Ruyang Prefecture bordered Fengyang Prefecture, extremely close to Anqing, Huizhou, and other areas already occupied by the Heavenly Doctrine. Moreover, with many southeastern prefectures and counties fallen, the common people feared warfare. Those with families, businesses, and considerable wealth had long since packed their belongings and fled north upon hearing the first rumors. Those remaining in the city were either people who felt indifferent about the rise and fall of dynasties, those who believed the Heavenly Doctrine was better than the imperial court, or simply widows, orphans, and the weak who lacked the means to escape…

Thus when the group entered the city, there were barely any people to be seen.

Carrying torches and lanterns, they walked through the streets where debris littered the ground everywhere and shop doors were tightly shut.

Naturally, Wan Xiuzi paid no attention to any of this.

The Runing Prefecture branch had been established in a Buddhist temple seized years ago. After driving out the monks, they rebuilt it—toppling Buddha statues to replace them with the Three Pure Ones, discarding Buddhist sutras to replace them with Daoist texts. They also transported massive stone slabs to construct a towering platform inside, specifically for conducting sect meetings, assemblies, and publicly announcing rewards and punishments.

The group had just arrived at the branch entrance when Branch Leader Lu Tai led the congregation out to receive them.

This man had a dark face and sturdy build, with round eyes and an eagle nose, a wide mouth and broad jaw. Dressed as a martial artist with his wrists and ankles tightly bound, his fists when clenched were as large as sandbags—the type whose immense strength could kill a cow with a single punch.

However, he was far from being all brawn and no brains.

Those eyes alone carried a naturally malicious gloom when sweeping over people. Especially when he spotted Xie Wei and Jiang Xuening beside him at the rear, his gaze paused momentarily. After greeting Wan Xiuzi, he asked: “I’ve heard that Gentleman Du Jun, who ranks alongside Gentleman Gongyi in our sect, has also come this time. Though I’ve long served in the sect, I’ve only heard his great name but never had the chance to meet him. Might the Sect Leader be so kind as to point him out to me?”

Wan Xiuzi glanced back and casually pointed: “That would be him.”

Following his indication, Lu Tai looked toward Xie Wei again.

In that instant, killing intent clearly flashed in his eyes. Moving so quickly that even the acolyte beside Wan Xiuzi couldn’t react, he directly drew the blade from the waist of a nearby sect member, pressing the ice-cold edge straight against Xie Wei’s throat!

Jiang Xuening, standing right behind Xie Wei, was so startled she nearly cried out.

Everyone was shocked: “What is Branch Leader Lu doing?!”

Yet Wan Xiuzi watched without speaking.

Xie Wei had anticipated that the other party would create difficulties for him, but hadn’t expected him to act without even wasting time on a single sentence. His heart grew slightly more vigilant: it seemed Wan Xiuzi was even more impatient than he’d thought. He only wondered when Yan Lin and the others would arrive.

Without question, Lu Tai was the branch leader that Xie Wei and Jiang Xuening had mentioned when discussing today’s plan—one of Gongyi Cheng’s former subordinates.

According to rumors, Gongyi Cheng had saved his life in years past, so his loyalty was unwavering.

Xie Wei gently reached out, first pushing Jiang Xuening behind himself, signaling her to move away, then said calmly and unhurriedly: “It seems Branch Leader Lu has some instruction to offer.”

Lu Tai didn’t care about any of that. Back during the Battle of Tongzhou, he had already suspected foul play. Now, having received secret notification from the Sect Leader, he certainly wouldn’t let Xie Wei leave Runing Prefecture unscathed. He sneered coldly: “Three years ago, over ten thousand sect members, plus Gentleman Gongyi—how they died innocently and unjustly, are you claiming you don’t know?!”

The surroundings immediately fell silent.

Several branch leaders had personally heard Xie Wei admit to this matter back in Luoyang. However, since the Sect Leader hadn’t raised it then and no one had spread it around, how could Lu Tai be so certain? The other sect members of lesser status had never even heard of it. Therefore everyone’s expressions, regardless of the reason and whether genuine or false, all showed extreme shock.

The day Xie Wei said he had killed Gongyi Cheng, he had anticipated there would be a day like this—

Wan Xiuzi would not let this opportunity pass.

He wanted to strike before Xie Wei could act, yet feared Xie Wei harbored no rebellious intentions. If he struck first and his probe proved mistaken, he might force Xie Wei to turn against the Heavenly Doctrine instead. Should Xie Wei escape then, it would create a powerful enemy for the sect. Even if he didn’t escape and remained, it would be useless—whether to kill him or not, they would lose a great asset either way.

Therefore, what was needed was a suitable position from which both advance and retreat were possible.

Who could be more suitable than Lu Tai?

An old subordinate of Gongyi Cheng, loyal to the Heavenly Doctrine—as long as he was told the truth about Gongyi Cheng’s death, Lu Tai would certainly confront Xie Wei. Thus, as Sect Leader, Wan Xiuzi could maintain a facade of impartial justice while observing from the sidelines. If Xie Wei harbored rebellious intentions, he could immediately execute him publicly before the congregation. If he harbored no such intentions and showed no subsequent abnormalities, then Wan Xiuzi could magnanimously show mercy, bestowing grace upon him to earn his loyal service in return.

Truly an exquisite stratagem difficult to abandon.

What a pity that Wan Xiuzi probably never considered that he, Xie Wei, had actively brought up the matter of killing Gongyi Cheng himself.

The purpose was precisely to give Wan Xiuzi such a suitable position.

With this position, Wan Xiuzi would act as Xie Wei predicted, rather than ruthlessly and mercilessly attempting to kill him outright on a single thought. This way, though he would suffer some hardship, he could buy sufficient time to wait for the army Yan Lin was leading from Huangzhou!

Xie Wei looked directly at Lu Tai, only saying: “Gentleman Gongyi and I were also acquainted for a long time. At that time, lurking within the imperial court, I failed to extend timely aid to him, resulting in his death. My heart also feels deep remorse. If Branch Leader Lu wishes to blame me, that is only appropriate.”

“Fuck your mother’s bullshit!”

What Lu Tai detested most was conversing with such literati who could argue black into white!

His hand gripping the blade trembled.

“How could Gentleman Gongyi’s whereabouts have been leaked out of nowhere? How could those wine sacks and rice bags of the Xiao clan have such brilliant schemes? Never mind that the woman you’re intimate with now was in Tongzhou back then! She even bears tremendous connection to the brothers’ deaths!”

When Jiang Xuening first heard only the three words “Gongyi Cheng,” she hadn’t recalled anything. But upon hearing the word “Tongzhou,” those bloody scenes from years past instantly flooded back into her mind, causing her to shiver violently!

She hadn’t expected this man to know about her too!

Xie Wei’s eyes constricted sharply, ice-cold to the extreme. His straight spine tensed imperceptibly as he stared intensely at Lu Tai: “Lu Tai, you harbor bias against me due to Gongyi Cheng’s death—that’s acceptable. However, making baseless accusations is beneath contempt. Since you wish to distinguish right from wrong clearly, why not ascend the Heavenly Platform today and see whether I, Xie, can give you an accounting!”

Lu Tai immediately gave a cold laugh: “Excellent!”

He was quite straightforward. The blade originally at Xie Wei’s throat was immediately withdrawn. He actually knelt on one knee before Wan Xiuzi, bowing as he petitioned: “May the Sect Leader discern clearly—it’s not that this subordinate wishes to make things difficult for Gentleman Du Jun. It’s truly that the past grievances concern over ten thousand lives. How can our Heavenly Doctrine brothers have died in vain? Today, even if I must stake this life of mine, this subordinate must demand clear answers from him! I humbly petition the Sect Leader’s permission to uphold justice for Gentleman Gongyi and for the brothers who perished in the Battle of Tongzhou!”

They were surrounded by countless watching eyes.

Moreover, this was precisely what Wan Xiuzi wanted to see—naturally he wouldn’t refuse.

However, he still put on an expression of slight difficulty, glancing at Xie Wei before saying: “You two are both rare talents within the sect. This seat truly does not wish to see discord arise between you. There may well be many misunderstandings in all this. However, since you both propose ascending the Heavenly Platform for debate, then debate you shall. Let everyone hear clearly and settle what is right and wrong!”

The Heavenly Doctrine’s so-called “ascending the Heavenly Platform” took the meaning of “all beings are equal, with nothing to be ashamed of before heaven and earth.” All disputes were to be decided by those below the platform, with everyone having the right to judge regardless of status.

What a pity that in recent years it had become mere formality.

Upon suddenly hearing about ascending the Heavenly Platform, everyone began discussing amongst themselves, whispering to one another.

Since Wan Xiuzi as Sect Leader had already spoken, this matter was settled.

Xie Wei had originally planned exactly this, so naturally he had no objection.

Without gathering the congregation below the Heavenly Platform, how could they annihilate them all in one stroke? Furthermore, the more chaotic the situation, the better Jiang Xuening’s chances of escaping in the confusion. If things proceeded as usual with her being locked in a room upon reaching the branch, there truly wouldn’t be half a chance of escape.

The group entered the branch and gathered around that stone platform rising two zhang above the ground.

Steps led up to the platform.

It was actually divided into two tiers—one tier at one and a half zhang high formed a broad platform, while another tier even higher actually had a chair placed upon it, a position specifically for superiors—

Speaking of equality among all beings, there was still distinction between high and low.

Wan Xiuzi ascended first and sat squarely in the center.

Xie Wei and Lu Tai also stepped up afterward.

Unexpectedly, just as they mounted the Heavenly Platform, Lu Tai bowed to Wan Xiuzi, turned back and pointed at Jiang Xuening, saying: “Since we’re debating the Tongzhou affair today, this woman who reported information to the government and colluded with Du Jun from within and without should also come up, so our sect brothers can see what ‘partners in crime’ truly means!”

Someone immediately pushed Jiang Xuening from behind.

She nearly fell on the steps.

The fingers hanging in Xie Wei’s sleeves quietly clenched tight. His murderous intent had already risen dramatically. However, the timing wasn’t right—in the end he didn’t act out, only turned around and stepped forward to help her up, asking lightly: “Are you afraid?”

Afraid?

Jiang Xuening was naturally afraid.

However, when he helped her up and her fingertips touched his warm palm, feeling the strength he transmitted to her, she somehow didn’t feel quite so afraid anymore. Such a terrible predicament—if she were alone, naturally she should be afraid.

Fortunately, they were two people.

Jiang Xuening didn’t answer. She simply steadied herself while holding Xie Wei’s hand, then turned her head to look back at those behind her.

Those Heavenly Doctrine members all stood in the rear.

Originally they hadn’t felt there was anything wrong with their actions, but being looked at by her like this, they somehow inexplicably felt guilty: bullying a weak woman was one thing, but the bullied person showed no attitude of humble weakness from being bullied. Instead, she revealed a kind of contempt and magnanimity.

The entire venue was utterly quiet.

Everyone’s gazes fell upon her.

Only after withdrawing her gaze did Jiang Xuening lower her eyes, lifted the hem of her skirt, said “I’m fine” to Xie Wei, then step by step climbed the stairs to stand upon the platform, positioned directly before Lu Tai.

But she said nothing.

She didn’t even display excessive anger. She simply raised her hand and bowed slightly to him in greeting.

In that instant, suddenly many clamorous voices arose from below the platform.

Everyone whispered to one another, discussing amongst themselves.

Even with a bare face, Jiang Xuening possessed stunning beauty. Her figure was slender yet not frail, her spine straight with integrity. Standing upon the platform in this spring night with the evening breeze stirring her skirt and flames from the surrounding torches illuminating her silhouette, she resembled a magnificent splash of color adorning a dreary world.

This single gesture of greeting alone was remarkably graceful.

Moreover, Lu Tai had just accused her and Du Jun of being “partners in crime”!

For a young lady, these words were hardly pleasant no matter how you looked at it.

Who could have imagined that not only would she not cry, make a scene, or show fear, she would even proactively bow in greeting to Lu Tai? A beauty was inherently pleasing to the eye—without needing to do much of anything, she had already established a distinction of superiority.

The sect didn’t consist solely of people willing to shed blood and sacrifice their lives for the Heavenly Doctrine. Moreover, they originally knew nothing of the truth about the Battle of Tongzhou, treating this ascension to the Heavenly Platform merely as genuine entertaining theater. Seeing such a spectacular opening and such stark contrast, they couldn’t help but become excited.

Who doesn’t enjoy watching the spectacle of those in high positions?

Some couldn’t even resist laughing, loudly jeering at the platform: “A grown man, yet lacking the composure of a woman! Branch Leader Lu is no good!”