“You came here unwillingly—you were forced?”

“Yes.”

Sang Zhan was somewhat surprised. He stared at Suzhen for a while, finally nodding: “Very well, come with me.”

The two had only walked a few steps when two figures swift as lightning landed before them—one tall and thin, one dark-skinned.

“Where is Madam going? We two request to accompany and protect you.” The tall, thin man spoke indifferently.

Suzhen’s heart jumped. She had some impression of these two, especially the tall, thin man. This voice—he had once blocked Quan Feitong. They were… the eunuchs from that day’s caning!

She was truly careless. How could Lian Yu travel incognito without bringing guards? Around this courtyard, who knew how many such people were hidden? Her heart grew cold. Yesterday there were clearly people around when he climbed the tree to fetch the lovesick bird for her!

She glanced at this man, seeing him also look back indifferently, saying: “Forgive the offense.”

Her heart moved inexplicably with some indescribable revulsion toward this person. But she naturally couldn’t implicate Sang Zhan. Just as she was about to have them take her to find Lian Yu, while Sang Zhan’s two servants showed wariness, Sang Zhan slowly stepped in front of Suzhen. Suddenly, another well-dressed man hurriedly approached from behind, anxiety written all over his face: “Ah Zhan, finally found you! Several master healers jointly examined the body, and Lan Na extracted a golden needle from the crown of dead Uncle Achuan, proving this death was man-made. At Ying Yan’s instigation, many people at the tribal assembly are pointing fingers at you, saying you secretly killed Uncle Achuan then made it appear as if the Earth Mother Goddess was angry to stop mining. Even those who originally supported us have turned against us. The situation grows worse—what do you think we should do?”

Sang Zhan remained silent, but his servant Abu couldn’t help speaking angrily: “I think Ying Yan clearly did this, deliberately framing our Master Ah Zhan. That Miss Lan Na is also helping Ying Yan.”

“Abu, can you please not add to the chaos?” The well-dressed man glared at him, telling Sang Zhan: “Ah Zhan, Lan Na has always helped reason rather than relatives, and wholeheartedly hopes our people can revive rather than remain in such a small place. Of course, I’m not saying reason isn’t with you, but… anyway, my point is don’t be heartbroken. We few grew up together—you know that though the engagement was arranged by our fathers, she has the most favorable feelings toward you in her heart…”

Sang Zhan stopped him: “Ah Qi, Lan Na and I aren’t suitable, but rest assured—given our years of friendship, I absolutely won’t hate her for this.”

“Let’s go,” he said, then looked at Suzhen, about to speak when the female servant advised quietly: “Master, in the current situation, A Nu thinks you’d better leave the valley to avoid trouble. Otherwise, while they’re angry, it’s very unfavorable for you. If everyone wants to capture you, and this Ying Yan currently just wants to mine without obstruction, we should leave the valley first and see how to catch him off guard.”

“No. If they insist on mining, I can choose not to participate in the ceremony, but now that a tribal brother has been murdered, I cannot not go—to seek justice both for myself and for Uncle Achuan.”

Sang Zhan raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes showing some bitterness but more composure and calm.

Suzhen sighed inwardly, suddenly hearing him say gently: “Miss, come with me. I still have some small influence here. After I handle this matter slightly, I’ll send someone to escort you out.”

He spoke while his gaze lightly swept over the two men in front of Suzhen, then whispered to her: “I can see that though what Miss said earlier wasn’t entirely truthful, you need assistance, and I’ll certainly do my best.”

Ah Qi and the others were somewhat surprised. Suzhen was also slightly stunned—he was already in danger yet still showed her such righteousness. She had originally wanted to retreat to this courtyard and wait for Lian Yu’s return, but hearing this, heroic spirit suddenly arose in her heart. She decided to go with him, also giving this righteously encountered young man some support.

It was also a good opportunity to speak clearly with Lian Yu.

“Then Suzhen thanks you first, Young Master Sang. Please.”

She smiled and made an inviting gesture toward him first.

Sang Zhan smiled and nodded. Abu muttered quietly: “Miss, our master is a good person, but at this juncture, could you please not come along and add to the chaos?”

“Abu!” Sang Zhan’s tone grew stern, and Abu started, quickly lowering his head.

Ah Qi and A Nu kept glancing at Suzhen. At this moment, the tall, thin man frowned and was about to speak again when Suzhen glanced over.

“Are you going to stop me?” she asked with a smile.

The dark-skinned man immediately replied: “We wouldn’t dare.”

Suzhen said nothing more, only telling Sang Zhan: “You needn’t attend to me, Young Master. Continue discussing important matters with Young Master Ah Qi.”

She automatically walked behind the two men. Sang Zhan’s eyes flickered—again unexpectedly, he glanced at her but didn’t stand on ceremony, only proceeding first with Ah Qi.

The location for the tribal assembly wasn’t too far—held at the tribal ancestral hall.

That hall had an extremely large courtyard with high walls and open ground. Inside was also very spacious, with feathered garments and colorful dress—quite lively.

“Sang Zhan has come.” Voices came from the hall, and someone shouted. Conversation ceased as people in the courtyard made way.

Suzhen followed behind, stopping among the crowd in the front of the courtyard as Sang Zhan and his group quickly walked into the hall.

Several more gazes came from the side, all showing pleasant surprise—it was Lian Xin and the others.

They happened to be among the crowd on the other side of the courtyard.

“Didn’t you say you weren’t coming?” Across the crowd, Lian Xin mouthed words to her.

Among them, only Lian Yu showed no surprise, his eyes like vast waves falling upon her.

She nodded to Lian Xin, avoiding Lian Yu’s gaze.

The crowd in the hall also separated to both sides, giving a clear view. On the ground was a stretcher with a large man lying on it, eyes tightly closed, face pained. In the center were seven or eight people standing on both sides of the corpse. On the left side, one was the tribal chief seen yesterday with several young men and women behind him—presumably his children. Beside him was an older man with a deep, scheming appearance, next to whom was a young man. This youth had sharp features, alert and authoritative eyes that felt oppressive when he looked over!

Behind him were four well-dressed young men. On the right side of the corpse was a white-faced, beardless old man with deeply furrowed brows. Beside him was a stunningly beautiful girl.

On the girl’s other side were several middle-aged men and women.

Suzhen could roughly guess everyone’s identities. Next to the tribal chief were probably Ying Yan and his strong supporters. The two old men were likely the patriarchs of the Ying and Sang families.

This beautiful girl was Sang Zhan’s fiancée Lan Na, and beside her were several authoritative family heads from the tribe.

Seeing Sang Zhan arrive, the tribal chief first spoke angrily: “Ah Zhan, what do you say about this? Do you dare admit before dead Achuan the sins you’ve committed?”

“Ah Zhan is despicable!”

“He opposes mining because he wants to secretly monopolize the minerals!”

His words immediately stirred up crowd emotion, with tribal members in the hall and courtyard unanimously denouncing him.

“People die for wealth—have you all forgotten what Ah Zhan has done for the tribe before?”

“His mother is from a foreign tribe—how could he truly seek welfare for our people?”

“Drive him from our tribe…”

The beardless old man was shocked and anxious, arguing several points, but was quickly overwhelmed by the voices.

Ying Yan hadn’t even spoken yet, only smiling slightly as he watched Sang Zhan.

Abu, in his loyalty, was nearly crying: “You’re wronging Master Ah Zhan…”

Unfortunately, this crying was quickly drowned out by the boiling voices until Ying Yan raised his hand, and the surrounding agitation gradually quieted.

He slowly spoke: “Ah Zhan, it can’t be that only your family is wealthy while our entire tribe needs wealth. I’m straightforward and have offended many in my work, but leading our tribe’s revival to past prosperity is my lifelong wish. I can even give up the elder position—as long as you eliminate your selfishness, I, Ying Yan, will be first to support you as next elder. Don’t break everyone’s hearts, don’t break Lan Na’s heart.”

“This land gave you glory—you should cherish it well.”

Sang Zhan’s face paled slightly, but he only smiled faintly without speaking, because he saw Lan Na had something to say.

Lan Na held the golden needle in her hand, looking at Ying Yan: “Ah Yan, this matter isn’t proven yet—don’t speak like this first.”

“Ah Zhan,” she frowned deeply, “tell me you never did such things, that Uncle Achuan wasn’t killed by you, that you never did such bestial acts for personal gain. Tell me, tell everyone, that you already know your past mistakes, that you shouldn’t have hoarded the minerals…”

Sang Zhan suddenly said: “I have nothing to admit. If you truly believe I committed murder, then punish me according to tribal law.”

He didn’t even argue, which was somewhat unexpected. Lan Na’s eyes showed disappointment as she smiled bitterly: “I’m doing this for your good—why must you twist my good intentions into slander?”

“Who exactly is slandering whom? Young Master Ah Zhan cannot bear such good intentions.” A Nu stepped forward, saying through gritted teeth, her words crisp and clear, but she was quickly surrounded by several young men from behind Ying Yan.

“Don’t push people too far!” Ah Qi was furious, rushing forward with Abu to stop their aggression.

“Ah Qi, who do you think you are? You’re just Sang Zhan’s lapdog—who gave you the right to speak in the great ancestral hall!” the bearded old man shouted loudly.

More tribal members immediately surrounded Ah Qi and Abu.

Sang Zhan still said nothing, only slowly taking in everything before him.

“Susu, go up and examine the corpse. Maybe you can find evidence to help this Sang Zhan—I think he’s quite pitiful.”

Behind her came Lian Xin’s small voice.

Suzhen turned to look, seeing everyone had somehow all gathered beside her. She didn’t answer Lian Xin. She remembered the day of the caning—though it was a shocking dream, at that time, no one had truly… stood up for her.

When the new champion was crowned, few people still remembered her.

She couldn’t even take care of herself—what right did she have to stand up for others?

“Some things, once broken, when mended are truly no longer as they originally were—like between you and me. But some things, once shattered, should be rebuilt. Among millions of people coming and going, you are still you.”

Another voice sounded calmly behind her.