Chapter 62 – Interrogation
Lin Hao didn't ride his sword but walked along the mountain path. On both sides lay numerous corpses, some were disciples of the Xuan Yin Sect, but most were from the Demon Clan.
After all, the Demon Clan had been suppressed for a long time and were extremely weak.
Moreover, this was the Xuan Yin Sect, where disciples could rely on the terrain and the sect's restrictive formations to defeat the Demon Clan, leaving them in disarray.
Only a few timid demons managed to escape from the demon-suppressing tower and chose to flee far away, barely saving their lives.
The massive Flood Dragon had its head severed by Feng Cangyue, the master of Great Bamboo Peak.
As for the higher-level battlefield, Lin Hao didn't know the specifics, but seeing the sect leader and the two peak masters looking displeased, it was likely that some unknown entity had escaped.
In this battle, over a thousand Xuan Yin Sect disciples perished, mostly outer sect disciples, not to mention the countless destroyed medicine gardens and spirit fields.
The losses were indeed severe.
Witnessing such devastation, Lin Hao couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt and sorrow. The women around him were not easy to deal with...
He knew Cui Qing'er wanted to save the little fox but didn't report it to the sect, resulting in a lost opportunity. Otherwise, this tragedy could have been avoided.
But if he had done so, Cui Qing'er might have died, and even the little fox could have perished.
What choice did he have? On one side was his sect, and on the other, his woman.
The main issue was that he was deceived by Cui Qing'er and didn't expect such severe consequences.
He felt somewhat disheartened, his eyes blankly staring at the mountain of corpses on either side of the path.
Among the pile of bodies, he spotted a familiar face.
Li Xunran, his first woman, known for her playful nature, had died here.
Fortunately, he didn't see the people he cared about, like his master or Shui Ling'er... they weren't among the dead.
...
In the sect master's palace, Sect Leader Ouyang sat on the main seat, her peerless face covered with a layer of frost!
Her cold, phoenix-like eyes looked down at the people kneeling in the hall.
"Sect Leader, it was indeed my negligence that gave the Demon Clan an opportunity."
Sect Leader Ouyang's voice was devoid of any emotion, as cold as ice: "You indeed were negligent. As the Elder of the Demon Lock Tower, you failed to detect the disturbance and report it to the sect in time!"
Han Liyue lowered her head, not daring to meet the sect leader's gaze, her body trembling with fear, unable to speak coherently.
"Sect Leader, I..."
In Sect Leader Ouyang's view, in this incident of the Demon Clan's escape, the Elder of the Demon Lock Tower was just a small fry, with some negligence but not decisive.
For so many demons to infiltrate the sect, there must have been an insider among the higher-ups!
Otherwise, how could everyone have failed to notice the demons' infiltration? Were they all incompetent?
She had led the sect for ten years, yet the internal situation was so chaotic, someone was definitely trying to undermine her.
It seemed that without a thorough cleanup, her position as sect leader would be unstable!
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Although the crimes of Han Liyue and the other elders of the Demon Lock Tower weren't too severe, they had to be punished to set an example.
"All elders guarding the Demon Lock Tower will be stripped of their cultivation resources for three years and sent to guard the medicine gardens and spirit fields."
Han Liyue and the other elders' faces turned gloomy.
Being deprived of cultivation resources and having to guard the labor disciples meant they would have no time for cultivation, effectively cutting off their path to advancement.
However, the sect leader's authority was deeply ingrained, and with her current anger, no one dared to resist.
After punishing the elders of the Demon Lock Tower, Sect Leader Ouyang's eyes, filled with killing intent, swept over the sect's higher-ups.
"This chaos caused by the Demon Clan must have been aided by someone in power."
Her words were heavy, pressing down on the higher-ups, almost suffocating them!
Murong Qinxue, the master of Little Bamboo Peak, with a face full of anger, said fiercely, "Whoever dared to collude with the Demon Clan, come out, and see if I don't beat you to death!"
No one answered.
The hall was so silent that a pin drop could be heard, eerily quiet!
"Have the guts to do it, but not to admit it?" Murong Qinxue's gaze was as sharp as a flying sword, sweeping over everyone.
At this moment, the Discipline Elder stepped forward.
"It's you?" Murong Qinxue's beautiful eyes narrowed, shooting out a sharp light.
The Discipline Elder broke into a cold sweat, hurriedly explaining it wasn't him, then said, "Sect Leader, I find one person particularly suspicious, but..."
Sect Leader Ouyang's eyes narrowed slightly, her voice calm, "What are your thoughts? Speak freely!"
"Reporting to the sect leader, I suspect Lin Hao from Great Bamboo Peak of colluding with the Demon Clan!"
Whoosh!
In the hall, all eyes of the Xuan Yin Sect's higher-ups fell on the Discipline Elder!
Murong Qinxue was the first to speak, "Elder Luo, are you saying Lin Hao colluded with the Demon Clan? Do you have any evidence?"
Elder Luo replied calmly, "I have investigated thoroughly. The spy who released the demons is closely related to Lin Hao, who was previously punished in the Demon Lock Tower. It's possible he took advantage of the situation.
This person has a history of colluding with the Demon Clan, and now he's entangled with the Demon Clan again. He's truly a menace, and I hope the sect leader will see clearly!"
Feng Cangyue stood barefoot on the lotus platform, sneering, "The sect leader asked if there was a spy among the higher-ups, and Lin Hao is merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, without any significant position in the sect, so are you deliberately targeting Great Bamboo Peak?
Or are you implying that I colluded with the Demon Clan?"
Elder Luo felt the overwhelming killing intent directed at him, too scared to respond, and looked timidly at the sect leader.
The master of Ethereal Peak stepped forward, saying, "Sister Feng, please retract your pressure and let Elder Luo finish speaking."
"Who do you think you are? Do you think you're the sect leader?"
"You..."
The master of Ethereal Peak already had a poor impression of Lin Hao and intended to take sides, but didn't expect Feng Cangyue's temper to be so fierce.
Both being peak masters, there was no fear of each other. He was about to retort when the sect leader interrupted.
"Cangyue, I know you are the backbone of the sect and would never do anything against it."
"Elder Luo is merely discussing the matter and not targeting Great Bamboo Peak."
"Elder Luo, quickly apologize to Master Feng!"
The Discipline Elder forced a smile on his old face.
"Master Feng, I spoke inappropriately earlier. Please don't hold it against me."
Feng Cangyue snorted coldly, her eyes filled with killing intent.
"If Lin Hao really colluded with the Demon Clan, I will personally deal with him!"
"But if anyone dares to falsely accuse a disciple of Great Bamboo Peak, I won't let it go!"
She stepped on the fire lotus platform and left in a flash.
Shortly after, Lin Hao was brought to the hall by her.
"Sect Leader, Lin Hao is here. Ask whatever you want!"
Lin Hao didn't know why his master brought him here, but now he understood the cause and effect.
The Demon Clan's riot, the chaos in the sect.
This dirty water was being splashed on him!
His eyes swept over everyone, and when he saw the Discipline Elder, a chill rose in his heart. This old dog again?!