Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 49 - Reversal

“Official Xue, you’re spouting bullshit!” Xu Yilin was so furious that he spat out a mouthful of blood. All the deacons present were also angry, but none said a word because everyone knew the Investigation Team needed a scapegoat, and the Xu Clan fit the bill perfectly. Someone had to take the blame for Terrabreak Army’s disappearance, no matter what.

Xue Chunyu sneered. He didn’t reply to Xu Yilin and waited for Kong Yi’s reply.

“What do you think?” Kong Yi asked, ignoring Xue Chunyu and turning to the other three members of the Investigation Team for their opinion.

“Mentor Kong, while there may be no direct evidence, the Xu Clan must be involved. The last sighting of the Terrabreak Army was in Phoenix Roost Gorge, and the Xu Clan’s transportation team passed through there that day. I suggest we take the guards from that team into custody and escort them to the Imperial Capital for interrogation. If the Xu Clan is truly innocent, we can release them,” Chen Lu spoke up, breaking his silence. He was a member of the Royal Family and didn’t represent the court, the military, or the academy.

“I agree with Lord Chen. The presence of the Terrabreak Army crossbow arrows in the Phoenix Roost Gorge implicates the Xu Clan. All those involved should be taken into custody.” Bai Qiu nodded, agreeing that the transportation team should be escorted back for interrogation before making a decision. Once they were in Imperial City, the fate of the Xu Clan would be in their hands.

“Teacher Gao, what do you think of it?”

Gao Hao didn’t express his opinion. Students would leave Imperial Academy every year to join the military or return to their homes. Some of the missing soldiers had left the Imperial Academy a few years ago to join the military, and Gao Hao was merely sent there to go through the procedure.

“I abstain from voting,” he declared, choosing to remain neutral and not support Xue Chunyu or his clan.

This meant that Kong Yi’s opinion was crucial, as his words could determine the fate of the Xu Clan. The members of the Xu Clan grew nervous at this prospect. They had only recently regained their vitality with their weaponry workshop back in operation and no longer had to worry about their Iris Gold Mine now that it was protected by a spiritual array. The Xu Clan was rapidly developing.

“The Treasure Pill Pavilion’s Pavilion Master has arrived!” a voice announced from outside the main hall, but before he could finish, Treasure Pill Pavilion Master Bi Gongyu strode into the room, taking big steps.

“I apologize for taking the liberty to barge into the main hall. So please forgive me for my rudeness, Patriarch Xu.” Bi Gongyu cupped his fists at Xu Yilin before turning to look at Kong Yi. They weren’t strangers, and Bi Gongyu bowed, “This junior pays his respect to Mentor Kong!”

He then nodded and greeted the remaining four of the transportation team members. With the Treasure Pill Pavilion’s status in the Great Yan Dynasty, Bi Gongyu naturally had an extraordinary position as a branch pavilion master.

“Pavilion Master Bi, why are you here? We’re investigating the Terrabreak Army\'s disappearance,” Xue Chunyu said unhappily. After all, Bi Gongyu’s arrival had disrupted their rhythm. They were just waiting for Kong Yi to give the word, and their investigation would be considered a success.

Only Liu Wuxie smirked and wasn’t surprised by Bi Gongyu’s arrival. He turned to his father-in-law and gave him a reassuring look.

“I’m here with some news about the Terrabreak Army’s disappearance, and I hope it’ll be helpful to everyone.” Bi Gongyu took out a list of herbs and placed it on the table for everyone to see.

“Everyone knows our Treasure Pill Pavilion is researching a new pill. Young Master Wuxie is talented, and he developed a new pill with Master Huo while I was away from Azure Billow City. Since a few special herbs are required for the new pill, Young Master Liu was willing to visit the Sunset Mountain Range to collect them. The herbs only grow on Twin Tower Mountain. It takes five to six days to travel from Azure Billow City to and fro. Here are the herbs he brought back yesterday. Please have a look."

The Investigation Team was aware that Liu Wuxie had visited the Treasure Pill Pavilion on the previous day, including his whereabouts ten days ago when he delivered the Heavenly Spirit Pills. This gave credibility to Bi Gongyu’s words.

But everyone was stunned that the Treasure Pill Pavilion defended the Xu Clan by stating that Liu Wuxie had no involvement in the disappearance of the Terrabreak Army.

“Pavilion Master Bi, are you aware that everything you said is related to the life and death of the Terrabreak Army?” Xue Chunyu’s gaze became cold. He revered the Treasure Pill Pavilion, but he wasn’t afraid of it.

“According to the reports in your hands, the Investigation Team should know everyone’s actions in Azure Billow City. You should have detailed records and cross-check them with what I said. I value Young Master Liu’s talent and don’t wish to see him framed for something he didn’t do. So please investigate well.” Bi Gongyu’s strong attitude surprised everyone. After all, they were about to conclude their investigation a moment ago before the Treasure Pill Pavilion stepped in. Did Bi Gongyu really value Liu Wuxie’s talent, as he claimed? What kind of joke was that? Why would people of their status care about the fate of mere flies?

“Even if the Terrabreak Army isn’t connected to him, how do you explain the Phoenix Roost Gorge? It’s the route the Xu Clan’s transportation team had to take, and there are traces of Terrabreak Army’s arrows in that location. Are you saying it has nothing to do with the Xu Clan?” Xue Chunyu shifted his focus to the Xu Clan, as Liu Wuxie could be easily eliminated.

Bi Gongyu’s main objective was to protect Liu Wuxie, so he hadn’t thought of the Phoenix Roost Gorge and furrowed his brow. He never expected the Xu Clan to be the scapegoat, and the Investigation Team seemed to agree.

Protecting Liu Wuxie was the same as protecting the Heavenly Spirit Pill. But Liu Wuxie wouldn’t last long without the Xu Clan.

“Azure Billow City’s City Lord has arrived!” a voice announced as a burly figure walked into the main hall.

The investigation had taken unexpected turns. First, the Treasure Pill Pavilion’s Pavilion Master appeared, followed by the City Lord, Qi Enshi, leaving the Xu Clan bewildered.

The other three clans’ investigations took no more than four hours, but it was already dark, and the Investigation Team had been in the Xu Clan for six hours with no results.

Many scouts gathered outside the Xu Clan, and news began to spread in the city. Everyone was wondering if the Xu Clan could make it through this ordeal.

“I pay my respects to Mentor Kong and colleagues,” said Qi Enshi as he entered and bowed. Having attended Kong Yi’s lectures, it was appropriate for him to address himself as Kong Yi’s student. But when he looked up and saw Bi Gongyu, he was surprised.

“Brother Qi, what are you doing here? Is it also related to the Terrabreak Army?” asked Xue Chunyu, confused by the presence of both the Treasure Pill Pavilion’s Pavilion Master and Qi Enshi.

“I’m here to defend the Xu Clan. Bandits attacked their transportation team, and Patriarch Xu asked for my help in eliminating them. As City Lord, it’s my duty to take action against bandits in my territory. I sent my men to investigate and found that the bandits had left the Sunset Mountain Range half a month ago,” explained Qi Enshi, winking at Xu Yilin to signal him to remain silent.

Xu Yilin was stunned, unable to recall visiting the City Lord Mansion. Xue Chunyu was also taken aback, Bai Qiu narrowed his eyes, and Bi Gongyu’s eyes brightened.

......

Everyone’s reaction was different. Qi Enshi’s defense of the Xu Clan was enough to prove their innocence, indicating that the arrow traces in the Phoenix Roost Gorge were old and the Xu Clan’s transportation team had returned to Azure Billow City unharmed.

“Brother Qi, do you understand the implications of your words?” asked Xue Chunyu, taking a deep breath. Qi Enshi’s statement carried significant weight and meant they could no longer sanction the Xu Clan. With the Treasure Pill Pavilion’s involvement, they had to reconsider their decision.

“I’m not finished. My investigation revealed that the Wolf Fang Mercenary left Azure Billow City a few days ago. I believe they may be connected to the Terrabreak Army’s disappearance,” said Qi Enshi, presenting a report detailing the Wolf Fang Mercenary’s crimes.

The main hall fell silent as the investigation reached a dead-end. According to Qi Enshi’s report, the Wolf Fang Mercenary was likely responsible for the disappearance of the Terrabreak Army, clearing the Xu Clan of suspicion. With a cultivation level at the fifth level of the Spirit Cleansing Realm, Wolf Fang could have easily defeated the Terrabreak Army.

“Mentor Kong, what do you think?” Xue Chunyu’s face was terrifyingly dark as he turned to Kong Yi, asking if they should continue their investigation.

Kong Yi scanned the room, having remained silent throughout the argument. He stood up and bowed, “Patriarch Xu, I apologize for the disturbance.” As Kong Yi left the main hall, everyone in the Xu Clan breathed a sigh of relief.

Xue Chunyu wanted to say something, but no words exited his mouth. Ultimately, he could only wave his hand and glare at Liu Wuxie before leaving.

“Mentor Kong, please watch your steps!” called Qi Enshi as the Xu Clan’s higher-ups escorted the Investigation Team out. Only three people were left in the main hall: Bi Gongyu, Qi Enshi, and Liu Wuxie.

“Young Master Liu, I’ll take my leave, and we can talk another time.” Bi Gongyu cupped his fists together before leaving by himself.

“Young Master Liu, were you the one who sent the package?” Qi Enshi asked with a dark expression when they were the only ones left in the main hall.

“How did you determine that I sent it?” admitted Liu Wuxie. He had arranged for someone to deliver the package to the City Lord Mansion but wondered how Qi Enshi had determined it was him and not his father-in-law.

“Tell me, where’s Zhou Hu?” demanded Qi Enshi, not wanting to waste time with Liu Wuxie. After a brief analysis, he had concluded that Liu Wuxie had sent the package since Xu Yilin hadn’t left Azure Billow City in recent days.

The men from the Wan and Tian Clans had been unreachable for several days, and Liu Wuxie had been in the Sunset Mountain Range during that time. Qi Enshi was certain that neither clan nor the Wolf Fang Mercenary would return, and they were perfect targets to blame.

But Qi Enshi couldn’t understand how so many experts disappeared. Could they have all been killed by Liu Wuxie? He quickly dismissed the idea and concluded that there must be an expert protecting Liu Wuxie. After all, it was impossible for him to rise so quickly without support.

This was the conclusion Qi Enshi reached after analyzing the situation during his carriage ride.

“You want to know?” Liu Wuxie smiled. “But why should I tell you?”