Chapter 506 One Witness
The person sitting in the second seat on the left was Qixing Palace's Elder Xia. The person sitting on the second seat on the right was Water Moon Sect's Elder Han.
Behind these four Nascent Soul stage martial artists, there were also each sect's respective younger generations. Most of these people were at Gold Core stage with a handful of them even being at Meridians stage. And behind the sects were several representatives of small sects and families of different countries. Most of these people were at the summit of Gold Core stage.
Naturally, apart from the sects and families, there were also other scattered martial artists who had high enough cultivation levels to be invited.
In Jin Ling Country, apart from the Hell King, his highness Nangong Yu, the person with the highest cultivation was merely at the summit of Gold Core stage. There wasn't even any martial artists at Nascent Soul stage.
So, when Shangguan Wenji faced this group of people, he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
But when he met Feng Yunjing's gaze, he steeled himself and faced Hexi, who was standing beneath him. Raising his voice, he questioned, "Brazen Xi Yue, someone has accused you of killing my prince in Sealed Dragon Domain. Do you recognize the claim?"
Hexi's reply was concise and consisted of only two characters, "I don't recognize it!*"
Shangguan Wenji had originally expected to hear this youth defend themself for a long time. Yet who would've known that he waited such a long time for just two characters? Furthermore, the one accused didn't even seem to have the slightest indication to want to expand on their statement.
He suddenly choked and couldn't get any words out for a long time, "Hai hai (coughing)... Xi Yue, the evidence that you killed someone is already certain. Today, even if you don't recognize it, you can't escape punishment."
Hexi faintly smiled, her expression like a mild cloud and light wind, "Since you say so, please take the evidence out. Don't blindly argue just because someone else said something."
"That's enough!" Shangguan Wenji had been angered by Hexi to the point that his face flashed between purple and red. He was so caught up in his anger that he even forgot his fear toward Shen family. He waved his hand and ordered, "I'll let you die to understand. Someone come and have Zhen Yue gongzhu (princess) and the guards called over."
Soon, a beautiful figure dressed in flowery clothes appeared. It was Zhen Yue gongzhu.
Her cultivation was quite low, but right now, she was exactly in the prime of her youth. Her body was maturing into a seductive and well developed women. At this moment, she walked over with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her red eyes and nose were exposed for everyone to see, evoking feelings of pity from the crowd.
Following behind her were a couple of unremarkable guards, most of whom were only at Foundation Establishment stage.
Zhen Yue gongzhu walked up to Shangguan Wenji and performed a proper ceremony before turning to Hexi. Abruptly, she angrily cried out, "How could you be so malicious Xi Yue? My third brother only had a few minor disputes with you. How could you actually murder him in Sealed Dragon Domain? How pitiful of my third brother. His behavior was always so kindhearted and modest, yet he actually died in such a way... Wu wu wu..."
When Shangguan Wenji was reminded of how his son died, bitterness also flashed across his face.
He fiercely cast a glare at Hexi before saying to Zhen Yue gongzhu, "You're saying that Xi Yue already had conflict with Rui'er? Zhen Yue, you need not hide anything. Completely tell us everything that happened that day."
With a weeping voice, Zhen Yue gongzhu slowly said, "That day, we originally wanted to go to Ming Wang Manor to call on Yu gege. Who would've imagined we would actually come across Xi Yue at his doorway? At the time, we didn't know who he was. But, even though he was merely at Qi Refining stage, his manner was so arrogant toward third brother. I couldn't bear it and had a couple words with him."
"Who would've known he would grab onto Hell King's power and humiliate me? Though third brother is extremely patient, he couldn't overlook it as Xi Yue's words put both he and I in an awkward position."
Chapter 507 Paranoia is an Illness, Get Treatment
"If it weren't for third brother's kind character advising me not to use my princess status, I would've properly taught him a lesson that day."
"Now knowing that, even third brother's kindness didn't make him feel grateful. Unexpectedly, he even plotted to murder third brother in Sealed Dragon Domain. Wu wu wu... If I had known earlier, I would've had the guards capture this youngster. That way, third brother's life wouldn't have been harmed."
After Princess Zhenyue [1] finished, those several guards immediately agreed with her words.
She had taken the conflict between herself, Shangguan Rui, and Hexi and added oil and vinegar [2] to the tale.
When Shangguan Wenji heard the princess, he immediately became angry and sternly said to Hexi, "Do you have anything to say Xi Yue?"
Hexi sneered, "Everything has already been said by you guys, what else can I say?"
"You dare say that my Huang'er and guards are lying?"
Hexi indifferently replied, "More or less!"
Immediately, Shangguan Wenji loudly said, "In other words, from that time on, you harbored bad feelings for my son. So in Sealed Dragon Domain, you seized the chance and murdered him?"
A laugh appeared on Hexi's face and she looked at Shangguan Wenji with the same gaze she would hold toward an idiot, "Your Majesty, how come I feel you've reversed the story?"
"Shangguan Zhenyue said it herself. That day, the people who had been humiliated were herself and the Third Prince. What bad feelings do I have?"
"You're talking nonsense!!" Hexi's words sparked anger in Shangguan Zhenyue, causing her to jump forth and defend her words, "It's clearly you who became jealous after seeing His Highness Hell King and I's relationship is so good. You even stopped us from going in and meeting Yu gege. Third Brother defended me, so you also began hating him."
"Little sister, your brain is working fine right?" Hexi couldn't help but start laughing, "If I recall correctly, before I even arrived at Ming Wang Manor that day, a certain two people had been obstructed by Butler Nan at the door, isn't that right?"
"You said I resent your and His Highness Hell King's relationship? What am I jealous of? You guys were blocked outside. You wouldn't even be able to use the excuse of visiting a sick person in order to get in."
Hexi's words were incredibly vulgar and frank, but when the martial artists heard her, they all started lowly laughing.
Zhenyue's face turned ashen and she pointed a shaking finger at Hexi. However, for the longest time, the only words she could make out was: "You... You..."
At this moment, Feng Lian Ying, who had been sitting beside Feng Yunjing, suddenly stood up and softly said, "Xi gongzi, your cultivation is higher than Zhenyue meimei's. How can you speak so overbearingly toward her? Don't tell me that you only know how to bully weak women?"
"Let along to say, I've known Yu gege for many years, he once mentioned me to you. You're nothing more than a lowly doctor's attendant in Ming Wang Manor. How can your identity compare to Zhenyue gongzhu and the Third Prince's? How could Ming Wang Manor's Butler Nan block the Third Prince and gongzhu from entering but allow you?"
As she was speaking, she wore a rebuking expression on her face. Lightly, she said, "Even if you wish to show off slightly and stir up rumors, you shouldn't slander Ming Wang Manor's butler in the process."
Chapter 508 Two Witnesses
After receiving Feng Lian Ying's support, Shangguan Zhenyue immediately gained confidence again and even her words became harsher, "What Feng jiejie said is right. You're nothing more than a lowly doctor's attendant, why would third brother and I go bother with you?"
"Your heart is narrow, so you hate us and plotted to murder third brother. What words do you have to say now?!"
Hexi indifferently replied, "O, however you guys say it is however it is. I have nothing more to say."
"Since you've admitted to it, there's no need to continue this trial!" Shangguan Wenji immediately waved his hand and loudly proclaimed, "Come, immediately arrest him for me!"
Hexi merely sneered, "Is His Majesty's hearing poor? When did I admit I killed him? Don't tell me that disagreeing with someone means that they'll be a murderer?"
"In that case, I heard that the Crown Prince once had an argument with Third Prince at the imperial court. Don't tell me that the Third Prince's death means that his gege, the Crown Prince, is also under suspicion?"
Originally, the Crown Prince had been quietly sitting in the back, listening to this joke. But once he heard Hexi's words, his face turned unsightly.
Shangguan Wenji was even more furious and his body began shaking from the anger. He hated that he couldn't immediately strangle this rude youngster to death.
Feng Yunjing cast a cold glance at the Dragon Throne and the emperor immediately cleared his head. Gently laughing, he said, "Since you insist on going this way, don't blame me for being unsightly toward you. Come someone, bring the witnesses out."
Once he said that, two Gold Core stage martial artists with scars on their faces were soon brought out.
Once she laid eyes on these two, understanding filled Hexi's heart.
These two were the two Gold Core stage guards that Shangguan Rui had brought with himself to Hundred Herb Mist that day. Together with Shangguan Rui, they both contracted Blood Intoxicated Poison.
After Shangguan Rui died, they each used a magic weapon to exchange for the detoxifying soup.
She never thought they would turn into people who would come and testify against herself as a murderer. Hehe... It really was interesting.
When the two guards saw the sneer at the corner of Hexi's mouth, they both frantically avoided her gaze, not daring to look at her.
At Hundred Herb Mist that day, although Hexi required a high price, she was still considered to be their savior.
Now, they were going to bite the hand that fed them and testify against their savior in front of all these martial artists. Their conscious was certainly filled with much guilt.
But when they thought of the large reward and beautiful feature Feng family promised them, they clenched their teeth and forced their faces to remain calm.
Shangguan Wenji looked at the two of them and loudly said, "You two accompanied Rui'er into Sealed Dragon Domain that day. Now, I'm asking you two to relay everything that happened in the Secret Territory."
The two first performed the proper ceremony toward the emperor and the various sects in the crowd. Then, they started talking.
"That day, we were in Sealed Dragon Domain's Green Wood Realm looking for Hundred Herb Mist. After we entered into Hundred Herb Mist, we and Third Prince made the mistake of eating a poisonous plant and we were nearly about to die."
"At this time, this Xi Yue gongzi appeared and said he was a doctor and could detoxify us. However, we had to each give up a precious magic weapon or medicine in order to receive treatment."
One of the guards took a small silver bell out from his chest and said, "This is a fifth rank magic weapon passed down from generation to generation in my family. It's called a Gold and Silver Dream Spirit Bell, this Dream Spirit Bell was originally a pair. It's other half was given to Xi Yue that day in order to get an antidote. Isn't that so Xi gongzi?"
Hexi nodded her head and smiled, "That's right."
Moreover, this Dream Spirit Bell had long since been given to Gu Liufeng's subordinate, Mei Ru Yan.
Chapter 509 Kill Him!
The guard's mouth hardened and he continued to say, "Once we got the antidote, naturally we assumed it was real, so we completely swallowed it. At the beginning, we somewhat improved. But, we never thought that bad symptoms would soon show up."
"The Third Prince had the worst end of the stick. After swallowing the antidote, a long time passed before his entire body unexpectedly burst open and he turned into a puddle of watery blood."
The first few claims the guard laid down already caused everyone to go into an uproar, but his final sentence caused everyone to dissolve into a state of complete shock.
"Moreover, the Third Prince wasn't the only one to die there." The guard turned around to look at the distant crowd and heavily said, "On the day, many of the martial artists, from the large sects, also ate Xi gongzi's antidote and died. I only personally know that Nalan family's Nalan Yanming alongside Murong family's Murong Zhangfeng and Murong Hai died."
"We originally had a hard time escaping the fate of turning into watery blood, but fortunately, the Ice Lotus Fairy and the Feng family's people hurried over. In this pressing time, they quickly treated us, saving our lives."
Once the guard's words were out, everyone present immediately flared up.
They never thought that this little Foundation Establishment stage martial artist would be able to use poison and kill so many people
Not only was Jin Ling Country's Third Prince among one of the victims, but so were many influential families' elders.
Great distress and anger flooded Feng Lian Ying's face as she looked at Hexi. With a heavy voice she said, "Xi gongzi, on that day, when we ran into each other at Water Moon Realm, didn't I advise you?"
"You don't have any of the skills of a doctor. Even if you have a few minor methods, you shouldn't diagnose illnesses and you definitely shouldn't carelessly prescribe medicine. Who would've thought that not only did you not listen, but you also harmed so many people in the process?"
"And when I rushed to Hundred Herb Mist, you actually attempted to block me, stating that your way of healing was the right way. If you weren't so selfish, you wouldn't have killed the Third Prince and so many other innocent people."
By now, Feng Lian Ying's eyes had already turned red, "Xi gongzi, you're also a doctor. Don't you know that every life is precious? That each sick person has their own family and friends? If their friends and family knew they died by your hands, they would feel extremely sad and hurt ah!"
"I'm just regretful that I didn't arrive earlier and wasn't firm enough. Otherwise, you wouldn't have hurt so many lives!"
The hall's atmosphere had been very tense since the beginning. Now, after Feng Lian Ying's perfect performance, everyone's emotions were nearly at the bursting point.
Especially for those that were apart of sects and influential families that sent their members to the Sealed Dragon Domain. They all fixed their angered gazes at Hexi, practically burning a hole through her.
"I never thought that this youth who seems to put on airs would actually turn out to be so malicious. This type of person simply doesn't deserve to live in this world anymore."
"Exactly, how come you guys didn't just directly kill this person on the spot that day? Surprisingly, you actually let him run around for so long. The Ice Lotus Fairy is truly too kindhearted!"
"My Xian He Sect's people entered Sealed Dragon Domain and never returned. They were most likely harmed by him!"
"Obviously he doesn't even have a doctor's rank, yet he actually dares to pretend and detoxify others. Now that he's harmed others' lives, don't tell me that a debt of blood can't be paid in blood?"
"Such an utterly heartless person should be thrown into a magic beast pit and die without a burial place."
"Kill him! Kill him! Let's take revenge for those who've died under this quack!!"
Chapter 510 Everyone's Angry, Hard To Offend
Everyone's angry shouts soon starting filling the large hall.
Hexi merely coldly looked on, but didn't speak. She looked like she was merely an observer that had nothing to do with the situation.
Suddenly, a slender youth squeezed out from the crowd. He stared Hexi down with a face full of killing intent, "I didn't expect that my Nalan family's Elder was actually killed by you. What hatred do you have with my Nalan family for you to so maliciously kill him?"
This youth seemed to be around the same age was Nalan Hexi.
His appearance was elegant and he even seemed to hold some resemblance to Nalan Zhengze.
And Jing Ling country's Prince Shangguan Qi, who had been silently standing in the crowd all along, suddenly slowly walked up to this youth's side. He patted his shoulder and tried placating him, "Ziyun, you can feel assured. Father Emperor will definitely get revenge for Third Brother and your Nalan family."
Ziyun? Nalan Ziyun? It was the original Nalan Hexi's twin "(younger) brother". Hexi faced the youth, whose face really resembled Nalan Zhengze's, and a gloomy light flashed through her eyes.
The Crown Prince faintly looked around and sneered, "This brute who completely lacks humanity was let off by us once. But everyone here won't let him off a second time, isn't that right?"
Immediately, someone loudly agreed, "The Crown Prince is right, such a person can't be let off."
"Take his life for murdering someone! Take his life for murdering someone!"
Feng Yunjing, who had been silently sitting to the side the entire time, looked at the turbulent circumstances in the hall and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
This public trial had been suggested by Shen Sen himself and now it had escalated to this degree. Even if the Shen family was powerful, it was hard to offend everyone when they were angry. They definitely wouldn't protect some insignificant martial artist who was just at Foundation Establishment stage if it was at th cost of their Qing Xia Sect's reputation. Doing so would turn them into the public's enemy.
And Xi Yue was destined to become an assassin. He would only be able to plead for asylum, there wouldn't be another alternative.
Feng Yunjing's gaze landed on Shen Sen, who was sitting opposite to him, and he faintly smiled, "Elder Shen, this public trial was first brought up by you. Now all the evidence has been laid out and the trial's outcome has been determined, what other words does Elder Shen have to say now?"
Shen Sen's face also became extremely unsightly.
He always felt this whole affair was odd, but now, everything was pointing toward Xi Yue. If he continued to protect Xi Yue, he was afraid that Qing Xia Sect would be pulled into the waters.
Although Shen Sen didn't speak, Shen Qingchuo anxiously blurt out everything in her heart, "Your so-called evidence is all one-sided. You guys have so many people while Xi Yue is all alone, he definitely can't out-speak you guys. If you guys are able to, then bring out decisive evidence!"
When Feng Lian Ying saw that they had gotten to this step and Shen Qingchuo was still defending him, her gaze toward Hexi became filled with even more hatred.
This shameless youth only goes around fooling around with people. Even if he seduced Yu gege, it's whatever. Now, he actually was able to seduce Qing Xia Sect's most beloved person. What was this sl** worth?
Feng Lian Ying deeply breathed in before painting on her most tender and friendly expression. She faced Shen Qingchuo and said, "Chuo'er meimei, the facts are all laid out here. You don't need to believe such lies anymore."
Without a second thought, Shen Qingchuo immediately replied, "Because Xi gongzi is a good person, he saved my life!"
Shen Qingchuo was still young and her mind was pure. She completely missed the fact that Feng Lian Ying was encouraging her to talk.