Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Fang Lin stopped walking for a moment and cracked into a smile. He said, “Why are you shouting? I haven’t even done anything to you, have I?”
“Stop!”
Meanwhile, a stern shout was heard. Fang Lin turned around to find a middle-aged man making his way over rapidly, followed by the sneering Kang Lu.
Fang Lin had a calm expression as he had already roughly figured out the course of events that led up to this moment in his heart.
“Elder Wu, Fang Lin is going to kill Sun Hao, then he’s going to kill me!” the female disciple shouted aloud at once upon realizing that the person coming was her savior. Fang Lin was agitated by this disgusting woman.
Sun Hao looked at the miserable Sun Hao on the ground with a stern face. Then, he shot another look at ever-so-calm Fang Lin. He immediately shouted in rage, “Fang Lin, you’re terribly insolent!”
“Elder, Fang Lin’s actions have harmed his own fellow disciples of the same sect without a doubt. He ought to be punished severely,” Kang Lu accused at once.
The group of female disciples surrounding them did not expect that the events would evolve into this. They looked at Fang Lin sympathetically.
Wu Zhen looked at Fang Lin, then he looked at the female disciple who had yelled earlier. He interrogated, “Cao Ying, please describe the course of events.”
The female disciple named Cao Ying immediately pointed to Fang Lin and said with a furious expression, “Fang Lin beat Junior Brother Disciple Sun Hao up for no reason. He was about to beat me up as well. Fortunately, my fellow Junior and Senior Sister Disciples were here, and you and Senior Brother Disciple Kang Lu arrived just in time. Otherwise, Fang Lin might have harmed me. We await your fair judgment, Elder. Please punish this absolutely lawless man!”
The rest of the female disciples had disgusted expressions on their faces. They were aware that Cao Ying told her story in such an intentional manner just to put Fang Lin in a death trap.
Cao Ying had a panicked expression on her face, but she was actually laughing coldly in her heart. ‘Fang Lin, oh, Fang Lin. I’d like to see how you are going to struggle free after offending Senior Brother Disciple Kang Lu.’
Kang Lu examined Sun Hao’s injuries and said in exasperation at once, “Fang Lin was so appallingly cruel at beating him that Junior Brother Disciple Sun Hao is severely injured. Elder, please give a fair judgment for Junior Brother Disciple Sun Hao’s behalf.”
Wu Zhen nodded. Soon, he looked toward Fang Lin and said coldly, “Offender, are you aware of your offense?”
Fang Lin picked his ear leisurely without showing the slightest fear. His action infuriated Wu Zhen even more. “You’re Elder Wu Zhen, aren’t you? You were listening to Kang Lu and that ugly woman from the start to the end, so why aren’t you listening to my side of the story then?” he asked in a calm and composed manner.
Cao Ying was almost driven to madness when she heard Fang Lin address her as an ugly woman. ‘How am I ugly? Judging by appearances, I’m at least the top five prettiest girls amongst the female junior alchemy disciples. This boy must be blind! Hmm, he must be!’
“You’ve committed a serious offense. There’s no need for you to explain anymore. Just kneel on the ground and wait for your punishment,” Wu Zhen ordered.
Upon listening to his words, Fang Lin was instantly enlightened. It was apparent that Wu Zhen was also on Kang Lu’s side. In other words, Wu Zhen’s purpose here was solely to punish Fang Lin regardless of how the incident unfolded.
At the thought of this, Fang Lin’s expression dulled. He chuckled coldly before saying, “What a great alchemy sect elder you are. You are unbiased and efficient in your conduct, and you truly are the role model of the elders. The disciples of our generation ought to learn from you.”
While Wu Zhen picked up on Fang Lin’s mockery, it did little to trigger even an ounce of shame in him.
“Fang Lin, Elder Wu Zhen is surely unbiased, and of course, you should be punished when you commit an offense,” said Kang Lu with a sneer.
Fang Lin looked at Kang Lu with a wisp of disdain in his gaze. “You’re quite something, aren’t you? You used Sun Hao to achieve your gains. Oh well, only a fool like Sun Hao is willing to be used by you.”
Kang Lu’s expression changed ever so slightly. He felt rather uneasy because his scheme had been exposed.
“Take Fang Lin away,” Wu Zhen instructed.
Kang Lu was about to go ahead and seize Fang Lin when the corners of the latter’s lips curled into a smile as if he succumbed to being captured and would not put up a fight at all.
“Who dares to seize Fang Lin in my presence?” All of a sudden, a furious roar was heard. Dressed in a long white robe, Meng Wuyou walked out from behind Fang Lin. He had a dignified expression that was tainted with the slightest wrath.
Fang Lin felt relieved to see Meng Wuyou. The old man managed to get here on time!
Lu Xiaoqing followed behind Meng Wuyou. She was panting breathlessly. It was apparent that it was Lu Xiaoqing who had sought Elder Meng Wuyou’s help after noticing the incident.
Meng Wuyou’s arrival made Kang Lu and Wu Zhen have a slight change in expression. They felt that something ominous was about to happen. Cao Ying’s expression also changed a few times. She lowered her head but did not speak.
Meng Wuyou made his way to the front of Fang Lin. He took a long, hard look at Fang Lin. His expression relaxed ever so slightly when he realized that the boy was uninjured.
“Fang Lin, are you okay?” asked Lu Xiaoqing in concern.
Fang Lin shook his head and said with a smile, “I’m fine. However, your door is broken.” As he was speaking, he pointed to the door of her residence.
“There’s nothing we can do since the door is broken. It’s alright as long as you are fine,” she replied bitterly.
Wu Zhen lowered his eyelids ever so slightly to look at Meng Wuyou. He said, “Elder Meng, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to harbor this offender, Fang Lin?”
Meng Wuyou grunted once. He did not even bother to express friendliness toward Wu Zhen. He said, “You’re constantly calling Fang Lin an offender. Please tell me what is Fang Lin’s offense.”
“He tried to harm a disciple of our sect. Is that not an offense?” Wu Zhen spoke with a cold expression. As he was speaking, he pointed to Sun Hao who was lying on the ground.
Meng Wuyou took a glance at Sun Hao. He muttered to himself under his breath that Fang Lin was truly savage for Sun Hao to be beaten up so miserably.
Meanwhile, Fang Lin said, “Elder Wu Zhen, do you know why I was beating Sun Hao up earlier?”
Wu Zhen frowned ever so slightly but he did not pay attention to Fang Lin.
Fang Lin did not mind either. He continued to speak, “It was because Sun Hao was drunk. He came here and busted down the door. Then, he was about to beat me up. I had no choice but to protect myself.”
“Nonsense!” said Wu Zhen.
Fang Lin sneered and said, “Elder Wu Zhen, don’t you think that it’s strange for Sun Hao to come here? On the other hand, why haven’t you talked to the rest of the Junior and Senior Sister Disciples? They bore witness to this scene at the time too. You should be able to find out what happened just by asking them, so why haven’t you done that?”
Wu Zhen’s expression changed at last. Kang Lu’s expression was equally dull and unpleasant.
Meng Wuyou immediately looked toward the female disciples and asked, “Tell me about what you’ve seen truthfully. We can’t just listen to a person’s one-sided story to determine who’s right and who’s wrong in this situation.”
Cao Ying immediately looked up and announced, “It’s Fang Lin. He harmed a disciple of the same sect!”
“Shut up!” Meng Wuyou’s expression turned frosty as he suddenly flicked his sleeve once. A gush of powerful airflow blew her to the ground instantaneously, rendering her speechless.
The rest of the female disciples shared in a slightly anxious manner, “We saw that Sun Hao was drunk. He was shouting aloud in front of Junior Sister Disciple Xiaoqing’s door. Then, Senior Sister Disciple Cao Ying intentionally mentioned that Fang Lin was inside. Sun Hao busted open the door like a madman, then Fang Lin beat him up.”
Cao Ying’s expression turned ghastly pale at once upon listening to their words as despair filled her eyes. On the other hand, Kang Lu and Wu Zhen clenched their fists tightly in rage.
Meng Wuyou understood the situation now. He looked toward Wu Zhen with a burning gaze. “Elder Wu Zhen, the whole truth of this incident has been revealed. You could have interrogated these female disciples earlier, yet you insisted on penalizing Fang Lin. Why did you do that?”
Wu Zhen grunted once and said, “There’s no telling that Fang Lin arranged these female disciples to say that earlier. Moreover, why is he here anyway?”
“I was just about to ask Senior Brother Disciple Kang Lu that. Why has my residence been damaged?” Fang Lin immediately demanded.
“This is unrelated to me. Why are you asking me?” Kang Lu said with a cold expression.
“The few female disciples’ words aren’t enough to prove Fang Lin’s innocence!” Wu Zhen expressed.
Meng Wuyou chuckled instantaneously upon hearing that. Wu Zhen’s statement had truly exposed his intention. “Wu Zhen, how many benefits have you gained from Kang Lu?” he abruptly shouted aloud.
Every single person there was shocked. Even though they were well aware of the situation, it was truly a bold move for Meng Wuyou to declare it aloud before everyone.
Wu Zhen’s face turned as dark as the bottom of a pan at once. His face was so sinister that it was terrifying. There was also a look of panic and rage in his eyes. It was the same for Kang Lu. At this very moment, everyone shifted their gaze to look at both of them in unison. It was as if every filthy action of theirs had been exposed.
Fang Lin looked at the old Meng Wuyou and thought to himself about how bold he was to be able to say just anything out loud. This way, Meng Wuyou almost managed to offend Wu Zhen and Kang Lu openly.
“Meng Wuyou, stop trying to defile me!” refuted Wu Zhen.
“Do you need me to defile you anymore? Within the alchemy sect, who wouldn’t know how close you are to Kang Lu? It’s obvious that you’re using this incident to target Fang Lin. Perhaps, everything was planned by you, Wu Zhen,” Meng Wuyou said with a disdainful expression.
Wu Zhen had a drastic change of expression. Meng Wuyou’s accusation was akin to a sharp sword that stabbed Wu Zhen until he was a bloody mess. He did not have the slightest ounce of energy to resist.
Instantly, Wu Zhen left. Kang Lu also departed soon after casting a loathsome glare at Fang Lin and Meng Wuyou. They completely disregarded Sun Hao who was still lying on the ground.
The final verdict had been decided, putting an end to the farce ended.
Cao Ying lost her train of thought when she saw Kang Lu and Wu Zhen depart in such manner. Then, she looked at the other female disciples and found that they were distancing themselves from her in succession. It was apparent that she was being rejected.
Meanwhile, Meng Wuyou was also looking at her, his gaze filled with hatred that could not be concealed. “Cao Ying, you carried tales amongst your comrades and encouraged Sun Hao to make an impulsive move. You can’t get away with the offense. There’s no need for you to take part in the examination this year.”
Upon hearing his words, Cao Ying fell limply onto the ground at once. She screamed, “Please forgive me, Elder. Please forgive me! I now know my mistake. I beg of you to forgive me this time, Elder. Please allow me to take part in the year-end examination!”
Meng Wuyou completely disregarded Cao Ying and left with Fang Lin and Lu Xiaoqing.
Cao Ying was in a daze. Her eyes were filled with despair and hatred. She had already failed the promotion examination three years consecutively as a junior alchemy disciple. She was quite hopeful that she could be promoted this year originally. However, her promotion opportunity was stripped away forcefully due to this incident so she would have to wait until next year.
Such a punishment was undoubtedly cruel for a junior alchemy disciple. In a year, a lot could happen.
Cao Ying did not have the courage to hate Meng Wuyou for administering such a punishment. As a result, she could only hold a grudge against Fang Lin and Xiaoqing. The rest of the female disciples did not have sympathy for Cao Ying. After all, she reaped what she sowed. Wordlessly, she left.