Chapter 211: Don't be judged before the trial

Han Yu helps Xi Zirui get out of bed. Xi Zirui feels as if his muscles are made of chrysanthemum jelly, too soft and not his own. He needs help to change into fresh robes, and Han Yu selflessly helps with that too.

Although, Xi Zirui is amused to note, his eyes don't move even a cun above his neck.

He can't imagine Han Yu taking as much as a peek while he was unconscious, let alone liberties.

It's charming that he would try to convince Xi Zirui otherwise, though.

"Am I under suspicion, because of what She Yong said?" Xi Zirui asks.

Han Yu's hands still on his shoulders just as he's helping him into his outer robes.

Xi Zirui can guess the answer from his reaction alone.

He has no idea why She Yong said what he said, especially considering that he didn't seem inclined to show Xi Zirui any mercy or special consideration just because they were both spirit animals back in the cave.

Why the change of heart?

It does seem curious that Xi Zirui regained conscience only briefly before falling into an even deeper state of unconsciousness around the same time She Yong started his rampage through Peiya.

He would suspect himself too.

"What happened to the village?"

Han Yu lowers his eyes, his expression somber. "She Yong razed the village almost to the ground, there were very few survivors and several people are still missing."

Xi Zirui's mind flashes to those orphan children, but he pushes the thought away as soon as it surfaces.

"There's more," Han Yu says, taking stock of the complicated expression in Xi Zirui's face. "There's a resentful aura around Peiya now, nothing can grow there, all the survivors had to be evacuated. Only cultivators can withstand going in, and even then for only a few hours at a time."

"No one knows how it ended up there?" Xi Zirui asks, his mind racing.

Han Yu shakes his head.

Xi Zirui has the strong suspicion that the 'resentful aura' was put in place to hide something -- either the true nature of She Yong's attacks, making it impossible for anyone to investigate -- or someone saw a useful opportunity and took advantage of the situation to hide away something unseemly.

His mind goes immediately to Han Yu's father and his haughty bearing. 

Someone like that must have a lot to hide.

Although, as far as he's concerned everyone in Heavenly Dragon sect is a suspect.

But somehow the blame ended up shifted onto his shoulders. 

"Did anyone beside you see my true appearance?" Xi Zirui asks, keeping his voice down.

Han Yu is quick to deny it. "No, I made sure of it, I've spent every night by shixiong's side, and I've refreshed the talisman whenever it was necessary. Not even Shizun would have been able to see it."

Xi Zirui believes him. If nothing else, Han Yu would just have left him in the cave to die if he had any ulterior motives, but that doesn't mean that someone else might not have found out by other means.

---

As soon as they're out and about into the sect grounds proper, Xi Zirui becomes aware of several eyes on him, keeping track of his every move.

They might not have any proof of whether Xi Zirui had any involvement with the events of two years ago, but it's obvious that the court of public opinion has already passed their judgement.

Han Yu sticks to his side, staying close by and shooting threatening glares at everyone who looks at Xi Zirui for more than two seconds.

He's escorting Xi Zirui to the Heavenly Dragon's Martial Hall, where he's supposed to greet the sect leader and other sect elders now that he's finally awake.

It's a good thing that Xi Zirui wasn't expecting a warm reception, because he doesn't get one.

Han Chang is sitting on the sect leader's chair, atop a dais, the other elders sitting down on less impressive chairs on the levels beneath him.

He gives Xi Zirui a long disdainful look, his expression as still as the lake over which the sect grounds rest, except for the ripple between his eyebrows.

"I'm glad to see that disciple Xi has made a full recovery." Although his words are pleasant his gaze snags on Han Yu standing tall by Xi Zirui's side, the reproach palpable.

He can't even imagine how Han Chang must have reacted when Han Yu told him he wanted to become Su Xueyi's apprentice to take care of Xi Zirui -- not well, most likely.

Xi Zirui wonders how the issue of Han Yu's engagement to someone 'suitable' is progressing. 

He chances a sideways look at Han Yu's straight back and shoulders, his head held high in defiance of his father's poorly disguised contempt. If Han Chang has made any recent attempts to broach the subject, Han Yu must have decided to ignore them, judging by the frosty atmosphere between the two of them.

The other elders convey equally lukewarm feelings about Xi Zirui's full recovery.

With the pleasantries done with, they're quick to delve into the heart of the matter.

"To be blunt, we don't know if we can trust disciple Xi, after that creature's words," Master Ouyang says, dabbing the sweat on his rosy cheeks with an embroidered handkerchief.

Xi Zirui merely lowers his head obsequiously, and says, "This disciple understands the Elders' concerns, and is willing to do anything in his power to prove his honesty."

That's what they're all counting on, of course.

He can almost see the smugness radiating off of Han Chang. "We can employ the trials of the Dragon, which will tell us a great deal about disciple Xi's character."

Han Yu steps forward in front of Xi Zirui, as if shielding him from view. "My shixiong just regained conscience, he's too weak for something like that!"

Xi Zirui pulls Han Yu back by the sleeve with a gentle smile. "I appreciate shidi's concern, but there's nothing more important to me than proving my innocence."

He bows to all the elders. "This disciple is ready to start the trials of the Dragon whenever the masters see fit."

He meets Han Chang's gaze as he straightens back up, smirking inwardly.

He's going to pass the stupid trials, and he's even going to borrow the sect leader's precious son to do it.