The crowd erupted in an uproar. The sect leaders turned in unison to face Pei Yan, who remained seated calmly in his chair. Master Hui Lü spoke coldly, “Lord Pei, how do you explain this?!”
Pei Yan’s expression was a mix of a smile and mockery as he surveyed the crowd, “Everyone, please remain calm. I have a reasonable explanation for all of you.”
The sect leaders slowly closed in on him. Song Tao said coldly, “Lord Pei, this ‘Cultivation Dissipation Powder’ was found on your steward, and you killed him in front of everyone to silence him. I don’t think you can explain this away!”
Pei Yan chuckled, rising with a flourish of his sleeves. His demeanor was elegant and composed as he calmly faced the crowd.
The sect leaders were internally on high alert, knowing his martial arts prowess was unfathomable. They all raised their internal energy to the maximum, ready to launch a thunderous attack at any moment.
However, Pei Yan stood with his hands behind his back and smiled, “Until now, it has been Master Song narrating events, and I haven’t had a chance to defend myself. Would you all be willing to allow me to prove my innocence?”
The sect leaders exchanged glances, all thinking that the man before them was, after all, the Left Chancellor of the current dynasty, commanding partial military power. Although the evidence seemed conclusive that he had poisoned people, there might be even more powerful figures supporting him behind the scenes. If they acted rashly, the consequences could be endless.
With this in mind, Hui Lü chanted “Amitabha” loudly, his voice like a great bell, suppressing the chaotic voices of the hundreds present. When everyone had calmed down, he put his palms together and said, “Lord Pei, please present your evidence. It will ease the minds of our martial arts comrades and prevent imminent disaster.”
The moon had gradually risen to its zenith, its clear radiance washing over Pei Yan, enveloping him in a faint glow that made him appear even more refined and otherworldly.
From the tree, Jiang Ci could see clearly and whispered, “It wasn’t him who poisoned the wine.”
The person beside her let out a soft snort. Jiang Ci turned to look and saw his gaze was sharp and cold, fixed intently on Pei Yan at the manor entrance. His body was slightly leaning forward, like a cheetah ready to pounce on its prey, or a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, prepared to strike at any moment.
A sense of inexplicable unease welled up in her heart. She heard Pei Yan speak in a clear voice, “Everyone, I would like to call upon someone to ask a few questions. After that, everything will become clear.”
He turned his head towards the chief steward Pei Yang and said, “Go, invite the Huan Kingdom envoy, Lord Jin You Lang, to come out.”
Pei Yang turned and entered the manor. The crowd was somewhat surprised, not understanding why he would call upon an envoy from an enemy country to prove his innocence in this poisoning matter.
Soon, the Huan Kingdom envoy Jin You Lang stepped out from behind the door and cupped his hands towards Pei Yan, saying, “What instructions does Lord Pei have for summoning me?”
Pei Yan bowed slightly in return and said, “I wouldn’t dare to instruct. I’ve heard that Your Excellency is in charge of ceremonial and historical affairs in your country and is very familiar with the historical facts of both your country and ours. I have a few questions I’d like to ask Your Excellency.”
“Lord Pei is too polite. I will answer everything I know without reservation.”
Pei Yan said calmly, “Twenty-three years ago, your country and ours had a fierce confrontation. Your country suffered heavy casualties, and our country also had over ten thousand soldiers who shed their blood at the border. Does Your Excellency remember what caused the two countries to come to blows that year?”
Jin You Lang’s face showed a hint of displeasure as he said coldly, “That brutal battle of that year was fought over the Moon Fall Mountain Range.”
“What was the specific cause?”
Jin You Lang hesitated slightly, but finally said, “The Moon Fall Mountain Range is inhabited by the Moon Fall tribe. The men of the Moon Fall tribe have feminine features, and the women are all exceptionally beautiful. For hundreds of years, to maintain peace, the Moon Fall tribe has continuously offered beautiful young men and women as tribute to our country and yours. These Moon Fall tribespeople who were offered as tribute served as catamites if male, and as songstresses or concubines if female.
“Twenty-three years ago, a catamite offered as tribute to our country by the Moon Fall tribe suddenly assassinated our King Wei Ping one night. Under severe interrogation, this catamite confessed that he was acting on the orders of the tribal chief. Our emperor was furious and sent troops to the foot of Moon Fall Mountain, demanding that the Moon Fall tribe hand over the mastermind.
“It was at this time that your country sent troops to support the Moon Fall tribe, claiming that our country was falsely accusing the Moon Fall tribal chief of ordering the assassination. This led to that brutal battle.”
As he spoke, the martial arts experts listened in astonishment. Some of the older ones, remembering that battle from years ago, seemed to have some realization and couldn’t help but turn to look at Xiao Wuxia, whose face was gradually growing cold.
Pei Yan spoke leisurely, “I wonder if your country later uncovered the truth behind the assassination?”
Jin You Lang let out a light snort, “Of course, we got to the bottom of it. It turned out that the catamite was a member of the Star Moon Sect from the Moon Fall Mountain Range. He was acting on the orders of the Star Moon Sect Leader to assassinate King Wei Ping. There were other Star Moon Sect members hidden in your country’s imperial court who persuaded your emperor to send troops to aid the Moon Fall tribe, deliberately inciting this war between our two countries.”
A wave of discussion arose among the crowd. The name “Star Moon Sect” was not well-known, as they were only active in the Moon Fall Mountain Range area and rarely interacted with the martial artists of the Central Plains. They hadn’t expected that the people of this sect were the ones who had incited the war years ago.
Pei Yan asked, “Then why hasn’t this historical fact been made public by either of our countries?”
Jin You Lang was extremely displeased, but considering that the person before him was the Left Chancellor of the Hua Dynasty, and he was here on a peace mission, he couldn’t afford to offend him. So he said coldly, “This matter involves the inner affairs of both countries and is not suitable for public disclosure. It’s only because Lord Pei is asking now that I have to speak frankly.”
Xiao Wuxia’s face remained expressionless, but hatred gradually welled up in his eyes. That kind of deep-seated hatred, coupled with his delicate features, sent chills down people’s spines.
Up in the tree, Jiang Ci faintly felt the branch trembling very slightly. She heard the person beside her laughing softly in an extremely low voice, a laugh-filled with indescribable deep pain and distance.
Jiang Ci inexplicably felt a surge of sympathy. She quietly reached out her hand and gently patted his left arm.
He slowly turned his head, but Jiang Ci didn’t know what to say. Remembering how she used to make funny faces to cheer up her senior sister whenever she was in a bad mood, she pinched her cheeks, stuck out her tongue at him, made a funny face, and then smiled at him. The man saw it clearly and was momentarily stunned.
As the crowd’s discussions gradually subsided, Pei Yan bowed slightly to Jin You Lang and said, “I would like to ask Your Excellency one more question. Do you know why the Star Moon Sect deliberately incited war between our two countries?”
Jin You Lang said sternly, “The Star Moon Sect members have long been dissatisfied with their tribal chief offering the tribe’s young men and women as a tribute to our two countries. Years of resentment naturally made them want our countries to be in constant warfare, so they could take the opportunity to seek revenge.”
Pei Yan smiled slightly, “Thank you, Your Excellency, for enlightening me. I’m deeply grateful.”
He turned around and exchanged glances with Xiao Wuxia for a moment, then chuckled and turned to his chief steward, saying, “Go, invite my mother to come out.”
Hearing that the widow of the former Alliance Leader Pei Zijing, the mother of the world-renowned Sword Marquis Pei Yan, who had never appeared in public before, was about to make a public appearance, the crowd became very curious. Moreover, after Jin You Lang’s explanation, those with deeper insights began to feel that Xiao Wuxia’s words might not be trustworthy, and the tense atmosphere in the courtyard eased slightly.
Moonlight poured down, the autumn breeze gently rising, and the sound of tinkling ornaments could be heard as several elegantly dressed maids supported a woman as she stepped out of the manor gate.
This woman was dressed in plain clothes with simple accessories. She walked with her head lowered, and although the crowd couldn’t see her face, they all felt that her figure had an indescribable air of coolness and ethereality.
As she stepped out of the gate, Pei Yan went forward to meet her, supporting her left arm. His face was full of reverence as he said respectfully, “Mother, to trouble you like this, your son is truly unfilial.”
Lady Pei, supported by him, stepped down the stairs and slowly raised her head. The crowd was dazzled, collectively drawing in a sharp breath.
This Lady Pei looked very young, no more than thirty years old, with skin as white as snow and a pair of starry eyes that sparkled with life, her beauty indescribable. She looked at her son, a smile on her lips, her expression gentle and dignified, graceful and elegant.
The martial arts experts hadn’t expected the reclusive Lady Pei to look so young and be so beautiful, even surpassing the acknowledged number one beauty of the martial arts world, “Cold Sword of Green Mountain” Jian Ying, by several degrees. They looked at Pei Yan’s handsome face and all inwardly sighed, “Like mother, like son.”
The “Dragon City Swordsman” Song Tao shouted, “Pei Yan, you said you would produce evidence to prove your innocence. Is Lady Pei the evidence?”
Pei Yan released his hands from supporting Lady Pei and smiled, “The evidence is not my mother, but – this – person!”
He suddenly turned and lunged towards one of the maids behind Lady Pei. The maid let out a startled cry, a flash of green darting backward.
Pei Yan let out a cold snort, his movement as swift as lightning, following her shadow. After several “bang” sounds, the maid cried out in pain and fell to the ground.
Pei Yan landed softly, gently patting his blue robe. He turned to Jin Youlang, cupping his hands in greeting, “Lord Youlang, you’re well acquainted with the habits of the Yueluo people. Do you know of any distinguishing features they might have?”
Jin Youlang, unaware of the events that had transpired outside the manor, furrowed his brow slightly. In this situation, he could only answer truthfully, “The Yueluo people, after the age of seven, regardless of gender, all have a small moon tattoo on the inner side of their thigh.”
Pei Yan walked up to Cheng Bilan, the Sect Leader of Qingshan Sect, and bowed slightly, “May I trouble Sect Leader Cheng to take her into the manor for a detailed examination.”
Cheng Bilan waved her hand, and several female disciples from the Qingshan Sect lifted the maid and carried her into the manor.
The various Sect Leaders exchanged glances. Liu Feng and the Kongtong Sect Leader stepped forward steadily, flanking Xiao Wuxia on either side.
Shortly after, Sect Leader Cheng Bilan of Qingshan Sect strode out of the main gate and walked to Master Huilu’s side, whispering, “It’s been confirmed clearly, that this maid is indeed from the Yueluo people.”
A burst of laughter rang out. Everyone looked over to see Xiao Wuxia laughing loudly, “I’ve heard that Minister Pei is deeply favored by His Majesty. Perhaps it’s possible that you were gifted a Yueluo woman? Can the fact that a single maid is from the Yueluo people prove Minister Pei’s innocence?”
Pei Yan didn’t respond. Instead, he supported Madam Pei’s right arm, escorting her up the steps. Only then did he turn around and call out clearly, “Cen Wu, you may rise now.”
Xiao Wuxia’s face changed drastically. Everyone saw Cen Wu, who had previously collapsed on the ground seemingly on the brink of death, suddenly leap up. The crowd was startled as he stepped to the bottom of the stairs and bowed to Pei Yan, saying, “Manor Lord.”
The crowd was astonished. Master Huilu stepped forward, palms pressed together, and said, “Alliance Leader Pei, please explain in detail.” With this address of “Alliance Leader Pei,” it was clear he already believed in Pei Yan’s innocence.
Up in the tree, Jiang Ci heard the person beside her let out a cold snort, filled with anger and unwillingness.
Pei Yan was in no hurry to answer. He raised his right hand slightly, and a servant came forward to lead the Huan Kingdom envoy Jin Youlang into the manor.
After Jin Youlang had gone, Pei Yan turned around, smiling as he patted Cen Wu’s shoulder, “Cen Wu, please explain the detailed process.”
Cen Wu bowed deeply and respectfully said, “Yes. It was like this: Half a year ago, I was repeatedly seduced and tempted by that girl Yulan. Although I was also captivated by her beauty, I still maintained a clear mind. Moreover, the rules of Changfeng Manor are strict, and no illicit affairs are allowed within the manor. I didn’t dare to violate the manor rules, so I reported this matter to the Manor Lord.
“After receiving the report, the Manor Lord ordered a detailed investigation into Yulan’s background, finding her somewhat suspicious. Madam had lived in the capital for several years and had seen Yueluo women in the households of nobles. She felt this girl seemed to have a Yueluo air about her. Madam then drugged the girl one night and had someone remove her clothes for a detailed examination, confirming her identity as a Yueluo person.
“Upon learning this, the Manor Lord realized that the ‘Star Moon Cult’ might be planning something. The Manor Lord ordered me to pretend to fall for her trap to keep Yulan in check while sending people to infiltrate the ‘Star Moon Cult’. Thus, we learned of Cult Leader Xiao’s grand scheme to use Hero Song’s words to falsely accuse our Changfeng Manor of poisoning and harming our martial arts allies, thereby disrupting our kingdom’s internal affairs, inciting conflict between the martial arts world and the court, and shaking our kingdom’s military morale.
“After learning of this plot, since we didn’t know who else in the manor might be a spy or who was responsible for the poisoning, the Manor Lord devised a strategy to lure out Cult Leader Xiao and let our allies see the true intentions of the ‘Star Moon Cult’ in inciting conflict. So we went along with the plan, allowing the ‘Star Moon Cult’ to implement their scheme, and invited Lord Jin Youlang from the Huan Kingdom to testify at the crucial moment.
“Yulan gave me that paper charm tonight, using sweet words to make me carry it, and then secretly planted a bewildering incense on me.
“When Cult Leader Xiao pointed at me earlier, he released the ‘triggering fragrance’, and I pretended to go ‘mentally confused’, running around wildly, acting out this play with the Manor Lord, giving everyone a false scare.
“Cult Leader Xiao had planned meticulously, intending to put the Manor Lord in a deadly situation. But he didn’t know that the person he sent to poison the wine had been spotted by us when they were adding the poison. We captured them and found ‘Ability-Dissolving Powder’ on their person.
“So, only the wine in the Sect Leaders’ hands contained the ‘Ability-Dissolving Powder’, intended to lure out Cult Leader Xiao and expose his true face. As for the jug of wine my Manor Lord drank from, it had a hidden compartment. If Cult Leader Xiao and his people hadn’t shown up, the Manor Lord would have found a way to prevent the Sect Leaders from drinking the poisoned wine.
“As for the ‘bewildering incense’ Yulan planted on me, my Manor Lord’s uncle, having participated in a battle years ago, knew the antidote formula. That’s why I was able to act out this play with the Manor Lord.”
As soon as he finished speaking, several people from the manor brought out a person dressed as a servant, who looked quite disheveled despite his delicate features. Cen Wu stepped forward with his sword, and with a flash of the blade, cut open the person’s trousers. The servants lifted the person’s right leg, and the crowd could see the Yueluo tribal mark on the inner thigh.
Cen Wu spoke clearly, narrating the events in an orderly manner. Now with two Yueluo people captured, the crowd was thoroughly convinced and began to surround Xiao Wuxia.
Song Tao, known as the “Dragon City Swordsman,” was full of indignation and anger. He shouted, “Xiao Wuxia, so you’re such a despicable person! I wrongly considered you a friend. Prepare to die!” With that, he drew his long sword with a ‘clang’.
Xiao Wuxia’s face turned pale, his phoenix eyes filled with despair as he stepped back, but was surrounded by the crowd. Seeing no way out, he froze for a moment, then suddenly threw back his head and laughed loudly, “Hahaha! How I wish I could kill all you traitors who have bullied my Yueluo people! You will all face retribution one day!”
In the night wind, his face bore intense hatred, his beautiful features twisted into a grimace. His laughter gradually faded, and finally, his body went limp and he collapsed to the ground.
Song Tao and others rushed forward, only to see blood seeping from the corners of Xiao Wuxia’s mouth. He had already breathed his last.
The crowd looked at each other in astonishment, not expecting that the mighty Cult Leader Xiao Wuxia of the “Star Moon Cult” would take his own life without putting up a fight. Such a shocking conspiracy had come to such an abrupt end, leaving everyone feeling as if in a dream.
Pei Yan walked steadily to Xiao Wuxia’s body, bent down to examine it briefly, then walked to Madam Pei and bowed, saying, “Mother, I’m sorry you had to witness this.”
Madam Pei said softly, “Young Lord, handle the remaining matters well, and don’t neglect our martial arts allies.” She turned to walk into the manor, but after a few steps, she stopped and said to Pei Yan, “Young Lord, the ink chrysanthemums in the chrysanthemum garden have bloomed. Go pick a few, I’d like to put them in a vase.”
“Yes, Mother.”
The crowd listened to this exchange between mother and son, feeling confused and uncertain of its meaning. But they saw Pei Yan smiling slightly, walking leisurely towards the chrysanthemum garden.
He entered the garden, bent down to pick a few ink chrysanthemums, and straightened up. Suddenly, his expression turned cold, and his figure erupted into motion, flying towards the large tree where Jiang Ci was hiding.
Earlier, Jiang Ci had watched the dramatic turn of events with great excitement, feeling that the trip had been worthwhile. When Pei Yan entered the chrysanthemum garden, she could see his handsome face more clearly and couldn’t help but praise the famous Sword Marquis. However, she was caught off guard when he suddenly attacked, leaping towards her hiding place.
She was stunned for a moment, then suddenly felt the person beside her pushes her forcefully. Caught unprepared, she let out an “Ah!” as she flew towards the approaching Pei Yan.
Unable to circulate her Yuan Power in time, she saw in her panic that Pei Yan’s palms were coming at her with overwhelming force. She felt a sharp pain in her chest, her vision went black, and she spat out a mouthful of blood before losing consciousness.