Chapter 501 Murderer
A few moments later, that guard came back, but this time, he had seven or eight martial artists following behind him. Each of the martial artists were at Gold Core stage.
The person heading the martial artists had a bearded face, making it hard to tell his age. However, his cultivation had already reached the summit of Gold Core stage.
His tiger eyes carried a trace of chilliness as he directly stared at Hexi. His voice was quiet as he asked, "You're Xi Yue?"
"That's right."
That martial artist immediately waved his hand and sternly ordered, "Capture her for me!"
Right after he said this, those martial artists behind him charged forward and surrounded Hexi.
And at some unknown guards, some of the temporary residence's guards had come and formed another vague circle around the seven or eight martial artists.
Hexi frowned and asked, "I got my invitation from Ouyang Jiangjun and came to participate in the hunting competition, may I please ask what's the meaning of all this?"
That martial artists scoffed and lowly said, "Brazen traitor, you committed such a grave crime, and you actually dare to run here. You walked right into a trap, I see that you're impatient to live."
After saying this, he faced the shocked martial artists standing nearby and cupped his hands together. With a clear voice, he announced, "Jin Ling's Emperor's personal guard, Luo Yingchi, has provided a secret imperial degree to capture the culprit who murdered the Third Prince Shangguan Rui."
"Xi Yue, your crime of murdering the Third Prince Shangguan Rui in the Sealed Dragon Domain's Secret Territory has already been publicly announced, do you have anything else to say?"
The light in Hexi's eyes faintly turned cold and chilliness slipped across her eyes, but she didn't lose her head.
"You guys say that I murdered Third Prince Shangguan Rui, but do you have evidence?"
If she didn't remember incorrectly, Shangguan Rui should be the first pitiful victim of Feng Lian Ying's Five Elements Blood Coagulating Pill.
Yet, how come the crime of killing Shangguan Rui has now been put onto her head?
It seems like her coming to participate in the hunting competition had already been calculated by her opponent.
He he, Feng Lian Ying, you're sinister enough. You stealing my achievements, I won't speak of, but you actually dare to put your crime of killing someone onto my head.
The bearded martial artist coldly snorted, "The Emperor's secret imperial degree is proof. Come people, quickly seize him for me!"
Seeing that Hexi had been surrounded by the seven or eight Gold Core stage martial artists and that she was already in the position of an easy target, Shen Qingchuo felt extremely worried.
Shen Qingchuo anxiously said, "Xiao shushu, how can they trap Xi Yue and kill him? We should quickly go and help Xi Yue."
Shen Sen knit his brows and answered, "This is Jin Ling country's affair. We're visitors, if we recklessly get involved, bad things can happen. It would be better if we lay low and watch the situation before thinking of ways to help Xi gongzi escape..."
"If we lay low and watch, Xi gongzi will be hurt by them!" Shen Qingchuo was on the verge of tears, "Xiao shushu, you... If you have a heart of stone and don't wish to help, it's fine, I... I'll go help Xi gongzi myself..."
After she said this, she ignored the crowd and recklessly charged over.
Shen Sen helplessly watched on. He saw as Shen Qingchuo neared the martial artists and was just about to start opposing them. He was left with no other alternative but to step forward and use his spiritual pressure to heavily say, "What's going on?"
The several Gold Core stage martial artists were reduced to trembles by Shen Sen's voice that carried spiritual pressure. The surrounding guards were even more unable to stand it and they recoiled a few steps back.
When the bearded martial artists saw Shen Sen, his originally arrogant expression turned respectful and flattering, "Elder Shen, this subordinate didn't notice you* here. This subordinate has alarmed you*, I'm truly sorry."
Shen Sen's expression remained indifferent and his tone remained light as he slowly said, "This Xi Yue is related to our Qing Xia Sect and even arrived with us. Why would he been stopped here by guards?"
Chapter 502 Venomous Snake
Luo Yingchi was both the Emperor's personal guard and the commanding officer of the imperial guards.
But when he faced Shen Sen, Luo Yingchi didn't dare to act big. His voice carried great respect as he replied, "Replying to Elder Shen, it isn't us whose deliberately causing trouble for Xi gongzi. Rather, it's because Xi gongzi is suspected of killing the Third Prince, so the Emperor has ordered this subordinate to go apprehend her*."
Shen Sen narrowed his eyes, "What proof do you have that says Xi gongzi killed the Third Prince?"
"This... The proof is in the Emperor's hands, this subordinate isn't clear on it. However, as far as this subordinate knows, this Xi Yue has had issues with the Third Prince previously and ever since then, they've harbored hard feelings for each other. Perhaps it's because of this reason that she killed our Third Prince in the Sealed Dragon Domain in order to vent her hatred."
Before Shen Sen could respond, Shen Qingchuo already yelled, her voice full of anger, "Impossible, Xi gongzi isn't that type of person. Moreover, your Jin Ling is too unreasonable if it places a crime on someone purely based off of guesswork!"
Shen Sen held onto the emotional Shen Qingchuo, stopping her from talking, and unhurriedly laughed, "Since there's no evidence, what reason do you have to seize someone? Wouldn't it be better of the leader went to get the evidence before arresting the person? Xi Yue, let's leave..."
When Luo Yingchi saw that Shen Sen was just about to walk away with the person, he urgently said, "Elder Shen, that's not possible. We're acting under imperial orders, we cannot allow for Xi Yue to be taken away..."
Why would Shen Sen pay attention to him? He held onto Xi Yue was just about to leave.
Qing Xia Sect was one of the four largest sects on Miluo Continent. They didn't even pay attention to Tian Gang Country's monarch, so why would they pay any mind to Jin Ling, this insignificant country?
But, before Shen Sen could step out, a man's gloomy voice rang out from behind him, "Shen Sen, you're a grand elder of Qing Xia Sect, could it be that you want to ignore what's right and shield an assassin?"
Shen Sen turned around and when he saw the person behind him, his pupil slightly contracted, "Feng Yunjing!"
Liu Li Sect was in Cang Ming Country and Qing Xia Sect was in Tian Gang Country, the two sects both minded their own business. However, regarding the matter with the ruler of Feng family and the person who truly wielded power in Liu Lu Sect, Shen Sen was very clear on it.
At a young age he was already at Nascent Soul Stage. Moreover, his personality was fiery and firm and he had innumerable amounts of magic weapons on his hands. To provoke him and the Feng family would be like provoking a viper; it would be difficult to back out once you've done so.
Behind Feng Yunjing was an exquisite, immortal-like woman wearing a white cotton skirt and a handsome youth- it was Feng Lian Ying and Nie Jinchen.
Shen Sen frowned and said, "Young Master Feng, what is the meaning of this?"
However, Feng Yunjing's burning gaze was currently resting on Hexi. His gaze was so intense that it made it hard for others to ignore it, even if they wished to.
After not seeing her for a few months, he found that the girl had grown into an even more beautiful and moving. person. Even though she was dressed in men's clothes and wore no jewelry, it was still impossible to hide her lovely features.
Her skin was snow white, like porcelain, and there were no blemishes to be seen on it.
Her phoenix eyes were colorful and clear, but in them there was a cold gleam. Even though she was in these circumstances, her eyes still held a calm and unflustered light. It felt as if she didn't feel a hint of fear or confusion.
Feng Yunjing pursued his lips as he unconsciously entered a fantasy. That face appeared by his side and held a weeping and begging expression. When he thought about this celestial snow-like, lofty, and proud person being ruined under him, with misty eyes and calling out his name, his eyes ignited with a burning fire.
He suddenly clenched the hand laying limply by his side. He deeply sucked in a breath, forcibly trying to suppress the on-coming heat wave.
Chapter 503 Her Fiancé?
But, there was no need to hurry, soon this person would become his own.
Fen Yunjing's eyes swiveled over to Shen Sen as he faintly laughed, "The evidence clearly shows that Xi Yue killed the Third Prince Shangguan Rui. Isn't Elder Shen worried that the reputation of Qing Xia Sect will be affected if you continue to shield him and obstruct the imperial guard?"
"You're telling lies!" Before Shen Sen could respond, Shen Qingchuo angrily yelled out, "Where's the proof? Just then we asked that imperial guard to bring out proof, how come he can't take it out? Moreover, even if you have proof, I'm certain that you framed Xi Yue!"
"Chuo'er, don't be rude." In one motion, Shen Sen pulled his niece back.
Feng Lian Ying, who was standing behind Feng Yunjing, cast a loathing glare in Hexi's direction before turning her head to face Shen Qingchuo with a soft smile painted on her face, "Chuo'er meimei, you can know someone for a long time without knowing their true nature. You must not allow yourself to be tricked by this Xi Yue's outward appearance."
She stepped forward two steps, her body moved like she was moving clouds and flowing water, giving off the appearance of an immortal. On her face, she wore a mild and affable smile that caused people to easily form a favorable impression upon first look.
Standing in front of Shen Qingchuo, Feng Lian Ying let out a sigh and said, "Chuo'er meimei, you're the pearl in the palm of you grandfather's hand so you haven't yet seen the ugly side of this world. Therefore, you don't know that this world has numerous repulsive people who are beasts hiding behind a human face."
"When I first met this Xi Yue, I was also tricked by his outward appearance. I too thought that he was a modest gongzi. However, later on I learned that he... I learned that his heart was actually so shameless and ruthless. He actually tried to seduce my fiancé and repeatedly framed me."
"Chuo'er meimei, you're still young so you're gullible. But, by the time yo've been tricked by him, it'll already be too late. This is something I, jiejie, definitely doesn't wish to see happen to you."
Feng Lian Ying's words were reasonable and deeply sentimental. One after another, the martial artists circling around Hexi all turned to look at her in disgust as they fell for Feng Lian Ying's words.
Someone couldn't help but mutter on their breath, "I was just saying how this man has such evildoer looks. As it turns out he's like a cunning fox, even going as far as to try and seduce other people's fiancé's. He really is too shameless."
"Who is the fiancé that he seduced ah?"
"You don't know this? Naturally it's His Majesty the King of Hell ah. You don't know, but before, there were rumors spread in Yan Jing Country that the King of Hell was behaving intimately with a man on the streets. Everyone thought that the King of Hell had a cut sleeve!"
"A-- So it's actually His Majesty the King of Hell! If he's shameless, then we won't talk about it, but he actually dares to drag the King of Hell down with him. He's truly too vile. No wonder that even the Ice Lotus Fairy, who has such a good temper, would look down at him with so much loathing."
When Feng Lian Ying heard everyone around her discussing, she felt immensely proud of herself. Turning around to look at Shen Qingchuo again, the smile on her face became even kinder, "Chen'er meimei, my words now aren't for selfish reasons, I just hope that you won't be cheated by this person..."
"I won't be cheated by others and Xi gongzi won't trick me!" Shen Qingchuo snapped and couldn't help but loudly yell out, "I remember you, Ice Lotus Fairy, Feng Lian Ying, you... You're the shameless one, what qualifications do you have to speak of Xi gongzi?"
Feng Lian Ying's face was painted with shock, but Shen Qingchuo didn't stop there, "I... I also entered into the Sealed Dragon Domain's Secret Territory. You... Don't think that I don't know you exited the Sealed Dragon Domain's Secret Territory with no clothes on your body. I... I... I saw all of it. You.. You're the one who doesn't want to save face. You provoked His Majesty the King of Hell and now he doesn't even want you. You also actually want to frame Xi gongzi. You're the one whose truly shameless here!"
Chapter 504 Meddling In Others' Affairs
Once those words were said, Feng Lian Ying's face switched from green to white in a flash.
The martial artists crowding around them let out a roar of laughter when they heard what was revealed.
Naturally these martial artists had heard of what happened, but none of them took it seriously, thinking it was someone else who made up a story to frame the Ice Lotus Fairy.
But, now that they heard it directly from Shen Qingchuo's mouth, they now believed the rumor seventy to eighty percent.
Only because Shen Qingchuo's face and voice still held the same innocent and shy charm of a child's. To everyone, it felt like Shen Qingchuo would never speak lies just to slander someone.
"Elder Shen, are you allowing your niece to be a troublemaker in order to stall for time and protect Xi Yue, that murderer?"
A deep voice sounded out, instantly suppressing everyone else's voices in the hall.
When everyone heard Feng Yunjing coldly say those words, they immediately quieted down out of fear.
Shen Sen sneered and didn't make any motions to back down, "Young Master Feng keeps repeating how Xi Yue is a murderer, but I've yet to see any evidence be taken out. I still say that you're framing someone!"
After saying so, Shen Sen turned his attention toward Hexi and asked, "Xi Yue, did you kill the Third Prince?"
Hexi unhesitatingly answered, "No."
Shen Sen peered deeper into her eyes and only saw that they were clear, but he did notice a flash of cold light flashing through them.
She openly welcomed his gaze and didn't show any motions to shrink back or dodge it.
Shen Sen soon let out a faint smile and clearly said, "I trust you. Since you didn't do anything I definitely won't allow others to brazenly accuse you."
Once Shen Sen's words were heard, Feng Yunjing's face became incomparably gloomy. His expression toward Hexi grew even more grave.
He didn't know how much charm this person had. First, it was in Sealed Dragon Domain where she had Nangong Yu and Gu Liufeng protecting her. Nowadays, at Breaking Spirit Mountain, she had Qing Xia Sect's Shen family's people protecting her.
He cast a cold glance at Shen Sen and gloomily said, "When did Shen family's people begin meddling in other people's businesses? We're in Jin Ling Country, furthermore, it was Jin Ling Country's Third Prince who died. Qing Xia Sect doing so is really exceeding their bounds. Are you not afraid of being laughed at by everyone else?"
"So Young Master Feng also knows it's Jin Ling Country's matter." Shen Sen sarcastically shot back, refusing to yield even an inch, "Since it was someone from Jin Ling Country who died, what relation does it have to Feng family? Young Master Feng is being so overbearing to a Foundation Establishment youngster. It makes me wonder whether or not Feng family harbors bad intentions."
The expression on Feng Yunjing's face darkened. H was stuck in a difficult situation.
Shen family's power was equal to Feng family's. Feng family and Feng Yunjing were both were unwilling for the two families to fall out just for an insignificant Xi Yue.
He just didn't understand why the grand Shen family would actually go head to head with Feng family for a single low-level, Foundation Establishment stage martial artist.
At this moment, Feng Lian Ying couldn't hold herself back anymore. Facing Hexi, she began to sternly reprimand her, "Xi Yue, you're still acting so shameless? Clearly it's a sin you committed yourself, yet you actually have the face to allow Shen family's people and Chuo'er meimei to rush forward for you?"
"If you still have some conscience, quickly admit to your wrongdoings. If not, when the evidence comes out and everyone knows you're a murderer, you'll greatly affect Qing Xia Sect's reputation. Don't tell me you actually want this outcome?"
Hexi, who had been silent all along, finally raised her head when she heard Feng Lian Ying's words. Facing her, she offered a smile that wasn't a smile and said, "O? Who was it exactly who killed Shangguan Rui? I believe that Ice Lotus Fairy and Young Master Feng are the two most familiar with that, no?"
Chapter 505 Public Trial
Without waiting for the Ice Lotus Fairy to refute, Hexi's voice turned cold and she slowly said, "Feng Lian Ying, didn't you say you had evidence in your hands? Please take out your evidence for everyone to see since you're so sure that I killed Shangguan Rui. I'm also curious. How exactly did I kill the Third Prince?"
"You think I don't dare?" Feng Lian Ying shrieked, "Just wait until I bring the evidence out for everyone to see. That way, everyone can see your true colors..."
"Since it's like this," Shen Sen suddenly interrupted Feng Lian Ying and heavily said, "Wouldn't it be better if we let Shangguan Wenji (Jin Ling's emperor) come and conduct a public trial? What does Feng Lian Ying think?"
Feng Yunjing's eyes turned gloomy. He turned to Hexi and slowly said, "Xi Yue, you need to clearly think this through. If the public trial finds you guilty, you'll forever carry the crime of being a murderer. It would be impossible to have the status of a doctor on Miluo Continent after that. If you obediently admit your crime now, perhaps I can plead leniency on your behalf and let you leave Jin Ling Country and practice medicine and saving others elsewhere.
It was common for martial artists to kill others, but as a doctor, if you gained the reputation of killing others with your medicine, then you would be spurned by most martial artists.
Hexi sneered, "I don't need Young Master Feng's fake kindness. I'm genuinely curious, how are you guys going to press such a crime on my head? This is something your Feng family is the best at, I don't know how. Fortunately, I can master it today."
When Feng Yunjing heard her, his face instantly darkened and the little bit of tenderness left in his eyes instantly vanished and was replaced by coldness. He then coldly scoffed, "Since you want to court death, don't blame us."
After warning her, he turned toward Shen Sen and faintly suggested, "Since it's going to be a public trial, how can just having Shen family and our Feng family be enough? We should call upon people of Qixing Palace, Moon Water Sect's elders, and the representatives of other large sects here at the hunting competition. Everyone should come over and see the results."
Seeing the steadiness and determination to win in Feng Yunjing's eyes, Shen Sen slightly frowned.
Could it be that Feng family really had evidence on hand? If it was truly so, then if Xi Yue was convicted in a public trial in front of the four big families, Xi Yue would truly be unable to free himself and Shen family would also be implicated.
Shen Sen didn't have time to respond before Shen Qingchuo loudly said, "If it's a public trial, then so be it! There isn't a shadow of fear in Xi gongzi's body. As long as he hasn't done it, our Shen family will support Xi gongzi to the end!"
Shen Sen immediately felt a headache coming on, but all he could do was helplessly allow the trial to continue.
»»----- ✼ -----««
The hunting competition was taking place in the afternoon and right now, it was si shi (between 9-11 am). Adding onto that fact was that all the martial artists partaking in the competition had already signed up. So, there was more than enough time to conduct a public trial.
In the temporary imperial residence's large hall, there were countless high-level martial artists sitting on either side.
Jin Ling's emperor, Shangguan Wenji was currently sitting in the Dragon Throne. But at this moment, his forehead was dotted with cold sweat and he was nervously shifted on the chair.
He was definitely Jin Ling's emperor. In front of ordinary people, he was able to command the impressive aura that an emperor should have.
But, Miluo Continent's martial arts world had more strength than he did. In front of the aristocratic families and large sects, he was unable to find even the courage to speak a few words. Especially the fact that he was currently sitting in front of the biggest and most famous four sects of the martial arts world.
On either side, there was the elders of the those four sects sitting there. Each of the elders were at Nascent Soul stage.
The first elder sitting to his left was Qing Xia Sect's Shen Sen and the first elder sitting to his right was Liu Lu Sect's Feng Yunjing.