Chapter 981: Framing and False Accusation

Guan Qingya, who had been standing before the assembled seniors with perfect courtesy, froze. He looked at Niu Youdao pointing at him, then at Gong Lince and the others, especially his own master Yan Li, unsure what he was supposed to do.

Niu Youdao crooked the finger pointing at him. "I told you to come here. Did you grow up without ears?"

Yan Li gave Guan Qingya a look telling him it was fine. He did not believe Niu Youdao would truly dare slaughter a Zijin Cave disciple in public. If he did, then regardless of who had been right or wrong before, the fault would become Niu Youdao's. Not even Elder Zhong of Tortoise-Slumber Pavilion could shield him from that.

Truthfully, after things had escalated this far, especially under so many watching eyes, Guan Qingya was genuinely afraid. He could not stop himself from thinking about how Niu Youdao had killed three Elders of the State of Zhao in Tiangu.

But fear and regret were both useless. The matter had already happened. He could only steel himself and walk over.

He had just come near Niu Youdao and squeezed out a smile, preparing to cup his hands in greeting, when Niu Youdao pointed at the ground directly in front of himself again, signaling for him to come closer.

Guan Qingya had no choice but to take another step forward.

Niu Youdao pointed at the ground before him yet again.

Gritting his teeth, Guan Qingya moved closer once more.

At that instant, Niu Youdao suddenly struck. His hand moved with astonishing speed, whipping out in a backhanded slap.

Smack!

The slap rang crisp and loud. Guan Qingya tried to dodge, yet somehow failed to move in time. He hit the ground on the spot, blood spraying from his mouth and nose.

Niu Youdao had not been gentle. Spiritual power had been infused directly into the strike. Guan Qingya was fortunate that one slap had not killed him outright.

Lying on the ground, Guan Qingya coughed and choked on blood. Half a mouthful of white teeth came out with it and scattered across the earth. Half his face swelled rapidly, while countless tiny blood vessels beneath the skin burst and thin threads of blood seeped through the surface.

He had now personally experienced what Guan Fangyi had felt when he caught her unprepared.

The blow left him completely dazed. Even so, instinct made him kick and scramble backward. His vision suddenly blurred, and the next moment he was lying flat on the ground, unable to move.

Niu Youdao had stepped forward and planted one foot squarely over the vital point at his chest. Spiritual power poured into Guan Qingya's heart meridian, ready at any moment to burst his heart apart and pinning him firmly to the ground.

Everyone was shocked. None had expected Niu Youdao to actually attack in public.

Even the Zijin Cave disciples surrounding the Maolu Annex in the distance were stunned by what they witnessed. They had no idea what was happening.

It was not only Zijin Cave's people. Even those from the Maolu Annex had been startled. None had imagined Master Dao would attack Guan Qingya the moment he laid eyes on him.

Guan Fangyi naturally understood that the slap had been revenge for the one she had suffered. Yet because it came so suddenly, even she was momentarily dumbfounded.

Gong Lince froze, then his face darkened. Niu Youdao was behaving far too presumptuously. This was practically a slap across Zijin Cave's face, and slapping Zijin Cave's face was the same as slapping his own.

Yan Li recovered from his shock and immediately cried out in fury, "Niu Youdao, what are you trying to do?"

Shing!

Niu Youdao's sword left its sheath. The edge was already pressed against Guan Qingya's neck beneath his foot.

Ignoring everyone else's reaction, Niu Youdao looked down from above and said indifferently, "I am an Elder of this sect. I called you over again and again, yet you still refused to come. Could you not hear me, or are you deaf? Do you still understand what seniority and hierarchy mean? Do Zijin Cave's rules mean anything in your eyes? Showing no respect for your seniors—who taught you that?"

At those words, the startled Zijin Cave members froze again. They immediately recalled how Niu Youdao had indeed called Guan Qingya repeatedly before the man finally approached.

Gong Lince's expression twisted slightly. None of them were fools. Who could fail to see that Niu Youdao was seizing an excuse to retaliate?

Yet Niu Youdao was indeed an Elder of Zijin Cave. If he used this reasoning to discipline Guan Qingya, no one could truly say he had no grounds at all. At most, they could say the method of discipline was improper and that he had gone too far.

"..."

Yan Li choked for a moment, then pointed angrily at the sword in Niu Youdao's hand. "Niu Youdao, if a disciple commits an offense, the sect rules will punish him. It is not your place to slaughter people as you please!"

With Guan Qingya's life already in Niu Youdao's hands, Yan Li did not dare move recklessly. Instead, he cupped his hands toward Gong Lince. "Sect Leader, such wanton behavior is utterly unreasonable!"

Yuan An, Fu Junrang, and the others exchanged glances.

Having recovered somewhat, Guan Qingya saw the gleaming sword at his throat and was terrified. Blood still in his mouth, he panted, "Elder Niu, Elder Niu..." The plea for mercy was obvious.

Gong Lince said heavily, "Elder Niu, you've already disciplined him. Enough is enough. Put your sword away, or bear the consequences yourself!"

Niu Youdao raised his eyes and met Gong Lince's stare. His gaze was resolute.

Niu Youdao understood the warning in Gong Lince's eyes: if you dare keep acting recklessly, I will not be polite!

Gong Lince likewise understood the meaning in Niu Youdao's eyes: whatever happens today, I am getting justice for this!

Even so, Niu Youdao obeyed in action. In front of everyone, he still gave Gong Lince the face due a Sect Leader. The moment Gong Lince spoke, Niu Youdao withdrew his sword. With a shing, the blade returned to its sheath, and he lifted his foot from Guan Qingya.

Then he raised a hand and pointed at Guo Miaosheng and An Taihua. "You two. Come here!"

Again?

Guo and An were scared badly enough already. But they had both just witnessed why Niu Youdao had disciplined Guan Qingya. After a brief hesitation, before anyone else could stop them, they hurried over trembling.

Gong Lince had been about to say something, but Niu Youdao pointed at Guan Qingya, who was struggling upright on the ground. "Help him up."

Guo Miaosheng and An Taihua answered meekly and hurried to support Guan Qingya together, each taking one arm.

Seeing that Niu Youdao did not repeat the same performance as before, Gong Lince swallowed the words already at his lips and said nothing. He personally walked closer instead.

Niu Youdao asked the two men, "What are your names?"

Terrified, they answered, "Guo Miaosheng. An Taihua!"

The words had barely left their mouths when Niu Youdao swung his hand and slapped again.

Guo Miaosheng crashed to the ground, blood flying from his mouth and nose.

He had never imagined that with the Sect Leader himself already standing there, Niu Youdao would still dare strike.

Niu Youdao's backhand was already whipping toward An Taihua when Gong Lince moved like lightning and caught his wrist.

But Niu Youdao's foot exploded forward at the same instant, landing squarely in An Taihua's abdomen.

"Ah!"

An Taihua screamed and flew backward, spraying a mouthful of blood through the air. In reality, he had suffered the worst injury of the three.

Guan Qingya was frightened out of his wits and immediately flashed away. How could he possibly dare remain standing there waiting to be dealt with?

Gong Lince swiftly pressed two fingers against Niu Youdao's chest. Power gathered at his fingertips, ready to erupt into Niu Youdao's heart and take his life at any moment. He shouted furiously, "Insolent!"

Seeing Niu Youdao restrained, the people of the Maolu Annex immediately moved.

But Niu Youdao swung the sword he had been using as a cane and barked, "This has nothing to do with you. Get back!"

Zijin Cave's people, however, had already rushed forward.

Guan Fangyi and the others did not obey Niu Youdao this time. They surged forward and confronted Zijin Cave's people directly. Wu Zhaoxing and Yun Ji both appeared. Even Hui Qingping flashed into view.

Yuan Fang forced himself to come out carrying two monk's sabers, though he hid at the very rear.

A great battle could erupt at any instant.

Niu Youdao and Gong Lince stared into each other's eyes. Niu Youdao lowered his voice, but his tone remained unyielding. Only Gong Lince could hear him clearly.

"Sect Leader, I guarantee you can't kill me like this! Whether someone framed Hongniang doesn't require evidence. You and I both know perfectly well who was right and who was wrong. I am not the one who wanted to cause trouble. Someone on the sect's side went too far in bullying my people. Is this the result you promised me on Sacred Island?"

"I don't want to make this into a major affair, and I don't want to implicate anyone else. But the lives of these three dogs? I want them! I didn't kill them on the spot because I was giving you face, Sect Leader. But today, Sect Leader must give me an explanation too. If you break your word from Sacred Island, then today we'll fight until both fish and net are destroyed. If you keep your word, then from this day onward, inside Zijin Cave, I will follow Sect Leader's lead in everything! Whether you kill the three of them or kill me, Sect Leader may decide for yourself. I will not force you!"

Gong Lince lowered his voice as well. "Slaughtering disciples of your own sect without authorization—have you gone mad?"

Niu Youdao suddenly raised his voice. "Three filthy dogs dared curse me to my face. Am I not even allowed to discipline them?"

The Zijin Cave members were startled and doubtful when they heard this. They all turned toward Guo Miaosheng and An Taihua, who had just struggled upright, and Guan Qingya farther away. None quite believed the three possessed that much courage.

"No! I didn't!"

"I never cursed Elder Niu!"

Guo, An, and Guan hurriedly waved their hands and explained themselves to the crowd.

Gong Lince's eyes flickered. Then he abruptly shoved Niu Youdao away, turned toward everyone, and shouted, "What are all of you doing? Stand down!"

Niu Youdao also waved for Guan Fangyi and the others to withdraw. The people of the Maolu Annex exchanged looks, then gradually backed away.

The Zijin Cave disciples likewise withdrew one after another. Only the Elders remained where they were, and they began walking toward Gong Lince.

Mo Lingxue glanced back at the terrified Guo, An, and Guan trio, then asked Gong Lince, "Sect Leader, did they curse Elder Niu?"

Gong Lince had been standing right beside them and was therefore the best possible witness.

The corner of Gong Lince's mouth tightened. Slowly, he said, "I heard nothing."

Niu Youdao said, "But I heard them curse me with my own ears!"

Gong Lince stared coldly at him. Only now did he completely understand. What spy? What investigation of the truth? It had all been bullshit, ghost stories told to fool everyone. This bastard had come here purely to retaliate and settle accounts.

And that was indeed the truth.

Niu Youdao knew Guan Qingya and the others would never admit what had actually happened. Some matters simply could not be investigated to a definite conclusion. He had only wanted to gather all the people involved in one place so he could settle the score.

Naturally, he dared settle it because he possessed the confidence to do so.

"I didn't! Sect Leader, I never cursed him!"

"Elders, I truly didn't curse him! Elder Niu only asked our names. We answered honestly, and then he suddenly attacked us."

Guo Miaosheng, An Taihua, and Guan Qingya stood there with blood covering their mouths as they frantically explained, miserable beyond words and completely flustered.

But no matter how the three explained, Niu Youdao simply insisted they had cursed him. The three had no witnesses to prove otherwise and could only keep saying they had not.

Of course they had not cursed him.

Niu Youdao was framing them and falsely accusing them, directly returning to them exactly what they had done to his side!

Anyone with eyes could see at least some of what was happening.

Yan Li shouted angrily, "Niu Youdao, whether they cursed you or not, the sect will make its own judgment. How can you simply strike them on your own authority?"

"Judgment?" Niu Youdao suddenly swung an arm and pointed at Yuan Gang. "Where was that judgment then? Before the truth was even established, before black and white had been distinguished, you simply seized my man. What kind of fucking judgment is that?"

[End of Chapter 981]