With Su Mei, the Chief of Phoenix Caw Peak, stating her position, the crowd was stunned.
They looked at each other, whispering and murmuring, the news causing quite a stir.
Even Lin Xiao, at the center of the affair, couldn't regain his composure for a while.
It turned out that an unspoken rule had been established between the different branches of the Qinglan Sect: cases involving a Chief Disciple of any branch violating sect rules would be judged by their own Peak Chief, in front of the Elders of the Enforcement Hall.
After all, the Chief Disciple represented the dignity of a branch. Having their own Chief handle the trial, regardless of the result, would preserve some decorum.
However, the most important reason was that the Elders of the Enforcement Hall had always been notoriously strict and harsh in their judgments. Therefore, if someone from their own lineage got into trouble, allowing their own Chief to preside over the case could lead to a softer punishment and save more face.
Lin Xiao remembered clearly.
The original story mentioned that Jiang Yuan, the previous Chief Disciple of Dragon Head Peak, had engaged in illicit relations with a demoness from the Demon Sect. According to sect rules, he should have been executed. However, during the public trial, under True Master Ziyun's lenient interrogation, which glossed over the serious charges, his beloved disciple was merely confined for sixty years.
Alas, it's this late, and my Master still hasn't arrived. She must have drunk too much last night...
As expected, a drunkard can't be relied upon!
Fortunately, Martial Uncle Su stepped forward. Otherwise, if those Punishment Elders, who are close to Daoist Yuan Yi, interrogated me in turns, I would surely die today!
Watching the voluptuous figure, whose every movement was captivating, approach him, Lin Xiao let out a sigh of relief.
He wasn't afraid of death!
What he feared was not dying according to the original plot!
Martial Uncle Su and my Master have always been at odds; those two 'sisters' have been feuding for a century. I never expected she'd be willing to stand up for me, her martial nephew...
It's truly touching.
'A drop of kindness,' as they say, 'should be repaid with a gushing spring!' And I'd be more than happy to offer a 'spring' of my own in return!
If I have the chance before leaving this world, I must go to Phoenix Caw Peak and have a good... 'communication' with her! It would fulfill a dream from my student days in my previous life!
This won't disrupt the main storyline, right?
Lin Xiao silently made up his mind.
「On the other side.」
The expressions of a certain master and disciple were not so pleasant.
"Alas, just when we finally had a chance with Xiao Hongling absent, Chief Su of Phoenix Caw Peak unexpectedly stepped up to support Lin Xiao!"
"Master, I... I detest this! We were so close! He would have undoubtedly died today!"
Ye Chen gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. In his extreme rage, his fingernails dug into his flesh!
In an instant, a seemingly absurd thought struck him...
This Immortal Stick named Lin Xiao standing before me... he might also be blessed with great luck!
Even... his handsome, Fallen Immortal-like appearance and aura seem more fitting for... the Son of Destiny than mine?
Could it be... this guy is the one Old Shi mentioned, the existence who intercepted my destiny?
Ye Chen's heart trembled. For a moment, his killing intent surged even stronger!
There could only be one Son of Destiny in the Divine Continent, and that was him, Ye Chen!
"Don't fret, my disciple."
Daoist Yuan Yi, however, appeared calm and composed. "Chief Su and Chief Xiao of Divine Phoenix Peak have always been at odds. In my opinion, she has personally stepped in to question Lin Xiao this time merely to settle old scores and make things difficult for him!"
"We just need to watch the drama unfold from the sidelines."
"Yes, Master! I hope everything goes as you wish!"
Wow, this woman's fragrance is intoxicating, even stronger than the floral, wine-tinged scent on my Master.
Watching that voluptuous, married Martial Uncle from Phoenix Caw Peak walk around him with her elegant, snow-white legs, Lin Xiao was somewhat mesmerized.
True Master Ziyun, who was seated in mid-air on the high platform, spoke. His voice, deep and resonant, echoed throughout the grand hall, "Chief Su, according to the rules, since Chief Xiao of Divine Phoenix Peak is not present, you, as a Chief from another peak, also have the right to act on her behalf and conduct the interrogation."
"You may begin."
"Thank you, Sect Leader, and esteemed Elders, for your approval."
Su Mei curtsied to those on the platform above. Then, she turned to Lin Xiao, offering a reassuring smile and a wink, as if to tell him not to be nervous.
My God, she's naturally seductive.
The same wink... When my tipsy Master does it, she looks like a fool. But from Martial Uncle Su, it makes one want to... no, that's not right! It's just an incredibly captivating and bewitching feeling!
Despite being in a perilous situation, Lin Xiao couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion.
"Martial Nephew Lin, last night, did you instruct your junior sister, Chu Youwei, to visit inner sect disciple Ye Chen at Tiandang Peak?" Su Mei cleared her throat and asked directly.
"Yes, Martial Uncle Su, I did," Lin Xiao nodded.
"Mm, do you recall what time that was?" Su Mei's phoenix eyes shifted as she asked softly.
"Around the third ke of the Zi hour. Considering the time my Third Junior Sister spent on Sword Control, she likely arrived at Tiandang Peak around the first ke of the Chou hour," Lin Xiao answered calmly.
He already had a plan.
He had thought of a strategy that could both clear his name and temporarily spare Ye Chen's wretched life, allowing him to survive until the Five Branches Martial Meet to complete the face-slapping plotline!
And the key to all of this was a woman...
At this moment, his handsome eyes glanced past the countless disciples and stewards, landing directly on a figure dressed in snow-white attire.
She stood there silently, tall and graceful, her long legs enchanting, like a moon palace fairy stepping out of a painting, completely distinct from everyone around her!
Zhu Wanning, you wanted to ally with me just now, right?
You'd better not disappoint me later.
Lin Xiao prayed silently in his heart.