Exoneration (Part 1)
On the platform of inquiry, dark clouds loomed overhead, and a chilling atmosphere permeated the air.
The audience below was densely packed with Guiyun Sect disciples, all holding their breath and focusing their gazes on the sky.
Ning Xihe's hands were bound by black iron chains, her plain clothes were stained with blood, and her hair was disheveled, clearly indicating that she had been tortured. However, her back was straight and her eyes showed no fear.
Xie Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, his face solemn.
The three elders stood on either side, with Elder Wang looking stern: "Xihe, you have always been able to distinguish right from wrong. The evidence against Yunwei for falling into demonic possession is irrefutable. Why would you risk your life for a demon?"
Ning Xihe raised her head, her voice calm: "This disciple has already made it very clear. Yun Wei is an upright person who cares about the common people. Countless times he has taken the lead in protecting his fellow disciples and fighting against evil spirits. The matter of Shitang Town... clearly has other hidden motives."
The disciples below whispered among themselves, some looking reluctant, others hesitant.
Elder Wang sighed, “Foolish child! How can you be so stubborn! If Yun Wei hadn’t fallen into demonic possession, would the sect leader have so righteously betrayed his own daughter? What father in the world would willingly frame his own daughter? It is true that she failed to slay the demon, and the disordered spiritual energy and taint of demonic energy were the results of joint examination by many elders! Your so-called firm belief is nothing but womanly compassion! Guiyun Sect has strict rules; how can it tolerate the existence of demons? You are now protecting a demon, violating the sect rules, and according to the law, you should be punished the same as the demon!”
He glanced at Xie Qingfeng and saw his indifferent expression, knowing that he was waiting for Yun Wei to walk into his trap.
"Considering your usual diligence, as long as you publicly draw a line and point out Yun Wei's crimes, the sect leader is kind and might give you a break!" Elder Wang advised, but inwardly he sighed that Ning Xihe was too stubborn.
Ning Xihe scoffed, "Elder, there's no need to persuade me further. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. I would never falsely accuse Yun Wei of something she didn't do. If I were to frame her today to protect myself, how would I be any different from the demonic path?"
The other two elders exchanged glances, their expressions complex.
Xie Qingfeng finally spoke, his voice cold and authoritative: "Stubborn to the end. Since that's the case, I will use the Xuan Tian Demon-Slaying Seal to cleanse this sect!" He raised his hand to form a seal, and a golden talisman flew towards Ning Xihe's heart.
"Zheng—"
A long sword pierced through the air, its blade gleaming with a chilling blue light, and struck the golden seal precisely. With a "crack," the golden seal shattered, turning into countless specks of light.
The audience erupted in uproar, and everyone looked on in shock.
A white figure gracefully descended from the high cliff, her clothes fluttering and her black hair flowing like a waterfall.
In a few leaps, she landed steadily in front of Ning Xihe. The Broken Dust Sword flew back into her hand. Yun Wei stood holding the sword, its tip slightly lowered, her gaze cold: "Sect Master Xie, how have you been?"
A look of surprise flashed in Ning Xihe's eyes, which then turned into deep worry: "Yunwei, you shouldn't have come."
Yun Wei turned her head to look at her, her gaze slightly narrowing. Seeing Ning Xihe's white clothes stained with blood, her hands bound by black iron chains, and her body covered in wounds, the coldness in her eyes intensified. "Now that I'm here, there's no reason for me not to come. You've suffered because of me, how can I stand idly by?"
Before she finished speaking, she flicked her wrist, and the Broken Dust Sword drew a sharp arc, its sword energy striking the black iron chains.
With a sharp clang, the heavy chain snapped and broke into several pieces, clattering to the ground.
Ning Xihe's wrist loosened, and she staggered half a step, hurriedly saying, "But this is clearly a trap! The sect leader..."
“It’s alright.” Yunwei interrupted her, her tone calm and even. “I’ve come here today precisely for this reason.”
Xie Qingfeng's pupils contracted slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his face before he regained his composure, even a meaningful smile playing on his lips. He clapped his hands and sighed softly, "Good, good! As expected of my daughter, Xie Qingfeng's daughter. Such courage and composure truly make your father... gratified." He deliberately softened his tone, his gaze deep and unfathomable. "Your father has been waiting for you here for a long time. Are you satisfied with this 'reunion' gift?"
Yun Wei slowly turned her head, meeting Xie Qingfeng's hypocritical gaze once more.
She recalled Elder Wu's heart-wrenching last words at the bottom of the Cold Soul Abyss.
In such a frigid place as Cold Soul Abyss, what despair and torment must have been felt when her mother was murdered?
The seemingly respectable man before her, her biological father, was actually the mastermind behind all of this.
The hatred of killing his mother and the grudge of being framed must be avenged today, and he must pay for it in blood.
She was determined to personally seek justice for her mother and for herself, a justice that had been long overdue.
The disciples below the stage could no longer contain themselves and began to discuss among themselves: "It's Senior Sister Yunwei! She's really still alive!" "But why is she fighting with the Sect Master? What exactly happened?"
Xie Qingfeng said calmly, "You have fallen into demonic ways but are not dead. Now you dare to trespass on the Questioning Platform and rob prisoners. It seems you are determined to be an enemy of the righteous path."
"Fallen demon?" Yun Wei chuckled. "Father, are you still putting on this show now? You know the truth about Shitang Town perfectly well."
She paused, then continued, "Since I can remember, have you ever fulfilled your responsibilities as a father for even a single day? Just because I am a woman, am I unworthy to inherit the Guiyun Sect? You gave all the sect's best elixirs and sword techniques to others. I reached Foundation Establishment at seven, yet you said I still needed to hone my skills; I achieved minor mastery of swordsmanship at ten, yet you remained silent; I single-handedly stormed the Ten Thousand Demon Cave at fifteen to rescue my fellow disciples, yet you only offered a curt 'It was my duty.' May I ask, Father, have you ever considered me your daughter? I'm nothing but an eyesore and a stumbling block."
The audience erupted in uproar, the disciples whispering amongst themselves, their gazes toward Xie Qingfeng filled with skepticism.
Elder Wang's expression changed upon hearing this, and he suddenly launched a sneak attack.
Ning Xihe shouted urgently, "Be careful!"
Yun Wei glanced at Elder Wang indifferently and casually swung her sword.
The sword light, carrying a chilling aura, transformed into countless ice shards in mid-air, surrounding him completely.
The icicles spun and strangled, leaving only a pool of blood in the spot in the blink of an eye.
"Ah—!" A scream rang out, followed by deathly silence.
Yun Wei's expression was icy: "Elder Wang hasn't changed his habit of attacking from behind. Back then, he tried to sever my meridians under the guise of instructing me on swordsmanship, but unfortunately, he was no match for me. Now he wants to try the same trick again?"
She sheathed her sword and stood there, her tone calm and unwavering: "Such a despicable person deserves to die."
The other two elders wanted to make a move, but just then, a cold shout came from afar: "Emberfire!"
A fiery dragon roared in from the horizon, its blazing flames instantly engulfing the two of them.
The two elders tried in terror to extinguish the flames on their bodies, but the more they tried to resist, the more fiercely the fire burned.
Xie Lan used his lightness skill to leap to the Questioning Platform, his black robes fluttering in the wind.
His face was cold, his eyes were filled with murderous intent, and he exuded a chilling aura of killing intent.
The two elders cried out for mercy amidst the flames, their voices filled with anguish.
The young man walked to Yun Wei's side, his voice as cold as ice: "I remember clearly how you two treated Yun Wei back then. She stole the sword manual, and you beat her until her hands were torn and bleeding; she won the sword competition against your favored disciple, and you withheld her cultivation resources; on that day in Shitang Town, you also watched her being framed and killed. Now you want to beg for mercy?"
He scoffed, his eyes flashing with even more malice: "Too late."
Yun Wei remained indifferent, her heart unmoved.
Yes, it's too late.
She fought a fierce battle against the demonic dragon in Shitang Town, only to be accused of "falling into demonic ways."
At that time, she watched as these so-called elders stood up one by one, listing her "crimes" with certainty, but did anyone plead for her?
It's too late to beg for mercy now.
The two elders were eventually reduced to ashes in the flames.
Xie Qingfeng's face was gloomy, and the disciples below the stage were in an uproar.
Yun Wei's expression remained aloof as she looked up at Xie Lanchen.
The lingering hostility in the boy's eyes melted away the moment their gazes met, revealing a tenderness that he himself might not even realize was reserved only for her.
Those usually gloomy eyes reflected her figure at this moment, and even his tightly pursed thin lips softened a bit.
His thin lips moved slightly, silently uttering two words: "I'm here."
This boy, who always said one thing but meant another, clearly cared about her but never said it directly. His blunt expression now made her feel a little uncomfortable.
"I know," Yunwei replied softly, equally silent.
Xie Lanchen's eyelashes trembled, as if burned by those three silent words.
He looked away, his ears turning slightly red, but then turned back and stubbornly continued to gaze at her, as if even a moment's separation was an unbearable loss.
Xie Qingfeng, standing opposite him, took in the entire scene, his face growing increasingly grim. The sharp blade he had meticulously cultivated had not only slipped out of his control, but even its edge had willingly been concealed by another.
Yun Wei shielded Ning Xihe behind her, pointing the Broken Dust Sword at Xie Qingfeng. "Those who aided and abetted evil have been executed. Next, it's your turn."
Xie Qingfeng laughed angrily: "You two? One is the rebellious daughter I personally taught, and the other is the adopted son I raised. How dare you speak so arrogantly here? The century-old foundation of Guiyun Sect, how could you possibly shake it? Today I will clean house and let you know what true power is!"
Upon hearing this, Xie Lanchen's lips curled into a mocking smile: "Sect Leader Xie, you have quite the arrogance."
After saying that, the boy took out a yellow talisman from his sleeve.
"Sect Master, have you forgotten that besides my decent swordsmanship, I also have a smattering of knowledge in talismans? This is the 'Thousand-Mile Covenant Talisman.' By burning this talisman, the person I'm looking for, no matter where they are, will be able to sense the perilous situation here." He tossed the talisman into the air. "I just wonder if your impregnable Guiyun Sect can withstand so many 'guests' visiting at the same time?"
The talisman exploded in the air, turning into thousands of streams of light that scattered in all directions.
Before long, the sound of something breaking through the air came from the horizon. Xu E led the people of Biyue Manor to arrive on their swords, and Nangong Ya also arrived with the disciples of Wandu Valley.
Yun Wei remained calm; she had already anticipated this.
Xie Lanchen had told her about this plan under the sacred tree that day. She was never alone.
She once thought that the ultimate swordsmanship lay in solitude, but now she understands that true strength lies in having companions to walk with and partners to whom one can entrust one's back.
"I'm not late, am I?" The girl in purple landed gracefully, rolling her eyes at Xie Qingfeng. "You old scoundrel! You killed your wife and harmed your daughter, you've done all sorts of evil deeds! Today your retribution has come!"
Xie Qingfeng's face turned ashen.
Nangong Ya turned to look at Yun Wei, her expression awkward: "You can't go back on your word this time! You have to deliver the little trinket you promised me in person!"
Yun Wei smiled slightly: "Okay. It's a deal."
Xu E was dressed in a deep red brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist, which made him look even more upright.
He strode forward, his gaze sweeping over Xie Qingfeng with undisguised disdain, then turned to Yun Wei and said loudly, "Back at Biyue Manor, I told you that if you ever encounter any difficulties, just come to me. I'll brave mountains of knives and seas of fire for you. Today, we are your support."
Xie Lanchen tilted his head slightly and said to her in a low voice, "See, I told you you didn't need to deal with these small fry yourself. Someone else will be eager to do it for you." His voice was very soft, with a hint of probing and a touch of smugness, as if to say, "See? I arranged it well."
Yun glanced at him sideways and saw that although the boy's face was still cold, there was a faint hint of "seeking praise" in his eyes and brows. She found it a little funny, but she just nodded almost imperceptibly.
Xie Qingfeng laughed angrily, "Yunwei, I underestimated you. I never expected that someone as aloof as you could make friends with such... worthless people." He suddenly turned to Xie Lanchen, his eyes sinister, "Lanchen, my good adopted son. Do you still remember when you were bullied in the outer sect, starving and naked, who rescued you from your plight? Who taught you superior swordsmanship and provided you with fine clothes and food? Have you forgotten all the kindness of your upbringing and the dedication you've shown me over the years?"
Upon hearing this, a hint of mockery flashed in Xie Lanchen's usually gloomy eyes.
He remembers, of course he remembers.
But he remembered even more that it was Yunwei who saved him from the wolf demon seven years ago and brought him back to the Yun Sect; it was Yunwei who disregarded her own safety and burned her remaining soul to protect him; it was Yunwei who, when he was controlled by the Soul Binding Lock, would rather be injured herself than harm him in the slightest.
"The debt of gratitude for raising me?" He chuckled, a laugh laced with sarcasm. "Sect Master Xie, why speak so grandly? Weren't those outer disciples who bullied me back then secretly orchestrated by you? Just because Yun Wei rescued me from the foot of the mountain, you deliberately made me suffer hardships before offering your help, wasn't it all to make me resent Yun Wei and become loyal to you, a sharp blade in your hand to deal with your own daughter? You taught me swordsmanship and gave me resources, nothing more than to make me grow into a useful pawn faster. It's just a pity..."
The boy paused, and when he turned his gaze to Yun Wei, his eyes softened unconsciously, and his voice lowered: "I have never... cared about these things."
Xie Qingfeng's face instantly turned ashen, and veins throbbed on his forehead, clearly indicating that the boy's words had struck a nerve.
His meticulously planned scheme, which he believed to be perfectly under control, had already been seen through by the young man.
He had schemed his whole life, never imagining he would be defeated by the very pawn he had nurtured.
He stared intently at Xie Lanchen, gritting his teeth as he said, "Fine, very well... Have you thought carefully about the consequences of betraying me?"
The boy showed no fear, instead taking a step forward, his eyes cold, his tone terrifyingly soft: "That's the question I should be asking you. I won't let any of those who hurt her get away with it. You're no exception."
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