Chapter Five: A Fabricated Charge

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Wuyafeng, the sect’s grand competition.

Due to the earlier quarrel, a large crowd had gathered to watch Ye Huang’s fight below the platform, treating it as mere entertainment. Unanimously, they believed that Ye Huang, a worthless loser, would surely be defeated by Chen Zhan, and they were just here for amusement.

Under the gaze of the crowd, on the platform where Ye Huang stood,

Chen Zhan thought to himself that Ye Huang was such a waste, easily dispatched with a single punch. Even if he had to beg on his knees afterward, Chen Zhan would still cripple him. With such arrogance, he hadn’t even exerted his full strength.

Yet, the predicted one-punch knockout did not occur. Instead, when Chen Zhan struck, it felt as if he had been hit by a heavy hammer, his muscles and bones cracking. Alarmed, he tried to withdraw, but it was as if he faced a millennia-old mountain, firmly pinned down. Seeing the smile curl at Ye Huang’s lips, his mind shattered.

Impossible, absolutely impossible! This loser is playing me? Chen Zhan’s shock lasted only a moment before his fist burst open, blood spurting forth, vivid and dripping.

“Ahhh!” a piercing scream echoed across the sky. Chen Zhan’s body curled like a shrimp, collapsing to his knees, all his previous arrogance vanished.

“You insulted my family earlier; this punch is my repayment,” Ye Huang declared without pause. Clenching his fist, he struck Chen Zhan’s dantian fiercely—simple and brutal. The impact on flesh echoed with a muffled crack.

After a few breaths, a tearing sound was heard: Chen Zhan was crippled.

Chen Zhan felt all his cultivation vanish. His eyes bloodshot with rage as he roared, “Ahhh! You worthless trash, how dare you?”

Ye Huang, tired of the wild dog’s barking, kicked him flying several miles away. “Idiot! When you plan to cripple others, you must consider that if you’re weaker, you might be crippled yourself.”

The crowd below buzzed with comments.

“Damn! Just a few days ago, Ye Huang was utterly crushed by Chen Zhan, and now, in such a short time, he’s this strong?”

“I think Chen Zhan’s the real loser! Weak as he is, it’s no surprise he got crippled.”

“Did you hear that? Worthless! You reap what you sow. You deserved to be crippled by me,” Ye Huang mocked.

Chen Zhan looked at Ye Huang as if he were a demon, cold sweat pouring down, filled with fear. Suddenly, an idea struck him. His eyes gleamed with hope as he shouted hoarsely toward the distance, “Brother Song, save me! Kill this useless wretch for me!”

The crowd turned toward the voice and saw a graceful young gentleman seated with a fan, exuding nobility.

Ye Huang also looked and thought to himself, the master has finally shown up after the dog got hit. Now, he wondered if Luo Rui was also acting under his orders.

Noticing the scene, someone asked in surprise, “Isn’t that seat reserved only for elders? Why is that young man sitting there?”

His companion quickly stopped him, saying, “That’s Song Changkong, the seventh elder of the inner sect, senior brother Song, heir to the Song family. The Song family is a major clan in the sect, far beyond our status.”

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Song Changkong frowned when he heard Chen Zhan call for him, irritation growing, and a murderous intent awakening. He had originally planned to discard this pawn, but this fool had dragged him into trouble, forcing his hand.

“Useless, a hindrance at every turn. You’ve disgraced yourself so thoroughly; after this, you won’t need to live.” Suppressing his fierce killing intent, Song Changkong’s expression returned to one of inscrutability. He rose and bowed apologetically to the surrounding elders, “Esteemed elders, a friend of mine is in danger and needs assistance. I shall return shortly.”

An elder nearby transmitted a message, “Changkong, handle it cleanly!”

Song Changkong replied, “Uncle Song, Changkong understands.”

Waving his folded fan, Song Changkong swiftly appeared before Chen Zhan, smiling courteously as he spoke, “Junior brother Ye, Chen Zhan is a friend of mine. Has he offended you in any way? Could you grant me some leniency?”

“Your leniency? What are you, anyway?” Ye Huang sneered.

Anger flared within Song Changkong; his smile stiffened, and after a brief silence, he found it hard to believe Ye Huang dared to speak so insolently.

“You’re just a cripple; killing you would be like crushing an ant. If it weren’t forbidden for inner sect disciples to fight outer sect disciples, I’d like to see if your mouth is as tough as your strength.”

But this was only in his heart. He quickly suppressed his anger and returned to his usual smile. “I merely believe that crippling one’s dantian is akin to cutting off one’s path in life. Such conduct is improper and may harm the sect’s image.”

“Your flowery words annoy me. You mean that since the sect allows him to cripple me, it’s reasonable, but if I cripple him, I’m cruel?” Ye Huang retorted without mercy.

“When he tried to cripple me earlier, where were you? I have but one rule: if no one provokes me, I won’t provoke anyone. But if provoked, I will retaliate!”

Realizing he was in the wrong, Song Changkong gritted his teeth and smiled, “Changkong has learned his lesson. However,” he shifted tone, “I am here more to seek accountability than to save a friend. Luo Cheng, come forth!”

Suddenly, a man approached, and Ye Huang felt the murderous intent blazing in his eyes—a hatred so fierce it seemed he wished to tear Ye Huang’s flesh and pull out his sinews.

At that moment, Song Changkong transmitted a message to the platform. Though quiet, to the gathered elders it sounded like thunder.

Boom! Boom!

A group of elders descended from the air, their movements swift as rainbows streaking through the sky, their presence majestic and awe-inspiring.

The crowd exclaimed in unison, “The elders have arrived!”

Song Changkong spoke with emotion, “Luo Rui was murdered in the sect a few days ago, and the body was found near Ye Huang’s residence!”

His words, though brief, carried clear implication.

“Elders, I ask you to judge,” Luo Cheng knelt with a thud, repeatedly kowtowing.

An elder resembling Song Changkong pronounced with the finality of a death sentence, “You wretched beast! The body was found near your residence. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”

Ye Huang remained calm, “Then I’d like to ask: if a body found near your residence means you killed the person, wouldn’t that mean you are guilty? Oh, but you elders have privileges; no one would ever find out.”

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“Impudent! Sharp-tongued and deceitful, disregarding sect rules! I have the right to execute the ultimate penalty upon you!” The elder pressed two fingers into the void, unleashing an oppressive force like a torrential downpour.

Such pressure might have crushed Ye Huang outright in the past, but now… it was insufficient!

“Unmoving as the thousand mountains!” Ye Huang shouted, his aura surging. To everyone’s astonishment, he withstood the pressure of a post-tribulation realm expert without yielding.

The elders were incredulous, determined in their hearts that this youth must not be allowed to survive or continue growing!

“Brat, don’t fear! With me here, you’re safe. At worst, I’ll come out and kill this old geezer myself,” Zulong said confidently.

As the post-tribulation expert exerted full power, Ye Huang felt the weight of absolute disparity in realms.

Ye Huang scoffed, “Shameless old fart, always pressing me down with your realm. If I were on the same level, I’d have destroyed you eight hundred times over by now.”

After enduring for a long time, Ye Huang’s body began to tear and bleed, his vigor waning. The initial stage of the Heavenly Thunder Body Refinement Technique was still not enough against a post-tribulation expert.

His brow glowed with a blue sword mark; Zulong gathered power at his dantian, ready to strike. “Watch me annihilate him without leaving a trace.”

“Elder Song, bullying the weak is rather unbecoming,” a female voice interrupted. A woman descended gracefully, dressed in fiery red. Her lips parted slightly, her black hair flowing like a waterfall, exuding an innate charm. Wearing an elegant phoenix crown, her beauty was more mature and alluring than Liu Xinyue’s.

With a wave of her hand, the elder’s oppressive aura vanished. She took a protective stance before Ye Huang as if daring anyone to move.

“Elder Luo, I thought you rarely left the Qing Palace. What wind has blown you here?” Song Yi ground his teeth. Luo Qingli, teacher of Liu Xinyue, was a ruthless expert who had passed the seventh tribulation of the post-tribulation realm. Among all the elders present, her realm was the highest. Song Yi dared not offend her; it seemed Ye Huang’s chance to kill today was gone.

Luo Qingli flicked her sleeve, and Ye Huang’s wounds healed instantly. She said, “I never said I would protect him. I’m only offering a solution. He is here on this platform. If anyone wants revenge, they may challenge him. Elders oppressing juniors is unseemly.”

Song Yi said, “I admit I was improper. Changkong, step up!”

Luo Qingli’s voice was cold, “I recall inner sect disciples may not challenge outer sect disciples.”

Song Changkong stepped back, “Elder Luo, I would never break the rules.”

As he stepped down, Luo Cheng rose respectfully, “Disciple Luo Cheng requests the Wind and Cloud Platform. Life or death, I challenge Ye Huang!”

Luo Qingli replied, “Approved.”