Chapter 15: Ch15: The Confrontation 2
A startled, almost panicked look spread across Mo Bai’s face at the sect leader’s question. He lowered his head slightly, stammering.
"T-This... I... I swear, I didn’t mean anything bad."
"Then explain yourself. What you did clearly shows malicious intent. Were you ordered to do it by someone? Speak," the clan leader said, his voice cold and sharp, pressing Mo Bai harder with each word.
"No! No one told me to do anything, I swear. It was entirely my idea!" Mo Bai raised both hands in denial, speaking quickly with clear panic on his face.
"Please, just let me explain myself, Leader."
"Go on then," the elder replied flatly, his face stern. But internally, he was observing carefully.
’Mo Bai’s expressions seem genuine... could I be wrong? Could it be that no one is pulling his strings from behind? I’ll listen to what he says first. I have to focus and watch for any signs of lying in his voice or face. If I’m right, the faction may be in danger.’
Mo Bai took a deep breath as if to force the tension away, then began speaking without pause. His voice was low, filled with nervous fear, but also earnest.
"Even though my father is a second-tier Seal Master, he never gives me any resources. He always tells me to gather them myself—it’s some kind of training to build independence. So ever since I was young, I’ve been hunting beasts and collecting Niya stones on my own, waiting for the day I’d be old enough to start cultivating."
"But when I finally began my training, I realized those resources wouldn’t last me more than a few months—not if I wanted to progress quickly. I had to find another way. And I realized the best solution was to secretly take from other students... but only from the weaker ones, and only just enough so that the teachers wouldn’t interfere."
"Still, even if I kept it discreet, there would be problems. Their families would eventually cause trouble, and maybe even the academy itself if they noticed the students’ progress slowing down compared to previous years."