fingers; he walked towards the center.

As Li Tang approached, the doubt in Lin Chen’s eyes gradually intensified.

Lin Chen repressed his doubt and displayed the two pieces of jade before Li Tang: “These two jades appear to be very similar, Young Master Li Tang, how can you prove which one is yours?”

Li Tang: “I can recognize my own belongings.”

Lin Chen: “No one has looked closely at the two pieces of jade, meaning, you could also possibly switch the real for a fake, finding another one that is similar.”

Chuzheng spoke up: “His has the Treasure Pavilion’s mark.”

The mention of the Treasure Pavilion made everyone present gasp. The items from the Treasure Pavilion are all for Cultivators to use, but are exorbitantly priced.

Lin Chen’s face darkened slightly as he closely examined Li Tang’s piece, indeed finding the unique mark of the Treasure Pavilion.

Such a mark cannot be falsified.

You could say that he lost the real one and found a fake to replace it, and that could be understood.

But who would lose a fake and leave behind the real one for others to catch?

Chuzheng stepped forward: “Give it back.”

Lin Chen looked displeased: “This does not clear the suspicion.”

Chuzheng was getting impatient: “Give it back.”

What a bunch of troublemakers, utterly annoying.

Lin Chen: “…”

The Law Enforcement Hall Elder hurried forward, elbowing Lin Chen and then taking the jade to return it to Chuzheng.

“Miss Chuzheng, please do not be angered; this matter seems to be a misunderstanding.”

Chuzheng took the jade: “A misunderstanding? I don’t think so.”

She loosened her fingers, and the jade fell to the ground, turning into powder the moment it hit, causing Lin Chen’s pupils to shrink slightly.

The others were all staring wide-eyed; that was a product from the Treasure Pavilion!

And it just turned to powder?!

How many Spirit Stones was that worth!

“This is framing.”

Her voice rose slowly, like the chilling meltwater flowing down from an iceberg, crisp yet icy cold.

The Law Enforcement Hall Elder was startled: “Miss Chuzheng, why would you think that?”

“Anyone can see it.”

The Law Enforcement Hall Elder: “…”

Was she saying he was less than a person?

But the Law Enforcement Hall Elder, upon reflection of the whole affair, also realized it was strange, his expression stern: “Miss Chuzheng, rest assured. I will investigate this matter thoroughly and provide you and Young Master Li Tang an explanation.”

Chuzheng neither agreed nor disagreed, and left with Li Tang.

On someone else’s territory, if they wanted to frame her, how could they truly hand over the murderer to her?

She certainly didn’t believe it.

The Law Enforcement Hall Elder privately heaved a sigh of relief. Who on earth had caused this incident?

“Who is she?” the disciples who didn’t dare to speak up earlier finally discussed.

“I don’t know; I’ve never seen her before…”

“Wasn’t it said that there are two people living on North Spirit Peak? Could she be the other one?”

“So young? She looks to be about Li Tang’s age.”

“What is their relationship?”

“Did you see? The elder treated her with a bit more respect than he did Li Tang…”

“Quiet!” the Law Enforcement Hall Elder barked sharply.

The discussion promptly died down as the Law Enforcement Hall Elder sternly reprimanded them before continuing the discussion about Sun Fei’s death.

On the other side, Lin Chen was surrounded by Inner Sect disciples.

“Senior Brother, why did our swords suddenly break?”

“Exactly, I didn’t feel anything at all, it just went out of control, and then it turned into this. Did we encounter a ghost?”

They had already checked the vicinity earlier and found nothing unusual.

The swords had broken inexplicably.

What Lin Chen thought about, though, was the incident just now. The jade had left his side, yet there was not a trace of Demonic Qi on Li Tang.

He thought it was because Chuzheng was present, but even after he left her, there was still none.

Could it be a mistake?

No…

His junior sister had said she saw Demonic Qi on Li Tang, she would never make a mistake…

“Senior Brother, what are you thinking about?” someone waved a hand in front of Lin Chen’s face.

“Nothing, you all stay here and watch; I’ll be back in a bit,” Lin Chen said.

Several disciples nodded and watched as Lin Chen left.

–

Chuzheng slowly made her way up the mountain, following the trail of North Spirit Peak.

Li Tang followed behind, his gaze fixed on his fingers, as if he could feel the binding sensation on them; something cold against his skin that remained chill for so long without any sign of warmth.

Li Tang tried to grasp at the void, and indeed caught hold of that icy string.

He looked forward and yanked hard.

With the string taut, under Li Tang’s gaze, it became visible before him.

It was an extremely thin silver thread, seemingly with a flowing light flickering over it; one end wrapped around his pinky, the other disappearing into Chuzheng’s sleeve.

As the silver thread pulled tight, Chuzheng was forced to stop, turning back to look at the person below.

One standing atop, the other below, on the shaded path, with leaves rustling softly, the fallen leaves spiraling between them.

The two locked eyes in silence.

Li Tang suddenly let go of the silver thread he was pulling; it drooped down, forming an arc before disappearing into the air.

He could feel that the thread was still there, just no longer visible at the moment.

Li Tang pursed the corner of his lips and quickened his pace to catch up, not asking what it was, allowing it to bind to his finger, “When did you come back?”

Chuzheng continued walking upwards, “Just now.”

“Thank you for believing in me.”

“You’re welcome.” Believing in the Good Person Card was something she had to do, even if he really was the murderer, she would have to figure out a way to make it look like he wasn’t.

Oh my!

So annoying, annoying, annoying, annoying!!

Why does God have to pick on this poor little one?

“…” It’s a bit difficult to talk to her.

Li Tang walked back up the mountain alongside her, and as soon as they stepped through the temple gate, Li Tang felt the icy sensation on his fingertips vanish.

Just like its previous appearance, it happened without sound or warning.